Hear No (Hidden Evil, #1) (11 page)

“You really think he’ll turn out okay?” the police officer in front of him asked.

“Yeah, he will,” Nathan answered. He draped his hands through the bars of the cell. “He’ll need more boundaries than most. What’s going through is natural, though, so just keep an eye out and keep him focused on the positive.”

The officer considered then nodded. “Yeah, we can do that. Thanks, Nate.”

“Always here to help. Take care of the kid.”

“I will, thanks for the advice.”

The officer left, and Nathan faced the interior of his cell. He had long since grown accustomed to being approached by strangers for help. He could spot an incarnated angel in a crowd, and they could spot him, too. They were drawn to him, like Maggy said, even if he wasn’t entirely certain what about him was like a homing beacon.

The officer was a third gen with a first gen son experimenting with drugs. It happened sometimes, and Nathan hoped the kid’s spirit guide stepped up to help out.

Nathan glanced at his cell partner, who was passed out on one of the two metal, cot-like beds in the cell. It wasn’t his first trip to prison; it probably wouldn’t be his last. He’d learned to be patient when it came to how strangely things worked out.

“Hey … are you…” the voice drifted off.

Nathan sat down on the empty cot and gazed at the speaker, a first gen in the cell next door.

“Yeah,” he answered. “What happened to your clothes?”

The man in the neighboring cell wore a towel around his waist and nothing else. His aura glowed white and sparkly. He was in his twenties with dark hair and eyes.

“I, um, was real happy and slightly drunk and decided to worship my body in the middle of the street,” the man said, face turning pink. “You know that’s not allowed?”

Nathan laughed.

“Human bodies are so beautiful. It’s a shame.”

“I agree with you completely when it comes to women,” Nathan said. “I don’t want to see man-junk everywhere.”

“I guess I don’t care. I think everyone is beautiful.”

“Damn first gens. Always too damn happy.”

The man smiled. “Anyway … since we have time, I was wondering. Um, my mama died two years ago.”

“You want to say hi?” Nathan asked.

The first gen nodded.

Another of his skills: the ability to act as a medium and connect those on this side with those from the Other Side.

“It’s faster if I’m touching you,” Nathan said. He rose and crossed to the bars dividing his cell from the first gen’s then knelt beside them.

“Faster?” The first gen mirrored his movement. “We’ll probably be here for a while, at least until tomorrow.” His brow furrowed. “Why are you here, Nathan?”

“Long story. Won’t be here long, though.” Nathan stretched through the bars to take the first gen’s hand. “I need a few minutes of quiet.”

The man nodded.

Nathan closed his eyes and focused on the energy from the first gen and tapping into that of the Other Side. He silently summoned the man’s mother and waited until he felt the familiar pulse of energy in the air that told him she’d crossed over to visit.

Opening his eyes, he was able to see her faintly. Smiling, the elderly woman had silver hair and a stooped frame.

“She’s here,” Nathan said.

“I miss being able to see everyone like I could when I was an angel,” the first gen said with a sigh. “Does she look happy?”

“Dead people are always happy,” Nathan answered. “They don’t have to deal with this shit.” He motioned to the cement cell.

“That’s good. She can hear me?”

He nodded.

The first gen looked around, his gaze settling on some random point.

“I miss you, Mama. Thank you for taking good care of me. I know that we all have our expiration dates, but I’m sorry yours was so painful.”

Nathan glanced at the ghost, who would be able to speak to him. She was smiling, and tears sparkled in her eyes. The voice that spoke into his mind was soft, ethereal.

“She says she loves you and is proud of you,” he said aloud for the first gen to hear. “And to keep your clothes on.”

The first gen laughed. “I will, Mama, thank you.”

The ghost faded, returning to the Other Side. Nathan released the first gen’s hand and sat on his bed. The first gen’s aura sparkled with cheerfulness.

“I’m taking a nap. Can we talk later?” the first gen asked.

“Sure.”

Nathan watched him lay down then did so himself. He appreciated the uninterrupted time to think and to dwell on all he’d learned since arriving Monday. Folding his hands behind his head, he stretched out his legs and relaxed.

A fallen guardian, a vigilante group of rogue spirit guides, a gateway to Hell.

They were entering a new era, one that caught him off guard. Adaptable and open to anything new, he was also overly aware that this era would push him out of his comfort zone. He worked well alone and preferred to be independent in every aspect of his life. Likewise, it was going to be hard to balance or counter 3G if the members of the spirit guide corps remained isolated. 3G was willing to kill guides, and the Satanists like Eddy were growing bolder with the arrival of Shadowman.

Things were about to change completely, and he was intrigued by what was to come. Was this why his thoughts kept returning to Kaylee? Because she was different? A challenge?

Sharp, bright, and gorgeous, Kaylee didn’t seem like the kind who had someone thrown in prison just because she could. She hadn’t fallen for his lies and defended her boss, a man she clearly didn’t care for. If Nathan didn’t mention Shadowman, he suspected he’d never have gotten past her tough exterior.

Content he did, he wondered how long it’d take for her to come get him. There was no doubt she would. The pragmatic attorney had been spooked at the mention of Shadowman. How strong was Shadowman that he could manifest himself somehow beyond Mike for a complete stranger to see?

Her large, blue eyes, sharp tongue and shapely body had done more than draw his interest. He had the unusual urge to have his hands on her whenever they were around. He’d been turned on dealing with her. Women were always attracted to him, but rarely – if ever – did they fail to fall to his charm, when he used it on them the way he did Kaylee. Her defiance was more of a turn on than he expected.

I just broke up with someone. Do I really need this now?
Though if it was someone like Kaylee …
Maybe a fling until I leave DC for Arizona.

He tapped his fingers on the wall.

Eventually, his thoughts shifted from Kaylee to what danger she and Mike both might be in from Shadowman. He’d left Amira at the apartment under Randy’s watch while Maggy went out to try to find Mike.

Thus far, Mike was nowhere to be found, a sign that maybe Shadowman figured out they knew it was staying in the human realm. It might’ve convinced Mike somehow to leave the area. Guardian angels had the ability to be anywhere at anytime, even to be in multiple places at once. Nathan had to assume that Shadowman could as well.

It’ll be hard to kill Mike, if I can’t find him.

Nathan glanced occasionally at the clock on the wall outside the drunk tank cells.

The sooner they found Mike, the better. The only real lead they had to Mike’s whereabouts was his sexy protégé, who was putting up more of a challenge than Nathan expected.

This trip was turning out to be the best thing that happened to him in a long time.

Except he needed a cigar. The death sticks couldn’t kill him, but he was susceptible to nicotine addiction.

Nathan closed his eyes and slid into a meditative state, allowing his mind to connect to the Other Side. His breathing grew steady and slow, his focus shifting from this world to the other. The self-induced trance always left him rejuvenated and refreshed.

“Nathan.” Kaylee’s soft voice drew him from his meditation, some time later.

Took long enough.

“Yeah?” Nathan asked without opening his eyes.

“About what we were discussing earlier.”

“You mean, before you had me thrown in jail?”

“I think we should talk.”

Something in her voice made him crack open one eye. He expected to see her dressed in her suit, not casually in jeans and t-shirt with a sweater buttoned just below her breasts. She wore sandals, and there were lumps in her ponytail, as if she’d gotten dressed in a hurry. She appeared calm, though he guessed the steely exterior was hiding a great deal of emotion, based on the colors of her aura.

Nathan closed his eyes, aware he had to beat her at their game.

“I’m good here,” he replied.

“They’ll let you out, if I ask them,” she said. “I thought you wanted to talk.”

“Get me out, and we will.”

“I want it to be on my terms.”

“I get out of here in eighteen hours, so I don’t need your help. You’ve got no leverage, honey. We do it my way or not at all.”

Silence.

Nathan didn’t need to see her aura to know her anger.

“I’ll press charges,” she said finally.

“You’re a defense attorney. These cops will pay me for whatever you claim I did to you.”

“I’m a woman. They’ll believe me.”

“I can’t wait to hear you explain what we were arguing over. Will be the first time Shadowman is called to testify,” Nathan countered.

“You’ve lied to me since we met. I want to know you’ll tell me what’s going on.”

Bothered by the fear in her voice, Nathan opened his eyes and rose, crossing to the bars of the cell. He leaned against them, gazing down at Kaylee. Her breathing grew faster. He almost smiled. She was scared and upset – yet determined. The odd tension between them crackled, and he was too aware of what it felt like to put his hands on her hips earlier.

“Something happened,” he stated.

As if also aware of the sexual tension between them, she shifted away from the bars to put space between them.

“It was nothing,” she managed at last.

“This won’t work if you keep lying to me.”

“Never mind. I’ll Google it.” She started away.

“You won’t find the answers you’re looking for online,” he called. “If you need bail money, I authorized you to pick up my property. There’s cash in my wallet.”

“You did what?” She stopped and twisted to eye him. “Kind of arrogant to think I’d come back for you, isn’t it?”

“Hey, what’s your sign?”

“What?”

“Horoscope,” he said.

She looked like she wanted to strangle him, but she answered. “Pisces.”

Perfect.

“I’ll wait here, sweetheart. Don’t be too long.”

She stared at him then flushed, blue eyes glittering.

Nathan winked.

Kaylee strode away.

They were a natural match on the astrological side. His intensity and her yielding. He just had to get past the walls, and she’d be easy for him to get the information he needed from her.

He pushed himself away from the bars and sat down to put on his shoes, silently wagering how long it would take her. No sooner had he finished tying his second shoe than an officer walked down the tank to his cell.

“You’re one lucky bastard,” the officer said. “Your girl just made a good case for freeing you.”

“The only thing good about dating an attorney,” Nathan said, smiling.

The officer grunted and opened the cell. He waited until Nathan was through it before closing it and leading him out of the tank to the administrative office where prisoners were checked in and out.

Kaylee stood, arms crossed and unhappy, in the middle of the waiting area.

Nathan left her alone, despite the urge to tease her. He needed information from her, and she was close to the limit of what she’d deal with before walking for good.

Nathan checked out and joined her in the waiting room.

Kaylee didn’t wait for him but spun and strode to the exit. Nathan trailed with a wave at the police officers that brought him in.

She stopped at the door, and he saw her confidence falter. She peered into the night, as if to see what awaited her outside. She was really scared of something.

He tempered his more assertive side to keep from spooking her. He placed his hand on the door above her head, taking a moment to look over body and breathe in her scent.

“What’re you looking for?” he asked, stopping just short of their bodies touching.

“Nothing.” She shoved the door open and stepped away from him quickly.

The fall night was cold enough that he saw his breath rise to the stars when he exhaled.

Kaylee waited for him a few feet away, studying him. He joined her, moving into her personal space for warmth and his own personal enjoyment of being close to her. At her silence, he spoke.

“Here’s what I see happening. We go for a drink. You realize I’m the only one who can give you the answers you need. I realize you’ve got a lot more going for you than those cute ears and the hot bod.”

She touched her ears self-consciously.

“We figure out we can trust each other, even if we both keep lying,” he continued. “Or, we can skip all that to the part where we rip off each other’s clothing and make rough love.”

Kaylee appeared ready to laugh before she shook her head. Her emotions were near the surface, but not yet close enough to override her realism.

“This was a mistake,” she said, starting away.

“You wouldn’t make a mistake like this. Driving across DC to bail out a stranger? Not you.”

“You don’t know anything about me,” she snapped.

“I know you’re scared, and you’ve seen something you can’t rationally explain.”

She froze.

Nathan approached slowly, watching the colors of her aura as she struggled to figure out what to do. He moved in front of her and rested his hands lightly on her arms. Moonlight reflected in her pale blue eyes, and he saw the fear there. She’d taken a chance on him, because he was probably the only resort she had. Her cheeks were red from emotion and cold, her cute features and perfect complexion framed by errant golden curls. He couldn’t remember seeing anyone able to charm him with a combination of innocence and indignation.

“This is a judgment free zone,” he said softly. “Whatever you saw, whatever you think of me, I’m the one who can help you understand.”