Chasing Midnight (Dark of Night Book 2) Page 7

  “Shane, how are things at Stone PI?” Xavier asked, his mouth half smiling.

  “A bit slow, truly. Isabel has been worried, but it appears that her sister has gotten some sort of scholarship, so a bit of the financial burden has been relieved.”

  Xavier’s smile widened. For the first time, Shane realized exactly where that mysterious scholarship came from. He clenched his teeth until his jaw muscles twitched. Just another thing Xavier could someday hold over Isabel’s head. Maybe he could subtly encourage her to dig into the foundation. She was resourceful; she would be able to connect the dots. Then she would finally give Xavier the royal kick to the curb he so desperately deserved.

  “I’m glad to hear that. I know how important her family is to her.” Xavier was still smirking. “I called you here because I have an assignment for you.”

  Shane sat forward. His official post was as liaison between the Conclave and the local police, but that had yet to bear any fruit other than a few sound bites about the new level of Conclave and human cooperation.

  “Isabel’s father was looking into something before he died. A file somewhere in his old belongings details that case. I want you to find it and bring it to me.” Xavier stepped forward, leaning on the edge of his desk, folding his arms over his chest. His expression had shifted from mischievous to downright cold. “Isabel must never see that file or know of its existence.”

  Shane swallowed. Biting back the million questions that hovered on his tongue, he nodded.

  “Good. The file will be labeled either Ambrose or Project Genesis. You have access to these files?”

  Shane nodded. “I do. But she has been using this slow time to convert all of her father’s old files to electronic. She has them pretty organized. How do you know she hasn’t already come across it?”

  Xavier snorted. “Because if she had, I’d already have a few bullet holes in my head.”

  “What’s in the file?” Shane blurted. If he was going to go behind Isabel’s back, he’d better have a damn good reason to do so. Plus, anything that would make Isabel want to shoot Xavier had to be a good thing.

  In a blink, Xavier was nose to nose with Shane, his face tight as he bared his fangs. “That is none of your concern. Just get the file and bring it to me. As soon as possible.”

  “Of course.”

  Xavier backed off slowly. “Good. Also, you should know that Mercy will be released on Monday.”

  “So soon?” Shane had been eaten up with guilt since Isabel had been forced to defend herself against his one-time girlfriend. Maybe jumping into a relationship with Mercy had been a bad idea, but Isabel’s rejection had put him in a bad place. Having Mercy had eased the ache. If he’d known how toxic the situation would become for all of them, he’d have thought twice.

  “Her punishment has been served. If you intend to continue your relationship with her, you should be aware that she is forbidden to enter Isabel’s home.”

  “I understand,” Shane said, clenching his fists at his side. As if he was going to put Isabel in danger like that again.

  “I would hope so. As a matter of fact, I would encourage you to leave Isabel’s home permanently. I know you have been assigned to watch her, but it can be done from a distance. Perhaps you should get your own apartment.”

  “Are you ordering me to move out? To leave her unprotected?”

  Xavier glared. “She is never unprotected. As you are well aware, Isabel is a formidable woman and is more than capable of protecting herself. I simply suggest that your living arrangement might be…” He paused, as if searching for the right word. Apparently finding it, he continued, “Harmful for her, emotionally. You should consider that.”

  Shane was biting his tongue so hard that he felt blood erupt in his mouth. The metallic fluid was bitter, not sweet like human blood, as it was hard to swallow. “I’ll take that under advisement.”

  As if on cue, the door swung open and Xavier pointed for Shane to go.

  On his way out, Shane stopped. “There’s nothing in this file that could hurt Isabel, is there?” Orders or not, there was no way Shane would ever put her in danger, not if he could prevent it.

  “Just the opposite,” Xavier said, looking pensive.

  Shane frowned, but he nodded and closed the door behind him. He’d find the file that Xavier wanted. And then he’d figure out how to use it to get Isabel out from under his boss’ thumb permanently.

  "I don’t know how I let you talk me into this,” I complained, cradling the phone between my shoulder and chin.

  “Don’t be petulant. It’s five hours out of your life. I’m sure you can spare that for your mother. The woman who gave you life. Who fed you and clothed you and tucked you in every day for eighteen years.”

  Shane walked in as I was still negotiating terms with my mother. He pointed to the phone and tilted his head questioningly.

  Mom, I mouthed, then grabbed a pencil from my desk cup and pantomimed stabbing myself in the chest with it, earning me a smile and wave as Shane backed out of my office.

  “Why five hours? The event is only three.”

  “Because I’ll also need help with setup and clean up in the kitchen.”

  I groaned.

  “Isabel, you know I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I could do it myself, but I can’t. I need the money from this event to help pay the bills this month. You know how slow things have been at the bakery since that damned Starbucks opened down the street. Now all your sisters are more than happy to help. I really think it’s the least you can do…”

  My God, she didn’t even take a breath. I grabbed the phone, smacking myself in the forehead with it a few times as she continued on her guilt trip. “Ma. Of course I’ll be there to help. No problem.”

  The annual Sons of the Confederation dinner and fundraiser was one of the biggest events in Charleston. I knew the money they paid my mother was plentiful, and I knew how much peace of mind it would buy her.

  “Are you sure? I know how busy you are.”

  This wasn’t actually her giving me an out, it was just her being able to say later that she gave me an out. If I actually tried to take it, I’d be on the phone for the next three hours listening to her talk about her arthritis and how much of a disappointment it was to have no one to rely on. No way was I going to fall for that.

  “Of course, Ma. I’ll be there.”

  “And be there fifteen minutes early to get dressed.”

  “It’s just black slacks and a white shirt, right? I can come dressed.”

  “Oh no, dear. It’s period costumes for the help.” Before I could process the words, she finished, “Thanks, Isabel! I’ll see you then.”

  “Period costumes? Ma! Ma?” I pressed the off button and chucked the phone.

  Shane poked his head in, glancing at the phone carnage on the floor. “Nice chat with your mom?”

  “She tricked me! That woman has been trying to get me in a corset and hoop skirt since I was fourteen and she wanted me to be in the Southern Belles thanksgiving parade!”

  “Hoop skirt and corset?”

  I glared at him. “Not one word,” I warned, pointing my finger at him.

  “Why, yes, ma’am. I would nevah—”

  I cut him off. “I mean it, Shane. I will put the hurt on you.”

  He straightened. “Frankly, my dear Isabel, I don’t give a damn.”

  That was it. I jumped up from my seat, and Shane vanished in a blur of speed. Fifteen minutes of good-natured battle later, I was wheezing on the bottom step.

  “Tired already?” Shane teased.

  I pointed to myself. “Human. Besides, I need to get ready.”

  “I can’t believe you are going to that séance tonight. You sure that’s a good idea?”

  “Not really.” I leaned back against the banister. “But I’m still going. You know, I talked to Heather about this today.”

  “What did she say?”

  “A lot. She’s a veritable fountain of supernatural in
fo. Whether or not she’s right is another story.”

  Shane leaned forward, tying the loose lace on my boot. “Does she believe in ghosts?”

  “Of course. As a matter of fact, she thinks vampires are just ghosts who managed to hold onto their bodies.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “I know. Crazy, right? But then, do you have a better explanation?”

  He sat back, thinking about it for a minute. “I suppose not.”

  “What do you remember about it? Dying, that is?”

  “Wow, Isabel. That’s…” He paused, as if he was going to say rude, but changed his mind. “I’ve tried never to think of that night. I remember being calm, being cold. It felt sort of like I was going to sleep. I remember that for a moment, I felt disconnected, like nothing was holding me to anything anymore. Then there was just…” He trailed off, his face tightening. “I remember bits and pieces inside the cage. I remember being so hungry that my throat burned like I’d swallowed fire. And moments of clarity when I realized what had happened. I remember Xavier talking to me, trying to explain things. But the rest is just sort of lost.”

  I touched his hand where it was still on my boot. “I’m so sorry, Shane. I’m sorry that happened to you, but I’m mostly sorry I wasn’t there, that you had to go through all of it alone.”

  He looked up, blinked, and shook his head, slipping his hand away.

  “Do you want to go with me tonight?” I offered. Truthfully, I wasn’t one hundred percent sure it was a good idea, but the idea of leaving him alone, in that moment, seemed like an even worse idea.

  “Nah, I have some reports to take care of for Xavier tonight. You go. But take the panic button, okay? If you need anything…”

  “I’ll be fine. Besides, I ain’t afraid of no ghosts.”

  i

  No matter how bad ass a person thought they were, walking through a cemetery at night was just scary. Especially an old cemetery like St. Phillips. Weeping angel statues were the worst for me. I was always afraid I’d blink and they’d be two inches away, ready to eat me. No matter how rational I tried to be, it was the longest walk of my entire life. The oldest part of the cemetery, the place where Nana Elsie wanted to meet, was clear in the back corner and surrounded by large weeping willow trees. I could hear them before I saw them, even with my tactical flashlight.

  “Nana, are you sure you want to try to do this?” That was Patrick’s deep voice.

  “Hush now, boy. I’m almost ready. You’ll see. I ain’t no crazy person.”

  I moved away from the tree I’d been leaning on, into the funnel of light from Patrick’s flashlight. “I’m here.”

  Nana walked over, taking my hand. “I’m so glad you came, child. Here, you sit over here. I’m all set.”

  I hunched down between two fallen headstones next to Patrick. He’d traded his black leather jacket for a pale green hoodie and dark jeans. Even the metal piercings he normally had in his face were gone. If it weren’t for the neck tattoo, he’d look just as he had when we were little. As it was, his face was soft, vulnerable, and a bit wide-eyed. He was as uncomfortable as I was. It made me feel a little better.

  Nana was busy sprinkling some crushed herbs on the ground and lighting candles. I watched, fascinated, as she prepared for the ritual. I wasn’t sure what I expected, maybe a live goat or something, but it all seemed pretty benign. Finally, she lit a thick sage stick and blotted it out, letting the smoke dance through the air like half-formed apparitions.

  “It’s time,” she declared, motioning for us to come to her.

  Patrick and I exchanged a wary glance, reluctantly standing and walking over to her.

  “Hold hands now,” she ordered. We obeyed and she began to chant, first in a language I didn’t recognize and then she broke into English, the words rolling off her tongue like butter. “Spirit from beyond, we call you to us now. Speak, bear witness, we are here to listen.”

  Patrick repeated after her, and then I joined in until the three of us were chanting in unison. Nana’s eyes were closed, but mine were wide and alert as I chanted. I kept searching the darkness for some sign of… something. Nana’s hand shivered under mine, and goose bumps crawled up my back and into my neck.

  “She’s here.”

  As Nana spoke, I saw a young woman in a gauzy crème dress gliding towards us. As she got closer, her features sharpened, came into focus. It was an old-fashioned dressing gown, the kind people used to wear to bed. Her hair was dark and a mess of waves. Her face was gaunt, her features sharp, her mouth thin. Patrick dropped my hand, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the woman standing behind Nana. Slowly, the woman moved until she was standing in front of me.

  Nana’s head came up, her eyes flying open. “Sue, this girl is like my own kin. I told you that she would come to help.”

  “Sue Hardy?” I asked. I’d never been able to find a photo of her before she died. According to my research, she died in 1888, after a very difficult childbirth where the baby was lost. Everything else was just conjecture.

  “I am. You have come for the girl?” she asked, her voice stern and cold.

  “Nana says you saw something, a young woman being killed.”

  Sue pointed to the tree. “It was right there, not four nights past. The girl was heavy with child. A man came and they talked for a while, then he put his hands around her neck and killed her. I tried to follow them, but he dragged her out there, to a shiny carriage with no horses. I wept for the mother and her babe. Elsie says you can help.”

  Before I could speak, Nana asked, “Is the girl’s spirit still here? Can you tell me what she looked like? Anything?”

  Sue shook her head sadly. “No. No rest. No peace. Forever separated from her child…” Her voice grew shrill and she cried out, a terrible sound like a train whistle making me cover my ears.

  I looked to Nana. “I’m sorry. I believe that something happened, but with no name and no body, I don’t even have a physical description of the victim. I don’t know what I can do.”

  Sue stopped wailing. “No, you must help! You must put them to rest!”

  “I don’t think I can. I’m so sorry. I mean, I’ll go look through some missing person’s reports, but that’s about all I can do. I want to help, but without a description, I just can’t do much.”

  The spirit of Sue Hardy wailed one more time and vanished.

  “I don’t think she likes that answer,” Patrick said, his voice shaky.

  I turned to Nana. “I’m so sorry, Nana. I’ll do what I can. But honestly, people vanish every day. There’s just not much to go on.”

  She patted my hand. I hadn’t realized I was still clutching it like a frightened child.

  “It’s alright, darlin’. You do what ya can. The rest is up to God now.”

  i

  I practically ran back to my car. Adrenaline pumped like acid through my veins, making me shake and twitch. By the time I got home, I was in full-on letdown. It was all I could do to drag myself up the stairs and into a shower. Shane was either gone or asleep, which was fine. I was not ready to talk about my experience. In fact, all I wanted to do was wash that entire night down the tub drain. I stood under the pounding hot water, letting the heavy, warm air fill my lungs as the water massaged away the knots in my back. Lifting my head, I closed my eyes, rinsing out the last of my coconut-scented conditioner.

  When I opened my eyes, I screamed. My brain didn’t have time to make sense of what I was seeing before, clutching the curtain, I fell sideways out of the shower and onto the cold, tile floor. There was a loud crack as my head came down, and the last thing I saw just as everything faded to black was the grey-blue eyes of Sue Howard Hardy.

  i

  I woke up to the sound of ominous mechanical beeping. I was sitting up, the familiar pinch of tape across my inner elbow, the lights dim. I pitched forward in a moment of confusion and the room spun. Moaning, I brought my hand to my forehead only to discover a large, square bandage. Next to me
, a chair squeaked.

  “How are you feeling?” Shane asked, making me turn slowly to look at him.

  “Like I was hit by a bus.” I leaned back cautiously into the stack of pillows. “What happened?”

  “That’s what I was going to ask you. I heard you scream. By the time I got to the bathroom, you’d fallen out of the shower onto the floor and you were lying in a puddle of blood.”

  I touched my head again, and ribbons of pain unrolled behind my eyes. “I hit my head.”

  “Yes. Hard too. The doctor did a CAT scan. Said everything looked okay. But you’ve been out for a long time, Isabel.” Shane pulled his chair closer to the bed and held my hand. The one with the monitor attached to my index finger.

  I glanced behind him. “You didn’t call my mom, did you?”

  “What? Like I’m a rookie?”

  I exhaled in relief. The last thing I wanted was my mother playing worried hen and annoying the nurses. I squeezed his hand gently.

  “So…”

  Blinking, I tried to coax the memory out. I knew it was in there, rattling around in my brain. I could feel it, like a word caught on the tip of my tongue. Just out of reach.

  “I was in the shower…”

  “Yes, I worked that out for myself. The water and general nudity were a dead giveaway.”

  “Shush. I’m trying to remember. I was in the shower… and I turned around and…” Nothing. It was blank. “I just can’t seem to… wait a minute. Did you bring me in here naked?” I stared at Shane in horror. I mean, it was the ultimate case of adding insult to injury.

  He shook his head. “I put your robe on first.”

  Thank heavens. Like it wasn’t bad enough to have fallen in the shower like some old lady, the idea of him carrying me into the ER in the buff might have killed me. It was at that moment that the doctor walked in. For a second, I thought my eyes were going fuzzy. I strained, staring at the young doctor who, as he came into clear focus, looked remarkably like a very young Tom Cruise.