Mercy (The Guardians Series 1)

by Wendy Saunders

  ‘Have you requested his dental records?’

  Doc Hughes nodded.

  ‘I did that back when he first went missing, just in case. But the truth is Lucas didn’t have up to date dental records. The ones we have are no good for a formal ID. The corpse appears to be roughly the right height and weight and it’s definitely the right sex but I’m afraid confirming the victim’s identity will take some time. Fortunately Lucas came by the medical centre a couple of days before he went missing for blood tests. His younger cousin has Leukaemia and he was being tested to see if he was a match for a bone marrow transplant, so I’ve taken some tissue samples and I’m just about to send them to the lab for a DNA comparison.’

  The Chief’s gaze fell to the desk where there sat a large padded envelope and a couple of vials of blood.

  ‘Do you have a cause of death or a time of death?’

  ‘Again because of the state of the remains it makes it very hard to establish a credible time line. I can’t tell you when he died, I’m not even a hundred percent sure what the cause of death was. The internal organs are all present and intact. I’m waiting on the tox screen, I’m pretty confident at this point I can rule out stabbing or shooting but unfortunately that leaves a million other possibilities.’

  ‘So we don’t have anything?’

  ‘Sorry Chief,’ he shook his head, ‘at this point all I can tell you is the skin was removed and that there was a brand on the chest. It’s not as clear as the other victims but it’s there.’

  Doc Hughes looked around the Chief as a porter poked his head around the open door and knocked lightly.

  ‘Sorry to disturb you Doc,’ he apologised.

  ‘That’s alright Cole, what is it?’

  ‘The funeral home is here to collect Mrs Brady and I can’t find her.’

  ‘She’s in drawer 3.’

  ‘Begging your pardon Doc but she isn’t I’ve checked, it looks like the cadaver the students was working on is in there.’

  ‘Oh for heaven’s sake’ he stood abruptly, ‘sorry Chief, I’ll be right back.’

  Chief Walcott clenched his jaw and his fists impotently; once again they were at a dead end with no physical evidence. He didn’t even have a time of death to establish whether or not Olivia West had an alibi. Resisting the urge to slam his fist into the desk in front of him, his gaze fell on the two vials of blood on the desk. Before he’d even realised what he was doing his fist wrapped around one of them. Rolling it over in his palm he checked the name on it, it was definitely Lucas Campbell’s blood. An idea began to form in his mind and as much as he tried to resist it, it persisted, seemingly the answer to all his problems. It wasn’t ethical but if it got the end results what would it matter? If ultimately it saved more lives it was the right thing to do. If luck wasn’t favouring him, then maybe it was time to make his own luck.

  He slipped the vial into his breast pocket and stood abruptly as the Doc shuffled back into the room, muttering something about unreliable students.

  ‘I have to be on my way,’ the Chief nodded, ‘let me know when you have the full autopsy report and I’ll have one of my deputies run over and pick it up.’

  He nodded.

  ‘Will do, sorry I couldn’t be more help.’

  ‘Don’t worry Doc,’ his mouth curved slightly, ‘you’ve been plenty helpful.’

  Doc Hughes watched suspiciously as Chief Walcott left, trying to shake a strange uneasy feeling. Then he sat back down at his desk and picked up the notes he’d been working on, and the matter slipped from his mind.

  Chief Walcott stepped out into the crisp cool air and glanced up at the sky. At least the rain was holding off for the moment and as his gaze tracked over the street it seemed serendipity was smiling on him today, surely a sign that he was doing the right thing. He pulled back into the shadow of the building and waited watching patiently as Olivia headed into the Vet’s office holding what looked like a small golden spaniel pup. Alongside her was the Beckett man again. He’d run checks on him but he’d come up clean, still he didn’t trust him. He was practically Olivia West’s shadow these days, it just didn’t add up for him. They seemed awfully cozy for two people who say they’d not known each other long.

  Shaking off the thought he watched them disappear into the office and shut the door. Checking to make sure no one was watching he crossed the road and headed over into the small parking lot, located behind the Vet’s office. The lot was quiet and secluded and not easily seen from the office. Even better Olivia’s old car was parked furthest from the building under the shade of a huge old tree.

  It was the perfect opportunity but he knew he needed to be quick. Turning around he headed back to his car to retrieve the items he would need. Mindful that he must not be seen, he was heading back to Olivia’s car within a matter of minutes. Removing the tyre iron from under his thick jacket a quick tug and he popped the trunk easily. These old cars were so easy to gain access to. Working quickly he removed the small vial of blood from his pocket and cracked the seal, tipping the contents inside the trunk and allowing it to seep into the interior carpet. Slamming the truck closed, he slipped the tyre iron back under his jacket, threw the empty vial into a nearby dumpster and headed out smiling to himself. Now all he needed was a warrant and he knew exactly who to go to.

  The drive out to Salem was quick; he barely noticed the time passing. Ignoring the tourist areas he headed to the richer, more influential part of town. Whilst he’d never visited before he had no trouble finding the house he was looking for. Pulling up to the security gate he buzzed and waited.

  ‘Hello?’ the voice came in a buzz of static.

  ‘It’s Thomas Walcott, here to see Judge Lloyd.’

  The line went dead for a minute.

  ‘Tommy?’

  ‘Hello Drew,’ he replied, ‘are you going to let me in or not.’

  The gate buzzed again and swung open. The Chief drove in following the neatly curved driveway up to the house. As he stepped out of the car he looked up at the impressive three storey building with its whitewashed walls and a slight stab of envy ran through him. As he approached, the door swung open, and a man with reddish blond hair with a few streaks of grey stood waiting.

  ‘Well I’ll be damned Tommy, it’s been years.’

  ‘Yes it has,’ he agreed as he stepped up to the door.

  ‘Well come in then,’ Drew invited him in.

  He followed him through to the study, taking in the expensive decor.

  ‘It’s not quite to my taste,’ Drew laughed, ‘but I’ve not long moved in, so I haven’t had a chance to redecorate yet. Scotch?’

  Drew moved to a decanter and poured himself a generous glass.

  ‘No,’ he replied, ‘I’m on duty.’

  ‘Is this an official visit then?’ Drew turned and took a sip regarding Chief Walcott with amusement.

  ‘I sent you over a request for a search warrant on Olivia West’s property and car.’

  ‘You did’ he agreed, ‘but after reading the file I can find no reason to sign off on a warrant.’

  Walcott’s jaw clenched.

  ‘Look,’ he began, ‘we go back a long way Tommy, I feel bad about what happened to James and to Isabel. But I can’t in good conscience condone a search on Olivia West’s property just because we’re pissed at her dad.’

  Walcott’s expression hardened.

  ‘Charlie was my friend too, I hate what he did to Isabel, she sure as hell didn’t deserve it and although I’m still not convinced he had anything to do with Jimmy’s death I feel sick about that too. But I have worked my ass off to get where I am. I’ve come a long way from the nerdy red haired kid from Mercy. I’ve finally been made Judge and I’m not about to start off my career by approving a warrant on a potentially innocent woman without good reason. The press will eat that shit up.’

  ‘So this is all about your career? Never mind that it might save lives.’

  �
�Don’t be such a self righteous prick Tommy, no jury in the world is going to look at the West girl and believe she’s a murderer.’

  Walcott snapped and grabbed Drew by the neck squeezing his throat painfully, the glass Drew had been holding crashed to the floor leaving small shards to scatter across the polished wood.

  ‘You pathetic little maggot,’ he growled, ‘you dare call me self righteous. I knew you when you were still a snot-nosed little nerd pissing your pants every time one of the quarterbacks pushed your skinny ass into a locker. You seem to have forgotten who it was you went to when you needed protection.’

  ‘Be that as it may,’ Drew wheezed, ‘my answer is still no, you can’t bully my signature out of me.’

  ‘We’ll see,’ he grated as he smashed his fist into Drew’s face. He watched dispassionately as his nose exploded spraying blood across the desk. He pulled his fist back and punched him again and again.

  ‘The sun was beginning to dip in the sky as Chief Walcott headed back to his car. Unlocking it and slipping back into the driver’s seat he dropped the warrant onto the passenger seat and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, absently wiping the blood from his knuckles. Starting the engine he pulled out of the driveway.

  Drew slumped over the seat at his desk with the decanter in front of him, one eye was swollen shut. Bloodied tissue was shoved up both of his nostrils to try to stem the bleeding from his nose which was swelling and set at a slightly off kilter angle. With shaking hands he tried to raise a fresh glass of scotch to his lips but his mouth was swollen and split, allowing him no more than a noisy slurp.

  ‘I hope you know what you’re doing,’ he murmured to the person he could feel standing behind him, watching as he moved more fully into his eye line. ‘You’re playing a dangerous game Charles.’

  Charles Connell looked down at his childhood friend, noting the darkening bloodstains marring his expensive sweater.

  ‘It was never a game,’ he replied quietly. ‘Did he get the warrant?’

  ‘Yes,’ Drew nodded, wincing in pain.

  ‘You know what to do next?’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Drew took another noisy slurp of his scotch, ‘I know what to do.’

  ‘Would you like a straw?’ he answered dryly raising one sculpted brow.

  ‘Fuck you Charles,’ Drew set his glass down, ‘next time you can be the one with his face mashed up.’

  ‘Andrew,’ he nodded derisively, ‘always a pleasure.’

  Drew watched silently as Charles disappeared back through the doorway and raising his glass once again he mockingly toasted the empty room.

  Olivia stepped out of the car and locked it, turning to Theo who was holding a traumatized puppy in his arms.

  ‘Poor baby,’ she smiled as she stroked Beau’s head softly.

  Beau had been less than impressed at his visit to the Vet to get registered and get his shots. Unfortunately for Olivia he’d shown his displeasure by peeing all over the backseat of her car.

  ‘Do you want to take him in and I’ll clean up the car,’ Theo asked as she looked up at him.

  ‘No,’ she shook her head, ‘it’s alright I’ll do it. I know you haven’t had much of a chance to paint. Let him curl up in front of the fire and go amuse yourself.’

  He leaned down and took her lips as Beau squirmed between them.

  ‘I’d rather be amusing you,’ he murmured.

  She laughed and pushed him lightly.

  ‘Later.’

  Smiling she followed him up the steps to the porch and opened the door. Leaving Theo to settle Beau she headed into the kitchen to fill a bowl with soapy water and retrieve a cleaning cloth before returning to the scene of the crime. Shaking her head she pushed her sleeves and set to work.

  She had almost finished when she felt a cold tingle dance down her spine. Straightening up she glanced around the immediate area but she couldn’t see anything. Shaking her head she dried off the seat and emptied the bowl out before throwing the used cloth in. The feeling came again and this time she stopped and looked into the woods but from this distance she couldn’t see anything.

  Dusk was falling, the temperature was plummeting and the sky was now ablaze with hazy purple and pink which reflected on the rippling water of the lake. It looked almost picture perfect if it weren’t for the churning she felt in her gut. Something wasn’t right, she was being watched. Turning away from the jetty on the shore of the lake to the left of her house she looked back towards the woods. She could feel the demon’s presence, deep in the heart of the place, festering like an open wound. But this was something different; it felt similar to the first day she’d arrived back in Mercy when she’d had the feeling of being watched. It was unsettling but in a strange way familiar. Deciding it would be unwise to linger she locked the car and picking up the bowl headed back inside the house.

  An intense pair of eyes watched as Olivia climbed the steps and disappeared into the house. Stepping back under the ragged canopy of trees the hooded figure glanced down in amusement at the figure at his feet.

  The dirty and bruised man was lying in the dirt on the cold hard ground. His arms and legs were bound with cable ties, although it hardly seemed necessary as both of his legs were bent at awkward angles, the bone protruding from one of his shins poking through layers of cloth and torn flesh. His eyes, when he glanced up at the killer, were filled with pain and terror. He tried to speak, but under the bruising and swelling his jaw seemed to be broken making speech impossible. All he could manage was a few muffled cries.

  ‘Shhh,’ the killer leaned down, a lock of pure white hair falling free of his deep hood, ‘don’t waste your breath. No one will hear you.’

  He cried out again louder this time, in panic, in pain, but it didn’t seem to make a difference.

  The killer grasped his hands by the cable tie and yanked him hard, causing yet another pain-filled cry to escape his lips, dragging him deeper into the woods.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ his cool voice carried on the cold air, ‘this won’t hurt…much.’

  Chapter 23.

  Olivia was jolted out of sleep by a loud pounding at her door. Untangling herself from Theo’s arms she swung her feet over the side of the bed, wincing as her bare feet made contact with the cold floor. Cursing silently she made a note to find where her Aunt had stored the rugs and put them down on the hardwood floors now that the cold weather had obviously set in. The impatient thumping sounded again, and this time Theo poked his sleepy head out from under the bedding.

  ‘What’s going on?’ he murmured glancing at the clock and rolling out of bed reluctantly.

  ‘I don’t know,’ she frowned looking around.

  Leaving Theo as he pulled on his clothes and unable to find her robe or her slippers she left the room and headed downstairs. No doubt she’d find them slobbered on in Beau’s bed. He seemed to like to sleep on anything that smelled like her.

  Yawning as Beau danced playfully around her bare legs, she raised herself up on tiptoes and looked through the peephole.

  ‘This should be interesting,’ she grimaced, and opened the door.

  Chief,’ she shot him an intolerant glare, ‘what is it this time?’

  ‘Olivia West,’ he reached out and grabbed her roughly, ‘I’m placing you under arrest for the kidnapping and murder of Lucas Campbell.’

  ‘Are you fucking kidding me?’ she replied in complete disbelief.

  The Chief spun her around and pinned her roughly against the door as he yanked her arms behind her and handcuffed her so tightly she felt the blood drain out of her fingertips.

  ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing,’ Theo growled as he stormed down the stairs angrily.

  ‘This is none of your concern Mr Beckett unless you want to be charged as an accomplice.’

  ‘The hell it isn’t,’ he glared at the Chief, ‘take your hands off her now.’

  ‘Deputy,’ Walcott called as he marched Olivia of
f the porch into the freezing cold air wearing nothing but her nightshirt, ‘deal with him please.’

  ‘Cameron and Helga both stepped forward to block Theo’s way.

  ‘You have no right,’ Olivia tried to pull away but he simply tightened his grip on her upper arm.

  ‘I have every right Miss West,’ he sneered, ‘I have a search warrant for your car and your house.’

  ‘What?’ her eyes widened as she saw a forensic tech with his head in the trunk of her car, ‘but you won’t find anything.’

  ‘We already have,’ he smiled smugly, ‘blood was discovered in the trunk, which tested positive as human. It will need to be analysed but I’m confident it will be Lucas Campbell’s blood.’

  ‘Confident,’ a feeling of dread curled in her gut and her voice was little more than a horrified whisper, ‘what did you do?’

  He slammed her up against the side of the squad car; sure no one else could hear their conversation.

  ‘What I had to do to catch a cold blooded killer. You’re going to prison Olivia for a very long time and when I find your father he will join you there, which is where he should have been the last twenty years. No more cushy hospitals, no more insanity pleas, it’s time to pay the piper.’

  ‘You bastard,’ she breathed.

  ‘When we search your property I’ m sure we’ll find enough evidence to convict you of Adam and Brody’s murders as well.’

  Knowing there was no way out of this she knew she had to warn Theo. She couldn’t risk letting them get their hands on Hester's Grimoire, not that they’d know what to do with it anyway but it was still their best shot at preventing the demon from rising.

  She shoved the Chief as hard as she could and rushed past him towards Theo but he simply spun and grabbed her, painfully wrenching her shoulders.

  Theo roared in fury as Helga and Cameron tried to restrain him. He threw Helga to the ground before turning, he punched Cameron in the face so hard it took his feet out from under him and he landed on his back on the hard ground knocking the wind from him.