“What are you thinking about, Roman? I can see the wheels spinning,” Julian asked.
“Why would we have two Kendricks, both with last names that begin with ‘H’, and both popping up on a case?”
Julian was about to tell him that coincidences might exist when his wife made some sound from beside him.
“What?”
“I Googled Kendrick Helmsley, and there’s an old news story from over a decade ago.”
“Okay, and?”
Roman kept his fingers crossed. He needed something big to stand out. He wanted the job with Littlemoon Investigations in the worse way.
“He’s from this area, and he was arrested for sexually assaulting his twelve year old daughter.”
They all stared over at Tori.
“What?” they all said at the same time.
“You heard me. He’s a scumbag.”
Julian was caught off guard. “What are the chances that we have three dead preteens, and a man who was a pedophile who changed his name?”
“Slim to none,” stated Beau. “He’s hiding in plain sight.”
Everyone got goose bumps.
“Can we get a picture?” Roman asked.
Tori picked up her phone and made a call. She told Christina what she needed, and the woman began typing.
“It’s on its way, boss,” she said.
Tori hung up, and they all stared at her phone sitting on the table. As it chimed, she hit the email icon.
The picture opened.
“Holy shit! It’s Kendrick Hanlon. He changed his name so he wouldn’t have to register as a sex offender,” Tori said. “This is unfreakingbelievable.”
“He’s had some work done on his face--just enough to alter his appearance enough to not be recognized,” Roman stated, checking out the two pictures.
Julian patted the reporter on the back. “Just wow. I can’t believe you found him. You closed the case. We’re not going to have three dead girls and an angry priest hitching a ride home.”
Roman grinned. “I told you I can be an asset.”
He hadn’t lied.
“The news article said he disappeared from public view, and he stopped attending the church.”
“Yeah, because he didn't want to show his sick, perverted face there,” Beau stated.
Tori began typing, checking on the other details. “Kendrick Helmsley went off the grid and for a whole year nothing. Then, when the media attention died down, Kendrick Hanlon showed up.”
Tori researched the man’s ex-wife and daughter. They’d moved in that time, and there were no other family members.
“He waited until everyone who knew him moved on, and he returned to the scene of the crime. If he assaulted his own child, he likely had something to do with the three dead girls too.”
They all looked around.
It looked like they had more to dig up. This case was going to be blown wide open.
Finally, Julian spoke, “Let’s tie it up in a pretty red ribbon for the sheriff, and then get the hell out of this town.”
They all got to work.
They had details to lock down.
* * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *
Darkwood Monastery
Chapel
When Nyx finally came to, she was disorientated. She wasn’t in her shop, and her head was pounding. It didn't help that Trey was screaming in her head either.
As her eyes flickered open, she found the man standing above her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move. Her hands were bound and so were her legs.
She was his prisoner.
It flashed her back to her past.
Nyx was forced to recall those couple of days when the burglars held her against her will. It reminded her of what they did to her.
That moment of her past clawed its way back to the surface, making her want to be sick.
She couldn’t live through that again.
There was no way she’d survive.
“I need the gold, and you’re going to find it for me,” he said, pulling her to her bound feet.
She shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs as he squeezed her arms, digging his nails into her flesh. The pain helped her focus.
“It doesn’t work like that,” she offered.
“It has to be here,” Reggie shouted. “I've searched everywhere else, and this is the last place that the worthless priest could have hidden it.”
“There isn't any gold here,” she said, hoping he’d try to move her again. Maybe someone would see him. There was always the chance that she’d be saved.
God!
She wished Beau was there.
She really needed him.
“You came here last night. You and your nosey friends are searching for it. You’re going to steal it from me, and we can’t have that. So, tell me where it is, and I won’t hurt you.”
He wrapped his fingers around the slim column of her throat over the marks Romeo put on her. When he began squeezing, she couldn’t breathe.
Nyx didn't believe she was going to walk away from this. What the man said didn't match up with the anger and hate reverberating off him.
She was going to die.
“Please,” she begged, as he continued squeezing. “Don’t.”
“Tell me where the gold is, and we can forget that you’re being a pain in my ass.”
She struggled to stay coherent. The room wavered as the precious air was blocked from her oxygen deprived body.
“You have a gift. I heard them talking. Now…talk to the dead, or become one.”
With that, he squeezed so hard that Nyx passed out.
* * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *
Across Town
Diner
They were tying up the loose ends.
Everything was falling into place. They had the killer’s identity ferreted out, they figured out who had killed the three children, and now they only needed to figure out where the heck the gold was hidden.
Once they did, they were out of there.
This case had been hell.
It started out as a simple case of locating someone who had a score to settle, and it ended up with bodies everywhere.
Julian was beginning to think that they were destined to work on these types of cases. Maybe he should change his sign at home. They didn't find the lost.
They found the dead.
“Anything?” Tori asked, as Roman dug through his papers. “Not to pressure you, but there’s a job riding on this.”
He glanced up. “Gee, thanks for that. I feel so much calmer now.”
As he continued reading, Beau was getting more and more agitated. “Something’s wrong. Nyx isn’t answering me.”
Tori didn't know how to handle this. If she told him the truth, it just might break his heart. If she didn't say anything, he was going to drive himself insane.
“Beau, maybe she just needed some time to think,” Julian offered. “Women are…”
“If you say something derogatory, I’m going to hurt you,” Tori stated, giving him advanced warning.
“I was going to say complex, but homicidal might fit in this scenario.”
“She’d never not answer her phone. Nyx doesn’t play these kinds of games,” he began.
“Beau, you’ve only known her a week. Maybe you need to just chill out and relax. You might be scaring the shit out of her. A woman likes to be pursued, not stalked. There’s a fine line, and you may be ready to cross it.”
He stared at his sister. “No. I know her. She’s part of me, Tori. We’re connected. The second I saw her, I knew.”
She went to say more, but Roman jumped up.
“I know where the gold is!”
People in the diner looked at him.
He sat down and lowered his voice. “Sorry about that. I get excited. I think I know where the gold was hidden.”
They all waited.
Finally, Julian couldn’t take it. “Tell us.”
“The sp
irit Nyx was channeling said the gold is with Saint James. I was thinking the actual saint, but look here…”
He pushed the book toward them. It was the one with all the parishioners listed in it. Beside certain names, there was another notation.
Tori watched him slide his finger across the page to the word ‘deceased’, and then over to the name.
“St James? You have to be freaking kidding me. Who knew ghosts were so literal?”
He grinned. “It’s the last name of someone who attended services there. Anyone want to bet that behind that plaque, we’re going to find the loot?”
Julian stood. “We need to head to that chapel. We’ll get the gold, turn it in to the sheriff, along with the information, and then we’ll get the hell out of here.”
They were good with that.
As Julian tossed money down on the table, they rushed toward the car. The second they were in it, the dash came to life. Only, Julian was still holding the key in his hand, and it was nowhere near the ignition.
Immediately, the radio went crazy.
Trey was there, and he had something to say.
“Bro, are you here?” Beau asked. His heart was pounding in his chest. The only times Trey had done this were when Nyx was hurt or in dire straits.
It freaked him out.
“He’s. Taken. Her!”
Beau wanted to be sick. “Trey? Is Nyx in danger?”
Julian started the engine and began heading toward her shop.
“He’s. Going. To. Kill. Her.”
Now, Beau was borderline insane. Those five words were freaking him out.
“Hurry, Julian!” he blurted. “Where is she, Beau? You have to tell us where she is.”
They waited, but the radio stopped.
“He’s out of energy,” Tori stated.
“Where is she?” Beau howled, so much fear filling him. He’d promised to save her, and he’d failed.
Again.
“Where is she?”
There was no answer.
Beau looked at his sister. “Please. You have to find her. If he can’t, then there’s only you.”
Tori could hear the desperation in his voice. She understood. What wouldn’t she do for her brother? Tori loved him, and if it meant calling her spirit guide, so be it.
She closed her eyes. “Bethany, I really need to know where she is. Find her for me.”
“Hurry!” Beau said, grabbing her arm.
“Shhhhhhh,” she muttered, trying to concentrate on Bethany’s voice. It was draining for both of them, but specifically her spirit guide.
Beau held his breath.
There was no answer, and finally Tori opened her eyes. “Julian, I need you to head toward the vineyard. Bethany’s found her. You had better make it fast. We don’t have much time, and neither does she.”
That was all Beau had to hear.
He was pretty sure she was going to be the death of him. This time for sure…
* * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *
Darkwood Monastery
In the darkness of her mind, Nyx could hear Bethany and Trey soothing her. They were trying to keep her calm, whispering that help was coming.
God!
She hoped they were right.
He’d nearly strangled her, and she was pretty sure the next time he tried, he wouldn’t stop at unconsciousness.
It was going to be her death.
“Open your eyes!” he ordered, yanking her to her feet. “Where’s the gold, bitch? Here’s your last chance to prove that you prefer life over death!”
“I told you that it’s not here.”
He shook her roughly, getting angrier with each passing refusal. “If you don’t help me, so help you God…”
She held her ground.
Nyx had to buy them time. Her faith was in Beau, and he’d get there. She believed in him.
In them.
When he hit her, she saw stars.
“Fine. You’re dead. I’m going to put you where they’ll never find you. You won’t be my first. I killed Father Esposito and Pearlie, and I’ll just add you to the list.”
Letting her arm go, she fell to the floor. Nyx knew she had to fight, but bound, there wasn’t going to be a good outcome.
She wasn’t a fool.
With a crowbar, he pulled the marble cover off the one empty crypt. Nyx was horrified and tried to scamper away. When she got a few feet from him, he simply dragged her back by her hair.
She wept in pain.
“Here’s your final resting place. I could kill you first, but you’ve been a pain. Instead, I’ll let you suffer until you run out of air.”
She struggled as he lifted her, bucking her body to get him to drop her. His grip was incredibly strong, and she didn't have a chance.
Christ!
She didn't want to go into that small space. Nyx hated them. It was probably from being locked in a trunk after she was abducted as a teenager.
She screamed and screamed, only to have him slam her head against another marble crypt marker to shut her up.
She got dizzy and more manageable.
Once he shoved her inside, Nyx didn't have much room to move. “Please,” she begged. “Don’t do this! I’ll help you. I’ll tell you where the gold is!”
He didn't even pause.
“I don’t believe you know. You’re a fraud! You’re full of shit, and you get to die.”
“Please,” she begged. “Don’t close this up!”
He didn't care. As he pulled the marker back over the opening, he pushed it in place. With the hammer in his back pocket, he tapped in the spikes that held it in place.
“Enjoy your final resting spot!” he called. “I hope your ‘spirits’ welcome you on the other side!”
With that, he laughed.
So much for the fake psychic.
Now, he’d get down to work.
* * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *
The SUV was barely to a stop when Beau was out the door. He raced toward the small chapel on the other side of the orchard. He thought he heard her scream, and if she was hurt, he’d never forgive himself.
“Roman! Call the sheriff!” Tori ordered, racing after her brother. She wasn’t sure what he was going to find, but she wanted to make sure if Reggie Zellers was there, Beau didn't kill him.
Even if the man deserved it, she wouldn’t let her brother go to jail. She had to protect him while he was mired in the anger.
As they approached the chapel, the door opened, only it wasn’t his girl.
It was the man who took her.
He looked surprised.
As he opened his mouth to make up an excuse, he didn't have a chance.
Beau charged him, taking him to the ground. They slid across the stone floor of the small building. Beau pulled a knife from his boot and held it to the man’s throat.
“Where is she?” he ordered.
Tori raced in, looking around.
“Where the fuck is my girl? You better tell me or I’m going to cut you to pieces.”
Julian stood behind his brother-in-law. “Tori, you gotta find her.”
She called to Bethany and heard the faint music.
Suddenly, the breeze filled the room. Tori’s red hair blew in the invisible wind.
They all watched her, knowing she was their last chance. Bethany had to come through, or they were going to be demolishing a building.
Still, they might not find her until it was too late.
“Come on, Bethany,” Beau whispered, saying a prayer.
When Tori looked up, they all held their breath. She pointed toward a wall, and moved toward it.
Running her hands over each marble slab, she stopped at one. “She said it’s this one,” Tori stated. “Bethany said she’s behind it.”
That’s all they needed to hear.
“Nyx, are you in here?” Julian shouted.
They went silent, and each swore they could hear screaming. It was barely audible, but they we
re pretty sure it was there.
Beau slammed Reggie Zellers’s head off the hard floor until he passed out.
He’d deal with him later.
For now, he needed to find Nyx. Hopefully, she wasn’t hurt, or the man on the marble floor was a dead man. Nothing would stop him from ending his life.
Racing over to his sister, he had the small hammer in his hand. “We have to get her out.”
Julian picked up the crowbar he’d found on the floor. “This will work,” he said, cramming it in the space between the marble and the wall. He began working it in and out, until the pins slid free of the marble.
Tori pulled them out as her husband grabbed the slab.
Inside, they saw Nyx, and she looked shaken up. Then again, who could blame her? She’d been shoved in a crypt to die.
“Oh, baby,” Beau said, reaching in to pull her out. The second she was free, he wrapped his arms around her to keep her safe. “We have you, Nyxie. It’s okay.”
She sobbed. “Oh, God! He was going to kill me. He wants the gold. He killed the priest and Pearlie.”
Yeah, they were well aware.
Roman ran in, his phone still in his hand. “The sheriff is coming. I told him there are bodies. That lit the fire under his ass,” he said.
“Crap! Nyx, are you okay?” he asked, as Beau held her in his arms. “Let’s cut you lose.”
He picked up the knife from the floor and gently sliced through her restraints. When her arms were free, she wrapped them around Beau as she held on.
He could feel her shaking. “You’re safe now. I have you, and it’s all going to be okay. I promise.”
She breathed in his scent as she nuzzled her face against his scruffy cheek.
“We have to move,” Tori said. “The sheriff is expecting bodies. We better at least have gold to give him.”
Yeah, that might distract him.
They walked around the back of the chapel where all the crypts were. When they found the one marked ‘St James’, Julian began working it with the crowbar.
As the tile came off, there was definitely a box of ashes in there, but it was what was behind them that had their attention.
Truth Is Found Page 38
