Oracle Rising (14 page)

She did as she was told.

Slowly, her face began relaxing. The tension was gone from her lips, cheeks, and brow.

Nate watched his girlfriend work her magic. It impressed him on some deep level. He loved watching Avalon slip in and out of her gift, helping others.

She was right.

This was what she was meant to do. There was no doubt that she had some empathic gifts too.

“I feel so much better,” Juliett stated, opening her eyes. “Wow! I wish someone would have taught me that sooner. That would have been more helpful than trying to meditate when someone is trying to kill you.”

Avalon simply smiled.

That technique was something she had taught herself a long time ago to keep her sanity. There had been no one to comfort her, or help her through the dangers of her gift, so she’d been forced to learn on the fly.

It wasn’t easy, but it was helpful.

As entertaining as the whole thing was, Jagger knew they were there to do a job. “We really need as much information as possible.”

Juliett nodded. “The other women?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know their names,” she offered. “I only got flashes of information. I wish I could give you what you need. I really want to help you. I want off this ride.”

Nate thought about it. “I may have a way to get the information,” he offered. “My sister might be able to help.”

Avalon smiled at his suggestion. She’d only met Callista Carter once, but she truly liked the woman. Callie was sweet, kind, and genuinely loved her brother.

When they were together, their auras shone bright. It was proof that they were close.

She wished she had that kind of relationship with her siblings before her father had killed them.

It might have been nice.

“You could call her. She might be able to look up the information and funnel it to us,” Jagger stated. “Or I can call Director Hot Stuff. I don’t mind talking to her. Nothing makes my day like a tongue lashing from her.”

“Yeah, she minds talking to you,” Nate stated. “I’m pretty sure she’d rather eat out her own eyes than place her tongue anywhere near you, Marine.”

Jagger snorted. “That’s what makes it hot.”

Avalon stood. “Nate, can you call her? The sooner you get the files, the sooner we can start working on this. For everyone involved, it’s probably better if we keep Jagger away from Elizabeth. That’s trouble in the making.”

Nate agreed.

Before doing it, he took Avalon’s hand, leading her to a chair not far away. “Stay right here, and I’ll make a call.”

It was crystal clear.

That was an order.

Jagger took position behind Avalon. Maybe it was out of old habit, but he was still on guard duty. The woman across from them may seem safe, but he’d seen people snap out of the blue.

He wasn’t taking a chance.

Jagger knew better.

In the small kitchen, Nate dialed his sister. When she answered on the second ring, her voice made him smile.

God!

He missed her, Suzie, and even Quinn.

It was hard living his life off the grid with their team. It was like two worlds running parallel to each other. When they went under, he’d hoped that his sister and Quinn would too, but they couldn’t. Suzie deserved a normal life.

Hiding from the government wasn’t that at all.

“Darlin’, what can I do for you?” Callista Carter-Gaines asked.

“Callie, I need a huge favor. The boss said to contact them in case there were any issues, and I need some information, but on the DL.”

“Elizabeth told me to help you if you reached out,” she offered. “What do you need?”

He told her all about the case he was working. Leaving nothing out, he easily slipped back into the familiarity of their once team.

Callie would get it.

There was no doubt about it.

“Crap, Nate! That sounds dangerous.”

He was well aware. “I don’t like having Avalon in the middle of this.”

Callie knew her brother needed someone to rationalize it for him. “She’s the center of this, Nate. She has to be involved. When she got free of the government, it was her choice to do this. I think we all owe it to her to see it through.”

She was right.

“Yeah, I know. Can you dig up the information? I need their names, autopsies, and anything else.” He gave her the location of the crimes.

“How do you want me to send it?”

“Email it. It’s risky, but hopefully, if anyone intercepts it, they’ll think I’m just working on a case.”

Callie hoped so. Keeping Avalon safe was vital. If anything happened to her, Nate would lose it.

They nearly lost him once.

“I’ll get them over to you later. I have a few therapy sessions with some agents, and then I’m free.”

He loved her. “Thank you, Callie. I knew I could count on you. Can you pass the information off to the director too? Keeping her in the loop is important.”

“I’ll handle it. Kiss Avalon for us, Nate.”

He laughed. “I do every chance I get.”

With that, his sister was gone.

Nate felt a little better. At least they wouldn’t be working this case blind. The good old FBI would be giving them a hand.

At least his family had his back.

Heading back into the room, he noticed Avalon was helping the woman stay calm. Her sing-song voice was incredibly cathartic. Nate knew it worked on him.

“I just wanted to tell you all thank you,” Juliett stated. “In case something happens to me, please know that I appreciate that you put it all on the line for a stranger.”

“It’s our job.”

It was so much more than that, and they all knew it. This was a calling.

Jagger moved from behind Avalon to make room for Nate. “We won’t fail,” he stated. “We don’t give up easily.”

She stared at him. “I wish I believed you.”

Yeah, they all wished that too.

They were going to need everyone on board in order for this to work.

Chapter FIVE

Wednesday Night

              Well, his ass was barely in one piece. It had been chewed up and spit out, just like he had expected. The entire experience pissed him off. While he had to stand there, Rhett was forced to pretend he wasn’t pissed.              

              He had to swallow his dignity for the badge, and it wasn’t an easy pill to swallow.

It had gone down exactly like he thought it would.

Telling the mayor the bad news, the man had erupted like a volcano. Rhett knew he was lucky to get the hell out of there alive. Like he suspected, the man had a plethora of unanswerable questions.

Why their town?

How could this happen?

Why his daughter?

It wasn’t like he could blame the man for being rattled to his core. His daughter was dead, and he wanted answers. Anyone in his position would feel exactly the same.

If he could, he would have given the man the answers, but they were out of his reach—for the moment.

Everything was puzzling Rhett Longfellow, but he’d get there—sooner rather than later.

The mayor didn't want questioning looks. Apparently, he believed that they should have the case solved by now, which was amusing, since he’d just found the body that morning.

The man wanted miracles, and that wasn’t in his power. If Rhett could, he would have gone back in time and saved her, but that wasn’t something he could do.

The mayor was going to have to mourn, and Rhett was going to keep himself, and his deputies, at a safe distance. It was the only way they were going to survive.

As Rhett drove through the sleepy old town of Crosspointe, he was stuck thinking about one other thing.

That woman.

There was something about her that fascinated him. Maybe it was because she was a stranger in his town, or that she was at the crime scene.

Hell!

Maybe it was both.

Either way, he wasn’t sure why he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Didn't he learn somewhere that the arsonist always returned to the scene of the crime?

Could she be the killer?

Or part of it?

He was having a hard time believing that the sweet, innocent girl was involved in this.

Then again, he’d been burned by sweetness before. His ex-wife was proof of it. When he married her, he thought he was getting a gentle flower.

Instead…he got a thorny rose.

Oh, and a garden full of snakes.

Yeah, the joke was on him. Let it be a lesson learned. Since then, Rhett knew better. He’d gotten his divorce, heard his ex had gotten married again, and he was grateful.

Yeah, he was thankful that they never had kids to tie them together past the divorce decree.

Those years of marriage had been an unmitigated disaster, and he didn't want a repeat of it.

It was mostly his fault. When he met someone, he got attached. It was just his personality. His wife had been his friend in high school, and then ultimately his sweetheart. She left for college, and when she came back, they thought they could pick up where they left off.

Only, they’d both changed.

Rhett became a realist, and she’d become a gold digger. Apparently, a small town sheriff didn't make enough money to support the lifestyle to which she had become accustomed.

So, when she couldn’t talk him into doing something else, she bailed.

Which…was fine by him.

Anyone who knew Rhett knew he was never leaving Crosspointe. You could take the good ol’ boy out of the town, but you couldn’t take the town out of him. Only, in his case, the apocalypse couldn’t get him to leave.

This was his home.

So, he was on the path to celibacy, sprinkling it with moments of one night stands.

As of late, there wasn’t really anyone around Crosspointe who caught his attention.

That was before he saw that brunette in the crowd.

There was something about her.

Rhett nearly had to give himself the lecture. While love at first sight was nice, it didn't always turn into the happily ever after he craved.

Look at his parents, they found it.

His friends found it.

Rhett…

Yeah, not so much.

So, until he could find Ms. Right, he was going to have to tread lightly. Collecting women as wives was frowned upon, and he didn't need to lose control of that runaway train.

There was a fine line between an unlucky string of women and a serial divorcee.

He didn't want to cross it.

Driving down the road toward his cabin, he knew why he was taking that far longer route. He couldn’t help himself.

He was a masochist.

Rhett knew that he was asking for a world of hurt. Drifters came and went, and he had no business even thinking about her and those really sensual brown eyes.

Damn it!

She was running through his mind, and he didn't know why.

As he slowed down, not far from his place, he saw the cabin his deputy had tracked her to.

It was quaint and very similar to his.

Only, something didn't feel right.

There were two cars there, and one of them was a tricked out Hummer with out of state plates.

His gut began stirring.

More strangers?

She wasn’t alone?

Rhett wasn’t sure if he was curious or pissed that his little ‘stranger’ fantasy was shot to shit.

The lights were on in the place, and he could see shadows crossing the windows.

Well, tomorrow, he was going to make a little stop.

After all, it was only neighborly of him.

As sheriff, and a citizen of Crosspointe, he should be nice.

Right?

When he did, one thing was for sure...

He was going to get to the bottom of this mystery, even if it killed him.

       
                 
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Early Thursday Morning

He was on the move.

She had fallen right into his trap. When he saw her there in her pretty party dress, he knew she was going to be joining him later.

All night, he bode his time.

Watching.

Waiting.

Planning.

Now that she was alone, he knew he should make his move. There wasn’t much time, and he didn't want to miss out on the perfect opportunity.

She was ideal.

Granted, he didn't study his prey long, but he figured she was safe. He was a tad bit distracted by the other psychic. He could feel her near, and he was going to get her.

One way or another, she’d be his in the end.

Until that moment, he had urges and cravings to fill. This one would be it. She was on his list to make pay.

Creeping up behind her, as she placed her keys in the door, he touched her shoulder.

Immediately, she jumped.

“Oh, Christ! You scared me! What are you doing here?”

“Same thing as you are. I don’t want to go home alone tonight. Want to get a drink?”

She thought about it. “Well, it’s getting late. I have work in the morning, and you know how bosses can be.”

He smiled.

“Okay, I get it. I don’t want you to get in trouble. Maybe another time. I just saw you and you’re so darn pretty.”

She fluffed her hair. “Really? You were watching me?”

He grinned. “Yes, along with everyone else. You’re hard to miss. It’s those really long legs. I think you were the most beautiful woman in the place.”

She batted her eyes at him.

Oh, she was falling for it, hook, line, and sinker.

“Well, maybe we can have a nightcap,” she offered, pulling two little bottles of booze from her purse. I always carry them…you know…just in case.”

“Sexy and smart. You’re just the whole package,” he said, grinning wickedly at her.

She giggled more.

“Let me help you,” he offered, grabbing both bottles. Gently, he twisted off the caps before handing her one.

“What a gentleman.”

Oh, she had no idea.

She was proof that Darwinism was in full swing. This woman had no self-preservation. If she did, she’d see the predator in her midst.

Clinking his mini vodka bottle off hers, he toasted them. “To getting to know each other. May there be flames of passion.”

She tapped his bottle before kicking back her drink. “I certainly hope so.”

When they were done, he took the bottle from her and tucked it away in his pocket. “I’ll get rid of these. Have a good night.”

When he went to walk away, she stopped him by grabbing his arm.

“Wait.”

He knew he’d played it just right. She liked a Casanova, and he’d given her just that.

“I may be free after all. If you want to join me at my place, maybe you can tell me how beautiful I am and spend the night. I think my schedule just cleared up.”

He laughed. “I’d love to worship you all night. Can you drive? I don’t have a car here.”

She popped the locks. “Get in. I’ll give you one hell of a ride.”

Yeah, before the night was over, she certainly would.

For that, he was grateful.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

It had been a couple of hours of debauchery. Granted, he never stuck around for multiple performances, but this one was a wildcat in bed. She was all over him, and he didn't mind.

She’d given him exactly what he wanted, and soon he’d take the rest. When she lay beside him, exhausted, there was no remorse as to what was to come.

“That was amazing,” she muttered.

“It was.”

“We can do that all the time, and I wouldn’t mind in the least. I think that’s the hottest sex I’ve ever had. I think I saw stars at one point.”

He ran his fingers down her bare torso. “Really? Then I’ve done my job.”

“I think I may beg you to do it again.”

He laughed, amused by how slutty she was. If she wasn’t part of the plan, he might have taken her up on the offer. Her body was one hell of a playground, but he had work to do. “I would, but I can’t.”

She rolled to her side. “Mmmmm, why not? I have an itch that I need you to scratch.”

“That’s easy. It’s because you’re a bad judge of character.”

His words confused her. “What?”

“You think you’re beautiful, and you assume you’re God’s greatest gift to me. You’re not. You, my dear, are flawed. The people you hang around with are less than the dirt beneath my feet. I just needed to use you for tonight to prove a point.”

She sat up, indignation on her face. “You’re an asshole. I’m perfect.”

That’s when he struck.

He didn't care to hear more from her. In fact, the less she spoke, the better. Honestly, she wouldn’t like him while he was angry.

And he was getting there.

As his hands found her neck, he began squeezing. Harder and harder, he applied the pressure, keeping her trapped beneath him. She scratched at his back and shoulders, trying to get free, but it didn't matter.

She was already dead in his mind.

He’d tolerate her pathetic attempts to hurt him, just like he tolerated her vanity. She couldn’t see what he did. This was more than killing.

This was his mission.

When her eyes rolled back into her head, he slowly released the pressure. She was out cold but not dead.

Perfect.

He wanted her to suffer.

He wanted her to feel the heat of hell licking at her filthy soul. It was his greatest joy.

Getting off her prone body, he strolled over to her liquor cabinet. It was filled with so much booze, that he believed he could start one hell of a fire. But first, he needed to get one thing. Pulling the woven twine from his jacket pocket, he wound it around her wrists and ankles to tie her spread eagle to the bed.