Page 41 of Deadly Deception
“You’re real,” Navarre said while petting the cat in his lap.
I sat up straighter and asked, “Am I real?” Of course, I knew I was there. The question was, what did Navarre think?
Navarre shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know.” He didn’t seem overly concerned about the matter. Navarre simply continued petting the kitten. “The loud one is gone now. It’s just the regulars. You might be a new regular.”
Navarre had no idea how right he was. Had the gunmen who were sent after Franklin and me succeeded, I might have very well become one of Navarre’sregulars.
Swallowing down the bitterness of that thought, I asked, “And Aurelia? Is she real?”
Navarre’s eyes narrowed in concentration. “I think so. She’s different and she brought the cat. So, she’s probably really here.”
“He is very confused,” Aurelia stated frankly.
“He is,” I easily agreed. “I need to find Navarre a medium. I think someone like that could really help him.” Navarre ignored me. I had a feeling he’d relegated me to one of hisregularsand was used to tuning those voices out. Given his earlier comment, it was obvious he wasn’t always successful.
“I do not know of these mediums,” Aurelia said. “I have heard of them before, but none have ever been my master, nor has any master wished me to interact with one.”
“I don’t know any either,” I admitted. “From what I understand, there aren’t many that truly have the talent. I left a message at Dusk asking for Agent Frost to call me. My best bet is contacting the Magical Usage Council. They might have a medium on staff.” I didn’t express my fear that even if they did, they wouldn’t authorize using their abilities on a necromancer.
“I have had very few interactions with Agent Frost. Peaches and Lucroy have expressed theirconcernsregarding my visitations to Dusk.”
“And you’ve heeded those concerns?” I asked, truly curious.
Aurelia’s grin was more mischievous than malicious. “They do not see me if I do not wish it.”
A chill raced down my spine. Did Peaches know that? Did King Moony? And if they did, could or would they do anything about it? As long as Aurelia didn’t cause harm, should they push their desire for her to stay out of Dusk or simply ignore it? I had no idea and doubted they did either. Aurelia was like anunpredictable teenager whose trigger was just as mysterious as their developing brain.
Scooping the kitten out of Navarre’s lap, Aurelia placed it into the odd backpack with the plastic, see-through bubble. She packed away the water dish and empty food container and settled the backpack over her shoulders. She didn’t bother saying goodbye. I’d be shocked if she ever uttered a parting word.
Navarre stared forlornly at his empty lap and I determined that whatever became of him, I’d try and make certain he had a pet. I think I understood his earlier comment. There were no ghost animals circling Navarre so when he saw one, he at least understood it was real. It was most likely a small relief.
Standing, I reached for the banana I’d found lying on a side table. It was probably part of Navarre’s breakfast. Peeling it, I broke off a section and handed it to Navarre. I gave it a fifty-fifty chance of it working and was halfway surprised when he reached out and took the offered bit of fruit.
Mimicking Aurelia’s earlier crouch, I got down on Navarre’s level and said, “I’m going to see if I can find a way to help you. I’m not going to offer any promises because I have no idea if I’m going to be successful or not. I just wanted to let you know that I’m not abandoning you.” I hadn’t truly thought of it in those words until that exact moment.
Navarre ignored me, going so far as to look through me. Could he see the spirits dogging him? He must, otherwise he should be able to tell the difference between the living and the dead. I wanted to ask him how he found DeWayne’s body or if he saw anyone else in the area. Given how fresh the blood on his clothing had been when Navarre was found, he must have come across DeWayne not long after death.
Clarity is a strange thing. It’s even stranger when it slams into you hard enough to steal your breath and light up your brain like a harvest moon.
“Shit,” I murmured while pushing into an upright position. I stared down at Navarre as he finished off the banana. He was surprisingly naïve and innocent, this cursed necromancer. He was also a possible witness to what happened to DeWayne Foster. Why in the hell hadn’t any of us thought of that before?
I didn’t bother telling Navarre goodbye or promise I’d be back later. I doubt he would have cared either way. He had enough unwanted company circling his brain.
Sara hadn’t locked me in. The cell had been locked when I’d gotten there, but I got the feeling that was for Navarre’s protection. Not from outside forces, but from him wandering out and getting lost or upset in his confusion.
Quick stepping down the hall, I pushed the door open. Sara was on the other side, and I think I startled her with the force of my exit.
“Guard the door,” I ordered as I hurried back to Sheriff Henson’s office. I didn’t bother waiting to hear what Sara had to say. I’d apologize later for my bluntness.
I was relieved my brain had been working well enough when Sara had walked me to Navarre’s holding area that I remembered the path there and back. When I got to the sheriff’s door, I didn’t bother knocking. I busted in. I was surprised how breathless I sounded when I said, “We’ve got to get Navarre out of here.”
Franklin jumped up. The room was small, and he was by my side in less than two steps. Large hands gripping my shoulders, Franklin leaned down and asked, “Why? What’s happened?”
I shook my head wildly. Thoughts tumbled through, racing too fast to harness and call to heel. “I’m an idiot,” I said by way of answer. Franklin’s scrunched eyes and twisted lips toldme I’d confused the hell out of him. Staring up into his steady gaze, I said, “He’s a witness. Or he might be a witness.” I shook my head harder. “Gaia, I don’t know if Navarre saw anything or not, but hecould have.” I pushed my pleading need into my eyes, begging Franklin to understand. “Navarre mightknowsomething.”
I saw the moment Franklin got it. Sheriff Henson took a bit longer. “Even if he did, Navarre’s brain’s out to lunch. He’s useless as a witness.”
I pushed Franklin aside. Tompkins stood close to Franklin, and I had to push through him to get to the Sheriff. “You and I know that, but if you were the person responsible for DeWayne’s murder…if you were willing to go so far as to try and murder Franklin and me in the cold light of day…would you be willing to take a chance a possible witness might talk?”
