2009

Haiden stared at Klocke across the table.

He quirked a brow at her. What?

She shook her head. "I don't believe it..." She knew everyone was staring at her interruption, but she didn't particularly care.

Suzanne's abilities were mind-blowing, yes. They were incredible on a scale that Haiden hadn't even known existed, but that wasn't the source of her real shock.

"You used to smile?" Haiden accused, still staring at her partner. "And you had short hair? And you... you..." She shook her head, dumbfounded. "You actually had facial expressions!? And you still had the same jacket!? What!?"

She looked around, and some of them laughed. Even Klocke's lips gave an amused twitch, though beyond that his face remained blank.

She pointed at him. "That's what I mean! That right there! You're a freaking statue! When the heck did that change?"

"If you'll listen," Klocke said, instantly shutting her up, "you'll find out."

Haiden made a face, but sighed. "Right. Sorry. Shutting up now."

Klocke nodded his silent thanks, and then he picked up the story where Suzanne had left off. "Norgaard had always known about ghosts, but he never told me. I didn't know he knew about Suzanne right from the start, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised..."