Page 49 of The Silence of Hell

“The Bloodsworth Journal,” I muttered and explained what it was used for.

“That’s why Sin’s here. That makes sense.”

“Yup. Phoe said Sin can scan the journal and put it into a computer program. We’d be able to search faster for any hints of a haunting,” I reasoned.

Chatter stared at the book before nodding and turned to me. Taking me by surprise, he brushed a lock of hair away from my face. “Are you okay after last night?”

“Very tired. My sleep is disturbed almost every night. Last night was just extreme,” I murmured as he held my eyes.

“It scared me when the call came in and I knew you were in danger,” Chatter admitted.

“Don’t! You made your stance clear, and I respect that,” I stated and tried to draw away.

Chatter reached down and captured my hand. “And maybe I made a mistake.”

“Then that’s your problem. I don’t like being picked up and put down again. I’m not a toy. Chatter, I have feelings, and you hurt me. Please, I need to work,” I said.

Chatter nodded and stepped back. “I’ll fetch Sin before taking coin boy upstairs. He has been very excited by the French coins he’s been valuing.”

“That’s good,” I replied weakly.

“Are you going on another date with Tatum?” Chatter inquired.

“That’s my business, isn’t it?”

“No. Lavender, I’m making it mine. Are you planning to date Tatum again?”

“Only as friends, there was no spark,” I admitted.

Chatter trailed a light touch down my face, and I leaned into his hand despite my reservations.

“I’ll take you out tomorrow, I think you’ll be too busy and tired to enjoy anything tonight,” Chatter said.

“What the hell is this? Oh wow, Callie, come look at this!” Harriet’s loud voice made me jump.

“Lavender?” Phoe called.

“I’m down here with the journal,” I shouted as Chatter stepped away, giving me distance. But his scent of sandalwood—and I could swear orange—remained in my nose. It was a smell I liked very much.

“I’ll take coin boy to his room,” Chatter said, and I nodded. He walked off as Sin and Phoe came around a bookcase with curiosity on their faces.

“This is the Bloodsworth Journal,” I explained, ignoring their questioning expressions. This was enough to distract Sin. Phoe, however, wasn’t fooled. Damn it!

Chapter Eleven.

Lavender

“The Bloodsworth Journal?” Sin asked as she stepped up.

She put some gloves on and opened it up. Then she read the description and looked mildly surprised. “I’m shocked at how clear the ink is. This is over four hundred years old?”

“Yes. Richard came here in sixteen thirty-five.”

“Um. It’s widely accepted that South Dakota was colonised in eighteen-zero-three with the Louisiana purchase. The United States acquired the land from France. And Fort Pierre was established in eighteen-seventeen. But a small group of English settlers had been here since the sixteen hundreds. The Native Americans mainly ignored them unless they were trading with them. I can quite easily believe your family settled here then. And this building certainly has some features dating back to that era,” Sin stated as she read Richard’s introduction.

“How fascinating,” she mumbled as she began setting a scanner and laptop out. Sin pulled out some tweezers, a brush, and some other items.

“We’ve lost her,” Phoe said, and Sin didn’t even acknowledge her. Phoe winked at me. “Sin, naked Jett alert!”

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