In Another World - A Paranormal Mystery/Romance Novel

By Kelli A. Wilkins

In Another World

A Paranormal Mystery/Romance Novel

 

Disgraced psychic medium Julie Kershaw has finally met her soul mate. The problem is he's dead… and his spirit haunts the car she just bought.

 

The spirit of Detective Eddie Mahoney is determined to find his killer and needs Julie's help. At first, she refuses. She's tired of being called crazy and swore she'd never use her abilities to speak to the dead again—even if Eddie is handsome and charming.

 

Eddie persuades Julie to contact his former partner, Lou Kaplonski, to ask him to reopen his case. Skeptical, Lou dismisses Julie as a fake—until she proves she can communicate with the dead—and he finds out Eddie has a lot to say. 

 

Julie channels Eddie's spirit and together with Lou, the unusual trio tracks down leads and follows clues to solve Eddie's murder. The case takes them down a dark and dangerous path filled with secrets, where nobody can be trusted.

 

As they work to find his killer, Julie falls for Eddie. Funny, smart, and sexy, Eddie is the guy of her dreams—and he doesn't look or act the least bit dead. To her surprise, Eddie discovers a clever way they can be together, and they begin an ethereal romance.

 

When Lou's investigation brings him too close to the killer, his life and Julie's are put in danger—and Eddie may be the only one who can save them.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelli A. Wilkins
• Release date: Jan 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201159573

Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories. Kelli’s Gothic historical romance, Redemption from a Dark Past was released in June 2018. Her writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative guide filled with writing exercises and helpful tips all authors can use. Look for more romances, horror stories, and an online writing class coming later in 2018. Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor. Visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com and blog http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ to learn more about all of her writings.

Book preview

ROMANCES BY KELLI A. WILKINS

A Deceptive Match*

A Secret Match*

A Most Unusual Princess**

A Most Intriguing Temptation**

A Most Unfortunate Prince**

Beauty & the Bigfoot

Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover

Cupid’s Schemes (Volume 1)

Cupid’s Schemes (Volume 2)

Dangerous Indenture

Four Days with Jack

In Another World

Killer in Wolf’s Clothing

Love, Lies & Redemption

Loving a Wild Stranger

Midsummer Night’s Delights***

Midwinter Night’s Delights***

Redemption from a Dark Past

Trust with Hearts

Ultimate Night’s Delights***

The Viking’s Witch

* A Deceptive Match and A Secret Match are related titles with shared characters. However, each novel can be read separately.

** These titles make up the Royal Desires series. Although connected, each book stands alone as an individual read.

*** These novellas complete the Naughty Nobles trilogy. It is recommended that they are read in sequence.

Visit Kelli’s website: www.KelliWilkins.com for additional titles as they become available.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

This book has been a labor of love for many years, and I have several people to thank for their help and support along the way:

Robert and Jeremy: for listening to my original story idea all those years ago in Vermont

LouAnn: for lending my detective a great name

Deborah, Pat, and John: for edits and suggestions to the manuscript

Uncle Rich: for excellent technical advice on all the police stuff in the book. Some of the dialogue in the story is taken directly from our conversations.

Although this book is a mystery/romance, it also touches on the themes of loss, grief, and fate. Life is never the same after you lose someone you love, and I’d like to share a quote from the book that reflects my thoughts about making the most of each day:

One thing I’ve learned over the years is not to take anything or anyone for granted. One day you can be here, living life like everything is fine, and the next, you’re gone. People waste too much time on things that don’t matter. They don’t realize they should make the most of the time they have.

I hope you enjoy the story and fall in love with these characters as much as I did.

Best Wishes,

Kelli

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ROMANCES BY KELLI A. WILKINS

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

EPILOGUE

LIKE MYSTERIES?

LOVE CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PROLOGUE

Eddie leaned forward in the backseat as the car slowed to a stop. What are we doing out here? he asked, trying to keep his voice neutral. Are we meeting somebody?

Don’t ask questions. Shut up and get out, the big guy wearing the dark blue shirt said. He opened the front passenger door and stepped out onto the deserted street. You too, Randy.

Randy? Eddie scowled at the thin guy in the driver’s seat as a chill ran down his spine. Randy had lied to him, told him his name was Todd.

Sure thing. Randy shut the car off.

Eddie pursed his lips. Shit. He’d been made but good. Everything about this meeting had gone bad the instant Randy picked the big guy up outside of the restaurant.

As soon as he got into the car, the big guy—he didn’t know his name—looked him up and down and said the four words no undercover cop wanted to hear: Don’t I know you?

He’d kept his cool, shrugged, and said, Nope. Don’t think so. like his heart wasn’t pounding a mile a minute. The guy could be bluffing, testing the waters, but still... He’d wracked his brain, trying to remember him from somewhere, but came up empty. And now this.

The big guy rapped on the roof of the car. Come on, move your ass, Jesse. I don’t have all night.

All right, all right. There was no use asking questions or protesting, that would only make the situation worse. He plastered on his best poker face and got out of the car.

They were on a two-lane road in the middle of nowhere. Trees lined both sides of the road; beyond them was nothing but fields. No cars, no houses, nobody around.

Just get through this. Make it out of here and come morning this will all be a bad memory. He would drop the assignment and go back to working cases with Lou. Someday, he’d share this wild story with the other guys on the force. Did I ever tell you what happened when I went undercover to bust a Blue Angel dealer?

He strolled to the back of the dark gray Ford. Act calm, unconcerned. Trusting. If you wanna do this another night, or need more time to call your—

Before he could blink, the big guy had him slammed up against the trunk backwards, one meaty forearm pressed across his throat.

Tell me who the fuck you are, right now. Who sent you?

Jesus. He stared into the guy’s brown pig-like eyes and didn’t flinch. I told you, my name is Jesse Delaney.

Bullshit, the big guy spat, then leaned more of his weight against Eddie’s throat.

Eddie winced. The bumper dug into his thighs, and the trunk bent his spine back. He didn’t even dream of struggling. The brown-haired goon was as wide as a house, at least six foot three or four, solid muscle, and in the neighborhood of 240. To top it all off, his breath smelled like onions.

Bullshit, I know you from somewhere. I’ve seen you before.

Maybe you saw him around town, in a bar or something, Randy offered from behind the big guy. I told you he’s okay. I made sure—

Shut up, you stupid shit. The goon half-turned to Randy. I trusted you to set this up and you brought me a fuckin’ cop. This whole shit-storm is on you. Remember that.

Eddie glanced at Randy, surprised that the little creep had tried to stand up for himself. Randy was biting his thumbnail and shifting his weight from foot to foot, staring down at the wet asphalt. If his big buddy barked at him again, he might actually piss himself.

He gazed up at the sky and saw the clouds had parted, revealing bright silver stars. A half-moon cast a yellowish glow over everything. He wished on a star, wished he was anywhere else. He could be home watching a movie and eating a pizza, bowling with Lou, or helping his dad out at the bar. If he got out of this okay, he’d never take anything mundane and boring for granted again.

He decided to reason with the jerk in charge. Look, if you don’t want to sell to my guy, fine, he’ll take his business—

The goon landed a solid shot to his stomach, then released him. He doubled over, gasping for breath. Christ, that hurt.

Whadja do that for? Randy asked.

Because he’s a cop.

No he’s not, Randy whined.

Yes, he is. I know him. I’ve seen him somewhere.

The next thing he knew, the big guy grabbed him and threw him facedown on the trunk. Eddie held still as the goon kicked his legs apart, then ran his hands under his leather jacket, over his chest, ribs, crotch, and thighs. He frisked him like a pro in less than thirty seconds.

Son of a bitch. The goon was a cop. No wonder he thought he knew him. Things had just gone from bad to worse.

Look, I get that you don’t trust me, but I’m not a—

The guy whirled him around and kneed him in the nuts.

Eddie saw a flash of white light and crumpled to the pavement, helpless, as his eyes filled with tears. He swallowed hard and tried not to puke.

Frank, what are you doing? Randy shouted.

He curled into a ball as the goon—Frank—started kicking the shit out of him. Who sent you? Kick. Who’s investigating me? Kick. The rat squad? Morrison? Kick, kick. Sons of bitches sent you to spy on me, did they? I’ll teach them not to screw with me!

So Frank was a cop. But from where? Albany? Troy? He sure as hell didn’t recognize him. Eddie pressed his eyes shut and held on through the pain as Frank kicked him in the ribs, back, and head. He’d gladly take the beating if they dropped him off somewhere when they were done.

Open the trunk, Randy, Frank barked as he hauled him to his feet by his hair.

Randy reached inside the car and popped the trunk.

How could he have been so stupid? He had underestimated Frank. Hell, he had underestimated everything. No way was this going to end all nice and happy. No way could he plead with them. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Let me go and I promise not to tell. Frank wouldn’t fall for it.

Maybe he should try to make a break for it. Head into the trees and get lost in the fields... but running might make it worse, and he didn’t want to piss off crazy Frank—odds were he was armed.

He eyed the Ford. When Randy popped the trunk, he left the driver’s door open. If he could make it to the car...

Eddie slammed his fist into Frank’s nose and bolted for the car. He heard a POP! and fell forward onto the road. His right thigh burned like it was on fire, then went numb.

Jesus! Frank, what the hell! Randy screamed.

Christ, he was shot. Get up! Get up! He managed to stand and hobbled a few steps toward the car.

POP!

A hot, stinging pain sliced through his back and ribs. He hit the pavement and closed his eyes. Maybe if he played dead, he wouldn’t end up dead. If Frank thought he was dead and dragged him into the field, he could wait awhile, then crawl...

You killed him, Frank, Randy shrieked. Why’d you do that?

Because he’s a cop, you stupid shit-for-brains. You’re lucky I was here to handle this. He would have blown the whole thing. I’m not going to prison. Once we dump him, you’ll have to get rid of the car.

Dump him? Dump him where? I don’t want a dead guy in my car. Why don’t we leave him here and—

Eddie heard a smack, then Randy whimpered.

Don’t argue with me. This is your fault. Now I have to clean up this mess.

Eddie lay still. The trunk meant they’d take him somewhere else. Why? Why not leave him like Randy said? Who would look for him out here?

He made himself go limp as Frank grabbed him under the armpits and hoisted him up. Randy took hold of his legs and they flopped him into the trunk. He landed on his left side and nearly yelped as his ankle cracked against the edge of the trunk. He held his breath, counted to twenty, then heard the trunk slam shut.

As soon as the car began moving, he opened his eyes. It was pitch black inside the trunk. Now what? He felt the urge to cough and held it in. It hurt to breathe. Bastard probably hit a lung.

When he swallowed, he tasted blood. Warm. Coppery. How bad was he shot? He’d never been hit before. He shivered as an icy chill spread down his back and legs. Was he going into shock?

As the car rolled on, he realized he wasn’t getting out of this. One way or another, he was going to die tonight. If he didn’t bleed out, he’d be killed when they took him wherever they were going. Thirty-four was too young to die.

Frank was a cop and knew better than to leave any loose ends. He’d check him for a pulse, see if he was still alive, then probably give him a shot to the head, just to be sure. Then again, he might bleed out before then.

There was no way he could run or fight. Everything from his waist down was numb, and he felt sleepy... Maybe if he rested for a minute...

No, no resting. He fought to stay focused. He had to do something, leave a trail, a clue, evidence someone could find later. God only knew how much time he had left. Wait... time... His watch!

He forced his right arm to move and brought his watch close to his lips. He said a quick prayer, then spoke in a low voice.

This is Detective Eddie Mahoney. If anyone finds this...

CHAPTER 1

Lady, I’m tellin’ ya, it’s gonna be at least two grand.

"My name’s not lady, it’s Julie," she snapped, then instantly regretted it. Why had she said that? It wouldn’t help her to piss off Big Al from Big Al’s Quality Cars & Auto Repair. She needed her car back. The last thing she wanted was to be stranded on the outskirts of Troy, New York.

She flashed Al a thin smile. Big Al stood about six-three, with greasy brown-black hair and a pudgy, ruddy face. His beer gut stretched his stained tan shirt tight. Look, I’m sorry, but I’ve been waiting for two hours, and I want my car fixed.

Al leaned against the cluttered linoleum service counter. And I told ya, it’ll be at least three grand, not counting the tow. He ticked things off on his fat, sausage-like fingers. The water pump’s shot, the head gasket is on its way out, the oil seals are basically gone, the radiator leaks, and you need a new thermostat. He paused. The car is fifteen years old and pushing two-hundred-seventy thousand miles. Do you really wanna put more money into it?

She glanced behind the counter into the work area. Her red Chevy sat in one of the three bays. The car looked tired and worn out, and so was she. The car had been with her forever. She had put all those miles on it traveling to workshops, classes, and clients’ homes for readings...

The car was her baby. How could she give it up? Besides, it was one of the few things she still owned.

It’s a miracle you made it all the way out here from Arizona, Al said. Even if I fix all this, something else is gonna go. You’d do better to buy something else.

Like one of your used cars? She arched an eyebrow. Wouldn’t that be convenient?

Al shook his pumpkin-shaped head. Look, it’s almost five o’clock. If I order the parts today, I can’t start working on it until tomorrow. And it’ll take me most of the day. Do you know what I charge an hour for labor?

Damn. She hadn’t thought of that.

It’s up to you. If you wanna piss your money away, fine with me. He shrugged his wide shoulders. But I tell ya what, I’ll take three thousand off any car in the lot as a trade-in. How’s that? Let’s look out back.

She followed him outside and across the parking lot. The sun-bleached asphalt was cracked in spots, and weeds poked their heads up every few feet. Deep down, she knew Al was right. Her car had been limping along since she drove through Minnesota. It drank oil like a dying man in the desert, but she didn’t want to spend what little money she had on a clunker.

Al stopped in front of four dozen cars glistening in the sun. A few had cheesy, handwritten signs in the front windows screaming: GREAT DEAL! LOW MILES! DRIVE ME HOME TODAY!

Ugh. She was in no mood to haggle over a car—especially when she couldn’t afford it.

This Camry’s in good shape. Only asking ten-five, Al said.

I can’t afford it, she admitted. I’m pretty much broke.

Where’re you going? I noticed all those boxes in your car.

I’m moving to my cousin’s house in Vermont, she lied, avoiding Al’s gaze. It didn’t matter what she told him, her life was none of his business.

She rested her hands on her hips and sighed. This sucked. Up until today she was doing fine on her own, putting everything behind her and working on a plan for a new life. Then the damn car broke down.

Still, she had to look on the bright side; it was better than being in jail. That’s what she kept telling herself for the last three months. Whenever something rotten happened, she stopped and thought, It’s better than being in jail.

She ran her hands through her hair and gazed across the lot. All of these cars were more than ten thousand dollars. Until she found a job, she would have to live on her credit cards and savings. Greg sure as hell wasn’t going to give her any money.

She spotted a dark gray Ford sitting at the back of the lot. It didn’t look very old, but unlike the other cars, it was filthy and tucked away by the Dumpster. How much is that? she asked, gesturing at it.

That one? Al’s voice quivered. Uhhh, I’ve got five on it. With your trade, it’d knock it down to two, not including title and taxes.

Julie headed toward the Ford. As she got closer, she felt a tingle in her stomach and stopped dead in her tracks. No. She wasn’t going to let that start up again.

Her solar plexus always tingled whenever her magic powers as Greg called them, kicked in. For the last three months she had done everything possible to turn off her abilities, to keep closed down and not let anything come through. So-called normal people always thought it would be fun to be psychic and know things but all it ever did was cause her trouble.

She bent close to the Ford and peered in the driver’s window. The interior was fine, seats weren’t ripped or stained. She checked the odometer. Sixteen thousand miles?

She straightened and turned toward Al. To her surprise, he stood fifteen feet away, wiping his sweaty forehead with the back of his forearm. Why was he sweating? It was early May, it wasn’t hot out.

What year is this car? Is that right, sixteen thousand miles?

Al’s brown eyes darted to the Ford and he took a step back. It’s three years old.

She glanced at the car. The tingling feeling had returned. Maybe it was her Spidey-sense warning her that Al was going to rip her off. If she had learned anything from her trial, it was not to trust anyone. Best friends, coworkers, and even family members would turn on you and stab you in the back in a heartbeat.

What’s the catch? You’ve got an eight-year-old Subaru over there for fourteen and it has seventy-six thousand miles on it. Why is this Ford so cheap? What’s wrong with it? She could be a salesperson’s worst nightmare if she set her mind to it.

Al eyed the car and took another step back. I’m selling it for a friend. He bought it for his mother and... she’s in a nursing home, he added hastily. He needs money for... you know, medical bills. I told him I’d do him a favor and put it on the lot, he said, looking off to the side.

She frowned. Lies, lies, and more lies. If Al wanted to sell this car for his friend he wouldn’t have it hidden at the back of the lot, unwashed and ignored.

So, you want it or not, lady? I mean, Miss. Al made a face she thought was a smile.

You have the keys? I want to look under the hood, take a test-drive.

Sure. It’s open.

Open?

Yeah, it’s not locked. You go ahead and poke around. I’ll get the keys. Al lumbered back toward the sales office.

She rolled her eyes. Who leaves a car unlocked? Gee, that’s not suspicious at all. What’s he think, I’m stupid? The car probably doesn’t have an engine, she grumbled.

As she opened the driver’s door, her stomach tingled again. She tensed and blocked it. She had gotten pretty good at slamming the lid on her abilities. After all, she didn’t need them anymore.