***
Except for the roar of the fire, not another sound came from the small parlor. Cael sat on one of the tan loveseats skimming through an issue of House Beautiful. Addie smiled at the sight.
Nervous babe?
Cael glanced up. Huh?
Well, I just thought you might be, the way you’re flipping through that magazine, hardly stopping long enough to actually read anything.
Cael frowned and set the magazine down on the table in front of him. The rectangular glass table trimmed in mahogany positioned between the two loveseats complemented the array of multicolored pillows of red, sage, tan, blue and even a little purple that adorned each small sofa. The three pieces of furniture sat in front of a gray and tan stone fireplace where Gerry stood, moving the wood around with the fire poker, then adding another log to it as Addie and Maia crossed the room. Gerry finished fiddling with the fire and sat down on the opposite sofa facing Cael. The two men looked as if they had their territories staked out and neither one would attempt to invade the other’s.
Addie went to join Cael and Maia sat next to Gerry, who had discarded the apron. Addie was a little disappointed she'd missed her chance to tease him, but that was just as well.
Everyone took a glass of wine and Gerry held his up, saying, “Here’s to Maia, the love of my life and our wonderful hostess.”
Maia blushed, smiled, and allowed her lips to barely touch the wine.
Addie was so excited that Maia knew everything, she couldn’t contain her thoughts.
She knows, Cael, she knows it all!
She sat close to him trying hard not to think about the baby.
Good. Now don’t you feel relieved?
Yes.
“So, Addie, how are you feeling today?” Gerry sipped his wine as he settled back against the pillows on the loveseat.
“I’m okay.”
“Have you remembered what happened?”
She sipped her wine before explaining. “Yes, it came back to me this morning. When Cael left the truck to rescue the little boy, I panicked. I didn’t know what to do. The battery in my cell phone was dead and all I could think of was getting help so I started to drive to the Cliff Hanger to get you. I was speeding, and lost control.”
Gerry raised his brow.
“I appreciate your faith in me, but I don’t know what good I could have been, and driving like a maniac, you could have died.”
“I know, but I needed you.”
His face flushed with a smile that sparkled in his eyes. “Well, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you then.”
His reaction was everything she’d hoped for, but she saw the disdain in Cael’s eyes—which he so graciously refrained from rolling—and she had to chuckle to herself.
Hell, Addison. Why don’t you just ask the man to bend over so you can kiss his ass?
Ha, the only ass kissing that’s going to happen is you kissing mine once I clear his suspicions away.
Mmmm ... looking forward to it, baby.
Get out of my head and let me finish.
“How did your neck get hurt?” Gerry asked.
“I’m not entirely sure, but we found this on the seat this morning when we went to get the truck.” She reached into her purse, pulled out a plastic compact, opened it and showed him a broken mirror inside. “We found this piece on the seat in the truck. I guess that’s what cut my neck.”
“Ah, yes.” Gerry took the jagged piece of glass and examined at it before placing it on the table in front of him.
Cael cleared his throat. “So, Maia, my mom tells me she used to babysit you.”
“Yes, she did. Our families were very close when I was young. How is Siana?”
“She’s great.”
“You never told me you knew Cael’s mother,” Gerry said.
“I didn’t know I did. Not until Addie told me his last name. I didn’t realize he was the same Cael I met when I was a child. He was just a baby then.”
“How long has it been since you’ve seen her?” Gerry asked.
“Oh now, let’s see. I don’t believe I’ve seen Siana since I was about ten or eleven. Jeez, let me think. It was about twenty-five years ago. I think you were about four or five years old then, Cael. I’m sure you don’t remember me.”
“Don’t you think it’s strange that Cael and Addie should meet now and start seeing each other?” Gerry asked, eyeing Cael suspiciously.
“I don’t think so. I’ve always thought they would get together someday. Both their families grew up here in Whisper Cape. It’s fate. I think Bart would agree.”
Gerry smiled at Maia. “You’re such a romantic, but I guess that’s what I love about you.”
“I may be a romantic, but it just makes sense in this case. Cael’s family and our family have known each other since we were children. Bart still lives here, and Cael came to visit his uncle. Addie’s here now, so it must be fate.”
Chapter 38
“So, do you always use flattery to get to Gerry?”
“It worked, didn’t it?”
Cael and Addison sat at the corner table at the Cliff Hanger sharing a glass of port wine, feeling safer around other people. It was a slow night and not too many customers lingered past the dinner hour. For the first time it was quiet enough for Cael to hear the soft melody playing from the jukebox.
“Yes, but I didn’t see the need to put him on such a pedestal. You laid it on a bit thick, don’t you think?”
“You’re just upset because I made it look like you needed his help.”
“Well, I know how to be humble when it’s deserved, but not in this case. You know he hates me and this just made it worse, but I guess I should commend you on your quick thinking. You do know how to get to the man, that’s for sure.”
And to you.
I heard that.
“Shit, I forgot. Anyway, I’m glad Maia knows everything. It makes life easier for us.”
“Yes. It helped when you explained to Gerry about the bruises on your arm, substantiating my story. He still hates me though, and I'll probably have to put up with that for a long time. But I suppose you, my sweet, are well worth it.” He intertwined his fingers with hers, remembering what Maia said about fate.
Hmmm ... yes. Maybe that’s why my dad left my training to you.
He smiled at her. Our secret fate discovered in Whisper Cape?
Addison snorted, “Exactly.”
“Yes. Maybe we should write a song.”
She snorted again.
Cael lifted her hand to his lips and placed soft kisses against her fingers. “Listen, since it’s quiet now, can you focus on the people around here? Is there anyone new to the area?”
“Let me see.” She glanced around. “I can’t think of anyone new.”
“Think hard. Maybe you should just list the people you know, and then we’ll eliminate them as we go.”
“Okay. Oh, there’s Tim, that loser Darcy was seeing.”
“What can you tell me about him?”
“Jeez, I don't know. He’s been in here a few times. He’s that jerk with the Harley. Remember Darcy liked him for a while until she found out he was married? He’s so creepy and skuzzy-looking. He could definitely be Eidolon.”
“Hmmm, anyone else come to mind?”
“No. Not really. Except, there's Lieutenant Whelan, but it better not be him, because he has a date with Darcy tonight.”
“Naw, I've already ruled him out.”
Addison glanced over Cael’s shoulder. We need to put this conversation on hold; Gerry and Maia are coming over to join us. And Jared, too.
Cael looked behind him and stood as the three approached, pulling out a chair for Maia, and pushed his own closer to Addison.
“We won’t be sitting,” Maia said.
“I will, if that’s okay,” Jared chimed in and sat down on the empty chair.
“We just came in to start closing up and make sure Nick has everything under control. We enjoyed having you over for
dinner tonight, Cael, and look forward to seeing you on Thursday,” Maia said.
“Let’s get to work, sweetheart.” Gerry took Maia by the arm, leading her behind the bar.
Jared sipped his beer but kept glancing around the room.
“What’s up, buddy, you waiting for someone?” Cael asked.
“Yeah. Darcy. She was supposed to meet me here around nine o’clock.” He took a sip of his beer and gave the room another quick perusal.
“Really? I thought Darcy had a date with Lieutenant Whelan tonight,” Addison said.
He grinned. “She did ... does, but something happened between us this afternoon. I went to see her and I think we’re going to try to make another go of things. You know, rekindle our relationship. Except she’s late and I’m beginning to worry.”
“She was supposed to be here at nine? It’s nearly ten,” Cael said.
Jared frowned. “Yeah, I know, that’s why I’m worried.”
Addison put her hand on top of Jared’s. “Don’t worry. Maybe she couldn’t end it so soon.”
Jared shot her a sour look and shifted in his chair.
“What I mean is, sometimes it can be difficult ending a date early after a guy’s gone to the trouble of buying you dinner and all.”
Cael raised his eyebrow and she frowned at him.
“They’re probably just sitting around at Barney’s, sipping port like we are, and talking. Darcy might be having a hard time finding an excuse to leave, especially if he’s being nice.”
“Right, and maybe she started feeling guilty about using the man to buy her dinner and then just dumping him.” Cael felt a kick on his ankle from Addison under the table.
“Ouch.” He glared at her. That wasn’t necessary.
Well, you’re not helping. Addison glared back.
“Look. I’m sure she’ll be here any minute. We’ll hang out here with you until she shows.” Cael remembered what Addison had said about Eidolon taking Darcy first and prayed she’d show up soon.
Jared leaned forward, elbows on the table, his fingers toying nervously around the rim of his glass. “Thanks. I’m just concerned, you know with the three murders and all. Speaking of those, any new developments?”
Cael studied Jared carefully before answering. He didn’t want to worry him any more than he already was. “Actually, yes. The last wasn’t a drug overdose; she was murdered.”
Not very subtle, babe.
Be quiet, Addison. Let me finish.
“But they still don’t think the three deaths are related. The woman was missing an earring so maybe the killer took it or it could have just fallen out.”
Jared straightened. “What did you say?”
“When? Which part?”
“About the earring, the part about the fucking earring. You said she was missing an earring!” Jared was almost shouting as he vibrated in his seat and his hands trembled around his beer.
“Yeah, so?”
“The other night, I don’t know, maybe last night or the night before, I was in the bathroom here and Whelan came in. I remember this because he irritated the hell out of me, not only because Darcy liked him but also because he kept calling me ‘son’ as if he was so much older. Anyway, he dropped something. An earring. I picked it up and handed it to him. He thanked me and made some lame comment about not wanting to lose it and that he couldn’t wear it while he was in uniform. Maybe he’s the killer. Holy Fuck, he has Darcy! I need to go.”
Cael grabbed his arm. “Wait, man, you don’t know this for sure. You can’t go off half-cocked, accusing a police lieutenant of murder.”
“Well, then you tell me, where the fuck is Darcy? She was supposed to be here at nine. He must have her. And what if he ... oh, God, what if he’s already killed her?”
So much for not wanting to worry him. Addison frowned at Cael.
Well, I don’t want him running off to save Darcy, if in fact Duane Whelan is actually Eidolon. So help me find a way to keep him here so you and I can go and destroy the bastard.
Addison turned to Jared, placing her hand on his arm. “Okay, listen. If Duane is the murderer, you can’t go after him. He has a gun. He could shoot you. Let Cael go. At least he has a gun, and is trained to use it. Do we even know what kind of car he drives?”
“Yep, it’s a puke-green Prius,” Jared said.
“Have you tried calling Darcy?” Cael asked.
“No, wait, shit, shit! I left my phone in the back—I’ll go get it.” He scrambled out of his seat and sprinted to the kitchen.
“Oh, God, Cael. What if Jared is right? Eidolon did say he would go after Darcy first.”
“Yeah, I remember. We should have been watching out for her.”
“Yeah, but who would have thought—Lieutenant Whelan?”
“I should have.”
“You can’t blame yourself. We both knew she was in danger.”
Chapter 39
Cael and Addison waited about three minutes and when Jared didn’t return, Cael went looking for him, but returned almost immediately.
“Jared slipped out the back. Let’s go,” Cael hissed and grabbed Addison by the arm, tugging her to the door.
“Cael, slow down, I can’t keep up in these.” She pointed to the three-inch heels on her feet and Cael grimaced.
“Addison, you can’t fight a demon in those. Let’s go.” He pulled her to the bushes behind the trash bin.
“Ouch.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, but I stubbed my toe. A demon?”
“Well, that's really just an expression, though he's the closest to one I've ever seen. Hold on.”
"Wait. You said you were trained to fight demons."
"Yeah, but I've never actually seen one. Now hold on."
They appeared in the bedroom of the beach house and Cael let go of Addison, hoping she wasn't too scared about what they were about to do.
Cael barked out orders. “Quick, change your shoes—change your skirt while you’re at it—and hurry up. I’m going to get a couple flashlights. You’d better grab a jacket. Meet me downstairs.”
Cael adjusted his gun, making sure he could get to it quickly. He took a second small pistol and stuck it in his ankle holster. He made sure the knife he carried was secure in the sheath strapped to his shin. He looked up to see Addison staring at him, her eyes wide and horrified.
“You have your weapons, these are mine.”
He went to her, placed his hands on her shoulders. “I know this scares you, baby, but it’s time to get tough. I need you to concentrate on using your abilities—we need your powers to destroy Eidolon. The guns and knives are just for extra precaution.”
Cael retrieved the journal from under the sofa cushion and stuck it in the inside pocket of his jacket.
“Why are you taking that?”
“Bargaining power.”
He stood in front of her, brushed his thumb over her bottom lip, then kissed her, softly. Lifting his face an inch from hers he stared into her eyes and in a low commanding voice, said, “You can do this. I believe in you. You need to believe in yourself. Remember, I’m in your mind, use me.”
She swallowed. “Okay. Let’s go kick some ass.”
“That's my girl. I love you.”
They went back to the truck since they had no clue where to start looking and Cael didn't want to waste energy teleporting in and out, especially with the added weight of Addison.
Addison’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the display. “It’s Darcy.”
“Keep it cool. Never mind. Let me have it.”
“Darcy, where are you?” he demanded.
Not so cool.
Cael frowned at Addison.
“Well, hello. Could this be Cael?” A raspy voice, thick with a New Jersey accent, chuckled from the phone. “I haven’t talked to you since you were, let’s see, two years old, I believe. I’m so glad you could join the party out here in Whisper Cape. It’s going to be a blast.”<
br />
“I know you have Darcy.” He glanced at Addison again; she sat stiff next to him with a blank stare. Eidolon had her in a trance through the phone, how the fuck was he doing that?
“Yes. Ten points for the hero P.I. No harm will come to her if I get the journal, of course. Oh and the crystal, too. Damn fucking book is useless without it, but then you know that already, don’t you? Bring the book and the crystal or she dies. Oh, and bring that pretty girlfriend of yours, I didn’t get enough of her last time. The things I’ve been wanting and waiting to do to Ristéard’s daughter, ooh, it makes my blood vibrate with anticipation.”
“Where are you?” Cael’s stomach knotted. He grabbed Addison’s knee and squeezed.
Addison, baby. I’m here with you. Try to block him.
She didn’t respond.
“We’re outside your house at the beach.”
What? They had just left there, but they'd never gone outside. Cael glanced over at Addison. She was still in a trance. “Release Addison’s mind right now or we won’t come. You’re going to kill Darcy anyway, or you probably already have.”
“You’re not in a position to make demands, my dear boy. Here, sweetheart, say something.”
“Cael? Please hurry, he’s insane! He ...”
“Shhh, sweetheart, we don’t want to give away all our secrets, now do we? Better hurry, she doesn’t have long. It’s a shame though; she’s so pretty, nice knockers on this one. Double D is what they call you, right darling?” he said to Darcy, and Cael heard her whimper in the background.
“Eidolon, release Addison.”
The phone went dead.
“Addison, baby, are you with me?”
A few tense and frightening seconds passed before she responded. “I wasn’t, but I am now. He had me again. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t hear anything and I couldn’t feel you in my head. Where did you go?”
“Sorry … I guess I backed off from your mind to concentrate on what Eidolon was saying. I won’t let it happen again. We can stop him. We can stop him from taking control of your mind. Together, we have to work together. He has Darcy outside of the beach house. We must have just missed them. I had my suspicions about Duane, but I just didn’t think he had it in him.”
Whisper Cape Page 31
