Tuesday's Child (18 page)

“Nope, ‘cos Jesus is there. Are you scared cos the bad man’s still out there?”

“Maybe a little.”

Her wide blue eyes stared up at him. “It’s OK to be scared a little. Adeline said so, cos you have Jesus right next to you.”

“Yeah, we do. And that’s a good thing.”

Vianne hugged him tightly. “A very good thing. And He’ll love us and look after us, right?”

“Right. You all right to sleep now?” She nodded, and he kissed her forehead. “In that case, good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite. And if they do…”

“Squish ‘em,” Vianne shrieked with delight. She leapt off his lap and snuggled down under the covers.

Ten minutes later, Nate carried a tray of coffee into the lounge.

A soap opera played on the TV in the corner, the closed captions at the bottom of the screen. Despite that, the volume was louder than he’d normally have it.
Probably Agent Debone making a point.
He set the tray down and grabbed the remote, hitting the volume minus button a couple of times.

“Here’s the coffee I promised about half an hour ago.” He handed one to Adeline and another to Agent Debone. “I hear Vianne is restaffing the doll hospital for you.”

“Thank you. Yes, she is. She’s the nurse, and Agent Debone here is the porter.”

“I tried chair leg, but she wasn’t having any of it. I’m never going to live porter down in the office.”

Nate laughed. “Chair leg might be a bit harder to write in the report.”

“True. But
porter
?”

“It could be worse. She could have made you tea lady and told you to wear a maid’s uniform.”

The agent choked and sprayed coffee down his shirt.

Nate pulled a handful of tissues from the box on the coffee table and handed them to him. “Are you OK?”

Agent Debone nodded his thanks and set the cup down, mopping up.

Adeline sipped her coffee. “Did she tell you that she also wants me to put one of those barrels onto Ben’s collar in case the dolls get thirsty? I guess we should be grateful she thinks they carry juice and doesn’t realize it’s whiskey.”

Nate grinned. “He’s a King Charles Spaniel, not a Saint Bernard.”

“Try telling Vianne that. As far as she is concerned, a dog is a dog. They come in two sizes, big and little. But just like a woman can do a man’s job, so a little dog can do the same job as a big dog. Her words not mine.”

Ben sighed, his head on his paws, one ear alert, the other folded down. His tail thumped gently against Adeline’s leg.

She reached down to pet him. “You’ve taught Vianne equality for women almost too well, Nate.”

Nate’s shoulders raised in a shrug. “I don’t want her growing up thinking she can paint herself like a doll, bat her eyelids, and play men for what she can get. A woman is an equal partner, not a possession. Same goes for a bloke.”

“Are you saying that you don’t believe in protecting someone you love?”

Rivers of energy poured through his already taut body, tightening it like a bow string. If only they were alone just for a few minutes so he could show her how he felt about her.

“I’m not saying that at all. To protect someone I love, I would carry her over puddles, give her my coat in a rain storm, open and close doors, give up my seat on the bus or train. Then there’s making cocoa, the occasional dinner…” He answered her grin with one of his own. “And lay down my life for them if that’s what the situation calls for.”

“
Them
? Just how many women are you in love with, Nate?”

Nate glanced down at his cup.
Stupid… how do I get out of this one?

“Well?” She wasn’t going to let it drop.

“Well, there’s Mum, my cousin Judy, Vianne.” He held her gaze and switched to sign language to finish, “and you. You have no idea how much I love you.”

Her smile lit her eyes and melted his heart even further. “Love you, too,” she signed back.

A cough from across the room reminded him they weren’t alone and that Agent Debone didn’t understand what they were saying.

Nate raised his cup towards his mouth then paused midair. “Though Vianne might be a little miffed to discover she’s only third on the list.” He returned to speech.

“Better third than not on the list altogether,” Adeline teased. “But we won’t tell her.”

“Good, because if she found out, she’d probably make me the man who scrubbed the floors with a toothbrush, or cleaned the toilets, or something equally nasty at the doll hospital. Or tea lady.”

“Don’t give her ideas,” Agent Debone chimed in. “She may change my job to any one of those when she realizes I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been told to protect her as well.”

Nate swung around sharply, coffee threatening to spill onto his lap. “
What?
”

“Just a precaution, nothing more.”

He struggled to get the words past the lump in his throat. “Are you saying Vianne’s in danger?”

“Nothing of the kind. You know what the powers that be are like.”

“Oh, yeah.” Nate took a long drink, trying to will his racing heart to return to its rightful rhythm in his chest. “So I don’t have anything to worry about as far as my niece is concerned?”

“You don’t. If you did, then I’d tell you out of professional courtesy if nothing else.”

“Thank you.”

Adeline shifted in her seat. “This is my fault. I’m putting you all in danger. I should leave. Perhaps Mark can deliver on his promise and find me a room on his army base or something.”

“You’re not going anywhere.” Nate spoke sharply and emphatically. He knew there was no point as she couldn’t hear him, but did it anyway. It relived the tension filling him. “I have fought tooth and nail to get permission for you to stay here. And you’re not going anywhere until we catch the killer.”

“Just until forensics have finished with my house.”

“Until the Herbalist is locked up,” Nate repeated, signing at the same time. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Thank you.”

“And once your house is handed back to you, I’ll help you redecorate the hall, and change the carpet if that’s what you want.”

“Thank you. That would be good.”

****

Over the course of the next week, Adeline settled into a routine. Nate went to work leaving her, Vianne, and Agent Debone in the house. She would go into work, taking Vianne and Shadow as Vianne insisted on calling the agent, with her. Vianne sat either at the desk coloring or by the dolls’ beds reading to them, while Agent Debone followed Adeline’s every move. It was tiresome, but she could see the reasoning behind it.

One thing she did enjoy was spending every evening with Nate. Going to bed, knowing he was sleeping just down the hallway made her sleep better than she had since this whole nightmare began. But the best part happened on her first morning. She’d gotten up early to read her Bible in the kitchen over coffee as was her habit. Nate found her and asked if he could join her. They had spent an hour in reading and prayer every day since.

On Sunday Nate drove them all to church. Agent Debone hesitated at the door. “I might just keep watch from out here. There’s only the one door, right?”

“There are fire exits at the back, and the three doors you can see here, but I thought you were supposed to keep me in your line of sight at all times.”

“Miss Monroe, this would be the best way to proceed. Sgt. Holmes can go in with you, and I’ll watch the road. I can call him if something happens.”

“My phone is on silent,” Nate told him. “But I’ll change it to vibrate.” He led Adeline inside. His hand was warm around hers, and the sensation of his skin against hers sent ripples of pleasure through her.

Mark stood on the door greeting people, and raised his eyebrow as he shook Nate’s hand. “Morning, Sergeant. Is hand holding something you do with everyone you’re protecting?”

Nate grinned. “Only your sister. I have a vested interest in protecting her. And it’s Nate, please. We’ve known each other long enough to dispense with the formalities.”

Mark hugged Adeline. “I wondered how long it’d be before you both figured it out, sis.”

“Agent Debone isn’t happy about it. Nate’s boss won’t be, either.” She signed rather than spoke. “So please don’t say anything to anyone just yet.”

Mark mimed locking his lips and throwing away the key. “Agent Debone won’t come in, then?”

Adeline shrugged. “We both tried. According to him, church is for fruitcakes.”

“Really?” Mark grinned. “Maybe we should start serving that instead of biscuits with the tea and coffee after the service. Oh, and unless you want to start the gossip mill running full pelt, Nate, I’d let go of her hand before you go in. Too many little old ladies who love to spread the good news, if you get my drift.”

Nate laughed and led Adeline and Vianne inside the building. “Was that a roundabout way of giving me his blessing to date you?”

“Yes. Mark is a man of few words unless he’s displeased.”

“Then I shall do my utmost not to displease him.”

“That’s probably a good move, considering what he does for a living.”

Nate nodded in agreement. “He could probably teach my self-defense class better than I can. And out-shoot me.”

****

Tuesday afternoon, Adeline looked up as the light flashed and the door opened.

A tall man stood there, long dreadlocks pulled back into a ponytail and a bandana tied over his head. Baggy trousers, waistcoat, and floppy sleeved shirt all in bright, clashing colors, meant it could only be one person. Susie’s boyfriend, Storm.

Ben brushed past her as he backed away. Adeline glanced down, wondering what the problem was. He was a people dog and had never reacted like that before.

Not having time to worry over that, Adeline turned her attention to the man. “Can I help you?”

“I’ve come to pick up Susie.”

Agent Debone rose. “I’ll get her.” He moved to the interior door and opened it.

Adeline studied the man.

He paced the floor, sweat lining his brow. His smile, even when Susie came into the room, never reached his eyes. He held out a hand to her. “Let’s go.”

Susie angled herself so Adeline could see her. “Have you met Dr. A? She runs the place here.”

Taking a deep breath, the man held out a hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Storm.”

“Adeline.” The instant his hand touched hers, Adeline’s vision blurred. Dark black energy shot into her, chilling her to the core. Her legs wobbled, but she was unable to move, his gaze hypnotizing her. Sheer evil shone from the dark eyes, yet she couldn’t look away.

“Pleasure to meet you.” His voice penetrated her mind.

She could hear him in her head almost as if she weren’t deaf.
God help me.
As she prayed, the darkness lifted enough for her to feel Vianne tugging at her sleeve.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“I can call Uncle Nate if you’re not feeling well.”

Does Nate realize how astute this child is?
“I’m all right.” She let go of Storm’s hand and glanced at Susie. “Have fun, and I’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning.”

Adeline headed to the ladies room on wobbly legs. Her stomach roiled, and her head pounded. She shut the door and collapsed against it, and then closed her eyes tight. Why had she reacted like that? She’d never been overwhelmed when meeting someone. It was as if evil oozed from his every pore.

She washed her hands with water as hot as she could bear, desperate to rid herself of every trace of him. Glancing into the mirror she could still see his eyes, drilling into her. She should text Susie, warn her. But say what? Your boyfriend gives me the creeps? Maybe just a general warning to be extra vigilant.

She shivered, and headed back to her office. Pulling her cardigan off the back of the door, she slid into it, cold despite the heat of the day.

A red mist descended rapidly over her, and she staggered forwards into her desk. Her arm knocked the lamp sideways sending a dozen things crashing to the floor. She gasped for breath, as through the crimson veil, strong hands clamped tightly around her neck.

A masked face leaned over her. The glittering eyes bored into her, holding her gaze even as her vision dimmed. Her hands rose to her throat, trying to push him off. “Please…”

His lips moved. “You’re safe now, my love. No one can harm you now. You’re free.”

Rasping breaths, harder to breathe, then everything faded in slow motion.

Ben licked her face, and she opened her eyes to find herself lying on the floor.

Vianne sat holding her hand, and Agent Debone had the phone clamped to one ear, his lips moving rapidly.

Adeline struggled to sit up. “What happened?”

“You blacked out,” Agent Debone said. He put his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. “Ben barked and almost broke the door down to get our attention. I assume it was another one?”

Adeline nodded. “He called her ‘my love.’ He knew her.”

“Was there anything else? Carpet under her, or grass?”

Adeline closed her eyes for a moment, trying to think. “No, I saw it as if I were her.”

“OK, then. What was above him?”

“I don’t know. His face was right in mine. Balaclava, dark eyes, and thick lips. There was something blue.” She worried her bottom lip, trying to think. “There was blue around him.”

“OK.” He turned back to the phone.

Vianne touched her arm, and Adeline turned. “Are you all right, Adeline? Uncle Nate prays with me when I have a bad dream. It helps. Would you like me to do that for you?”

Tears filled Adeline’s eyes. A huge lump choked her, and she nodded, beyond words.

Vianne grasped both her hands. “Dear, Lord Jesus. Please look after Adeline. She’s very scared right now because of the nasty dream she just had. Put Your arms around her, hug her, and remind her just how much You love her. Thank you. Amen.”

Adeline smiled at the simplicity of the prayer. “Thank you. That was lovely.”

“It’s the one Uncle Nate uses for me. It always works. Then he does this.” She hugged Adeline tightly.