Trouble, Mac shouted mentally at Ari and the others; the moment Renault vaulted the fence, Mac was tossed from the vampire's shoulder. Flapping furiously, Mac saved himself from a tumbling fall. Once the raven was high enough in the air, he could see the problem for himself.
Two men, he shouted. Gas cans. Hurry.
Renault, get back, Ari shouted into his mind. Renault's heels dug into the soil as he struggled to stop after traveling at such a high rate of speed.
Fly, Renault, Nico's calmer voice sounded in his brain.
Without thinking, Renault's leathery wings sprouted from his shoulders, breaking through the fabric of his shirt and unfurling their lengths to lift him high into the air. Nico's and Ari's warning came barely in time; the Franks' house exploded in a giant fireball below him, with two arsonists still inside.
Chapter Twenty
"We couldn't locate Sheriff McCullough," Deputy Warner told Val. All around them, emergency vehicles were parked, their lights flashing, while firefighters doused the still-burning wreckage of the house. "You're sure your man saw two guys with gas cans entering the back door?"
"That's what he saw. Unless they'd already poured gas on everything in the house, it shouldn't have exploded so fast," Val explained.
"You think the gas was turned on? If those two turned it on first, I reckon they were too stupid to live anyhow," Deputy Warner shook his head. "Any idea who'd do this?"
"Denton Franks is probably the first person you want to talk to," Val said dryly. "His wife just filed for divorce, and he's not known to be magnanimous in adverse situations."
"Trying to get insurance money?" Deputy Warner scribbled on his notepad.
"Trying to cheat his wife out of any income they might get from the property. I had a contract to buy the place as is; he decided to void the sale and drag it through the divorce. Maurine, his wife, says it will go back to the bank during that time; Denton can't meet the mortgage payments."
"You know his wife?"
"Yes. She called me about the voided contract yesterday."
"I'll talk with her and Denton," the Deputy tapped his notepad. "Could be a while before that mess is cool enough to find the bodies."
"They're not going anywhere until you do," Val quipped. "What a mess."
"You might think twice about buying the place if it goes back on the market," Deputy Warner said. "After the earthquake and the cattle all sick and dying, then the lightning strike killing the old man, I'm beginning to think the whole thing is cursed."
"Just a string of unfortunate events, Deputy Warner," Renault arrived at Val's side. "That's all this is, combined with anger and resentment on the part of the owner. Question Denton Franks first; I doubt he will be able to withhold the truth for long. Then, write all this in your report."
"I will," the Deputy agreed amiably to Renault's smoothly-placed compulsion. "That's all I need," he flipped his notepad closed. "Thank you for your help."
"Where is Denton?" Janie asked as she poured coffee for Val, Mac and Renault.
"Apartment in Abilene, not far from the doctor's office," Val replied. "Maurine said she found it and rented it for three months, while his leg heals. She was smart to get away from him when she did."
"He'll ruin her anyway," Janie sniffed.
"True enough," Val agreed. "Thanks for making coffee for us, Mom."
"I hope we're not interrupting," Claudio floated in, Alejandro close behind. "The ah, Scholars have all taken an interest in recent events and ah, wish to meet you in person."
"Claudio, we can't change all of you, willy-nilly," Mac turned in his seat to study Claudio's face. Vampires were notorious for schooling their expressions so as not to give away their feelings. Mac could see through them anyway, as could Nico and Ari. "Only the deserving will receive the imprint. We can't change that."
"I told them that," Claudio dropped his gaze to the floor. "I am Seventh, you understand, and the one least in standing within the Seven. I must abide by their wishes."
"Or they'll cut our funding, is that correct?" Renault's voice was hard.
"Yes—a part of it, certainly."
"Following this route will lead them to the Adversary's path," Nico arrived with Ari, Hunter and Erly. "Once they are upon that path," Nico advised, "they cannot return. Patience is the key to remaining true to your principles."
"Wise words," Claudio dipped his head to Nico. "I will have patience. I cannot speak for others, however. Only myself."
"I stand with Claudio," Alejandro pledged. "I will have patience, too."
"Marked or not, we have to stand together," Val sighed. "I've seen bad things in my life, but this is out of control. I worry that things will never be normal again."
"Depends on your idea of normal," Erly said. "I've seen a new normal way too many times. Usually it ain't a good normal, either."
"Then I hope we can find a normal we can all live with," Janie said. "There's more coffee, or I have sodas and juice in the fridge."
"Police in Abilene just arrested Denton Franks," Del arrived with news. "Seems he pulled cash money out of his account earlier and can't say where the thirty grand went."
"That's a big chunk of his insurance settlement," Val said.
"The feds were already looking into the transaction when they got word from Deputy Warner about the blowup at the ranch. This is a no-brainer; we'll see if he names the ones he hired. They're booking him into the Abilene jail, but he'll be moved back to this county, most likely."
"What about the two who died?" Ari asked.
"Pulled the bodies out fifteen minutes ago. Should be on their way to the ME by now. Laronda is talking with somebody at the Department; they're passing information back and forth. May not get anything else worthwhile until tomorrow morning."
"Then I'm going to bed," Ari announced. "Wake me if you need me."
Mac forgot he was in raven form until he yawned and accidentally poked Ari's lion in the shoulder with his beak.
How had he ended up surrounded by her protective body at the foot of Nico's bed? He only recalled clutching the headboard with his talons when Nico switched off the light.
Are you up or going back to sleep? Ari's irritated telepathy rattled his sleep-fogged brain.
Which one would you prefer? he asked.
Coffee is what I'd prefer.
Then let's go get some.
I'll meet you in the kitchen. Ari gracefully slid off the bed, barely ruffling any of Mac's feathers and taking her warmth with her. He watched as she pawed the bedroom door open and disappeared down the hall. It made him wish he could open doors while he was raven—things would be so much simpler if that were true.
Flapping off the bed, he headed for the bathroom and the clothes he'd left there the night before.
"Have a seat," Val invited Ari to take a barstool at the kitchen island. "Cops in Erly and Hunter's old neighborhood arrested the guy Denton hired to burn his ranch house down." Lifting the remote to the kitchen television, he turned off the mute so Ari could hear the details. They had to sit through a barrage of commercials, first, but eventually the news returned.
"The man hired to burn down a ranch house was arrested during a routine traffic stop," a field reporter spoke to her audience.
"Billy Ray Gentry was stopped for failing to signal a lane change, and for driving erratically," a state trooper described the arrest. "During the stop, it was determined that the car he drove was stolen several years earlier. The suspect had a bottle of whiskey in the car with him, along with a pet rattlesnake, some powdered uranium, a pistol that may have been used in a crime, a rug made from the head and skin of a mountain lion, and twenty-five thousand dollars in cash."
"I'll fucking kill him," Ari was on her feet in a flash, the moment she heard about the mountain lion skin and head.
"Is it true the snake's name is Edgar?" the journalist asked, chuckling.
"That's what I hear," the trooper grinned. "Hell of a traffic stop, don't you think?"
"Can the snake be released on his own recognizance? He wasn't involved in the crime," the journalist pointed out.
"We'll see what we can do," the trooper replied with a grin.
"Ari, I didn't know about your dad," Val shut off the television and turned toward her. "They didn't say anything about that in the earlier broadcast."
"What happened?" Mac walked into the kitchen, straightening the collar on his pullover shirt after a lengthy shower.
"They arrested the guy Denton paid to burn down the house," Val said. "He took James Leone's remains from the house before he turned on the gas in the house and left the rest to his patsies, who not only accomplished the goal for him, but ended up not getting the benefit of their portion of the proceeds because they're toast."
"What happens to the remains?" Mac asked, his hands dropping onto Ari's shoulders and beginning a slow massage to calm her.
"Stuck in evidence," Val shrugged. "They draw a clear line between this guy and his presence in the house."
"You think they'll charge him with murder, if he's the one who turned on the gas?"
"I think that's something they'll consider. He certainly planned all this, unless I'm very wrong."
"Sheriff McCullough still hasn't shown up; Deputy Warner has requested that Franks and Billy Ray Gentry be brought back here for charges. They're scheduled for the move this afternoon," Del joined the kitchen conversation.
"Del, can I see you for a minute?" Laronda came in behind Del.
"Sure thing, Lara." Del followed her out of the kitchen.
"Somethin's up," Erly walked in.
"Any idea what?" Val asked.
"I heard McCullough, but that's about it before Laronda came running in here like a ghost was chasing her."
"That's the County Sheriff. We may find out where he's been all this time," Val slid off his barstool. "I'm making a fresh pot of coffee. Any takers?"
Every hand in the room went up.
We'll get him back, don't worry, Mac reassured Ari after removing his hands from her shoulders.
"Thanks," he told Val as two fresh cups of coffee were set in front of him and Ari. Mac turned slightly as Del and Laronda returned to the kitchen.
"Sheriff McCullough's son, Jeremy, was one of the arsonists who died last night," Del said. "Apparently, Jeremy went on a crime spree before buying the gas—he used his father's credit card to buy the fuel, after he shot his father and mother and left them dead on the floor at the house."
"Damn, that's harsh," Erly grimaced.
"They've also found images on the video camera that was found in Billy Ray's car. Seems he recorded the original killing spree where Hunter's aunt was murdered, and the recording of Everette's business getting shot up. That means he had a hand in both. Right now, he's clammed up tighter than a seal on a submarine. Won't talk until he gets his lawyer visit."
"That's a solid lead to the Adversary," Mac stood slowly and leveled a troubled gaze on Del. "He probably doesn't know who the Adversary is, but he's connected, somehow."
"He has the names of the others engaged in those murders," Laronda pointed out. "We'll be looking into that for certain."
"Only if you can reach him before the Adversary does," Ari's voice was a low growl. "This won't get past the Adversary; you can bet on it."
"He'll be killed or rescued, depending on how much he matters to the enemy," Mac said. "The people at the jail should prepare themselves for attack."
"You think we ought to be there?" Del studied Mac's expression, searching for an answer.
"On the one hand, we kill a few of the Adversary's minions and keep the culprit alive. As long as the culprit lives, those around him will be in danger," Nico advised.
"Nico?" Mac turned toward him, worry betrayed in that single word.
"On the other hand, if the culprit dies before the Adversary sends his minions," Nico opened his hands like a book, its pages connected by a single spine.
"You're suggesting we kill the bastard?" Del breathed.
"No. I suggest that we make it appear as if the bastard is dead—at the hands of his most recent employer, Denton Franks."
Del whistled at Nico's suggestion; Mac blinked several times as if attempting to reconcile this version of Nico with the one he'd first met. The one who was a care-free young man, happy to see him and feed him tamales behind his family restaurant.
The stone does things to people, Mac reminded himself and squared his shoulders. He felt responsible, when he knew he had nothing to do with the stone's choices. He was merely cursed with guarding their safety.
"It'll be a race to see who gets to him first," Ari pointed out. "Sit down, Nico. I'll fix you an omelet."
"We can let the Adversary have him," Val offered. "He's not that bright. Not sure how much good he'll be to the opposition. Get two skillets out, Ari. I'll help you cook."
"We need his information," Nico reminded Val. "Even a single lead will be invaluable to us. We find enough links in the chain, eventually we find the hook at the end."
"Nobody's ever found the real hook," Mac reminded Nico grimly. "We only find the human incarnation. We destroy that and the evil is forced underground again."
"Except this time isn't all the other times," Nico countered. "This time, the win or loss could be forever."
"We may be able to help with the information part," Del began. "We have information on his background coming in, and backup sent from our Department. Let's hope they get there before the other side does."
"I'll let them know they may have competition," Laronda said dryly and left the kitchen.
"I'll bring you an omelet," Ari called out to her.
"Thanks," Laronda's reply floated back.
"Billy Ray's been arrested," Killebrew said. "Somebody's bringing your breakfast in from the kitchen."
"On what charge?" Darnell leaned forward to set both elbows on his makeshift desk at the Lodge.
"Arson and possible murder," Killebrew sniffed. "I told him to let those jobs go and get his ass here, but he wouldn't listen."
"Fuck," Darnell cursed. "We have to take care of this and soon, before he talks."
"Hasn't talked yet," Killebrew attempted to settle Darnell's rising temper.
"He knows my name," Darnell hissed. Killebrew didn't like the light in Darnell's eyes, but didn't say anything.
"We can pull him out," he began.
"We're past that. We have to shut him up, and the sooner the better. Belhar," Darnell pounded a fist on the desk.
"How would you like to proceed?" Belhar appeared, smiling as if he'd anticipated Darnell's summons.
"Get rid of the leak," Darnell said. "However you like. The sooner the better."
"Of course." Belhar gave the Senator a wicked grin before disappearing.
"Where's Edgar?" Billy Ray shouted as he was shut up in his cell.
"Don't you worry about your little snake," the guard teased as he walked away.
"Hey, I get a phone call," Billy Ray yelled.
"Shut up, Billy Ray," came from next door.
"What the hell? Franks, is that you, you stupid bastard?" Billy Ray focused on a new target. "You just told the whole jail you know me."
"You just told 'em you know me. Chill, asshole. They already know everything," Denton snapped back. "Now shut your face. I'm trying to sleep in here."
"Like I care if you can't sleep. Live with it, fucker."
"Hey, knock it off," a new voice yelled.
"Shut up," Denton and Billy Ray chorused as the walls to their cells caved inward with an ear-splitting boom. The concrete enclosures collapsed like a castle of sand built too tall to sustain its bulk. What crawled inside the gaping hole caused Denton to faint and Billy Ray to shriek in terror.
"Images go blurry here," Del said as he moved the computer mouse to show the attack. "Franks and Gentry are now missing. No idea whether they survived the assault, but the entire jail had to be evacuated—it's too unstable to house prisoners, now."
"A
t least they only had five in there at the time," Mona pointed out. She, Lance, Del and Laronda were the first to see the images Del received from the Department. Nico, Ari, Everette, Renault and Mac were having a separate meeting regarding the attack on the county jail.
Lance wanted to be in both meetings, but he didn't say it. He understood that Nico was not only concerned about the disappearances of Gentry and Franks, but also about the impending visit from the remaining Septum Scholarium.
As for Claudio, Lance understood the scholarly vampire was also concerned, but didn't voice his worries aloud. No vampire would, but Lance had become attached to the three who'd come to help. Protecting them if they needed it was now a self-appointed task.
Don't worry, we'll keep them safe, Nico's words flowed into his mind, making Lance jump.
How? Lance directed his thoughts to Nico.
When your worry is that deep, I can pick it up, Nico explained.
What about Gentry and Franks?
They are beyond our control. Living or dead, we cannot use them for information now. Del's background checks will reveal much. Prepare yourself—remember we have a meeting with Senator Johnson in two hours.
Do you know what hit the jail?
We have suspicions.
Will you describe those suspicions?
Enough time has passed since the first demons rose from the island for them to slough away their first molting. I imagine these are the larger, more clever versions sent to collect a liability.
How many times will they molt?
They will grow larger and continue to molt until the Adversary stops them or they are killed.
You're not making me feel better about any of this, kid, Lance said.
There was never a time to make anyone feel good about any of it. We are living in deadly serious times, Detective.
What's our next move, then?
We offer to protect Senator Johnson. Muster your hope that she can be convinced.
Raven, Red Page 29
