by CC Dragon
“I’ll explain over lunch. You pick the place. This one is going to be tricky,” I said.
“Follow me.” Gunnar nodded.
I followed him and tried not to overthink the case. If they only married off girls over eighteen, it’d be hard to prosecute. I doubted there were shotguns involved. Talk about a Madonna and whore complex...church to clubbing, but as long as they ended up married it was okay.
I ran by Dungeon before it opened. Mary Lou opened the door and glared at me.
“Are you here to apologize?” she asked.
“Sure. Let’s talk.” I wasn’t going to burn bridges. “Conversations before coffee might be dangerous.”
Mary Lou nodded. “Probably not a good time. You’re not always a morning person.”
I walked in and felt that pull again, as though something was sucking my energy. No wonder I seemed to be sleeping a bit more.
“Ivy tracked Greg down. He’s fine. You two might want to take things a bit slower. Less ammo for Lance to use when you try to mediate the divorce,” I said.
She sighed. “You’re probably right there. I put up with so much. I only cheated once. Well, with one guy. It might be better if Greg stays wherever he is right now.”
“Probably. You might want to call and let him know it’s helpful right now. I was actually hoping to talk to Lucifer,” I said.
“Oh.” Mary Lou seemed disappointed. “I’m the assistant manager.”
“I know. And maybe you should be in on this. I just wondered if he noticed younger girls coming in here looking for men. Were they coerced or with people trying to push them?” I asked.
“Like pimps? We don’t allow that in the club. It could be hard to tell if a woman is working alone but no one is offering up hookers here,” Mary Lou scoffed.
“Is Lucifer here?” I asked.
“No, he’s at a meeting with a supplier. I’ll let him know you were concerned. Did you see something weird?” she asked.
“It’s complicated. I only want to bore you with the details once so let me know when you’re both here. It could be life or death for someone but I think she’s okay for now.” I shrugged.
“Well, I have tomorrow off for the arbitration or mediation or whatever. Stupid divorce drama. Would you come with me for support? I can’t ask Greg,” she said.
“Lance would go ballistic,” I agreed.
“If your case is too critical, I understand,” she said.
My friend Mary Lou seemed to be more herself today. Who couldn’t have an off few days or weeks? Maybe I’d been too harsh. My gifts generally left me the vulnerable one with headaches or spider bites and so on. I didn’t want the attention but it sort of came with the powers. If I’d been jealous or short with her, what a crappy friend she’d think I was!
I smiled. “No, I can do it. And I will go to bed early tonight so I’m awake and ready. I can come with you to the club the day after and we’ll go over it all with Lucifer. I just want to be sure if one of these women is in trouble, she can have safe place to leave me a message or get help.”
“We do have an angel drink menu.” Mary Lou pointed to the sign behind the bar. “Order the right drink and our bartender arranges a cab, walks you to your car, or has security escort you. Even call the cops if it’s needed, all with a drink order. Safety is important.”
“That’s great. Your idea?” I asked.
She nodded. “Blind dates can be rough. You should implement this at your club.”
“I’ll tell Ivy. Thanks. Well, I better get home and recover. Something here always feels like it’s sucking my energy. I can’t tell if it’s the land or a person.” I rubbed my aching head.
“Go home. Lucifer kept a lot of the former staff and some are creepy. Once we have a smooth operation and good numbers, I’m going to suggest a purge of the staff and hire new people.” Mary Lou smiled.
I didn’t want anyone innocent to lose their jobs. “Maybe a review rather than a total purge, but sounds smart. You’re good at this.”
“You doubted?” she sighed.
“No, you’ve got talents in entertaining. It’s just a lot of work and managing people. I’d hate it,” I admitted.
Mary Lou patted my shoulder. “You just get the bad guys and leave the fun to me.”
“Deal.” I nodded. “And Ivy.”
“See you at home,” Mary Lou said.
I flopped into the driver’s seat and really needed some coffee. Weird. I’d been fine when I walked in.
Chapter Nine
One weird thing in the South is that people are nice. A lot. And I don’t mean just polite.
Sure, in Chicago if I went to a fancy lawyer’s offices they’d be polite and offer coffee and water. All sorts of good business behavior.
But at the legal offices of a neutral lawyer, there were pastries and a team of receptionists being way too nice. I didn’t know what the per hour cost of all of this was but I was glad I wasn’t paying.
I sipped an iced latte and sat in the corner as Mary Lou and her lawyers reviewed the goals. Mary Lou was nervous, and I tried to just be a calm, supportive force in the room.
Lance and his lawyers entered. I hadn’t expected to see John, Lance’s other brother. I probably should’ve expected it but the guy was not only a lawyer, he was also a judge. So that was a little heavy-handed. Matt stayed away because he couldn’t stand the tension. Plus, which side would he sit on?
The arbitrator sat at the head of the table and began talking about the goals and that the outcome would be binding. Both parties had agreed.
“We’ve updated Mrs. Weathers’ employment information. She is now gainfully employed full time. Which factors into the support calculations,” the arbitrator said.
“Wait, less? I just started. It might not work out.” Mary Lou nudged her lawyer.
I rolled my eyes. The law was a game. I wasn’t good at it but I knew enough to trust others to advise me. Mary Lou had gone independent and pushy and didn’t think.
“If you got this job, it stands to reason you’ll get another. I’m sure it’ll work out. The salary isn’t bad. Insurance. Retirement. You’ll be entitled to a portion of Lance’s social security, of course.” The arbitrator ticked off the less contentious items.
“The jewels belong in the family. They should be passed down. She can’t keep them,” Lance said.
“Drink some water, Lance,” I suggested.
He was getting red and sweaty.
“I’m fine. You don’t help. You’re putting her up and feeding her. You probably helped her get that job and shack up with that ex-priest. That God of yours approves of adultery?” Lance snapped at me.
“We were both raised Catholic. Pretty sure it’s the same God.” I frowned. “You don’t look so good.”
John handed his brother a glass of water.
“I’m fine.” Lance shoved away all attempts at help. “Except I’m being cheated out of my family’s money, jewelry, and history. You’re not going to get what is mine.”
“I helped you every step of the way. I earned it, too. You were never nice,” Mary Lou shot back.
“You were a trophy and you knew it. That’s what you wanted to be. You wanted security. You never wanted me,” Lance said.
He probably would’ve said a lot more but he grabbed at his shirt collar like he couldn’t breathe.
“Call an ambulance,” I said.
Lance pounded on the desk and shook his head.
“Do it,” John agreed.
“Get him an aspirin,” I suggested.
The receptionist ran out and back in with a bottle of aspirin. “The ambulance is on its way. I don’t think he could swallow a pill.”
John loosened Lance’s collar and got his brother to lie on the ground.
Mary Lou sat like a statue frozen in shock.
Minutes later, two paramedics rushed in.
“Get him on the gurney,” one of them said.
They started to work furiously. “BP is 200
/110, we need to transport. Get an IV in.”
That BP reading was way too high. I shook my head and texted Matt.
“What hospital?” I asked.
I relayed the info to Matt and followed the crew out and hopped in my car. Mary Lou followed me like a robot.
“He can’t die. I didn’t mean to hurt him like that,” Mary Lou said.
I drove calmly. “You didn’t do anything. He’s a middle-aged man with a stressful job and instead of taking care of himself, he blames you for his problems. But you are his next of kin until the divorce is final.”
“Oh hell, I can’t.” Mary Lou shook her head.
“I texted Matt. Whatever he wants, you just do that. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Lance is strong. You just need to be there in case.” I parked in the ER lot and we exited the car.
The ambulance had already unloaded Lance, so we rushed in.
John wasn’t far behind. Matt flew in with his lights and sirens going, then parked where any of us would end up towed.
I texted Paul since we were at his hospital. It was something to do as we were made to wait.
“De, what is it?” John asked.
He and I had dated briefly and he believed in my gifts.
“We don’t want to know,” Matt said.
I smiled. “Heart. I don’t see Death, so probably not that serious.”
John exhaled and nodded.
“He needs to lower stress and stop trying to control everyone and everything,” I added.
“Good luck,” Matt said.
“It’s not my problem. Lance and I never had any love lost between us.” I headed for the vending machines and got a bottle of water. Maybe I should feel worse but Lance wasn’t dying. I didn’t feel that. Not yet, anyway. He was a prime candidate for a mild cardiac event and high blood pressure. He needed pills and a healthier diet. Not my fault, not Mary Lou’s fault.
“We need to stop meeting like this,” said a familiar voice.
I turned and smiled.
One of the perks of dating a doctor was that he could log in and view a lot of things on the system computers.
“They’re still running tests but it looks like a mild heart attack. Odd,” Paul said.
“Odd? Stressed lawyer who doesn’t eat right,” I replied.
“His medical records indicate a physical annually through his firm for added life insurance and liability. He had no signs of blood pressure issues, hypertension, or heart issues. Not even elevated cholesterol. None of the signs were there.” Paul tapped keys.
“His father died young. But his mother lived to an old age.” I shrugged.
“Stress is a major factor and he’s been through a lot of it lately. But there’s no warning signs here.” Paul logged out and pushed the portable computer stand away.
“That means he’ll make it?” I asked.
“Sure, they wouldn’t be schedule all those tests if he was critical. He’ll be in for a day or two probably. His doctor will be paranoid because he had no indicators. Make sure there are no major blockages or damage. They’ll have to reschedule the lawyer stuff.” Paul checked his phone.
“Do you have to go?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I can buy you lunch if you have time.”
“Nothing but time. I should check on Mary Lou first but I’m thinking salad. Something healthy.” I smiled and tried not to think of my own eating habits.
As I was getting ready for bed, I felt a chill. Instead of my toothbrush, I saw Lance’s grave in front of me.
I closed my eyes until it passed.
“Death,” I called.
Tish darted under the bed.
“Death,” I repeated.
A potbelly guy in a Hawaiian shirt appeared in my bedroom.
“Hey there, what’s your problem?” He sounded like an extra from Jersey Shore.
Death borrowed forms to appear to mortals. Usually they were rather entertaining because the guy had a morbid sense of humor.
“Lance Weathers. He had a mild cardiac problem and I just had a weird vision. Is he on your list?” I asked.
Death sneered. “You don’t get to see the list whenever you want.”
“You want me messing with a natural death? That throws off the plan and makes more work for you. If there is a curse, murder, demons or something after Lance...then I can try to get rid of those. This is faster.” I pulled my hair up in a ponytail.
“You think I should spend my time answering calls and confirming natural death plans? The list can change on a dime.” He adjusted his oversized sunglasses.
“I’m aware the list can change. But if he’s on it anywhere, it’s a natural plan. I don’t question or challenge who is on or off the list. If he’s not on the list, I can try to find out who is attacking him,” I explained.
He and I had gone rounds before but the Angel of Death loved to argue and make life hard for humans. The only good thing about Death was if you summoned the Angel, it would show up to shut you up. Assuming you could see angels.
The guy snapped his fingers and a long scroll appeared. I tried to get a look but it was written in some language I didn’t recognize. Death lifted his sunglasses and stared. “Name?”
“Lance Weathers,” I replied.
“Weathers. Weathers.” He clicked his tongue. “Boyfriend?”
“No. You know perfectly well he’s not,” I said.
Death smirked. “I only keep track of those on my list and annoying people like you.”
“Any Weathers? I asked.
“I know we had one but she’s been processed a while back,” he replied.
“Processed? How angelic,” I teased.
He sighed. “Sorry, lady. No new Weathers listing. No naturals as of right now on the list. Can I go or are you going to summon me again?”
“Thank you.” I smiled.
He disappeared and Tish came out from under the bed. She hopped up on my pillows and stretched.
“You’ll have to get used to supernatural beings coming in and out,” I said.
The cat yawned and rolled on her back. She flexed her paws, exposing her claws like she wasn’t ready to deal with death yet.
“I hear you, no one wants to face Death.” I rubbed her belly until she purred.
Chapter Ten
As I came down for some morning coffee, I heard a thud on the front door. Some of my neighbors still had newspapers delivered but I didn’t. It could be the wind blowing something around, but I had a funny feeling.
When I unlocked the door, I heard tires peeling out.
Jerking the door open, my paranoia mounted as I searched the empty street until something told me to look down.
A realistic doll rested on the welcome mat. She wasn’t staring up at me as you would expect. The eyes had been gouged out.
“Close the door, it’s chilly,” Ivy called out.
“Get Matt,” I gritted out through clenched teeth. This was getting personal.
“What? Why?” She walked up behind me. “What the hell?”
“Looks like there is a note under it,” I said.
“Crap. At least it’s not a voodoo doll. Don’t touch it.” Ivy headed back upstairs, her usually swaying gait moving a little quicker.
Matt was down fast and used plastic gloves to put the doll and note into bags.
“It’s for you.” Matt handed me the plastic bag containing the note and I read it through the clear material.
Deanna Oscar,
You’re not welcome at our church. Leave our young women alone. You have no right to frighten them or try to lure them away from God with your paranormal nonsense. Don’t you dare try to take these women away from their families.
I read it twice. “They’ve done their research.”
“They have. And they avoided threatening you so there isn’t too much I can do.” Matt sighed.
“The weird doll?” Ivy asked.
Matt shrugged. “They can say it wasn’t them, that they only left the note.
We need to put in some security cameras.”
I nodded. “Gunner, do the camera thing.”
“Odds are the big guys didn’t do this. They probably sent a kid to deliver the message.” Matt sipped his coffee.
I shook my head. “I heard a car speed away.”
“Someone else drove and stayed in the car. Hell, Uber even. You don’t know. Criminals are smart. The cameras won’t hurt but you need to be more concerned with your actual safety,” Matt said.
I nodded. “Fine. But Candace is over eighteen. It’s not like I was trying to lure their kids away with candy into a panel van.”
“Some of those tiny churches are weird. Women are subject to their father until they’re married and then their husband. Seriously old school crap. It’s not right but you’ll never convince them of that,” Ivy advised.
“But legally that can’t get me in trouble,” I explained.
“You’re looking to be a target of these jerks. Unmarried woman with a lot of money and a house full of misfits. They’re judging you,” Matt said.
I wondered if Matt was judging himself.
“Well, if God judges us on how we treat others—I’m way ahead of them in that race. I’m not backing off. If those girls need help, we’re getting them out. They’re adults so if they want to stay, I’m not kidnapping anyone. But if they are using and abusing underage girls, the cops should be aware.”
Matt nodded. “Agreed. I can wire you.”
“I can record it all on my cellphone if you want. I can try to get them to send details on their phones but I have a feeling these church guys try to keep the girls in the dark as much as possible,” I replied.
Ivy huffed. “Well, you need to do a report on this doll crap. Make sure it’s documented so when you get the weirdos, you have a paper trail.”
“I’ll do it.” Matt rolled his eyes at the creepy doll. “Not very original.”
“At least they didn’t do anything gross,” I said.
I tried to ignore the vision of something much grosser on my porch. They weren’t done trying to scare me. This was a pretty sad first attempt but they didn’t really understand who they were dealing with.
I met Greg for breakfast at a French Quarter café. He’d missed all the fun on the porch by sleeping in.
