[Mystic Caravan Mystery 04.0] Freaky Games

by Amanda M. Lee

  Kade pressed his lips together. I got the distinct impression he was trying to refrain from laughing. “Oh, well, that’s … interesting.”

  “It wasn’t interesting,” I countered. “We now know there’s an entire colony of arachnid hybrids living in Arizona. They spin webs around humans and keep them alive and fresh for long periods of time until they can … um … eat them. Next time we visit we have to mix up some magical Raid.”

  This time Kade didn’t bother hiding his smile. “You’re very cute.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re also putting on a brave face. I need you to know that it’s not necessary. I would rather hear the truth – even if you’re afraid – than have you be brave for my benefit.”

  I scratched the side of my nose as I regarded him. “I’m not putting on a brave face as much as I’m starting to feel a little guilty about what I did. I’m not sure that makes sense, but … there it is.”

  “Why?” Kade was legitimately curious.

  “Because I took over his mind.”

  Kade didn’t look as if the admission bothered him in the least. “So?”

  “So, it’s an invasion. It’s not right.”

  “Honey, the guy is a leg breaker who came to shake down your best friend,” Kade pointed out. “What did you do? Essentially it sounds as if you made it so he couldn’t talk and then shoved a lot of really nasty images in his head. I doubt that’s worse than the things he’s done for this Pardo guy.”

  “Maybe, but … it’s still wrong.”

  “You’re an oddly moral thing.” Kade tapped the end of my nose. “You see shades of gray unless you’re looking at yourself. When that happens, you only see black and white. Why do you hold yourself to a different standard than you do others?”

  “I don’t.”

  “You do,” Kade argued, shaking his head. “You’re sitting here right now feeling guilty about terrifying a man who was sent here to shake down Luke, perhaps even hurt him. He would’ve physically injured Luke if things went a different way. You know that, right?”

  “I know, but … he didn’t hurt Luke.”

  “So if he had you wouldn’t feel guilty about any of it?”

  I gave considerable thought to the question. “No. If he’d touched Luke, I wouldn’t feel guilty about what I did. He didn’t touch Luke. I attacked him before he had a chance. We can never know what he was going to do because I didn’t give him the time to find out.”

  “Well, that’s a little odd, but okay,” Kade conceded. “The thing is, I think you know that he had every intention of hurting Luke. That would’ve ended badly whether or not you stepped in and took the fight upon yourself.

  “Either Luke would’ve shifted to protect himself … or Nellie would’ve come in with his ax … or Dolph would’ve come in with his muscles … or even Raven would’ve come in with her magic,” he continued. “That guy was going to end up hurt no matter what. You didn’t physically hurt him. You gave him a warning.”

  “I still feel guilty,” I muttered. “He wet himself.”

  Kade’s eyebrows flew up his forehead. “Oh, well, that explains the smell.”

  I pinched his flank, his amusement serving as an annoyance. “You’re not funny.”

  “And yet I always make you smile.”

  “For different reasons.”

  “Yeah? I’ll take it.” Kade gave me a lingering hug and then released me. “So, I didn’t come in here just to play a round of cuddle the security chief.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad,” I lamented. “Still, we should totally create a game based on that title.”

  “I agree.”

  “Why did you come in here?”

  “Dorsey is outside by the picnic tables. He insists on talking to you,” Kade answered. “He tracked down Melissa in your tent and started asking questions about you, like where you were when that woman died and whether or not she thought you were capable of murder. Melissa hadn’t heard what happened yet, so she told him she didn’t know where you were and she was convinced that you would never physically harm someone.

  “After that Dorsey found me, and I told him that he could relate whatever information he had to me instead of bothering you. He didn’t like that at all,” he continued. “He said it’s necessary to talk to you, and he doesn’t look as if he plans to leave until he does exactly that.”

  “What did you tell him I was doing?”

  “I was caught. I didn’t expect him, and told him you were sick,” Kade explained. “I didn’t know what else to say. You are taking a nap in your trailer because you drained yourself. I volunteered to check to see if you’re presentable for company.”

  I snorted at the way he worded the sentence. “I’m presentable.”

  “You’re more than presentable.” Kade ran his fingers through my hair to tame it. “We’ll handle the Luke situation together. I’ve left word at the front gate so we’ll know if anyone like Waters comes calling. We’ll protect Luke. I swear it.”

  “We will,” I agreed, rolling my legs to the side of the bed. “But I’m still going to punish him to within an inch of his life for getting us in this situation in the first place.”

  Kade grinned. “That only seems fair.”

  DORSEY SAT in the shade, nursing a glass of lemonade as Nellie sat next to him and chatted away.

  “Some people think dresses are uncomfortable, but I’m the exact opposite,” Nellie explained. “I like the freedom of a flowing skirt. If you wear it exactly right, you can ensure a nice breeze on your nether parts. Nothing is better than a nice breeze on a hot day. It helps with potential sweat issues.”

  Dorsey seemed caught. “Uh-uh. I can see that.”

  “I prefer a rayon dress in temperatures like this, but as long as I don’t wear silk or satin I’m good to go in this climate.”

  “Well, I surely thank you for sharing that,” Dorsey said, his eyebrows leaping up his forehead as he fought to remain calm. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

  Anyone who didn’t know Nellie would think he believed Dorsey’s reaction was one of acceptance. I knew him better than most and recognized the tilt of his head. Nellie was having a good time at Dorsey’s expense. He gets his jollies in weird ways. He hadn’t been able to behead something in almost two weeks, so I figured he was getting antsy. Dorsey made a compelling distraction.

  “Yes, Nellie knows everything there is to know about summer fashion,” I drawled, heaving as I sat at the table. “He could teach classes and never run out of students. I’m convinced of that.”

  “I’ve been suggesting that for years,” Nellie said, running his thumb over his chin as he regarded me. “However, you said I couldn’t have my own tent for something like that.”

  “And I stand by that.” I rubbed the back of my neck as I stared at the lemonade. “Where did that come from? It looks fresh.”

  “Nixie made it when she heard you weren’t feeling well,” Kade replied smoothly. “I’ll get a glass for you.”

  “You don’t have to do that.” I moved to stand. “I can get it myself.”

  “You’re still shaky from earlier,” Kade argued, pressing my shoulder and prodding me to sit. “I’ll get it.”

  “Let him get it,” Nellie said. “If a man wants to dote on you, never say no.”

  “You really are a fountain of information today,” I deadpanned. “You’re practically a walking encyclopedia.”

  “I know.” Nellie smirked as Kade slid my glass of lemonade into the spot on my right. “So, Detective Dorsey, what’s going on today? I doubt very much you dropped by because you want to chat about my dress collection.”

  “Oh, no, I found that fascinating,” Dorsey said, sarcasm practically dripping from his tongue. “It was well worth the trip.”

  “And yet we know that’s not why you’re here,” I interjected, rubbing my forehead as I sipped my lemonade. “Why don’t you get to it?”

  Dorsey leveled his weighted gaze on me. “Your bo
yfriend said you were sick.”

  “I have a whopper of a headache.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. “I think the heat and nonstop dust are starting to get to me. It’s hardly life-threatening”

  “Still, you look a little tired.” Dorsey smiled in a manner that put Kade’s hackles up. There was a touch of flirting mixed with his somber attitude. “I came here because we found something with your name on it when we were searching Dana Andrews’ store.”

  I stilled, genuinely surprised. “Something with my name on it?” I racked my brain. “A business card? I think Raven and I both gave her business cards when we stopped in her store. I can’t exactly remember the specifics.”

  “No, I wouldn’t be bothering you for a business card.” Dorsey dug in his back pocket and pulled out an envelope. It looked to be sealed and had my name scrawled across the front of it. “It’s a letter.”

  A letter? That was odd.

  “What does it say?” Nellie asked, leaning forward.

  “I don’t know,” Dorsey replied, flicking the envelope back and forth as he searched my face. It was almost as if he believed he could see into my soul. There wasn’t a lick of magic flitting around him, though, so I knew that wasn’t the case. “I didn’t open it.”

  “Why not?” Nellie wasn’t one to play verbal games unless he thought it might garner him a monster to behead. “I’d think that’s the first thing you’d do because she ended up dead close to us.”

  “Yes, well, I thought I’d give Ms. Parker the option of sharing the contents of the letter with us.” Dorsey dangled the envelope in front of me. I wordlessly took it and opened it, scanning the hand-written note with a bit of trepidation and a lot of curiosity.

  “Well?” Dorsey watched me with unveiled interest.

  I handed the letter to him. “See for yourself.”

  Dorsey took the note and read it, raising his eyebrows a few times before running his tongue over his teeth. “Do you understand this letter?”

  “Is that a trick question?” I asked, leaning closer to Kade as he pressed his hand to my back. He seemed curious, but comfortable letting me handle the interrogation.

  “She says weird things in here,” Dorsey noted, refusing to back down. “Like ... um … what does ‘the figment isn’t the enemy’ mean?”

  I let an ice cube melt in my mouth as I debated how to answer. Finally, I saw no reason to veer too far from the truth. He would think we were nuts no matter how we framed it. “I told you we went to the paranormal library looking for answers,” I explained. “We figured a paranormal culprit would only make us more popular with the residents if we could spread the word.”

  “Okay, but … what does that mean?”

  “Well, if you spend any time in paranormal circles you’ll learn that a figment is an entity birthed when a human dies and his or her soul is ripped away from a physical body,” I replied. “Dana theorized that a figment was running around in this area.”

  “I see.” Dorsey didn’t come out and call me crazy, but his expression was fairly close to expressing that. “And do you believe in these … figments?”

  “I believe in a lot of things. I travel with a circus. I wouldn’t be very good at my job if I didn’t believe in the fantastical, would I?”

  “That wasn’t really an answer to my question.”

  “I do believe in figments,” I said. “Figments very rarely turn into killers, though.”

  “Seriously?” Dorsey flicked his attention to Kade. “Do you believe in figments?”

  “I haven’t been with the circus that long,” Kade answered, choosing his words carefully. “I’ve never seen a figment, but if Poet says they’re real … I believe it.”

  “Are you simply saying that because she looks good naked?”

  Kade’s formerly light grip on the back of my neck tightened. “I’m saying that because I believe in her.”

  “Okay. Fair enough.” Dorsey bobbed his head. “This letter also says that Dana expected to die when she came out here that night. She left the letter next to her cash register, which means she wrote it before heading out here.

  “The medical examiner has been unable to find a cause of death yet,” he continued. “She had no wounds. She didn’t suffer a blow to a head. She didn’t have any chronic health conditions.”

  “Is there a question in there?” Kade challenged.

  “There is. How did she know she was going to die – especially when there didn’t appear to be anything physically wrong with her – before she came out here?”

  “I don’t have the answer to that,” I said. “Dana was the only one with answers, and she’s dead.”

  “We’re running a toxicology report on her and rushing it through the state police lab,” Dorsey said. “Nothing showed up upon a cursory exam, but that doesn’t mean we won’t find anything.”

  “Are you saying we’re suspects?”

  “I’m saying that this letter makes me feel worse instead of better,” Dorsey replied. “I won’t pretend to understand all of this supernatural talk. I get that you work for the circus and you’re used to putting on a show, but this is beyond anything I’ve ever been a part of.”

  “You said yourself that something weird was going on out here,” I pointed out. “I think in your head you convinced yourself that there was some sort of serial killer stalking this road. Have you ever considered that you and I might both be right?”

  Dorsey tilted his head to the side. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning that maybe we have a supernatural serial killer, and that’s what’s going after people along this stretch of highway.”

  Dorsey didn’t immediately respond, instead blinking in a slow and steady rhythm as he gauged my sincerity. Finally he got to his feet and handed the letter back to me. “Thank you for an enlightening visit. I surely am going to miss you folks when you leave.”

  That was it. He was dismissing us. I guess I couldn’t blame him. From his perspective I probably would’ve thought I was crazy, too.

  I waved as Dorsey picked his way toward the parking lot. He didn’t so much as glance back in our direction as he exited the fairgrounds, his eyes pointed forward and his hands tightly gripping the steering wheel.

  “That probably could’ve gone better.”

  “Yeah, I’m guessing that didn’t go how you imagined things at all,” Nellie offered.

  “Not in the least.”

  Kade exhaled heavily through his nose. “I thought it was kind of fun. Does anyone else want a snack? I missed lunch because I was waiting for Poet to wake up.”

  That was one of the better offers I’d had today. “Let’s get hot dogs … and fries … and maybe some ice cream.”

  “That sounds good. No onions, though. I have plans for you later.”

  “I can live with that.”

  25

  Twenty-Five

  I tapped the letter against the table as I watched Dorsey quickly navigate past the fairgrounds on the highway, my anxiety climbing a notch. Despite my suggestion that we get dinner, I couldn’t force myself to leave the table.

  “I’m guessing he thinks I’m crazy.”

  Nellie wrinkled his nose. “Meh. While he waited for Kade to wake you up I did five minutes on why it’s better for men not to wear nylons under dresses – you know, the sweaty balls thing – and he merely looked uncomfortable.

  “If he didn’t find me crazy for having that conversation with him, I doubt very much your figment theory was enough to tip him over the edge,” he continued. “Still … he’s going to be watching us. It’s not simply because he thinks you’re crazy, though.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Kade asked, shifting on the picnic table bench. “Why do you think he’ll be watching us?”

  “Think about it. A blind purported psychic ended up dead in our backyard and the cops found a letter to our psychic in her store. Not only did the psychic believe she was going to die, she talked about magical nonsense in her goodbye letter. I mean … what are the
odds of that?”

  “I hate to admit it, but he has a point,” Kade said. “I’m also curious as to why she left the letter at her store instead of bringing it with her. She must’ve assumed if she was killed that her body wouldn’t be found. That’s all I can figure. What else did the letter say?”

  I hated to admit it, too, but if I were in Dorsey’s position I’d probably already have me locked up. That didn’t bode well for us getting out of Vegas without drawing additional attention. “She talked about things in a roundabout way – which is good for us – but I get what she was saying.”

  “Can I see it?”

  I handed the letter to Kade and let him read it, his expression unflappable as he took his time. Nellie seemed amused by Kade’s focus, poking my side to get my attention.

  “I think it’s cute how his lips move when he’s reading.”

  I scorched Nellie with a dark look. “His lips aren’t moving.”

  “They are so.”

  “They are not.”

  “They are so.”

  “They are not.”

  “I appreciate you taking up for me, honey, but there’s no reason to get worked up.” Kade absent-mindedly patted my knee. “My lips might’ve been moving. I don’t really care.”

  “They weren’t,” I muttered.

  “They were,” Nellie shot back.

  “Knock it off, guys.” Kade was understandably distracted as he tapped his finger against the letter. “She talks around a bunch of things in here. She talks about thinking wind and shadows that stalk people and ultimately kill them. To anyone who doesn’t believe in the supernatural she’d come across as crazy.”

  I shrugged, noncommittal. “I can see that. I’m not sure Dorsey is a non-believer, though. I don’t think he’s ready to jump into the paranormal pool without a life jacket, but I believe part of him already suspected that there was something odd happening out here. I also think the biggest part of him wished he could come up with a rational explanation.”