A Witch, a Fairy, and an Esper

by Ross Homer

  Dealing with Roy Bob though, made her pause and think hard about it. Ten million dollars was a lot of money in anybody’s book. Gaelle said he had it, so she had to believe the young woman. The fact that she’d score a cool million for her trouble made her a little less cautious.

  <<<<<>>>>>

  … Gaelle turned Roy Bob to face her. Pulling him close, she whispered, “What is it worth to you? I think I know somebody who can take care of this for you, but it will not be cheap.”

  Without a second thought he snapped, “Ten million bucks!”

  “Oh! Wow.” Gaelle stepped back in surprise. “That much? Hell, I’d give it a shot for that much.”

  “No, you will not. I love you too much to take the chance of seeing you end up like my guys here. But if you know someone who you think can get it done, then let’s go for it.”

  When they left the vault, Gaelle went to their bedroom and dressed in a pretty, feminine Western style shirt, snug blue jeans, and her boots.

  “Roy Bob, I need to go see someone about this, and I’ll need the jet for a few days. Poppi to fly it, of course.”

  She knew she could have one of the jets anytime she wanted, and she didn’t need to tell him why. She did though, and he greatly appreciated it. Besides being one of his three pilots, Poppi was one of Gaelle’s best friends.

  “Do it. I’ll say it again. I want that son of a bitch dead! Do whatever it takes or have your person do whatever it takes. I don’t care. The sooner the better, too.”

  “Hey, Sweetie. Settle down. I just relaxed you and now you’re getting’ all het up again. Stop!”

  He took a long, shuddering breath as she showed him early in their relationship and let it out. She was right of course. Some of his anger drained away.

  Smiling, he pulled her tight and said, “You could always do that again…what you did in the vault, you know.”

  Gaelle winked up at him and pushed his hands off her butt. “Lover, I don’t want your heart to explode. Take a break. Now…let me go pack a few things and call Poppi. Like I said; I’ll need a few days to set this all up.”

  She stroked his bulge through his slacks and then stepped back. “Roy Bob, you better not be kidding about the ten million dollars.”

  “Baby, I am not. In fact, I have it right here, in the house.”

  Kissing him, she went to their bedroom and packed for several days. Poppi was all for flying down to Phoenix with her best friend. To make Gaelle’s trip even more pleasant, Poppi let her fly some as she usually did.

  As Roy Bob watched them leave out of Boise’s airport, he grinned. Ten million? He wasn’t going to pay ten cents if he could help it. Gaelle had missed the fact that Roy Bob was a lying, underhanded crook above all else. While he may have been in love with her, as much as he could be, she was simply another piece of ass, albeit an excellent piece of ass, and could be replaced. He didn’t much want to because she was amazing in the sack. But there was that pretty little waitress at the truck stop out on the Interstate who teased him every time he went in.

  Gaelle didn’t know about the waitress but she did know that Roy Bob had a wandering eye. With a shrug, she boarded the little jet. If he wanted to screw around on her then let him. She was set for life as far as she was concerned.

  In a few minutes she and Poppi were on their way to Phoenix.

  The flight was bumpy at first over the Rockies but settled out the further south they got. Poppi let Gaelle fly for most of the way but not land. That was not going to happen until Gaelle finished her ground school.

  Gaelle dropped Poppi at their motel just off Sky Harbor and then drove almost to Scottsdale and her grandmother’s little house. She’d moved to Phoenix with Gaelle’s mother not too long after her father disappeared.

  Gram was, as usual, excited about seeing her granddaughter and after hugging, they had beers out of her patio and talked. After catching up, Gaelle told Gram what was needed and how soon. Then she told her grandmother how much Roy Bob was willing to pay.

  “Are you shittin’ me?” Gram’s eyes couldn’t get any larger. “That much? Your man must want this Sato guy dead in a bad kind of way.”

  “That he does. The sooner, the better.”

  Gram leaned back in her chair and sipped her beer. “Baby girl, this’ll take a couple of days to arrange. My contact will probably do it, but the money has to be to him within twenty-four hours of completing the contract.” She set her bottle down on the arm of the chair and leaned forward. She said quietly with warning, “Don’t fuck him over on this. I’ve seen what he can do when he’s pissed at people and Baby girl, you don’t ever want him angry with you. Okay? Do you fully understand?”

  “Yes. Now you’ve scared the crap out of me.”

  “I sure as hell hope so.”

  They finished their beers and returned to chatting about inanities. The deal was done, and her grandmother needed to make the call.

  Gaelle and Poppi spent the rest of the day lounging at the motel pool, having dinner, and then they flew back to Boise two days sooner than expected.

  As she flew the jet, Gaelle chewed on her lip because she was about half afraid Roy Bob was going to stiff her grandmother.

  <<<<<>>>>>

  It was strange having a third person living in my house. It was enough having Elsa living here and it was totally acceptable to me because I loved her. Nissa? Interesting. Especially the morning after she spent the first night.

  I dragged myself out of bed at seven and thought about my morning routine. Magic wasn’t the only thing I used to maintain my sexy curves. I had to actually put out some work, too. That’s why I rode a bike and worked out in my dojo and tried to eat right…most of the time. Limit my alcohol intake.

  It was also the first morning with a new person in my house. Elsa helped by being with me and cuddling with me when I got restless.

  However, no matter how much I loved her, nothing actually changed the way I was when I got up.

  I slowly stretched and watched as my lazy hussy girlfriend continued sleeping soundly. With a slight snore, no less. Bitch.

  Grumpily, I went to the bathroom and did my morning routine. When I came out, I slipped into my usual at home, pre-ride, attire: an old t-shirt of some kind, and shorts, then I slipped my feet into an ancient pair of scuffs. I usually had a coffee and something light to eat like a single slice of toast or half a bagel before I went for my ride. Yeah. Exciting, eh? Just another early-thirty-something semi-housewife.

  Nissa was sitting at the table wearing cute, dark blue, short, jogging shorts, a wet white sports bra and sipping a cup of coffee. Her red sweatband was in the sink. Using a towel, she dabbed at sweat on her forehead. She’d already gone for a run! Limey bitch! I realized then that it was daylight out and she was in no danger. That didn’t make me any happier. I’ve never been a morning person and seeing someone who was tended to make me grind my teeth. On that Elsa and I were in agreement. She stayed out of my way until I had my coffee. Smart woman. It was one of the many reasons I loved her.

  The Limey bitch had the gall to smile widely at me as I grumped my way to the coffee pot.

  “Ahh, Jo. Not a morning person, I see.”

  “Grrrrrr...”

  Now she laughed too! If I could wake up, I’d turn her into a toad or something.

  “And not real communicative, either, I see.”

  Elsa wandered in about then. She wore a pink robe with a dragon design and those stupid looking puppy slippers on her feet. “Leave her be, Nissa. She’ll fry both of us before she has her coffee. I love this big ol’ witch to death, but I try and steer clear of her until she’s awake.”

  Now both of them were teasing me. I ignored them and mixed my coffee. At least Nissa could make a proper pot.

  Elsa came over and kissed me on the cheek. “Relax, lover. Wake up. We’ll leave you alone while you slither back into your cave with your coffee.”

  Being all adult and shit I flipped both of them off as I struggled up the st
airs to put on my riding gear. As usual, by the time I finished the cup, I was a bit more human. Elsa came up too, and put on her running things. She kissed me but otherwise didn’t say anything.

  She learned about what a horrible person I can be before my first cup of coffee six years ago. We had a long talk as I drank my coffee that morning and she understood about me. It didn’t stop her from being so angry that she was ready to go home and stay there. But she learned fast and she understood. Still does, too. Some people hate getting up. I’m one of them. I’d rather let things happen naturally. Like get up at a decent hour…ten? Eleven? But then I’m also a night owl. So, it balances. Now if I just didn’t have to work on keeping me looking like I do.

  While Nissa showered, Elsa went for her run while I went for a ride. What had been a perfect morning earlier for Nissa turned to pouring rain for us. I didn’t care because I enjoyed riding in the rain. This morning it gave my mind time to wander around the Sato case. Of the nightwalkers there’d been no sign. None. I was willing to swear that they were brought here for a job and then sent back to wherever they came from.

  The public believed the shooting story and called for more gun control. While I supported that one, only a few of us actually knew what killed six people.

  Wet and dirty when I got home, I hosed off my bike, tossed some lube on the chain and then hit the shower.

  Nissa was standing in our bedroom talking with Elsa when I got out. She was dressed for work and I was naked. It didn’t faze her a bit.

  “Jo, I want you and Elsa to meet someone. She’s the leader of the Northwest Fae and she’s also my boss.”

  “Captain Faroe?” I asked. She nodded and I said, “Okay. Umm…mind if I dress first?”

  “Sure. Do take your time. Sorcha isn’t going anywhere.”

  As I dressed, Nissa told us a little about this woman. I’d only met her at the autopsy and didn’t know anything about her other than she was Selkie.

  “Sorcha Faroe is the elected president of the Fae association here. The Northwest Fae is a service organization who helps Fae, and others, in need. Just like any other good service organization. The difference is we don’t preach a gospel or try to convert people to anything. We are not political other than we are pretty liberal. But we don’t push that on people in need. Trust me; Fae are just like everyone else. We run into hard times, too, despite who we are. I think you’ll like her.”

  She smiled as Elsa brushed her hair, and added, “You know she’s a Selkie. Oh, Jo, I do so love your hair! The colors and the cut. They are perfect on you.”

  “Thanks,” I replied as I finger combed it. I was now awake and pretty close to full human. “It’s a spell I use. And you? Can I do something for you?”

  “No. Believe it or not, I can do a few things other than read minds. I don’t, by the way. As a rule, I just stay out. But the other morning, well, holy shit! I kind of got, ahh, sucked in.”

  She winked at me because that was one of the things in my dream. Whew! Intense it was.

  I had to admit that having her and Elsa in my house was kind of a delight and I discovered that I was enjoying the camaraderie in spite of my earlier grumpiness.

  <<<<<>>>>>

  Gaelle had been back from Phoenix for two days. There was a strange aura she was picking up from Roy Bob and his temper was short, so she didn’t mention it. She was sitting quietly, cruising the ‘net when she looked up from her laptop. “Roy Bob, have you seen this? What happened in Seattle?”

  She pointed at the article talking about gun violence there and the deaths of seven people. Sato and his family.

  Roy Bob sipped coffee and shook his head. “I kinda expected something more spectacular but whatever. It’s done.”

  He laughed but the sound of it bothered her. In the past, when she heard that particular laughter, he was getting ready to shaft some poor sucker. She hoped to hell her grandmother wasn’t going to be one of them.

  Standing and facing him, she smiled and asked, “Roy Bob, when are you going to pay Gram? She was supposed to have the money within two days and it’s almost been that long.”

  From out of nowhere, he backhanded her hard enough to stagger her back a step. She lost her balance and fell to her knees. Kneeling on the floor, she scooted over and leaned against the desk, her left cheek on fire and blood running out of her mouth from where her teeth cut into the inside of her cheek.

  He tossed a box of tissues at her and snapped, “Bitch, I didn’t get to where I was by giving away money. Especially that much money. Tell your granny I’ll give her a thousand for the hit. No…I’m feeling kind of magnanimous this morning. Make it ten grand. She can take it or leave it.”

  Her grandmother was not going to like this.

  Pushing herself back to her feet and staying out of his reach, she said, “Are you sure you want to do this?” This was a side of Roy Bob she hadn’t seen since she’d moved in with him.

  “Yes, I am. Now, Gaelle, I have work to do to consolidate the Seattle area. I’ll be busy for the next week or two so you can hang here or go somewhere. I’d prefer you stayed here for when I need you.” He stared at her now like she was one of those townie sluts she had seen. “Now be a good little piece of ass and go call your granny and tell her what I just said. Get me an address and I’ll mail her a check.”

  She knew exactly what staying here entailed, and it was nothing more than her sexual abilities. None of her companionship. That was now completely over. She wasn’t going anywhere except to call her Gram and tell her the bad news. She was glad several thousand miles separated them.

  Gaelle was right about fearing what might happen with her grandmother.

  As Roy Bob left the office, Gaelle went into the bathroom and washed the blood off her face and rinsed her mouth. Her cheek still seeped but she figured it wasn’t as bad as the call she was about to make.

  Her grandmother answered on the first ring. Before Gaelle could say anything, Gram said, “The fucker’s going to stiff me, isn’t he?”

  “Ahh, well, not quite, Gram. He said ten thousand dollars, take it or leave it.”

  There was a long silence before Gram replied, “Shit oh dear. Aato is not going to like this and I don’t have nine million for him. Like I said, I was going to take a million for hooking them up, Aato and your asshole boyfriend. Aato had agreed, too, which surprised me. You don’t know him, but he’s got powers way beyond mine. He’s scary powerful.”

  Crying now, Gaelle said, “Gram! I knew Roy Bob was an asshole when I met him but I never, Gram, never thought he’d do something like this to me and mine. Never! I guess you’re going to screw him up?”

  “No, Baby girl, it won’t be me. Aato, though…Nothing scares the holy crap out of me like he does. He will not be happy when I tell him about this. If I were you, I’d find somewhere else to be if you can, as soon as you can. Maybe Mars? Jupiter? And take me along with you. Your mother, too.”

  “How long do you think I have?”

  “I’d say no more than a day or two now. I’m going to call Aato as soon as you and I hang up. That thing about shooting those people is a cover up for what really happened. I’m pretty sure I know what he used, and Gaelle, I know I’ve said this before, but I don’t want to see that happen to you.”

  When she hung up, Gaelle was now even more frightened. She had never once heard any kind of fear from her grandmother and now she had. Who was this Aato guy? What could he do? There was no reason to run just yet, but she was going to prepare for it just the same. She knew where Roy Bob kept his cash and she would help herself to some as soon as she was done with her grandmother. She had a pretty decent bank account, but it never hurt to have some extra cash.

  Roy Bob had disappeared into his office so Gaelle went upstairs into their bedroom. After taking her much used and traveled duffle bag off the shelf in her closet, she went to the safe he kept in their bedroom. She knew he had a large amount of cash there and she knew the combination. Not long after she’d moved in,
he also set her palmprint in the door should she need to get into it for some reason.

  Well, now she had a reason. She decided to clean it out because she wasn’t going to be there at the ranch a minute longer than necessary.

  The safe was stuffed with currency and she scooped out what felt like several pounds of it, mostly hundreds. Then she tossed in some underwear and a couple of changes of clothes. Her next step was to call Poppi and fly somewhere.

  That was short circuited. He yelled from the bottom of the stairs, “Gaelle! Get your ass down here. I need you.”

  She knew exactly what he wanted as she put her bag back on the shelf in the closet and hoped that Roy Bob didn’t need to get into the safe for a while.

  Downstairs, she went into his office and performed a task that she usually enjoyed. Today, it was all Roy Bob and nothing for her.

  When he was done, he said, “Thanks. I needed that. Now, get cleaned up and see about setting up something for lunch. I have several people coming by before they head over to Seattle and start organizing things. Hey! Maybe you can entertain them before they leave?”

  This was new. Gaelle had never had to do…what did the ranchers call it when they mate their prize bulls to cows? Oh yeah…service. She’d never had to service anyone but him.

  She took a shower and decided that she would do everything he wanted until she could slip away. Tomorrow would be good. Tonight would be even better.

  Gaelle set out sandwich makings and whipped up her excellent potato salad. Anything but think about what was going to happen after lunch.

  Three hard looking men showed up around noon and disappeared into Roy Bob’s office. She puttered around the kitchen, fretting and worrying. It turned out that her worrying was a waste of time because none of the men needed or wanted servicing. One went so far as to whisper loud enough for her to hear that he didn’t want anything from Roy Bob’s whore. It made her cry, but it also got her out of doing something she didn’t want to. She had slept with a lot of men over the years, but she never considered herself a whore, available for any man to take. It hurt to hear that asshole call her one. But he and the others were soon gone, and the rest of the day passed quietly.