The Seer by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 37

The workweek was, again, underway, and as much attention as Gordon gave his patients, his mind repeatedly strayed back to that night in the cemetery. His concentration was also disrupted by the returning memory of Donna, and the unexpected kiss they had shared. Between these two events, Gordon began to wonder if he should continue his participation in Tom's research team, feeling that the experiences he was having were beginning to wear on his ability to do his job. He had also become distracted by his growing feelings for Donna, but he did think that fending off her advance was probably a good idea. However, he also knew that, at some point, the two of them would become deeply involved.

Gordon's patients seemed to file in and out of his office at a monotonous pace, leading him to discover the curse of life's routine, as well as the need for adventure. But still uncertain about his membership with Tom's group, he considered other means of entertainment. After all, a person can't simply work and sleep their way through life. Yet, his thoughts always came back to the paranormal, and Donna. Twice, he had used his training to help the interred resolve their troubled lives, providing them with healing and a means of moving on. He began to see them as a different type of patient, one that, although deceased, were still in need of closure.

He was between patients, writing notes, when the light on his answering machine began to blink. Perhaps one of his patients called to cancel at the last moment, he always found this irritating. If a patient canceled their appointment at least a day in advance, he could fill the slot with someone who could be moved up from a later time. But, these things were generally done as cancellations occurred.

Pushing the play button, Gordon heard Tom's voice.

“Hey, Gordon, it's Tom,” the message began. “I got us an investigation I think you're gonna like. Give me a call.” Tom didn't ordinarily call Gordon's office, and this prompted his curiosity, leaving him guessing about the details of this investigation. Another cemetery? Maybe an historic landmark, or an old Victorian house. Perhaps Gordon wasn't finished with the team, as he had previously thought. Maybe he was still in the midst of the battle between the things that made sense, and the troubled specters that seemed to be drawn to him. Certainly, offering counseling to the departed made no sense, but Gordon knew that what he'd seen and felt seemed very real.