Time Lost

By Sherry Boardman

Jennifer Nelson is not living the life of luxury in Chicago, but doing all right. That is, until she receives a call advising the death of her father. After arriving at a small town outside of Chicago, she learns it is a possible homicide. How could that be? Who would want to harm the man who raised her? However, she had not seen him for many years and had no idea of his lifestyle after leaving her mother and her.

Her invisible friend, whom she has named John Doe, seems to be ever present when Jennifer would rather he go elsewhere to offer help where it is really needed.

Don Williams is assigned to Jennifer's case. Although clues are all but non-existent, he is determined to solve the case and release Jennifer from the guilt she carries for not being more concerned about her father's affairs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sherry Boardman
• Release date: Sep 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301626250

Sherry Boardman

After retiring from education and wanting to stay busy, I dug out all the manuscripts written through the years and began a new career, that of author. Smashwords has been amazing in its assistance in preparing for final publications. I was born and raised in Texas. Although I have lived in other states, I always return home to my roots. My books are written from the heart with my readers always in mind. I hope you find much enjoyment in allowing your mind to wander to other times and places and will return to my site often to see the latest creation available.

Book preview

Time Lost

A Paranormal Mystery

Short Story

by

Sherry Boardman

Copyright 2012 by Sherry Boardman

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

From the Author

This is a work of fiction. Names and characters and locales, other than those specifically researched and listed in the source reference section, either are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover Photo: http://freedigitalphotos.net/Kittisak

Cove Design: Sherry Boardman

Chapter One

She punched the disconnect call button. The cell phone dangled precariously from her fingers. What were her feelings? Prior to the ringtone, she had nothing but happiness in her heart because it was Saturday, the day after payday, and she and Amy were going to spend the afternoon at the mall. Now, all plans were on hold because of the call.

Her father had died.

The first thought was to contact her mother. That was nixed. Her illness had progressed so quickly that her daughter was rarely recognized.

Dropping the phone to the arm of the chair, Jennifer went to the kitchen and jammed a glass against the ice dispenser. A cold glass of tea would settle her suddenly befuddled mind.

It made sense the police would call her since there was possibly no other family to contact. But how did they find her? She had not spoken to her father in almost ten years. His whereabouts had been unknown for over five. Her shoulders lifted. With all the personal information now accessible online, the search wouldn’t be that difficult. Especially for law officials. Evidently, information about her and her father’s connection was somewhere in his belongings.

The message on the other end had been short. When the rent became overdue, the landlady let herself in the apartment and found him dead in the bathroom. The initial cause cited was a stroke, but an autopsy was being performed to determine the exact reason. She could claim the body within two days in Carney, a two-hour drive from Chicago. And then what? Sure, the paycheck would pay for her gas and cheap lodging, but she had no idea of how to proceed from there. Life insurance? Was there any?

Sitting back down, she grabbed a pad and began to make notes. Then, she thought of her date with Amy.

I don’t know more than that, Amy, she said. It was difficult explaining because she knew so little.

Do you want me to go with you, Jen?

She thought about it, but declined the offer. I have no idea of how long I will be gone, and your boss isn’t as understanding as mine.

True, Amy answered.

I will be fine after I get my thoughts together.

Call me, Jen. The phone clicked on the other end.

Almost twenty-five years old, and only one person in her life could be considered a close friend.

You should have thought of that before now.

Raising her eyes toward the ceiling, she frowned. I do not need your interference in this, she said. Irritation with her indivisible friend was not what she needed today.

The voice in her head came at the most inopportune moments. She thought she was going crazy when it began a few years ago after her mom became ill. Later, it was complemented by a smoky image if she awoke during the night to glance around the room. She didn’t feel threatened, just