Grim Tempest

by Amanda M. Lee

  “I’m checking the weather.”

  “Ah, so I’ve really been replaced by your weather app. Apparently the thrill is gone, huh?”

  Griffin’s grin was lazy as he rested the phone on the nightstand. “You think the thrill is gone?”

  “Obviously you find the phone more interesting than me.”

  “We’ll just see about that.” Griffin dove on me, his hands finding my waist and digging in to tickle.

  I laughed hard as I tried to escape, my cheeks burning as I gasped for oxygen. “You’re hurting me.”

  Griffin immediately pulled back. “I’m sorry.”

  What a sucker. He always fell for that. “It’s okay.” I tried to look pathetic and sad. “It didn’t hurt much.”

  “Good. It’s going to hurt a lot worse this time.” Griffin resumed his tickling as I squirmed.

  “Hey! You’re not supposed to keep doing that when I pretend to be hurt.”

  “You’re not supposed to pretend to be hurt.”

  He had a point. “Okay, but if I can’t fake being hurt I’ll have to go on the offensive.”

  “Bring it on.”

  I put everything I had into the tickle war, and by the time I was done Griffin’s face was as red as mine. My hair was a snarled mess, the covers were twisted and hanging off the side of the bed, and my chest was heaving.

  That’s when I noticed Dad standing in the open doorway, his arms folded across his chest.

  “We weren’t doing anything,” I said instinctively, shoving my hair away from my face as I adopted an innocent expression. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

  “It looks like you were engaging in a tickle war,” Dad noted.

  “Oh, so it’s exactly what it looks like. I wasn’t sure.”

  Dad made a face. “You’re a lot of work, kid. Sometimes I think you’re more work than the other four combined.”

  “That’s only because they’re boys and you don’t care who they have their tickle wars with.”

  “Good point.” Dad moved into the room and sat in the chair next to the bed. He looked serious, which made me uncomfortable and served to suck the fun right out of the room.

  “Oh, don’t start lecturing.” I pressed my hand to my forehead. “I have a headache. You’ll make it worse if you start lecturing.”

  “Since when do you have a headache?” Dad asked.

  “Since you came in here with that look on your face.”

  “Yes, well, I’m not going to lecture you.” Dad crossed his feet at the ankles. “I am, however, going to beg a favor.”

  My antenna went up. I knew my father well enough to recognize that he wouldn’t have risked coming in here before breakfast if he didn’t want something big. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” I hedged. “I think I might be too tired to do you a favor.”

  “You don’t even know what it is,” Dad pointed out.

  “Am I missing something?” Griffin interjected. “What’s going on here?”

  “Dad is about to drop the hammer on me and frame it as a favor,” I supplied. “He’s going to make me do something I don’t want to do and then act as if I’ll break his heart if I don’t do this special favor for him. It’s a little game we like to play.”

  “I don’t like playing it,” Dad stressed. “It’s a necessary evil. And, yes, I’m going to ask you to do something you don’t want to do.”

  “I hate it when this happens.” I covered my eyes with my hand and wished I could go back to the tickle war.

  “What do you want?” Griffin asked, propping himself on his elbow. “If this is about her running out into the storm last night, we talked and she’s sorry.”

  That’s not quite how I remembered things. We talked and I was sorry he was upset. I wasn’t sorry I chased Bub. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I had to wonder exactly what Bub had up his sleeve. Actually, since he was a strange looking owl-dog, he didn’t wear sleeves. He was definitely up to something, though.

  “Please.” Dad offered an imperial wave of his hand. “We both know you gave in because you didn’t feel like fighting. You’re not quite ready to take her on after what happened and I understand that. That’s why I’m here to take her on.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that one bit. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “You always do something. As for what you did last night … it was hardly the dumbest thing you’ve done this week.”

  That was definitely an insult. “What’s the dumbest thing I did this week?”

  “I believe that happened when you got out of the car to help Carol Davenport.”

  I frowned. “She’s old … and dying. She needed help, and I was the only one close to give it.”

  “And how did that work out for you?”

  “That doesn’t mean I’m sorry I helped.” I could be stubborn when the situation called for it. “I would do it again.”

  “Yes. That’s why you’re the bane of my existence.” Dad drummed his fingers on the armchair as he regarded me. “We need to talk about something serious. You’re not going to like it, but it’s how it has to be … at least for breakfast.”

  I had no idea what he was getting at, but he was clearly worried. “Just tell me what it is.”

  “I want you to promise first.”

  “No.”

  “I’ll lift your grounding if you promise.”

  “You can’t ground me.” My eyes fired. “I’m an adult.”

  “You’re barely an adult.” Dad stared me down. “Promise.”

  “No.”

  “I’ll make sure you have another ice cream bar at dinner tonight if you promise.”

  Oh, now he was hitting below the belt. “I can’t be bought.”

  “I’ll make them stock up on those Halloween sprinkles you like even though it’s off season and I have to pay triple for them.”

  Well, I liked to think I couldn’t be bought. In truth, it was the exact opposite. “Fine. I promise.”

  Griffin’s eyebrows flew up his forehead. “He just bought you off with sprinkles.”

  “Halloween sprinkles,” I corrected. “They have little ghosts and mummies. They’re seasonal … and awesome.”

  “I’m going to stock up on those stupid sprinkles and hold them over your head for the rest of our lives.”

  “That’s fine. I know your secret tickle spot. We’re even.”

  “Oh, how did I become the father who sits back and watches his daughter in bed with her boyfriend and listens while they talk about secret tickle spots?” Dad groused, shifting on his chair. “At some point I took a wrong turn and never recovered. I simply can’t figure out when.”

  I grinned, enjoying his discomfort. “What is this big favor you want to ask me?”

  Dad’s fake grimace slipped and was replaced with a real one. “I need you to stop spouting theories about your mother while Braden is around. He can’t take it right now.”

  I stiffened as I leaned forward. “You want me to lie even though I know in my gut she has something to do with this?”

  “I don’t want you to lie,” Dad replied. “I want you to spare your brother’s feelings. He’s struggling right now and he’s going to crumble if we don’t protect him.”

  I opened my mouth to argue but abandoned the effort, instead shifting my eyes to the window. The sun was bright through the curtains and it looked like a lovely day. That was something to look forward to given our current predicament.

  “I know it’s hard for you.” Dad was somber as he leaned forward. “I know you believe your mother has a hand in this. Truth be told, I’m starting to think that, too. That doesn’t change the fact that Braden doesn’t believe that.”

  “He won’t believe that,” I corrected. “He refuses to even entertain the possibility.”

  “Because he can’t. It’s not that he won’t. It’s that he can’t. Why don’t you see that?”

  I did see it. That was part of the problem. “He’ll have to face it eventually.
There’s a very good chance she’s been our enemy all along.”

  “Not all along,” Dad argued. “Only since she came back. The mother you grew up with was a good and kind woman. She would never have done these things.”

  “No, you’re right. What I said wasn’t fair.” I meant it. “Whatever came back isn’t the same person. I know we’ve had this discussion a hundred times, but that shaman was very firm when he said we’ve been fighting the same enemy all along. What if that enemy is Mom?”

  “Then that will likely kill your brother.” Dad looked sad. “I’m doing the best I can for all my children. I’m asking you to hold it together and not cast aspersions on your mother until I can ease Braden into this. Do you think you can do that for me?”

  I pressed my lips together and nodded. His worried expression forced me to acquiesce even though I wanted to shake Braden until he accepted reality. “I won’t mention Mom being evil in front of Braden … at least for now. He’ll have to get on the team eventually, though. You know that, right?”

  Dad swallowed hard as he got to his feet. “I do. But I’m terrified that he’ll pick the other team.”

  That possibility hadn’t even occurred to me. “He wouldn’t. He knows better.”

  “Oh, Aisling, he does know better,” Dad agreed. “That’s his mother, though. He can’t see past that. You manage to see the truth despite your feelings. He can’t seem to make that happen, which will be the death of him if I can’t find a way out of this.”

  “He won’t die. I won’t let him.” I was deathly serious. “We’ll make him see the truth.”

  “Braden is a lot like you,” Dad reminded me. “You can’t make him see what he doesn’t want to see. He’s my son. I want him protected, just as I want you protected. I need your help keeping him on the straight and narrow right now.

  “I’ve already talked to Redmond, Aidan and Cillian,” he continued. “They’re on board. I need you to be, too.”

  I nodded without hesitation. “I won’t say anything.”

  “Thank you.” Dad leaned over and gave me a kiss on the forehead. “You have ten minutes to finish your tickle war. Don’t forget, we’re having a waffle bar for breakfast.”

  I smirked at his back. “Close the door. We might want to tickle each other naked.”

  Dad left the door open. “I know what you’re trying to do and it won’t work,” he sang out. “I can’t hear you.”

  “I’ll change that at breakfast.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  BY THE TIME WE HIT the dining room for breakfast, we had showered and were prepared to pretend nothing was wrong. Cillian was in the middle of going through his research, so it seemed a perfect time for us to join the party.

  “Sorry we’re late,” I offered lamely when Dad lobbed a dirty look in my direction. “We slept in.”

  “Oh, is that why I heard you giggling when I passed your room?” Aidan challenged, his eyes filled with mirth. “I believe there was some squealing, too. I had no idea you squealed in your sleep.”

  “I’m gifted.” I added three large waffles to my plate and doused them with blueberries, syrup and whipped cream before moving toward the table. “Don’t let me interrupt the fun. What were you guys talking about?”

  “You interrupted the fun when you were born,” Braden supplied, sneering when I glared. “Things were much better before we had you to deal with.”

  Sensing trouble, Griffin rested his hand on my shoulder as he sat next to me. “I think the world turned into a brighter place when you were born, baby. Don’t listen to him. I’ve decided all the Grimlocks are crabby first thing in the morning. It must be genetic.”

  Dad offered Griffin a grateful smile. “I agree. No fighting over waffles. That’s a new family rule.”

  “Fine.” Braden focused on his food. “Go back to what you were saying about the spell, Cillian. That sounded interesting.”

  “I found several things in the translations,” Cillian explained, sipping his coffee. “This book has a lot more information than the others.”

  “Which seems to indicate the other books were left behind on purpose,” I mused. “I’m guessing whoever left them wanted to distract us so he or she could finish out whatever play they’ve got cooking.”

  “Probably,” Dad agreed. “The thing is, I don’t understand what Harry Turner has to do with all of this. The only reason we even know what’s going on is because Aisling broke the rules and went through Harry’s stuff. She knows he had the disc, which is probably knowledge we shouldn’t have. I’m kind of curious if that means he cast the spell.”

  “I’m curious about that myself,” I admitted. “We have a problem if we want to sneak into Harry’s house, though, and that problem goes by the name of Mark Green.”

  “Yes.” Dad nodded. “There’s every indication he’s still following you. I think authorizing you to break into Turner’s house is a bad idea.”

  “Wait, you’re authorizing them to break into homes now?” Griffin held up a hand in confusion. “I’m not sure I can listen to this. I’m a cop, after all.”

  “You’re also part of the family.” Dad’s tone was dismissive. “Something tells me you’re going to put our needs ahead of your duty … especially when we’re trying to save lives.”

  Griffin muttered something under his breath that I couldn’t quite make out. It sounded a lot like “know it all,” but I couldn’t be certain.

  “We need to figure out where Green is,” I said, trying to change the subject. “Maybe he’s parked on the front street and that’s how he knows when I’m leaving. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s tried that.”

  Dad agreed. “But I looked when I got the newspaper this morning. There are no vehicles on the street. That means he’s hiding somewhere else. I had the home office send a sweeper team this morning to figure out where he is and what he can see.”

  “What good will that do?” Jerry asked, slathering his waffles in whipped cream and strawberries.

  “If we know where he is we can distract him and get Aisling out for the afternoon without him following,” Dad explained. “We can also get her out through the alley if it comes to that. To my knowledge, he didn’t follow you to the church last night. Your brothers would’ve seen him if he were on the street.”

  That hadn’t even occurred to me. “I doubt Bub would’ve made himself visible if he knew Green was watching. That’s probably why he was in the backyard.”

  “Which I would guess means that Green can only see the front of the house,” Dad said. “That’s to our advantage, but we’ll wait for the sweeper team’s report before doing anything. I have jobs for everyone today, and our regular charges have been shifted to another team. This is our main focus.”

  That was interesting. The main office had to be worried to do anything of the sort. “So, what are we doing?”

  “For starters, Aidan and Braden will go to Turner’s house,” Dad replied. “I want them to toss it. You gave it a cursory look when you were there, but not with a trained eye. You were just biding time so you didn’t get your hair wet.”

  “You make me sound so shallow,” I complained.

  “As for the rest, Cillian will be here working with his translations,” Dad said. “I have two people coming from the main office who read Latin to help him. We need to get through the books faster, and that means we need more bodies.”

  “What about … ?” I was about to ask about Mom when I quickly corrected my course. “What about Turner’s family? Shouldn’t someone dig further and watch them?”

  “That’s what you, Redmond and Griffin will do today,” Dad answered. “I’m hopeful you’ll be able to find something to work with.”

  Griffin balked. “I can’t go out with Aisling. What happens if it rains?”

  “You’re going.” Dad’s tone was no-nonsense. “You need to get over your fear. Redmond will have a truck. You’ll take umbrellas. You can wear a rain poncho if you like. You need to help the team,
and that means you’re going.”

  Griffin looked as if he was going to argue, but remained silent. “Fine. But I want Redmond armed in case something happens.”

  “No way!” I moved to hop to my feet. “I am not letting Redmond shoot Griffin! If you think that’s going to happen … .”

  Dad held up a hand to calm me. “I’m going to arm everyone – and that includes you and Redmond – with tranquilizer darts and guns. That’s the best way I know to protect all of you and the people you come in contact with.”

  Hmm. Not only did that sound like a good idea, it also sounded fun. I raised my hand and waited for Dad to call on me.

  Dad sighed, exasperation evident. “Before you even ask the question, Aisling, you will be punished severely if you tranquilize any of your brothers. Do you understand?”

  I nodded. “What about Angelina? If I see her, can I tranquilize her?”

  Dad tilted his head to the side, considering. “I don’t see why not. You have my permission to tranquilize Angelina.”

  “Yay.” I clapped my hands as I smiled at Griffin. “It’s like Christmas all over again.”

  “I’m glad you’re pleased.”

  “I am pleased. We’re going to talk about that whole ‘arming Redmond’ thing during our ride, too, so that’s something to look forward to.”

  Griffin sighed. “This is going to turn into a thing, isn’t it?”

  “You have no idea.”

  26

  Twenty-Six

  We didn’t really chase down Harry Turner’s relatives. That was a lie.

  Dad sent our group to find Mom and spy on her, with the caveat that Braden not find out. He threatened dire consequences and liver and onions for dinner if we screwed up, so I knew he meant business.

  I sat in the backseat of Redmond’s truck as he navigated toward Detroit. The only lead we had on Mom’s current home was a building she’d used for business a time or two months ago. That’s the only place we had to start, so that’s where we headed.