Page 2 of Dead Air (Moon Murder Mysteries)

Of course, Willoughby hadn’t appreciated that he was spared.

Even in “death,” Niall had done what he could to prevent their secret relationship from coming to light.

He erased every trace of online contact between them and never told a soul his tormentor’s real name.

Willoughby figured out the truth within a few weeks but had no way of probing into Niall’s disappearance without attracting attention to himself.

Niall was long gone and the police would only discuss the details of the investigation with a spouse or next of kin.

Willoughby was one of only two weaknesses Cenn had discovered while stalking Niall.

He may have healed and put the past behind him, but Niall was still haunted by Willoughby.

Life as a permanent trail crew, in an isolated cabin near the peak of Hawksbill Mountain was lonely.

While Niall was a naturally solitary person, he craved physical intimacy and Cenn had learned firsthand that he had a very healthy appetite and an active imagination.

Conversations with Kerry and DeeDee were particularly illuminating so Cenn followed Niall into the visitor’s station to eavesdrop. He remained invisible but close to Niall so it was easier to hear his thoughts. Niall’s inner monologue was a delight and a wealth of insight.

“Wait! Watch this one!” DeeDee said, handing Niall her phone.

The sound of a man grunting and loud cracks had Niall’s eyes widening. He licked his lips, nodding. “Sweet baby Jesus in the manger…” he whispered before he gasped and passed it back. “I want to see that part again. How do I rewind this?”

“Look, you goober!” She laughed as she used his finger to tap and slide the dot at the bottom of the screen backwards. Niall was woefully out of touch with the newer social media platforms and had ditched his smartphone when he abandoned his old life.

“I really like the way he… ahem! ” Niall cleared his throat suggestively and fanned himself, passing the phone back. “That Thoren guy is exactly why I can’t have a smartphone. Nothing would get done and you’d find a dehydrated husk in my cabin.”

Kerry snickered as she returned from the back with his mail and his weekly order from the general store, neatly packed in a Budweiser box. “He’s the only reason I have one. And cat videos.”

DeeDee hummed in agreement. “I don’t even like men but bless that beautiful bearded beast. I could watch him chop wood all day.”

I’d let him split me like a log, Niall thought while rummaging through his groceries and removing an apple. He took a large bite, hooking his arm around the box. The apple was clamped between his teeth as he tucked his mail in next to a bag of granola, then waved.

“Later!” he called but it was muffled by the apple. Niall took it out, pausing as he backed through the door. “But if you do run into any tattooed lumberjacks and they happen to be bi or gay, send them my way. It gets a little lonely up there,” he added with a playful wink.

“What about Shelby? I bet he’d be happy to keep you company,” Kerry shouted after him but Niall stuffed the apple back into his mouth and made his escape.

Not touching that one, he said to himself, wincing at the ATV as he set the box on the rear rack.

His thoughts lingered on Officer Silas Shelby as he secured it with bungee straps.

Niall liked the handsome, older federal agent and thought he looked like “the guy from Mad Men .” He hadn’t actually seen the show and didn’t know a lot about current culture but he definitely had a weakness for the dominant, fatherly type.

But Niall was afraid that Shelby would discover the truth.

And Niall sensed that Shelby wanted something serious and a partner in future adventures.

Shelby could have been a complication and possibly competition for Cenn, but Niall was too scared for romantic adventures and had no intentions of ever leaving “his mountain.”

A hot fling with a lost lumberjack would be great , though. I’d ride his beard until I had blisters and let him stuff my hole like a beaver before I sent him on his way.

There was that charming inner monologue again, entertaining Cenn and showing him the way to Niall’s heart.

He wouldn’t even have to be fit or all that hot. Just decent and kind and capable of holding a conversation.

It wasn’t a very high bar, but Cenn was looking forward to sweeping Niall off his feet.

The gentle forest ranger’s quiet, sheltered existence was due for a shakeup.

Nothing too traumatic, given Niall’s past. Cenn had no idea what Hugh Dùbhghlas’s ultimate intentions were as far as Niall was concerned or if he was simply a pawn in the feud against Oglethorpe and the demigod.

But Cenn didn’t have to be that kind of monster and there was no rule or spiritual reason they couldn’t have a little fun in the meantime.

Why not make a few of Niall Gilpatrick’s fantasies and wildest wishes come true first?

Who said bartering for souls couldn’t be fun or give a mortal some closure and satisfaction before getting down to the nitty gritty of eternal damnation?

Where did it say a demon couldn’t enjoy himself or his mission?

Misery wasn’t mandatory so Cenn didn’t see any harm in showing Niall a good time while unburdening the naive young man of his precious little soul.

Let the games begin.