The Spirit Tree (13 page)

Aaron knocked on the door before I finished my first cup of coffee. I’d managed to French-braid my hair and throw on a pair of cutoffs and an old Soundgarden T-shirt. Anything more would have to wait until I had caffeinated. He smiled when I opened the door.
Oh no,
not another morning person.

“Coffee?” I turned to refill my cup.

“No, thanks.” He pulled an evidence bag from his briefcase and set it on the table. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Bryson came into the kitchen and leaned against the wall.

“Sure, I guess.” I shrugged.

Aaron pulled a knife from an evidence bag and offered it to me. “Be careful. It’s sharp.”

“What if I leave fingerprints?”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s already been processed.”

The moment I wrapped my hand around the handle, visions exploded behind my eyes.

A young woman stood in a crisp white kitchen, with two kids hiding behind her legs. She had one hand on each of their heads. Her eyes widened in terror as she took a step away from something. A flash of a distorted face and blond hair reflected in the blade.

The first blow took her by surprise, but she didn’t scream as the butcher knife sank into the middle of her stomach. The second stab came fast, a few inches from the first. This time she screamed and stumbled forward.

“Run.” Her hands went to her middle and blood coated her fingers and palms. “Lilly, run.” Desperation filled her.

The children didn’t understand. They were too young, so young that they clung to their mother as she was stabbed seventeen more times. They held to her arms as she lay dead on the floor. The little boy wailed the way toddlers do, mouth wide open, face wet with tears and drool. The girl hadn’t shed any tears; she only whimpered and begged her mother to get up. The assailant changed the angle of the knife and hit the screaming boy between the eyes with the blunt end of the handle. He stopped crying. The intruder set the bloody knife on the countertop. The vision went white, but someone shook a trash bag.

I dropped the knife on the table and backed away. “You have the wrong guy. It wasn’t the dad.”

“What did you see?” Aaron set his hand over mine. “Tessa? What did you see?”

“She was stabbed in the stomach and chest, twenty times, give or take. She was wearing an orange tank top and running shorts. Her glasses broke when she fell.” I went to the sink to wash my hands. I couldn’t stop shaking any more than I could stop the tears from rolling down my face. “The father didn’t do it.”

Aaron wrapped his arms around me. “Did you see the kids?”

“Yes, they saw their mother being murdered. He hit the boy with the butt of the knife. I think he was still alive. They were both alive. I heard the rustle of a trash bag and couldn’t see anything else.”

“Did you see the killer?”

I curled against him. “I saw blond hair. I couldn’t make out the face. It was quick.”

Aaron pulled away. “Can you try again? I mean, touch the knife and see if you can get anything else?”

Bryson said, “No.”

At the same time, I said, “Yes. I have to try.” I placed my index finger on the flat side of the blade and closed my eyes, focusing on the feel of the metal. “Nothing.”

Aaron nodded and kissed my cheek. “I have an idea, but I’ll have to bring Samuels in on this.”

“He’s not my biggest fan, but sure. I guess.” I wrapped my hands around my coffee mug, soaking in the warmth.

“You said you didn’t want to explain your psychosis to anyone.”

I choked on my coffee. “It’s not psychosis, it’s psychic abilities. I’ve had a rough go of it, but I haven’t descended into psychotic episodes—yet.”

“Yeah, right. Sorry.” He ran his hand over the back of his neck. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. I wasn’t the only one who hadn’t had much sleep.

“If I can arrange it, would you be willing to go to the house where the murder happened?”

Bryson made a sound somewhere between a grunt and a groan. I ignored him. “Yes, but I can’t promise it will work.”

Aaron stood. “I need a couple of hours sleep, and then I’ll see what I can work out. Can I call you later?”

“Sure.” I walked him to the door. The two men shared a silent nod, and Aaron left.

I turned and gave Bryson a hard look. “I have to help.”

“I know.” He frowned. “Let’s go get some food. I have a craving for a greasy burger. Do you know Chet’s Diner?”

“Yes, I love that place, but we can’t leave until Dottie and Mae get here.” As soon as I said the words, I changed my mind. “Actually, let’s go. I don’t feel like answering a bunch of questions. I’ll leave them a note.”

I drove slowly up the drive and hit the gas on the hard road. Bryson held on to the handle as if in fear for his life. I ignored him and sped up.

“You need to be careful. The more involved you get with this case, the more risk you run of being outed.” He gritted his teeth.

“Does my driving scare you?” I chuckled when he squinted his eyes. “I know the risks. I could lose my new job or even my license. But, I’m not sure the board has rules against psychic powers. It’s common for police departments to hire psychologists to do profiling and evaluations.”

“You need to lie low until we’re sure Marvin’s conjurer is taken care of.”

“Maybe helping someone else is exactly what I need to distract myself, until I can get my life back in some sort of order.”

“Or maybe you need to focus on
you
right now?”

I whipped into the fast lane and pushed the gas pedal until the force pushed me against the seat. “Did Marvin tell you the conjurer’s name or how to find him?”

“No. After I broke the connection, he didn’t feel much like talking.”

I turned toward Bryson. “You hurt him badly enough that he couldn’t talk? How are we going to end this if we don’t know his name or where he is?”

“Eyes on the road.” Bryson stepped on his imaginary brake. “I didn’t hurt him any more than I had to. When people are spelled as deeply as Dr. Hicks, their memories are fuzzy when the connection is broken. It might come back to him, or he may never remember the details of the guy.”

I slowed and merged right toward the exit. “Is this ever going to end?”

Bryson squeezed my thigh. “It will end. We just have to wait for him to make a mistake.”

I removed his hand from my thigh. “So until he screws up, I’ll have shifters shooting me in the yard? I’m supposed to start work on Monday.”

Bryson glanced out the window. “It’s not a good idea to work until this is over. Everyone around you will become a target. This guy is a skinwalker. He can change forms and take control of the humans he possesses.”

“Skinwalker? Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

“He’s a conjurer who can change into animal or human forms. He isn’t a shifter. He needs spells to change, and can’t stay in the form for long.”

I gripped the wheel. “Well, great. We don’t know what he looks like, and even if we did, he could just poof into something else?”

“I can spot a skinwalker. He got by me last night, but now that I’ve felt his magic, it will
not
happen again. I’ll teach you to see magic.”

I remembered Atsila’s words: “
You will see more when you close your eyes.”
I pulled in to the restaurant.

“What are you thinking?”

“Nothing, let’s go.”

“Hi, I’ll have a cheeseburger, fries, and a glass of tea.” I smiled at the waitress and wished I’d dressed properly.

She looked at me like I’d annoyed her, and turned to Bryson. “What’ll you have, handsome?”

“I’ll have the same as her. Is Scarlett working today?”

“Yeah, she’s in back. Want me to get her for you?”

“Please.”

The waitress winked and walked away.

I leaned across the table. “Who’s Scarlett?”

“An old friend. She might be able to lend some assistance.”

Bryson stood when an elderly woman approached the table. He motioned for her to sit. “Scarlett, this is Tessa. Tessa, Scarlett.”

“Nice to meet you.” I offered my hand.

Scarlett slid into the booth and shook my hand. The moment our skin touched, I felt her power wash over me. She shook her head. “Nice to meet you, too. I heard about Charlie. Such a shame. He was a good man.”

I pulled my hand away. “Have we met?”

“No, child.”

“How did you—?”

“You and I, we have some things in common.” She watched my reaction.

“You read me?”

Bryson wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Scarlett is a seer. She can read anyone she touches.”

“Oh, wow. That must make life interesting.” I sat back in my chair.

“I
can
read anyone, doesn’t mean I do.”

“You knew Charlie?”

“Everyone knew Charlie.” She chuckled and turned to Bryson. “How can I help?”

“Tessa is able to read objects. I thought you might be able to give her some pointers.”

Scarlett pursed her lips as she nodded. “What sort of objects?”

“The first time was a watch, the second, a knife,” I said.

“Could be metal, could be another quality. Hard to say. It takes time for the gift to reveal itself.”

“I saw a vision once when I touched someone’s hand. It might have been the future. I don’t know, just a hunch.”

“Trust your gut, but don’t pick the visions apart. You see what you need to see. It takes time and practice.”

“I’ll work on it.”

She titled her head. “It will come when it comes. I saw you getting shot in the leg. Was it recently?”

My mouth fell open before I could stop it. Knowing she was a seer and experiencing it were two different things. “Yes, ma’am.”

“But you’re healed?”

“It was just a flesh wound. I’m feeling much better.” I hadn’t given much thought to my gunshot wound.

She looked at Bryson. “She’s more like you than like me, no?”

Bryson smiled. “Tessa and I have a lot in common.”

The bell jingled and Scarlet turned toward the door. “I need to get back to work.”

“Thank you,” Bryson and I spoke in unison.

“You two make a nice couple.”

“Uh no, we aren’t a couple.” My cheeks heated.

She titled her head and looked between us. “I know a good match when I see one.” She winked at Bryson. “Don’t let this one get away.”

Scarlett walked to the front of the restaurant. The look in Bryson’s eyes made me pause. He didn’t seem surprised by her words. He took my hand and smiled. “Don’t let her rattle you. She likes to speak her mind.”

“I like her.”

“She’s right. You should try to read different things, see what works.”

“Miss Lamar.” Detective Samuels took in the two of us.

I released Bryson’s hand. “Detective Samuels, long time no see.”

The detective appraised Bryson and turned his attention back to me.

“No crutches? Are you feeling better?”

“Much thanks for asking.” I stood. “Excuse me, I need to use the washroom.”

“No bandages?” Samuels bent to get a better look at my calf. “Son of a bitch, you don’t even have a scar.”

Once again, I’d screwed up. I should have wrapped my leg where the wound had been. “Mederma. Great stuff.”

Samuels’s expression went from unfriendly to downright hostile. He grabbed my arm. “I don’t know what games you’re playing, but leave Aaron out of them.”

Bryson tensed beside me, and I felt his energy change. I pulled my arm away from Samuels. “I’m not playing games.”

“The hell you aren’t. I know he slept at your place the other night, and here you are with
him
.” He hitched his thumb at Bryson. “Then he comes in saying something about a murder weapon and a mystery informant, and suggests we take you to the murder scene. Two deaths. Six, if you count the carnage beside your family’s property. This is beyond coincidence.”

“Let’s go.” Bryson stood beside me.

“But we haven’t had lunch.”

“No, you two stay. I’ve lost my appetite.” Samuels turned and left.

I returned to my chair and rested my head on the table.

“Didn’t you need to go to the ladies’ room?” His voice softened, though he still oozed anger.

“Not really. I just wanted him to leave me alone. He didn’t hurt me.”

“It’s not that.” Bryson glanced over his shoulder.

“Then, what is it?”

“You have enough to deal with, without getting involved with this case.”

The waitress brought our food. My stomach roiled. Samuels wasn’t the only one who had no appetite.

“You should steer clear of the cops for a while.” Bryson shoved food into his mouth.

I picked at my fries, thinking about Aaron and the case. I couldn’t stay away from him, not with two kids missing. “Are you angry with me?”

He shook his head. “He had no right to put his hands on you.”

“Who? Aaron didn’t. I mean, we didn’t have sex.”

Bryson turned his head and stared until I wanted to crawl out of my skin. “I meant Samuels. He shouldn’t have grabbed your arm. But thanks for the information.”

“Sorry, I was trying to figure out how to explain this to Aaron.”

“Explain what? His partner ran into us and jumped to the wrong conclusions?”

“That, and why people around me keep dying.”

“You shouldn’t try to explain. It only makes you look guilty.”

“I know, but he has to be thinking the same thing as Samuels.”

“This is why you shouldn’t involve outsiders. How will you explain the parade of folks coming for your help once you officially become a shaman?”

“I’m not sure I want to become a medicine woman.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, and the most selfish.” His mood went from bad to worse.

“I had a life before all this happened, a life I want to get back to. Why don’t
you
take the position?”

“You don’t think I have a life to return to?”

I frowned and bowed my head. I’d never considered that Bryson might have something else to do. I knew nothing about him, other than the fact that his spirit animal was a hawk, he was a half-breed, and he was a serious pain in the butt. “Of course you do, but you’re better suited for it than I am. I don’t know anything about magic.”