by Lisa Olsen
“What gig?”
“We’re playing at The Pelican.”
She followed him into the kitchen, setting her empty glass in the sink. “Really? Wow, I haven’t been to that bar in years.” It was one of the first places the band had played professionally and Anna had been to a few shows there, even though she’d been underage at the time. So had most of the band.
“You should definitely come. It’ll be a lot more intimate.”
All of a sudden he stood behind her, and Anna could feel the heat of his body reaching out to hers. “I’m not looking for that kind of intimacy anymore, Jackson.”
His hands grazed over her bare arms in the lightest of touches. “Are you sure?”
Annaliese turned around to face him, needing him to see the resolve in her eyes. “Jackson, I’m glad we got to spend this time together, and I’m glad we were able to reconnect, but my heart is spoken for.”
“By the cop?”
“He’s more than a cop, he…” In the next instant his mouth was on hers, and Anna tasted beer, the faint hint of tobacco, and that undeniable essence of him that brought back a nostalgic thrill she hadn’t felt in years. It was wrong, but her body responded, her brain taking long moments to catch up enough to protest. In that moment she wasn’t Annaliese Cross, businesswoman, practicing witch, and responsible adult – she was the teenage girl who’d fallen in love with a boy who’d made her heart skip a beat just by looking at her. It was as wild and thrilling as she remembered, and every bit as doomed.
It was Jax who broke the kiss first. “Can he do that?” he whispered, his breath feathering across her lips.
Annaliese drew in a shaky gulp of air, almost glad for his arms around her to keep her trembling limbs upright. “Nobody does that quite like you do,” she admitted, tongue darting out to moisten her lips which felt tingly. Not that Nick’s kisses didn’t make her tingle too, it was just different. “But I need more than lust. I’m in a different place in my life now.”
“And if I said it was more than that for me? That it was always more than that with you?” The back of his callused fingers brushed against her cheek and she caught hold of his hand, squeezing it tightly as she brought it away from her face.
There was a time when she would’ve given anything to hear him say those words, but that time was long past. “Then I’d say I’m sorry, but I’ve moved on.” She gave him a tremulous smile, blinking back a surge of emotion. “I love him, Jackson. It’s as simple as that.”
Jax nodded, looking everywhere but at her as the disappointment set in. But then he managed a faint smile. “Then I hope you’ll be happy.” Leaning down, he kissed her on the forehead. “And I still hope you’ll come tomorrow night.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
“What’s this?” Nick asked, bringing the bundle of fragrant herbs to his nose. He started to reach for the purple yarn to untie it and Veronica clapped her hands over his.
“No! You’re not supposed to open it, you’re supposed to carry it with you, in your pocket.”
“Okay,” Nick agreed, trying to identify the scent. Rosemary for sure, and roses, but beyond that he was lost. “But ah, what’s it for?”
“It’s to keep you safe,” she said, as if that in and of itself was all the explanation needed. When he continued to give her stare number five, Veronica relented and offered a bit more. “It’s charged with positive energy to keep away the negative stuff. Annaliese showed me how to do it.”
“Oh, that’s nice, sweetie,” he said, shoving it into his pocket. On the one hand, he wasn’t so sure he liked the idea of Anna showing her how to do magic, but if Veronica was interested, she couldn’t ask for a better teacher. “What makes you think I need protecting?”
“She told me about how your friend Natalie turned out to be a big, fat, lying, sack of…”
“Hey...”
“…lies,” Veronica amended at the last moment. “She said you guys think she’s the killer. I’d say that sounds like you need protecting to me.”
“That’s sweet, but I don’t think I’m in any personal danger. I seriously doubt Natalie would come after me.”
“You’re saying one of those boneheaded things again, Dad.” Veronica patted him on the shoulder, her tone condescending. “Remember what they say about a woman scorned? I remember you doing the scorning, and I’m betting she does too. Anyways, I’m worried about you, so I decided to do something to give you an extra spot of protection. If nothing else, maybe it’ll remind you that I love you and I’m thinking of you.”
“Aw, now that is reason enough to carry it with me always, muffin,” Nick beamed, pulling her into a big bear hug. “How did I get so lucky to end up with such a great daughter?”
“I have no idea,” she giggled into his shoulder. “Hey, while we’re in the midst of all this familial affection... Can I stay overnight at Dave’s this weekend?”
She had to be messing with him. “You seriously think now is the best time to ask that? When I’ve got you in my clutches?” His fingers waggled, drawing a squeal of anticipation of the tickles that might follow.
“Hey, you’re the one with a crazed killer mad at you. I might not get another chance to ask if you die,” she teased.
“Alright.”
“Alright, I can go?” she gaped, pulling back to look at him.
“Alright, if I die, you can go,” he smiled, letting go of her to get himself a cold drink. “Otherwise, hell no.”
Veronica followed him into the kitchen. “He’s harmless.”
“Teenage boys are the least harmless things to a teenage girl.”
“Oh, come on, it’s Dave. He’s basically like a big puppy.”
“Even puppies bite,” he pointed out. “No overnights with boys, I don’t care if his parents will be in the same bed with you.”
“Eewh, now you’re just being gross.” She recoiled as if he’d suggested she sleep with dead fish in the bed. “Fine, but next year I’ll be eighteen and…”
“And I’ll be one step closer to a heart attack,” Nick muttered, chugging most of a can of root beer in one go.
“You’re going to have to learn how to trust me sometime, Dad.”
“I trust you fine, it’s the guys I don’t trust.” He belched three times, following each one with a murmured excuse me before the next one escaped.
“Classy.” She flashed him a tight lipped smile.
“Perfectly normal bodily function,” he protested, tossing the can into the recycling bin.
“So is sex.”
“And on that note, I think I’ll go try and wash that vivid mental picture away and catch some shuteye. It’s been a hell of a day.”
“G’nite, Dad. I’ll try and be quiet.”
Despite the desire to crash and sleep for fifteen hours, Nick couldn’t help but stop off in his study. None of the notes on his white board seemed relevant anymore, he realized. Grabbing the eraser, he removed Jax May’s column and all the notes pertaining to his line of the investigation. All that time wasted… What else had Natalie lied about?
Because it was clear she’d been lying about far more than the fact that she’d been removed from the case.
The search of Natalie’s hotel room had found her personal belongings cleared out in a hurry, but what she’d left behind had convinced Special Agents Pettijohn and Perry that she was their top suspect. The room had been plastered with pictures of Jax, his movements, some of his personal items. She’d clearly been stalking him for some time. In addition to the pictures and notes, they’d found sketches of the symbol tattooed onto the victims.
The kicker though, was a single razor blade found in the bathroom trashcan, tinged with blood. The lab’s analysis had found it to match her blood type and was now comparing it to the DNA found at each of the crime scenes, hoping to get lucky. If only there hadn’t been such a mish-mash of evidence found in each of the crappy motels, they might’ve found something
sooner.
It just went to show, you never truly knew someone.
There was no reason to keep the murder board set up, there was little investigation left to be done. It was all up to the manhunt now. Natalie’s picture had been circulated to the media as being wanted for questioning in relation to the murders and it was only a matter of time before she was brought in.
But something kept him from erasing it completely. It wasn’t that Natalie had been his friend, or that he didn’t believe she was capable of murder, but why would she show up and tip him to the murders if she was the killer? Wouldn’t it be far easier to continue her killing spree out of the spotlight? Then again, maybe subconsciously she wanted to be caught? Maybe she’d reached out to him like those killers who sent letters to the police or the press daring all to find them. Maybe on some level she wanted to be stopped and thought Nick would be the one to put an end to it all?
Even his tired brain could recognize that was way too many maybes to take seriously. Nick shuffled off to bed. Only as tired as he was, sleep wouldn’t come. Fancying he could still smell Annaliese’s scent – lilac and something spicy – on his pillow, he missed her something fierce.
It wasn’t too late, barely dinnertime, and Nick could smell Veronica’s pizza rolls from downstairs. He called Annaliese, hoping the sound of her voice might lull him to sleep.
“Hey, I thought you’d be sawing logs by now,” she greeted him.
“Yeah, I couldn’t sleep. I missed you here and I thought I’d try for the next best thing.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve got to be here until closing, otherwise I’d come over.”
“You could come over afterwards.”
“I hope you’ll be asleep by then, you wouldn’t even know I’m there.”
“Sure I would.” Nick was convinced that even his unconscious body would know she was there and have a more restful sleep. “Besides, I’m not sure I’ll be falling asleep anytime soon. I just… this has been a bitch of a day. I can’t believe we’re hunting for Natalie now.”
“I’m sorry. I know this isn’t the way you wanted things to go.”
“I know the evidence keeps piling up, but I can’t believe she’s the killer.”
“I know the feeling.”
“This is different.”
“I fail to see how. Just a few days ago, I was in the same position with Jackson.”
She didn’t get it. “Natalie’s a cop.”
“And he’s a musician. So what? Cops are exposed to far more violence than musicians are. Why is it so hard to believe she might snap?”
He didn’t want to fight, and in the end she was probably right. His gut instincts about Jax had all proven false. “You’re right, I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry, I don’t want to argue,” she insisted, meeting him halfway. “Do you still want me to come over later?”
“Yes, but only if you want to. I’ll understand if you want to crash there.” It’d been a long day for her too and he couldn’t really object to her staying under the same roof with Jax without coming off like a jealous jerk. “Ah, how long will Jax be staying at your place, do you think?”
“Hmm, we haven’t talked about it, but I’m assuming they’ll be moving on before too long, from what Rose said earlier.”
That was music to his ears.
“Listen, Jax invited me to go to a show they’re playing at the Pelican tomorrow night.”
“They’re playing another concert?” Nick wondered if the Feds were aware of that.
“Not a big one, it’s this dive bar they used to play at before they got famous. I’m not even sure they’re going to promote it, it’s sort of a locals only thing.”
“Still, the last time they played our killer struck.” If Natalie was truly obsessed, he was willing to bet money she’d find out about the show, promoted or not.
“Do you honestly think she’ll try something? She has to know you’re looking for her now. It’d be stupid to risk showing her face.”
“In my experience, the crazies can’t help themselves. If this is her last shot at getting to Ruby or Jax, she might make a move tomorrow tonight. Either way, you’re not thinking of going, are you?”
“Yes, I was. Why?”
It was almost cute how naïve she was, except her safety was on the line. “Are you sure that’s such a good idea?”
“Yes, I am. Because you’re going to be there to keep me safe, aren’t you?”
Nick could hear the smile in her voice when she said it, laying down the challenge. Now how could he argue when she placed so much faith in him? “Maybe I should have you wear this herby thingy Veronica gave me?”
“No way, that’s made for you. Besides, I have my own charms to keep me safe. You’re not upset that I showed her some of the craft, are you? It was a harmless protection spell.”
“No, I was surprised is all. I didn’t realize she was into that sort of thing, beyond the natural curiosity, of course.”
“Actually, that’s something I wanted to talk to you about. Veronica asked me to see how you’d feel about her working for me at the store this summer?”
“Veronica, at Argent Flame? Doing what?”
“You know, running the register, unpacking merchandise, helping customers find thing, making cappuccinos, the usual.”
“Oh, that doesn’t seem so bad.” It all sounded so normal.
“Were you thinking I’d have her in the basement mixing up love potions?” she chuckled. “Trust me, it won’t be different from any other summer job she could get in a retail store. Only I have fringe benefits.”
“Her very own Voodoo doll?”
“Very funny. I meant all the mochas she can drink and an employee discount on jewelry.”
“Uh oh, I might end up having to pay you for employing her.”
“Oh, hey, I’ve got to go help a customer, I’ll see you later tonight. Love you, bye.”
“I love you too.” Now he could rest.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Pelican wasn’t much to look at from the street. A free standing building with a red and black checkerboard of tiles on the front façade, cracked and faded with age. The pattern repeated inside, with alternating scuffed black and dingy white tiles on the floor, a few missing in places that had never been replaced. The bar itself was nothing special, pitted Formica instead of polished wood, the barstools hard and uncomfortable. But it had a solid core of locals who enjoyed the casual atmosphere and the wide array of beers offered. They served the typical burgers and bar food, with pool tables and darts in the back and live music on weekends.
There wasn’t a single pelican in any of the décor.
When Nick and Annaliese arrived, the stage area (though there wasn’t actually a raised stage) had been decorated with Forsaken’s banner and band posters were plastered on all of the walls. Either the owner was a fan, or they were looking at Gideon Strong’s influence. Nick was inclined to believe the latter, as the little man stood arguing with a balding guy in a leather vest about a cut of the house.
It wasn’t too busy in the bar yet, but it was early, the impromptu show not slated to start for more than an hour. With the confirmation of finding Natalie’s DNA at crime scene number four, the manhunt was in high gear. Nick clocked three federal agents in the bar, all in plain clothes with the telltale earpiece to keep in contact with each other, none of them touching the drinks in front of them. He refrained from giving them any greeting, instead squiring Annaliese up to the bar.
“Don’t dick me on this, Larry,” Gideon was saying. “You know my band is bringing in the bacon tonight, I just want my slice of the pie.”
“Mmm, bacon pie, now that sounds yummy,” Nick quipped. “You should put that on the menu.” Neither men looked too pleased by the interruption, but he didn’t let it bother him. “Any chance we can go back and talk to the band for a few minutes?” Half expecting a denial, Nick was surprised when Gideon jerked his thumb toward a door marked Employees Only.
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“I thought you wanted to coordinate with the FBI,” Annaliese whispered as they approached the door.
“I will in a minute, I don’t want to leave you out here all alone.”
“I’d hardly be alone, there are plenty of people in the bar. Plus, didn’t you say there would be agents present? Or aren’t they here yet?”
“No, they’re here. But their first priority is in taking Natalie down, not in keeping you safe. I’d rather you be with someone who’ll keep an eye out for you if things go down.”
“Aw, you mean Jackson, don’t you?” She smiled, pushing the door open. Inside was a short hallway with a small office on the left, a storeroom on the right and an open area in the back with a small lounge area set up. “That’s so sweet. I’m glad you boys decided to make up and be friends.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” he muttered. “But I know he’d protect you if it came down to it.”
“You’re right, I would,” Jax smiled broadly, looking up from buckling on a metal studded belt, slung low on his hips. “Thanks for coming and thanks for the vote of confidence.” He held out a hand and Nick accepted it, shaking without reservation. He might still have a twinge of jealousy over the man, but with Annaliese by his side, he felt confident where her heart lay.
“Where’s Ruby?” Annaliese asked, looking around. There was no one else in the room.
“She’s in the bathroom with Rose. Minor costume malfunction,” Jax added quickly at seeing Nick’s raised eyebrow.
“And the rest of the band?”
“We’re going unplugged tonight, just Ruby and me and my six string.”
“Old school, I like it,” Anna grinned in approval.
“Now that I might be able to appreciate,” Nick remarked. “No offense, but all that noise in the background isn’t my thing.”
“None taken.” Jax waved it off. “Everybody’s got their own taste in music. And actually, I’m half inclined to agree with you. A guitar, a drum kit, add in a little bass, that’s really all you need. The rest is gravy.”