Page 65 of Terminal Voyage

"It has to be one of the stews. Someone who has access to the room. Do you want me to say something to Declan?"

I shook my head. "No. I don’t want to disturb him. I think we’re finally on good terms."

"After today, you can write your ticket.”

“Do me a favor.”

“Anything,” Vanessa said.

33

"Are we really going to do this?" Vanessa asked as we stepped into my stateroom.

"Indulge me," I said.

She raised her hands in surrender, not about to put up a fight after today.

I moved to the portlight and closed it.

Then I took a candle from my suitcase, lit it, and set it on the nightstand next to the bed. I flipped out the cabin lights, and the soft amber glow from the candle illuminated the compartment.

"Spooky," Vanessa said.

I gave her a look.

"I thought you didn't like doing this kind of thing.”

"I don't. But I want to put something to rest.”

"Isn't this how you wake something up?" she quipped.

I gave her another look.

We climbed onto the bed and sat across from each other, crisscross applesauce.

"It's been a long time since we’ve done something like this," she said.

We took hands and stared into each other's eyes.

"I kind of forgot how this works,” she said.

"Just close your eyes, clear your head, and focus on the spirit.”

"You want me to focus on this woman, Kate? That I've never seen. That I don't know."

"Yes."

"And just how am I supposed to do that?”

"Like I said, close your eyes, and open your mind. It's like meditation. Don't let any distractions come in. If stray thoughts enter your mind, let them go."

"There's not a whole lot in there to begin with," she joked. She opened one eye and looked at me. "Don't say anything."

"Close your eyes."

She did, then I did as well. I took a deep breath, trying to settle my thoughts.

"What if she's not dead?" Vanessa asked.