Oracle Rising (42 page)

Rhett’s Cabin

Saturday Noon

He didn't mind playing babysitter to Juliett. She was standing in his kitchen making him something to eat.

Rhett couldn’t help but watch how she cheerfully moved around the space. When his ex-wife was here, she hated doing anything for him, and that included enjoying the home he’d built for them.

Then there was Juliett.

She was more than he could ever hope for in a woman. Not only was she beautiful on the outside, but she was amazing inside too.

When she placed a sandwich in front of him, she smiled. “I know it’s not the meal you cooked for me, but this is about as masterful as I can get in the kitchen. I never learned.”

He wanted to beg her to never leave.

If he did, he’d sound like a fool.

“I can teach you.”

“I think I’d like that.”

“It might take a while. You can’t build Rome in a day,” he offered.

She stared at him.

Was he making some veiled comment about sticking around? “Really? Are you willing to invest that kind of time?”

He stared at her.

“You know, to teach me how to cook.”

When he opened his mouth to say more, his phone started ringing.

“Sheriff,” he said, never looking away from her.

“What?”

There was more talking as he moved off the stool.

Juliett knew he was leaving. Since she didn't have any visions from the killer, it couldn’t be another woman. Besides, it was the middle of the day.

When he hung up, he was strapping on his side arm and scrolling through his contact list on his phone. “I want you to stay inside. I’m not going to be far away.”

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“My deputy found Sawyer Ewing. He’s back by the campsite.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, he’s behind our house. I have to get back there. I don’t want to leave you alone,” he said, “but I have to go.”

“I’ll be okay,” she stated absently. Had he just called the cabin theirs?

Was that some slip of the tongue or was his mind working overtime?

He made a call, speaking quickly into the phone. When he hung up, he looked a little less worried.

“Jagger and Avalon are on their way back here. They should be here any minute, and I’m going to meet Nate.”

“Please be safe,” she said, as he pulled on his boots.

“I’ll be fine.”

As he went to move toward the door, she stopped him. “Take your sandwich, and this,” she said, going into his arms. When her mouth found his, he melted into the kiss.

Slowly, she pulled away, his lower lip trapped between her teeth. The moan broke from his mouth.

“Jesus, that was…”

“Incredible?” she asked.

He simply blinked.

“There’s more where that came from. Think of it as me pre-paying for my cooking lessons.”

He couldn’t think.

“Uh, okay.”

“You better go. Take your sandwich,” she said, handing it to him. “You need to eat, and you can have it finished before you get there.”

He took a big bite and headed for the door.

Yeah, he could get used to this.

“See you later, honey,” he said, locking the door after he closed it. Outside, he swallowed the food, and the lump in his throat.

He had that feeling again.

And it wasn’t a good one.

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

When Nate got the call, he was more than ready to get out from the open. He sent Jagger and Avalon back to the cabin, with the instructions for him to watch her carefully until Maura got there with Luke.

He was riding solo, and his nerves were on edge.

There was that feeling in his gut that they were headed into something that was going to be dangerous.

Avalon’s words kept playing out in his mind.

She had freaked him out.

This killer was more dangerous than any of them thought, and he needed to get a line on him, and soon.

As he pulled into the sheriff’s driveway, he saw the path that led into the woods. He was going to have to navigate it alone, so he hoped that the killer wasn’t playing in the trees.

Yes, he took the precaution to pull on one of Maura’s top secret hoodies, but a head shot was a head shot.

He didn't want to even go there.

Nate liked his brains in his skull.

As he wandered down the path, he saw the signs of life. There, not far from the campsite was the ME, and he had a body bag with someone inside.

“Hello, Doctor Allen,” he said, taking it all in. “What do we have here?” he asked.

The sheriff didn't look good, and that worried him.

“We seem to have Sawyer Ewing. The man had a wallet in his clothes, but that’s all we have so far.”

“How did he die?” Nate inquired.

“Someone bashed in the back of his skull, and then pushed him into the lake.”

Nate pulled on a pair of gloves before unzipping the bag. From the look of it, the man hadn’t been in there very long. It appeared from the bloating, maybe a day or two.

That fit Mary Beth’s timeline of when Katie had the argument with the man, and then booted him out of the rental.

“Who found him?”

The sheriff spoke, “My deputy.”

Nate didn't say anything else.

“I’m going to take him back to the morgue and start the autopsy. I’ll have Katie Wolf’s done today too. Check in with me in the morning, and I’ll have something to give you,” he offered.

The men were good with that.

They were running on fumes, and they needed to regroup before continuing.

Luke had been hurt.

Avalon had been psychically attacked.

It was getting weird in Crosspointe.

They waited for the team to leave.

As soon as they were gone, Nate focused on the sheriff. “What’s got you so freaked out?”

“A whole lot.”

“Yeah, I hear you.” He told the man about what happened with Luke, and then with Avalon at the scene. As he told the tale, he noticed when the man got it.

“Oh, sweet baby Jesus! If he can get into her head…”

“Yeah, we thought about that.”

He started for the house at a breakneck speed. “I can’t leave her alone.”

Nate followed. “Jagger was already there when I got here. Stop a minute.”

The man did, but he looked like a trapped wild animal. His eyes were wild with panic, and his fists were balled.

“Why were you freaked out when I got here?”

Rhett tried to focus.

It wasn’t easy.

“Something is off.”

“What?” Nate asked.

“I sent Roosevelt Prince out to find Sawyer Ewing, right?”

“Yes.”

“I sent him out today—as in a few hours ago. How the hell did he find a man in a lake in a town this size? I didn't tell him to search the woods behind my house. What made him come here first?”

Nate thought about it.

“Maybe he saw your report on the purses we found here. Could he have started there and worked his way to the water?”

“I didn't submit my report.”

“What?”

“It’s in my office. I haven’t had time. We were pulling files, and I haven’t given it to anyone to type up. Caitlyn used to do that for me. It’s backlogged. So, unless he took it upon himself to play secretary, how did he know to head there?”

That was one question that Nate didn't have the answer to. “Did you talk about it at work?”

“Yes. I spoke to the lab to see if they got anything on the phones. They didn't.”

“Was your door open?”

“I don’t recall.”

“I think we need to do a little research on your deputy.”

“You think? I don’t know who the hell to trust at this point. It’s scaring the shit out of me. All I know is we’re fighting to save Juliett from someone who can now invade her mind. My deputy is looking like a good suspect, and we’re finding bodies left and right. This is a mess.”

Nate was well aware.

“Hang in there, Sheriff. We’ll get you through this.”
 

Yeah, he was hoping that would be the case.

At that moment, he was scared shitless, and not for him.

For the woman he loved.

Chapter TWENTY-TWO

Saturday Afternoon

Once they all got back inside, there was a sense of calm. Nate was back with Avalon, Luke wasn’t too injured, and Juliett was back with the man who could keep her alive.

It was much better than being out in the open with some psychic psycho.

“I say we order some lunch and get down to work,” Nate suggested. “I vote for pizza.”

“I think we should order it from the place Rhett took me the other night. It was really good.”

He pulled a takeout menu from a drawer. “Bachelor’s phonebook,” he said, grinning.

“I also vote that we stay in one place. I know it’ll be crowded, but the more eyes on Juliett, the better. Plus, Avalon is like an early warning system.”

They all glanced over, and she was sitting there calmly.

“If she freaks out, the shit is about to hit the fan,” Maura offered.

“You can all crash here. I have three bedrooms.”

Jagger didn't mind. He wasn’t going to be sleeping inside. He was on night patrol duty.

“Works for us,” Luke said.

Nate put in the order, and then pointed at the files. “We need to start going over all the people connected to this case. I know it’s not fun, and no one wants to tear your life apart, Rhett, but it has to be done.”

He knew what was on the line.

“I’m ready.”

Avalon perched on the window seat in the sun. From there, she could ‘watch’ all of their auras. It fascinated her to see a team working. For the last ten years, she was the tool. Now she was genuinely part of it.

It made her happy.

“Okay, here’s what we have,” Nate said, beginning to break down their suspect list. “An odd thing happened to day.”

He told them about Deputy Roosevelt Prince finding the body of one of their suspects in hours.”

“He could do it if he’s psychic,” stated Avalon. “I can tune in to death just like Juliett. The mind is an amazing thing.”

They all glanced over at Juliett.

“What? I help people pass. I can’t find the dead.”

Avalon shrugged. “Yes, you can. Why do you think you picked a job in a hospice? You’re drawn to it. You just don’t know how to use it to find the dead.”

Jagger wasn’t sure if he wanted to see Avalon wandering around collecting bodies. That was the opposite of keeping a low profile.

“We’re going to have to research him,” Nate stated.

Luke pulled out his tablet and began working through the man’s past.

“He went to school here,” he offered. “His mother is deceased, and his father wasn’t in the picture.”

“How do you know?” Nate asked.

“I found his yearbook picture online that states he owed it all to his mother who raised him. There’s no mention of a dad. I know when I thanked my parents, it was both of them.”

“How did his mother die?” Rhett asked.

“A car accident.”

Maura grinned. “Sheila Prince!”

“What?” they all said.

“There’s a file. Ten years ago, when you were still a deputy, your father had a case. It was a DUI. Someone hit her head on and killed her.”

She rustled through the case files, pulling it out.

“Your father never found the person who killed her.”

He leaned back in his chair. “You think he hates me because a drunk driver killed his mother and my dad didn't solve it?”

There were holes in it.

“If this is a personal attack at me, I’d have to be more involved. My dad didn't solve a few incidents. He was a cop, not a miracle worker.”

“What’s your gut say about the man?” Luke asked.

“He’s eager, hardworking, and willing to do just about anything.”

“And?”

“I don’t think it’s him. I may be wrong, but that doesn’t seem like the magnitude needed to snap.”

They put that one file aside.

“Who’s next?” Rhett asked.

“The Reverend William Clay is up to bat. He’s had a sexual relationship with the first victim.”

Maura thought about it. “What does he have in his life that’s connected to Rhett? If this is personal, how is it tied to it?” she asked, playing devil’s advocate.

Rhett had to think about it. “That’s the church we grew up in, and I was baptized there as an infant.”

“Any issues?”

“My father stopped going when my mom passed away, and that’s about it. If anyone had issues, it was my dad with God. Not him with the reverend. His mantra was that God gave her cancer, not William.”

“Did you or your father ever arrest him?”

He had to think about it. “I don’t think so. I know I never did. I’m sure my father would have bragged about it had he.”

Maura flipped through the files on the table. “No William Clay here.”

Nate crossed him off the list. He had to hope that they, and Avalon, were right about the personal angle.

“Who’s next?” Rhett asked, as Juliett curled into his side. When he rubbed his chin against the crown of her head, a warmth spread through him.

“We have Dennis Tucker. He’s a drugged up sex fiend. If anything, he appears to be harmless, but he did leave early the night Mandy Ryan was killed.”

“We’ve run into each other. The man likes his drugs and alcohol. Nothing major,” stated Rhett.

“Does he hate you?” Maura asked.

“He buys drugs. I’m a cop. I think it’s pretty much a bad relationship all around,” he said grinning. “I don’t know many druggies who are friendly with the police.”

“He supposedly has an alibi for last night. He did have sex with Katie Wolf.” He told them all about the interview.

“Then he claims to have taken a ‘Blanche’ or ‘whatever her name was’ back to his place. She left, and he was alone early in the morning until we bothered him.” Nate paused, “The only thing that bothers me is he was in his place when Luke got a face full of glass. If he’s part of this, he isn't working alone.”

They knew what that meant.

“We can work that angle. How many Blanches could there be in Crosspointe?” asked Maura.

The sheriff laughed. “This is the south. Blanche is pretty popular. I know four just from school.”

“Maybe we should go from there,” stated Maura. “You give me their names, and I’ll start checking.”

He rattled them off. “Those are their names as I remember. If they got married, I can’t give you anything more.”

Nate waited for Maura to finish writing them down. What was coming was going to piss the man off.

“Last suspect is Walter Longfellow.”

He visibly flinched.

“I’m sorry,” Nate offered. “We pulled his records, and if you think about it, he could be making this personal. He didn't like your father, your mother died, and he might be pissed about this.”

His jaw tightened in anger.

“He also knows all about you. Think about it, Rhett. He would know why your marriage broke up, right?”

“Yes, he knows how it happened.”

“So, he could go after the man who hurt his brother, and also make this personal.”

“Yes, he could of, but he didn't. I know Wally. He’s an asshole, but he means well.”

“Did he know about your first girlfriend, Katie Wolf?”

“Yes. He did.”

“Had he ever met your secretary?”

“Yes, and he even hit on her.”

It was looking worse and worse for the man. They all saw it. This was a matter of proving his brother’s guilt or innocence.”

“Did you ever arrest him?” Luke asked.

“Yes, I did. Drunk and disorderly—two times. As you can see, I didn't play favorites. If you break the law in my town, you pay the consequences.”

“We need to find him.”

“I gave you his number. I don’t know anything more. He’s a drifter. He likes to work, drink, and then get laid. I don’t mix myself into that. He was the black sheep in our family.”

“That’s more a reason to make you want to pay. He’s the ONLY person with means, motive, and opportunity.”

He wouldn’t believe it.

Despite what was between them, he wouldn’t let them tell him what his heart knew. His brother wasn’t a killer. Wally was nothing more than a petty criminal.

“If you don’t mind, I need some time to think,” he said, getting up from his couch.

Juliett watched him leave. “This is hurting him,” she said, when they all heard the bedroom door upstairs slam in anger.

“We don’t want to do that to him, but we have to point out the obvious.”

Avalon wandered over. “You should go see if he’s okay. He might need someone to talk him down. If one of us goes, it might only make it worse.”

She got up. “Save him some pizza.”

They would.

As she headed up the stairs, she wasn’t sure that her presence would be welcome. After all, he was a private man. Knocking on the door, she waited until it was wrenched open.

It made her jump.

He was red.

Agitated.

And ready to snap.

“Rhett.”

“You should go back downstairs, Juliett. I’m pissed. I don’t want to say something to you that I’m going to regret. I’m not in control right now.”

He went to close the door, but she shoved her foot in so it wouldn’t close.

“Juliett. Please!”

“No, Rhett. We’re doing this together. You’re going to save me, so let me return the favor.”

He moved away from her, trying to keep his distance. As she moved closer, he backed away.

It didn't stop or deter her.

Instead, it made her want to comfort him even more.

As she stood in front of him, her hands on his broad chest, Juliett faced down the storm. “I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”

He tried to hold back the anger.

She didn't deserve to bear the brunt of it.

“I don’t want to hurt you, honey. Leave. Go before I can’t keep calm.”

“You’d never hurt me.”

“You don’t know me.”

“Yes, I do. You’re sweet, kind, and a very giving man. You don’t have a mean bone in your body. You look intimidating on the outside, but inside…you’re gentle. I believe that with all I have.”

He wished she was right, but at that moment, he wanted to take, steal, and conquer.

Rhett wasn’t a saint.

He was the opposite.

“If you stay, I’m going to do things that I’ll regret.”

She had a feeling he was talking about sex. If that was the worst thing he could do, she’d do cartwheels across the yard.

“I’m not leaving.”

“Juliett. Please.”

“I know what will make you feel better,” she offered. “I know how to heal this in you.”

He knew what it would take, and it wasn’t the pretty side of him. It was something that lay dormant for a very long time. “What?” he asked, trying to breathe through the rage.

“Fuck me.”

It was like the air was sucked from the room and his lungs. Surely, he had to hear her wrong.

The woman before him didn't just say…

“You heard me. Let me help you. I guide the dead across, but I can guide you through this. I won’t break.”

“Juliett.”

She was a little hurt that he was holding back, but she recalled what the women said.

Fix him.

Well, here went nothing.

She reached up, grabbing his shirt and pulled. Buttons flew, fabric ripped, and the sound pulled a gasp from his lips. “Now! Take me now!”

She didn't give him a chance.

Instead, she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his hips. With her mouth, she crushed his beneath hers.

It was a wild kiss, filled with heat, lust, and need. It pulled him under, and Rhett could feel himself slipping. Instead of fighting it, he let go.

He trusted her with his heart.

Juliett knew him.

Instead of doing battle with the inner demons, he chose to do battle with her.

His mouth took.

He buried his hands in her hair, tightly yanking her mouth from his. “You asked for this. God forgive me, but you asked for it.”

He rushed them to the bed, tumbling onto the large mattress. She was trapped beneath him, and his hands were going wild. He pulled, tore, and ripped away everything she wore, like she was a gift on Christmas morning.

He didn't care.

Rhett only had one option, and it was to quench the fire burning in his gut.

She could save him.

He saw it now.

As she lay on her back, he shrugged out of his ruined shirt. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, out of control.

This was a part of him that he kept hidden.