Page 22 of Deadly Deception (Necromancer Tales #2)

Chapter

Twenty-Two

Franklin

I did not envy Boone right now. While I couldn’t hear Warlock Holland’s comments, seeing Boone’s facial expressions and hearing his end of the conversation was all I needed to understand it wasn’t a pleasant phone call.

Boone walked farther away and deeper into the wind. That same wind carried his words away, silencing his responses but not diminishing his gesticulations. I waited patiently by our rental SUV. The hotel called to me—or, more precisely, our warm room. We’d gone to the hospital after leaving Tompkins’s home. I’d been relieved to learn that Tompkins was indeed stable. The doctors said he wasn’t in a coma, but he also hadn’t woken up yet either. The ER doctors suspected Tompkins had been drugged, but couldn’t be certain until the toxicology report came back. Even then, I doubted I’d be informed of the results. I wasn’t family.

And speaking of family…Sara Tompkins had been conspicuously absent in the hospital waiting room. When I’d spoken with one of Tompkins’s other relatives, they informed me Sara had been contacted, although no one had been able to speak directly with her. All calls had gone to voicemail. That didn’t prove anything, but it was damn suspicious.

Shoving his phone into one of his pockets, Boone’s head was tilted down as he walked back to me.

“Tough phone call?” I asked needlessly.

“You could say that.” Boone inhaled before raising his head. He looked even more tired than before he’d called his father. “Pops isn’t happy.” Boone flinched. “Of course, I’m paraphrasing.”

“Is he ready to hop on a plane?”

Boone’s wry grin twisted his lips. “You know Pops so well.”

I chuckled. “I’ve got a little experience.” I tilted my head toward the hotel. “Come on, let’s get inside and warmed up. We’ll order some food too.”

Boone shifted closer and followed me into the hotel lobby. “I’m not sure how hungry I am, but I should eat.”

“Yes, you should. We need to be ready to head out when contacted.”

“I know. Gaia, this sucks. Navarre can’t catch a break, and now Tabitha’s involved. How in the hell did this go sideways so quickly?”

We entered the elevator and rode it to our floor. The trip was short, and we exited onto our hall. I was already warming as we headed toward our room. “No idea.” I’d hoped we’d be back on a plane tomorrow at the latest. I’d also hoped for one last visit with Nana. I’d called her while Boone was on the phone with his pops and filled Nana in on as much of the situation as I was comfortable with. I didn’t want to place her in danger and while I figured the chances of that were small, I didn’t want to risk it. Nana reluctantly understood.

Our room was warm. Too warm for my comfort, but perfect for Boone. With a groan, he slid out of his huge coat and said, “This feels good.” Walking to the heater, Boone laid his hands out, palms down, and soaked in the warm air.

Turned away from me, Boone asked, “How long do you think we’ll need to wait?”

I had no idea and said just as much. “I’m not sure. I wouldn’t think too long.” Too long to me might mean something wholly different to Vanja.

“I hope you’re right. I hate thinking of Navarre and Tabitha trapped somewhere.” Boone shivered despite the heat. “I know what that feels like, and it sucks.”

Closing the distance, I wrapped my arms around Boone, tugging him tight to my body. I’d failed to consider this situation might bring up memories of his capture this past summer. “We don’t know that they’re being kept in the same conditions.”

Boone choked out a laugh. “Gaia, I hope not.” He shook his head. “Navarre probably doesn’t even realize he’s being held prisoner. In a way, he’s been locked away from the world for a long time. This is just a different type of cell. Is it wrong to be grateful that Tabitha’s with him?”

“I don’t think it’s wrong. Without a doubt, I wanted to be with you when McCallister had you in his grasp.”

“I’m glad you weren’t there.” Boone shivered. “When I saw you come through the door after Pops…I swear my heart stopped. I was so happy to see your face, and at the same time, I was scared out of my mind that you were going to get hurt or worse.”

I kissed Boone’s temple. “I know, and I’m sorry about that.” I’d never be sorry that I came for him, that I’d helped get him out of that hellhole.

Boone was silent for a beat before he quietly asked, “Do you really think Vanja is Sara Tompkins?”

I considered his question and finally answered, “I don’t know. I hope not.”

“But? I hear a but in there.”

“ But the pieces fit.” I wouldn’t say it made sense because I couldn’t figure out why. I’d worked homicide long enough to understand there wasn’t always a satisfactory why when it came to murder. Humans had an innate need to understand the reasoning behind heinous actions. Sometimes, those reasons simply didn’t exist, or they seemed too paltry to fully explain the unexplainable.

“I hope not too,” Boone said quietly. “If she’s truly pretending to be Vanja, it won’t end well. Sheriff Henson already contacted Queen Millicent.”

I stiffened at the reminder.

“Vampires aren’t a forgiving species, Franklin.” Boone swallowed hard. “Assuming Queen Millicent answers Henson’s missive…considering what Queen Millicent did to the original Vanja, I wouldn’t want to be in the pretender’s shoes.”

I held Boone a little tighter while I remained quiet. Sometimes when you didn’t know what to say, it was best to remain silent.

V anja’s missive came quicker than expected, but not as expected. I had no idea if the pizza delivery guy was in on Vanja’s schemes, or if he was just an unknowing lacky. It was difficult for me to imagine a guy clearly collecting social security as a willing criminal, but stranger things had happened. Speaking of stranger things…Aurelia’s absence was a distant memory. Boone’s djinn friend popped up in our hotel room, Little Fang lounging in her backpack home away from home. The little kitten appeared far more peaceful now than the first time I’d seen her. It was amazing what a full belly could do.

The note was attached to the inside of the upper pizza box lid. Of course, neither Boone nor I had ordered a pizza, and I’d briefly argued with the delivery man that he had the wrong room. He’d checked the order and confirmed that he was in the correct place and the pizza had already been paid for…in cash. I’d taken the box inside, and Boone used one of his Pops’s charms to check for malicious magic. I made a mental note to ask Warlock Holland if we could get a few of those for the precinct back home. I could think of at least a half dozen cases where that bit of knowledge would have come in handy.

“Yuck,” Boone said as he plucked the note from the inside of the lid. “I don’t think this was thought out. It’s not even in a plastic baggie. It’s got grease and cheese on it.” Boone made a disgusted face as he smeared pizza sauce across the outside of the note.

“What does it say?” Aurelia asked while crowding between Boone and myself. It was the closest I think she’d ever willingly come to me. I wanted to ask her to back up but thought better of it. Her forward position allowed me a better view of Little Fang through the odd plastic bubble in the backpack. It gave the impression I was watching a kitten on TV.

“Should I use gloves?” Boone asked me. He held the note at the very corner, dangling it between his thumb and forefinger.

“I’m supposed to say yes, but your prints are already on it. Just try and hold onto the corners. I doubt forensics will find much on it anyway, and we can always discount your prints.”

Boone nodded while teasing the note open. His eyes scanned it, briefly widening before narrowing. Boone’s green eyes brightened momentarily and red creeped up his neck, flushing his cheeks.

“Read it, necromancer,” Aurelia demanded. She seemed far too invested. On closer inspection, I realized Aurelia was excited. Her expression and demeanor were absent of any concern. Instead, she reminded me of someone anticipating the next season of their favorite television show.

Boone huffed and snapped, “If you’re so antsy, you read it.”

“I do not read this language.” Aurelia didn’t sound upset. She simply pointed out a fact.

Boone’s ire immediately vanished. “Oh, I… Well, I hadn’t considered that. You speak English.”

“That is different than understanding these scribbles,” Aurelia pointed out.

Boone took a moment to consider that before offering a firm nod. He read the note. “There’s an address,” Boone said. “That’s important, but not the interesting bit.” Clearing his throat, Boone read, “You will be expected tonight. You may bring whoever you like. I care not. I don’t mind more blood on my hands. Vanja.”

I whistled. “That’s to the point.”

Boone shrugged. “Yes and no. I mean, we pretty much already figured that. We still don’t know exactly why Vanja wants me. We can guess, but even if it is to bring someone back, then who and why?”

I reached for my coat, already sliding my arms into the sleeves. “I suppose there’s only one way to find out.” I handed Boone his coat. Boone set the note down on the nightstand, opened so I could see the address and plug it into my phone. “I assume you want to go ahead and let Sheriff Henson know.”

“I think that’s best,” Boone agreed. “Vanja didn’t threaten Navarre or Tabitha if we told anyone else.”

“Vanja just threatened whoever walks through the door.”

“Yup,” Boone agreed while zipping up his coat, swallowing his body and hiding his frame. “Aurelia, you coming with us or—”

“I can find the necromancer on my own.” Aurelia barely finished speaking before she disappeared.

With a shake of my head, I took a photo of the note and texted it to Sheriff Henson. “Not the most helpful djinn.”

“I swear, sometimes I don’t know what to do with her.”

I glanced at Boone, eyebrows high. “ Sometimes ? You’re telling me there are times you do know what to do with her?”

Boone chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. “Fair point. I’m just saying, Aurelia’s been hanging out with us the better part of the afternoon. She could have told us at any moment where Navarre was being held.”

I rocked my hand back and forth and answered, “Maybe, maybe not.” At Boone’s incredulous glance, I explained. “When Warlock Holland and I were looking for you, Aurelia knew your location, but she couldn’t explain it in a way we’d understand. I have no idea how Aurelia travels around.” I twirled a finger in the air. “I kind of think of her like a homing pigeon. Aurelia doesn’t understand streets or addresses. She just…goes…” I didn’t know how better to explain it.

Boone stared at me, expression blank with contemplation. “You think she would have told us even if she could have?”

“Not a chance.” I didn’t even need half a second to consider it.

Boone’s sigh was long and deep. “That’s what I thought. I’m not sure taking Little Fang with her was a good idea. Aurelia might be nearly indestructible, but that kitten isn’t.”

“I’m not sure there’s much choice. Sounds like Peaches’s plan of training Fang’s hunting instincts out of her, at least when it comes to the sprites, didn’t work out so well.” When Boone asked Aurelia about Fang’s reappearance earlier, she’d explained that the kitten had gotten ahold of a sprite. From what I understood, the sprite had an injured wing but had been rescued before it had become dinner. Peaches was very unhappy.

My phone beeped with an incoming text. Stopping, I pulled up the message, unsure what to think.

“What?” Boone asked. I must have been making a questioning face.

“Henson responded. He’s going to meet us at the address. Alone.”

Boone stared up at me, eyes wide. “ Alone? I thought… No backup?” Boone chewed on his bottom lip. “Franklin, that’s not what I thought would happen. I mean, Vanja didn’t threaten the hostages if others showed up. I just assumed Henson would bring the whole damn police department.” Boone shook his head. “It will just be the three of us. We can’t count on Aurelia helping out. This is a bad idea.”

Boone opened his mouth a couple of times, swallowing down the words each time. He was building up to something, and I had a feeling I wasn’t about to like it and decided to nip Boone’s thoughts in the bud. “Don’t you dare ask me to stay behind.”

Head tilted down, Boone’s bangs covered his eyes. With a sad shake, he said, “Don’t think I don’t want to, but I know it would be futile. I considered using one of Pops’s charms on you, but I’m not sure you’d forgive me if I did that. I was just mentally debating if it would be worth making you angry enough to walk away from me if it would mean you stayed alive.”

I pulled Boone into my arms, tucking his head into my neck. I heard Boone inhale deeply before his stiff body eased into the embrace. I tugged him a little tighter when I felt his arms wrap around me.

Neither one of us had showered since this morning. Stress sweat was a thing, and we were both covered in its odor. None of that mattered. We breathed each other in and stood there. I wasn’t exactly certain what was going through Boone’s mind, but as for me, I simply wished time would hold still. I wished we could stay in this moment. But if there was one certainty in the world, it was that time marched on. Time was, perhaps, the most unbiased of all constants.

Words were difficult to find, but when they finally came, I whispered them onto the crown of Boone’s head. “I cannot even begin to fathom what you could do to drive me away. No doubt I’d be pissed if you tried to keep me out of this fight, but leaving would hurt far worse than anything Warlock Holland could conjure up. I told you before, Erasmus, you’re stuck with me. Get used to my stink.”

Boone’s body shook with warm laughter. “Oh, Gaia. That was wonderful, but you lost it at the end.”

“Story of my life.” I kissed the top of Boone’s head before releasing him. “Listen, I don’t think bringing more people in will be helpful. Vanja more than implied she isn’t scared of numbers. Besides, given what’s going on at the department, Henson doesn’t know who he can and can’t trust.”

“Gaia, that’s depressing.”

“I call it like I see it, and every instinct in me is screaming that the more people we bring to this shindig, the more likely blood is to be spilled.” When Boone cringed, I said, “I’m going to give Captain Cicely a call on the way. I’ve got an idea.”

“At least one of us has a plan.” Boone skeptically eyed me. “At least I think you’ve got a plan. Or maybe I hope you do because, beyond storming the castle, I’ve got nothing.” Boone deeply inhaled before letting that huge breath out in slow degrees. “I suppose the sooner we get started, the sooner this will be over. Hell, at this rate, Aurelia’s going to pop up again and ask where we are.”

“True that,” I agreed.

Boone opened the door, and we headed down the hall. The elevator arrived quickly, and we rode it down to the lobby. Our rental SUV quietly sat in the parking lot, soaking up the cold. My cell rang as I climbed into the driver’s seat. I recognized the ringtone as someone from my precinct. It looked like I wouldn’t need to call Captain Cicely after all. I answered with a clipped, “O’Hare.”

“I’ve got some information. Is this a good time?” Becks answered instead of the captain.

“As good as any.” I started up the SUV and said, “Boone’s with me. Is it okay to place you on speaker?”

“Considering this isn’t one of our official cases, I think that would be okay,” Becks said.

“Okay, you’re on speaker. What have you got?” I put the SUV in reverse and started out of the lot. I had a general idea where we were headed, and didn’t need the GPS yet.

“Hey, Erasmus,” Becks greeted him. “How’s Yankee territory treating you?”

Boone chuckled. “It’s a wee bit chilly up here. How is it back home?”

“It was a sunny seventy-five today,” Becks answered, and Boone groaned.

“You’re killing me here.”

Becks’s laughter sang through the vehicle. “Sorry, Erasmus. Hopefully you’ll be back soon.”

“From your lips to Gaia’s ears.”

While their back-and-forth was entertaining, we were on borrowed time. “Sorry to interrupt, but what have you got for me?”

Becks’s sigh was long and deep. “I’m not sure. There was a lot to weed through. Good news is that Daisy Vasquez was decently organized. She grouped ideas into folders. The difficult part wasn’t getting into Daisy’s mind. It was reading through everything she’d gathered. The short of it is that Daisy did believe this Vanja person is a woman. Daisy found a couple of informants, and before you ask, she didn’t give their names so I can’t verify anything. Daisy Vasquez was very careful about protecting her sources. Given what happened to the woman, I think we can all agree she had reason for concern.”

“No argument here,” Boone said.

“Right. So, anyway, after reading through Daisy’s notes, thoughts, and connecting more than a few sketchy dots, I’d say Daisy was closing in the person behind the Vanja mask. She mentions a few names as possibilities but there’s one that stands out to me, especially in light of what happened to the bodies in the morgue and to Dr. Emily Scott.”

I glanced Boone’s direction and we shared an understanding look. Not wanting to taint Becks’s thoughts, I asked, “Who would that be?”

“It looks like there’s a female police officer, a woman who was injured in the line of duty a few years ago. Someone by the name of Sara Tompkins. Do you know who that is?”

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. Give me 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 woman did belong 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 what situation she 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.