Oleander House: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 1

psychokinetic abilities was here each time a death occurred, that person would be the gateway for the things to come through into our reality, right?”
Bo nodded. Andre glanced around the table, his expression solemn. “So who was the focus in those cases? The witness, or the one who died?”
No one said anything for a moment. When Sam finally spoke, he cringed at the hollowness in his own voice. “It wasn’t the ones who were killed. It was the ones who saw it. The ones who were found unhurt but unresponsive.” He looked up into Bo’s face, wishing he was wrong but knowing in his heart he wasn’t. “Remember what Josephine said?”
“She said the door opened when she was angry,” Cecile murmured. “She was a focus, wasn’t she? When she and Lily fought, her anger caused the barrier between dimensions to break down, and something got through. Something that killed Lily.” She leaned closer to David. “I’m scared.”
Sam glanced around. Everyone was looking carefully in any direction but his. That more than anything else told him that they knew what he was. They’d figured it out just as he had. Moving carefully, Sam stood and began gathering dirty dishes, needing an excuse to get out of that room. He felt singularly exposed.
As he piled the plates in the sink, Sam heard Bo’s muttered “excuse me” and knew what was coming. Ignoring Bo’s footsteps behind him, he strode through the kitchen and into the mudroom without looking back.
Bo caught up to him on the sun porch. “Sam, wait!”
Sam stopped, but didn’t turn around. “I’m a focus. That’s what’s wrong with me, that’s what it’s been my whole fucking life. All those things that have happened, the things I saw when I was a kid, the things that’ve happened here. It was me all along.” Sam wrapped both arms tight around himself, trying to stop the tremors shuddering through him. “It almost got through, that time in my room. I could feel it inside me, trying to get out.”
“That scares you, doesn’t it?”
Bo’s voice was gentle, without a hint of blame or fear or anger. Sam turned slowly around, needing to see Bo’s face. What he found there was understanding and a desire to help. He tried to recall a time when he’d seen that look in anyone’s eyes, and he couldn’t think of one.
“Yeah, it scares me,” Sam answered. “Nothing’s ever happened unless I was there. Have you noticed that?”
“Yes,” Bo said quietly. “I’ve noticed.”
“It’s trying to use me as a passageway into this world.” Sam shook his head. “Why? What makes me the one it wants?”
“I don’t know, Sam.” Bo reached out and laid a tentative hand on Sam’s arm. “We’ll research it. If others have experienced this same sort of thing—and I’m positive that they have—the information’s out there. We just have to find it.”
“Yes.” Sam felt some measure of relief at the thought of taking positive action. “But in the meantime, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to stay here anymore.”
Bo’s eyes widened. “What, you want to leave Oleander House? Give up on this investigation just because you’re scared?”
“If that’s how you want to put it, yes,” Sam answered, irritated by Bo’s not-so-subtle suggestion that he was being cowardly. “Hasn’t it occurred to you that I’m putting you all in danger by being here?”
“No.” Bo thrust his chin stubbornly forward. “You’re a strong man, Sam, and you’re smart. I think that if you are a focus, you can learn to control it.”
Sam drew a deep breath, trying to suppress a burst of helpless anger toward Bo. “No, I don’t think I can. Maybe one day, but not yet. I don’t even know where to start!”
“Then what better time to try and learn than here and now, huh?” Bo moved closer, dark eyes blazing. “I’ll help you. We all will. Don’t give up on this.”
Sam took a step backward. Having Bo so close made his head spin. “I’m all for learning about this house, and about what I can apparently do. But this isn’t the time or place. Not when people’s lives are at stake.”
Bo’s hand clamped down on Sam’s arm, his grip painfully tight. “Don’t leave. Please.”
The note of desperation in Bo’s voice was unmistakable. Sam stared at him. “Why not?”
Bo blinked and looked away. “Because… Because I…”
“Because you don’t want me to go,” Sam supplied, knowing in his bones that he was right. “That’s it, isn’t it? It’s got