I heard a light knock on the door. “Olivia, are you all right?”
I got up from the bed and grabbed my purse. Right outside my door, Rick was leaning against the wall, apparently without a care in the world.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that. It’s definitely not the morning I’d envisioned last night.” He shrugged and shot me one of his melt-in-your-mouth smiles.
I pulled out my keys and unhooked the one to the house, unaffected. “I’m going to the office.” I handed him the key and pushed past him. “Be sure to lock up after you’re done searching,” I said coolly and started down the hall.
He caught my arm as I passed, spinning me around to face him. “I wasn’t going to search your house. You should be thanking me. Marcus was ready to take you to Division headquarters because you weren’t cooperating. I bought us some time so I can find out exactly why Malone was out there the night of the accident.”
“Whatever,” I said, pulling my arm free. “Thanks for last night, but I need to go. Just lock up when you leave, and mail me the key when you get home. I have another.”
He followed me into the living room as I got my jacket. “Olivia, you’re angry. I get it but don’t leave like this. Talk to me.”
“You’re wasting your breath,” Charlie chimed in from the kitchen. “When she’s that pissed off, it’s just best to let her go.”
“I don’t need your help,” I snapped at her, then wheeled on him. “I have some things I need to take care of this morning and”—I shot Charlie an irritated look—“I need some space to cool down.”
Rick took a step closer, and I raised my hand to stop him. “Don’t. I’ll call you. Stay if you want to, I don’t care. Just give me some space.” I walked out, not waiting to hear his response.
The cold air was a welcome contrast to the heat rising in my chest. Was it possible he had only agreed to spy to protect me? God, I wished I hadn’t put my rings back on. I’d have really liked to know the answer. Before I reached the end of the driveway, my phone buzzed with a message.
Charlie: I’ll keep the boy toy entertained. Call me when you’re ready. Maybe lunch?
I didn’t want to think about seeing Rick again right now. I tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. The mention of lunch just reminded me that the only thing I’d had to eat was a few bites of toast, and I was certain if I didn’t at least get one more cup of coffee into myself, my body would go into withdrawal. It was just past ten and Sally would still be serving breakfast, so I decided my best course of action would be food first and personal drama later.
FIFTEEN
January eighteenth
The cheerful bell over the door announced my arrival. Sally’s was deserted at this hour, and I was glad. Still angry from this morning’s drama, I didn’t want to deal with a crowd.
“Be there in a sec, hon!” Sally’s chipper voice sounded through the kitchen door.
I took a seat at the counter, the smell of coffee and fried foods making my stomach growl. Sally came bursting into the room carrying a stack of clean cups, and when she saw me, she immediately perked up.
“Olivia! My word. You have been the talk of the town this morning.”
“Good morning Sally. Can I get some coffee and the breakfast special to go? I’m really busy, and I can’t stay and chat.”
Sally set the cups down, ignoring my request. “Marge called me last night. Her sister, Pat, is a waitress at Randy’s. Marge told me you broke Brad’s nose because he insulted that new guy you’ve been seeing.”
I barked a harsh laugh. Leave it to small-town gossip to fill in the blanks with half-truths and speculation. “I didn’t break his nose, just bloodied it, and he did more than just insult Rick. I don’t want to talk about it. I’m running on a tight schedule this morning.” I smiled, keeping my anger and frustration in check.
“Well, honey, that’s no way to act in public. You know how people in this town talk.” Sally pulled out a mug and started pouring.
“Sally, I really needed that to go.”
She set the full mug in front of me. “Even Jack said his son heard that the sheriff was going to press charges, but Brad talked him out of it. Listen, sweetheart, Brad is good people. He comes from a nice family. If you just apologize, I’m sure he’ll just forget the whole thing happened.”
“Listen, Sally,” I said, grinding my teeth into a smile. “Not that it’s any of your business, but Brad’s the one that came over to our table.”
The little bell rang as one of the local farmers walked in. He headed toward the counter, but after spotting me, he decided on a booth instead.
“Of course he did, sweetie. That’s what polite folks do.” She waved to the man and said, “I’ll be right there.” She grabbed another mug and poured more coffee. “If you just apologize, everything will be fine. Everyone knows how much stress you’ve been under, what with havin’ to take on a second job and all. But that’s still no excuse for actin’ out in public. Talk to Brad. He’ll fix this.”
“I didn’t need to take a second job. I’m doing a public service.” I growled in frustration, realizing I’d gone off topic. “Never mind. If you could just make this coffee to go, and forget about the special. I have bagels at the office.”
She picked up an empty mug and leaned closer to me. “You’ve been acting strange since that man came to town. Honey, we all like the bad boys, but they tend to leave trouble in their wake. You need to remember that after he’s gone you’ll still live in this town.” She walked over to greet the new arrival. “Jerry. You’re in late this mornin'. Is your hip botherin’ you again?”
I was speechless. After last night, I knew there’d be gossip, but the fact that I was being made into the villain enraged me. I slammed two singles in front of the untouched coffee and stalked toward the door. I could hear the newcomer talking with Sally in low, whispered tones and caught just a few words. Punched. Out of control. Brad. It was enough to push me over the edge. I turned around.
“Damn it! Get your story straight!” I yelled. The cool prickle of power danced across my skin. “Brad was the aggressor! He grabbed me first! It was him, not me!”
Before I could stop it a wave of energy pulsed toward them. The elderly man in the booth dropped his mug, his expression slack. Sally stumbled and grabbed the back of the bench for support. For several long seconds, no one said a word, and I thought everything was going to be fine. But I knew that was just wishful thinking.
As if she was coming out of a daze, Sally’s expression contorted. Her normally sunny air darkened. She snapped out a dish towel and began vigorously scrubbing the table, angry red spots forming on her cheeks.
“Jerry, you idiot!” Sally glowered at him. “Just look what you did. Now I’m going to have to clean this whole area again. It’s no wonder your wife ran off with that banker.”
“Don’t you start with me, Sally,” Jerry said. He picked up the mug and tossed it to the floor. It broke into small shards of ceramic. “Dammit woman, it’s your fault. If you didn’t make the coffee so damned hot, I wouldn’t have dropped the cup. I don’t know why I come here.” Jerry slid out of the booth, stepped on a shard or two just for good measure, and stormed out.
I knew this was my fault, but I was still shocked. I had never pushed past my shield before, and the last time I’d lost control like this I had been a teenager. I slipped my ring off and walked over to Sally, laying a hand on her shoulder.
“Sally, it’s fine.” I took a deep breath and tried to get a handle on my own emotions, before I even attempted to settle her. “It was an accident.”
Sally stopped cleaning the table and looked at me, eyes unfocused. “What? Oh, Olivia, you’re still here. I thought you were going off to talk to Brad.”
“I don’t want to talk to him!” I snapped, but stopped myself from saying more. I didn’t want to cause more problems, so I decided to try a different tactic. I reached down and picked her hand up, pressing it to my chest. “I’m really count
ing on you for support. Brad crossed a line. He hurt me. The way he grabbed me… I was just defending myself.” I could feel the heat radiating into her hand. There was nothing wrong with what I was doing, I told myself. I was just giving her anger a target, and it wasn’t far from the truth.
Sally’s eyes came into sharp focus, and she started to nod. “You had every right to defend yourself. Don’t you ever let a man lay his hands on you.” Her expression grew soft. She pulled her hand from my grasp and engulfed me in a hug.
I accepted her support without objection. It was gratifying to feel her concern and love, however manufactured they may have been. It helped settle my own tumultuous feelings. There were enough things in my life to leave me angry and confused; I welcomed this little bit of sympathy. I let myself lean into her, greedily taking it all in, but it wasn’t long before guilt started to pull at my conscience. I knew I was using her in more ways than one.
I pulled back and saw wet stains on her shoulder. Tears trailed down my cheeks unbidden. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”
She held tight. “Police officers used to be gentlemen. I’m going to have to give the sheriff a talking to.”
As if drawn by the mention of his name, Sheriff Black walked into the diner. He stood at the door, taking in the scene: Sally holding me in a bear hug, coffee still dripping off the table, the shattered mug lying next to it on the linoleum.
“Mornin’ Sally. Everything okay?” he asked in his slow drawl.
“No, Sheriff, it is not okay.” She released me and wagged a finger in his face. “I don’t know what is going on with Brad, but you need to get him under control. He can’t go around manhandling people.” She waved a hand in my direction.
Sheriff Black’s eyes narrowed as he looked toward me, and a bitter sneer spread across his face. He looked back to Sally, expression softened, and said, “You can count on me to handle this. Don’t you worry. Now how ‘bout some coffee. I’ve got to get back to the station.” He walked to the counter without looking at me again.
While Sally was distracted, I sneaked out the door. I couldn’t believe what I had done. I’d never used my gift for such blatantly selfish reasons. It didn’t matter that I was only trying to fix a problem that I’d created with my outburst. My solution was purely selfish.
Disgusted with myself, I hurried up the street to Armstrong’s. I paused at the door, wondering if I should go back and try to make things right. But I didn’t want to see Sheriff Black, so instead I let myself in. I leaned against the closed door and bit back a bitter laugh. I wasn’t sure the day could get much worse.
I jumped as the door shook from someone’s fist against it. The office was technically closed today, but we took calls twenty-four hours a day. When I opened it again, I found Sheriff Black standing on the porch.
“Mind telling me what was going on back at Sally’s?”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean, Sheriff.” I leaned against the door and adopted my best innocent look. “I was in getting my morning coffee, just like you. Sally and I were having a friendly conversation.”
“Conversation, my ass. Then why did I have to assure her that I’d do sensitivity training at the station in order to get a cup of coffee?” He waved his travel mug in my face. “I know you did something to her. I won’t tolerate someone like you taking advantage of the nice folks in this town. I don’t care if there are laws protecting your kind. I’ll run you out of town if I find out you’ve been using magic against innocent people.”
“You don’t have a clue. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
His cold gaze met me, sending a chill down my spine. “I know more than you think. Brad’s told me all about you. I know what you can do. If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be allowed out in public.”
“Well, it’s a good thing it’s not up to you.”
“Watch yourself, Miss Harmon. You’re walking a dangerous line here. Don’t think your new Order friend can keep you safe.”
“Is that a threat, Sheriff?” I tried to keep the worry out of my voice.
His lips twisted into a sinister grin. “Not a threat. Just think of it as a friendly warning. You’ve worked hard to keep a low profile. I’m not sure the people in this town would be as accepting of you if they knew exactly what kind of power you have.”
I gaped at him. What the fuck did he mean by that?
His grin morphed into a full-fledged smile, and he turned to leave. I reached out to stop him, needing to know exactly what he meant, but he had shifted out of my reach before I got near. “Don’t touch me. I’ve told you before not to touch me.”
We’d never had a good relationship, but the fact that Sheriff Black wouldn’t even let me touch him unsettled me. It was an old prejudice that stemmed from a fear of being hexed, but it was one I’d never had to deal with until he moved to town.
“Fine. I won’t touch you, but just know I haven’t done anything wrong, and you can take your advice”—I emphasized the word with air quotes—“and shove it. Oh, and since we’re handing out advice, tell Brad if he ever lays a hand on me again, drunk or not, getting punched in the face will seem like a picnic. Sally was right about one thing: police officers in this town used to be gentlemen before you took over. If you need anything else from me, call and make an appointment.”
Not letting him respond, I closed the door in his face and locked it. Evidently when I had asked if this day could get any worse, the universe had taken that as a challenge. I made my way downstairs, looking forward to spending some time with the dead. I needed the stillness that I never seemed to find in the company of the living. The dead didn’t have expectations or desires. Their needs were simple and uncomplicated. I didn’t have to worry about their feelings.
I worked in the cool, quiet room for the rest of the morning, preparing the bodies for transport. I rushed through prepping Scott Malone’s body. It was hard to keep my feelings out of it, knowing what he’d done to those girls. But I took my time with Sarah. I couldn’t change what had happened, but I could make sure she looked her best.
Even after working for hours, I couldn’t quite match the natural skin tone from the photo. I grabbed the wet wipes and removed the makeup for the third time, frustrated. I looked back at the picture and grabbed a lighter shade. I stroked the cosmetic sponge across her face, blending in a slightly darker color. The desire to get this right became an obsession. After a few more hours and a few more attempts, she was ready. Sarah Pickett, the girl we didn’t save, looked at peace. Something broke inside me as I looked at her, and I crumpled to the floor. All the emotions I’d dammed up spilled over in a torrent. I sat next to her for a long time, letting everything out.
It was close to two when I helped the guy from Circle City Transportation load the bodies into the back of his van. I handed him a box with Scott Malone’s name and a case number printed on the side and gave him instructions.
After closing the doors behind me, I slipped off my apron and headed upstairs, back to my office. There was always something for me to work on, some fire that needed to be put out, but I couldn’t focus today. I didn’t understand what was going on with me. My work usually calmed me, but a tight fist of anxiety clawed in my chest. By the time Dan arrived I was ready to climb the walls.
I didn’t even let him get in the door before I was on him. “I’m expecting the flower delivery for tomorrow. Mr. Mitchell’s son will be by to proof the programs and drop off the video montage. Can you handle that?”
“I don’t think it will be an issue. Do we have a pickup?”
“I’m just…” Hesitating, unsure exactly what to say. I’m just… What? I’m having a breakdown? I’m not safe to be around, at least not around anyone living. “I’m going to go for a run. I didn’t get a chance to do it this morning, and I thought I’d take the time now.”
Dan glanced down at my bruised hand and said, “I heard about the restaurant. If it makes you feel any better, I think you deserve better than Brad.” He blushed and l
ooked away. “I hope you broke his nose.”
“Thanks,” I said, trying to hide my smile. I patted him on the arm and headed to the stairs leading to the apartment. “I’ll be back in about an hour.”
I changed clothes and donned my running jacket, then slipped out the back door. I’d been alone almost the entire day, but it still hadn’t been enough to settle me. So I did the only thing I had left: I ran.
The hard, unrelenting bass of my iPod drowned out all thoughts. I was a mile outside of town when I realized the same dark sedan had driven past for the third time. The only reason I took notice was a faded sticker on the bumper proclaiming the wonders of the Ozark Mountains.
It could have been a coincidence, but I didn’t think so. I took the next right down a gravel county road, little-used and lined with barren fields on either side. It stressed my isolation, but also afforded me an unobstructed view. Sprinting was never my strength, I was more a slow and steady type of girl, but for the next fifteen minutes I put everything I had into my run, desperate to get back to town. When the sight of the first scattered businesses came into view, I finally slowed my pace.
I was breathing hard by the time I reached the corner of Main and Ninth. I stopped, leaning over to catch my breath, and eyed the street. A couple came out of Books ‘n’ Bits and gave me a concerned look. I tamped down my panic and smiled as they passed. Once I’d caught my breath, I walked up the street toward Armstrong’s.
Nothing seemed out of place as I looked around. No sinister black sedans waited for me. Christ. Being involved in this case had me on edge, and I felt silly for my sudden spike of nerves. But, on the other hand, the run had done its job. Even though my muscles screamed from the extra exertion, my mind was still.
Armstrong’s was just four blocks away, and I walked at a slow pace, giving my body time to cool down. I shook my head, chiding myself for the foolish notion that someone was following me. It wasn’t as if the car stopped or got too close to me on the road. No, it simply passed.
Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 192
