Page 36 of Deadly Deception
“We’re almost there,” Franklin said with little enthusiasm as we passed the sign indicating our exit was only a mile ahead. The wind whipped against the side of the SUV, rocking the vehicle. Clouds flew across the sky, periodically blocking out the late fall sun. Halloween was fast approaching. Hopefully, we could wrap up the situation in LaPorte County within the next couple of days. I didn’t want to have to reschedule my upcoming customers. Some of them were very particular regarding the timing, and wouldn’t be pleased.
The exit approached quickly, and Franklin eased into the right lane. He slowed, coming to a stop at a light. There were two lanes that turned right, and we were in the farthest one to the right. A large, white truck pulled up alongside of us. I don’t think I would have paid any attention if their music hadn’t been turned up enough that their base shook not only their vehicle but ours too.
“I will never understand the need to listen to music that loudly,” Franklin said. “I’m not sure if that makes me old or simply normal.”
Laughter crept up my throat. “I think it makes—gun!” The word roared from my lips. I didn’t think, I acted. My pockets were stuffed with Pops’s charms. I knew the feel of each and every one of them and rapidly found the one I needed, activating it just in time.
Franklin threw himself my direction, trying to shield me, but Pops’s charm did the trick for both of us. After our shootout this past summer, Pops wasn’t content to leave my safety up to the fickle whims of a sometimes there, oftentimes not, djinn. He’d made me a very specific shield charm. Today was the first time I’d tried it, and just like all of Pops’s other charms, it worked like a dream.
The bullets hit Pops’s shield and didn’t bounce off so much as get absorbed into it, hanging in the air like a modern art installation.
Our vehicle was peppered with lead, or at least our attackers tried their best. Thankfully, their best was a damn sight worse than Pops’s.
Squealing tires and the roar of an engine pulled Franklin from the protective position he’d taken. Firearm swiftly following his rise, Franklin would have opened the door and charged out after our assailants if Pops’s barrier hadn’t still been fully activated. Turns out, it worked both ways. Nothing could get in and Franklin and I couldn’t get out. All new charms had learning curves.
Franklin’s pulse roared along his taut neck, muscles straining to get out and give chase. I watched Franklin evaluate our surroundings. We were hemmed in on all sides. The vehicles around us stopped and their drivers were understandably unsure what to do. Sirens sounded nearby. Given that we were only a mile or so away from the sheriff’s department, the response should be quick.
“Wh-who?” I stuttered, unsure what, exactly I was asking.
Franklin understood. “I don’t know, but I’m damn sure going to find out.”
My phone rang, Pops’s ringtone singing through the SUV. I ignored it and let Pops go to voicemail. My phone immediately rang again. This time, I answered.
“Pops, this isn’t a good—”
“Are you all right?”
“I…” I sat there, staring out the windshield as flashing lights grew closer. “I am. How did you know something was wrong?”
“You activated the shield charm,” Pops answered as if that explained everything. It didn’t.
“You’ve never called before when I activated a charm.”
“That’s because I don’t generally create them with an alert system in place. I assumed if you needed to activate this charm, the situation might be precarious. Was I wrong?”
No, Pops wasn’t wrong.I sighed, pressing my fingers against my forehead. It would have been nice to have a heads-up that Pops had added that particular feature. Then again, it wouldn’t have prevented me from activating it. Pops and I would need to have a conversation soon regarding privacy and boundaries, but that could wait. Besides, I figured I knew how that discussion would go and wasn’t eager to bash my head against an unmovable wall.
“Franklin and I are fine,” I answered.
“Franklin is with you?”
“Yeah. We were heading back to see the sheriff, but it seems like that will be a bit delayed.” Oh, we were still going to see Sheriff Henson, just for different reasons. “Looks like someone doesn’t want Franklin and me working on this case.”
Franklin stowed his firearm and said, “Ask Warlock Holland how long the barrier will last.”
“Franklin wants to know—”
“I heard him. The barrier should last twenty minutes.”
Officers surrounded our vehicle. Their eyes were wide as they stared at the bullets seeming to hang in mid-air. One officer pressed her fingers against the barrier, trying to grasp the bullets but failing to pull them out. It looked like the barrier hadstopped the bullets about midway through, leaving their ends sticking out.
Franklin waved at one of the officers. The officer apprehensively waved back. “Can you put your dad on speakerphone?” Franklin asked.
By way of answer, I pressed the button and said, “You’re on speaker, Pops. Franklin and I are in the car.”
“O’Hare, what has happened to my son? You are supposed to protect him.” A hint of fear sang through Pops’s voice, edging out his anger.
Ignoring the question, Franklin asked one of his own. “Theoretically speaking, if the barrier the charm activated stopped a hail of bullets and said bullets were now stuck in the barrier, what will happen to those bullets when the barrier fades? Please tell me they won’t continue on their planned trajectory.”
