It was the right thing to do.
When she heard the key in the lock, Tori didn't want to talk about it, and she was sure Julian would, so she did something she wasn’t proud of at all.
Tori faked sleep to avoid him and the conversation. Pulling the blankets up to her cheek, she closed her eyes and played possum.
It was for the best.
Her brother would leave her one day, and she wouldn’t stop him. Already, her heart was breaking.
Love sucked.
Here was the proof.
* * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *
Thursday Night
Darkwood Monastery
At the knock to the door, Julian thought it was Nyx and Beau. Instead, when he opened it, he was in for a shock.
It was Roman Remington, and he was grinning like the cat who swallowed the canary.
“Hey.”
“Hello,” Julian said, trying to keep the man from entering the room.
“I have something for you,” he stated, pulling a paper from his back pocket, “but it’s going to cost you.”
Tori laughed from the bed. “Gee, a reporter saying that to someone. How shocking is that?”
Roman glanced over at her from behind his glasses. “I get it. You don’t like me. You’ve made it clear. I hope no one judges you that way before getting to know the truth. That would be really shitty.”
Tori stared at him, a little shocked he’d come right out and say that to her.
Granted, he had a point.
After all, didn't that happen to them all the time?
“Let him in, Julian. If he pisses me off, I’ll kick his ass and blame the pregnancy hormones.”
Julian escorted the man into their room.
“For the record, Mrs. Littlemoon, I may look like a geek to you, but I do keep in shape. Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
“Again, duly noted, Mr. Remington.”
“Here. This is what I have for you.”
He shoved the paper into Tori’s hand. Immediately, she began reading it.
‘Two Sides but Only One Perspective.
Everyone likes a good tale, and this one is no different. Mrs. Shelby Christensen has been touting a fairytale based in nothing but falsehoods and lies. Her claims of the Littlemoon involvement, in her son’s ‘abduction’, are nothing but crazy ramblings of a greedy woman.
When interviewed, Beau Christensen told this reporter that ‘his estranged mother is trying to extort the Littlemoons. She has threatened to blackmail them, is harassing them, and has ulterior plans to destroy her daughter’s new life.’
You see, she abandoned her kids, only to come back into her daughter’s life when the Littlemoon Inc. Agency began gaining fame due to some excellent sleuthing. Well, it doesn’t take a detective to see the writing between the lines. Shelby Christensen is out for her fifteen minutes of fame, and to line her pocket with coffers she didn't earn.
This reporter is just beginning this story. I’m going to start digging. Everyone has secrets, as she’s claimed, and I’m going to find hers. In the name of truth, I’ll uncover them. I can only hope that Shelby is ready to have the skeletons out of her own closet--since she’s more than willing to dredge up everyone else’s.
Tori looked up. “That’s really great, Roman. Thank you,” she offered. “I hope it works.”
“It will,” he said. “This isn't my first day on the job. I’ve ten years of reporting under my belt. I’ll do what I said if she doesn’t back off.”
“Why?” Julian asked, sitting beside his wife.
“I happen to think you two are doing an important job. Part of my family was taken from me, and I wish someone would have stepped in and dug deeper. Instead, it’s a case I’ll never be able to clear up. I believe in finding justice. I believe that you do too.”
That touched Tori.
“Now, what do you want from us?” Julian asked.
“That you’ll trust me and let me in. I know something bigger is brewing. I can feel it. I’m not going to blackmail you, and if you tell me no, I’ll walk out of here and won’t dig. I will give you privacy. If you trust me, I can help. That’s all I want. Let me use my skills to find the lost with you.”
Tori glanced over at her husband. “Tell him all of it.”
Julian was surprised.
No, he was shocked.
Tori stared at the man. “Roman, if you screw us over, I’m going to call in every favor I have with the FBI, and I’m going to bury you. There won’t be a plane you can board, and there won’t be a law enforcement agency you can ever work with again.”
He stared at her. “I won’t betray you. I told you. I’m not like that. I trust you. All I want is the same respect, Mrs. Littlemoon.”
She nodded. “He wants to know about the psychic stuff. Give it to him.”
They moved to sit.
“I’m ready.”
Julian began, “We have specialized skills. Our team works on cases that are out of the scope of a normal investigator. We used psychic skills to handle the assignment where the man was abducting women. We also used those same skills to find that Bible, and solve ‘The Heir’ case.”
“And the case in ‘The Killing House’?” he asked.
“Yes, there too.”
“So you employ the use of psychics to solve things?”
Tori shook her head. “We don’t employ them. We are them. Our team of investigators is made up of three people who have these particular talents.”
He grinned, thinking they were yanking his chain. “Really?”
They nodded.
“Can you be more specific?”
“Is this going to end up in the paper?” Tori asked.
“No! I’m curious by nature.”
They opted to trust him. If he followed through and ended up working with them, he was going to see it firsthand regardless. This wasn’t going to be a shock.
“I’m a medium.”
It took Tori months to be able to say that. She didn't like it, but it was part of her life. When he looked at her like she was crazy, Tori knew he was going to need proof.
“Bethany, he doesn’t believe you exist.”
His pen on the table began spinning, and he stared down at it. When it slid across the surface and toward Tori, he stood from his chair and backed up against the wall.
“How did you do that?”
“It wasn’t me. It was my spirit guide Bethany.”
“Bullshit.”
She sighed. It wasn’t as if she blamed him. “He’s still not sure you exist, Bethany,” she said.
The curtains blew, moving in an invisible breeze. When they began winding around his body, like tentacles of an octopus, he looked freaked out.
“How about now?”
“Wires.”
The lights flickered, flashing like a disco light. They didn't stop until he looked about ready to bolt.
Roman swallowed.
The television turned on.
“Holy shit! This place is haunted.”
Tori laughed. “I’m haunted. That’s Bethany. Let’s just say I picked her up on a case, and she’s become my friend.”
When she said that, Tori could feel a light kiss of lips on her cheek.
“Uh, can you get her to let me go? I think her hand is somewhere really inappropriate,” he said, glancing down.
Julian laughed. “That sounds like Bethany. Hey!” he ordered. “Hands off the reporter. You can’t molest from the great beyond.”
There was laughter in the room, and they all heard it. Slowly, the curtains slid from his body.
“Well, holy shit! That’s amazing.”
“No, it’s a pain in the ass,” Julian stated.
Bethany pinched him.
“Ouch! Knock it off!” he ordered when he jumped off the bed. “I said hands off!”
“So you say there are a team of investigators who have these gifts?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
So, she opted to trust him. “We’re having a séance tonight. I have to find a ghost. The psychic my brother is watching is going to help.”
“I’m in.”
They stared at him.
“Wait! You can’t tell me I can’t help. You promised. If you even try to renege on our deal, it’s mean.”
Tori glanced over at Julian. “You wanted to hire him. What do you think?”
“I believe his employment is pending this case and the information he gives us. That means he isn’t on the payroll quite yet.”
“You have to let me help. I have to be part of this. Please?” Roman pleaded, taking a seat. “Just tell me what to do.”
Well, here went everything.
“Okay, you’re in. Don’t let us down.”
He wouldn’t.
This was going to be awesome.
CHAPTER twenty-two
Friday Evening
When they arrived at the room, Tori was lounging on the bed reading through some papers with Julian by her side. What they weren’t expecting was that they weren’t alone. There was also some man, who Beau had never seen before, with them. He looked like some professor from a college.
That was a little surprising.
“Who’s he?”
Tori let Julian handle that one. After all, he’d opened this can of worms.
“I guess you can say that were taking Roman out for a test drive. He might be on staff depending on this case and how it goes.”
Beau watched him suspiciously. “Isn't he the gay man who’s staying here?” he asked, recalling him from the one tasting he worked.
“Actually, that was my cover. I’m not gay. What I am is a reporter.”
Beau stared at him. “You’ve invited a reporter onto the team. Does he know…?”
Tori nodded. “He does. I told him all about me.”
Roman crossed to Nyx. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ve seen you in my shop.”
“Yes, I’ve been in town a few weeks. Maybe we can get drinks sometime.”
Beau growled. “Hey! Hands off my girl, lover boy. She’s mine.”
Tori laughed. “She’s hers,” she corrected. “The woman isn’t a shoe. Men don’t own them as possessions.”
Nyx grinned up at Beau. Honestly, he could own her anytime. It gave her a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“Actually, he’s right. I’m his.” Then she focused on the reporter. “Thank you for the offer, but as you can see, I’m taken.”
“Oh well,” he stated. “You can’t hate a man for trying.”
“Yes, I can,” Beau stated. “I can also hurt him.”
“Maybe we should get on with this,” Julian said, trying to keep Beau’s head from exploding. They didn't need him in jail twice in one day because of a fist fight. “Will you be okay if Roman sticks around?”
“Yes, I will.”
Tori pointed at her brother before he could make some pithy comment. She’d seen that same look before on her other brother’s face long ago. Generally, there was a brawl somewhere behind it.
“Great. What do we do?” Tori asked.
“I need you to join me on the floor,” Nyx said, sitting with her legs tucked under her.
“Sure.” Tori followed her.
“Where’s all the woo-woo stuff?” Julian asked. “Don’t you need candles, crystals, and all that shit?”
Nyx laughed. “You’re watching too many movies. I’m the channel. I just have to tune in. First, I have to get Bethany’s help. Once Tori gets her here, she’ll distract Trey.”
“Who’s Trey?” Roman asked.
“He’s our dead brother,” Tori stated.
The man looked confused. “Uhhh, if you say so…”
“Okay, refresher. Bethany is my spirit guide of sorts, and Trey is the voice in her head. She channels, and I medium.” Tori looked at the psychic across from her. “Did I use that right?”
“Yeah, you did.”
Roman shook his head. “If you say so. I’m not a huge believer in this sort of thing.”
Julian patted him on the back. “Yeah, neither were we. Let me remind you of your experience earlier today.”
Without warning, a breeze started blowing in the room. Everyone stayed focused on Tori and Nyx, with the exception of the reporter.
Could you blame him?
Honestly?
“What do you think you’re doing, spout?” came Nyx’s voice. “You’re playing with fire and doing the exact opposite of what I told you to do. I remember when you used to listen to me.”
Tori laughed. “I know, Trey. Just go hang out with Bethany for a while. We need to talk to a dead man.”
“He’s the bad one. I can feel him. Stop!”
Nyx grabbed her head, trying to keep him from screaming in her brain.
Beau dropped to his knees behind her. Gently, he touched her back. The second he did, she was able to refocus.
“He’s trouble. Leave,” Nyx said in her voice but with Trey doing all the talking. “Don’t make me force you!”
There was laughter.
Lots and lots of it.
The breeze in the room kicked up, and Tori opened her eyes. All around her, she was catching shadows in her peripheral. Then she heard Bethany.
‘Got him.’
“Bethany has Trey. We’re good.”
Nyx opened her eyes. “I can hear her. I can also hear three little girls chanting.”
“What are they saying?” asked Julian.
‘He broke our bones.
He broke our head.
He buried us away
And now we’re dead.’
A chill swept the room.
“He’s here. I can hear him.”
“Who are you?” Tori asked. “Give us your name.”
There was silence.
Then the lights flickered.
Suddenly, across Tori’s chest, a long scratch formed. She didn't move. Everyone stared in horror as another one intersected it.
“Jesus, is that a cross?” Roman asked, staring incredulously.
Julian was more worried about his wife and child. “Honey, are you safe?”
There was more laughter, and then the curtains whipped around her. “Bethany has me. Worry about Nyx.”
They all focused on her.
“He’s here,” Nyx stated. “And he isn’t happy that we’re interrupting his work.”
Her head dropped back, and when she opened her eyes and stared across at Tori, she didn't look right.
“He killed me.”
Tori knew she had him in her control.
Well, sort of…
At least he showed up to the party, and now they could work on solving this case so they could get the hell out of there.
“Who are you?”
“I’m the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
Tori knew who it was. It was the priest, and he was really angry. “Father Esposito?”
The room went still.
“Yes.”
“Are the girls with you?”
“I protect them,” Nyx said, channeling the dead priest. “They’re mine now. No one wanted them, but I keep them safely hidden.”
“Where are they?”
“They are in the dark. Set us free.”
They all looked around the room. “Were you killed because of the treasure?”
He didn't answer, but all the sudden Nyx stood. They all stepped back, careful not to get in her way.
“Father?”
Nyx kept walking. She headed down the stairs, oblivious to anyone who was watching. When Daniel Nelms opened his mouth, Julian silenced him with his hand.
They headed out into the vineyard, Nyx walking, and them all following. Right behi
nd Nyx was Beau, and he looked scared out of his mind.
This was the last thing he wanted to see.
What he wanted was Nyx safe, and now she was…possessed.
As they moved through the dark, they headed right for the small chapel that was the makeshift crypt. Once inside, Nyx stood in the center of the room, facing them.
“Set us free. We want peace.”
“How?”
“Find them and find the gold.”
“The killer didn't get your cross, did he?” Tori asked.
Nyx moved her head, and it sat at scary angle. Beau wanted to rush to her, saving her. “He tried. I saw him coming.”
“Who is it?”
“Sinner. Parishioner.”
“Where are the girls?”
Tori moved closer. Streaming down Nyx’s face was blood. When she reached out to touch her own face, it was there too. Her nose was bleeding.
Bethany was burning through energy to keep Trey at bay. She knew they didn't have much time.
“Nyx, hang in there,” she said, taking the woman’s hands. They were ice cold. The second she touched her, she could feel that dead chill creep into her body.
“Where’s the gold?”
“Saint James guards it.”
With that, Nyx’s eyes began rolling up into her head, and she started to fall. Tori tried to catch her, but Beau was there swooping her up in his arms before she could hit the ground.
“Are we done?” he asked angrily. “Are you finished using her?”
“Beau, calm down. It’s her job.”
Tori turned, wiping her face on her sleeve. Julian saw the blood and pulled some tissues out of his pocket.
“I’m okay. Bethany was struggling to keep Trey in check. I could hear him screaming.”
“I’m going to take her back to her place so she can rest,” Beau said, kissing her softly on the forehead as Julian wiped the blood from her face too.
“Good idea. How about we have breakfast in the morning, and then decide where we’re taking this?” he suggested.
“We’ll meet you there,” Beau said, heading out. “Text me the time.”
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