The Lingering Dead Read Free Page A

closed and tossing the files across her desk, Jackie was kicked back in her chair with her eyes closed. First real day on the job and she was already getting a headache.
    Someone knocked quietly on the door. “Jackie?” It was Nick, ready to tell her to relax, no doubt.
    She wanted to ignore him. A pep talk was the last thing she needed.
    Yes, you do. Let him in. Laurel’s motherly tone was both kind and stern.
    â€œYou know what?” Jackie snapped. “Why don’t you go bother someone else?
    A sigh whispered through Jackie’s head and Laurel stepped out of her body. Laurel gave her a sideways glance, walked out through the wall toward the conference room and was gone.
    â€œAll right, then,” Nick said.
    â€œNo.” Jackie groaned and sat back up. “Come in, damn it.” Nick opened the door and entered the office. “I wasn’t talking to you.”
    He walked up and placed his stack of files down on her desk. On top was another chocolate croissant. He sat down in one of the plush chairs across from her. “Sorry about Shelby there. She was just being—”
    â€œA bitch?” Jackie cut in. “But no more than usual. Everything’s getting on my nerves today, that’s all.”
    â€œAnything I can do? Something else you need here to make things—”
    â€œNo! God, no. More than enough, Nick. Really. This is all kind of overwhelming. I mean look at this place.” She waved her hand at the office space. “You’d think I was the CEO of Chrysler or something.”
    â€œAny reason we can’t have the best for this? I mean, I could have them come back and set up a cubicle for you.”
    The slight twitch of smile, stretching the long scar along his jaw, dissipated Jackie’s annoyance. “Don’t get me wrong. This is an amazing space. I just feel ...” She picked up the other croissant and took a bite. “I feel like I’m out of my element. This isn’t me.”
    â€œThen make it yours,” he said. “You do have a say, you know. You’re the director of this operation.”
    Jackie sagged back in her chair. “Yeah. I know. Wish I knew what the hell that meant.”
    â€œIt means what you make of it, Jackie. We’re a team here, at least I hope we are, but as director, you get final say on things.”
    Final say. What they did, what these powerful, nerve-wracking people did was on her shoulders. “You do realize how weird it is having me order you guys around?”
    He shrugged. “Not really. You’re more than smart and capable enough to do it.”
    Jackie sighed and sagged back in her chair. He didn’t get it. “Thanks, but I have no idea what I’m doing. You guys are far more expert on this stuff than I am.”
    â€œThen we’ll be the experts. Look, Jackie.” He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “I think you’re right for this job because, one, you’re a leader. You know how to take the reins on something and lead it where it needs to go. Even when you don’t know, you have great instincts. Two, you have the guts to make hard choices when they need to be made. You won’t back down when shit hits the fan. Trust me, you’ll be fine. Give it some time.”
    She avoided his gaze. Her “guts” turned to mush if she did that for long. “You must have a lot of time on your hands then.” When his smile broadened, Jackie laughed. “Fuck. You know what I mean. Right now, I don’t think I could decide my way out of a paper bag.”
    Nick sat back. “OK, I have something easy for you to decide on then.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThanksgiving,” he said. “What do you want for Thanksgiving dinner?”
    Thanksgiving? Shit, that was in two days. The previous eight years had been with Laurel’s parents, which was kind of out of the question now. She had not given a single