by D. F. Jones
Entrepreneur, Cole Steele was trying to force him out of business. Cole owned almost all the properties along First Avenue and Broadway. Last week, Mr. Watson, the owner of the tool and die shop next door, had been in a severe car accident. He was fortunate to survive, and Nick learned today that Mr. Watson sold his business to Steele Construction. Henry’s Tailor Shop was the last business on the block to hold out.
Rumor had it Cole was going to tear down all of the existing businesses along the riverfront to build another high-rise hotel to accommodate the new convention center. Cole made him a nice offer on Henry’s, but the threats began when Nick refused to sell the store. During his meeting with Cole, Nick lifted what he thought was Cole’s journal but later realized was some kind of relic. He placed the book in a locked box at the bank as leverage against Cole’s attempts to force him to sell the store.
Nick ran his fingers through his hair and looked at his Timex watch. He folded the map, placed it with his key to a safety deposit box in a folder and wrapped it with a huge rubber band. Nick searched for a place to hide the folder. He walked over to the vent return, popped it open, and put the folder in front of the air filter before securing the latch.
It was nearly two in the morning, and he needed to get home to relieve his wife’s sister, Alice. His wife, Martha, had a stroke six months ago, impairing her speech and leaving her bedridden. He picked up the phone and dialed. “Alice, did I wake you? I’m sorry I’m so late. How did she do today? Oh, good. Do you need me to pick up anything? I’ll be along soon. Tell my girl how much I love her.” He hung up.
Nick walked to the front door and flipped the open sign to closed. After bolting the door to the shop, he jogged across First Avenue to the parking lot close to the Cumberland River. A sudden chill ran down his spine. He looked over his left shoulder and quickened his steps.
Once inside his car, Nick started the ignition, backed out of the spot, put the car in drive, and pulled onto the street. He turned left at the intersection and drove along Broadway when a car pulled in behind him with its headlights on high beam.
Fear and panic gripped Nick as he pressed his foot on the gas pedal. The car behind him was riding on his tail. He ran a red light and decided to take a detour home through Music Row. He drove swiftly through the side streets, trying to lose the car, but the car gained speed and hit his bumper.
Nick swerved his car onto 17th and Edgehill. He lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a brick mailbox. The black Ford Explorer swooped in and blocked his exit. He was trapped. Nick slammed the car into park, reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his gun.
His assailant was quick to open the door and knock the gun out of Nick’s hand. “Where’s the book, London?”
Nick pressed his lips together in a tight line. One of Cole’s thugs, Hammer, backhanded him across the face. “Tell me where the book is or you’re dead meat.”
Nick narrowed his eyes and said, “I’m dead whether I tell you or not. So, I think not.” An explosion of light and sound released as Hammer shot Nick in the chest. Nick watched his murderer race to the Ford Explorer and flee the scene.
Everything went silent and time seemed to move in slow motion. Nick didn’t feel any pain. A bright light appeared before him, and he wasn’t afraid. His last thoughts were of his wife, the love of his life. He muttered, “I’m sorry, Martha.”
Sandy released Nick’s arm. She turned left and right, looking for help. The NPD blues lights and an ambulance with blaring sirens flew into the driveway. She stepped away from Nick as the paramedics arrived and the officers secured the area.
Sandy began setting up her camera as Detective Bob Wade sauntered over with his signature Camel behind his ear. She encountered the detective nearly every week.
Bob wore a brown leather aviator jacket and a pair of Levi’s with Timberland hiking boots. “How did I know you’d be here?”
Sandy flipped the camera on, reached into her bag for her mic. “Well, if it isn’t the Bob Wire. It looks like our mystery killer has struck again. I’m glad you boys could join the party. If you’ll excuse me, I have a story to cover.”
Bob placed his hand over her mic and whispered in her ear, “You’re playing with fire, girlie. These boys don’t mess around.”
“What boys? And is that on the record?” Sandy stared at him with a level gaze and straightened her shoulders.
“You know it’s not. I can’t comment during an ongoing investigation.” His dark brown eyes seemed to reflect compassion.
Sandy pinned the mic to her sweater. “You and I know who’s behind the shooting. I’m going to prove it. Don’t you get sick of it? Don’t you get tired of all the bullshit? You file paperwork that’s never followed up on, or worse, it disappears. You could help me.”
Bob shook his head, and his shoulders slumped. “I’m doing my best. But I have to keep my job. I have alimony and child support.” He walked away.
Sandy clicked on her camera light and began reporting. Thirty minutes later she pulled into the station.
Art was on her heels when she walked into the back door. “You’re late. A murder came in about twenty minutes ago. I need you at Edgehill with Duncan.”
Sandy pulled the Beta tape from her camera bag. “Got it. I have a lead on the shooter. I need to get to Nick’s house before the police, and I have to get into his business. This murder could be what I’ve needed to nail our friend, Mr. Steele.”
Art’s eyes widened, and rubbed the top of his bald head. “Well, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. Go! Give me the tape. Do you need Duncan?”
“Ah, no. My camera, my story, my angles. I’m not waiting for Duncan. Besides, I think Cole may have gotten to him.” Sandy went silent as Duncan walked up. She’d saved money to buy her camera so she wouldn’t have to fight for creative control at the station. Art approved her use of personal equipment since it passed all the codes.
“Are you deliberately trying to put me out of a job?” Duncan frowned at Sandy while he placed his hands on his hips.
Sandy took a deep breath and pushed by Duncan. “I wouldn’t have this story if I waited on you. Art needs to key it up. You can handle the graphics. Can’t you, Duncan?”
Duncan thinned his lips over his teeth. “You’re a pain in the ass.”
Sandy laughed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Sandy sat down at her desk, pulled out the phone book, and looked up Nick London’s home address. She tossed a glance over her shoulder and huffed. “Jesus, Duncan, do I have to do everything around here?” Duncan stormed off to the control room.
Sandy scribbled down Nick’s Green Hills address, roughly five miles from the station, then replenished her camera bag with extra Beta tapes and battery backups. She hit the ladies’ room and took care of business. Just before sprinting out the back door, Sandy grabbed a Channel 3 News winter coat.
A thin layer of ice had formed on her Corvette’s windshield. She fired up the defrost and made a mental checklist of things she needed from Nick’s house and business to solidify her story.
Baldric sudden and unexpected appearances didn’t startle her any longer. She said, “I didn’t sense you at the scene.”
He said, “I’m sorry I didn’t stay with you this morning, but I followed the shooter.”
Sandy drove the slick backroads to Nick’s house and began to slide toward an embankment. Taking her foot off the gas, Sandy steered slowly toward the middle of the road. Thankfully, there was little traffic this morning due to the inclement weather. Her car finally came to a stop. “Good grief. I hate ice.” She took a few deep breaths as she slowly accelerated. Sandy loved her Corvette, but she needed a more efficient ride, especially in the winter.
“Nice driving, kid. Oh, I arrived on the scene just before you did. Hammer was all over poor Nick. Cole’s team has staked out both Nick’s house and Henry’s.” Chip Hammond, or more affectionately known in Nashville’s underbelly as “The Hammer,” was ruthles
s, and Cole’s connections had kept him out of jail numerous times.
Sandy gripped the steering wheel and briefly glanced at Baldric. “Day-yum. Have I told you lately how much I love you? What else did you find out?”
Baldric said, “I spoke to Gabriel’s angel, Alyen before he took Nick’s soul. Nick left a folder with a key to a lockbox at City Bank, and the box holds Luc’s Testament. Nick lifted it while he was meeting with Steele last week.”
Baldric turned in the seat to face Sandy. “If it’s Luc’s Testament, you have to be careful. Luc’s manifesto includes a list of his contracted souls and the names of his demons and their divisions along with magic spells. The book is said to give enormous power to any human possessing it. A bit of warning, the longer a person has the book, the darker their soul becomes. I don’t think Nick knew what he was lifting. He hid the key to the lockbox in a folder in front of the air filer in the vent return in his office.”
A shiver ran up Sandy’s spine. “Lucifer’s Testament? I saw where Nick hid the folder when I held his arm this morning. I have to get the key before Cole gets it.” Sandy pulled into Nick’s driveway.
Baldric placed his hand on her knee. “Luc tortures humans, and he doesn’t care if the human is man, woman, or child. The closer you get to his operation or his book, the more dangerous your quest becomes.”
Sandy squeezed his hand. “I know it’s dangerous. He tried to kill Anna last summer. Luc won’t stop, and we can’t either. Hey, to change the subject, if I die, will I see you in heaven?”
Baldric stared into her eyes and raised her hand to his lips. He pressed a feather soft kiss on the back of her hand. “I’m not ready for your demise, but if you die today, I will find you in the Everafter.”
A slow grin lit Sandy’s face. It was reassuring to hear she would see Baldric again if she died. Sandy jumped out of the car, pulled the hood of her coat down around her ears, and zipped it up to her neck. Her snow boots crunched footprints into the sidewalk as she walked up to the front door and pressed the bell.
An older woman, whom Sandy guessed was Martha’s sister, Alice, opened the door. The woman’s eyes were red and swollen with tears. “Yes, may I help you?”
Sandy said, “I’m sorry for your loss. I’m Sandy Cothran with Channel 3 News, and I have a lead on Nick’s killer. I don’t have a lot of time to explain, and we’re probably being watched. Is there any way I could borrow the keys to Henry’s Tailor Shop?”
Alice motioned Sandy into the den and stammered, “I know who you are. I-I think he has an extra set of keys in the bedroom nightstand. I’ll be right back.”
Sandy stepped into the little den and found Martha. She lay in a hospital bed, staring out a bay window into the backyard. Sandy placed her hand on Martha’s forearm. Martha’s mind was intact. Sandy took a deep breath and said, “Martha, I’m going to help you find Nick’s killer. I promise.”
Martha answered with her mind. Poor Nick. Did he suffer?
Sandy shook her head slowly. “I was with him until the paramedics arrived. His last words before he moved into the heavenly realm were, I’m sorry, Martha.”
Martha blinked several times as tears ran down her cheeks. She asked telepathically, How do you understand me?
Sandy said, “I can read a person’s thoughts or visualize their past by touch or holding something belonging to them. I’ve been able to do it for years.”
Alice walked in the den and pressed the keys into Sandy’s hand. “Here’s the extra set of keys. Please be careful, Ms. Cothran.”
“I will. I’ll get the keys back to you. Thanks for trusting me.” Sandy squeezed Alice’s hand and left the house.
* * *
Eight o’clock in the morning and Sandy felt like it was midnight. Before starting her car, Sandy looked at Baldric sitting in the passenger seat. “Why do bad things happen to good people? Cole is a freaking wart on humanity. All for what? The love of money? Wealth?”
Baldric placed his hands on his knees. “I don’t have the right answer for you. All I can say is Cole’s free will is directly responsible for the agony of many. Luc has used him for decades. Luc has a stronghold here and will not relinquish it without a fight. You get the folder with the key, and I’ll fight off any demons who try to stop you. We’ll go to the bank, get the book, and drive straight to Everglade Farms. There’s a meeting tonight with your team.”
Before starting the car, Sandy placed her hands in prayer mode and batted her eyelashes a few times for good measure. “Shoot. I forgot about the meeting. Can you get me out of it? I need to work.”
Baldric chuckled and said, “Nope, everyone must attend, including the guardians.”
Sandy was a member of the Campbell Ridge wards along with Ruby, Anna, Jerry, and Lee. Before leaving heaven, selected humans received a specific genetic code altered by The Creator containing a part of His DNA, which blessed them with divine supernatural powers. The people who received the codes became wards. The wards worked with their assigned warrior angel in an angelic battle over the earth and the human species against Luc and his demon angels. Luc and his army had been cast out of heaven for trying to incite rebellion within the heavenly realm over six thousand years ago.
The Creator gave Anna the gift of healing and light of love. Ruby had prophetic dreams, and she’d given birth to a new ward, little Joe, in December. Jerry had the gift of writing binary code. During his code-writing sessions, sometimes he would receive encrypted messages.
Recently, Jerry received a message of a coming battle. That was why they were meeting at Everglade Farms. After Joe was born, Ruby’s mom, Lee, revealed she was a ward, too. She possessed all the powers of a warrior angel.
Years ago, while Sandy attended college, she and the girls began to journal in their diaries about their supernatural powers and events in what she coined The Ditch Lane Diaries. With every passing year, the Campbell Ridge wards became stronger. Tonight’s meeting would bring the wards and guardians under one roof for the first time to plan for the prophesied battle. Sandy sensed the battle and her drive to expose Cole were a part of a bigger picture. Her visions never allowed her to see into her own future.
As Sandy neared the tailor shop, the hair on her arms rose, and she felt a prickly sensation on the back of her neck. Something or someone was watching her, and it wasn’t Baldric.
Chapter 2
Sweetest Taboo
Henry’s Tailor Shop was crawling with cops. Baldric turned to Sandy and said, “Wait here. I’ll check.” He dematerialized and seconds later reappeared in the passenger seat. “The folder is still in front of the air filter inside the vent return. Cole’s boys are lurking outside while the police conduct their investigation. We have to wait until they leave the shop. You need to eat breakfast. You’re too skinny.”
Sandy glanced into her rearview mirror and ran her fingers over her face. “Thanks for the compliment, but I need to get inside Henry’s.”
With a raised brow, he said, “I’ll stay. I’ll make sure no one gets near the folder. Go to the diner down the street, drink a cup of coffee, and eat a bagel. You need your strength.”
Sandy rolled her eyes and waved her hand at him. “Okay, okay, Big B. Get out. I’ll be back in two shakes and a holler.” He chuckled. Sandy had nicknamed him Big B after he’d made his presence known to her in December.
Baldric appeared back inside Henry’s with his sword held in his right hand. Unnoticed by human men, He moved freely through the shop checking the place out for demon angels.
Caiojezeal (Kay-oh-jez-e-al), a commander in Luc’s army, materialized behind the walnut desk, splayed his fingers over the top, and glared at Baldric. “Where’s Luc’s Testament?”
Baldric waved cheerily to Caiojezeal. “Hey, there CJ. Missing something? You should be shouting with joy from the rooftops. Cole has secured the last piece of property on his acquisition list.”
Caiojezeal walked around the desk and stood toe to toe with Baldric. “Don’t play coy with me,
you big brute. I sense Luc’s Testament. Where is it? Oh, shit. You sneaky bastard. You placed a protection veil over it, didn’t you?”
Baldric crossed his left arm over his chest and held onto his right bicep. With a feeling of satisfaction, he lied through his teeth. “As a matter of fact, I did. I have the book. Your little team in Nashville is going down. You must make retribution for the innocent.”
Caiojezeal’s sinister laugh rose throughout the office. With sarcasm, he said, “Daireann, the lovely Daireann. She’s working on her little news story about Cole. Did you think we didn’t know? Her story will never see the light of day, my old friend.”
Baldric growled and bared his teeth. “You’re not worthy to say her name. I’m not your friend, and I’m not your average warrior angel. You wanna play, CJ? Let’s play and you can tell your boss we’re bringing his division down. Yeah, tell the arrogant bastard I have him by the balls.” Baldric readied himself in the on-guard position, rotating his blade of light in front of Caiojezeal.
“Oh my, my, my, Baldric. Really? You’re getting testy in your old age. Maybe Daireann’s more than a ward to you. Huh? Is that it, Baldric? Nailing your ward?” Caiojezeal roared with laughter and slapped the blade away from his face. “What’s up with your fetish for human females? Or could this be true love? Does the old man know? Does he?” Caiojezeal laughed so hard his shoulders shook.
Baldric pushed Caiojezeal against the wall and pressed his sword against Caiojezeal’s throat. Caiojezeal tried to contain his laughter but couldn’t and burst out laughing again. He seemed oblivious to the blade of light held at his throat. Caiojezeal said, “The old man isn’t through with us yet. But you, my most worthy adversary, you risk your position, your status, all for a human female?”
Baldric’s voice deepened. “Daireann is my ward. I love her as my ward, and I’ll protect her unto my last breath. I’ll risk everything for her.”
“Blah, blah, blah. You’ve just made the game much more enjoyable. And here I thought this decade would be dull. You’ve given me a fantastic idea. I think I’ll just pop into Luc’s Arrington Estate and let my sire know you’re in love with Sandy. Oh, he’s going to have a field day. We didn’t believe we could break the Campbell Ridge wards. Thanks, Baldric.” Caiojezeal bowed and disappeared.