Stone Defender

by Chris Redding

  “I need to shower and get my uniform from my apartment.”

  “Not sure if I can let you do that.”

  “Trent, I can’t miss work. I work per diem which gives me more money, but it means that if I don’t work I don’t get paid.”

  He rubbed a hand down his face. He might need the Foleys’ help after all. He didn’t like their plan, but he didn’t have one. “Let me talk to security first then we’ll figure out how to get your uniform.”

  “You don’t want me back in my apartment?”

  “No.”

  ***

  Trent knew his instincts had been right about her apartment. Beth had given him specific instruction about what she needed and where it would be. Well, things were not in their rightful place when he arrived.

  The place had been tossed. He dialed the Foleys. They would need an update even if he didn’t use them for the whole case.

  “Donal.”

  “Beth’s place has been tossed. Can you get a cleaning crew in here? I’ll pay for it. Don’t bother Beth with this.”

  He’d left Beth alone and made her promise not to leave. As long as she was in his apartment she was safe. Even if goblins landed on the roof, only he knew the way to get from the roof to the apartment. The place was impenetrable from humans.

  “I’ll have them there within the hour.”

  “I’ll drop the key off on my way back to the apartment.”

  He looked around and shook his head. This might be the threat that Beth would believe was actually directed at her. He took a few pictures before he gathered her things. He didn’t linger, not wanting to invade her privacy.

  He dropped off the key at Foley Brothers Security then flew to his home. It was night time and with her backpack in his claws, he swooped and enjoyed the freedom of being a gargoyle. He eventually landed by his building because he knew Beth would still be awake.

  After transforming back to his human form he took the elevator to the penthouse. She was in the living room when the doors opened. She faced the windows, gazing down at the city. Even in the dim light from one lamp on an end table, he could see the defeat in her stance. She was tired and unsure of everything he’d bet. He wanted to hold her and reassure her that everything would be okay.

  He didn’t know it, but he would do everything in his power to make it right for Beth. Wow. He’d never felt that about anyone. He cleared his throat. She turned. “You found everything okay?”

  “Yes, but I have some pictures to show you.”

  He strode to where she stood. He’d bought the place because of the windows. Right now it was a soothing sight, but he didn’t think Beth felt the same way.

  “What pictures?”

  He showed her the photos he’d snapped in her apartment. “Someone tossed it.”

  She put a hand over her open mouth as she scrolled through them. Then her gaze rose to his. “Why?”

  “I don’t know, Beth. But I will find out.”

  ***

  Beth focused on being back at work. Trent was a presence in the ward, but he was in a security uniform so other than the fact that he was hot no one thought it odd that he was there. She kept eyeing the bandage on his arm. He hadn’t let her change it and it looked like he’d done it himself. Shoddy work like that bothered her.

  She had a moment since she had checked on all of her patients and they were all resting just fine. With it being a small exclusive hospital, Beth only had to tend to four patients. It was a dream job for a nurse since she wasn’t run ragged and she could concentrate a lot of her attention on the patients. Less paperwork also.

  She filed the paperwork she’d been working on and hoped that her approaching Trent wouldn’t raise any suspicions. She didn’t want anyone to know he was there for her. She stopped a few steps from where he sat. The story had been that there was a high profile patient who wanted extra security. The hospital had provided it at a cost.

  In reality, Beth had no idea if anyone was paying Trent. Talk of money never surfaced. She could probably tap into her trust fund if he wanted a salary, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject.

  “Can I look at your bandage?” she asked.

  He glanced at his arm. “It’s fine.”

  “It looks like you were attacked by wolves. Let me rebandage it or see if you can leave it off.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Stop saying that. I’m trying to help you and you are being stubborn.” She pointed at the room he sat outside of. “We can go in the patient’s room.”

  They both knew it was unoccupied. This room was for one of Beth’s patients, but no one was in there. They would have privacy and hopefully his ego would remain intact. That could be the only explanation for his hesitance to let her see it.

  “Fine.”

  He trudged into the hospital room like a man going to the gallows. He hated asking for help? How odd for someone trained in the military. They had to be a team from what she understood. He wasn’t willing to let her be on his team.

  “Sit on the bed.”

  He was too tall for her to deal with while he was on his feet. When he sat he was eye level with her. “Who used this hospital? I’ve never heard of it.”

  “It’s for people who are willing to pay and not use insurance. It’s also used when a big name wants privacy.”

  He nodded as she unwrapped his bandage. The burn didn’t look much better than when she’d wrapped it the first time. “You are not healing. Let me have a doctor look at it.”

  “Is it infected?”

  “No.”

  “Then no doctor.”

  She frowned at him. “Then let me get some topical antibiotic.” She left him in the room and returned with an ointment. She slathered it on as he winced a little then she put a fresh bandage on it. “There. All better.”

  “You sound like my mother did. She would kiss it too.”

  “You want me to kiss it?”

  Her heart stopped as he stared at her for a long moment. “No need.”

  Her heart didn’t slow down until she was back at the nurse’s station.

  ***

  Trent picked up Donal’s phone call later that evening. Beth was home safe and she didn’t need to work for a few days. They were playing a game of cards which Beth was beating him at.

  “Hey Donal.”

  “Trent. Did you see the news? Not sure if it is out yet.”

  “What news?”

  “Kenny Rothschild has been arrested and charged with human trafficking.”

  Trent looked up at Beth. “I need to take this in my office.”

  She motioned for him to go. He closed the door to his office. “Say that again.”

  “Rothschild is the producer that Beth saw at the party. The one who assaulted her,” Donal said.

  “Damn.” He sat on his chair behind the desk. “I’ll have to tell her. I can’t keep her away from the news.”

  “It hasn’t made the news yet, but it will be all over social media.”

  “Thanks for the heads up.”

  “No problem buddy.”

  He disconnected with Donal. He felt an overwhelming need to be with Beth. To make sure she was okay even if he knew she couldn’t be touched in his penthouse. Not even by a goblin.

  He’d put money on the fact that Kenny Rothschild was a goblin. He’d detected the faint scent of his mortal enemy the night Beth had come to him at Grotesque. He hadn’t thought about that since then because Beth was not a goblin. He had nothing to worry about. Other than protecting her.

  He returned to where Beth sat. She wasn’t on her phone. Instead she stared out over the city. “Problem?”

  “Sit down.”

  “Did you find my parents?” she said, her eyes wide and worried.

  He patted the sofa next to him. “No. I’ve put Tex on the job. We’ll find them.”

  She sat. “Then what?”

  “Kenny Rothschild has been arrested.”

  He let that sink in.
He would share the charges if she needed him to.

  “For what?”

  “Human trafficking is all I’ve heard. That was Donal on the phone. He wanted me to give you a heads up.”

  “Let’s add assault to those charges,” she said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I want to file a complaint. I should have that night.”

  “You want to do that?”

  Beth looked at him as if he had two heads. “Yes. I want to file a complaint. Maybe if I come forward more women will do the same. That producer will be behind bars for the rest of his life.”

  He admired her determination and spunk. She looked at him without blinking. “Okay then.”

  “Can I go home then?”

  He stood and looked down at her. “Why do you think you can go home?”

  “Because the threat is gone.”

  “He isn’t in this alone, Beth. He probably has powerful connections. You won’t be safe for a while.”

  Her phone buzzed. She stared at it with her mouth open.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She handed him the phone and he read the text from a blocked number. It read: “Don’t try anything stupid.” He looked up at her. “This couldn’t have anything to do with any other situation you’re in?”

  “No.”

  “Then let’s get this to Tex. He can probably find out who sent this. Meanwhile we will get you a new phone. New number. Only give it to people you trust.”

  “I have to give it to work.”

  “That’s fine. Maggie also.”

  Beth nodded. She snagged her purse and followed Trent to the elevator. He paused before they disembarked, his gaze darting around the parking garage. He then used a key to close the elevator doors behind them.

  He put a hand on Beth’s arm, admiring how tough she was. She climbed into his truck.

  Foley Security had underground parking and Trent knew the code. He parked the truck before they climbed out.

  “This place is a fortress,” she said.

  “If you know how many bad people there are in the world, you would be this cautious, too.”

  “Maybe I’m glad I don’t know.”

  The receptionist was not there when they entered, but Trent had called ahead. Donal and his brothers gathered around a large computer which Tex sat behind.

  “Beth received a threatening text this morning.”

  Tex held out his hand. “I can get this traced. You need this back?”

  “No. Beth is getting a new phone on a new carrier,” Trent said.

  “I am?”

  He turned to her. “Yes. You are. No need to chance that they can track you down.”

  “I have a burner phone if you want to use that in the meantime,” Sean said.

  Trent eyed Beth. “I’d feel more comfortable if it wasn’t traceable.”

  “You really think I’m in danger?” she asked.

  “You are,” Donal said. “This arrest is just one of many that is going to happen. And if you make a statement to the cops you will have a bullseye on you.”

  “I’m willing to take that risk. I should have gone to the cops,” she said.

  “You were scared,” Trent said. Most people would not have handled the disruption to their lives as well as Beth had.

  She shrugged. “Have you found my parents?”

  Tex shook his head. “They are well hidden wherever they are, but if they are anywhere near here I’ll find them Beth.”

  Sean handed Beth a phone that couldn’t be traced.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  “I put Maggie’s number in there and Trent’s and of course ours,” Sean said.

  She nodded. “Can we go make that statement?”

  “Sure. We’ll see you all later. I’ll have my phone on. Call me day or night.”

  Donal chuckled. “You don’t understand that Tex may call you in the middle of the night. He’ll be up with that new baby of his on his shoulder trying to get to the sender of the text.”

  Trent shrugged. “It’s important so don’t hesitate.”

  ***

  The statement didn’t take nearly as long as Beth had expected. The bonus was that Tex had hacked into cameras in the house and obtained a recording of what happened. The police were impressed and concerned, but neither she nor Trent told them how they were in possession of the video.

  Someone would probably get arrested. That’s what mattered to Beth. If that producer had done that to her he must have done it to someone else. Maybe even someone younger than she was.

  “I need to stop by the building where the theatre is,” Beth said as they left the precinct house.

  Trent frowned. “I would have liked a heads up. I’m not sure I can keep you safe there.”

  “There are so many people around, Trent. How can anyone get to me?”

  He seemed to puzzle over it.

  “It’s important to me Trent. I don’t know where my parents are, but my other family is this troupe of actors.”

  “Okay,” he said as he opened the door for her.

  He climbed in and started his truck. How did he manage with this big vehicle in the city?

  “How are they doing with their fundraising?”

  She cocked her head. “Since I know you want it for Grotesque why do you care?”

  He shrugged. “I’m sure I can find another building.”

  She nodded and then stared out the window at the passing buildings. There was so much energy in a city, but then sometimes it was tiring. This whole situation was unsettling.

  They arrived at the building and her friends were there. Rehearsal was going on for their Shakespeare fundraiser. Trent stayed with Beth, even escorting her to the bathroom. “These people are not the enemy.”

  “Do you know them all?”

  “Yes. I do.”

  He glanced around. “I’ll be in the theatre.”

  He left her to the bathroom. When she was done she noticed the garbage was overflowing. Everyone did everything here so she changed the bag. That’s when she heard screeching from the theatre. The full bag forgotten in the hallway, she rushed back to the auditorium. All the actors were on the stage. Behind Trent. She followed their gaze to the top of the theatre.

  She’d never noticed that the theatre had some grotesque creature up there. Why only one. Then it flapped its wings.

  “Beth, get back to the bathroom,” Trent said. He never took his eyes off of the thing. “One by one go back stage and get to a room. One with no windows.”

  Beth froze. She didn’t know what to do.

  “Beth,” Trent yelled. “Bathroom. Don’t let anyone in.”

  She’d wondered why he’d toured the building before he let her get some work done. He knew this place better than she did. The shriek from the creature jolted her and she ran back down the hallway. She heard some footsteps behind her. Glancing over her shoulder she knew they were her friends.

  They huddled in the bathroom.

  “I hope everyone got out safely.”

  “Trent will deal with it,” Beth said.

  And she trusted that he would. There was a cacophony of sound, but Beth made sure that everyone stayed put.

  “What was that thing?” someone asked.

  “I don’t know,” Beth said.

  Trent hadn’t seemed surprised. Maybe his moment of disbelief came before she entered the auditorium. As she was calming down she was now questioning what she saw. It must have been someone in costume, but why would anyone want to scare them?

  Trent was the only person who wanted to buy the building. She couldn’t imagine him doing something so elaborate. Based on his apartment he was a Spartan kind of guy. He’d never given her any reason not to trust him.

  A knock on the door startled them. “Beth?”

  She scrambled to unlock the door. He looked disheveled, but in one piece. She couldn’t resist hugging him. His arms didn’t immediately come around her, but they did eventually. “Are you oka
y?”

  “Yes. I’m fine.”

  “What was that thing?” Beth asked.

  The other actors filed past her, chattering excitedly, thinking it was some publicity stunt.

  “Are you done here? I want to get back to the apartment,” he said, not answering her question.

  “Uh, sure. You think that was directed at me?”

  “Yes, but I’ll explain later. We have to come up with a plausible story to tell your friends,” he said.

  “Why not the truth?”

  A myriad of emotions went across his face. “They wouldn’t understand.”

  He turned and probably expected her to follow. “Are my friends in danger?”

  He stopped, glancing over his shoulder. “Not if you leave.”

  She nodded. The path was clear.

  ***

  Trent paced and held off Beth’s questions. Donal was the only Foley who could come on short notice. Trent wanted someone there when he explained goblins to Beth. Hopefully she wouldn’t ask anything else. He wasn’t ready to reveal that he was a gargoyle.

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Both Trent and Beth spun to look at Donal as he exited the car. He studied both of them. “I hear we have an issue.”

  Beth glanced at Trent. “Only if you aren’t willing to tell me the truth.”

  Trent braced himself. “We will, but it may be hard to hear.”

  She looked from one to the other. “The truth is always better no matter how uncomfortable it is.”

  Trent doubted she would think that when he had to tell her what that thing had been in the theatre. Or that it was after her. “Let’s sit.”

  They took seats in his living area. Beth held onto a pillow. Trent looked at Donal and he began the narrative. “There are things in this world that sometimes are hidden.”

  “Could we get this on the table?” she said.

  “Let me ease you into this. There are supernatural beings.”

  Silence. Beth blinked. “What do you mean by supernatural?”

  “Goblins,” Donal said.

  Her gaze darted between them. “Goblins?”

  “Yes. They spend their time in human form, but can transform into what you saw today,” Trent said.