Page 124 of Behind the Shadows

I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. Because her words gutted me more than Death’s hands ever could.

Her words made sense. “Ella?” I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “What you said, I don’t think Death caught it. He’s using you too. That night he talked to you privately. The Pied Piper is using you, isn’t he?”

Her mouth clamped so hard her teeth clacked. She folded her arms across her chest. “That’s not what I meant. All I’m saying is that the more we learn, the more secrets come to light.”

“Not in a good way,” Dope muttered behind us.

“I need to go after Death. I’ll work on him, Kip. This isn’t goodbye.” Sadness twisted her expression and then she threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. “Holland is lucky to have you.” She released me. “And so are we. We’ll figure all this shit out.” She gave me a wistful smile before she hurried out the door and after Death.

I slumped against the wall, exhausted and gutted.

“When you texted us, that’s not what I was expecting, man. Not at all.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Kip, man, you’ve been through fucking hell and back. The idea that the Pied Piper used your cross, it’s not on you if you ask me. But no one did, so.” Dope tapped his fingers against the can. “It’s fucking genius.” He rubbed his jaw, appearing deep in thought.

“Lucky us. I mean, some killers are dangerous because they don’t have a conscience. This motherfucker is even more deadly because he’s a goddamn genius. He’s next level.”

“I’m not sure I can keep up with him, but I’ll try. We have to figure out how to bring him down.”

The room filled with silence before Dope said, “You’re not wearing the cross. Where is it? I need to disable every tracking and recording device.”

“I buried it about an hour from here. It’s on the side of the road. I couldn’t wear it as long as I knew he was watching. Shit, I can’t wear it again anyway.”

Dope stood. “Let’s go get it. He already knows where I live, so let’s go back to my place.”

“Are you sure?”

“Hell yeah. You’re driving though, I need a joint. This shit’s been heavy.”

I couldn’t disagree with him on that. Regret and grief punched me in the gut as I looked around the cabin before we left, realizing I’d walked into the place with three of my best friends and was only leaving with one.

A few hours later,Dope and I arrived at his place and headed downstairs to his dungeon. He immediately started studying the cross, pulling it apart and identifying the cameras and recording devices.

I sat on the couch, my fingers steepled as I watched him. Neither of us spoke until we knew it was safe. Granted, the Pied Piper knew what we were up to, but that was okay. We were taking a stand. Not that he didn’t expect us to dismantle the crucifix, but it was the one thing I had control over.

Dope grabbed a hammer from his desk, and with a few swings, he busted the recording devices, sending bits of metal and glass flying in every direction. He leaned back in his chair, finally looking at me. “What do you want to do with the cross?”

“I don’t want it. Do what you like with it.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. All it’s done is damage. I don’t want the reminder anymore.”

Dope swiveled in his chair and propped an ankle across the opposite knee. “He’ll come around, man. Death has a temper, but we’re also the soft spot he has. Ella and us, we’re family. Give him some time.” Dope snickered. “When he calls you with a body to clean up, you’ll know he’s forgiven you.”

“And you? Ella? Can you guys move past this?”

Dope looked at me like I was speaking a different language. “Dude, you’re fucking here with me. I took care of the cross for you. In my opinion, there’s nothing to forgive. I’d rather spend my energy on taking the motherfucker down. Him and his organization have done enough damage. Shit, I would siphon all his funds for the Horizon Society. Use his empire to rebuild what he destroyed,” Dope added. “That’s how we fuck him back. At least the money would go to a good cause helping women and children start over on the bastard’s dime.” He rubbed his hands together, giddy with the idea. “I like it. I’m going to talk to Death about it.”

“Keep me posted, man. On how he’s doing. Ella, too, if she can’t reach out.”

“That’s funny. Ella does what the hell she wants to. She stayed behind and hugged you. She’s cool. Don’t sweat it.”

“I just hope it stays that way.”

“You’ll see. Give him some space. It’ll all shake out. In the meantime, go home to Holland and relax. I’ll be working to see what else I can find in the meantime.”