“Don’t touch me.” His voice betrayed his rage.
I didn’t need my powers to know he was on the edge. I took a step back, afraid for the first time since I’d known him. It was then that I noticed a woven strap wrapped around his hand, with a deep blue quartz hanging from it.
He waved it in my face, inches away from my nose. “You can’t influence me. Not anymore.”
“Brad, what’s that?” An icy chill ran down my spine.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he shoved the charm into his pocket, stormed back to his patrol car, and got in without another word.
I stood in the drive, absently rubbing my arm as his car sped away. Even now the spot began to bruise, dark red marks mapping his grip.
Back inside, I was suddenly aware of how empty the house felt. I was all alone and for the first time in my life it scared me. I went to the bedroom and retrieved my pistol, just as a precaution. Brad had never been violent before, but I wasn’t about to bet my safety on that fact.
I picked up my cell from the counter where I had left it and dialed Charlie.
“Are you calling to tell all about your new-found sex life? Rick’s sleepover is the talk of the town. I told you so, just name your first-born after me,” Charlie said, and I could hear the smile in her words.
“Hello to you too.” I bit off the words, my voice harder than I’d intended.
“You know I’m kidding, right? I’m happy that you’ve found someone who’ll put up with your eccentricities. I was beginning to think it would never happen. But if he’s not the one...”
“It’s not that. I’ve just had a…” I sighed, unsure where to start explaining. “I had another run-in with Brad, and I need to ask you a favor.”
“I don’t think his body will fit in my trunk, but we can try,” she said in all seriousness.
“It hasn’t come to that. At least not yet.” I started to tell her about what had happened this morning. I still couldn’t believe it myself. It felt as though I was living in an alternate universe. Some darker, more threatening universe. “I was scared, and I called the sheriff’s office. Brad came out to have a look. I knew calling him would be a mistake. Rick was here, and I should’ve let him handle it.”
There was silence on the other end of the line as Charlie digested the information. I started pacing the length of the living room, unable to control my nervous tension.
“I see,” Charlie said finally. “Do you think he wrote the note?”
“I don’t know. Not really. At first I thought it was whoever hired Malone, but after Brad started acting strange, I began to think it might have been him.”
“Why would he do something like that? It doesn’t make any sense.” Her voice was filled with all the doubt and incongruity I had felt earlier.
“There was something in his expression. I don’t know. A look of guilt.” I looked out the window, to make sure I was truly alone. Now I’m paranoid, great. “I called him on it, and we had an argument. When he didn’t give me a straight answer, I tried to read him.”
“And?”
“And nothing. I couldn’t pick up anything.”
“I don’t understand. He’s not that complex. I could probably read him. What do you mean you couldn’t pick up anything?”
“He had a charm. A charm that blocked my powers. That’s what I wanted to ask you about. You were always better with charms than me. Do you have any idea where someone could get something like that?”
“Shield charms are common, but even with a shield you should have been able to pick something up, even muffled. In order to totally block you out, he would need to have a shield specific to your power, and that’s not something he could get from a charm shop or on the Internet.” There was a long pause before Charlie asked, “Is Rick still there? You’re not alone out there, are you?”
“Rick left right when Brad got here.”
“I’m coming over.”
“You don’t have to. I’m safe. I don’t think Brad will be back.”
“I’m still coming out,” she said in a way that left no room for argument. “Now, what about that ring? Why mention it at all?”
I flopped on the sofa. “I don’t know. Someone would have to know Malone had it with him when he died.” I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. “I should have handed it over to the Division. You know, just because the charm was created by some long-lost relative doesn’t mean it’s my responsibility.”
“You have a point.”
“Fuck, Charlie. I don’t think I’m cut out for this. Agents showing up at my doorstep, interrogating me. Being threatened. I might work with law enforcement, but that doesn’t make me some kind of crime fighter.”
“That’s true.”
“But if I turn over the ring now, I might as well just sign a confession saying I’m involved. At the very least, I’m guilty of tampering with evidence.”
“Yep.”
Why wasn’t she arguing with me? She couldn’t even muster enough fervor to make fun of my waffling. Charlie’s placid agreements were starting to get on my nerves.
“So you think I’m in over my head? It’s not as if you’ve encouraged me to stay out of this. Wasn’t it you who said I needed to get Rick and King to work together?” I snapped, ready to unleash my anger on her. “I called you for advice and all I get is ‘Yep.’”
“Liv, you know I love you, but this is a choice you have to make. You bring up a lot of valid points, and they are things I think you should think long and hard about. The decisions you make in the next few days have the potential to change your life forever. If you want support, I’m here for you, but if you want me to tell you what to do…” She trailed off, letting her words hang in the air.
She didn’t need to finish. I knew exactly what she was trying to say. She wouldn’t influence my decision. Well, fuck her and her Switzerland act.
“If this has to do with your visions, just tell me. I need your advice, Charlie. They threatened me. No, they threatened the people I love, and let’s be honest—that’s you.” I flopped onto the sofa, feeling drained. This was too much for one person to handle. “I wanted to keep the ring because I felt responsible because of my family ties. I didn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands. It shouldn’t be used ever again, but if giving up the ring means keeping you safe, I’ll do it in a heartbeat. Tell me what to do.”
A long silence on the other end of the line led me to wonder if maybe she had hung up, but then I heard a ragged sigh. “Your decision to keep the ring or not won’t cause me any harm. I promise. What you do with the ring won’t change anything.”
There was an awkward pause as I dissected her words. They were more straightforward than I usually got from her, which immediately made them suspect. I was about to question her further when she said, “So, you sent Rick away, huh? He stayed over what, three nights? That’s a record for you.”
I rolled my eyes, even though I knew she couldn’t see it. Charlie fell back on sex and relationship advice whenever she was uncomfortable. She was like a living version of Cosmo. “The first night he stayed over I was unconscious, and the next night nothing happened.”
“And last night? Why don’t Zoe and I grab some food and come over, so we can get all the details.”
“We have office hours today. Someone needs to be there to man the fort.”
“I didn’t want to piss on your Cheerios after the crap weekend you’ve had, but we’ve been dead the last few weeks. Not a single call or inquiry. I can close up shop early. Even the family we had scheduled for a consultation tomorrow canceled. I’ve done the inventory and finished all your paper work. I can only play so many games of solitaire on my computer before I fall into a coma. Zoe rented that new movie with Robert Card. You know, the one where he doesn’t have a shirt on for most of the film. Do you still have beer? We can’t drink Scotch and watch an action flick. I think it’s actually a law.”
“I’ll throw some in the fridge. We’ll have a girl’s night in.”
“Great. I’ll give her a call and be over in a few hours after I change clothes. But call me if that asshat shows up again.”
“I’m fairly certain Brad knows he’s not welcome here anymore.” Remembering Rick’s concern about my safety, I thought it was time I changed a few things too. “Speaking of Brad, maybe you can help me change the wards.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I want to know the second someone’s on the property. I realize that when Gran ran the clinic it wasn’t practical, but I’d feel better knowing when someone’s here, even if I know them.”
“That should be simple enough. How about a threshold ward?”
“That’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?” Threshold wards were complex magic. It wasn’t uncommon to set one in a single room. I even had one on the safe, but to do the entire house would take a lot of power and time. “I don’t have enough salt or the aspen bark to perform the enchantment on the entire house, and we’d need a third to set the circle. Just having an alarm ward will be helpful. Given some warning I can have my gun ready.”
Charlie tsked over the phone. “You’re just making excuses. I swear, woman, I don’t know what your aversion is to using magic.” She sighed a long-suffering sigh.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like using magic. It had always been a struggle for me, regardless of what Rick thought, so it wasn’t my first choice. “I have other talents. Isn’t that what you always say?”
“Fine. But when I’m in Chicago, I’ll pick up the supplies. I’m sure lover boy would be happy to help. He seems just as worried about your safety as I am. Are you sure he’s not going to be back tonight? I’d hate to be a third wheel.”
“I wish you’d stop calling him lover boy. And no, he won’t be back tonight.” Finally feeling relaxed, I got up and headed to the kitchen. With Charlie’s help, we’d reset the wards, and I’d feel safe again. “He was on his way to a little town in Missouri. He said he wouldn’t be back for a few days. I don’t expect him here even when he returns. Why would he?”
Charlie laughed. “Girl. If I have to explain to you why a man would drive out of his way for a woman, then I’ve failed at my job as your best friend.”
I huffed in exasperation and put some beers in the fridge. While I was at it, I checked my stash of snack food. “Pick up some microwave popcorn on your way over,” I said, dismissing her last comments. “Just let yourself in when you get here. I’ll be in the library trying to do something useful. I’m still a suspect in the murders, remember? I could use less speculation about my love life and more help with the research.” I hung up the phone to the sound of her laughter.
Charlie had her own keys, so I checked the doors again to make sure they were locked. When I got back to the kitchen, I made myself some tea and eyed the revolver sitting on the table in the living room, suddenly feeling foolish for having grabbed it.
Angry words and bitter feelings aside, Brad was still a police officer. He might yell at me or make a scene in public, but I wouldn’t need a gun to protect myself. And the way the note was worded, the author wasn’t threatening me personally. Just my friends.
I had a sudden urge to call Charlie back and tell her to stay away. I didn’t want her hurt because of me. But was she any safer there in town, all alone in her apartment?
My stomach started to knot. I wasn’t built for this kind of stress. I picked up my cup of tea and went to grab the gun, determined to put it away. But my phone was right next to it, so I called Rick instead.
“Hey, I thought you might want to know how the visit from Brad ended.”
I recounted the encounter, including the mystery charm, and by the time I finished Rick was swearing on the other end of the line.
“Fuck. I knew I shouldn’t have left. Especially not after that note. I’m turning around and coming back.”
“No,” I said, trying to sound confident. I wanted Rick to come back, even though I knew he would help me more by doing his job, but I needed to be rational. So I gritted my teeth and tried to persuade him to continue his investigation. “Please. I need you to track down whatever information you can. The sooner we can find Malone’s accomplice, the sooner this will be over.”
“I don’t like the idea of you out there all alone.”
“Charlie’s on her way over. We’re having a girls’ night in so I won’t be alone.”
“Well, that makes me feel better. What is she? Ninety-five pounds soaking wet,” he said, not even trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “I’m turning around at the next pulloff.”
“So we’re back to the caveman remarks, are we? Charlie has brought down men bigger than you, and I have enough firepower to survive a zombie apocalypse,” I said, picking up the gun and walking back to my bedroom to put it away. Several boxes of extra ammunition sat front and center in the lock box, proving my point.
There was nothing wrong with him worrying about me. It even felt nice to have someone care that much, but the way he insisted I could only be safe with him around was just too much. It was the same crap Brad used to pull when we were together. Maybe it was a defect in the Y chromosome?
“It might surprise you, but I’ve managed to take care of myself for the last thirty years without having a big, strong man to look after me,” I said, sounding more brazen than I felt. He started to argue again, but I interrupted. “Listen, if it makes you feel any better Charlie is going to help me recalibrate the property alarms. They’ll go off if anyone is on my land. No exceptions.” And just for good measure I added, “And she’s getting supplies to do a threshold spell. That will make my house one of the safest places in the state.”
“That does make me feel better.” I could hear a breathy sigh on the other end. I could almost see him running a hand through his curls. “I’m worried about you. I wish there was more I could do,” he said in a soft voice. And even though it was still some of the same “let me rescue you” crap, I could tell he genuinely cared.
“Just help find out who’s behind these murders. That has to be who’s threatening me. Once we find them, the threat is gone. That’s the best way you can help me.”
“You know, after this is over I think we both deserve a vacation.”
“I like the sound of that.” I smiled. It would be nice to get away, but for now I’d have to settle for a night of cheesy action movies and beer. “Drive careful, and call me if you find out anything useful.”
I ended the call and started back toward the library, dialing Dan. I needed him to take call for Armstrong’s, and I’d have to hope there wouldn’t be any coroner’s calls. Ian’s leg was broken and he had a mild concussion from the accident, so I would be on call for several days.
“Is everything all right? You’re not sick, are you?” Dan sounded more than a little concerned. “Charlie said I’d need to take call the rest of the week.”
“The rest of the week?” I could understand why she’d have arranged for tonight, but the other nights were unnecessary. “Did she say why?”
“She just said it had to do with that car accident case you were working on, and you wouldn’t be available. She even asked me to come in on Saturday and open.”
“What?” I sat down and pulled my feet up into the chair. Her not wanting me out in the middle of the night alone made sense. But I always worked Saturday. “Did Charlie say why she wanted you to open Saturday?”
“Yeah, and she said both of you would be out all day. I don’t mind, really. I’m actually honored that you trust me that much. I promise not to let you down.”
“I know you’ll be fine. There are some things we still need to work out”—like what the hell Charlie knows that I don’t. “I might call you back with some scheduling changes. It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just need to nail down what’s going on the rest of this week before I know exactly what I need you to do.”
“Oh.” His disappointment was almost palpable.
“Take call tonight and tomorrow. I’ll
have the rest figured out in the next few days.” This wasn’t his fault, and I was coming off like a jerk, so I tried to soften my approach. “I appreciate your flexibility. I’m glad you’re part of our team.”
That seemed to perk him back up, but I wasn’t as happy. I shoved the phone back into my pocket, steaming. Charlie knew a whole lot more than she had let on. I wasn’t sure exactly what she knew, but tonight she was going to start talking.
TWENTY
January nineteenth
It was later that night when Charlie strolled into the library. I was surrounded by books and no closer to answers than I had been four hours earlier.
“Oh, thank the gods you’re here. I’m getting nowhere fast, and I think my brain is about to explode.” Almost as if to stress my point, the stack of books to my left fell to the floor.
Charlie clucked, shaking her head, and began picking up various titles. She paused after the first few and held one up, a thick, leather-clad tome. “Charms, Totems, and Idols: A Beginner’s Guide. Really? This is a primary book.”
“I haven’t looked through that stack yet,” I said. “Give me a break. I’ve been in here all day and I haven’t found anything.”
“Drama queen. It’s only been a few hours.” She bent over and picked up a few more, shaking her head. “What did you do, grab books at random?”
“Suck it. It’s not as if there’s a reference catalog. Now, are you going to help me or not?”
She stacked the books on the desk and sat down next to me. “You need focus. Do you want information on the charm in general, or are you looking for a crafting guide?”
“Right now, any information would be great.” I closed the book in my hand and rubbed my temple. “What I would love is if one of these books told me how Brad ended up with that charm.” I opened my eyes and looked over to Charlie. “Brad, the man who wouldn’t even let me give him a potion for his allergies. Now he’s wearing a shield charm.”
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I think Brad is balls deep in it.”
Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 196
