by CC Dragon
I almost felt sorry for the kid. He was in an endless repetition of wanting to be unique yet needing to be a twin again. “This isn’t the answer to getting your brother back.” We were going in circles. Sometimes therapy had to go that way to get a little further.
“No, but he won’t jump.” Warren pouted.
“You still want him to kill himself to be with you? What a selfish little brat.” I had to bait him, he was making no progress at all the other way.
The girl clung tighter to the doll as the boy approached enraged. “Why should I get screwed out of living and he didn’t? We always got exactly the same. Our parents always had to be fair. Everything equal. Karen got more because she was the baby.” He pointed to Becky.
I realized he was completely projecting Karen’s actions onto each new girl. If we didn’t stop the brothers, they’d keep going after young girls his sister’s age when he died. He’d never be satisfied because Warren convinced himself it was his sister.
“Becky isn’t your sister. Your sister is dead.” I felt Becky move behind me to hide. She was being very brave and obviously this wasn’t the first time the boy had terrorized her.
“Doesn’t matter. Spoiled girl gets the doll she wants. Same story, I can’t even have my own brother with me. Someone is going to pay.” He stomped his foot like he was about to start a tantrum.
I couldn’t fear this little boy. “I’m sorry your life was cut short. This girl is Becky, not Karen, she didn’t do anything to you. Do you really want to put Becky through this? You already know it won’t make you feel better. It won’t change anything. The first two girls didn’t. Did they?”
He was quiet for a moment. He smiled viciously at me. “It felt good to watch.”
I produced a small vial of holy water from my pocket. I’d had enough of him. “Get out.” I flung the water at him. It hadn’t worked in the library but it was better than nothing.
“You won’t stop me that easy.” He vanished in a blink.
I took a deep breath. “He’s gone.” I waved the girl from her hiding spot, now even more convinced I’d make a lousy mother. I had zero patience. “Are you okay?”
“He’s coming back with his brother.”
“I know. He will. We’re going to be here with you. The police are going to be outside, so the brother can’t get in. And I’m going to be in here with you, if that’s okay?” I looked in her tear-filled eyes and hoped she’d trust me enough.
“Okay,” she managed. “Tonight? He comes more at night.”
“I think they’ll both come tomorrow night. Do you want us here tonight?”
She nodded furiously.
Right now a lecture hall full of bored freshmen seemed like heaven. But what could I do? This little girl needed me.
I’d been committed long ago.
* * * * *
Back in the car, John was staring at me. “What?” I asked.
“You okay?”
“The girl can see the ghost too. Didn’t count on that one. The good news is she agreed to let me be in the room.”
“And the bad news?” he asked.
“I ran into our problem ghost, Warren, again. He’s not going to go away easily. Better yet, he knows we’re on to him.”
“I’m going to be in the room too.” John wasn’t asking.
“No. You weren’t invited. It could upset Becky.” I crossed my arms over my shirt and looked out the window.
“You need someone else in there. Someone who can’t see ghosts and can be objective.” He sounded rational. I was in no mood for that.
“No, I don’t need you in there. Objectivity isn’t an asset when you’re dealing with ghosts. They aren’t playing by the same rules. Warren isn’t playing with anything like a logical mind. He died when he was ten. He’s selfish, bratty and cares only about his pain. He died so he thinks others deserve the same fate. A broken neck. How are you going to help with that when you can’t see him?”
“What does he want? He must want something? Something has to be able to stop him.” John had a lead foot like I did.
“Oddly enough, he wants what you want.” I frowned. It wasn’t funny but the irony gave me a headache. “He wants Darren to die.”
“You’re telling me, he can make the brother kill others but not himself?” John’s eyes left the road too long. I grabbed the wheel.
“Watch it,” I warned. “We can’t both end up dead or the ghost will win.”
He quickly got control of the car and pulled over to the side of the road. “Why not just kill his brother?”
“I’m not sure ghosts can directly kill anyone. I think he wants his brother to kill himself. Loyalty—to be together. Warren will settle for death by cop for Darren, if he has to. The police will play right into their hands if you aren’t careful.”
“I’m going to be in the room with you. In the room,” he repeated.
“No offense, but you’re a judge. I’d feel a lot better if the SWAT team were guarding me.” Not that John wasn’t in good shape, however good shape and good with an automatic machine gun weren’t the same thing.
“We’ll have enough firepower. You need an impartial head. Someone who isn’t listening to the ghost, instead of their own survival instincts. A different perspective, if that makes you feel better.”
“It doesn’t. If you promise not to go overboard and have the cops shoot on sight or anything, I guess I’ll let you sleep on the floor.”
“I’m not in charge of the police, and I certainly don’t want that little girl to see any real violence if we can help it. If the ghost causes real trouble, I could be useful.” He was still trying to convince me.
“Possibly. If Matt can capture Darren outside that’s better. I want still to talk to him when it’s over.” I shifted in the seat.
“What’s the point of that?” he asked. “Besides your own morbid curiosity, I mean?”
“You want in the room or not?” I asked.
“Fine.” He started the car back up. “Once he’s behind bars, I guess a little therapy won’t hurt. He’ll have to be evaluated by an independent psychologist though. You’re too involved.”
“Of course someone else will have to do the official stuff. This is personal now. I’m not licensed in Louisiana anyway. Catching him will be the hard part. After that, it’s all downhill.”
“We hope.”
“The family wants us to stake out tonight too.”
“I’ll pick you up at eight-thirty. No reason to have twenty non-police cars around the neighborhood.”
* * * * *
I snuck off to the Internet café and checked my messages. My Third Eye contact confirmed we’d done exactly right on sealing the storeroom. Warren got in because he was connected to the doll. The new seal should keep out any ghost.
Good to know I was on the right track. I enjoyed a mocha iced coffee this time and debated about my next quandary. I would be interfering. Then I thought about Becky. No one had ever interfered on my behalf. I had to throw it out there.
What do you do about a little girl who is a medium?
I hit send and hoped they’d have an answer.
* * * * *
By nine at night John and I were back at the little house setting up for a stakeout. The police had been relieved at the two-night stakeout. From their point of view, it was playing it safe. They’d be in serious trouble if Darren came a night early and they had to say they weren’t there because a psychic’s vision said it wouldn’t happen until the next night.
I just hoped that no activity tonight wouldn’t give the family a false sense of hope that nothing would happen tomorrow night. It didn’t take much for Warren and Darren to slip in and ruin lives.
John hadn’t changed his mind. Stubborn man, he was there in jeans and a sweatshirt. Damn him, just what I needed. The distraction of him in nicely fitting denim didn’t help. When he was in a robe or dress pants I could play the professional. I could try to see him as the judge—not John the hot
guy. Easier said than done.
I’d changed into more comfortable new jeans and a new dark purple t-shirt for the stakeout. My gray cable-knit cardigan was wrapped around my waist in case I got cold. I had the feeling that wouldn’t be a problem.
I set myself up in the window seat with some essential tools Ivy had packed for me. After the objects got loose, she’d become the holy water queen.
The family had moved a chair and some pillows in there for us. Apparently John had informed Matt that he’d be in the room and that was nonnegotiable. That’s why the police were more than tense. His little brother’s life was on the line. That brother just happened to be a judge. Talk about a headline of nightmare potential.
We settled in and let Becky’s parents tuck her in without interruption. The girl didn’t seem afraid. Her parents had assured us Becky was a heavy sleeper and nervously left.
“You’re sure he’s not coming tonight?” John asked quietly. He’d made himself comfortable in the chair.
“I’m sure.” I looked at the girl from the pillow-filled window seat. “Not tonight.” The bottle of holy water sat next to me. A white candle flickered between me and John as our only nightlight.
Becky was sound asleep in her twin bed. The police could be heard walking around outside now, but she trusted me when I told her it wouldn’t happen tonight. So far Warren hadn’t appeared to warn me off or try anything else.
Warren had apparently left Becky alone for the rest of the day as well, and like the adorable seven-year-old she was, she’d largely forgotten about it until we showed up. Maybe she could sense his presence too and knew they were safe. I felt sorry for Becky. I saw too much of myself in her.
“How do you know it won’t be tonight?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Don’t know, but I know. Don’t you trust me? Why are you here, really?”
“I trust you. If you want the official version of why I’m here, the papers call me a crusader. Out to help the little guy. That’s their story anyway.” He stopped and looked at me. “Wait, I thought you were psychic.”
“Psychic isn’t necessarily telepathic. I don’t always know why. I don’t go poking around, reading thoughts. I just know some things.” I smiled.
“What do you know?”
“About you?”
He nodded.
“Other than the whole birth mother thing? You really do want to help people. The fascinating thing is, you love this city and want to make it safer. Yet, you don’t care what people think of you.”
“How’s that?”
“You’ve gotten personally involved in a case that isn’t yours, with a psychic on it no less. If this goes badly, it could be really bad press for you. Still, here you are. Not caring about it.” I smiled. “See, I don’t need the powers for everything.”
“Now you’re glad I’m here?” he mocked.
“I didn’t say that. I don’t need distractions. You could make me lose focus if Warren and Darren are both causing trouble. I have to concentrate on the ghost and the girl. Whatever happens tomorrow night, you can’t touch me.”
“I’m a gentleman, miss,” he drawled.
“I’m serious. Don’t yell at me. Don’t stop me just because you don’t understand what I’m doing. And please don’t do anything to try to break my concentration. If you have to get Becky out of here, that’s fine, just leave me. I might get through to one of the brothers. I have to try.”
“How can you? You said Warren is evil.” John looked concerned.
“If Warren could kill me, he already would’ve. I can try to manage him, can’t I? If we can’t get his brother in custody this won’t stop. Not with Becky’s death or all the dolls destroyed, not with anything but the killer’s capture.”
“You’ve tried before. Do you think you can talk the ghost out of it this time?” He leaned toward me.
I stared out the window. “Probably not. Once we have Darren, I’ll try to help them both. Better get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be it.” I leaned my head back against the wall and curled up.
I wondered how I got here. I could be preparing lectures in a little office or sitting in a staff meeting. Would I be happy? I’d be more comfortable, safer and probably bored to tears.
This wasn’t boring. It was crazy and dangerous, but not boring.
However, this was just a preview.
Tomorrow would be the real deal.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Here we are again. This is getting to be a habit with us.” John parked the SUV about a block down from the Majors’ house. We walked in a comfortable silence. Two nights wasn’t really a habit. It was comforting small talk though.
I gave a half-smile. John was trying to break the tension, but we were going to be neck-deep in it all night. It would definitely be tonight.
Nothing happened the night before but that hadn’t calmed the tension. Nor had it necessarily proved me right. Something had to happen tonight. Not that I was worried.
Something would.
“You’re still not sure if you’re staying?” John tried to change the subject.
I wasn’t really interested in that one either.
“We haven’t caught anyone yet. I can’t leave until this guy is in prison. In the end, I might be better off in a classroom.” I looked closely at John for the first time since he’d picked me up. He was in a pair of jeans and worn-out t-shirt this time. Complete with gym shoes. I’d gone casual too. Blue jeans with a red t-shirt.
We walked into the house and pretended not to notice the cops with big guns standing around. “I’d have skipped fewer classes if you were the teacher,” he said.
That actually made me smile. Before I came up with an improper response, Becky spotted me and ran like the ghost was after her. Instead of fear, she was smiling. “De.”
“Hi, Becky. Ready for an adventure?” I didn’t want to upset her more than she needed to be. John was talking to Becky’s parents, which was good because I didn’t want to.
Becky looked unsure. I didn’t blame her. She wanted it to stop. Odds were, we’d keep her out of any danger. I had a feeling Warren was more interested in me now.
“How we doing, Matt?” I knew nothing had happened all day, but it didn’t hurt to ask.
“Fine. It’s going to be tonight, right?” He leaned in. “I got antsy guys here.”
“It’ll be tonight. You’ll need them antsy. Keep them on their toes.” I nodded in John’s direction. “And don’t let John do anything stupid. If weird stuff starts happening, get him and Becky out of here. They can’t fight a ghost. Neither can your men.”
“And you can?” he asked.
“Better than you. I’ve got a chance, considering I can see them. You handle Darren, I’ll try to keep Warren from making things worse.” I exhaled my growing tension.
Matt walked away.
“You really think you can keep Warren busy?” John asked.
“I don’t have any better ideas. The brothers are very codependent. If Warren is dealing with me, the cops might have a better chance of catching Darren off guard or him making a mistake.”
“Can’t you exorcise him or something?”
“That won’t help. He’s not haunting this house or possessing a person. Even if I tried, he’d just come right back. He was switching between Darren and the dolls. Warren moves at will, trying to move him won’t help. He’s too strong to attempt to lock him in the attic of the house. That ghost has been dead and mobile for a long time. I’ll have to handle him directly.”
“Let’s get set up,” Matt announced.
John threw me a look of support. He still didn’t fully understand what was about to happen. Greg might’ve been the better choice, but it was my first police thing. I couldn’t make the rules yet.
The nightly routine went off just as it had previously. The parents weren’t quite convinced that anything would happen tonight.
It seemed only Becky and I understood this was inevitable. I was thankful she
didn’t fully understand what the ghost’s intentions were.
John settled in his chair again while I set my supplies in the window seat. Anything that might slow Warren down was good.
“De.” Becky had only been faking sleep.
“Yes?” I knelt by the bed.
“I’m scared.”
“That’s okay. Me too. Just don’t worry. We’ve got help.” I touched the doll in her arms. I didn’t know what Warren had done to it, but clearly the girl was strongly attached to it.
“Will you stay here?” she asked.
“I’ll be right here in the window.”
“No, here.” She moved over and tugged on my arm.
“Okay.” I sat on top of the covers. She’d grown attached to me faster than an average seven-year-old. But considering Warren’s threats and my ability to see him, she had reason to trust me.
From my new position, I had a better view of John. I smiled weakly. The pause felt like a place for conversation but neither of us bothered. Becky slept while I opened my mind trying to get a sense of where the killer was. Warren and Darren both knew we were waiting for them.
Around midnight, I felt Warren and Darren. I looked up at John, who’d nodded off. I wanted to warn the police but I wasn’t ready to wake Becky yet, so I grabbed a miniature plush Hello Kitty off her bedside stand and chucked it at him.
He startled awake. John’s eyes locked on mine.
“He’s coming. Tell Matt,” I whispered.
Without a word, John slipped out of the room. The second he was gone, Warren appeared.
“Think he’ll help?” the ghost scoffed at me.
“I don’t think I need help. I can handle you. You don’t have to do this,” I said. “You’re bringing your brother into a trap.”
“Maybe they’ll shoot him?” The ghost grinned. “Maybe then I’ll stop?”
“Maybe your brother will turn out to be stronger than you,” I suggested.
Warren vanished. Then I heard scuffling around the back of the house. They were going the wrong way, Warren had created a distraction. I knew we couldn’t keep the killer out. Telling them would only make Warren switch tactics faster than they could.
I shook Becky awake and got between her and the window half a second before the killer crashed through it. Becky whimpered behind me.
