Page 60 of Last Resort

Ben nodded. “It’s hard to explain if you don’t grow up with it, but that’s very common.”

“People become saints because they’ve done something extraordinary, and then people attest to the saint causing miracles,” Erik added. “Carr was devoted to this particular saint because he saw a way to get something he wanted. And leaving aside dogma, some relics do possess supernatural abilities. So if he’s got a relic, we can be sure he thinks it will help him find Edwin’s treasure. He hasn’t succeeded yet, though, or I wouldn’t have been attacked this morning.”

Hendricks pinched the bridge of his nose. “Haunted, religious, supernatural bones. Just when I think things can’t get any weirder. Okay—how does all this help us catch Carr?”

Ben wandered around, looking at the papers on the floor without touching anything. “It would help if we could get copies of the maps he’s got strewn around. We don’t know if he figured out anything about the money’s location, but it’s clear he sure was trying. It might give us a clue to where we should look—and, at the least, where he’ll be looking.”

Hendricks nodded. “I can do that. Anything else?”

“Honestly, I’d suggest asking Alessia Mason to check over the room to make sure there aren’t any bad magical surprises,” Erik said. “You don’t have to believe in the paranormal to take precautions. It beats ending up with a bad rash—or being turned into a newt.”

“I’ll take that under consideration,” Hendricks replied. “Anything else?”

Erik glanced at Ben and then shook his head. “Not right now. If you find something you can’t explain, ask, and I’ll see what I can find out for you. Thank you for calling us in to look at this.”

“You’re my go-to guys for woo-woo,” Hendricks said. “I’m counting on your discretion. I do not want to hear about ‘satanic shrines’ at the coffee shop tomorrow.”

“We don’t want that sort of thing going around either,” Erik assured him.

Hendricks followed them out and locked the door. “When you find out something about that saint, let me know.”

“Will do,” Ben said.

Erik and Ben got into their car, and Ben immediately reached for his phone. “I want to send the photos to Teag and see what he comes up with.”

“I already copied you on the shrine,” Erik told him. “I’m curious myself—and this adds a whole new wrinkle.”

“Yeah. Like there wasn’t enough going on.” Ben sent his message and then started the car and aimed toward home.

When they got back to their apartment, Erik insisted they both change out of the clothes they had been wearing and shower with cleansing herbs to wash away any psychic residue and reduce their tension. Even though the showers were quick and functional, Erik felt much better afterward.

They cleaned up the dishes, and Ben made popcorn. Erik cued up a shark attack movie they hadn’t seen yet and gathered extra pillows and blankets to nest on the couch. Ben turned off the lights and made sure the sound settings were ready for dramatic movie music before he and Erik cocooned.

Erik had been skeptical about being able to enjoy the movie. But the darkness and theater-like sound pulled him into a flick that had plenty of jump scares, minimal plot, and absolutely no connection to reality.

The darkness, popcorn, and Ben’s closeness helped Erik let go of more tension he didn’t realize he still held. Ben didn’t try to initiate anything, just snuggled, making Erik feel loved and cherished.

They finished the shark movie and started a lizard-monster flick Erik had put on their list. While they started off laughing at the special effects, the creature’s rampage drew them in, and Erik found himself clutching Ben’s hand, white-knuckled, by the explosive conclusion.

“Feel better?” Ben asked when the credits rolled.

“Surprisingly, yes,” Erik admitted. “You’re a miracle worker.”

Ben snorted. “Hardly. I just figured we could feel good about not having to deal with a mega-shark or a radioactive lizard.”

“At least as far as we know,” Erik teased.

“Shh. Don’t jinx us.”

Erik shut off the television and sound system while Ben carried the popcorn bucket, soda cans, and beer bottles to the kitchen.

Once they were in bed, Erik turned to Ben. “What do you want?” He looked into Ben’s eyes.

“You had the rough day. I should be asking you,” Ben replied. “I’ll take anything you’ll give me. What would make you feel good?”

“Make love to me,” Erik whispered. “I want to feel you and hold you and know I’m safe.”

“I’ll do whatever’s necessary to keep you safe,” Ben replied. “You know that.”

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