Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
Franklin
Loaded up on caffeine and with my Boone fix in place, I sucked in a deep breath and dialed Holland’s number. Sitting outside the precinct, I remained in my vehicle. I wasn’t sure what Boone’s father wanted, but I couldn’t imagine it would brighten my already shitty day.
The phone rang four times and was about to go to voicemail when Holland’s deep voice answered, “We have a problem, Detective.”
Inwardly groaning, I ran a hand over my tired eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Because, unlike most humans, you have more than two brain cells to rub together.”
Ignoring the backhanded compliment, I asked, “What have you found out?”
“Very little, and that is the problem.”
Confused, I struggled to locate those two elusive brain cells Holland claimed I had and said, “I think I’m going to need more explanation.”
Holland huffed. “My name is not insignificant within warlock ranks.”
“I believe I understand that as much as I’m able, considering I’m not a warlock.”
“An acceptable answer, Detective. My inquiries should hold more sway. I am not used to being ignored or given the runaround.” Holland sounded more irritated than angry, although there was a healthy dose of anger there too.
“I take it that’s what’s currently happening?”
“It is. No one is willing to tell me anything and most don’t even have the decency to respond to my inquires. Even some of my more…disreputable sources are not willing to comment and the few who have been willing all tell me the same thing—to stop asking questions. I do not like this, Detective. I do not like this at all.”
Never in my life had I wanted to disagree with Holland more than this moment. “Do you have any other ideas?”
Silence met my question. By now, I was used to it. I’d learned that Holland often took a few moments to contemplate his answers. “Perhaps, although I am loath to pursue them. Only my son’s safety would lead me to do so.” Holland’s obvious resignation let me know he planned on doing just that.
“May I ask what those avenues might be?” I was growing concerned. “Boone would be beside himself if you became injured, or worse.”
I couldn’t tell if Holland chuckled or sighed. It might have been a combination of both. “You need not worry about physical injury. Only my pride is at risk, and according to others, I have enough of that vice to cushion whatever hit is on the horizon.”
“Ah, I believe I understand. You’re going to contact Warlock Kines.” I didn’t understand the history and honestly knew very little regarding the two warlocks’ relationship. Frenemies sounded close. Warlock Kines lived on the East Coast, the complete opposite side of the continent. Kines was younger than Holland and, from what I understood, more of a rolling stone and free spirit. He was also a gifted warlock who’d been fortunate enough to have a brownie mentor and also had a rather eclectic group of powerful and diverse friends.
“As tragic as that statement is, yes,” Holland grumbled. “I do not know if it will be of any use. The Warlock Council was not inclined to listen to Kines any more than me earlier. However, I believe this line of inquiry will be different and more fitting to Kines’s resources.” I was always amazed how Holland could turn an insult into something that sounded almost complimentary. Truly, Boone’s father had a gift.
“Have you heard anything further from Tenzen Huxley?” Holland asked.
“No and I just came from seeing Boone and he didn’t mention anything either.” He would have.
“How is my son? Is he recovering?” The worry was back.
“He’s much better.” I wasn’t sure how Holland would react, but I said, “Captain Cicely stopped by and gave Boone a healing potion.”
Holland sucked in a breath. “Witch magic. Distasteful, but in this case, useful. As much as it pains me, please convey my thanks to this witch captain of yours.”
I fought my grin. “I’ll let her know.” Captain Cicely would be shocked and most likely mortified. She was well acquainted with Warlock Holland’s arrogance.
Holland grumbled something before he asked, “Have you received the list of names?”
“Boone got it earlier. FYI, he was contacted by someone pretty low in the warlock hierarchy. The council did as instructed, but in as shitty of a way as possible. The slight was clear.”
“Fools,” Holland hissed. “There will be consequences, Detective. I will make certain of that. However, those consequences will need to wait. Patience and planning are currently required. I am familiar with both. The Warlock Council are double the fools to believe there will be neither retribution nor consequences for their shortsightedness.”
My shiver wasn’t caused by the cold. The arctic tenor of Holland’s voice spoke of future pain and degradation. I had no doubt he’d make good on his promise. It might take time—decades or perhaps centuries—but he’d find a way to make the Warlock Council regret their actions.
Clearing my throat, I changed the subject and filled Holland in on the latest information regarding Boone’s most recent attack. Holland quietly listened. “I showed Boone the video, but he didn’t recognize the person.”
“You believe this Detective Cardoza is worthy of investigating my son’s attack?” Holland asked.
“I believe he’s a good detective. That said, I’m doing my own investigation.”
“I would expect nothing less. You will keep me apprised.” It wasn’t a request.
“Of course.”
“And I will do the same regarding the Warlock Council and Director Tenzen Huxley. Happy hunting, Detective.” Holland ended the call, leaving me chilled to the bone and staring at the brick facade of the police precinct. As I’d thought, speaking with Holland hadn’t improved my mood. If anything, the hollow pit in my belly doubled in size. I’d had worse days—yesterday being one—but today wasn’t anything to write home about.
T he trip home was bittersweet. I was relieved to be headed back to Boone’s but felt mentally and emotionally wrung out. Enhancing the video of the person who’d most likely attacked Boone hadn’t yielded anything new. Becks said she’d keep working on it, but I could tell by the cadence of her voice that she didn’t expect much. It was damn frustrating to get eyes on the person but still have no idea who they were. On top of that, I hadn’t made much headway into the Lucas Davies case. Davies had been a homeless vagrant. He’d left no electronic trail, no home, cell phone, or anywhere else to investigate. It was as if the seventeen-year-old had never existed. The mere thought created an ache in my chest. No life should ever be that transient or discardable.
As expected, Captain Cicely had been floored when I told her she had Warlock Holland’s reluctant gratitude. She also had mine. Captain Cicely had waved my thanks off but placed her hand over her heart when I’d told her about Holland’s. She told me she needed to go into her office and sit down before she fell down. I think she was only half joking.
The scent of Chinese wafted my way. I’d stopped to pick up takeout, and it was currently parked in the passenger’s side seat. I turned on the seat warmer in an effort to keep it piping hot. Boone and I rarely had Chinese, but he said chicken fried rice sounded good to him and I was always down for half a dozen or more egg rolls. It wasn’t exactly comfort food, but it smelled damn good.
I pulled into Boone’s drive. Warm lights lit up the inside, welcoming me home. As I got out of my vehicle, I noticed woven swags hanging from the porch railing. Branches of holly, along with dried orange and lemon wedges, were braided into the greenery. A larger branch of holly mixed with evergreen berries hung from the front door. The smell was amazing.
I’d no more placed my hand on the doorknob when Boone opened it, a large grin dancing across his face. “Welcome home,” Boone practically sang as he stepped aside, holding the door open and allowing me inside.
The scent of evergreen was even more heady when I entered the living room. Similar decorations were interspersed inside the house while in the corner by the fireplace stood a medium-sized fir. Green and white lights decorated the tree. Cinnamon sticks, orange and lemon slices, and a myriad of berries were tucked within its branches.
“What is all this?” I asked as I set the Chinese takeout on the couch. Slipping off my coat, Boone grabbed it and hung it up.
“Happy Solstice Day! Well, not yet, but soon. What do you think?” He moved farther into the room. Boone held out his hands. He didn’t exactly spin, but it was close. A low banked fire crackled and popped behind him, lighting up his figure from behind.
I was damn near speechless. “What do I think?” I couldn’t decide where to look. The place appeared magical, especially after the day I’d had. “I think I’ve been transported inside the land of Fairy.”
Boone laughed. “Yeah, no. Although, to be fair, I have no idea what Fairy looks like.”
“Not many do.” I walked toward the tree and noticed that it was raised off the ground. I pointed down and asked, “Potted?”
Boone nodded. “I know that’s not common for Christmas celebrations, but those that pray to Gaia don’t believe killing a tree is the way to offer her thanks.” Scratching the back of his head, Boone’s cheeks heated pink. “I grew up with Momma. She’s Christian and celebrates Christmas, but I pray to Gaia, just like Pops. I’m afraid my traditions are an odd mashup of both.” Boone waved a hand at the tree. “Momma would get a live tree, and we’d decorate it with lights and ornaments. Now that I’m on my own, I don’t do the ornaments, but I decorate it with other offerings to Gaia.”
“It’s beautiful.” I ran my fingers along the soft edges of the fir tree. Somehow, Boone and I hadn’t gotten around to discussing his holiday traditions. The way things were going, I was having a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit and hadn’t taken the time to give it much thought.
“After Solstice, or in our case, Christmas, we’ll take the tree and plant it. There are parks around the area that offer plots of land. We can also take it into a local wood. I’m afraid I don’t have room on my property for it.” Boone sounded apologetic at the last.
“That sounds perfect.” Grabbing him, I pulled Boone close before tipping his head back and kissing him. I would never get tired of touching those lips, of feeling them move against me. Some days I thought Erasmus Boone had been created just for me. While that probably wasn’t true, I liked to think it was.
Careful of his injuries, I pulled back before I wanted, easing our foreheads together. “This is beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I usually don’t decorate until a week or so before Solstice, but after seeing you earlier today, I thought we could both use a mental boost.”
God, could I love this man anymore? “It’s wonderful. But you shouldn’t have pushed yourself. You’re healing and—”
“Pfft.” Boone smacked my chest. “I feel a ton better, and Loretta’s magic is fantastic. Her coven could charge a lot of money for those potions. Honestly, I have no idea why Loretta is in law enforcement. She wouldn’t need the money if she sold these.”
“Hush your mouth.” I covered Boone’s hand with my palm. “Don’t give Captain Cicely any ideas. I don’t want to lose her.”
Boone went up on tiptoes to peck my lips. “Don’t worry. I don’t think she stays where she’s at because she needs the money.” Inhaling deeply, Boone’s attention fell on the takeout. “I’m starving. Let’s eat.”
“Can we eat in the living room?” I asked. It was too beautiful to leave.
Boone shrugged. “If you want. Then again, you haven’t seen what I did to the kitchen yet.” Boone’s mischievous grin was only overshadowed by his twinkling eyes.
“Is the whole house decorated?”
“Maybe,” Boone teased. “I called Momma, and when you get that woman involved, all bets are off.”
A chuckle rumbled up my chest, escaping my mouth and filling the room with my laughter. Ten minutes ago I hadn’t thought myself capable of laughing today. Boone had a way of flipping what I knew on its head.
“Lead on, oh master holiday decorator.” I picked up the takeout and followed Boone into the kitchen. My eyes widened and I gave an appreciative whistle. The decorations mimicked what was outside and in the living room. Just like the rest of the house, the kitchen smelled amazing. “Okay, we can eat in here and then head to the living room for the rest of the evening.” Cuddling on the couch never sounded so damn good.
“Anything you want.” Boone waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Careful. That’s a broad offer.”
“I’m not worried.” Boone added a wink to his suggestive words and the shitty day fell away, crashing to the floor in an inconsequential puddle. Those worries would be there tomorrow, all too ready to reattach themselves. But for now, their weight was gone, leaving me light where I was heavy and happy where I was hollow. That was the power of Erasmus Boone.