Wicked Beginning: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 1-3 (55 page)

“They already think I’m crazy,” Ivy grumbled. “Where would Marcus take Jack?”

“I can’t be sure, but he went and looked at an empty house about a week ago,” Laura said. “I’ve been racking my brain, and I think that’s where he took him. He would need privacy to do what he wants to do, and that’s the best place to get it. The house was in the middle of nowhere.”

“Do you think you could find it again?”

“Yes.”

Ivy moved to her dresser and opened the top drawer, digging around in the dark until she found what she was looking for.

“Are those keys?” Laura asked. “What are they for?”

“My father’s car,” Ivy replied. “I forgot I even had them until he went off about me stealing his car this afternoon.”

“What are you going to do with them?”

“We’re going to wait for Brian to leave so he doesn’t catch us and then I’m going to climb out the window and go to the nursery and steal my father’s car again.”

“What if he hears you?”

“The car is across the way at the nursery. He ran here to get to me. He won’t hear it.” Ivy was grim. “Then you’re going to lead me to Jack. Once we’re sure he’s there, I’ll call Brian with the location.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m sure I can’t lose Jack,” Ivy replied. “I’d rather die with him than live without him.”

“I don’t understand,” Jack said, his mouth dry. “How is this possible?”

“You’re asking the wrong person,” Marcus said. “I didn’t even believe in this stuff until it happened. The last thing I remember is wishing I could be in someone else’s body and then … poof … I was. I woke up on Laura’s couch and went into the bathroom, thinking I somehow must’ve passed out at her house or I was dreaming, and then I realized what happened.”

“But … that’s insane.”

“I’m right there with you, buddy,” Marcus said, laughing maniacally. “It took me a week to realize it was really happening. After that I started planning my revenge. Do you know how surreal it was to go to my own funeral in my sister’s body? Creepy.

“I couldn’t take a shower for a week because the idea of seeing Laura’s naked body was so gross,” he continued. “I smelled so bad my mother finally insisted I reintroduce myself to soap. She assumed poor Laura was grieving.”

“What happened to Laura?”

“She hung around in my new brain with me for a little bit,” Marcus replied, his eyes flashing with annoyance. “She kept nattering on and on about me leaving because that was my only true escape. I kept telling her to shut up … and then she would go away for days sometimes and I thought I’d won … but every time she came back begging me to do the right thing. She always was a moron.”

Jack couldn’t decide if he was lost in a nightmare or if this was really happening. If this was a nightmare, his only hope was Ivy finding him to drag him away. Maybe he was still unconscious. That was a more reasonable assumption than believing Marcus somehow managed to body jump.

“Where is Laura now?”

“She left,” Marcus replied. “She was there when I dug up the gun and she called me a bad man.” His tone was mocking. “She said that karma was going to get me no matter what. I knew that wasn’t true. If karma was going to get me I would’ve died on the expressway that night.”

“You did die that night,” Jack said, his voice wavering.

“Nope. Now I get to finish what I started. I’m going to kill you, Jack. I’m going to make it hurt, too. When I’m done, I’m going to find a way to get your precious Ivy. I’ll send her along to the other side soon after I’m done with you. Your biggest problem is that I want to take my time. You’re going to have to do some suffering before I let you die. I hope you’re ready for it.”

Jack’s heart thudded at the thought of Marcus putting his hands on Ivy. “Leave Ivy alone.”

“Is that all you care about? What about you? Don’t you want to beg for your life?”

“I’ll beg for Ivy’s life if it makes a difference,” Jack offered. “I won’t beg for myself.”

“Have it your way,” Marcus said. “Ivy is dying, though. I’ll just bet they bury you guys next to each other. It will be sweet and romantic. I can’t wait to see how she screams.”

“WELL?”
Laura asked, her voice close to Ivy’s ear.

“You were right,” Ivy whispered. She stepped away from the half-window of the old Winchester house and dug her phone out of her pocket. “Keep watching them. I have to make a call … and then we’re going in.”

“What are you going to do when we get inside?”

“Save Jack … and hopefully figure out a way for you to get your body back.” Ivy pressed the phone to her ear and waited for Brian to pick up. When he did, he sounded irritated. Ivy cut him off before he could get a full head of steam. “I know you think I’m crazy, and I don’t blame you. I’m not at my house, though.”

“Where are you?”

“I crawled out the window and stole my father’s car,” Ivy replied, her voice even. “He’s probably panicking right now, but I had to find Jack. He’s at the old Winchester house on Cedar Creek Road. Do you know where that is?”

Brian was flabbergasted. “How did you find him?”

“You won’t believe me if I tell you,” Ivy answered. “He’s in the basement and he’s tied to a chair. I’m going in after him.”

“Don’t you even think about it!” Brian roared. “The one thing in this world Jack wants above everything else is for you to be safe. If you go into that house, you’ll both be in danger.”

“If I don’t go into that house, Laura is going to torture Jack to death,” Ivy countered. “You’re on your way. I can distract her until you get here.”

“No!”

“I’m hanging up my phone now,” Ivy said, eerily calm. “I’m going into that basement. I’m going to save Jack. I’m going to need you to save me. I’m turning off my phone so it doesn’t give me away. I … if something happens, tell my father I’m sorry. I can’t leave Jack, though.”

Ivy cut off Brian’s colorful swearing and disconnected her phone, powering it off before Brian could call back. She pocketed the device and squared her shoulders before moving toward the front door. “I’m coming, Jack.”

“I WON’T
let you hurt Ivy,” Jack said, glancing around the basement for a hint of something he could use as a weapon. He had no idea how he was going to get out of his bonds, but he’d been shifting his wrists and managed to loosen them, although only marginally.

“What is it about that chick?” Marcus asked, twirling around the floor-to-ceiling beam. “I mean, she’s hot. I can see that. You’re hopelessly in love with her, though. I can’t remember ever seeing you like this with a woman.”

“Ivy isn’t like any other woman in the world.”

“Is it the pink hair? Is that what does it for you?”

“The whole package does it for me,” Jack replied. “You need to stay away from her.”

“Oh, we both know I can’t do that, Jack,” Marcus said. “You ruined my life and I’m going to ruin yours. The truly sad part is that you won’t be alive to see Ivy die. Maybe I can keep you alive long enough to figure out a way to get her, too. I would love to watch you try to save her. That’s my idea of fun.”

“I will kill you,” Jack seethed, yanking against the ropes as he tried to throw himself forward. “Don’t you even think about touching her!”

“I’m going to touch her, Jack,” Marcus said, grinning. “I’m going to touch her in every way possible. Granted, it won’t be as much fun as a woman, but I’m sure I can figure something out to give us both a thrill.”

“That sounds fairly disgusting,” Ivy said, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.

Marcus jumped at the sight of her, flustered, while Jack’s heart rolled.

“Get out of here, Ivy!” Jack screamed. “Run!”

Ivy ignored his outburst. “How’s it going, Marcus?”

Marcus stilled. “What did you just call me?”

“Marcus.”

“How did you know that?”

“Well, I spent the afternoon with your sister,” Ivy replied, keeping her hand on the stair railing and her eyes on Marcus. She wanted to reassure Jack that help was coming, but tipping off Marcus didn’t seem like a good idea. “She’s approached me a few times. Today we finally got to have a chat.”

Marcus narrowed his eyes. “How is that even possible?”

“How is it possible that you’re inside of her body?”

“I have no idea,” Marcus answered. “Does she know? Has she figured it out?”

Ivy pursed her lips. “She’s figured out a few things,” she conceded. “She knows you killed your mother. She knows you killed Mark Dalton. She figured out what you had planned for Jack and me. She’s the one who told me about this place. She’s been following you.”

Marcus glanced around the basement, narrowing his eyes. “Is she here now?”

“She is.”

“Why can’t I see her?”

“I can’t see her either,” Ivy admitted. “I saw her briefly this afternoon, but I can hear her. She’s been bending my ear a lot today. It seems you’ve been a very bad boy.”

“Ivy, if you don’t run, I’m never going to forgive you,” Jack ordered. “You have to get out of here, honey. Please.”

“I’m not leaving you, Jack. Stop telling me to leave you. It’s not going to happen.”

“Yeah, Jack. Shut up,” Marcus said, mocking him. “If Laura is still here, what is she doing?”

“She’s waiting for the perfect time to get her body back,” Ivy replied. “She knows you’re too powerful to wrest control away from you. She needs to sneak back in when you’re not in control … like maybe if you were unconscious or something.”

Marcus jerked his head back and checked the empty space behind him before returning his gaze to Ivy. “She can’t have this body back. It’s mine.”

“You should’ve died that day on the freeway,” Ivy countered. “That was your destiny. Instead you stole your sister’s life. That makes you about the lowest life form I’ve ever met … and I’ve met some real jackoffs.”

“Ivy!” Jack struggled against his restraints. “I’m going to … .”

Ivy forced herself to remain calm and focus on Marcus. Brian would be here soon. “You should run now, Marcus. This is your last chance for escape.”

Marcus sneered. “Why? Are the cops coming for me? I have trouble believing that since you’re here alone.”

“The cops aren’t coming,” Ivy lied. “They think I’m crazy. I told them you took over your sister’s body and now they’re worried I need to be committed. In fact, they probably don’t even know I’m gone yet. I climbed out my bedroom window and stole my father’s car.”

“Ivy,” Jack whimpered. “How could you be so stupid?”

“You’re brave. I’ll give you that,” Marcus said. “Jack is right, though. You’re a moron. Why didn’t you call the police and tell them where we were before coming down here? That would’ve been the smarter move.”

“You heard Jack,” Ivy replied. “I’m not known for my brains.”

“You’re definitely a looker,” Marcus said. “I have plans for that cute little body of yours. Tell me, are you into pain?”

Ivy made a face. “You’re a sick individual, Marcus,” she said. “You feed off fear. Did you make your mother beg before you killed her?”

“No. I just popped her in the head twice and called it a day.”

“Did you say anything to Mark Dalton before you killed him?”

“I asked him for directions to distract him,” Marcus replied. “He didn’t even see it coming. If it’s any consolation, he was dead before he realized it. I didn’t have time to play with him because I knew you and Jack were close. I couldn’t have fun like I wanted.”

Ivy needed a little more time, so she heaped on more questions. “Why didn’t you kill me that day in the park?”

“I didn’t want you dead yet,” Marcus explained. “I wanted Jack to worry himself sick over you first. It worked, too. You two were miserable for days before he found his backbone – and I’m guessing another bone – and won you back. That was a little annoying because then he didn’t leave your side for two days, but it worked out in the end.”

“You know you could’ve gotten away with this if you hadn’t been so bent on revenge, right?” Ivy asked.

“Jack deserves to die. He ruined my life.”

“You ruined your own life,” Ivy shot back, refusing to mince words. She knew a little something that Marcus didn’t, and while he’d kept his attention on her she’d noticed a distant flash through the window behind him. “Do you know what your problem is, Marcus?”

“No. I have a feeling you’re going to tell me, though.”

“You’re your own worst enemy,” Ivy said, taking a step away from the bottom of the stairs to clear the way. “You never know when to take the win and shut your stupid mouth.”

Marcus lunged in Ivy’s direction as she covered her head and turned toward the wall. Jack’s scream was anguished until he saw Brian appear out of the darkness, gun drawn. He had an army of police officers behind him.

“Laura, you’re going to want to put your hands up and turn around,” Brian ordered, his voice deadly. “If you put up a fight, I don’t have any qualms about shooting you.”

“You can’t do that,” Ivy whispered. “Laura needs her body back.”

The look on Marcus’ face was chilling. He was out of moves. If he stepped toward Jack, Brian would kill him. If he stepped toward Ivy, the outcome would be the same. There was only one victim he had left to torture.

“Well, I guess that’s that,” Marcus said, his eyes locking with Ivy’s. “That was well played. You’re smarter than you look. I take it you lied about not calling the cops.”

“Jack may think I’m an idiot sometimes, but I try really hard not to live up to that reputation,” Ivy shot back. “Just … go. Let Laura back in.”

“Oh, no,” Marcus said, reaching behind his back and retrieving his gun. “What fun would that be?”

Multiple cops started screaming at Marcus to put down his gun … and then they started firing. So many rounds went off Ivy lost count as she huddled close to the floor and covered her ears. When she risked a glance up a few moments later, Marcus was dead on the floor … and so was Laura. Ivy looked around, desperate for a hint of the woman in question, but Laura was gone. Ivy had a feeling the consciousness clinging to this world passed over when Laura’s body exhaled its last breath. She could only hope Laura found peace on the other side. If anyone deserved respite, it was her.

Ivy jolted when a pair of hands landed on her arm, twirling her. Jack was at her side, Brian cutting him loose before Ivy could take notice, and his face was murderous. Ivy ignored the glare and threw her arms around his neck. “I thought I lost you.”