by Deanna Chase
“Is he on his way?” I asked her, taking a sharp right turn. The wheels squealed, and I gritted my teeth as I held the car steady.
“Yes, he’s going to shadow walk, but there’s no guarantee he won’t meet trouble when he walks through the worlds.” She narrowed her eyes. “I think the police car that Charlie’s in just turned in the parking lot. Hurry.”
My foot pressed down on the gas, and as soon as we shot forward, lights lit up behind me and the wail of the siren blasted through the air. “Dammit!”
“Ugh!” Jade let her magic drop. If her hands were lit up when the cop came to the window, our troubles would be far worse than a speeding ticket.
“Shit,” I muttered and slowed as I eyed the curb for a place to pull over. “We’ll never get to her now.”
“I’ve got this,” Jade said, reaching up to palm one of her breasts.
“Jade! What—”
She groaned a moment later as her white T-shirt was suddenly soaked with breast milk. “Gods. That’s better. I thought I was going to burst there for a second.”
I put the car in park and stared at her chest. She looked like the winner of a wet T-shirt contest for new mothers.
“Excuse me, ladies. Want to tell me what the hurry is?” a dark-skinned cop with a deep voice said from my open window.
I turned to eye him. “Sorry, Officer. It was kind of an emergency. My friend here just had a baby and—”
“I don’t see any baby,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.
“No, of course not,” I said, shaking my head. “That’s because she’s at home with the sitter. My friend here was having a breast-milk emergency.” I waved at Jade, who gave him a weary glance.
She pressed one hand over her eyes. “I’m so embarrassed.” Then she dropped her hand and stared right at him. “My boobs suddenly started throbbing and… Ugh. Before we could get home, I sort of burst.”
The cop’s eyes were glued to Jade’s impressive rack. He visibly swallowed and jerked his gaze away. “I see. That looks… uncomfortable.”
“It is. And now I’m sort of letting it all hang out,” Jade said with a wince as she covered her boobs with her palms. “Do you mind if Pyper takes me home? We promise to be more careful.” She glanced up at him and batted her eyelashes.
Good goddess. She was really laying it on thick. But if she managed to get me out of a ticket, I supposed it would be worth it. Though we were never going to get to Charlie at this rate.
“Of course. Sorry for the trouble.” The cop tipped his cap. “I hope your day gets better.” Then he rushed back to his patrol car. A second later, his car darted past us and he disappeared into the police lot.
“Go!” Jade ordered, already pulling a fresh shirt out of her oversized bag. “I’ve taken to carrying spares. This post-pregnancy thing isn’t for the faint of heart.”
“I guess not,” I said, grimacing. Is that really what I was signing up for? It definitely was. Pressing a palm to my flat belly, I sucked in a deep breath and tried to think about how I’d felt the first time I’d held Juliet. Her sweet little face had enthralled me, and the way she’d cuddled right into my chest had sent a wave of love through me. A little breast-milk leakage wasn’t going to hold me back. I might feel differently six weeks after giving birth, but if Jade could do it, so could I.
“Pull over here.” Jade, already cleaned up and in a fresh T-shirt, was out of the car the moment I killed the engine. “Kane!” she called.
A tall dark-haired man jerked his head our way and headed for us.
“Did you catch her?” I asked, running around the car to grip his forearm.
He nodded, but his expression was troubled as he ran a hand through his thick hair. “There’s a criminal attorney on her way, but…” He shook his head. “It doesn’t look good.”
“What do you mean?” Jade and I asked at the same time.
“The Brotherhood has a contact on the inside,” he said, wrapping an arm around his wife’s waist. “He said they have video of Charlie leaving right after midnight… after they estimated that Sam was killed.”
I let out an audible gasp as my head started to ache. Charlie was not capable of such a crime, and the ghost had come to me, right? A small voice in the back of my head said, How do you know she was telling the truth? I shook my head, dislodging the thought. “We need to talk to Charlie.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be possible,” Kane said. There were deep worry lines in his forehead, and his eyes were pinched. “The lawyer said she’s going to do her best, but it’s likely Charlie will be denied bail. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow after the arraignment to even visit her.”
Jade’s phone buzzed. “Darn it. That’s Bea.” She pressed the phone to her ear. “Hey, Bea. How’s Juliet? Is something wrong?”
Kane turned his worried eyes on his wife as the two of us waited to hear what Bea had to say. She was the former coven leader of New Orleans and Jade’s current babysitter.
“Damn. Okay. I’ll be right there. Thanks.” She ended the call and clutched at Kane’s arm. “She has a low-grade fever. I’ve got to get her to the healer. Bea doesn’t think it’s serious but suggested that getting special herbs now would be best.”
“Let’s go,” Kane said, clasping his hand around hers.
Jade turned to me. “Let me know if you find out anything else. And don’t hesitate to call if you need me.”
There was no way I was going to call on the new mother if Juliet wasn’t feeling well. But I knew Jade didn’t want to hear that, so I just nodded. “Go take care of our precious girl. I’ll wait for the lawyer.”
Jade grabbed me into a tight hug. “You’re a great friend.”
“So are you.” I reached out and squeezed Kane’s hand, knowing he’d pulled out all the stops to get Charlie the best the lawyer he could find. “Go. I’ll call you later.”
Kane leaned over and pressed a kiss to my temple. In the next instant, he tugged his wife forward and the pair of them disappeared into thin air as Kane shifted them into the shadow world. It wouldn’t take any time at all to reappear outside Bea’s house, though I did wonder how they were going to get the baby to the healer without a car. But I had no time to worry about that. They’d figure it out.
Pulling out my phone, I walked toward the police station and called my fiancé Julius to fill him in and let him know I’d be waiting indefinitely for Charlie’s attorney to arrive.
Chapter Three
As it turned out, the sleek dark-haired lawyer was pacing the waiting room when I walked into the police station. There was no doubt she was an attorney. She had that sharp, intelligent look about her. Not to mention she was on her phone talking to someone about Charlie’s case. It only took me a few minutes to realize that person had to be Kane when she mentioned sending him the bill.
“Excuse me,” I said when she ended the call.
The lawyer jerked her head up, scanned her dark eyes over me, and smiled. “You must be Pyper.”
“I am. Did Kane tell you I’d be here?”
She nodded. “He also says you have some special abilities with some information that might be useful.”
I glanced around at the various people milling around the station and then lowered my voice. “I do, but so far my information is… incomplete. It would help if I had Charlie’s version of the story.”
She frowned. “Even though Mr. Rouquette is paying my fee, Charlie is my client. I can’t say anything to you or anyone else without her permission.”
“I understand,” I said quickly and held out my hand. “I’m Pyper Rayne, and Charlie has known me for years. Run it by her. Tell her… tell her I’ve spoken to Sam’s grandmother… who happens to be a ghost.”
The lawyer nodded, tapped something into her phone, pocketed the device, and then held out her hand. “Sasha Briggs. Nice to meet you, Pyper Rayne. I’ll talk to my client and get back to you.”
“Perfect.” The lawyer was associated with the Brotherh
ood. It wasn’t a surprise that she took the idea of speaking to ghosts in stride. I reached into my pocket to fish out a business card, but before I could give it to her, the clerk called her name.
“Sasha Briggs, your client is ready to see you.”
“That’s my cue,” she said, already moving toward the door.
I shoved the business card into her hand. “I’ll be waiting for your call.”
She gave me a sharp nod, and a moment later, she disappeared behind the secured door.
My footsteps echoed on the wood floors of my Bourbon Street apartment while Stella, my white-and-gold shih tzu, stared at me from her place on the couch. I’d been home for over an hour and felt like I was going to come right out of my skin. I needed to do something; I just didn’t know what. There wasn’t much I could do until I talked to Sasha Briggs. But who knew how long she’d be sequestered with Charlie? I hadn’t waited around the police station. There really wasn’t a reason to since I wouldn’t be able to see her until after her arraignment the next day. And Sasha had already said she’d call when she could.
So I’d come home and changed out of the dress I’d worn to my bridal shower and was in ripped jeans and a sweatshirt that read Pardon my ghost’s french roast. It was an ode to my ghost Ida May, who spent the majority of her time in the café leaving inappropriate messages on the specials board.
What’s wrong with you? Did your friends forget to invite the Thunder from Down Under to your wedding shower?
Think of the devil herself. I snorted then turned and spotted the dark, curly-haired ghost who was dressed in her lacy nightgown and black thigh-high stockings. In her previous life, she’d been a lady of Storyville—New Orleans’s red-light district. And she never let anyone forget it. “No Thunder from Down Under,” I confirmed. “But there was a lingerie show. I think I have several new outfits on order, but honestly, I’m not sure considering Charlie was arrested in the middle of the party.”
What? the ghost asked, her big brown eyes round with shock. Those bastards arrested her? For what?
“Murder.” I sat on the arm of my coffee-colored couch and reached over to pet Stella. The little dog rolled over, giving me her belly.
Charlie? Murder? Who’d she off? Some jackass douche canoe who couldn’t keep his hands off the ladies? Ida May asked, her shoulders relaxing as if the development was completely understandable.
“No. Sam, one of the dancers at Kane’s club.” Even saying the words made my chest tight.
Ida May floated in the air and just blinked.
I sighed. “I know. There’s no way she did this.”
You’re damned straight she didn’t. You and Jade need to fix this. What can we do? Where did she die? Let’s go. Maybe her ghost is still there and we can get the deets straight from the horse’s mouth. Ida May floated toward the door. When I didn’t immediately follow, she spun around and gestured to the door. What are you waiting for?
It was my turn to blink. Then I let out a disbelieving bark of laughter. How come I hadn’t thought of that? What was I going to do? Sit around and wait for Sam’s grandmother to appear again? Time for action, Rayne. My lips twitched into a tiny smile. “Has anyone ever told you you’re something else?”
All the time. Now move. We have a murder to solve.
After giving Stella one last pet, I grabbed my phone and sent Julius and my brother Bo a text to let them know they were on their own for dinner. With my keys in hand, I strode to the door.
“Ready?” I asked Ida May.
You’re the one playing with that silly device again, she said, referring to my phone.
I rolled my eyes. “Come on.”
Bossy, she muttered.
I snorted and led the way down the stairs, but instead of pushing open the door that led to the parking area in back, I strode down the hall. My apartment was above my café, which was located right next to Wicked. The buildings were pressed up against each other, and a door in the back hallway connected the two. Since Kane and I were besties, the door was never locked, and we each came and went as we pleased.
That was a good thing, because today I needed information and I didn’t want to bother him while he and Jade were busy dealing with a sick baby.
You need to see some naked women first? Ida May asked with a high, tinkling laugh.
I rolled my eyes and ignored her.
I know you used to manage this place, she added as she followed me into the office Charlie and Kane shared, but even with all those naked dancers, I’ll still hold the record for seeing tits. Back in my day, the girls I knew let it all hang out all the time. You should’ve seen—
“Pyper. Hey,” Kane said, not realizing he’d just cut off Ida May. Since I was the only one of us who could hear or see her, he had no idea she was even with me. He placed the phone in its cradle and stood.
I hadn’t seen him until he’d spoken. I’d thought he’d still be with Jade at the healer. And with Charlie at the police station, I’d assumed the place would be empty. “Hey,” I said, walking over to him and giving him a hug. The day had been so trying that I needed the support.
He wrapped his arms around me and tucked me in close, his lips brushing a brotherly kiss over my temple. “You okay?”
“Do I look that bad?” I asked with a humorless chuckle. The image of Charlie being hauled off by the police had started to replay in my mind, and it was making my stomach turn.
“Just a little worn out. It’s been a day.” He pulled back and gave me a reassuring smile. “I’m sure it’s nothing a little war paint can’t fix.”
I pinched his chest, making him laugh as he tried to jump away, but I tightened my grip, not letting him go. “How’s the little one?”
“Better.” He rested his chin on the top of my head. “The healer’s potion knocked the fever right out. That was Jade on the phone. She said Juliet’s sleeping. Totally passed out. So you know Jade. She’s propped up in bed with the baby beside her while she chows down on the largest piece of cheesecake anyone has ever seen.”
I couldn’t help the bubble of laughter that rose from the back of my throat. “Did she admit she was eating a quarter of it?”
His body shook with laughter. “Of course not.”
“Well, if she’s going to overindulge, I guess this is as good a time as any. Breastfeeding will help her burn all the extra calories.”
He glanced down at me, his eyes lingering on my belly. “Any news on that front?”
I swatted him as I stepped away. “Nope. Stop asking.” It was the third time this month. Apparently now that he had a daughter, he was desperate for Aunt Pyper to pop one out. “I’m starting to think it’s like that saying… a watched pot never boils.”
His dark eyes crinkled with humor even as he wrinkled his nose in mock disgust. “I definitely haven’t been watching. Ew, Pypes. That’s gross.”
Please, Ida May said in my ear. Like he wouldn’t watch. He’s a man.
“He’s also like my brother, so cut it out, Ida May.”
Kane smirked. “I see our favorite ghost is haunting us.”
“Right. Actually, we’re headed over to Sam’s house to see if we’ll be lucky enough to find any other spirits that can tell us anything about what happened last night. Or even see if Sam is still hanging around. But I need her address. It should be in her employee file.”
“That’s not a bad idea. Need me to come with you?” he asked even as he tapped away at the computer, presumably looking for her employee records.
“Nah. You should go home and save Jade from herself before she has to buy more maternity clothes.” I winked at him. “But I’ll let you know if we find any information.”
“Call if you need me for anything.” He scribbled down the address, but before he handed it over, he narrowed his eyes at me. “Okay?”
“I will. Jeez. Don’t get all Bea on me now.” She had a habit of mothering us all even when we didn’t need it.
“I think going Bea on you is exactly what
you need.” He handed me the slip of paper. “Be careful, okay?”
The concern in his tone was so heartfelt that warmth spread all the way to my toes, just like it always did when I was confronted with the truth that even though Kane and I weren’t blood related, he was every bit my family. Just like Jade. Along with Julius and my brother Bo, those two would walk through fire if I needed them to. Just like I would for them.
“Come here,” I said, holding my arms out wide. “Let me give you a hug.”
He stepped into my arms, wrapping me up tightly.
“Give one of these to your two beautiful women, okay?”
“Count on it.” He released me and walked me to the door. “Now go get what you need to clear Charlie.”
I saluted him and jerked my head to Ida May, indicating she should follow me.
Once we were outside, Ida May pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. Stick a fork in me, I’m burning up with sin. That man is hot!
“He’s taken,” I said mildly as I slipped into the driver’s seat of my red VW Bug.
So am I, Ida May said with plenty of exasperation. It doesn’t mean I can’t look. She tsked. Your generation is so uptight. Take a chill pill or chillax or whatever it is you kids are saying these days. Don’t be such a prude.
I actually laughed at her grumpy expression. “Prude? You do remember that I’m a body paint artist, right? I paint naked bodies all the time.”
Like that counts. Just drive, Rayne. We have ghosts to interrogate.
Chapter Four
This is it, Ida May said, floating up the stairs to the porch of a run-down shotgun single on a quiet street in the lower garden district. Despite the peeling purple paint and the sagging roofline, the windows were sparkling clean and there were a dozen gorgeous flowerpots, all blooming with white, pink, and yellow flowers, lined up off to the left of the door. Even though the place needed a major facelift, Sam had done her best to make it a welcoming home.
Tears stung my eyes and I had to blink them back. Sam’s vibrancy was everywhere outside her home and it seemed almost impossible that she was just gone. I had to figure out what happened, not only to help Charlie but to find justice for Sam too.