Lost Souls Found

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The anger still churned in Sam’s gut by the time he made it home. The drive from the branch office to his condo didn’t take more than fifteen minutes, even when Sam took the long route by the river. But it was not enough to settle the fury in his stomach. How could Michael take him out of work for doing his damn job? It was unacceptable. Especially because Sam knew exactly the reason Michael was pushing it.

The lights were on across the street, but Sam didn’t even think of going over to visit with his brother and Derek. Normally it was something he enjoyed after a long week or a hard case. Blake knew exactly what Sam faced every day, and Derek was always sympathetic and conscientious. He was also an outstanding cook, and Sam couldn’t do more than throw together a sandwich. Spending some time decompressing with Blake and Derek had quickly become one of his favorite activities.

Even if he was insanely jealous of their bond.

It wasn’t something Sam would ever have. He would never get Michael in any way.

Sam slammed into his house, and when the cat took off to hide in the bedroom, Sam made a concerted effort to calm down. Cameron was a rescue, and the Scottish Fold had spent his first two years in a hellish situation. Though he’d come around, and he loved on Sam, he was still a little skittish, even after three years. Sam knew better than to bang around in Cameron’s presence.

He released a slow breath, walked into the kitchen, and opened a can of wet food for Cameron. Sam usually only fed him in the morning, but he needed a special treat because he’d been scared by his owner. Sam left it on the floor in the corner and hoped the scent would entice Cameron out of hiding so Sam could make amends. While he waited for Cameron to emerge, Sam poked around in the fridge to find something to eat for himself.

He knew what he had to do. If Michael wanted him to take some time off, then, by God, he would. Ghostwalkers didn’t get sick days because they didn’t get sick, but they had personal time they could take on top of their built-in vacation time. A quick mental calculation made Sam realize he had over three weeks accrued. He pulled out his phone and dialed Dom.

“So after we finish this case, let’s take a three-week vacation,” Sam said as soon as the call connected.

His only answer was the sound of choking, and then Levi’s worried voice in the background, asking if Dom was all right. Dom must have responded in some nonverbal way, because Sam didn’t hear Levi again. He sat on the couch, leaned into the cushions, and waited for Dom to get hold of himself.

“Are you serious?”

“Sure am. Levi would like that, right? Maybe you two could go away like you’re always talking about doing. Except I never agree to that much time off because I’m a selfish jerk.”

“You aren’t selfish,” Dom denied. Then he let out a small laugh. “Much. The job is important, and we both take it seriously. So I have to wonder what exactly is behind your declaration.”

“Michael says I need to take time off, so let’s take some time off.”

The silence stretched on far longer than it should. Finally Dom spoke carefully. “Punishing him isn’t the answer.”

It was on the tip of Sam’s tongue to deny it, but it was Dom, his best friend and anchor, the man who knew him better than anyone else—even better than his own brother. Sam made it a point never to lie to Dom, and he wasn’t going to start.

“Maybe not. But…” He blew out a breath and reached out to Cameron, who crawled closer. He nuzzled against Sam’s hand and purred as he lightly stepped across the couch and right into Sam’s lap. “But I think I need to take a break. Not because of the job. You know as well as I do that I can handle these cases for a lot longer than he thinks. But from him? Yeah. I need to step back.”

“Ah, Sammy. I know it’s hard considering everything.” Dom mumbled something he couldn’t make out, and it took Sam a second to realize he must have been talking to Levi. His voice was clear a moment later when he asked, “Tell me the truth. Is this about what you need or about showing King up?”

Sam had the decency to really think about his answer. “Both? He just…with his eyes and his face and his big, damn heart that he pretends isn’t as soft as it is. I need a step back. Some perspective. And maybe while I’m gone, he’ll realize some things, too.”

“Like what?”

Damn Dom for cutting right to the heart of it. Sam didn’t want to answer because he wanted Michael to miss him, to see that not having Sam around was a bad thing. But even if Michael did miss him, it wouldn’t make the slightest difference. Michael’s convictions were absolute, and if Sam hadn’t managed to crack through in ten years, it wasn’t likely to happen with a few weeks’ vacation.

“Okay. I won’t push,” Dom conceded, correctly interpreting Sam’s silence. “I just worry.”

“It’s your job to worry.”

Dom chortled. “Yeah, that’s the only reason.”

Sam laughed, too and felt easier in his skin. Having Dom as a constant support, at work and at home, made his life better. And now he would give back by taking some extended time off. Dom could go do whatever Levi wanted.

“So, we going to do this?”

“Yeah. And Levi says thank you, and he’ll bring you back something expensive and shiny. When do you think you can wrap up the case?”

Sam thought about it. Considering the tidbit of information Tom had given him, Sam knew there was more to his story than the mediums had been able to glean. The original case file had been put together by one of their own, and Shona was always thorough, but she must have missed something.

“A day? Maybe two,” Sam said absently, his brain already working. He couldn’t draw the case out and hope Michael would forget his decree. Michael would never relax his edict, and he’d keep a close eye on Sam to make sure Sam wasn’t prolonging things unnecessarily. The only choice was to get it done. He hummed, then sat up straighter, and reached for his bag and the tablet inside. “Let me do a little research, and I’ll let you know for sure tomorrow. It’s not like Levi’s going to have trouble getting tickets.”

Dom burst out laughing, and Sam grinned. Levi owned and ran a profitable travel agency and had connections everywhere. He also made a point of making sure his and Dom’s passports were always up to date. If Dom’s job were more flexible, they’d be globetrotting constantly.

They ended the call, and Sam knew he made the right decision. He might not travel to exotic locations, but he could use the time to decompress and gain a little perspective, as he told Dom.

With that in mind, Sam opened a web browser. It took some time, and the clock had hit midnight when he had his answer. Tom definitely was more than he seemed, and though his passing a year earlier had been relatively painless, it wasn’t the defining moment in his life. No, that took place twenty years before.

Even though it was late, Sam sent a message to Shona. She probably wouldn’t see it till morning, but by the time he made it into the office, she’d have read it. Then, with luck and cooperating spirits, Sam would get the information he needed and finally be able to convince Tom it was time to cross over.

Plan in place, Sam locked up the house and headed for bed. Exhaustion swamped him as he brushed his teeth, and he only managed to strip down to his boxers and crawl into bed. A moment later Cameron hopped up and settled into the crook of Sam’s knees. With the cat’s comforting weight against him, he fell asleep.