Page 115 of Zero Chance

The hardback didn’t resist my hold when I pulled it to me, so I turned the cover right-side-up and read its title.

Sorry About That: The Language of Public Apology.

“Well, son of a bitch,” Keene murmured behind me.“She actually said sorry.She doesn’t usually apologize.She had autism, and it was hard for her to empathize with the pain of others, much less connect the dots that she had contributed to it and feel her own regret for their suffering.”

There was awe and pride in his voice.He was pleased with his ghost mother’s reaction.

I lifted my face and looked around the library, but I couldn’t see anything.I couldfeelher presence, though, with that cold heaviness in the air; I held up the book, waving it once to acknowledge her.

“Thank you,” I said.“I accept your apology.And I apologize as well for pushing your son.He?—”

“Deserved it,” Keene cut in.“I deserved to be pushed, Mom.I trapped her in an uncomfortable moment and confronted her against her will.I shouldn’t have done that.She just wanted to be free.”

In answer, a sudden absence of cold flooded the area around us; almost like coming upon a warm spot in a pool.

It made me shudder just as much as the coldness had.

Behind me, Keene nudged my elbow, making me lift the hand that was holding his ghost amulet.

Inside, the cloud abruptly dissipated, to which Keene sighed.“And… She’s gone.She always leaves as abruptly as she appears.”

“Holy shit,” I breathed, unable to stop blinking at the clear vial that had just been full of white smoke.“The library’s haunted.It’s truly, honestly haunted.”

“Yep.”

I turned to gape at him.“So ghosts?—”

“Are real.Yes.”

I shook my head, trying to come to terms with that.“But…” I glanced around the shelves, searching for some transparent apparition to float out from the stacks.“How—how do you know it’s your mom?”

Lifting one shoulder, Keene answered, “I mean, other than the fact she told me—through the books—Faith met her first.”

“Faith?”I blinked at him, not comprehending.“Faith, your friendHudson’sgirlfriend?”

He nodded.“Yeah.She can see and communicate with them.”

“With ghosts?”

He nodded.

My mouth sagged open.“No way.”I glanced around the shelves, shocked.“Really?”

His grin was pure Keene, and it made my stomach swirl.“Yep.Oaklynn can too.”

“Oaklynn?”It took me a moment for that one to actually sink in; my stupid hormones were still reeling over the fact that Keene knew I was his mystery girl and he was still able to smile at me.

But then his words actually hit, and I lifted a hand.“Wait.Oaklynn can also do…What?See ghosts?”

“Yes.”His gaze lit eagerly, and he stepped in closer as if he wanted to spill all the gossip with me.“You remember when she came to you asking for help in discovering the man who murdered Damien’s sister?”

I nodded.“Yeah.”

Keene lifted his eyebrows knowingly, encouraging me to figure this one out on my own.“And she said she found a box full of stuff that gave her a clue as to who the murderer might’ve been?”

When I nodded again, recalling that very conversation perfectly, he added, “Yeah, well, she lied.She didn’t find a box.The ghost of Damien’s sister told her all that shit directly.”

I blinked and shook my head.“But she said?—”

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