Dark Pact

by Lisa Manifold

  Her eyebrows went up. “You continue to surprise me, Deana Holliday.”

  “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

  “I think mostly good. Why do you want me to come with you?”

  “Because I don’t think you’re happy here, either, and you’re going to be on the Delgado shit list, too. We’ll both be off the Christmas card list, in fact.”

  She sat down on the couch. “I had not considered that, but you’re right.” From her, that entire sentence was high praise. “Will it be safe for me?”

  “It’s in the desert, and it’s hot and bright as shit, but it’s also in the middle of nowhere, so at night, it’s nice and dark. And we’ll make a place for you.”

  “What will you expect of me?”

  “I don’t get what you’re asking,” I said.

  “I am not looking for another mate,” Tuesday said bluntly.

  “Uh, that wasn’t my intention,” I said, realizing instantly I needed to be as tactful as possible. “But I’d like to ask you to come as my friend. Nothing more.”

  She nodded, and then stared off at the wall. One thing I’d learned about her was that she could be very still, and it didn’t do any good to rush her.

  “I’d never considered leaving. I would need to talk to my leader,” she said.

  “Then go see him.”

  Tuesday stood up. “I’ll be back before dawning.” She left, and I heard the front door close.

  I went behind her and locked it. Then I took my time, going around and locking all the doors and windows that wouldn’t be needed tomorrow. Because I’d be leaving after Delgado left, and I didn’t want to hang around in case he had plans for me.

  Since I wasn’t in a rush anymore, I went through the house again, making sure I had what I needed to start over. I had no idea what the place in Bisbee had as far as being able to live. It looked a little run down, but it was an old building with a garage, and that was the most important thing, in my opinion.

  As I walked through the kitchen, I saw the our coffee machine. Actually, it made cappuccino, and expresso, and any manner of coffee drinks. It was gleaming copper, and I was pretty sure Mom would be pissed if I took it.

  But I was headed out to the wild unknown, and coffee had sustained me this week. She would get over it if I promised to get her another one. I made the decision, and took my time dismantling it, then packing it carefully in the car.

  Tomorrow I’d go to the office, and… I didn’t know what I’d do. I’d worked so hard to get that place, and now, I was just walking away from it.

  But my gut told me this was the thing to do. I hadn’t chosen this. This mess had been foisted on me. However, I was done with other people making choices for me. I would leave, start over—thank you, Caleb—and keep the pact I’d made with him.

  When I crawled into bed after a shower, I fell asleep easily.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I was up with the sun. There were two large suitcases in my room with a note on top of them.

  I didn’t know what to do with these. Since I’m guessing our departure will be imminent, I am leaving them here for you. Please pack them with your things.

  It wasn’t signed. But Tuesday had made her decision, and that made me feel better.

  After I got ready, I hauled her bags down to the car, and packed them. Then I covered everything in the back of Baby with the tonneau cover I’d had made for her cargo space. No need to advertise. I went to my office. I had to say goodbye. Even though it was going to suck. I could always come back to the house on Carroll Canal. But I would never come back here.

  I went through carefully, like I had at home. I wanted to take all the things I needed, that I wanted. The furniture could stay. When I was done, I walked to the door, a box under my arm. It was just a small office with stinky carpet, and in a less than desirable location in a strip mall—but it had been mine.

  And now it wasn’t anymore. I’d sent an email to my landlord, told him to keep the deposit in order to clean it out. Thanks to the less than desirable location, he was used to places closing overnight. It had just never been in my plans for one of those places to be mine.

  There was no sense in carrying on. I turned to open the door, and I was pushed back in by someone coming in. I fell backwards, knocking over one of the chairs in front of my desk before I landed on my ass.

  “Hey, what the hell?” I yelled. Picking myself up, I prepared to kick some ass. And found myself facing the demon Madigan.

  “What are you doing here?” I yelled. “I still have three weeks, give or take.”

  “While that is true,” Madigan brushed non-existent lint from the arm that I thought had knocked me down, and pulled the chair I hadn’t fallen into toward him, taking a seat, “It has come to my attention that the previous owner of the Volcanic is no more.”

  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I made my face as mean and ugly as I could, so as to not give away my shock that he already knew. How did he know? What kind of gossip network did the demons have? “So you’re firing me?” I asked.

  “No, not at all. I want you to find it. In fact, I think you have it, Deana Holliday. And you’re going to give it to me.”

  “I don’t have it. I’ve been dealing with some other cases that had some precedence and you were next on the list.”

  “Yes, I heard. Rather interesting to think you didn’t even know your family history a month ago, and now you’re on the radar of people who are doing their level best to turn you, control you, or kill you, don’t you think?”

  “No, I don’t find it interesting at all. I’m not interested in any of those people, and I wish they’d get the hell out of my life!” I glared so hard at him I thought I might burst a blood vessel in my eyeballs.

  The smug piece of shit laughed. “You are so wonderful, really. I almost hate to be here in my current capacity.”

  “And what is that?” If I gritted my teeth any harder, I’d grind them to bits. Then at least I’d have something good to spit at him before I died. I wondered if I could get to the NoMo spray in my pocket. I wasn’t sure. He struck me as fast. Like a rattlesnake.

  Who looked better than he should in a suit. But at least if I spit, his suit would get dirty. That was a pleasant thought.

  “As a disgruntled client. Now, I am in fact a client. I did hire you—”

  “No, you told me what you wanted. I don’t recall getting a choice in the matter,” I said.

  “Well, no, you didn’t. And that’s fine. I don’t give choices when I need something done. And what I need is that Volcanic.” Like the rattlesnake I’d compared him to a minute ago, he was up and gripping the neck of my jacket hard, nearly lifting me off my feet. “So now we’re going to go to your safe, and you’re going to open it up, and then I’ll go from being a disgruntled client to a satisfied client. I might even go away.” He moved around the desk, frog-marching me along with him.

  We walked down the back hallway, and he shoved me into the back office. “Open the safe, Deana.”

  “No.”

  He hit me. I flew into the futon, and I heard the frame break. Good thing I’d decided to leave the furniture.

  “Open the safe, Deana.”

  “Can’t you and your magic fire hands open it?” I asked, remembering Asher.

  “While I imagine you fancy yourself a demon expert, we’re not all the same. And I am making you open the safe because I want you to, Deana. I want to see you open it, and give it to me.”

  I got up, brushing myself off, and felt blood on the side of my head. Asshat. Moving carefully, because I wasn’t going to pat myself down in front this douchenozzle, I kneeled down at the safe. Opening it, I stood. “Have a look.”

  “Give me the pistol.”

  “For the bazillionth time, I do not have it. Please, take a look for yourself.”

  He rushed to the safe, and began pulling things out of it. I’d left a stack of twenties in there, and they went flying. Two bank bags, and there was nothing else in
there.

  “Where is it?” Madigan stood up, his eyes blazing. They were taking on a distinct shade of red.

  “I wish to hell I knew. Because then maybe you’d get out of my office, and my life,” I shot back.

  “You know where it is.”

  “I don’t even know what it is,” I said. “It’s not just a pistol. I guessed that. But you didn’t give me anything else, and do you know how many there are for sale? More than one. I’m not spending money I don’t have on your wild goose chase. Money you just threw all over the room, I might add,” I gestured to the money on the floor. “Thanks for that, by the way.”

  His eyes shone brightly. “The money on the floor is the least of your worries. I’m not going to kill you, because I do like you, and I also think you’re going to end up giving me the pistol. I always win, Deana. Always. I have all the time in the world. As you’re not in Deadwood, unfortunately, you do not.” He brushed himself off, pulled down the vest of his suit, and turned on his heel, stalking from the room.

  I hurried after him. “Leave me alone, Madigan! I can’t help you, and I’m firing you as a client!” I yelled the last bit at his back.

  Madigan stopped at the door, turned around, and said something I couldn’t understand, and my office burst into flames. Then he yelled something, and the wall to my right fell down. He opened the door, and shouted, and I felt the whole building shake. It knocked me to the ground.

  He walked through the flames. “And I keep my word, Deana Holliday. You aren’t shut down. You’re just… mostly closed.” He looked around, tugged at his vest again. “At least they’ll think it’s an act of God,” he laughed at that last word. “And you can get some money for this dump. Make up for the twenties on the floor, wouldn’t you say? No, no, don’t get up,” he held a hand out to me as I got to my knees. “I’ll see myself out. I’ll be seeing you, Deana.”

  Stepping through the flames again, he disappeared. Leaving me to struggle to my feet, and hop around the flames that were steadily growing larger. I gathered up the box that I’d been carrying when Madigan came in, and limped into the parking lot.

  It took longer than I was happy about to get through the questions about the fire, and talk to the police. Thankfully, everyone else in the strip mall had gotten out, and no one was seriously hurt. I was the worst off, but I didn’t tell them that was because a demon had tossed me around.

  The paramedics treated the cuts on my face, told me to ice the bruises, and then let me go. After making sure the cops were done with me, and calling my insurance company, I went home. They were sending an adjustor out today, so hopefully I could wrap that up before I had to go sometime tomorrow. Otherwise, it would look like I’d done something wrong. I needed no more loose ends than I already had.

  Once home, I prowled around restlessly. I checked and re-checked Baby, and the trailer I’d bought. I hooked and unhooked the trailer, so I knew that I could get it done up fast.

  Then I called the insurance company again, and told them that I’d come home because I was tired. They surprised me by asking if the adjustor could come by.

  “Sure. That was fast,” I said.

  “You’re not the only one who had to have someone out there,” the woman on the other end said. “Can he stop by?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Within the hour, the adjustor was ringing the doorbell. I let him in. A man of medium height, middle age, and a very sunny disposition came in, introducing himself. “I’m Ken Bateman, Miss Holliday. I’m very sorry about your business. Are you all right?” He peered at my head and face, which admittedly didn’t look all that hot.

  “I don’t feel great, for a lot of reasons, but the EMTs told me it was superficial.”

  “Well, that’s good. Can we sit down somewhere?”

  “Sure, come into the kitchen. Can I get you a drink?”

  “Water would be great. It’s pretty hot over at the strip mall.”

  “What caused the fire? Do they know?”

  He shook his head. “The fire chief thinks it was a gas line, and that’s what caused the whole place to suffer.”

  An act of God, Madigan had said. Well, maybe I wouldn’t be a suspect. That would be nice. Not that I was feeling grateful towards the prick. I gave Ken the glass of water, and sat down to see what he had to say.

  Ken Bateman and I talked for nearly an hour, and he left, setting his card on my kitchen table. “I think that’s all I’ll need, Deana. If I need anything else, I’ll call. But I spoke with some of the other adjustors, and while this is a mess, and I am sorry for you, I don’t think this will be overly complicated. Especially if the Chief’s report is a reflection of his thoughts today. May I call you if I need to?”

  “Of course. You have my number,” I said. I didn’t tell him that I’d be out of the state. If he did call, I could tell him I was traveling.

  I saw him out the door, and went out to sit on the deck. The canal was calm, as it usually was, and there were a few people out on their kayaks. Their voices carried softly across the water. I closed my eyes and let my head tilt back after touching my front pocket to make sure the NoMo spray was easily accessible.

  When the sun got too much to bear, I went inside, and checked everything yet again. Then I called my mom.

  “Deana,” she said.

  “Listen, Mom, I’ve burned the pans. I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to, but I was cooking, and got distracted.”

  She didn’t respond right away, but then said, “Well, then you’ll need to replace them. When do you think you can get them?” She’d remembered our conversation about me possibly needed to get out of here.

  “I’ll head out tomorrow to see if I can find the set,” I answered.

  “Did you get the body spray we sent? I really loved the smell of it.”

  “I did, thank you. You guys are so good to me.”

  “I love you, sweetie. I’m just glad you’re okay. Burning up the pans is no big loss as long you’re all right.”

  “I’m a little shaken, but I’ll be okay. I just wanted to let you know,” I said.

  “All right. Well, take care, honey. Try and get the same brand.”

  “I’m cheaper than you, Mom. But I’ll try.”

  “Love you,” she said.

  “Love you,” I replied.

  Then we hung up.

  I checked over the house again. The only doors I’d need to manage if I had to leave quickly were the front and back doors. Everything else was locked down.

  “Oh, shit,” I said out loud. The attorney. I went out to the garage and dug out Caleb’s papers. Martin Dovetree. I called him, and he was obviously an old man.

  “Your grandfather was such a nice man,” he said. “He gave you everything you need except the keys.”

  “The keys?” I asked, feeling stupid. My grandfather?

  “Yes, I have a ring of keys for you. He said you’d know what to do with them. When do you want to come and get them?”

  “Would now be all right?”

  “Sure.”

  I raced over to see him, making sure I had my NoMo spray, and a fire tea bag in my pocket. Since this was Caleb’s deal, I didn’t think I’d need them, but you never know. The past week had shown me that.

  When I got there, Martin Dovetree was in fact, an old man. He was also Native American, and I wondered if that was why Caleb had chosen him. He shook my hand, patting the top of it with his other hand.

  “All the paperwork is in order. You should have no problems, but if you do, you have my card. I just need you to sign for the keys,” he said, pulling out a large, old-fashioned ring that had a bunch of keys on it, some old, some modern. He set them on his desk, and then took out a file, and opened it, handing it to me with a pen. I signed, and gave it back.

  “I was sorry to hear of his illness.”

  “There was nothing that could be done,” I said. “But he was peaceful to the end.”

  “You were with him?”

  I nodded
. “I drummed for him,” I said, figuring he’d understand.

  He did. A smile crossed his face. “Good luck to you, Miss Holliday.”

  “Thank you,” I said. A thought struck me. “Do you speak Cree?”

  “A little. Don’t you?”

  “No, I didn’t know he was my… grandfather until recently,” I said. “What does câpân mean?”

  A look of surprise replaced the smile. “It means, loosely translated, great-grandfather, and great-grandchild.”

  Tears filled my eyes.

  “You didn’t know?”

  I shook my head, unable to speak. How had this man I’d known such a short time touched me so deeply?

  “Well, now you do,” Mr. Dovetree said kindly.

  “Thank you,” I got out. I put the keys in my pocket and drove him, mopping my eyes the entire way. Once I was home, there was nothing more to do, so I fidgeted and pretended to watch TV until the sun was setting. I thought about Caleb. I wished I could see him again. As the sun began to set, I brushed my tears away, washed my face, and got ready for tonight’s show. I figured there would be fireworks of some kind.

  The moment the sky went dark, Tuesday and Levi came out into the living room.

  “He’s not here, is he?” Levi asked.

  “No, you guys beat him. Thank god. I’m glad you’re both here,” I said.

  “So are we. He won’t hurt you, Deana,” Tuesday said. “But someone did. What happened?”

  I explained that my building had suffered a major gas explosion. For the time being, I didn’t mention Madigan. For whatever reason, I felt I needed to keep that to myself.

  “It’s good you’re not badly hurt,” Tuesday said, eying my cuts.

  “They look worse than they are.” I shrugged, wanting to end the conversation.

  “You don’t suspect any foul play?” Levi asked.

  There was a whole heaping shitful of foul play, but I wasn’t going to get into it. In order not to lie outright, I merely shook my head.

  “Chicks dig scars,” Tuesday deadpanned.

  Which made me smile.

  Levi brought us back on track. “As long as this information is good,” Levi added. “You feel confident in your informant?”