Shaking Off the Dust Read online

  “Tom, how do you decide on the clothes? You must have changed all the time before you died.”

  “I consider what to wear and it’s on me. It is rather odd.” Tom used his head to indicate Shimodo. “So did he tell you everything?”

  I was about to start quizzing Shimodo, when he reached out an arm and nudged my knee. “What did he tell you? It’s frustrating to hear only one side of the conversation.”

  “I’ll give you details then it’s your turn to talk. You need to explain to me what’s going on,” I bargained.

  “Yes, of course. I planned to discuss it at dinner. Now what did he say about changing his clothes?”

  I told him and he nodded his head. “Despite getting everything second, I feel like Tom is back.”

  “Hannah, you need to remind him that I won’t be sticking around. When we finish this, I’ll be gone forever. I don’t want him to go through all that loss again,” Tom said.

  I didn’t say anything. I looked at Shimodo’s profile and Tom was right.

  “He’s talking to you, and you’re not sharing,” Shimodo accused.

  “I was thinking about something else.” I shifted in my seat, watching the road.

  “You’re not a very good liar, Hannah.” Shimodo shook his head.

  “That is not true. I’m a great liar.”

  “I give up. You don’t want to tell me what he said. Fine.”

  “What about the dogs? Who takes care of them?” I asked.

  “The couple who sold them to Tom asked if they could buy them back. I thought the animals deserved better than me. They need a big house and the Turners have a large property for the dogs to run. I was scheduled to drop them off tomorrow, but Mrs. Turner was happy to take them today. Tom came with me.”

  “Oh.”

  I considered dinner for a minute, which led to more depressing thoughts. Like how much money this little excursion was going to cost. How many meals out would we eat? How much credit I had on my cards? A trip to Spain would hit my limit. I hated worrying about money, but after my accident it was a real issue. Now I couldn’t stop myself from calculating cost.

  “What are you hungry for?” he asked.

  “I don’t care. Why don’t we do fast food and get on the road?”

  Tom groaned. “How many days of these mood swings can we expect to endure?”

  “Bite me, Mecurio!” It slipped out of my mouth, but it made me smile to think I’d said it to him.

  “There’s dinner solved,” Tom tossed right back.

  I burst out laughing and I could hear Tom’s laughter bubbling. I gave Shimodo the short version. He looked frustrated that he didn’t hear it the first time around. In the silence that followed, we pulled into an Italian restaurant.

  As we walked into the restaurant, Shimodo took my hand and slid his finger to my wrist.

  Figures, he was checking my pulse.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked after assuring himself my heart rate was normal. He let my hand slip out of his.

  “I could eat.” The door opened and the aroma of spaghetti sauce and garlic bread hit me. “The smell alone has me starving.”

  The receptionist came to seat us. I asked for a booth and then scooted in so Tom could sit next to me. I wondered if it looked weird.

  After we ordered drinks, I excused myself and headed to the ladies’ room. I snagged the waitress on the way and asked for separate checks. She gave me a knowing smile and said that was not a problem. When I got back to the booth, she was serving our drinks and was all but pressing her bosom into Shimodo’s face. I wanted to yank her hair and make her stand in a corner. Jealousy, from me, no way!

  Shimodo ignored her and stood when I reached them. He helped me take my off jacket, but I figured that was to get the waitress out of his face. She was a pretty girl with dark hair and blue eyes. I’d always envied the blue-eyed crowd. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate my own color, but it always seemed like blue made the girls look more innocent. My hazel eyes were far from innocent.

  After the waitress left with our dinner orders, I gave Shimodo a wave of my hand.

  He shook his head at me. “You are so impatient, Hannah.”

  “So edify me, what did you arrange?”

  He took a pull on the straw in his water.

  “Stop stalling, Shimodo. Just tell me.”

  His eyes glinted in the low light of the candle on our table. “I reached Marvin Soames. He was in the dorm with Tom and me. He’s been with law enforcement since college and the FBI the last six years. He’s out of Indianapolis now, but he’ll be in town tomorrow for meetings. I talked him into having dinner with us. I think there’s a chance we can convince him that we’re legitimate.” He shrugged.

  “I left messages and an email for my colleague in Madrid. I think the best possible way to approach this is from a scientific method. I arranged to have access to a PET scanner and MRI tonight at the university hospital. One of my research associates is meeting us there with the equipment we need, so we can establish some hard data on you.” He frowned at the glare in my eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Hannah. I should have asked if you would mind me scheduling the tests, but I felt we needed to accomplish a lot in a very short period of time. You signed the papers this morning that allowed me to get a copy of your medical records today and said you would not mind being tested. I realize I’m rushing things. But, we might be able to establish you as a psychic or medium. The FBI has been known to use them. If I can show enough documentation of your ability then we may be able to convince the FBI, my colleague and ultimately the Spanish government that you are able to give them information from the dead.”

  My eyes got bigger as he spoke. “I think I mentioned earlier that you were FOS. Now I am convinced of it.”

  “And I missed it?” Tom chided.

  “No comment from the peanut gallery.” I gave Tom a baleful look.

  “My research is on alternate neural pathways after brain injury. I think we’ll be able to see that in your brain while you converse with Tom. I have my research associate preparing to give you a battery of tests tomorrow, which with Tom’s help, should be impressive. I need as much data as possible. I’m betting you will light up the scanner.”

  “I can see why you were in no hurry to tell me about this plan of yours.” I decided in that moment he could buy my dinner and every other meal I ate during my stay. It was the least he could do for a full-time guinea pig.

  “You’re mad at me?” He had the gall to sound hurt.

  “Damn right I’m mad at you,” I fisted my hand. “Put it down to the mood swings.” I turned to Tom. “You might as well share the rest of your news.”

  Shimodo cleared his throat. “I asked Tom to wait to talk to you during the scans. I’ll have a recording device for the session and you can repeat Tom’s story back. That way if there’s some kind of chemical change taking place during your contact with Tom, it might show up.”

  “Thanks for making sure I got in the loop for this.”

  I sulked until the food arrived, then I put my anger into stabbing at my lasagna. I made it a point not to look over at Shimodo.

  Tom delivered a running commentary on my lack of social skills and bad temper. It was obvious he was enjoying himself, so I chose to ignore him.

  When the waitress cleared the plates, I ordered coffee. Shimodo finally broke the silence. “Oh no you don’t. The caffeine will affect the test. And your heart and head don’t need the stress.”

  “I have to have something if you expect me to stay up most the night.”

  “I brought this just in case.” He pulled a bag of tea from his pocket. “It’s very good and the herbs will keep you clear headed.”

  “You are so getting on my nerves, Shimodo,” I muttered under my breath.

  “Yes, this will help that too.”

  The waitress brought hot water and the tea was duly plunged in the small metal pot. I refused to drink any of it out of sheer spite.

&nb
sp; “Let’s go.” I started to stand up.

  “I’m not leaving until you at least try the tea. Why does this have to be a contest of wills, Hannah? I’m watching out for your health.” Shimodo spoke softly, but his face was set, he wasn’t moving.

  “Drink the damn tea,” Tom shouted. “You’re both so stubborn we could be here all night. And he’s right, he’s only thinking of you. He went to three organic food stores hunting it down.”

  “Did he really?” I was surprised.

  He nodded and winked. I peeked up at Shimodo. He was all patience and calm. He must practice in the mirror to get that whole Zen thing down.

  I took a sip of the tea. It wasn’t awful, so I took another swallow. The waitress came up. She looked back and forth between us and put down two checks. I went to grab mine, but he was faster.

  “Nice try, Hannah, but all of our expenses are on Tom for this trip,” Shimodo gently chided.

  “Is that right?” I looked over at Tom. “There’s a little dress shop on the way out of town that’s specializes in Goth wear. Won’t take me but a minute to run up your credit card.”

  “Yeah, that’s going to happen,” Tom said.

  “Maybe on our way back into town.” Shimodo smiled.

  Chapter Six

  I sat back and enjoyed the moon, the night and the company wasn’t so bad either. Even if I was mad at him. It was nine o’clock by the time we got there. He headed straight to the university hospital for the scans.

  I followed the boys through a maze of corridors to the PET scanner. One of Shimodo’s research associates arrived, an earnest, red-haired young man in his late twenties.

  “We borrow the PET scanner and MRI two nights a week for our research. Our grant pays the hospital for its use. Our research subjects are scheduled after ten p.m., although we can be bumped for an emergency.” Shimodo kept a polite conversation going. He’d introduced me to Carl after he’d finished setting up the equipment. I gave Shimodo a minute to get in the room that held the controls.

  “How long have you known Shimodo?” I quizzed.

  Carl gave me a reproachful look. “I’ve worked with Professor Shimodo for six years.”

  “So, is he mean? Always has to have his way or what?” I asked to see his reaction and because I knew Shimodo could hear every word.

  The speaker in the room clicked on and Shimodo spoke, “Hannah, behave. Carl, ignore her, she’s mad at me. She’s a caffeine addict and she’s going cold turkey.”

  Carl grinned at me. “It’s a bitch, isn’t it? He doesn’t know I still sneak a cup once in a while.”

  “I heard that and we will discuss it very soon,” Shimodo added.

  That got an even bigger grin out of Carl. He hooked me up to a monitor hanging from my chest. “Okay, Professor, we’re ready.”

  Shimodo asked, “Are you comfortable?”

  “You’re kidding, right?” I snapped back.

  “Okay, Hannah, we’re ready to go here. You can call him.”

  “Tom, come out, come out wherever you are.” He appeared bending over my face. “Dammit, Tom, I asked you not to do that.”

  “Are you all right, ma’am?” Carl was in the room with me.

  “I’m peachy, Carl.”

  “Hannah has the ability to communicate with the dead, Carl. We are going to be recording her so please refrain from talking until we’re done,” Shimodo said.

  For the next hour, Tom told me names and details about half-a-dozen plane crash victims. It was all he could remember clearly. I repeated each word and every so often the scanner would go on and off. I didn’t cry this time, so I was making strides in my mood surges. I waited patiently for them to unhook me, but Tom decided to have a seat at my feet. I should say on my feet.

  “Get off me, Tom. It’s already cold in here.” I kicked, trying to shake him loose.

  Carl watched like he’d inadvertently walked into a psych ward.

  Shimodo came over. “Tom,” he said in a low rumble. “You’re going to make her mad enough that she won’t let us finish the tests. Be nice to Hannah.”

  Tom jumped off the scanner and pushed a hand through Shimodo’s arm.

  Shimodo was worried about his project, me. I love being objectified by a scientist. “Hey, Carl, ever been touched by a ghost?” I asked. “Go on, Tom, show him what he’s missing.”

  “You’re just mean,” Tom accused.

  “Seriously. Tom’s going to touch you, well actually, pass his hand through some part of you. You’ll know when he does. Would that be okay?”

  Carl looked at me, then at Shimodo who nodded his head.

  “Yeah, I guess.” He expected to be the butt of a joke.

  “Tom, it’s your chance to be tested,” I said. “And I am not mean. Bitchy yes, mean no.”

  All three men smiled.

  Tom stepped over to Carl and passed a hand through his shoulder. The young man jumped, surprise and shock in his eyes. “He touched my shoulder, didn’t he?”

  I nodded. “He likes to sit on feet too. So when your toes freeze up, it’s usually him.”

  “He only likes to sit on your feet, Hannah.” Shimodo glanced at me, his face solemn, then he winked. “The MRI is available now. I need to map your brain to assess what damage is residual from your surgery and your electrical shock this week.”

  Carl looked at me like I was an alien. An extraterrestrial he was prepared to vivisect on the spot. I could see the excitement in his eyes. He walked beside me as we headed to the MRI, trying to get up enough nerve to ask questions.

  “Spit it out, Carl. You’re going to choke on your tongue if you don’t.”

  Shimodo looked back at me, shaking his head. He did that a lot.

  “You’re the one in all the news reports. I saw you on CNN. You just went down like… How did he find you?” He pointed at Shimodo.

  I stopped. Tom and Shimodo moved up the hall.

  “Tom is Shimodo's best friend. Tom took me to him. Actually I drove.”

  “All those people you were talking about in the scanner?”

  “Plane crash victims with Tom. We’re trying to help them.” I started walking again. The boys had turned a corner and were out of sight now. “What’s Shimodo like to work with?”

  “The best. I’m lucky to be in this research program. He’s a nice guy. Every woman in the research program and some of the men have been throwing themselves at him for years. He could have the pick of the students, but he’s never been interested. Always a gentleman though.” His voice was conspiratorial.

  “Is he gay?” The really beautiful ones usually were. At least that was my excuse why they were never attracted to me. “I heard he had a fiancée for a while.” I was pretty convinced he wasn’t gay, but I hoped Carl would elaborate on the other woman. I couldn’t ask Tom for details. He’d give me crap about it all. He already lectured me.

  “I don’t think he is gay. He dates women. He never dates students.” Carl's expressive face said I was transparent in my questions. “He was engaged once that I know of, they were in med school together. She’s got a huge neurology group in town and wanted him to go into practice with her. He opted to do research. I guess she didn’t like the idea of being the primary moneymaker. I heard that he was the one who broke it off, not her.”

  Tom appeared in my face again. “Gossiping, Hannah?”

  “That’s none of your business, what this young man and I discuss. Now go away, Tom.”

  Shimodo reappeared at the end of the hall, tapping his finger on his watch. “We should hurry, Hannah. You’ll have to put a gown on, you’ve got a zipper and metal in your bra.”

  “How silly of me to think I might escape with some dignity intact…dammit! I can’t even think of an end to that sentence. I told you I’d be too tired for this.”

  “You should have drunk all the tea at the restaurant. It helps with the memory.” He kept a straight face.

  I jerked the gown from his hand. “Piss off, Shimodo.”

 
“Mood swings, Carl. Tom has determined she has a lot of mood swings.” He laughed.

  I slammed the dressing-room door and changed.

  By the time we reached Shimodo’s house, it was after midnight. Carl and I were new best friends and Tom was taking me to task for flirting with younger men. I closed my eyes during the drive. His words were like a TV playing in the background, a second-rate sitcom. I didn’t realize the car had stopped until my door opened.

  “You’re dead on your feet.” Shimodo touched my shoulder.

  “No, that would be Tom,” I joked.

  “Come on, I’ll get you tucked into bed.” Shimodo pulled me out of the car by the hands.

  I yawned. “Sounds like a plan to me. Are you sure I can’t stay in the car? That looks like a long walk to me.” It was maybe twenty feet to the house.

  “I can carry you.” He started to pull me up to him, but I pushed away.

  “Much better now, I can walk fine. I was half asleep. You forget I work day shift. It’s past my bedtime, has been all week long.”

  “I can call and postpone tomorrow’s test. They are scheduled for ten, but I might be able to schedule for the afternoon. Keep in mind that tomorrow will be a late night too.” We reached the porch and he pulled out his house key.

  “No, that’s fine. Let me get my suitcase and point me to where I’m sleeping.” I headed to the car.

  He turned me back around and pushed me forward. “I’ll get the luggage in a moment. Come inside.”

  He flipped on the lights and I entered into another world. From the outside, it looked like any other brick ranch-style house. Inside it was a Japanese home. There was muted lighting and pale white sliding doors. The tables were set close to the floor with pillows instead of chairs. Modern high-tech elements added to the design, a micro stereo system with tall flat speakers stood in corners and a flat large-screen LCD TV hung flush against the wall. Dominating the space was an aquarium taking up one side of the room.

  I walked through the house like I’d gotten to Disney World. I pulled back screen doors and explored each room. The first bedroom I found had a futon low to the floor with a laptop computer of a Japanese design I’d never heard of. It was attached to a long sliding closet and bathroom. The kitchen was small but modern. It held a glass restaurant-style refrigerator with everything neatly lined up, and the stove had a wok and built-in microwave.