Wicked Reunion

by Lily Harper Hart

  Jack nodded. “I’m not sure I do. I mean ... I believe the story about him shooting the suspect but what if something else is going on?”

  “Like what?”

  Jack held out his hands and shrugged. “I don’t know, but the records remind me of something I saw when I was in Detroit.”

  “And what is that?”

  “An internal affairs investigation. It was also being conducted by the state boys.”

  Brian was taken aback. “No way. Are you saying you think he’s undercover?”

  “I don’t know. He’s a world-class jerk, to the point where it’s almost unbelievable. What if that’s because he’s putting on a show?”

  “Do you think he was putting on a show when he threatened Ivy?”

  Jack scowled. “You just had to bring that up, didn’t you? I don’t know. I’m not happy that he put his hands on her, but now I’m starting to wonder if he threatened her because he knew she would run back to me and tattle on him.”

  “Except she didn’t. Max tattled on her.”

  “He didn’t know that, though. What if he’s here to clean up the Bellaire Police Department?”

  “I’ve never heard anything bad about the department,” Brian hedged. “Actually, I’ve heard it’s run fairly well. I’ve known the chief over there for a good fifteen years. He seems above board.”

  “So, maybe they’re not investigating the entire department. Maybe they’re only investigating one cop.”

  “Who?”

  “I have no idea.” Jack leaned back in his chair and heaved out a sigh. “I honestly don’t know. This guy’s records aren’t right, though. The only reason I know that is because I got involved in the other internal affairs investigation and the undercover detective told me that they just plug in random things that look bad and never consider timelines. He pointed a few things out on his fake record that made no sense, including a sexual assault on a motorist that supposedly happened before he said suggestive things to a teenager. In the real world, a suspect would start with the suggestive remarks and then move on to the rape.”

  “Huh. I get what you’re saying.” Brian stroked his chin. “I guess it’s possible that they selected Archibald because he had a history with the department.”

  “And he already had a big strike on his record with that suspect he shot.”

  “True. He would already look like a problem officer because of that. I’m confused why they would possibly bring him back into the fold, though.”

  “Maybe the chief you have so much respect for is in on it. Maybe he’s the one who tipped off the state investigation team about one of his officers and asked for help.”

  “Honestly, that makes sense.” Brian sat on the corner of Jack’s desk and considered the new information. “I actually like where your head is on this. I thought for sure that you were going to run off half-cocked and get in a fight with this guy because of what he said to Ivy. If you’re thinking otherwise, though ... .”

  “That doesn’t mean Ivy isn’t in trouble,” Jack argued. “Someone definitely chased her through the woods yesterday. I very much doubt whoever that was wanted to have a nice cup of tea and a chat with her.”

  “You think it’s the same individual who shot Bethany Parker, don’t you?”

  He nodded. “I think that makes the most sense.”

  “Well ... how do we figure this out?”

  “I think we have to go back to Bethany. She’s where this started. I’m not going to let it end with Ivy.”

  “No, I definitely think we can agree on that. I—” He didn’t get a chance to finish because the sound of a woman clearing her throat at the door caused him to swivel. “What is it, Ava?”

  In addition to being the chief of police’s daughter, Ava was also a pain in the behind of every officer in the department. Nobody liked her, but they had to put up with her because of who her father was.

  “There’s a detective from the Bellaire Police Department here to see you,” she offered. “He says it’s important ... something about Ivy.”

  Jack’s heart gave a long, slow roll. “Well, show him in. I can’t wait to talk to him.”

  “SO, HOW DID YOU AND JACK MEET?”

  Dorian was infatuated with hearing all about Ivy’s love life and he’d peppered her with questions for a good hour. She was convinced he was trying to keep the conversation on her so she wouldn’t continue diving into his private affairs.

  “Actually, I met him his first day on the job,” Ivy replied, grimacing as she shifted on the couch. Her ankle almost hurt more now than it had the previous night, which seemed impossible. “There was a dead body in my ditch and I called for Brian and he brought his new partner with him when he arrived.”

  “Really?” Dorian seemed surprised and he looked to Felicity for confirmation.

  “It’s true.” Felicity smiled at her niece. “Ivy has become something of a trouble magnet over the past year.”

  “I’m not sure I want to hear those stories.”

  “You definitely don’t,” Ivy agreed, shifting again as she made a face.

  “Do you want another bag of peas?” Felicity asked, sympathy washing over her. “You look uncomfortable.”

  “I thought I was supposed to be feeling better. Not so much, though.”

  “It’s been less than twenty-four hours,” Felicity reminded her. “I think it’s going to take more than that to fully recover.”

  “Yeah, but ... .” Ivy let loose a heavy sigh. “I need to be better before the wedding.”

  “That’s still weeks away. Why wouldn’t you be better?”

  “Don’t you remember when I was a kid? My ankle was bad for six weeks back then.”

  “And you’re six weeks out from your wedding,” Felicity realized. “You’re afraid you won’t be able to walk down the aisle to Jack without crutches.”

  “Oh, I’m not using crutches. I would rather crawl ... or fly. It’s too bad I couldn’t learn how to fly.”

  Felicity chuckled. “Who knows? At the rate your powers are growing, that’s a distinct possibility.”

  Ivy’s eyes went wide and she darted them toward Dorian. She couldn’t believe her aunt would dare spill her business in front of a virtual stranger. For his part, though, Dorian didn’t look shocked by the statement.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked blankly.

  “Ivy is worried that I somehow spilled some big family secret,” Felicity replied for her niece. “She thinks you’re unaware of what I can do ... and by virtue of that, what she can do.”

  “Ah.” Dorian’s smile was easy and fast. “You don’t have to worry. I’ve always known that your aunt was special. There was talk when you were very young that you would take after her. I’m happy to hear that’s finally happened.”

  Ivy was genuinely at a loss. “I can’t believe you told him,” she said finally, her tone accusatory. “What if he wasn’t as easygoing as he seems to be and turned us in to the police for promoting witchcraft or something?”

  “Oh, you’re hilarious today,” Felicity said on a laugh. “You’re all worked up. I think this is about the twentieth thing you’ve complained about.”

  “It’s a legitimate worry,” Ivy persisted. “He could think we’re weird and totally turn on us.”

  Dorian chuckled. “I don’t think you’re weird. In fact, I’ve always been fascinated with the occult. When I first started dating your aunt I did a lot of research. We used to do seances together ... and take ghost walks in the cemetery.”

  “You did?” That was news to Ivy. “Did you take me with you?”

  “You and Max,” Felicity confirmed. “You were always more excited than him about the cemetery walks, though.”

  “I don’t remember any of this.” Ivy was bewildered as she shook her head. “I wish I could. It sounds like we had a lot of fun.”

  “We had a great deal of fun,” Dorian confirmed. “I’m looking forward to having fun with you again, although I don’t suppose you’ll
believe a bag of plastic coins I dig up on the beach is buried treasure this go-around.”

  “Never say never,” Ivy countered, flashing him a nervous smile. “I ... um ... still feel weird about this. I guess I’ll get over it.”

  “I think you will,” Felicity said, getting to her feet. “I’ll grab you another bag of peas. At the rate you’re going through them, though, we should probably text Jack to bring more home after his shift.”

  “It couldn’t hurt,” Ivy agreed, her eyes going toward the picture window at the front of the room. There, to her utter surprise, Susan floated and desperately waved her hands to get Ivy’s attention. “Oh, no way.”

  “What’s wrong?” Felicity asked, raising her head. “I ... wait. Is there a ghost by the window?”

  Ivy simply nodded as she focused on the ethereal witch in question. “What’s wrong now?”

  “He’s here,” Susan replied, not bothering to introduce herself to the new faces. “He’s outside, and he’s circling the cottage. He’s trying to decide the best way to get into the house.”

  Ivy was floored. “He’s here right now?” Her first instinct was to hop to her feet, but Dorian instinctively put out his arm to keep her sitting.

  “What’s wrong?” It was obvious he couldn’t see the ghost. He’d picked up on Ivy’s distress, though.

  “There’s a man outside,” Ivy said grimly. “According to my friendly ghost, he’s here to kill me.”

  “All of you,” Susan countered. “You have to get out of here right now.”

  Unfortunately for Ivy, that was easier said than done.

  18

  Eighteen

  “What do we do?”

  Felicity didn’t normally crumble under pressure, but she was white as a sheet as she met Ivy’s troubled gaze.

  “We run,” Dorian answered. “We go out the front door, climb in the car, and run.”

  Ivy swallowed hard. “I think that’s exactly what the two of you should do.”

  Felicity immediately began shaking her head. “Don’t be an idiot,” she snapped. “There’s no way you can make it to the car and we’re not leaving you behind.”

  “I don’t see where you have a choice.” Ivy flicked her eyes to Susan. “We can’t stay here. We’ll be sitting ducks.”

  As if sensing her unease, Nicodemus moved so he was rubbing his head against her chest. Absently, Ivy stroked his silky head as she worked her jaw and tried to figure out another plan.

  “That’s not what’s going to happen.” Felicity was firm. “We have to come up with something else.” She dug in her pocket for her cell phone, a plan forming. “All we have to do is last long enough for Brian and Jack to get out here, right? That’s only a few minutes. We’ll lock ourselves in the library or something.”

  “Good idea.” Dorian bobbed his head. “Call them.”

  Ivy was hopeful as Felicity started pressing buttons on her phone. When a frown took over her aunt’s face, it was obvious something was wrong. “What is it?”

  “I’m not getting any service.” Felicity chewed on her bottom lip. “That’s weird. I usually get service out here.”

  “I don’t know what service is, but you have to get out of here,” Susan insisted. She was adamant. “It won’t take him long to get inside the house. I don’t think he plans on leaving without you this time.”

  “Probably not,” Ivy agreed, rummaging in the blankets until she came up with her cell phone. “Let me try.” Before she could even search for Jack’s name in her contact list she recognized that there were no bars on her phone. “I don’t understand.”

  “How is that possible?” Dorian asked, looking over her shoulder. “You paid your bill, right?”

  “I paid my bill.” Ivy went to the settings function on her phone and started searching for wi-fi connections. The only one visible was hers, and there were no bars lit up next to it. “He’s jamming the signals.” She twisted on the couch to look through the front window, but she couldn’t see a hint of movement.

  “You don’t have service, right, Dorian?”

  He shook his head. He looked terrified. “No. He’s got all of us down. What about a landline?”

  Ivy pressed her lips together and shook her head.

  “Ivy doesn’t have a landline,” Felicity explained. “She says she doesn’t need one in the cell phone age. She made fun of her parents for still having one. I bet you’re regretting that decision now, aren’t you?”

  “Since I’m pretty sure he would’ve just cut the line to the house, I don’t think it really matters,” Ivy snapped, the stress getting to her. “Son of a ... you have to get out of here.” Her tone was firm when she locked gazes with Felicity. “That’s the only chance we’ve got.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Felicity shot back. “I am not leaving you. Stop saying that.”

  “We don’t have a choice.” Ivy was unnaturally calm. She could see only one way out of this for the people she loved. She had a chance if they ran for help. If they stayed behind, though, odds were all of them would die. “I can’t go with you and we need help. You have to get to Jack.”

  “No.” Felicity’s eyes flashed with fury. “I’m not leaving you so stop talking nonsense.”

  Ivy looked to Dorian. He was her only hope. “You have to get her out of here. I know you want to keep her safe.”

  “I want to keep both of you safe,” Dorian countered. “Nobody is leaving ... and nobody is separating. That’s not the smart way to play this.”

  “We need help.” Ivy refused to back down. “There’s only one way to get it.”

  “I refuse to believe that.” Dorian licked his lips and glanced around. “What about weapons? Your father used to have hunting rifles. Where are they?”

  “At his house,” Ivy replied simply. “In fact, he might’ve sold them. He hasn’t been hunting in years. I think he might’ve even given them to Max. They haven’t owned this house for a long time and I don’t have a gun.”

  “But Jack does. He’s a police officer.”

  “He’s got his gun with him.”

  “Are you telling me that he only has one gun?” Dorian was beside himself. “That’s just so ... annoying right now. We need a gun.”

  Despite the surreal situation, Felicity laughed. “I forgot how frazzled you get during serious situations. It would be funny if things weren’t so dire.”

  “You have to go.” Ivy grabbed Dorian’s wrist and squeezed. “I know you care about Aunt Felicity. You have to get her out of this house. I can’t go. Even if you carried me, we wouldn’t make it. I can go to the back of the house, draw him in that direction. You can run and get help. I’ll ... hold him off for as long as I can.”

  “Okay, I hate to echo your aunt because I don’t think you need to be insulted right now, but stop talking nonsense,” Dorian snapped. “We’re not separating. It’s not going to happen. Stop bringing it up.”

  “Then what other choice do we have?” Ivy argued. “What is the plan here?”

  “I ... don’t ... ,” Dorian trailed off. “Wait, I heard you talking to Jack this morning.” His focus was on Felicity. “How did he find Ivy in the woods yesterday? You said something strange about it.”

  “I did?” Felicity’s eyebrows drew together. “I ... oh. Oh!” Her eyes shifted to Susan, who looked positively apoplectic. “Jack said a ghost told him that Ivy was in trouble.”

  Ivy snapped her head in Susan’s direction. She’d completely forgotten the ethereal figure was there. “That’s right. You found Jack right away yesterday. You can do it again.”

  Susan looked as if she was going to argue for a moment and then nodded. “I can find him again, but you still have to hide. That man is coming to this house. I promise you that.”

  “Where was he the last time you saw him?” Dorian queried.

  “Around back by the shed.”

  “Help me up.” Ivy lifted her arm and slid it around Dorian’s neck. “I need to see.” It hurt to stand, but she mana
ged to keep the bulk of her weight off her injured ankle. “Susan, you have to get Jack. Tell him I need him right away. Tell him ... just tell him to get out here and bring help. I don’t want him coming alone.”

  “I’ll tell him.” Susan fluttered toward the front window. “Remember that you have more than your human wits to protect you. Remember that you’re strong in different ways. Remember ... remember that you’re destined to walk down the aisle with Jack. I’ll get him. He won’t be far out.”

  Ivy nodded. “Thank you.” She tugged on Dorian’s arm. “Take me to the window in the kitchen.”

  He acquiesced, moving slowly as Felicity killed the lights in the house. It was daylight so there was no hiding their movements but that didn’t mean they should draw an arrow in the sky to point whoever was coming to the exact right location.

  “We’re thinking it’s the cop who threatened you, right?” Felicity whispered as she crowded close to Ivy and Dorian. “That’s who Jack was worried about on the phone this morning. He said not to let any strange cops in and if one showed up to keep the door locked and call him.”

  Ivy was dumbfounded. “He told you that?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “I just ... he didn’t mention that to me.”

  “Maybe he didn’t want you to worry,” Dorian suggested.

  “Maybe. I ... .” Ivy trailed off when she saw the shadow moving underneath the overhanging branch of the weeping willow. It took her eyes a moment to adjust, and when she finally got a good gander at the man coming to steal her life, she was utterly flabbergasted.

  “That’s the cop, right?” Felicity queried.

  “He’s a cop,” Ivy confirmed. “He’s just not the cop I was expecting. Come on. We have to fortify ourselves. We don’t have a lot of time.”

  ARCHIBALD LOOKED UNEASY AS AVA SHOWED him into the office. He was dressed in casual jeans and a button-down shirt and he looked as if he would rather be anywhere else but face-to-face with Jack.

  “Thank you for seeing me,” he started. “I really appreciate it.”

  “I don’t know that I appreciate it,” Jack countered. “I guess it depends on what you have to say.”