Fae MisFortunes

by T K Eldridge

  I listened to Sin’s little group for a few minutes, then turned to the Duchamp’s and interrupted Ian.

  “Why didn’t you put down on Justin’s school forms that he has fae blood in his bloodline?”

  A muscle in Ian’s jaw twitched and both of Justin’s parents gasped.

  “We are not fae. There is no fae blood in our bloodline,” Mr. Duchamp said. “That’s insulting.”

  I simply quirked a brow and turned to Mrs. Duchamp. “Why don’t you come with me? We can get a damp cloth for your face and give you a moment to pull yourself together. We’ll need you a little calmer if we’re going to be able to speak to you about Justin.”

  The woman actually looked at her husband as if asking permission – and when he nodded, she rose to her feet. Please, shoot me if I ever got that submissive. Ever. Please.

  I smiled at Ian and Mr. Duchamp, and led the missus to the ladies room. I leaned against the door while she washed her face and touched up her lipstick. “I think I’m okay to answer questions now.”

  “Good,” I said. “So, I take it your husband doesn’t know about Finn and the child he got on you?”

  She clutched the edge of the sink and turned to look at me, mouth gaping wide. “How…I didn’t…it’s not…” Then her mouth closed with a snap. “It’s Jack’s son, there’s no way it could be anyone else’s.”

  “Except Justin has fae magic and you know it and have kept it hidden from your husband.”

  I watched Mrs. Duchamp’s eyes close and her face lose all color. “You can’t let my husband know. He’ll kill me and the boy, if he ever returns. He’s that proud, my Jack.”

  “Not my place to tell him, ma’am. But you cannot lie to us about this. We have other children that have gone missing and are still gone. If we know your Justin is in the same league as those other children, then he becomes our priority to track down. If he’s just a witch kid?” I shrugged. “Not so important.”

  I saw the moment my words truly registered, written on the woman’s face. Her gaze went from me to the door and then back to me. “Get me in a room where my husband has no idea we’re talking and cannot hear, and I’ll tell you everything. The minute he finds out, I won’t speak another word. Even if it means my son’s life. Understood?”

  Wow, this one was stone cold terrified of her mate. “I understand. Completely. Let’s go and I’ll get you out of here.”

  Unfortunately, the minute we stepped out, I saw the Commander and Sett enter the building. I led Mrs. Duchamp over to Ian and her husband as Sett joined us.

  “Officer Fortin, might I have a moment?” I asked, leading Sett a few feet away. I quickly told her what I’d learned in the ladies’ room.

  “I’ll get those two split up. You can take her home and question her there while her husband comes to the station to look at pictures of possible suspects. We can keep him busy for hours,” Sett said.

  “Will do,” I replied. “Oh, wait – Sin took the SUV. I’ll need wheels.”

  Sett paused, then handed me her keys. “Don’t hurt my baby,” she whispered. “I’ll get a ride with the Commander.”

  We walked back over to our group and Sett had decided to have Ian take Mr. Duchamp to the station while I assured him I’d get his wife home and make sure the house was secured.

  Once Mrs. Duchamp and I were in the car, she let out a shaky breath. “I always feared the day would come when Finn would return for his son. He said he would when the boy was grown. Fifteen is not grown.”

  “For some magical races? Fifteen is not a child any longer,” I told her.

  She sniffled a bit and then calmed herself once more. “Take a left up here, then the first right. We’re the fifth house down on the right.”

  We were both quiet other than her directions to her home. I parked in front of the house and followed her up the path to the front door. A modest brick two-story with grass that could use a trim, but otherwise seemed well-tended. She fumbled with the keys, but finally got the door open and led me inside. The house was neat and cozy with comfortable furniture, photos of the family and a wall of books and knick knacks in the sitting room.

  “You have a lovely home,” I told her as she led me into the kitchen and gestured to some stools at the counter. “Have a seat. Would you like some coffee or something? I’m going to make some tea for myself.”

  “Tea would be lovely,” I told her and admired the white cabinets and polished appliances. “So, what does your husband do for work?”

  “He runs a real estate office. He’s great at managing and administrating, but he hated selling the actual houses. I did that for a while, but then I started a craft business on Tizzy, the selling website?”

  “Oh, yeah, I’ve bought a few gifts from artists on that site.”

  “Well, I started doing pretty well with my little birdhouses and stuff, so he let me quit the real estate office.”

  Let. Her. Quit. I really was starting to dislike this Mr. Duchamp more and more.

  “Was that before or after Justin came along?”

  “Just…before. I had been working from home for about three months before I got pregnant.”

  “I’m sure Finn also helped financially, didn’t he?”

  “How did you…? Um, yes, he did.”

  I watched her fuss with the tea and sighed. “Mrs. Duchamp…”

  “Missy. You can call me Missy.”

  “Okay, Missy…you’re the third woman I’ve heard this story from. Seems this Finn guy has planted his seeds far and wide. Now, and we don’t know why, he’s collecting his children.”

  “All of the kids that are missing are his…children?” Her voice squeaked and she almost dropped the tea kettle.

  “From what we can tell, yes. Even the two from Sorsyville that were found, were his. They’re both back with family.”

  Missy poured the tea and set a cup in front of me, but it took her a moment to remember to get the tea bags out. She put the little assortment container in front of me and I picked out a tea bag, opened it, and put it in my cup. “Missy, your tea. I think you need this more than I do.”

  She shook herself and looked down at her cup, then laughed a little before taking the time to fix her own cup. “I guess I had no idea. I never really thought about it. I was just so happy to have a child, because Jack had said we never would unless God or somebody just reached down and gave us one.”

  Missy sat down and took a sip of her tea before it had even finished steeping. “I guess I assumed that if I thought about it too much, Jack might figure out what had happened and take Justin away from me. He was mine even if he wasn’t Jack’s, and I will be honest and say I’m glad he was not a true Duchamp. Jack is not the nicest person.”

  “You know, Missy, there are options. I can get you somewhere safe if you’re worried about Jack.”

  She smiled at me then and reached out to rest her hand on mine. “You’re so sweet. Really. But this is my home and I’ve paid for most of it and most of what’s in it. My business is based in the garage and I let Jack think he runs things. The day he goes too far is the day he finds his suitcases on the lawn and the locks changed.”

  “You’re a lot tougher than I thought when I saw you with Jack at the school.”

  “Well, I needed a minute to process the fact that my son was gone. I’m pissed. When I get frustrated, I cry. It’s a thing. Now the crying is done, for now, and I’m still pissed. If that Finn came back and stole my Justin in such a way that it breaks my heart? I’ll hunt that fae bastard down and fix it so he can’t father any more babies.”

  I had to stop the snort of laughter that threatened. She was something else, this Missy. “Well, ma’am, I’m glad to see you’re okay. Don’t let Jack get out of hand, understand?” I slid my card across the counter to her. “Here, if you think of anything or need anything, do not hesitate to give me a call, or call the station. We’ll let you know when we have something to update you with, but otherwise, we’re not going to bother you unless we h
ave questions.”

  “Alright, Officer Boudreau. Take care of yourself out there and find my boy, please.”

  “I will, Missy. Good night.”

  I left the Duchamp house, stopped to fill up at the gas station, and drove Sett’s car carefully back to the farm. I parked it outside her cottage and headed up to knock on the door. She opened it before I got to her door.

  “I brought your keys,” I said. “Thanks for letting me use your car. I filled it up at Speedy’s.” I held out her keys.

  “Oh, thanks for filling it up,” Sett said, but her voice sounded odd. Something was wrong.

  “Sett?”

  “How did you leave Mrs. Duchamp?”

  “She’s fine. Tough lady.”

  “I hope so,” Sett said. “Her husband is dead.”

  “Wait…what? Last time I saw him, he was being pissy with Ian in the lobby.”

  “Something happened to him. Ian had finished up with him and Mr. Duchamp went out into the parking lot. He was on his phone, standing beside his car, yelling at someone and gesturing. Ian and I watched him from the lobby doors as he punched the roof of his car with his fist and screamed something into his phone. There were only a handful of people left in the parking lot and some folks were glancing his way, disturbed by his show of rage. A flash of white light, like a lightning bolt, hit where he’d been standing and we couldn’t see him anymore. Ian and I ran out there and he was lying beside his car, dead. CPR didn’t work, the paramedics tried a few things, but he was gone. The Commander said he’d handle the notification and sent us home once the coroner showed up.”

  I stared at Sett and then stepped up to give her a hug. She hugged me in return and we just stood there like that.

  Sett’s voice was muffled in my shoulder as she spoke again. “Not a lot gets to me, but seeing that man dropped to the ground by a flash of light, was like watching someone be smote? Smited? What’s the word, when a god reaches down and ends a life with one touch?”

  “Smitten. Something smote him, so he was smitten,” I said, my voice soft. “I’m just glad I didn’t see it. Hearing you tell it is disturbing enough.” I took a breath and looked Sett in the eye. “Wine is needed. I’ll go get a bottle and bring it over. Yes?”

  Sett nodded and hugged herself.

  I tucked her keys into her hand and kissed her cheek. “Go inside, Auntie. I’ll be back in a moment.” I watched as she turned for the doorway before I jogged down the steps and across the road and through the small field to our place. It looked like Sin was still out, so I went inside, grabbed two bottles of wine and the box of chocolates I’d just bought, and headed back to Sett’s. Seeing my strong, independent aunt so shaken by what she’d witnessed was sobering. I made a mental note to ask the Commander about magical lightning and which element used that, tomorrow. I also planned on taking a ride by Missy Duchamp’s place and bringing her a basket from Grams’ stuff. She might be a strong woman, but her son was stolen and her husband killed in one night. Even the strongest might need a friend.

  But for tonight, my aunt and I were going to enjoy chocolate, wine, some good music and a chance to remember what it means to be alive.

  We all needed to be reminded of that sometimes.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sin

  Bast had filled us in on everything that had happened at the rec hall and we got it into the report. As promised, I had his bike loaded in the back of the SUV and we settled into the vehicle so I could get him home.

  Bast glanced at the clock on the dash and sighed. “May I ask a favor? I would really appreciate a stop for food before I get home. It’s late and the last thing I want to do is cook when I get home.”

  “Good point. I’m headed home after I drop you off and I’m not up for cooking either. What do you like? I think Little Ming’s is still open. The Thai place is open for about another half hour, so whatever you decide, decide fast,” I said, laughing.

  “There’s Thai in town? That. Please. Yes,” Bast was smiling.

  “Wait, how long have you been in town?” I asked.

  “Years, but I rarely use my truck. I drive it twice a month to the outlet store and to the bookstore in the city. I use my bike for everything else – perishable groceries, trips to the post office, that stuff. I don’t explore the town too much with my work schedule.”

  “Well that would explain it,” I said as I pulled up to the Thai restaurant. “We’re on the border of Sorsyville and Belle Cove. Nothing much out here except a few businesses.”

  Bast looked up at the restaurant, then got out of the SUV. “I’m going to get enough for a couple of meals tonight. Don’t be surprised.”

  I had to laugh at his excitement over Thai food. “I’m going to be buying enough for three people, so don’t be surprised yourself.”

  Once we got our orders and got back into the SUV, we both had a container of something to munch on. I had a packet of spring rolls and he was eating coconut shrimp. There was a sense of community, of shared pleasure between us as I drove him home. When I pulled up in front of his house, I helped unload his bike and went in to check that the house was secure and no one was waiting for him. On the way out the door, I paused and looked back at Bast.

  “Hey Bast, my friends and I have a weekly basketball game at the park on Friday afternoons. We meet there around four and play for a couple of hours. If the weather is crap, we play in the gym at the elementary school. It’s just for fun and a chance to hang out. Would you like to join us?” I wasn’t one to just ask someone to join us, but I had the feeling that Bast didn’t have a lot of friends in town.

  “Are any of them mundanes?” Bast asked.

  “Nope. That’s why we hang out together.”

  “Then yeah, I’d like that. Thanks. I’ve been looking for a way to connect with people that wouldn’t risk me making stupid mistakes. Are they going to be okay with…uh…”

  “With you being gay? Why would it matter? No, Bast, I’m not making light of the situation, but my friends are eclectic even among supernaturals. They won’t have any issues with you, unless you suck at basketball.”

  Bast laughed at that and waved at me. “Alright, I’ll be there. Thanks again.”

  I got into the SUV and felt pretty good about things. So good that I texted Mira to see if she was still up. The bluetooth rang as I pulled out of Bast’s driveway.

  “Hey Sin, it’s your future roommate,” Mira said.

  “Hey Sunshine, how are you tonight? I’ve had a day and a half.”

  “I’m good. You coming by?”

  “I would like to, if you’re up for it? I’ve got Thai food.”

  “That’s it, baby, bribe me with yummy goodness. I’ll leave the porch light on for you.”

  We teased and bantered a little bit longer before I said, “Mira, I’m almost to your place, but I want you to do something for me, okay? Make sure the doors and windows are all locked and Ethan is safely asleep? It’s been a really weird and difficult day, and it would make me feel better.”

  “Sure, honey, I’ll do that. You’ve got your key, just come in when you get here. I’ll check everything and then get stuff out for dinner.”

  “I love you, Mirabella.”

  “I love you too, Sinclair.”

  The call disconnected and I tried to swallow that lump of unease that kept trying to choke me. I knew that they were probably fine and not at risk at the moment, but some instinct had my gut twisted.

  I parked in the drive and locked up. I still got a small thrill using my own key on Mira’s door. Cheesy, I know, but it was still cool to me.

  “It’s me,” I called out softly as I entered, turning the deadbolt behind me as I slid off my shoes.

  The food bag rustled as Mira came around the corner and pulled me into a hug, then gave me a kiss that almost made me forget about food.

  “Hi there,” she murmured. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

  “I’m really glad I’m here, too,” I replied and kiss
ed her again.

  “As much as I’d love to kiss you more, I just heard your stomach growl and I think you need food first.”

  I nodded and let her take the bag from me while I put my gun in the small safe I’d installed above a cabinet. Hands washed, I settled at the table while Mira finished unpacking the food and getting stuff opened.

  “Smells good,” Mira said and sat next to me. “What made you stop and get Thai?”

  “Bast Pascal. I was giving him a ride home and he asked if we could grab food, so I got Thai and thought about bringing it over, to get a chance to spend some time with you.”

  “Who’s Bast Pascal?”

  “A teacher up at Collegiate. Well, teacher slash administrator. He was assaulted tonight at the rec hall and needed a ride home from the station. Do you know, he goes everywhere on his bike except twice a month he’ll drive to the city for bulk shopping and books?”

  “Wow, that’s dedication. Even in the rain?”

  “Yep, he has a hooded coat and overalls and boots he wears in the rain. A set of sealed saddle-bag things on his bike and he’s ready to go. It’s kind of impressive, honestly.”

  Mira fixed her plate and poured me some iced tea and we started to eat before she paused and looked up at me. “When are you going to bring me to meet the rest of your family?”

  “I actually had a discussion with Sid about that. She’s going to set it all up for next week. With us both working different schedules, it’s been tough to coordinate. I gave her your number so she could let you know when she got things settled.”