Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
When I walked into the conference room, I filled my plate from the catered breakfast that Nic had ordered to be delivered. Then I sat down and poured some coffee. “Bubba and I are heading over to Forrest’s house to see if we can find the book. I think it’s important.”
“We have someone murdering readers and you’re looking for a book? Don’t you think we should focus on finding this killer?” Nic asked as he refilled Esmeralda’s coffee. “I hate to send these two home with that guy still on the loose.”
“You aren’t the boss of me,” Esmeralda said as he leaned down for a kiss. “Rory and I are leaving tomorrow morning. We have people at home we need to take care of as well. And if we don’t find this guy, we need to get warnings out to everyone.”
“We’ve already got that handled,” Alexander said from his seat. He’d been so quiet, I hadn’t even realized he was there. “Everyone who’s on our list has been contacted.”
“What about people not on your list?” I watched his face as he answered.
“Eddie, there is no one with any talent at all that’s not on our lists. Some are being warned in a gentle way, but believe me, the society is very detailed in their documentation.”
“I never got anything from the society when I was in Seattle, living a normal life.” I challenged his assumption that the society was all knowing. I didn’t want us to miss anyone.
“You were being watched during that time. Believe me, if there had been a psychic medium threat, you would have been notified by someone you trusted.” He glanced at his watch.
“I wanted to go talk to the owner of this pecan factory today, but I’ve been called into another meeting. There are issues in Vienna.”
“Mediums being killed? Maybe our suspect jumped the country.” I asked and heard the hope in my voice.
“Sorry, no, an issue with a vampire nest. I’m not leaving here, yet, but they’ve asked me to consult since that is one of my areas of expertise.
” He stood and slid a piece of paper over to me.
“This is the only factory that makes candied pecans in the area. It’s a long shot, but maybe we might find answers.
Can someone drive out there and check it out? It’s about an hour out of the city.”
I saw a look pass between Nic and Esmeralda. They’d take the assignment, but then it meant their last day together this trip would be in a car. “Bubba and I can go. Rory, do you want to see more of Louisiana? You can tag along. I can visit the woman who own’s Forrest’s house tomorrow.”
Rory nodded, “I’m still processing Alexander’s announcement of a meeting about Vienna vampires. I guess Deborah Harkness knew what she was doing when she wrote those books.”
Alexander rolled his eyes as he tucked his notebook away. “One of the society members let a few of our secrets out with that author. I swear, if anyone in this group tells me you’re writing a book, I’m going to feed you to the crocodiles.”
“That’s warm and cuddly,” I said as I looked around the room.
No one was taking Alexander seriously, mostly since as a knight it was his job to protect us, but maybe from crocodiles wasn’t under the charter.
“Anyway, we’ll check this out. Anything else we need to talk about? Like Alexander’s lack of humanity?”
“Whatever,” he smiled at me as he stood. “I’ll be home tonight if you find anything to report. Or need help.”
With that he strolled out of the room.
Rory sighed. “If he wasn’t the most dangerous man I’ve ever met, I’d be tempted to ask him over for drinks.”
“You’re tempted because of the danger. I swear, Rory, you are a bad boy magnet.” Esmeralda elbowed her friend. “You’re sure you want to head out with Eddie today? The last time the two of you hung out you turned orange.”
“I’m a human safety alarm. If I turn orange, there’s trouble about.” Rory blushed a little. “And it gives you and Nic some alone time since I’m pushing for tomorrow’s exit.”
“I know you want to get home and check on Deek.” Esmeralda squeezed her hand. “I invited you here and put you in danger.”
“I didn’t have to come.” Rory countered. Then she looked over at me. “Can we leave soon before Esmeralda takes responsibility for the war of 1812?”
“Sure, but we already know that was her fault.” I teased her as I stood. “Lilac?”
“I know the drill. Don’t leave the building unless it’s an emergency and I have a security guard by my side. And wait here for you to pick me up after my shift. Just don’t be late. Kids don’t like it when their parents are late to pick up.”
“You’re a brat,” Bubba said as he rubbed the top of her head. “Just don’t leave the building. Order in lunch. You still owe me a game of Risk this week. I’d hate for you to have to relinquish your title just because you were kidnapped or something stupid like that.”
When we walked out, I noticed that Nic had brought not one security guard but two. He must have anticipated that Rory would split off from the group. I moved next to him. “Can we leave Rory’s bodyguard here with Clarence for Lilac? I know she said she understood, but she’s a kid.”
“You’re not going to be able to have a ton of security on her when she starts attending classes. People will think she’s a Gate’s heir or daughter of a Saudi prince.” He looked over where Lilac was chatting with Mel.
“I know, but I’ve got a feeling about today.
I hate these feelings, so just humor me, okay?
” I would make sure that Lilac had at least one security guard with her at all times when she went to school.
Mostly for my peace of mind. “I feel like leaving her here is putting her out as bait for the killer or the kidnapper.”
“You think they’re two different people.” Nic said, awareness hitting him as he stared at me.
I nodded. “The kidnapper was trying to protect Catherine. I think she was next on the killer’s list, and he kept that from happening.
How he knew, I don’t understand, but we need to find him to get him and his actions off the suspect list so we can focus on the real people who might have murderous intent. ”
Nic stared at me. “Are you sure you didn’t do a criminal justice major at college? You seem like you’re turning into this FBI persona.”
“Sure, Interior Design with a criminal justice minor. It’s all the rage now on campuses.” I stepped over and gave Esmeralda a hug. “In case I don’t see you before you leave.”
“Come over for dinner tonight. Annamae asked too. We’ll have a going away party.” She got a distant look in her eyes. “And you might have news to solve an old question.”
“Are the spirits talking?” I asked her as her eyes cleared.
“What? No, I really want you, Bubba, and Lilac to come to dinner. We’ll get it catered, so Annamae or Betsy doesn’t have to cook.” Esmeralda clarified, but as I walked away, I knew she hadn’t been the one talking to me with her statement about the old question. I just wondered who had.
Rory and I climbed into the back of the SUV and Bubba took shotgun. George looked at the piece of paper I’d handed him.
“Do we need to make any stops before we hit the freeway? This should take us about an hour to reach. Of course, there’s plenty of stops between here and there, but I can’t verify how good the food is going to be.” He looked back at us.
“I’m stuffed,” Rory said. “Don’t worry about food for me. But I wouldn’t say no to a Coke.”
I pointed out the mini fridge built into the seat back in front of her. “Be my guest. I think we have chocolate somewhere too. Just in case we need a sugar high.”
“I told Nic that he needs to send me one of these when he retires a car. I’ll pay a reasonable amount, and I’d have to find a driver, but wow.
This is upper crust stuff.” Rory opened a Coke and leaned back into the seats.
“And real leather. I could get used to this, if I didn’t have to go back to California and save my son. ”
“Are you really worried?” I knew how I felt about Lilac, but she was here, in the middle of things. Rory’s son was a half a continent away.
“Yes. I know, it’s probably overkill. But what if the killer decides that he can’t get his real targets and goes after their family? I’d do anything to save Deek.” She sipped her soda.
“I know what you mean. Lilac isn’t my biological kid, but I’m invested in seeing she has a good life, you know. One that was better than when she had to leave home and live on the streets.” I explained as I looked out the window.
We were both quiet for a minute, thinking about our kids and the psycho who was out there killing readers.
“Lilac has the gift,” I admitted. “She thought she was crazy when she moved down here. No one had ever trained her or explained what was happening. I think her grandmother passed it down to her.”
“Deek mostly just sees auras. He gets feelings about people. He can tell when ghosts are around, but they don’t talk to him, not like they do to Esmeralda and me. Do you think our powers are dwindling? Are we breeding it out of existence?” Rory sipped her Coke.
I shook my head. “Like attracts like. The talent might be passed down, but I think you either have it, or you don’t.
Lilac’s dad died young and it was his mother who had the talent, so she’s just following in his footsteps.
My dad didn’t have any talent, besides his skills in running a business.
Yet both Nic and I have a bit of the shine so to speak. Mom passed down her power.”
I decided not to mention that my grandmother had transferred her powers to me after her death.
I didn’t know if it happened in all families with talent, but I knew my aunt wanted that inheritance almost as much or more as she’d wanted the money.
When she didn’t get either, I think it sent her over the bend.
“We’re here. Do you know who you want to talk to?” Bubba handed me a tablet that showed all of the department heads and owners of the business. One name popped out at me. I tapped his picture. “Him. We need to talk to Franklin Day.”