Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Franklin
Fuck, I was tired.
Working the crime scene took far longer than I wanted. There was a lot to get through. I’d been right about Boggs’s goons, Red and Izzy. They’d panicked and tried running while trapped behind Holland’s shield charm. They’d bounced right off and hadn’t gotten anywhere. Thankfully, running Boggs down hadn’t taken the full twenty minutes and, true to her word, Captain Cicely had called in the troops and they had Red and Izzy surrounded by the time the shield charm deactivated. Both were cuffed and hauled to the station.
Boggs hadn’t been so fortunate. The violent sneezing lasted at least fifteen minutes. When it finally stopped, Boggs lay on the ground, writhing in pain. At best guess, he’d cracked or broken more than a few ribs. We’d had to wait on an ambulance. He’d been loaded on the gurney and taken away under police supervision.
The remainder of the scene was processed. Billy’s family was contacted and his father showed up, scooping Billy into his arms and showering the boy’s forehead in kisses. Billy’s dad was shaking badly when he walked to me and shook my hand. Words escaped him but the tears streaming down his face and the deep gratitude shimmering in his watery eyes were all I needed to hear.
“Anytime,” I said, even though Billy’s dad hadn’t said a word. His firm nod was answer enough.
“You okay?” Johns asked while staring at my bleeding arm. “You should get that looked at.”
“It’s just a scratch.” It was a little more than that, but not much and had already stopped bleeding.
“That may be, but you gotta watch out for infection. And when was your last tetanus shot?”
I rolled my eyes but clapped Johns on his shoulder. “Thanks for looking out for me.”
“Always,” Johns replied. “Go on, get out of here. This whole thing is going to be a mountain of paperwork. Better get back to the station and get started,” Johns said before walking off to help the crime scene techs.
I didn’t have to be told twice. Checking in with a couple of my colleagues, I made certain they were good before I headed for my vehicle. The sun was low in the sky by the time I had a chance to ease my rear into the driver’s seat. A low groan slipped through my lips as my seat heated and eased the strain in my lower back. My legs would be sore later. While I worked out on a regular basis, my body wasn’t prepared for a sprint through the woods.
Pulling out my phone, I checked for any new messages. I’d called Boone earlier, just to let him know I was okay. I didn’t want him to hear about what happened on the news or from anyone else. He’d been understandably upset and worried. I wished I could have gone to him immediately, but that wasn’t in the cards. I had a job to finish and my reward would be Boone’s lips on my skin and his arms hugging me tight.
I groaned again when I thought about how long it would be before I’d lay eyes on Boone. Johns was right. I had a shit ton of paperwork waiting for me back at the precinct. Since it was mostly on the computer now, maybe I could take my laptop back to Boone’s place and sit by the fire, Boone leaning against me or with his head in my lap. No doubt it would take longer to finish my report, but it would be so much more pleasant than sitting at my desk.
Regardless, I still needed to head back to the precinct as my laptop was sitting by my desk. Pulling away from the curb, I started my relatively short trek back. I tried calling Boone on the way, but my call went to voicemail. I checked the time and thought he might be in the shower. I couldn’t think of another reason he wouldn’t have answered his phone. I left a message that I was on my way to the precinct and hoped to be home within the hour.
The precinct parking lot was a lot emptier when I pulled in than when I’d left. Hauling my ass out of my vehicle produced a twinge in my left hip. Yup. I’d definitely be paying for my impromptu sprint through the woods. My bicep was more a dull ache now than licking fire. If I was lucky, maybe I could weasel one of those healing potions out of Captain Cicely.
I waved at the officer working reception and high-fived him as I walked by.
“Way to go,” he offered, a huge grin splitting his face.
I muttered a half-ass “thanks” while scooting by. I wasn’t so good with praise or acclamations. This was the job—my job—and I did it to the best of my abilities. Sometimes shit worked out and sometimes it didn’t. I’d gotten lucky today. That’s not to say there hadn’t been skill, thought, and experience thrown in there too, but never underestimate luck. Sometimes, how things ended was a simple flip of the coin.
Shrugging out of my jacket, I fingered the bloody tear in the sleeve. If Boggs hadn’t taken precedent, I would have been the one sitting in the back of the ambulance. I was in the middle of prodding the wound when my phone rang. Assuming it was Boone, I hit the accept button without checking the caller ID.
“Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be home in—”
“I’ve lost what little faith I had in you, Detective O’Hare.”
My body stiffened, frozen with fresh fear. Huxley’s smokey voice grated down my spine like an itch I’d never be able to reach. Wound forgotten, I focused on the caller.
“You are obviously not up to the task of protecting someone as important as Necromancer Boone.” Anger seeped through those words while fresh anxiety invaded my soul.
“What happened?” My words were little more than a harsh whisper.
“He almost died,” Huxley answered. “If not for my intervention, he would be dead.” Those words landed with the weight of a thousand suns.
My hands shook as I reached for the back of my chair, steadying myself as much as possible.
“He’s at home,” I protested. “Boone’s house is warded. He’s safe while he’s there.”
Huxley’s bark of laughter felt like knives piercing my skin. “I had not thought you such a fool. Boone is not at home, Detective.”
Captain Cicely appeared in front of me, her worried eyes boring into mine. Quietly she mouthed, “What’s going on?”
I shook my head, before quickly muting my side of the phone conversation. “Huxley says Boone’s not at home and he almost died.” I forced my brain to concentrate on that single word— almost . That meant Boone was alive. But where? “He’s supposed to be at home, but Huxley says—”
“He went to Trinity Holy Cross Cemetery to meet a client. Someone named Meeker.” The captain read from a folded-up piece of paper. “I wrote it down so I wouldn’t get the name wrong.”
“Fucking shit,” I cursed before unmuting the phone. “Is he still at the cemetery?” I asked Huxley. I had no idea how he might know but was certain he did.
“He is and in need of assistance,” Huxley answered.
I snatched up my coat again and began shoving my arms into the sleeves as I held the phone between my ear and shoulder. “How long ago?”
“Within the last few minutes.”
“Is he still in danger?” I asked while heading for the door. Captain Cicely was hot on my heels.
“The immediate threat has been…eliminated.” Satisfaction rang through Huxley’s voice.
“I’m on my way,” I answered and started to end the call, but Huxley wasn’t finished.
“I am very disturbed by what happened today, Detective. I am afraid further intervention is required as you seem incapable of protecting such a valuable resource. Good day, Detective.” Huxley ended the call, and I stood there, mouth hanging open as I stared at my darkening screen.
“O’Hare?” Captain Cicely grabbed my arm and shook when I didn’t immediately answer. “O’Hare? What’s going on?”
I didn’t know what to say. All I knew was that I’d just been threatened. No, not me, Boone. “He’s going after Boone,” I said, those words little more than an unbelievable whisper. “I don’t know what he wants, but Huxley is after Boone.” And dammit, I’d just given him a reason to justify his actions. He’d claim he was protecting Boone. I still had no idea what form that supposed protection would take. All I knew was that it wouldn’t be welcome because it wouldn’t come without strings. Huxley said it himself. He viewed Boone as a valuable resource . He didn’t love Boone like I did. He didn’t care for him like Holland or Ms. Boone.
Tugging on my arm, Captain Cicely got me moving. “Come on. Let’s find Boone. The rest can wait.”
She was right, and I quickly scrambled into the passenger’s seat, the captain behind the wheel. Lights flashing and sirens blaring, Captain Cicely’s tires tossed gravel aside as we sped out of the precinct parking lot.
“I should have texted you that he was going to meet the Meeker woman.” Captain Cicely slammed her hand on the steering wheel. I could feel her power radiating off her, making my skin itch. The captain only lost control of herself when she was very upset. The last time I’d felt this level of agitation had been when we’d figured out our own medical examiner, Dr. Morgan McCallister was the serial killer we were looking for.
Captain Cicely’s numerous rings glinted in the fading light. “He was supposed to let you know.”
I inhaled while holding onto the oh shit bar. I wasn’t about to tell the captain to slow down. “He probably didn’t want to distract me. And then when I called him earlier, he was upset that I’d gotten hurt.” That didn’t excuse Boone keeping this shit to himself. Although, to be fair, at least he’d informed Captain Cicely. Which begged the question, why did she know?
“How do you know where he is?”
“He was on the phone with Meeker after you left. I think he was trying to reschedule but she was adaptable and said she could come to him. They agreed to meet in Trinity Holy Cross Cemetery. I just happened to be walking by when he ended the call and he told me what he was going to do. I’m sorry, but I don’t know much more than that.” Captain Cicely sounded apologetic.
“Don’t apologize. At this point, you know a hell of a lot more than me.” I could only assume the soul Meeker wanted returned was from a body that had been cremated. At least I couldn’t imagine exhuming a body, renting a hearse, and driving the deceased from Louisiana to Mississippi.
“What in the hell has he gotten himself into this time?” Captain Cicely asked. “I swear, Boone has a target painted on his back that whack jobs seem to think is fun to aim at.”
I couldn’t really disagree. My heart thudded and my skin still felt cold and clammy. My arm sang with renewed pain and my left hip had gone from a gentle aching reminder that I wasn’t as young as I once was to a howl of angst.
“Here.” Captain Cicely shoved a larger charm at me. “It’s a healing potion. Can’t say much for the taste and I don’t have anything to water it down with so just drink it like a shot.” When I hesitated, Captain Cicely said, “Just drink it, O’Hare. You look like you need it.”
“Boone could be in worse shape,” I said while holding the vial in my hand.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got more.”
With that guarantee, I activated the potion, popped the top, and threw it back. It was just as nasty as Captain Cicely said it would be. I made a disgusted sound that turned into a groan of relief. I hadn’t realized just how much pain I was in. “Fuck, this is fantastic.” I stared at the empty container in wonder.
Captain Cicely snatched it back and said, “Don’t get used to it, O’Hare. These things cost a mint to make. You and Boone sure as shit better get that through your heads. I’m tired of needing to heal your trauma-prone asses.” The concern in Captain Cicely’s rebuke negated its sting.
“I’ll make sure Boone understands,” I answered.
“You better.”
Oh, I would because this was no longer an issue for Boone and me alone. The Director of the Magical Usage Council was now involved. Running through a hundred and one scenarios didn’t produce a single one where that fact worked out well.
Captain Cicely pulled through the open gates of Holy Trinity Cross Cemetery. The place was huge. “Where in the hell is he? Where do we start looking?”
Only one thing came to mind. “Boone’s rental.” I remembered what it looked like because Boone complained that it was boring white. Thankfully, this time of the evening combined with the time of year meant the cemetery was fairly empty. We found Boone’s car along with another one parked nearby.
With the captain’s healing magic flowing through my body, I practically jumped out of the vehicle and immediately screamed Boone’s name. My heart fell into the pit of my stomach when he didn’t answer.
Captain Cicely and I ran around gravestone markers, both of us shouting Boone’s name.
Nothing. The cemetery remained as silent as the bodies buried below. Frustration pounded in my head. While it wasn’t yet cold, the temperatures were falling as the sun set. Chilliness was settling in, as was the darkness. That darkness was pierced by warm light provided by Captain Cicely. Activated charms floating in the sky, she nodded and indicated I should keep looking.
I wandered, going hoarse from calling Boone’s name. My hope was failing to the point I actually contemplated calling Huxley back to see if he could narrow down where Boone was when I saw something glint in the light of the captain’s floating charms.
Running full speed, I rounded a tree, a large mausoleum looming on my left. There, lying in the grass, was Boone. Charms reflected in the grass around his body. But not just his body. There were two others. Beyond possible threats, I couldn’t have cared less about anyone who wasn’t Boone.
“Captain!” I shouted as I collapsed beside Boone. His skin was pale and a deep purple bruise bloomed along his neck and cheek. Wrists zip-tied behind his back, Boone’s hands were swollen and had an angry red tinge to them. “Boone.” I shook him and earned a muted groan making me dizzy with relief.
“You good, O’Hare?” Captain Cicely checked in on me before investigating the other two bodies.
“He’s alive.” Thank God . I pulled my pocketknife and sliced through the hated zip tie. Boone’s groan was louder this time. I didn’t know how long he’d been tied or how long he’d been on the ground. Rubbing his hands, arms, and shoulders, I tried to get his circulation pumping again.
“These two are dead,” Captain Cicely flatly stated. “There’s an odd pattern of bruising on them and their heads are at an odd angle.”
“Broken?” I asked.
“That’s my best guess. We’ll see what the ME has to say. Beyond alive, how’s Boone?” Captain Cicely walked to us and went down on her knees.
I started to roll Boone over, but the captain halted my actions. When I started to complain, she said, “We don’t know the extent of his injuries. It’s best to let the professionals handle this. He could have a fractured neck also. He’s not coherent enough to drink one of my healing potions and it wouldn’t work quickly enough if he has that kind of an injury.”
I frowned, knowing how much Boone hated going to the hospital. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything for it and said, “Call the ambulance.”
“Already on it,” Captain Cicely replied.
Leaning over his prone body, I kissed Boone’s forehead before working my way across his exposed cheek. “I’m gonna take care of you,” I whispered. “Don’t you dare leave me yet. I haven’t even had time to propose.” That thought hit me square in the gut. Tomorrow wasn’t promised. Hell, today was often up for grabs. There were no guarantees, and I was through wasting time.