“Fucking hell,” Asher says, his hands on his hips as he stares at dozens of brunette braids hung on the wall. “Thirty-six.”
“He’s killed far more than that,” I reply as I join him.
“Why didn’t he keep more trophies?”
“Oh, he most likely did. We’ll probably find them all somewhere in this house. These are just the trophies he was admiring for killing Brielle.”
Asher turns to me. “How are you able to stomach this?”
“I won’t lie to you, this one isn’t easy because it is Brielle, and she’s mine. No case is a walk in the park, but this one makes me want to kill him with my bare hands. That doesn’t happen often.”
“We’re searching the house as we speak, so we’ll discover anything else there is to find. Did you see the shrines in the bedrooms?”
“Yeah.” I swallow hard. “He’s apparently been obsessed with them since they were kids. They grew up in a house about a mile from here, and Brielle told me he used to be their handyman and that he had an affair with their mother.”
“Sick fuck,” Asher says.
“We found something!”
Both Asher and I hurry to the master bedroom where a team has been searching.
“I pulled up this rug, and sure enough, there was a hole cut in the floor,” Officer Thibideaux says. “And I found this.”
He points to the box sitting on the bed. It’s made of wood and has something sculpted into the lid.
“It’s a star,” I say, staring down at it.
“It’s a pentagram.” I spin at Brielle’s voice behind me. “I couldn’t figure out why he could see me when I was dream-walking, or how he could touch me in the dream. I’m pretty sure Sarah’s sensitive and may not know it, and that’s why she could see me. But him? I couldn’t figure it out at first.
“But after being here, in his house, and having my own shields down somewhat, I know. Not only is he psychic, but he’s also a witch. That’s a pentagram. I don’t know how long he’s been practicing. I don’t know how powerful he was or where he learned his craft. I don’t know if he comes from a line of witches. But I’ll start doing some research and ask around. But you all need to know before you open that box that it most likely has a protective spell on it, and it may have a booby trap hex, as well.”
“A booby trap hex?” Asher asks, a smirk appearing. “Is that the official term?”
“No, the official term is it could burn your hand off if you touch it. Does that help?”
Thibideaux shakes his head and reaches for the box. When a bolt of lightning shocks his hand, he backs right off in surprise.
“How do we open it, then?” Asher asks.
Millie walks into the room, takes a deep breath, and smiles. “Because the one who cast the spell is dead, I can break it. Give me some room, please.”
We all stand back and watch with rapt attention as she splays her hands over the box, looks up to the sky, and begins to chant.
“Lord and Lady working for me and through me, assist me in breaking the spell cast on this object. The wielder has passed beyond the veil and no longer holds sway over this object or its contents. For the good of all, according to free will, grant me access, and—”
I don’t really hear all of the words she says after that. The room grows warm, and light fills the space, and then it’s gone in a flash as Millie sighs deeply.
“There, it’s safe.”
Asher reaches for the box, and nothing happens to his hands when he removes the lid.
“Cash.”
I join him and feel my jaw tighten at what’s inside.
“Looks like he had a thing for eyeballs,” Asher says quietly.
There must be a hundred eyeballs in the box.
“Get this to the ME,” Asher says. “I want to know how many there are. If he took both of his victims’ eyes, or just one. I want to know everything about this son of a bitch.”
I walk out of the room and lead all three sisters out of the house. They all look exhausted.
“They haven’t found his body yet,” Millie says and turns to Daphne. “Were you able to pick anything up on him?”
“I touched things in there,” Daphne says, her voice trembling slightly. “All I saw were echoes. Memories. Nothing from the present.”
“He’s here,” Brielle says, looking down at her feet. “He’s been following us through the house, grinning. He’s proud of his work.”
“If that isn’t the creepiest thing I’ve ever heard, I don’t know what is,” Millie says.
“I mean, there were at least a hundred eyeballs in a box, so there’s that, too,” Daphne reminds her. “I don’t want him following Bri for the rest of her life. We need to get rid of him.”
“He’s not going to stay,” Brielle says in surprise. She’s looking at something, or someone, in front of her. “He just said goodbye.”
“Just like that?” Millie asks and turns to me. “What are the chances that a serial killer would be like, ‘well, you got me. Peace out!’?”
“Slim to none,” I agree with her. “But I won’t complain if that’s his plan.”
“Me either,” Daphne says, just as two of the men who set off to look for the body come running back to the house.
“What do you have?” I ask.
“We found his shoe and a large pool of blood on the ground right next to the swamp.”
“We think he collapsed there and was dragged away by a critter,” the other officer says.
“Keep looking,” Asher says from the doorway. “We’ll keep searching for his body until dark, and then we’ll look again tomorrow.”
“He’s dead,” Brielle says.
“You and your sisters keep saying that, but I don’t see a body, and without that, I can’t confirm that he’s gone. I can’t tell all of those families that my psychic consultant assures me he’s dead, so it must be true.”
“I know,” Brielle says with a shrug. “I get it. But he can’t hurt anyone anymore, and that’s the most important thing.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her against me so I can kiss her temple. “Proud of you,” I whisper in her ear.
“I want all of you to go home,” Asher says, pointing to us. “Cash, I’ll need you at the office this evening for a full debriefing, and possibly the news conference. Reporters will ask questions I may not be able to answer.”
“Just let me know when and where you need me,” I assure him.
“I want to go to the hospital to see the girls,” Brielle says. “They need some strength today.”
“We’ll all go,” Daphne says. “Millie, let’s stop by the Brew and make them some potions.”
“Excellent idea,” Millie says, heading for the car. “Let’s go.”
Once the girls are in the vehicle waiting for me, I turn back to Asher.
“I have plenty to say about this animal, but I didn’t want to say it in front of those three. He’s not a typical psychopath. I’ll brief you more later.”
“Agreed,” Asher says and nods. “I’ve never seen anything like this, and I’ve been in homicide for a long fucking time. I’d like to hear your thoughts. Go take care of the women, and I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I nod, and once I’m in the car and headed back toward the city, Brielle turns to me.
“What did you say to him once we were out of earshot?”
I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. “That, darlin’, is none of your business.”
“Well, he told you,” Millie says and laughs. “I can’t believe I can laugh after what we just saw. He had shrines. With photos and everything.”
“Where did he get the snapshots?” Daphne wonders. “They’re pictures even Mama wouldn’t have because they were clearly taken after we left.”
“Unfortunately,” Brielle says with a sigh, “I think we’re going to have to go to Mama’s at some point and ask some questions.”
“Why?” Millie asks.
“Because sh
e’s his neighbor and has known him for as long as I can remember. She’ll know something more than we do.”
“She doesn’t know who we are these days,” Daphne says. “How do you expect her to know anything about Horace killing innocent women?”
“It’s worth a try,” Brielle insists. “But not today. We’ve all been through enough. I’m just relieved that it’s over. He can’t hurt anyone else.”
“Is he still following you?” Millie asks.
“No, and the murdered girls are gone, too. They were gone as soon as we stepped out of my apartment after my dream. I’m telling you, it’s over. We can all go back to living our lives.”
“Well, thank the goddess for miracles,” Millie says. “Now, let’s go take care of those girls.”
Chapter Twenty
Brielle
No one follows me around for the first time in weeks, and I’m ridiculously happy about it.
No creepy dead girls.
No Horace.
Just the usual shadows of New Orleans here and there. Surprisingly, they don’t scare me like they used to. There are more shadows in the hospital, which is to be expected.
I’m easily able to ignore them.
“I hope they let us in soon,” Millie says, holding a tray of hot chocolates, each containing a spell of protection and healing. “I don’t want these to get cold.”
“You can come back,” a nurse says from the doorway leading to the ER rooms. “All of the ladies are awake and would like to say hello.”
“Are you sure?” Daphne asks. “They’ve been through something pretty horrible.”
“They have family with them and will be here for a couple of days. But, yes, they agreed to see you.”
We stop at each room, offering a cup of hot chocolate and lots of hugs.
“I look like you,” the one named Megan says softly. “You’re so lucky he didn’t take you.”
“I know I am.” I nod and push away the sudden guilt that pierces my heart. It’s not my fault, and I know that, but I can’t help but feel responsible for the suffering that these girls endured.
I can’t imagine the fear, the horror.
I purposefully save my visit with Sarah for last. My sisters don’t join me when I walk into the room. Sarah’s face lights up when she sees me. “Hey!”
“Hey, yourself.” I sit on the bed near her hip. “How do you feel?”
“A little better now that they’re pumping some fluids into me,” she says, pointing to her IV. “I’m happy to have all of my brothers here. I might not let them out of my sight again.”
“The feeling’s mutual, squirt.”
I turn to look at Sarah’s brothers and feel my eyes widen. They’re all big men, well over six feet, with broad shoulders and meaty hands.
I wouldn’t want to piss any of them off.
“It’s nice to meet you all.”
“Sarah says you came to her sometimes and talked to her,” one of the brothers says with a frown. “How is that even possible?”
“I don’t know for sure.” I shrug and shake my head. “I was dream-walking. And if I told you everything, you’d think I’m crazy.”
“No, I think the dick that did this is crazy,” he replies. “I’m grateful to you for helping Sarah escape.”
“Sarah did that because she’s a badass. She has older brothers who taught her how to take care of herself. I was just there at the right moment when a knife had been left on the floor and pointed it out.”
“Either way, we’re grateful,” another brother says. “We’re going to go get something from the cafeteria while you two talk.”
“Thanks.”
Sarah sighs. “It feels like a nightmare. I mean, I know I’m starving and dirty and my muscles hurt from sitting on that fucking bed, but part of me feels like it was all a long, drawn-out night terror.”
“Worst nightmare ever,” I reply softly. “So, you remember seeing me?”
“You were standing in that room as clearly as you’re here right now,” she says. “It confused the hell out of me. I thought I was imagining things at first, but then you talked to me. I figured, even if I was going crazy, having someone to talk to was kind of nice.”
“Have you ever considered yourself sensitive to paranormal things?” I ask, watching her carefully.
“Sure. I grew up in a haunted house. Nothing too crazy, just footsteps here and there. I don’t see dead people, like that movie, but I’ve checked into hotels and asked to have my room changed because the one they gave me felt off. That sort of thing. Is that what you mean?”
“That’s exactly what I mean,” I confirm. “I think that’s why you were able to see me, and the others weren’t. Sarah, I’m so sorry for what you went through, what you must have witnessed in that place.”
“I closed my eyes a lot of the time,” she admits on a whisper. “And I feel like a damn wimp for it, but I think I would have really gone out of my mind if I’d watched, you know?”
“Absolutely.”
“He was a monster.”
“The worst kind there is,” I agree. “But he’s gone. You got him.”
“Did they find his body yet?”
I frown and check my phone. There’s no message from Cash. “I don’t know. They hadn’t yet when we left the scene earlier, but I haven’t heard anything since then. They might have.”
“What if they don’t? What if I didn’t kill him after all, and he’s off somewhere getting stitched up?”
“He’s not.” I clear my throat. “Sarah, I’m psychic. A medium. I do see dead people. And I saw him. He’s dead, and that won’t change whether they find his body or not.”
“Wow.” She swallows hard. “Well, that sucks for you.”
We’re quiet for a moment, both lost in our own thoughts, and then it’s like a light bulb goes off in her head.
“Wait. Does that mean that you could see the others? The other women?”
“Yeah. I could see them. That’s how I knew something was going on. They came to me to warn me, and to tell me to find them. But now that he’s gone, they’re gone, too.”
“Well, I think that sucks just as much for you as it does for the rest of us.” She reaches for my hand and grips it fiercely. “You’re a victim, too.”
“We’re not victims, Sarah. We’re still here.”
“Damn right, we are. Can we stay friends? I mean, I know it sounds weird, and if it’s too off the wall for you, that’s okay, I just—”
“We’re totally friends,” I say, interrupting her. “I’d like that very much.”
I don’t think a shower ever felt so good. I bet that’s how the others felt today once they knew they were safe and were able to wash away the filth from their time in that horrible room.
Best shower ever.
I hope that all the girls get the best counseling there is, and that they’re able to heal from their ordeal.
I towel-dry my hair then twist it up into a bun and dry off the rest of my body. When I reach for the lotion, I see my necklace, sitting right there by the sink as if it was there all along.
I searched high and low for it this morning and couldn’t find it.
“Must be going blind in my old age,” I mutter as I smooth lotion on my legs and loop the chain over my neck. “Apparently, thirty is when it all goes downhill.”
I smirk and pad out of the bathroom. My sisters both went home tonight, ready to get back to their lives. Part of me misses them already. We’ve always been close—except for my spat with Daphne—and it’s been nice having them nearby these past couple of weeks.
Having Daph speaking to me again is the best thing ever.
But I know they’re not far away, and I’ll most likely see one or both of them tomorrow.
I pause at the doorway of my bedroom and smile when I see Cash sitting up in bed, waiting for me.
Speaking of the best thing ever.
“Hey there,” I say as I walk to the side of the bed and slip between
the covers next to him.
“Hey, yourself.”
“How are you?”
“I think this might be the most tired I’ve ever been in my entire life,” he says with a gusty sigh. “But it feels good to know he’s gone and not coming back, and that everyone’s safe tonight.”
“Yeah.” I cozy up next to him, enjoying the way it feels when he wraps his arm around me, and I fit right under his shoulder. I can hear his heart beating. “I like that, too. The whole thing is weird, don’t you think?”
“The fact that you saw murder victims and we tracked down the killer, only to discover that he had a thing for you and your sisters? Whatever do you mean?”
“Smartass.” I snort. “There are some holes that need to be filled, though.”
“I don’t want to talk about this tonight, Brielle.”
I look up at him. “You don’t?”
“No. We’ve been talking about it for weeks, and now that it’s over, I want to take one night to just enjoy you. We can talk about it tomorrow.”
“I mean, I’m right here, just waiting to be enjoyed.”
He pushes me onto my back and takes a tour of my shoulders with his lips. Tingles float over my skin, making me feel more alive than ever before.
Each time we’re together, it’s better than the last. I don’t even know how that’s possible.
“I love your skin,” he murmurs before catching a nipple with his lips. “So soft, so pink.”
I push my fingers through his hair, happy to let him lazily work his way across my flesh. He’s not an impatient man when it comes to sex. He likes to linger, enjoy, and it makes my toes curl.
I’ve never met anyone like him. And I know that there will be no one like him ever again.
So I lie back and enjoy the lazy, sexy ride.
“This is the Andrew Jackson Hotel.” I point behind me and smile at my group. Oh, my goddess, it feels good to be back at work. I didn’t realize how much I loved this job until I couldn’t be here for a while. “This was an all-boys school, way back in the day.”
I talk about the school burning down, and how the boys are said to still be there, haunting the halls.
This group has been lively, with a few more hecklers than usual, but a few quick-witted comebacks from me seems to have calmed them down for the most part.
Shadows: A Bayou Magic Novel Page 15