Page 15 of Witch (Gray Wolf Security #24)

“Gaspar? Roget called from Brennan’s. Apparently, our boy has been asking questions about the family,” said Sly.

“Everyone in the damn restaurant set him straight, but Roget said that he got a call from someone, and it was rather heated. All about money, or a lack of, and when he ordered, he only ordered soup.”

“Interesting,” smirked Gaspar. “Sara? Do you mind putting together a beautiful gift basket of pralines, banana bread, maybe some soups that could be warmed up, a few bottles of wine, and some other things?”

“Of course. Where am I sending it?” she asked.

“Wherever Mr. Hopkins is staying,” he smirked. Sara laughed, shaking her head at him.

“That’s evil,” she chuckled, “but I love it. Chances are pretty good he’ll throw it out.”

“Not if you put a note card from Rachel Brommer,” said Ace.

“She’s the latest victim found in upstate New York.

She was last seen with him eight weeks ago, but her body was only found two days ago.

He’s wanted for questioning in her death.

I’m going to bet if you sent a beautifully written card, in the handwriting of a woman, our friend would be rightfully freaked the fuck out. ”

“Ace, you have an evil side that impresses me every damn day,” said Gaspar. “Alright, do it.”

Sara happily made plans to send one of the largest food baskets they’d ever sent to anyone. She would fill it with all her favorites, as well as some not-so-tasty treats. A few pickled chicken livers and frogs’ legs should do the trick.

“Other than this colossal mess, how many cases do we need to close out before we’re done?” asked Ian.

“Five. Five damn cases, and we can truly, finally relax. I have to say, Ian, I don’t think I ever thought I’d be happy for that, but I am.”

“I know what you mean, brother. It was like we suddenly all took a deep breath and said, ‘I’m done.’ That was it.

For the first few months, I just want to learn to sleep past 0500.

Maybe have a cup of coffee after the sun rises.

I’d love to hold my wife’s hand and walk down any street in the world and not look over my shoulder. ”

“Well, I admire your optimism, but I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with that one yet. The after 0500, that I can live with,” he smirked. “Alexandra deserves more. Hell, they all deserve more than we’ve given them. I’m not sure what we’ll be doing, but I’m sure we’ll be busy.”

“You will be,” said Matthew, suddenly appearing in front of them. Both men jumped, gripping their chests. His boys would soon learn that Trak would not be the only man giving others heart attacks, startling them with sudden appearances.

“Shit, that’s gonna take some getting used to,” smirked Ian. Matthew only laughed.

“What do you mean we will be, Pops?” asked Gaspar.

“Gaspar, all the things I did before need to be continued, and all of you will help with that. With so many of you retiring, we will have a greater impact on our community, on the city, and, quite possibly, the state.”

“What kinds of things, Pops?” asked Gaspar.

Matthew only smiled at his son, leaning down to kiss his forehead.

Gaspar was nervous that the kiss would be cold, but it was warm, reassuring, and loving, just like it had always been.

Matthew kissed Ian’s forehead, smiling at the two men, then slowly walked away from them, disappearing into thin air.

“I think his answer was ‘I’ll tell you when I tell you,’” grinned Ian. Gaspar chuckled, nodding.

“We’re so fucking lucky, Ian.” Ghost and Nine walked up to them, Max, Rory, and Noah with them. “We’re all lucky.”

“Amen to that,” said Ghost. “But what are we going to do about Marcus Hopkins? He’s determined to come for the Robicheaux women, and we can’t allow that. I say we just rid the world of the little bastard.”

“Normally, I would agree,” said Gaspar, “but there’s been another woman found dead, and he was the last one seen with her. I think we have to find out if there are more victims out there and give them and their families some peace.”

“We need to catch him in the act,” said Rory. “Find a way to have him spewing his hate and attempting whatever he attempts. It doesn’t appear that he uses a knife or gun. How is he killing these women?”

“Strangulation mostly,” said Nine. “One woman was found in an abandoned well. She died of hypothermia and, eventually, drowning.”

“He tried to drown her?” asked Max.

“He thought the well was deeper than it was. He tied a cinderblock to her ankles and dropped her in the well. All it did was give her something to stand on. The water only reached her knees, but it rained on and off for days. It was cold, she suffered and died when the water finally went above her head.”

“Fucking nutcase!” said Ghost. The others nodded. When they saw Sly and Ace walking toward them, they knew this would be an informative visit.

“What now?” frowned Gaspar.

“Be nice. We have information,” said Ace.

“When have I ever been nice?” Ace and Sly just shrugged, grinning at the older man. “Whatever. What do you have?”

“It took us a few days to find the names of all the missing women. Four have been found, and all four had interactions with Hopkins. Ashley Bonaventure, Finarie O’Hara, Norine DiMarco, and Rachel Brommer, the latest ones, were all found dead after apparently arguing with Hopkins.

O’Hara filed a restraining order against him because he was bothering her at her place of employment. ”

“Where did she work?” asked Rory.

“She had her own business making candles and incense. It was just a small, little place in rural Pennsylvania, but it made enough for her to afford a small cottage. Not married, no children, but she had two cats and a dog.

“The dog was poisoned and left on her porch. She suspected that it was Hopkins, but there was no proof. I think she might be the only person in the whole world who didn’t have a doorbell camera.”

“He killed the dog? What a dick,” frowned Ghost.

“The others were seen arguing with him at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, even outside their places of employment,” said Ace.

“It gets more interesting,” said Sly. “Elspeth Morgan is a police officer out of Dayton, Ohio. She’d been with the force for fifteen years when she was honored for her bravery after jumping into an icy lake and saving a drowning nine-year-old boy.

He’d been under for four minutes. She didn’t wait and went in after him.

By all accounts, she should have died along with the boy. Instead, they both lived.”

“I’d say that’s something to celebrate. It’s a miracle, unusual, but a damn good outcome,” said Ian.

“Yes,” nodded Sly, “but our boy Hopkins didn’t see it that way.

He saw it as her using witchcraft to keep her and the boy alive when they should have died.

He attempted to get to the kid, but his father made sure the man knew that if he stepped foot on their property, he would kill him.

Apparently, Hopkins was happy to focus on Elspeth. ”

“How did she die?” asked Nine.

“She was an officer that her team counted on. She was always there, always happy to help, always willing to take another shift. When she didn’t show up, they started worrying about her.

Two officers went to her apartment, where they found evidence of what appeared to be a struggle.

Then they found blood. There was a bookend, shaped like an eagle, covered in blood. Elspeth’s blood. No prints.”

“Did they find the body?” asked Nine.

“Not yet, but the whole department has made it their priority,” said Sly.

“Tell them to check the lake,” said Ghost, staring at his friends. They all looked toward him, and he swallowed. “Tell them to check the lake where she rescued the boy. I don’t know why I have a feeling about it, but I do.”

Gaspar stared at his friend, then looked at Ace and Sly, nodding his approval. He gripped Ghost’s shoulder.

“I think I know why you have that feeling. Your gift is making itself known and becoming useful.”