Cut to the Crone

by Amanda M. Lee

  Gunner made a grunting sound under his breath. He looked torn.

  “It’s okay,” I assured him. Ezekiel made me leery, but I wasn’t afraid of him. If he was trying to manipulate me, I would sniff it out. And if he was telling the truth, that would become apparent eventually. “I want to hear what he has to say.”

  “There’s not much to say,” said Ezekiel. “I told you what I know. I’m ready to hear what you know.”

  I extended my fingers in front of me, briefly looked over my ragged fingernails, and then shrugged. “I don’t know anything. I have zero memories of my time before being discovered. In fact, I have very little memory of my time in the months after my discovery. My memory doesn’t really kick in until I’m a good six months clear of that event.”

  Ezekiel cocked his head to the side. “Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”

  I shook my head. “Not particularly. I was young. Most children don’t have memories of their first few years.”

  “I was under the impression that you were around five or so when you were found. That’s what Drake said anyway. For the record, the last time I saw you I believe you were about three. That means you were out there with your family for two years.”

  “Not necessarily. Isn’t it possible that I was with other people and they got sick of taking care of me? Perhaps I became too much of a burden because of my age or something. They could’ve easily left me behind years before. Perhaps I don’t remember because the people they left me with mistreated me and I don’t want to remember.”

  Ezekiel immediately started shaking his head. “They wouldn’t have left you unless it was a last resort. I don’t know much, but I do know that. You were loved.”

  “And you know that even though you spent limited time with my purported grandfather?”

  “I saw you with him. He doted on you, gave you licorice whips when nobody was looking. He said he wasn’t supposed to give you a lot of sugar because it hyped you up, but he couldn’t help himself.”

  Despite my resolve to hold Ezekiel at arm’s length, a ghost of a memory pushed into my brain. It wasn’t exactly a memory. It was more a shadow of a memory, a brief glimpse of a past I couldn’t hold in my heart. In a split second, I saw an older man hand me a piece of red licorice as he laughed. I couldn’t make out any facial features, only a wrinkled hand and a craggy chuckle. Then, as soon as it came, the flash was gone.

  Gunner’s hand landed on my back and I could feel the concern wafting through him as I recovered. “Baby ...” He looked conflicted.

  I shot him a smile that I didn’t really feel. The last thing I wanted was for Ezekiel to believe he’d somehow broken through my defenses. “It’s fine.” I dragged a hand through my hair and regrouped. “As for memories, Ezekiel, I honestly have none. I don’t know what you were expecting, but I have nothing to give.”

  “I don’t believe that,” Ezekiel said matter-of-factly. “Before it’s all said and done, I expect you’ll remember everything. I want to be here when you do. I’ve always felt guilt when it comes to Geoffrey.”

  “Why is that?” Gunner queried, his hand busy roaming my back. He seemed desperate to soothe me, and at a loss as to how he should do it.

  “He disappeared out of nowhere. In hindsight, when thinking back in the weeks and years that followed, I realized he was agitated at the time. I can’t help wondering if there was more I could’ve done for him back then. Maybe that’s one of those things that I can never truly know, but before I die, I would like to offer his family help.”

  “Except you don’t know that I’m his family!” I exploded, my anger finally taking control. “You assume I am based on a three-year-old child you met decades ago. How can you be so positive?”

  “Because you’re ... unique.” He held out his hands, rueful. “You have an energy, girl, a vibe. Your aura cannot be duplicated. I’m positive you’re Geoffrey’s granddaughter.”

  “Unfortunately, there’s no way to prove that,” Gunner said. “There’s no one in this man’s family remaining in that area, correct?”

  Ezekiel shook his head. “They’re all gone.”

  “Then there’s no one to run a DNA test against. The only person we know with any certainty who was related to Scout is George Culpepper, and he’s dead.”

  I was dumbfounded, my eyes wide as I swiveled to glare at him. How could he let that slip?

  “George?” Ezekiel’s forehead wrinkled. “Are you talking about Geoffrey’s son?”

  Gunner realized his mistake too late and an apology was on his lips instantly. “I shouldn’t have brought that up. I’m so sorry.”

  I waved off his concern, even though I remained agitated. “It’s fine,” I said, even though I didn’t feel it. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “What doesn’t matter?” a female voice asked, breaking into our un-cozy threesome.

  I jerked my head to the right and found that Mama Moon had managed to come up behind us without me hearing — or sensing — her approach. “It’s nothing,” I said quickly. “We were just talking to ... a new friend.”

  Mama Moon was a master at keeping her emotions from registering on her face and that was on full display today. “I see.” She moved closer to our group, her gaze bouncing from one of us to the other, and then she flashed a huge smile ... at Ezekiel. “I heard you were in town. I was starting to get a complex because you hadn’t stopped by yet.”

  Ezekiel’s smile was at the ready and he leaned in to embrace Mama Moon. “You didn’t have to worry. I was always going to visit. I didn’t arrive in town until yesterday, and I had a few things to deal with when I first got here.”

  “I’m guessing I know what those things revolved around.” Mama Moon’s gaze was back on me. “How do you know Scout?”

  “I wouldn’t say I know her. I met her a very long time ago. I knew her grandfather.”

  “Really?” Mama Moon’s eyebrows migrated higher. “That’s good for you, Scout. You’ve been wondering about your past.”

  “If it’s true,” I said, shifting my attention to Gunner. “We should probably be going. Rooster will be expecting us to check in with him before it gets too late.”

  “Absolutely.” Gunner was already circling the truck when Mama Moon called out.

  “I actually came looking for you guys,” she said. “I was hoping you hadn’t driven off yet. I got a call right after you left. You know that thing we were talking about before? I might have a little fuel to add to the flame.”

  I stilled, my fingers on the door handle. “Meaning what?”

  “Jeanie Lawrence,” she replied on a sigh, her attention moving to Gunner. “She’s gone missing.”

  Gunner stiffened and I didn’t miss the way his shoulders jerked.

  “Who is Jeanie Lawrence?” I asked, confused.

  “My cousin’s girl,” Gunner replied, his mind clearly elsewhere. “On my mother’s side. I haven’t seen him in a long time, probably seven or eight years. He lives a couple towns over.” He directed his next question to Mama Moon. “I thought the women were disappearing from Hawthorne Hollow. Granger lives in Hemlock Cove, so this must be bigger than we realized.”

  “Granger still lives in Hemlock Cove,” Mama Moon confirmed. “He separated from his wife about six months ago. She moved back to town and Jeanie splits her time between them, although from what I heard, she’s been spending more time here with her mother because they’ve been getting involved in pack stuff.”

  Gunner’s frown deepened. “I didn’t realize that.” He cocked his head. “How old is Jeanie now?”

  “Seventeen.”

  “I thought all the women going missing were adults?” he asked me. “Isn’t that what Jasmine said?”

  I was unsure how I was supposed to react. He’d never mentioned this cousin, but he was obviously upset. “I think so, but if she’s seventeen, maybe someone assumed she was older.”

  Mama Moon cleared her throat to get our attention. “I don’t want to talk out of turn, but I
’ve seen Jeanie a few times since her mother returned to town. She looks older than her age.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Gunner challenged.

  “It means she looks twenty-five.” Mama Moon didn’t back down, which was probably wise. She recognized Gunner was spoiling for a fight and she was willing to engage with him. Honestly, I preferred he be the source of her wrath rather than me. “She wore a lot of makeup.”

  “There’s no harm in wearing makeup,” Gunner said.

  “I didn’t say there was.” She pinned him with a quelling look. “I’m not your enemy. I knew Jeanie when she was a young girl and I liked her a great deal. Since she’s been back, she’s been running with a rough crowd.”

  “Define ‘rough.’”

  “She’s been running with that leather-bound twenties crowd that you would rather set on fire than deal with when it comes to pack politics. She’s been hanging out at bars and drinking in fields. I think she’s acting out because she’s upset over her parents separating. I don’t know that for a fact, though. Maybe she was acting out before then.”

  Gunner dragged a hand through his hair and shook his head. “I can’t believe Granger would allow something like that. He always seemed to have a firm handle on his kids. I thought he was a good father.”

  “You can’t always control your children,” Ezekiel countered. “You can only maintain control for a certain amount of time. Then they’re on their own. If this child is seventeen, he might believe he’s done all he can do.”

  Gunner narrowed his eyes and I worried he was about to tell Ezekiel exactly where he could stuff his concern. Since I was eager to get away from the old man — he had a way of staring that made me distinctly uncomfortable — I figured this was as good of an excuse as any to make our escape.

  “Do you know when she disappeared?” I asked Mama Moon. “How long ago?”

  “Sometime last night.” Mama Moon shot me an encouraging smile, as if acknowledging what I was doing. “I don’t believe she’s been gone for more than a few hours.”

  I tugged on Gunner’s shirt to get him to look at me. “That means it’s a fresher lead. We can track her down that way.”

  He nodded. “That’s a good idea. Do you know where she was last seen?”

  “Not particularly, but I would check the Dirty Rooster.”

  Gunner shook his head. “She’s seventeen. She couldn’t get into that place.”

  “And yet she could.” Mama Moon smirked. “I told you she looked older. She also had a fake ID. I guarantee she was there last night. She’s there every night. I don’t know if she disappeared from there but they’re likely to have the best answers.”

  “What about her mother?” I asked. “If she’s in Hawthorne Hollow, then she must be hanging around with her mother. Shouldn’t we start with her?”

  Mama Moon let out a sad sigh. “Thea is having a rough time too.” Now she was focused on Gunner. “I believe she’s been having a few problems with prescription drugs, which is why Granger pulled the plug on the marriage.”

  Sadness permeated Gunner’s eyes. “I wondered. I thought Thea and Granger married for life. I couldn’t imagine what would break them apart.”

  “I don’t believe Granger wanted to cut her loose, but he has children. Jeanie is the oldest. He’s also got two younger boys. Sometimes you have to do what’s right even though it feels wrong.”

  Gunner nodded. “We’ll check it out. Thanks for the tip.” He gestured toward the truck and I moved to hop in. Mama Moon stopped me with a small wave.

  “What is it?” I asked, impatient. We had a lead and I wanted to chase it, even if I would have to wait for a few hours. The bar in question wouldn’t open until dark.

  “I know you’re busy, and I don’t want to keep you, but I’ve known Ezekiel for a long time.” She tilted her head in the other man’s direction. “If he says he knew your grandfather, I would believe him.”

  She sounded so sure of herself all I could do was bob my head. “I’ll think about it. The missing women take precedence right now. Between them and the vampires running wild, it feels like something big is about to happen. That has to be more important.”

  “I agree with you there.” Mama Moon flashed an enigmatic smile. “I just wanted to put my opinion on the record if you’re struggling with trusting Ezekiel. He’s a good guy.”

  Under normal circumstances, her words had weight. These were pretty far from normal circumstances.

  “I’ll take it under advisement. Thanks for the tip. We need to be going. We have some things to check out.”

  “Of course.” She took a step away from the truck. “Good luck.”

  Unfortunately, I had a feeling we were going to need it.

  Ten

  We went to the hotel because I assumed Zoe would want an update on our status. There weren’t a lot of lodging options in Hawthorne Hollow and Aric’s expensive vehicle stuck out in a sea of dated pickup trucks. Rather than go to the front office to get a room number, we parked next to his vehicle and headed directly for the room he’d parked in front of.

  I didn’t hear anything on the other side of the door when I attempted to listen and opted to look through the window first. To my surprise, they were all stretched out together in the same bed, which was only a full-sized mattress. Sami was spread eagle on her side, taking up a good half of the bed, and Zoe and Aric were crowded together on the other side, basically wrapped around one another.

  “They’re a nice family,” Gunner murmured from behind me.

  I nodded. There was something profound about their bond. “I like them. It’s kind of neat to think about who they are, what they’ve accomplished, and the fact that they manage to take their kid on adventures with them.”

  He leaned close and kissed my neck. “I like that idea, too. Maybe that will be us one day.”

  I froze, a mixture of fear and surprise gripping me.

  “Don’t do that,” he chided, giving me a hug from behind. “I think about stuff like that. It’s okay if you do, too.”

  The notion of children terrified me. “I’m afraid I’ll end up like them.”

  “Zoe and Aric? I thought that was the point.”

  “Not them. The other … them.”

  “Your parents?”

  I nodded. “I don’t want to be the sort of person who would leave a child behind.”

  “You’re not that sort of person. I guarantee it.”

  “I honestly hope that’s true.”

  “It is. I feel it here.” He tapped the spot above his heart.

  I stared for a moment longer and then cast him a look over my shoulder. “That’s not something to talk about today.”

  His smirk was flirty. “Or tomorrow or next week. We don’t live our lives for what’s happening this month, though. It’s okay to think about the future.”

  “Not today.”

  “Not today,” he acquiesced. “But next week I’m going nuts.”

  “Good to know.” I knocked on the door, hating that I had to wake them.

  Aric was the one who answered and he looked befuddled. “What time is it?” he muttered.

  “Five o’clock.”

  He pushed open the door so we could enter. In the adjacent bedroom, Sami and Zoe sat and rubbed their eyes. They obviously weren’t the type of people who woke with clear minds.

  “I’m sorry to wake you guys,” I apologized. “Sincerely. It’s just ... we got a lead.” I explained about the information we’d gleaned from Mama Moon.

  “What’s the Dirty Rooster?” Zoe asked. Her hair was a mess but she didn’t appear to care.

  “It’s a supernatural speakeasy of sorts. It’s out in the middle of the woods and only locals go. I discovered it a few weeks ago.”

  “Do you think we’ll find answers there?”

  “I don’t know. I have to check. I figured you might want to go with me.”

  “We’ll go together,” Aric said. “Rafael isn’t back yet. We need to f
igure out where he is so we have someone to watch Sami.”

  From the bedroom, Sami made a disgusted sound. “I’m fourteen. I can be a babysitter myself. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  Aric cast her an amused look. “What crazy person would allow you to babysit their kids?”

  “I didn’t say I wanted to be a babysitter. I said I could be. Kids are stupid.”

  “Oh, you’re finally singing our song,” Aric teased, dragging a hand through his black hair. “You need someone to watch you.”

  I hesitated and then decided to go for it. “Rooster texted when we were on our way back from Mama Moon’s place. He’s hosting a barbecue behind the Cauldron for our group. It won’t be much, just burgers and hot dogs, but I figured it might be a way for you to meet the rest of our team. If you’re comfortable, I’m sure someone there can watch Sami.”

  The look on Zoe’s face told me that was unlikely to happen. “No offense, but we don’t know them.”

  “I know.”

  “You expect us to leave our most precious cargo with people we don’t know?”

  “It was just a suggestion,” I offered hurriedly. “If you don’t feel comfortable, I totally understand.”

  Zoe glanced at Aric, uncertainty etched on her face. “What do you think?”

  “I think I want to lock her in the trunk and never let anyone look at her,” Aric replied. “That goes double for whatever boy has got her attention this month.”

  “Whatever,” Sami grumbled, causing me to smile.

  “I don’t think we should rule anything out just yet.” Aric was obviously the pragmatic sort. He would have to be with a wife like Zoe and a daughter trying to rush headlong over the cusp of womanhood. “Let’s play it by ear.”

  Zoe nodded. “Fair enough.” She moved to the small table in the corner and grabbed a laptop. “When does the barbecue start?”