Diabolical (Shaye Archer Series Book 3) (15 page)

He nodded. “I’ll do it first thing in the morning.”

“Good. I’ll approach it from another angle.”

Before he even asked the question, he was afraid he already knew the answer. “What angle is that?”

“I’m going to run it by some shops…the kind that specialize in this sort of thing.”

He knew it was no use telling her not to do it, but he couldn’t help giving her a warning. “If this is occult related, then someone who owns one of those shops could be the guy or one of his cult members. He came after Harold in his home in another state. We have to believe that he’s watching you as well.”

“I’ll go during the day, when all the tourists are out and about.”

He knew Shaye wasn’t foolish, but his biggest fear was that being careful wasn’t going to be enough. And with a full day of work ahead of him, there was no way he could go with her, not without explaining to Grayson why he needed the time. And since they’d already agreed that Jackson wouldn’t share anything about Shaye at the department, that option was off the table.

“Will you humor me with something?” Jackson asked.

“What?”

“Will you text me your location before you go in somewhere, then let me know when you’re leaving?” He didn’t want to say out loud that at least if something happened, he’d know where to start looking, but he was sure he didn’t have to. Shaye knew the score better than anyone.

“I can do that, and I can do you one better. Let’s set you up to track my iPhone location.”

“You’d do that?”

“For you, yes. Look, I know the stakes, and I want as much backup as I can get from qualified people. Now, my mother is a completely different story. She’d spend her entire day tracking my phone, then calling to see what I was doing.”

Shaye gave him her password and they set up Jackson’s phone to track hers. It wasn’t bulletproof, but it made him feel a little better about Shaye investigating alone. When they were done with the phones, she rose from the chair and stretched.

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to call it a night,” she said. “It’s been a long couple days and I don’t see an end.”

“Of course. Let me call room service and get some extra blankets.”

“Don’t bother. It’s a big bed. We’re both adults and besides, it’s not like we haven’t slept together before.” She smiled. “I’m setting my phone alarm for six a.m.”

“Works for me. I’m going to make a few more notes first,” he said, and watched as she headed to the far side of the bed, tossed the covers back, and crawled under them. He tapped on his laptop for a couple minutes, casting side glances at her as he jotted down some notes. When her breathing shifted, he rose and turned off the bedroom light, leaving the light in the entry on. Total darkness wasn’t a good call in a strange place, and it definitely wasn’t a good call with Shaye.

He moved to the other side of the bed and lay down on top of the comforter, not wanting the heavy cover on top of him. It was a humid night and even though the air-conditioning was running at top speed, he still felt the stickiness of the night air all over his body. But he couldn’t blame the weather for the overwhelming feeling of dread.

Something was coming. Something dark and decades old.

* * *

T
he man slammed
his hand onto the kitchen table and cursed. How had the old nurse gotten the better of him? His plan should have worked. He’d done all the preparations, the prayers, the blessing of the knife, only to be thwarted by an aged, overweight woman. First the cop, now this. Even the doctor hadn’t been a complete success. He’d thought the man was dead when he saw him lying there on the floor next to the bed, but he was still clinging to life in the hospital, making it next to impossible to get to him.

He cursed again and sat down at the table, trying to figure out where he’d gone wrong. The hospital garage lot had been the perfect choice, or so he’d thought. The nurse worked the night shift so approaching her house during the day wasn’t optimum. She lived in one of those neighborhoods full of busybodies—always weeding lawns and planting flowers as an excuse to mind someone else’s business. Added to that, she had a top-rate security system, and the alarm was always set.

The hospital garage was the best option. It was still dark when she got off work and the garage was too far from the hospital for anyone inside to help her even if they heard her scream. He certainly wasn’t worried about the crap security cameras. Even if they caught him on the screen, the security guard was inside the hospital and too far away to help her. It should have taken only seconds for him to slice her throat and disappear.

Not only had she gotten away, she’d left a mark on him.

He looked down at his forearm. Blood was already seeping through the flimsy bandage he’d wrapped around it, and the sight of the red stain made him even angrier. He could still handle this. It hadn’t gotten away from him yet, but the cop and the nurse had been stark reminders that the enemy was real and strong. He’d been vain to assume taking them would be easy. If simple actions were all that the One required, then anyone could be his servant. He was not anyone. He was chosen.

And if he decided it was too dangerous for him to continue, then he would play his trump card.

T
uesday
, July 28, 2015

S
haye looked
down at Jackson as he slept. She felt bad about having to wake him because she knew he’d been up most of the night. She was certain of it because she hadn’t slept much herself. She squeezed his shoulder. “Jackson, wake up,” she said.

He opened one eye and then the other. “It’s morning? I swear I just fell asleep.”

“Me too, but I’ve got to get moving. Change of plans for this morning. There’s an emergency at the hospital.”

Jackson sat upright, the previous drowsiness disappearing completely. “Is something wrong with Corrine?”

“Corrine is fine. It’s Clara—the nurse who cared for me after I was found.”

Jackson nodded. He knew exactly who Clara Mandeville was. “What’s happened?”

“She was attacked in the hospital parking lot early this morning. By a man wearing a mask.”

Jackson’s eyes widened. “The goat mask?”

“She didn’t say, and she passed out before they could get more information. Jeremy, the security guard, called me. He said she managed to fight off her attacker, but he got away.”

“Is she going to be all right?”

“The doctor thinks so. She has a concussion, though. I hope it doesn’t affect her memory. The last thing she said before she passed out was my name. I have to get to the hospital. I need to be there when she wakes up.”

“You don’t have your car.”

“I’ll Uber there and back to my apartment when I’m done.”

“That’s not necessary.” Jackson jumped out of bed. “I’m going with you.”

“I appreciate it, but you have a job to do.”

“Yeah, and my job is finding the psycho who bought that girl. Clara was one of the names on our list. If Harold’s theory is correct—and I think it is—that man attacked Clara.”

“What about Grayson?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll figure out something.”

She nodded. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

He grabbed his jeans and headed for the bathroom. Shaye had gotten ready before she woke him so she shoved her laptop into her bag and zipped it up, anxious to get to the hospital. Jackson was ready a couple minutes later and they headed out.

They were both quiet on the ride to the hospital. Shaye was consumed with her thoughts about Clara and hoping she would be all right, and then with anger over the attack, launched against a woman for no good reason. If Clara had known anything that would have helped the police find her captor, she would have told them years ago. Why go after her now when she was no threat at all? First Harold, now Clara. None of it made sense.

When they arrived, Shaye rushed into the emergency room and the nurse at the desk jumped up from her chair the moment she saw her. “Ms. Archer! I was just about to call you. Clara woke up a short while ago and she’s been giving the doctor heck. He wants to run tests, but she’s refusing, insisting that she speak to you first. Come with me.”

They followed the nurse down the hall and she spoke as they went. “The police were here as well, trying to get a statement, and she refused to talk to them too.” The nurse gave them a worried look. “I’ve never seen Clara like this. She’s in a real twist.”

“But she’s okay?” Shaye asked.

“Seems to be, but until they can run tests, we won’t know for certain.”

“Don’t worry,” Shaye assured the nurse, “I’ll keep it as brief as possible and get her off for testing.”

The nurse looked relieved. “Thank you. We’re all really worried about her. Clara’s like a mother to everyone who works the ER.”

“I’m worried about her too,” Shaye said, “and I’m going to make sure she’s all right from now on.”

The nurse nodded and pointed to a door. “That’s her room.”

“Thank you,” Shaye said before pushing the door open and rushing inside.

Clara sat propped up in the bed with bandages on her hands and right knee. She looked tired, but the fire in her eyes burned strong. Clara might be hurt, but she was more angry than anything else. As Shaye stepped up to the bed, she saw the bruises on Clara’s neck and face and knew immediately how they’d gotten there. Anger coursed through her and she clenched her hands, wishing she could lock them around the bastard’s throat as he’d done to Clara.

“Are you all right?” Shaye asked.

“I’m a little banged up and a whole lot pissed off,” Clara said. “But I’m even more worried. I wasn’t a chance victim. That man was waiting for me.”

Shaye glanced at Jackson, then looked back at Clara. “What makes you think that?”

“It started with Dr. Thompson,” Clara said.

Shaye stared. “What about Dr. Thompson? Did something happen to him?”

Clara nodded. “They brought him in last Friday night. Heart attack. He’d called 911 and said someone was in his house. The police found signs of a break-in, but his wallet and his Rolex were on the kitchen counter. Dr. Thompson was on the floor on the side of his bed.”

Shaye drew in a breath, trying to process this unexpected piece of bad news. “Is he going to be all right?”

“Hard to say,” Clara said. “He’s stable but still unconscious. We won’t know how much damage there is, if any, until he wakes up.”

“But he’s going to wake up?” Shaye asked.

“I’m praying hard for it,” Clara said, “but I can’t make any promises. I’ve seen patients in his condition go both ways.”

Shaye nodded and glanced over at Jackson. She could tell by his worried expression that he understood the significance of what Clara was saying. Dr. Thompson was one of the names on the list they’d created with Harold. So was Clara. They now had two more reasons to believe Harold’s theory was right.

“Can you tell us what happened last night?” Jackson asked.

Clara nodded. “I was on my way to my car when I just felt wrong. You know? So I opened my purse and pretended I had forgotten something, but really, I took out my Mace. Then I turned around and headed back for the hospital. I figured if he thought I was going to get something I forgot and come right back, then I had a chance of getting back into the hospital.”

“Smart,” Jackson said.

“Would have been smarter if it had worked,” Clara said. “I hoped he was hiding near my car, which was parked on the back row, and that I had a half a garage advantage on him. But he fooled me.”

“How is that?”

“He must have been hiding behind one of the columns in the parking lot, circling around it to stay out of sight as I walked. He was closer to the entrance than my car.” Clara’s voice hitched up a notch. “I saw something move behind an SUV. I thought it was him, but he was already behind me. He hit me from behind and knocked me down. I swung my elbow and got a solid hit on him, then I managed to flip over and tried to get him with my knee.”

Clara swallowed and shook her head. “I admit, the mask made me hesitate. It was only for a second, but it was probably enough to keep me from kneeing him in his privates.”

Shaye’s pulse quickened. “You got a good look at the mask?”

“Was only a foot in front of me, and it’s something I won’t ever forget. It was a goat’s head. One of those like you see in those horror movies.” She shivered slightly. “That was the first time in my life I ever thought I was going to die, and if you knew where I grew up, you’d know what a big statement that is.”

Shaye reached over and placed her hand on Clara’s arm. “I am so sorry. If you hadn’t gotten away—”

“Don’t you even start,” Clara interrupted. “This isn’t your fault. Neither is what happened to Dr. Thompson. But there’s something else I need to tell you. Do you remember Nadine, your physical therapist?”

“Of course,” Shaye said, then her breath caught in her throat. “Did something happen to her?”

Clara nodded. “One of the other nurses told me yesterday that she was killed in the parking lot after teaching class at the community center.”

“Carjacking?” Jackson asked.

“Not unless the thieves have started slitting throats and leaving the car behind,” Clara said.

“Jesus,” Jackson said.

Shaye covered her mouth with her hand, horrified by Clara’s words.

“That’s me, Dr. Thompson, and Nadine, in a matter of days. I suppose it could be coincidence, but I’ve never been a big fan of the concept.”

“Me either,” Shaye said.

“I already didn’t feel right about Dr. Thompson,” Clara said, “and then when I heard about Nadine, it only strengthened my conviction that something was wrong. I was planning on calling you today and letting you know, just in case something was going on more than what the police could see and I could understand. Then that man attacked me, and I knew I was right about the others. That’s why I asked for you as soon as I woke up.”

Shaye looked down at the floor, still trying to process that Nadine was dead, Dr. Thompson was clinging to life, and Clara was battered and bruised all because of her.

“You didn’t cause this, child,” Clara said, clearly cluing in to her guilt. “Don’t ever allow him that kind of power of you. Only one man is responsible for this.”

“She’s right,” Jackson said. “I’m really sorry that this happened to you, Ms. Mandeville, and I can’t tell you how glad I am that you got away. You, Dr. Thompson, and Nadine are on a list of people Shaye and I intended to contact today and warn that you might be at risk.”

“So you think I’m right?” Clara said.

Jackson nodded. “Too many things have happened for me to think otherwise. There was an attempt made on someone else related to Shaye’s case, but he got a bad feeling and went into hiding before the man broke into his house. The security cameras got him, though. He was wearing a goat mask.”

Clara looked at Shaye. “It’s the man who took you, isn’t it?”

“I think so,” Shaye said.

Clara studied her for several seconds, her indecision clear. Finally she asked, “Are you remembering?”

Shaye glanced at Jackson, then looked back at Clara. “Yes,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Clara nodded. “Then I’m going to tell you something I never told the police. What I knew wasn’t going to help the police any with their investigation. But I knew that one day you’d want to read those reports, and those words would have only done more harm. But if you’re starting to remember, then it’s time I break my silence.”

“What is it?” Shaye asked.

“You woke up during the X-rays and starting screaming,” Clara said. “You said ‘Mama, don’t make me go. You know he scares me.’ Then you passed out again.”

Shaye knew something like this was coming, but to hear Clara confirm what she already knew made her angry and sad all over again.

Clara stared at Shaye, studying her as she would a patient, then her eyes widened. “You already knew.”

Shaye nodded. “My biological mother sold me to John Clancy.”

“Oh my God!” Clara moved her bandaged hand on top of Shaye’s and squeezed. “When will it all end for you? It’s so unfair.”

“Now that I’m remembering,” Shaye said, “it could end soon. The question is what the end will be and how many people will be hurt before it’s over.”

“Might be sooner and better than you expect,” Clara said. She sat up straighter and leaned toward them. “I got a piece of him when I bit him. Gave it to Jeremy before I passed out.”

“A piece of him?” Shaye knew she had heard Clara correctly, but she had to make sure.

Clara nodded. “From when I bit him. A good-sized piece of skin it was. If he’s in the police database, this could all be over soon.”

Jackson pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll call the station,” he said, and left the room.

Clara waited until the door closed. “He cares about you,” she said. “I can see it in the way he looks at you. Even in the way he stands. He’s protective. That’s a good thing to have in a man.”

Clara squeezed her hand again. “And you deserve something good.”

* * *

J
ackson stepped into the hall
, calling Grayson as he walked. Despite the early hour, the detective answered on the first ring.

“I was just about to call you,” Grayson said. “I guess you heard about Clara Mandeville.”

“I’m at the hospital with Shaye right now.”

“Good. Reynolds wanted me to get in touch with you so you’d get in touch with Shaye and let her know that Ms. Mandeville was asking for her.”

“What can you tell me?”

“Reynolds got the call but Ms. Mandeville was unconscious when they arrived. A nurse said she called out Shaye’s name before she passed out and when she woke up, she refused to speak to Reynolds, insisting she talk to Shaye first. What the hell is going on, Lamotte?”

Jackson hesitated for a second, but then figured there was no point in trying to keep information from Grayson. Clara would give her statement to Reynolds, so the goat mask would be on record. And sharing Clara’s information about Dr. Thompson and Nadine would only get Grayson involved in helping notify the other potential victims. Jackson could leave Harold Beaumont and Shaye’s returning memory out of his explanation entirely and their side investigation wouldn’t be at risk.

“I think we have a huge problem,” Jackson said and filled Grayson in on Dr. Thompson and Nadine. “That makes three people connected directly to Shaye who have met with foul play in less than a week.”