Page 72 of Deadly Deception
I cringed mentally. I’d been hoping for another name. “I do. Why did Daisy think she might be Vanja, and why do you agree?”
Becks cleared her throat. “Daisy attached what she could find regarding the incident that injured Sara Tompkins. There are some very interesting and…disturbing inconsistencies. To be honest, I’m having a difficult time figuring out the exact circumstances behind her injuries. Not only that, but finding out any information regarding the case she was investigating, where the injury happened, and how it was incurred is nearly impossible. I’m telling you, there’s something hinky going on there.”
“Hinky how?” I asked. “You think Sara Tompkins is a dirty cop? Or you think there was a cover-up?”
“Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think she was dirty, at least not before the incident. I think it might be something else. As much as I hate to say it, I get the feeling that whatever happened, Sara Tompkins was the fall gal. Or at the very least, what happened to her was swept under the proverbial rug. Giveme some time and I can probably get you more. This is just preliminary, and I haven’t had time to dig as deep as I think I can.”
I shook my head. “Time is something we don’t have, Becks.”
There was a pause before Becks’s accusatory voice said, “What are you doing, O’Hare?”
I glanced at Boone before I answered, “Probably something immensely stupid.”
“Fucking hell, O’Hare.” Becks’s frustration came through loud and clear. “I’m getting Captain Cicely, and don’t you dare tell me not to.”
I raised an eyebrow and considered Becks’s ultimatum. “Actually, I was planning on calling, so you’re saving me some time.” Not that Captain Cicely could do a whole hell of a lot from Mississippi, but the womandidbelong to a witch coven and had resources humans weren’t privy to. They were also a species vampires paid more attention to. So far, Sheriff Henson hadn’t gotten very far with the Queen of the Midwest. Maybe she’d pay more attention if the local witch coven got involved. And if, God forbid, something happened tonight, at least I knew Captain Cicely would do everything she could to rectify the situation. I just didn’t want to consider whatsituationshe would be presiding over.
Captain Cicely’s voice boomed inside the SUV. “O’Hare, what in Gaia’s name have you gotten yourself into this time?”
I’ll give the captain this, she only cursed half a dozen times as I explained where Boone and I were headed, and the favor I was requesting. Honestly, I’d expected a dozen expletives at least. Maybe more. Hopefully that was the first of many miracles tonight.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Erasmus
This wasn’t what I expected. “We’re in the ’burbs,” I said while looking around at the nearby houses. “Thenice’burbs,” I amended. It wasn’t a gated community or anything, but the homes in this area were clearly upper middle class. I knew what they’d sell for back home, but figured that number would be higher near Chicago.
The heavythudof Franklin shutting the driver’s side door echoed in my ears. I tried not to flinch but failed miserably. My anxiety was high and had only increased the closer we’d gotten to our destination. It was odd hearing that apathetic, monotone voice spitting out directional commands as we made our way closer and closer to the unknown.
“Do you know this area?” I asked Franklin as he walked up next to me, our coat covered shoulders bumping.
“No. This is the north end. Not my typical stomping grounds.” Franklin’s eyes scanned the well-lit area. The surrounding homes had lovely landscaping and were decked out in decorative lighting. Some of the homes were decorated for Halloween. The festive orange, purple, and green lights seemed surreal given our current situation. The overgrown skeletonsand more gruesome Halloween displays were more appropriate. That didn’t make me feel a hell of a lot better.
“Here,” I said while shoving a handful of charms into Franklin’s coat pocket. “The one that feels rough and pebbly is a shield charm. It’s just like the one I used on the SUV when those assholes shot at us. It dissipates magic as well as bullets. Just remember, once activated, you can’t get out for at least twenty minutes. The completely smooth one is a pain charm, just in case… Well, just in case.”
“And the one that feels like a spike?”
I swallowed hard. “That one you use only in case of a very dire emergency. And I mean, very dire.”
Franklin’s eyelids blinked as he stared at me. “That’s all I’m getting?”
I shrugged. “You’ve told me numerous times that you don’t want to hear about any of Pops’s questionably illegal charms. I’m just trying to give you plausible deniability.”
“Christ, Boone. What in the hell does this thing do?”
I grinned. “Hopefully you don’t have to find out.”
Franklin ran his palm over his face. My man needed a shave, but I didn’t care. I loved a little ginger scruff on Franklin’s cheeks and chin. Honestly, I didn’t think there was anything that would make Franklin O’Hare less attractive in my eyes.
Sheriff Henson pulled up, parking behind us. He was professionally dressed, but his vehicle was either unmarked or his personal transportation. I knew Franklin was carrying traditional human weapons. While his were more hidden, the sheriff’s weapons were on full display.
“Gentlemen,” Sheriff Henson greeted us. His tone was flat, and his eyes were sharp despite the obvious fatigue dogging him. His ever-present cologne was less potent given our outdoor location. “I figure I’ve got another thirty, maybe forty minutes before my caffeine high crashes. Best get this show on the road.”
Franklin glanced at the house before focusing on Henson. “Do we have a plan beyond barging through the door?” Franklin no more than said the words than the front door opened. No one stood in the doorway.
“Looks like barging won’t be necessary,” I mused. “At least we won’t be arrested for breaking and entering.”
