Page 45 of Deadly Avarice
“You are not what I expected, Necromancer Boone.”
“You’re not the first to say so.”
“No, I can easily see that.” A smirk played along Detective Cardoza’s lips. “I’m glad the person who was after you today didn’t succeed.”
Considering a lot of folks thought the only good necromancer was a dead one, I found Detective Cardoza’s words down right touching. “Thank you. Unsurprisingly, I’m glad too.”
The detective started to say something else, but his attention was grabbed by raised voices in an adjacent hall. I recognized Franklin’s worried bluster right away.
“I will not wait. Where’s Boone?” Franklin’s deep tone couldn’t compete with Pops’s, but it was no less intimidating, especially when he was upset.
Standing, I turned toward Franklin’s voice, the sound of bodies hustling down the hall filling the air. I started to walk toward the hall when Franklin’s hurried footsteps beat me to it. My man turned the corner, his worried eyes and pinchedlips tugging at my heartstrings. The relief flooding his face and easing his muscles made those same heartstrings sing.
“Thank God,” Franklin said while rushing toward me. His entourage stopped just inside the doorframe. I’m not sure if Detective Cardoza called them off or not. All I had eyes for was Franklin.
Franklin’s eyes darted up and down my body before he enveloped me in his arms, pulling me tight to his body. “I was so fucking worried.”
“I’m okay,” I attempted to placate.
Franklin acted like he hadn’t heard me. Pushing me out to arm’s length, his distraught eyes darted all over my body, settling on the nicks and scratches from the shattered driver’s side window. Franklin’s hand quivered as he ran a finger over one of the marks. While always pale, Franklin’s pallor had drifted into an unhealthy zone.
“Hey,” I whispered, going up on tiptoes and pulling his face toward me, focusing his eyes on mine instead of my wounds. “Look at me. I’m okay. Honest.” Thehonestbit was pushing it. I wasn’t certain if I was physically well and wouldn’t until Pops’s pain charm wore off. Mentally I was currently more pissed than frightened. I wasn’t certain if that emotion would hold sway much longer. Being shot at and nearly killed played havoc with your emotions. Considering this was my third time experiencing it, I was familiar with the process.
“Detective Franklin O’Hare I presume?” Detective Cardoza asked.
“I am,” Franklin answered, his attention still focused on me.
Detective Cardoza took that moment to say, “I recommended he go to the hospital to be checked out, but Necromancer Boone has stubbornly refused.”
The barest hint of a smile ghosted across Franklin’s ashen skin. “That’s my Boone.”
Placing my hands on his cheeks, I pulled Franklin’s head down and rested our foreheads together. “I am that,” I happily agreed.
This time, when Franklin hugged me, it was softer and not nearly as desperate. His worried words tickled my ear as he said, “I was sick with worry. When your father called me, I… Shit, Boone. I don’t even know what I was. I’m not even sure if I told Captain Cicely where I was going. I just got up and ran out of the building, hopped in my SUV, and drove as fast as I could. Hell, I don’t even remember the trip here.”
I stroked Franklin’s back, doing my best to reassure him I was whole and well. “I’m sorry. I should have called you myself. Pops knew the instant I activated the shield charm. He called, and then the police were there, and I—”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you asked him to call.” Inhaling deeply, Franklin exhaled that breath before releasing me again. This time he kept an arm around my shoulders, turning me to face Detective Cardoza. “Please tell me you got the fucker that did this.”
“I wish I could. While this isn’t my typical jurisdiction, Given the fact Necromancer Boone was assaulted on his way to see me, I requested, and have been granted his case. We released a BOLO as soon as I got word but I’m afraid a large, black, SUV with Louisiana plates isn’t terribly specific.” Cardoza inclined his head my way before adding, “Not that I’m judging. I’d be suspicious if you could be more specific, Necromancer Boone.”
I huffed, disappointed in myself despite Detective Cardoza’s words. “If the shield charm hadn’t been activated, I could have thrown one of Pops’s tracker charms on the SUV as it drove by. He made them extra sticky. I would have just needed to get it in close proximity, and it would have stuck like glue.”
“I’m not sorry,” Franklin said. “That shield charm saved your life. Again. Remind me to send a thank-you card to WarlockHolland. Hell, maybe a complete fruit basket. Does he like fruit?” Franklin sounded so damn cute when he asked if Pops liked fruit.
“He does. I’ll get you a list of what he likes later.” I reached up and pecked Franklin on the cheek, glad to see a little color returning to his skin.
Cardoza crossed his arms over his chest. “As much damage as Necromancer Boone’s car took, I have to believe this SUV that hit him didn’t come away from the encounter unscathed. I’ll put a call out to local repair shops. Maybe our perp will be an idiot and we’ll get lucky.”
I wasn’t about to hold my breath on that one but agreed nonetheless.
Franklin’s fingers rubbed my shoulder, his hand in constant movement. He wasn’t about to let me go and I was okay with that. “Do we have any leads at all?” Franklin asked. I wasn’t sure if he was speaking to Cardoza or me.
Detective Cardoza motioned to a couple of chairs, one of which I’d previously occupied before Franklin walked in. We sat, but Franklin scooted his chair close enough that he could grasp and hold my hand. “I was just asking Necromancer Boone if he could think of anyone that might want to harm him. I gather that list might be longer than any of us would like.” Cardoza raised a single eyebrow as his gaze darted between me and Franklin.
Franklin scoffed. “You could say that. Keeping Boone safe is a 24/7 endeavor.”
“I do not envy your task, Detective O’Hare,” Cardoza said. I thought I caught a hint of humor but wasn’t certain.
