Waking the Witch woto-11

by Kelley Armstrong

  “So he left and never looked back. Saved himself a bundle on child support.” I looked her in the eye. “Money you could have used.”

  “Yes,” she said quietly. “Maybe I should have asked. He’d have paid. I just—I didn’t want to share Ginny with him. I was young and I was hurt and I was stubborn. By the time things started going wrong with Ginny, Alastair was already on his third wife, so I knew there wouldn’t be any money and I couldn’t see how bringing her father into her life would help. I’d go from being the whore who got knocked up by a stranger to the bitch who’d kept her daddy away from her. I decided to stick with my first role. I was used to it.”

  “So twenty-five years later Alastair returns to find his ex with a twenty-five-year-old daughter ... and doesn’t connect the dots?”

  She didn’t answer. Just sat there until the oven timer chimed, took out the muffins, and began scooping them onto the cooling racks. Then she said, “I imagine the thought crossed his mind. But if he asked, then he’d have to face the truth. Alastair isn’t good at facing truths, Ms. Levine. He’s built his own world and that’s where he chooses to live, blinds drawn to the rest of the universe. In his mind, he’s still a twenty-year-old stud. Having a daughter older than the girls he beds up in that farmhouse? That wouldn’t do at all.”

  She pried out a stubborn muffin. “Whatever Alastair is, he still considers himself a therapist. He thinks he’s helping those girls and I’m sure sometimes he does, and that makes him feel good. How long would those girls keep coming to him if they found out his own daughter lived a mile away, an alcoholic drug addict who lets her boyfriend use her for a punching bag? No. It wouldn’t do at all.”

  Wasn’t that what we’d call motive? Alastair had himself a sweet deal here. What if Ginny figured out who Daddy was and threatened to expose him? I didn’t say that to Paula. She might not have wanted Alastair Koppel for her baby’s father, but there was obviously still something there, an exasperated affection.

  When I made a move to go, though, Paula stopped me.

  “Can you wait and talk to Kayla?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure she wants to talk to me—”

  “That’s why I’m asking. I need her to know that everything’s okay. She likes you, and you’re a good role model for her. A smart young woman working at a good job, living on her own in the city. She doesn’t see a lot of that here.”

  “Um, sure. Okay.”

  “I’ll get those muffins ready for you to take. Kayla really wants you to have them.”

  KAYLA SHOWED UP shortly after that. Her grandma didn’t say anything, but showed by her mood and her actions that we were good, and Kayla relaxed. We talked about her homework and ate a couple of the muffins, and for the first time that day, I forgot about Michael.

  It was nice that Paula thought I made a good role model for Kayla, but I couldn’t help wishing I could do more. Kayla was a bright kid. She deserved to go to college. I thought about my trust fund. Was there away to help her without insulting Paula? I’d have to think about that, ask Paige for some ideas.

  I had the money. I didn’t need all of it. Maybe this was something I could do with the extra. Something good.

  twenty-six

  I was walking away from the house when my phone started playing “Light My Fire.” I grabbed it so fast I nearly sent it flipping onto the sidewalk. Then I took a deep breath and answered.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Hey yourself,” Adam said. “It’s 12:01 and I missed my morning update.”

  I clutched the phone tighter and didn’t answer.

  “Savannah?”

  “Can—Can I call you back?”

  “What’s wrong?”

  I considered going to the motel and phoning him back. That’s where I wanted to be when I told him, curled up in a chair, imagining him there, listening. But I couldn’t wait that long. I’d been holding back the dam all morning. So I stopped walking and said, “There’s been a murder.”

  “Shit. Another girl?”

  “No ... Michael.”

  Silence.

  “Michael Kennedy,” I said. “Claire Kennedy’s brother. The Dallas detective—”

  “I know who you mean. He’s dead?”

  I told him what happened.

  “So—Wait—You—” He stopped and took a deep breath. “Okay, let me see if I understand. Michael Kennedy called you last night and asked for your help. You went out, found his body, and were accused of his murder. And I’m just finding this out now?”

  “I wanted to handle it myself.”

  “A guy you were working with died. You found his body. I don’t care if you can handle it yourself. You shouldn’t—Damn it. Hold on.” A rustle as the phone moved. When a fire half-demon gets mad, things get a little warm, including whatever he happens to be holding at the time. Adam goes through a cell phone a year, usually shorting them out when I’m on the other end.

  I resumed walking and forced a light tone. “I keep telling you, you need travel-sized oven mitts.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered. Another rustle as he wrapped something around the phone.

  “That’s what I’ll get you for your birthday,” I said. “Not a new top for your Jeep—”

  “Don’t change the subject,” Adam said. “I’m serious, Savannah. You should have called.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “So how are you making out? No, stupid question. You’re not okay, but you sure as hell aren’t going to admit it. Where are you? No, that’s another stupid question, isn’t it? You’re working. Haven’t slept. Haven’t eaten—”

  “I ate.”

  “Nothing good, I’m sure. Stop walking, okay?”

  I didn’t ask how he knew I was on the move.

  “Turn toward your motel,” he said. “Then start walking again.”

  “I don’t need—”

  “Yes, you do. Michael Kennedy is dead. Possibly murdered by the same killer you’re tracking right now. You’re running on fumes and you’re going to screw up. You’ll miss something. Or worse, you’ll let your guard down. So get your ass back to that motel and sleep.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’m serious, Savannah. Don’t pull this shit. Not with me.”

  “I’m not, okay? You’re right. I’m walking back to my motel. You can call my room in ten minutes and I’ll be there.”

  “You’d better.”

  “I will.”

  WHEN I GOT to the motel, Jesse’s truck was parked out front. I’d given him a key, so I rapped first. Inside, I could hear him talking on the phone.

  “Right.” Pause. “Right.”

  I used my key and quietly opened the door.

  “She’s here now. Do you want to—?” Pause. “Okay.” Pause. “Bye.”

  Jesse hung up. “That was Adam wondering why I didn’t call him about Detective Kennedy. I told him you could handle it, which seemed to be the wrong answer.”

  I tossed my bag onto the bed. “I should have let him know.”

  “I thought he wasn’t supervising you.”

  “He’s not. He just thinks I could have used a friend last night.”

  Jesse nodded, but I could tell he wasn’t so sure that was why Adam was upset. Seeing his doubts made me wonder myself. Was I really in charge of this case? Or was Adam humoring me? No, he wouldn’t do that. Not Adam.

  A rap at the door. I glanced out the window to see the woman from the coffee shop, holding a bag.

  “I didn’t think anyplace around here delivered,” Jesse said.

  “No, but Adam does.” I opened the door and stood in the gap. If she thought my boyfriend was sending me food, seeing Jesse in my room would not help my reputation around town.

  “Special delivery?” I said.

  She smiled. “Soup and a sandwich. He said to eat it, then get some sleep. That’s an order.”

  Usually, I would have laughed at that. But I could feel the weight of Jesse’s gaze on my back, and it didn’t seem as funny.

&n
bsp; I took the bag. When I closed the door, I waited for Jesse to say something. He didn’t. He wasn’t that kind of guy. But I saw the scenario through his eyes, and what would have been a sweet gesture seemed a little condescending, like I couldn’t be trusted to take care of myself.

  “That was nice of Adam,” Jesse said finally.

  There was no sarcasm in his voice, but my already tender stomach gave an extra twist.

  “I’m not really hungry,” I said. “Do you want it?”

  He shook his head. “No, you should eat.” He gave a short laugh. “Sorry. I don’t mean to mother you, too. I mean—” He cleared his throat. “I’ll go get a room. You can rest if you want. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  I NEEDED TO rest, and refusing just because Adam had insisted would be childish. So I set the alarm, laid down, and was asleep in minutes.

  I dreamed that I was back in that warehouse, only this time Michael was there, lying on the floor, hurt, and I couldn’t find him. I could hear him moaning, the sounds growing softer, slower, his life slipping away, and I yelled for him and I cast spell after spell after spell, but they were useless. I was useless, racing around helpless, no idea where he was.

  “Shhh,” a voice whispered. “Shhh. It’s okay.”

  But it wasn’t okay. I had to find him. I had to—

  Suddenly, I couldn’t move. I jerked awake to find myself in bed with someone behind me, arms around me. My hands flew up—

  “Whoa! It’s me. No lethal spells, please.”

  I twisted to see a familiar figure sitting at the edge of my bed, his boyish face and dark eyes uncharacteristically solemn.

  “Adam?”

  “Key,” he said, holding it up. “From Jesse. And I checked to make sure you were decent before I came in. I was sitting over there—” He pointed to the chair, a textbook now resting on it. “You were having a nightmare. When it wasn’t going away, I thought I’d better wake you up.”

  I blinked and wiped my hand over my face. My fingers came back damp. I glanced across the room and saw my reflection in the mirror, hair snarled, mascara running, face streaked with tears.

  “Yep, you look like shit,” Adam said. “And I took plenty of pictures, which I will keep until an appropriate opportunity for blackmail arises.”

  When I turned, he reached over and pulled me into a fierce hug. I resisted, but when he whispered, “It’s okay. I won’t tell,” I collapsed against him. He just held me, and I needed that. God, how I needed that. I knew then that this wasn’t about whether or not I could handle the case professionally. It was personal—right now, I needed a friend.

  When I got myself under control, he still held me there, and whispered, “Jesse tells me you went out with him last night. The detective. Michael.”

  I nodded.

  “I’m sorry.” His arms tightened around me. “I’m so sorry.”

  I backed up then, wiping my sleeve over my eyes. “It’s just ... He was ... He was a nice guy. God, that sounds lame but ... He was just ... really nice.”

  “You liked him,” Adam said softly.

  I lowered my gaze and nodded. “It wasn’t—I just ... I ...”

  “You liked him.”

  I nodded. “And I feel ...” I took a deep breath, then blurted out the words I’d been holding in all day. “I feel like I could have stopped it. He wanted to come in last night and I said no. I was goofing around, holding him off and ... But it’s not just that. I gave him a lead about Cody and I think he was following it and I ... I shouldn’t have given him any leads. If I thought there was a supernatural connection, then I was putting him in danger. He walked into something he knew nothing about and got killed for it.”

  “You had no way of knowing that could happen.”

  I looked at him. “Didn’t I? Sure, it’s not like I thought ‘hmm, this could be dangerous for a human’ and gave him the tip anyway. But I should have stopped and thought about it.”

  “Do you know for certain that he was following up on the lead you gave him?”

  “No, but—”

  “Did you think that lead about a delivery had any supernatural connection?”

  “No, but—”

  “Then stop beating yourself up over it.”

  When I tried to get off the bed, he tugged me back down and turned me to look at him. “You aren’t responsible, Savannah. You gave him what you thought was a clean lead. He may or may not have been following it. And as for saving him by inviting him to bed ...”

  I glowered. “I didn’t mean it like that. Just that I keep thinking—”

  “—of all the things you could have done differently. And for all you know, you could have invited him in, and he would have gone to that warehouse later anyway. Or you would have gone with him and gotten both of you killed. So the next time you think about letting a guy stay the night, remember that sex probably won’t save his life. Even really good sex.”

  I lifted my fingers, making them spark.

  “Hey, two can play that game, remember.” He made a fist, then spread his fingers, the tips glowing red. “And mine leave bigger burns.”

  I flicked sparks at him, then jumped out of the way. My leg caught on the covers, and I stumbled. Adam yanked and I went down, crashing to the floor.

  “Hey!” I said, pushing up.

  “Hey yourself.” He plucked his T-shirt, pointing out the pin-sized holes from my sparks.

  “It’s an ugly shirt anyway.”

  His brows arched. “You bought it for me.”

  “Um, yeah. That’s the idea. Give you ugly clothing. Laugh behind your back when you wear it. Been doing it for years. You’re a little slow on the uptake.”

  He hooked my legs and I went down again. When I scrambled to get up, he loomed over me, glowing fingers lowering to a strand of my hair static-stuck to the bed cover.

  “Don’t you dare—”

  The hair sizzled as he lit the ends. I kicked at him, but he leaped out of the way and we goofed around for a few more minutes, until I collapsed on the floor, laughing.

  “Better?” he said, standing over me.

  “Better. Thanks.”

  He reached down, grabbed me under the armpits, and hoisted me onto the bed. Then he stretched out beside me, the backs of our hands touching, the silence falling, calm and comfortable, and I closed my eyes, relaxing for the first time since I’d found Michael’s body.

  “Remember last year, when I was tracking that demi-demon in Ohio?” he said. “The one who possessed—”

  “—a teacher who started seducing and killing her students? Oh, yeah. I won’t forget that bitch.”

  “Remember when I realized she was onto me? When she tried to trap me? I told you and you were on the next plane out to help?” He turned me around to face him. “You didn’t come because you thought I couldn’t handle it.”

  “Um, actually, yeah. Sorry. I know I said—”

  He poked me in the ribs, making me yelp. “Seriously, Savannah. You came because I needed backup and you knew I was too damned stubborn to ask for it. And a few months later, when I was on a case and realized I was tracking two vampires instead of one, I called you in. I’d learned my lesson. Don’t be afraid to ask for backup.”

  I sighed and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “We aren’t just traveling down memory lane here, are we?”

  “Nope.” He sat up beside me. “I just don’t want you to bite my head off when I tell you that I want to stay.”

  “Okay.”

  He paused. “You mean okay, you won’t bite my head off?”

  “No, I mean okay, you can stay.”

  “Huh, that was easy.” He frowned over at me. “Too easy. What’s the catch?”

  “No catch. I need backup. One investigator is dead. Tiffany Radu pushed me down the stairs, planning to do god-only-knows-what. So that’s two reasons—”

  “You’re forgetting something.”

  “Hmm?”

  “Your bike. I saw it on the way in. And
don’t tell me you just laid it down. What happened?”

  I told him. The acrid smell of burning cloth wafted up and I lifted his hand from the bed.

  “No scorching the sheets, okay? They’ll charge me a fortune for them.”

  “Sorry.” He made a fist. “The first order of business, I think, is to pay a visit to Cody.”

  “No, first I need to talk to Tiffany, and that appointment isn’t until—” I turned to check the clock. I looked at Adam. “How’d you make it here from Spokane so fast?”

  “I was already on my way when I called. And, no, I wasn’t heading here to insist on joining the investigation. I did plan to stop in, though. See how things were going. Since it was on the way. Sort of.”

  “Not really, but okay. Let’s get moving, then. I’ve got some ground to cover, and since you’re here, I’m starting with Alastair Koppel. His guard dog has been blocking me. I was going to take Jesse. You’ll do, though.”

  “Thanks. Speaking of Jesse ...” He got to his feet. “I should go talk to him, tell him he can go home and get back to work. I’ll just transfer his room over to my card.”

  I was about to say sure, then I thought about how that would look and said, “Maybe I should just let Jesse help. This is his case.”

  Adam stopped. For a moment, he just stood there. When he finally did turn, his expression was as neutral as he could manage, but I could see the confusion in his eyes, maybe even a little hurt.

  “I’d really rather be solo on this, but I can’t now,” I said. “With Jesse, though, well, he doesn’t work with us, so it’s not like he’d be supervising me.”

  “I’m your coworker, Savannah. And your friend. Not your supervisor or your manager or your boss. I know I joked about that, but I was joking. You know that, right?”

  “Sorry,” I said. “I’m just ...” I exhaled. “Getting a little territorial, I guess. Too much time spent hanging out with werewolves. It was bound to rub off.”

  “Well, I don’t blame you. I still remember when Lucas and Paige gave me my first solo investigations. I was convinced they were tailing me, watching over my shoulder, making sure I didn’t screw up and embarrass the firm.”