Corruption (Grumpy Old Wizards Book 2) (3 page)

“Gary, it’s been a while. Mind if I join you?” Josephine asked.

“Sure.”

Josephine turned and ran beside him in silence for several moments.

“What have you been up to? Is everything okay?” Josephine said.

“I’m trying to figure things out,” Gary said.

Josephine could understand that. She’d helped the police catch a serial killer who was experimenting on his victims in an attempt to create an enchantment that would increase a wizard’s power to a category six. The killer happened to be Gary’s older brother and had succeeded in the enchantment with his latest victim who’d survived the brutal magic he’d inflicted on her. Josephine had caught him before he could enhance his own abilities.

“I can understand that but you shouldn’t isolate yourself,” Josephine advised.

“Maybe I’ll come over this weekend,” Gary said.

“I look forward to it.”

“It’s strange,” Gary said.

“What is?”

“I’m feeling hunted like someone’s following me around.”

Josephine’s stomach clenched with anxiety. “Have you seen anyone?”

“Not really.”

“You don’t sound so sure of that.”

“My mind’s just playing tricks on me. I think it’s a side-effect of Dan’s mind control and memory suppression hexes he did on me all those years,” Gary said.

“You don’t have to worry anymore. Your brother is safely locked away now where he belongs,” Josephine said in a reassuring tone.

“I know but my mind is still healing. Alice said it could take a long time to recover after all those years of damage.”

“She’s willing to help speed up the healing process. I’ve helped her create some mentis curatio enchantments just for you,” Josephine said.

“She told me but I have a hard time trusting anyone,” Gary said.

A shiver of apprehension tingled along Josephine’s spine when her gaze flicked to the parking lot and she saw the same blue sedan that had followed her parked near her car. Josephine took advantage of her heightened senses to probe at the stranger. A powerful and seamless shield kept her from accessing the mind of the stalker.

“Gary, try to see if you can sense who’s driving that car. I’m sure he followed me here.” Josephine pointed at the parking lot.

The car turned and raced out of the area. Josephine lost her hold on the intruder and turned to face Gary.

“Did you get anything?” Josephine shot him a hopeful look.

“Nothing.”

“Damn!” Josephine exclaimed with fervor. “Only a category five or six could hold out against us like that which means it’s probably an enforcer.”

Gary’s eyes conveyed a sense of dread. “We’re under investigation. I wonder why they didn’t arrest us since we were caught red-handed linking with the vortex here.”

“You’re right. It must be someone else. We should probably report this to the police except that we’ll be assigned enforcers to protect us.”

“We won’t be able to risk connecting with the Siesta Key vortex anymore if that happens.”

Josephine mulled over their situation as anxiety clawed in her gut.

Chapter 3

Josephine, Alice and Helen were gathered at Josephine’s dining room table playing rummy and enjoying coffee. Josephine shifted in her chair with nervousness and found it difficult to focus on the game.

“I’m getting too old for this kind of stress,” Josephine grumbled.

“I think you made a good decision not going to the police,” Alice said. “You can’t afford to have enforcers hanging out at your condo with what you’ve been doing.”

“I suppose I could do an ignotus spell to get rid of any trace psychometric energy,” Josephine said.

“You work in the investigative world. When criminals try to wipe out those energies, it’s impossible to completely remove them. You’re always able to read enough to see who it is. No one ever gets away with anything,” Alice said.

“You’re right. I just hate to think that someone out there might be stalking me.”

“What’s the worst that can happen?” Alice said in a reasonable tone.

“They may kidnap me while I’m sleeping and experiment on me to try to figure out how to create more category sixes.” Josephine’s brown eyes conveyed her terror.

“You’ve created the most powerful wards on your condo that I’ve ever seen. No one will be able to break in. The only thing you have to worry about is being caught unexpected while you’re out shopping or jogging at the beach,” Alice pointed out.

Josephine nodded her head in agreement. “You’re right. Whenever I leave my apartment, I should just make sure to wear plenty of protection amulets and be ready to activate half of them at a moment’s notice.”

“Exactly! There’s no way anyone’s getting their hands on you.”

“And what about Gary?” Helen regarded her two friends with grave concern. “He’s just a boy. He’s vulnerable.”

Alice threw Helen a disgusted look. “For heaven’s sakes, he’s a grown man in his thirties and he would be locked up for deactivating his aequitas enchantment and linking with the power vortex at the beach just like Josephine.”

“Category sixes are better at performing ignotus spells. I think they should do it and tell the police so that an enforcer can protect them,” Helen said.

Josephine leveled a serious look at her friend. “I wish I could do that but for right now, it’s too great a risk. My freedom is too important to me. I’m sure we’ll both be safe. If it will make you feel better, I’ll have Gary stay with me.”

“That’s a great idea,” Helen said with approval. “It would make things a lot less risky.”

“Alright, I’ll call him later and let him know the plan,” Josephine said.

Alice picked up the entire discard pile so she could play four aces and four kings which caused Josephine to cry out with indignation. Alice shot Josephine a smug grin and played four queens. Josephine smacked the table with frustration and cried out with annoyance. Alice still didn’t discard. Josephine narrowed her eyes at Alice who continued to smirk.

“There’s no way you can possibly have anything else to play,” Josephine said.

Alice waited several seconds before playing four jacks and discarding her last card which ended the game. Josephine squealed with outrage and slapped her cards down on the table.

“I can’t believe this!” Josephine wailed.

“I win again,” Alice said.

Helen took her defeat with typical grace. Losing didn’t seem to bother her most of the time. Josephine flinched when her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and placed it on the table.

“I don’t recognize this caller. It’s not Detective Whiney unless he changed his number which is a sneaky move I wouldn’t put past him,” Josephine said.

“I can’t believe you let Jake talk you into getting one of those. You’ve got a perfectly good landline,” Helen said.

“I’m going to get one, too. There are some pretty cool ones out there,” Alice interjected.

Helen shot Josephine a pointed look. “Are you going to answer the phone?”

“I’m thinking.” Josephine frowned at her cell as she struggled to make up her mind. “Who could be calling me at this ungodly hour?”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Helen said.

“Just let it go to voice mail,” Alice advised.

Josephine reached out and answered the phone.

“This is Josephine,” she said.

“This is Chief of Police, Ben Nutter. I’m calling about the application you turned in,” a rough, deep penetrating voice came over the line.

Josephine swallowed as anxiety rushed through her body.

“Thank you for contacting me.” Josephine hoped she didn’t sound as nervous as she felt.

“If you’re available, I want to interview you today,” Ben said.

“Yes, I can do that. When would you like me over?”

“If you could be here in an hour, I’d appreciate it,” Ben said in his booming voice.

“Yes, I can do that,” Josephine said.

“You know where my office is.”

“Yes, I do.”

The phone went dead and Josephine disconnected the call with a frown.

“You’re being interviewed already?” Alice smiled at her friend with excitement.

“Yes. He wants me over there in an hour.” A surreal feeling took hold of Josephine. “This is so sudden. I don’t understand.”

“It means they’re serious about hiring you.” Helen’s eyes twinkled with delight. “I’m so happy for you. This is a great opportunity.”

“If it’s so wonderful, why didn’t YOU ask for the job?” Josephine shot her a sardonic look.

“You’re the six here, young lady.”

Josephine heaved a grievous sigh. “You’re right. I just hadn’t completely given up on retirement yet.”

“You’ve got so much energy and passion and youth in you! You’ll love working again,” Alice said.

Josephine decided she’d better end the game early so she could prepare for the interview. Alice and Helen were only too happy to give her a mock question and answer session. Josephine arrived at the police station and was ushered to Ben Nutter’s office by one of the administrative assistants, Anita.

“You’ll do great.” Anita threw her an encouraging look as they neared Ben’s office.

“Thanks.” Josephine forced a strained smile.

Anita patted Josephine on the shoulder and retreated down the hall toward her desk. Josephine knocked at the closed door.

“Enter,” Ben’s booming voice carried easily to Josephine’s ears.

Josephine stepped inside the office and shook hands with Ben before seating herself in one of the two black, cushioned office chairs facing the modest-sized desk. The office was small and cramped with several rows of filing cabinets and a couple of large orchids in the corner of the room. Josephine was tempted to open her second sight and probe the chief of police for psychometric energy so she could pick up what he was looking for and how to impress him but she refrained from doing so. It just wouldn’t be right. Besides, he may have an m-detector which would pick up on any magical activity. The chief of police was an imposing man in his forties with close-cropped blond hair, piercing blue eyes, and a mustache. Josephine disliked mustaches and beards and couldn’t help think that men who sported them were hiding something. Ben’s blue uniform was decorated with an impressive assortment of medals.

“So we finally get to sit down and have a conversation.” Ben’s loud, penetrating voice pounded against Josephine’s eardrums.

“I’m honored that you’re interested in speaking to me about this.” Josephine leveled a friendly smile at the chief of police.

“You have an impressive record. I don’t know if you realize this but not all category sixes crack every case so quickly. You’re exceptional.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I do want to make sure you’re prepared for the stress of this assignment. Technically, a psychometrist specialist is considered a detective so you will be performing the same type of police work.” Ben’s gaze turned assessing.

Josephine forced herself to keep still and maintain a neutral position so her body language would show confidence and competency. Under Ben’s intense scrutiny, she felt like a bug being dissected but he’d already admitted that he liked her consulting work. Josephine knew from hearing the police talk at crime scenes that they could often get people to spill their guts by allowing gaps in conversation. As much as it pained her to do so, she forced herself to remain silent.

“Are you aware that most category six wizards are unable to perform their full-time duties for more than a couple of weeks?” Ben said.

“Yes, I am.”

“Do you find yourself stressed after reading a crime scene?”

“I usually feel energized,” Josephine said and was surprised to realize that this was a statement of fact.

“You’re a rare breed, Ms. O’Connor.” Ben cast an admiring gaze at her.

“Thank you, Mr. Nutter.”

The chief of police proceeded with more interview questions that lasted for over an hour. The combination of his blaring voice along with the challenging and sometimes personal inquiries left Josephine shell-shocked when the meeting concluded.

“I’ve heard enough.” Ben offered an approving smile. “All new hires are on a one month probationary period before they become officially permanent. During that time, you may resign without notice or any negative consequence. On the same token, we may terminate your employment effective immediately.”

“I understand.”

“Congratulations. You’re hired,” Ben said.

“Thank you so much!” Josephine beamed at him.

Ben explained more of the details of the job and that she worked for the county of Sarasota. Apparently there were two positions – one in this county and one in Manatee. Josephine was thrilled to know she wouldn’t be required to commute vast distances. The psychometrist specialist was considered the same level as a police detective so Detective Riley would be a colleague rather than a superior officer. Sarasota had one other psychometrist who happened to be a category three wizard named Kyle Chastain. Josephine had never met the man but had heard of him. There was a huge difference in ability to read psychometric energy between the various categories of wizards. Of course, comparing any category to that of a six was like night and day. Josephine knew she would run circles around Kyle as a full-time employee.

Josephine returned to her condo in a bright mood. Her anxiety returned just a little when she thought back to the stalker but the wards she’d created at her residence were resilient enough to withstand an army. Alice and Helen came over right away to hear about the outcome of the interview. They took up positions on the living room couches.

“I’m in!” Josephine exclaimed. “I got the job!”

“I knew you could do it!” Helen praised her.

“Congratulations!” Alice said with great enthusiasm. “Tell us every detail – no matter how small.  Helen and I are living vicariously through you.”

Josephine laughed at her friend’s antics then complied with her request and filled them in. When she finished, her lips curved in a smug grin.

“So, Detective Whiney will no longer be my boss. We’re peers now,” Josephine said. “And the chief of police has the discretion to promote me to a senior psychometrist. From there, I could even become a sergeant and move up along the ranks based on performance.”

“That’s really good news but I still think you should call him Alex or Detective Riley,” Helen advised.

“I’ll think about it.” Josephine’s tone implied just the opposite.

“Are you going to visit Jake tonight and celebrate?” Alice asked.

“No, he’s got that kid hanging out with him. He’s an intern for the police department and I guess he’s friends with Jake. He was flirting with me like crazy and Jake wasn’t helping the situation. I gave the compatibility test knowing he’d fail but he passed.”

Helen and Alice both gasped with surprise and exchanged puzzled looks.

“I suppose it was bound to happen eventually,” Alice said. “How old is he? What’s his name?”

“His name is Mark and he’s only 18. Barely legal.” Josephine grimaced with displeasure. “I have no interest in him whatsoever so I need to steer clear of Jake for a while.”

“That’s right, you made an agreement with Jake that no matter how unsuitable a guy seemed, if he passed that questionnaire, you would at least give him a chance with two dates.” Alice threw her friend a questioning look. “But why on earth did you agree on two dates? Isn’t that a bit much?”

“At the time it seemed appropriate.” Josephine offered a helpless shrug.

“Let’s just hope that Mark doesn’t hang around with Jake for too much longer because there’s no way it’s appropriate for an eighty-four year-old to date an eighteen year-old,” Helen said.

Josephine made a couple of brief calls – one to Jake informing him that she’d got the job and one to Gary inviting him to stay at her place until the stalker left them alone. Gary was quick to accept her offer which pleased Josephine as she liked spending time with him.  Josephine paid a visit to Vickie Richardson at her house on Siesta Key. Vickie owned a massive, two-story dwelling with a huge yard brimming with lush plants including a variety of flowers, pineapple bushes, miniature palm trees, lavender bushes and elderberries. She made a living as professional restoration enchanter. It required years of training and a natural talent. Vickie had suffered at the hands of a serial killer intent on creating an enchantment that would convert a wizard to a category six. She had been his first success and barely lived to tell the tale. Josephine had helped Vickie to manage her new power. This didn’t help solve the problem completely because now Vickie lacked the ability to fine-tune the restoration enchantments which resulted in about six failures for every successful spell created. Vickie could always sense when the spell was off and would destroy it before putting it to use for one of her clients but it was a time consuming process.