by Rain Trueax
“God, you are good at the computer,” Mitch said feeling astounded.
“I pay for a detective site,” Torre said with a grin. “You’d be amazed at what they have.”
“I don’t like how these murders end up looking unsolved,” Nick said and rose to look out the window. Mitch understood his concern as a possible suspect. Sometimes that’s all it took to nail someone or come looking at him anytime anything happened.
“What if we could connect it to Chuck this time,” Elsa said with a little laugh. Mitch didn’t see the humor in any of this.
“How?” Maria asked.
“It depends on where the accident happened. If it was Chuck’s apartment, then there is physical evidence there. Even if it was where Debbie lived, fingerprints and blood might connect him. We need to find a reason for the police to get a warrant and search first Carter’s apartment.”
“And what would that take?” Elke asked.
“First, we put the knife back. Elke reports him physically accosting her. You did say he did that, right?”
Elke nodded.
“So, she reports that as well as her boyfriend interrupting a break-in.”
“Can we connect any of it to Martin Jefferies?” Elke asked. Mitch understood that was her bigger concern as it would help their family.
“I don’t see how,” Torre said. “It seems obvious to me that Martin was not only trying to help his former stepson, but something more—create fear in the community. Unless Chuck wants to tie him into it, I don’t think there will be evidence. Even the relationship might not come up-- unless one of the local reporters gets curious. The big thing is to get this murder settled, and I agree. I’ll put the knife back where it was.”
“It’s been a week. How do we explain my waiting to report the attempted break-in?” Elke asked. Mitch liked how her mind worked. She thought like a writer.
“Trauma. Fear. And Mitch took you north to try to calm you down. You felt embarrassed and hated to admit what had happened twice before and nearly again,” Maria suggested. “Jace will accept that.” She grinned. “I am sure he will.”
“And that will lead him to search Carter’s apartment?” Nick asked.
“Of course, for more weapons, after he finds the knife, with fingerprints. It would create a pattern,” Maria said sounding very confident. “Blood there will match the girl’s, and he’ll be on his way to prison even if it’s only for manslaughter.”
“It could work,” Nick agreed. “It still leaves two unsolved murders, but they are further back, so…”
“And it lets Martin off the hook,” Elke said, still sounding annoyed.
“His kind always gets his eventually,” Jess said with that grandmotherly sound that Mitch had never heard in his personal life but liked. He was surprised how much he liked being with these women, listening to their thinking, their teasing, even their squabbling.
“I’d rather he got it sooner than later,” Elke protested. “I have a feeling he is guilty of more than going after us.”
“Trust me, granddaughter,” Jess said, “it’ll not work well for him. Why don’t we take one of them at a time?”
Maria nodded her agreement.
“All right,” Elke said, “I’ll call the police when I get back to my apartment.”
“Now,” Jess said, “tell us about what happened up north with the Rugaru.” Her smirk increased when she saw Elsa didn’t know what she was talking about.
“A swamp monster?” Elsa asked.
“Native American too,” Jess retorted.
So Mitch sat back and let Elke tell the story of their encounter with the monster.
“I always thought they were real,” Denali said. “People should have more faith in the basis for mythologies.”
“You did kill it though, and it was the same as in your book?” Maria asked.
“It seems they breed and who knows how many in various places—serving demons maybe?” Mitch asked. “They seem to favor water though, so strange if it’d be in the desert.”
“You said your cousin was suckered in,” Torre suggested.
“Yes, and apologetic,” Mitch said.
“Well, it will be good we start getting more alert. We have gotten lax,” Jess said. “All the more reason to celebrate Lammas and not forget our important rituals and events.” When no one argued with her, including Elsa, she smiled with satisfaction.
When Mitch and Elke were back on the street, she said, “Are you heading north now?”
“Why would you ask that?” He tried to follow her logic but found it impossible.
“Well, you won’t want the publicity this could bring on you. I know you avoid that. I can keep your name out of it…”
He stopped her, swung her into his arms. It was too hot for that, but he didn’t care. He laughed. “Listen to me, baby, and get it straight. It’s too late for me to avoid the problems you will bring my life.” She gave a little snort. “Will you marry me?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“You mean it?” She sounded shocked.
“I do. When we get this straightened out, and we will, then yes, I want to go north, but with you as my wife. Did you want a big wedding? Or wait, you haven’t said yes yet.”
She smiled then. “Yes, I’d like to be your wife.”
“Good. So let’s head back to your apartment to celebrate, then you can call your mama and grandmas and tell them to plan something small so we can be north for the grape harvest. If Carter slows us down, I’ll take care of him myself.”
“I believe you mean that.”
“You can bet on it. Now let’s get this whole thing started as I am anxious for the next scene.”
“We have to wait for that?” she asked pulling his head down for a searing kiss.
Probably not.
Epilogue
Circle C Ranch
Lammas—Friday, August 1
“You thought you were so clever, didn’t you?” Azaziel, a second rank demon, snarled.
“I thought it would go well,” Ornis replied, trying for a placating tone when he didn’t feel it. He never felt it.
“Ah yes, so well.” The sneer turned what was a cruel face even darker.
The two watched as the party of horsemen rode out of the ranch yard, heading for what the two demons knew was their sacred ground-- where they’d not be able to follow or know what they did. Being it was Lammas, it was obvious they would be doing a harvest celebration. Boring in Ornis’ mind. Why were they even watching them ride?
“The only blessing… if I may use the word loosely,” Azaziel said with an unpleasant cackle, “is at least you didn’t cost us our pastor. He will continue with the demonstrations, and if we get fortunate, we’ll find someone in his congregation open to using more violent means to right wrongs. As a bonus, he for now can quit worrying about that stupid stepson of his.”
“Not actually a stepson since his marriage to the lad’s mother was never a real one,” Ornis said, then ducked back to avoid Azaziel’s swipe of his fist. Being of the spirit, it wasn’t actually a fist, but it would have been painful in terms of demeaning. Maybe it would have eased the anger of his superior. He should have let him hit him.
“Just as well he’s in jail. He was a pathetic distraction.”
“Then all is well,” Ornis said as he thought—that wasn’t what you believed before.
Azaziel snarled, as they watched two powerful men nudge their horses in the side and take off at a hard run. “You think that is well.” He snorted. “Before, we had all women to deal with, and yes, they are powerful witches but still… they weren’t as engaged as they might have been. Now, two men, both warriors, one a powerful wizard on his own right, have come into their fold. Soon Ford will be married and even more engaged in the problems of the Hemstreets.”
“I didn’t intend that to happen.”
Another snort of derision. “Intentions don’t count. Only results. You have toyed with insignif
icant battles, diversions, and now you see in place something far more dangerous for our goals. Do you understand that?” Azaziel gave him a hostile look.
“Are you removing me from the Tucson district?” Ornis asked thinking that might not be so bad. He wouldn’t mind a change of scene. He liked Wyoming with less people and more open spaces. He could…
“No,” Azaziel interrupted his pleasant train of thought, “I am making it clear that the consequences of losing again will be catastrophic for you. It won’t just result in a demotion.” He made an imaginary slice across his throat.
Ornis nodded. “I understand.” He actually didn’t as he felt he’d been pretty effective in strewing chaos. Unfortunately, at least for now, it wasn’t his opinion that counted.
“You used to be good at manipulating people, but you seem to have lost that ability.”
“It was not my responsibility in the Verde. That was John Scythe’s job. He used the wrong tool with Joe.”
“Tools, you mean.”
“All right tools. Although I rather liked the Rugarus. Such a shame how those two ended up.”
“It has some advantages as there are those in their pack, who want revenge.”
“You mean against Ford?”
“Among others. They will wait for their chance.”
Ornis tried to think through exactly what was being suggested. “You want one of them to come to Tucson? I thought they mostly stayed in the wilderness.”
“They go where they are told, but I meant in this case, we need a human to use.”
Ornis tried to work through what that meant. “The pastor?”
“You are so stupid. There is a weak link among the sisters.”
Ornis tried to think whom he might mean. “Devi?” he asked finally thinking of the shy sister. She did appear weak.
“You are not totally stupid. Yes, her. She does not want to be a witch. She dabbles in potions and plants, but she doubts. She can be used.”
“How would that work out?” He felt clueless and hated the feeling.
“She would let us put someone into their family, someone who will weaken the links.”
“A man?”
“You truly are stupid. Of course, a man. One who is trying to gain power for himself using other humans.”
“This person is not into magick?” It would be easier to manipulate him if he was.
“He doesn’t believe in it, but he wants power. He has an energy in him that he doesn’t yet recognize. We would not need to manage him. He would do it all on his own.”
“Why would she want someone like that? She seems like a very nice person and that does not sound like a nice man.”
“Because she’s young and naïve. Because he is strong where she is not.”
“So we won’t try to manipulate him?”
“No need.” Azaziel chuckled. “Some humans do it for us. His strength will be his weakness. It will draw her to him.”
“I don’t see why he’d want her then. Is he cruel and needs someone weak?”
“No, he needs a puppet, someone who won’t get in his way. That’s her.”
None of this sounded logical to Ornis. He liked the idea though that this plan was on Azaziel’s shoulders—whichever way it went down. He could go for that. Maybe even see Azaziel taken down a notch when the Hemstreet witches saw what was happening. He smirked. This was a win/win. “So what is my part in it?”
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If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review where you bought it. Even a few words mean a lot to future potential readers as well as writers. A review is your opportunity to be part of the creative process.
For any questions, contact Rain at [email protected]
Follow the Hemstreet Witches Series with Book 3. ‘Little Devi’ isn’t quite as weak as the demons imagine, and their judgment of the man is based on the past, not who he is today. Demons don’t know it all and particularly easily misjudge ones they hope to use.
A Price to be Paid is available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0732HT4ZQ/
Denali and Nick’s story, Book 1, Enchantress’ Secret: https://www.amazon.com/Enchantress-Secret-Barrio-Viejo-Book-ebook/dp/B01GKH4DJA
Look for Book 4 in the fall.
All paranormals are currently in KU as well as available for purchase for Kindles.
More about Rain and her other books, contemporary, historical, and paranormal at: https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/profile
https://www.facebook.com/RainTrueax/
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https://rainydaythought.blogspot.com/
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