The Cactus Killer (The Inglewood Chronicles)

by Jeremy Croston

  I heard her yell ‘I am not your secretary’ as I bounded up the stairs. Once in the safety of my room, I fell onto my bed and took a few moments to reflect on what had been a pretty trying day. The thought of Tucker being out there corrupting his own son to the point we saw tonight broke my heart. Thanks to Pastor Browne, we had a lead on him now and we needed to take advantage of that.

  I must’ve dozed off in the middle of my line of thought because I opened my eyes and saw the clock said three forty-five in the morning. I also saw those bright blue eyes look at me and whisper that I should go back to sleep. That suggestion was all I needed.

  Chapter 26

  For the first time in a long time, I slept well passed noon. It was closing in on one o’clock when Liz came in and woke me up.

  “Vic, it is time to wake up now. We have the meeting in two hours.”

  It took me a few minutes to shake the daze off. Once I was coherent, I was shocked to see how late it was. “Why did you let me sleep so long?”

  “Your body needed it. Now do not question my judgment, just get yourself ready and please text your father back. He keeps asking to talk to you.”

  She glared at me until I grabbed my phone. I had eight messages from him, ranging from the meeting time today to why I was ignoring him. I shot him a quick text back explaining I had been asleep and would see him there. Once satisfied that I had done my obligations to my dad, Liz left and I was able to get myself showered and ready for the day.

  Downstairs, I made my way to the coffee pot and put a fresh brew on. I also popped open the fridge and got out a huge roll of summer sausage and bacon. Liz just sat there at the table with her nose in the paper. I think she was trying to ignore the amount of slaughtered animal I was getting ready to eat.

  When everything was prepared, I sat down and was finally greeted with conversation. “I am not sure if you saw your father’s message, but there will be sixteen Alphas from various packs with New Mexico, Western Texas, and Eastern Arizona at the meeting. The California packs declined to show up. I will have a conversation with their Alphas at a later date for this.”

  “Will Josh Greenfoot be there?”

  “Yes, he called me this morning when he arrived in town. He is excited to see you again.”

  That made me happy, I had really enjoyed meeting him and I had promised him a beer next time we met up. I was a man of my word and would invite him over after all of this for a cold one. “Do you know most of the Alphas that will be here today?”

  “Yes, I know all of them, at least by name. I have personally dealt with eight of them, especially the five that are coming from Arizona.”

  “Is our packs in New Mexico really that backwoods?”

  She chuckled before answering, “You are not exactly a progressive group. However, the stories I heard from Gregory, the council member of the northwest, suggest that the Montana packs are just as reclusive.”

  Her attempts to cheer me up always leaved something to be desired. Being compared to the state of Montana seemed like a terrible thing. Hopefully the good coming from all of this will be our packs here becoming more social.

  After my fill of breakfast meat and coffee, I was ready for the day. I wanted to swing by the old office first and drop the Bibles off back into the evidence room and check in with Billy. We hopped into the Mustang and were off.

  Dad wasn’t there when we arrived, but Bernard and Billy were both in the office. Also, Pastor Browne was in my old office praying. Not wanting to disturb him, we went into Billy’s.

  “Afternoon Billy, I came to return the evidence dad let me borrow.” I sat the Bibles on his desk.

  “Hey Vic, thanks! Callum didn’t fill out the proper paperwork so I was handling it anyway. I will get these checked back in.” Dad had a reputation of not being a paperwork kind of guy.

  “How did the rest of the evening go? Did you have any trouble with the local police?”

  He shook his head. “No, one of the first officers on the scene remembered you two coming up before and looking around. Pastor Browne filled them in on everything as best he could without spilling the beans. They put out an APB on Tucker, but we all know that won’t do a thing.”

  We both knew that, but they had to do something to show the people they were investigating. “Great job last night by the way. Thanks to your heads-up work we now know where to go. Hiring you was the smartest thing I ever did.”

  “Thanks, but we both know the smartest thing you ever did was got involved with Miss Swansea here.” He smiled over in her direction.

  “William, you are very sweet. If you ever decide you too are in the mood for a career change, I am sure I can arrange something.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but this life is good enough for me.”

  A few more minutes of small talk gave way to us having to leave. Billy was staying behind to man the phones and finish up the report from last night’s events. By the time we got over to Argents’ office building, most of the others were already there. Cristof was outside on his phone, under the watch of my brother, Felix apparently. When he saw us, he quickly finished his phone conversation and waved us over.

  “You two certainly caused quite a commotion last night! I am actually rather sad I missed it. One of the downfalls of my job I guess.”

  He certainly did have the look of a man longing to get into one good last scrap. I didn’t want to say it to him, but right now I would be careful what you wished for.

  “Cristof, grow up. You have the worries of an entire nation on your hands and you want to go play with fire.” Liz was once again all business.

  “This coming from you, the head of the southwest, who is out playing cowboy!” I couldn’t tell if he was actually upset or just ragging on her.

  “I also tend to get results with my hands on style. The last time you were out in the field, you caused the Laguna Fires!” Her eyes were piercing him now.

  “Wait, what? I thought the Laguna Fires were just wildfires out by San Diego in the early 1970’s?”

  “No Vic, our esteemed leader here got a bit out of control chasing a group of rogues and let’s just say, we had to use extreme measures to finish the job.”

  “Elizabeth, I have apologized numerous times for that. I just got a bit carried away.” Poor Cristof, he had lost this round and knew it. Time for damage control.

  “Hmpf, it took me years to clean that mess up. So yes, from now on when you are in my territory, you handle the politics and meetings and I will handle the field work.”

  “Guys I hate to interrupt, but the meeting is about to start.” Felix was running towards us from the front of the building.

  “Just in the nick of time too, eh Cristof?”

  “You have no idea, Victor.”

  Liz was ignoring us and asked Felix to escort her to Argent’s office. Cristof and I fell into place right behind them. He might have been the head of the U.S. vampires, but it was quite clear who the boss was.

  When we entered Argent’s office, the meeting was just about to start. Felix said his farewells to us and we took our seats in the back. I wish I could say the meeting of Alphas was a productive event, but much like I imagine how things are in Washington D.C., this meeting ended up being pretty pointless. At one point, I looked over and Cristof was playing a game on his phone.

  “Liz, are vampire meetings this convoluted?” I tried to be as quiet as I could, but I think a few of the Alphas sitting near us heard me. One of them, a Silver I think, even smirked.

  “Oh yes, this is quite the same. Everyone wanting information but no one wanting to give up more than they have to. You eventually get used to it.”

  I don’t think I could ever get used to this. After about two hours of Argent and others going over details, with the occasional question for one of us, the meeting adjourned. The consensus at the conclusion was that me and the vampires have gotten this far, so we should be allowed to close it. I gave them all my assurances that I would do my best to get Tucker
before anymore murders occurred.

  Out in the plaza in front of the mayor’s office, I saw Josh Greenfoot talking to a few of the others.

  “Victor Inglewood, a pleasure to see you again.” He stuck his big old hand out and I gave him my best handshake.

  “Chief Greenfoot, I hope our lovely mayor didn’t put you to sleep in there.”

  “Pack politics will always be the same, no matter who is running the show. Your mayor’s concern for the wellbeing of all of the packs is refreshing.”

  “Can’t argue that; he’s always been a pack over individual kind of guy.”

  “I also was glad to see his faith in you. If there is one thing I think we can all agree on is that you are close to ending this madman’s run of terror.”

  “I sure hope so Chief, I wish I could have stopped him by now at any point.”

  He put a hand on my shoulder, “You are learning from each encounter. You will get him, so do not be so hard on yourself.” A big grin came across his face, “Besides, you owe me a drink. Now come, your father Callum has already promised everyone the first round is on you.”

  “He did what?”

  Liz must have heard as she started laughing. As she was waving bye to me, Chief Greenfoot was dragging me to the bar. I made a mental note to slap dad upside the head when I saw him. I doubted my bank account could handle the drinking habits of these guys.

  Chapter 27

  Hangovers are the worst. I had a vague recollection of how I got home, but I am pretty sure I drunk dialed Liz at two thirty and ten minutes later, I was being chastised by all the guys about being picked up. I’m also pretty sure she paid off the tab the Alphas had gathered under my name. When I opened my eyes, the world was so bright.

  “Rise and shine tall, dark, and smelly.”

  A cup of coffee was placed in my hand and soon the world became more tolerable. “I don’t even want to know, do I?”

  “Probably not. Suffice to say, under the influence of alcohol makes you even happier and you were throwing around flattery like it was going out of style. I appreciate how much you appreciate my butt though, not necessarily charming but it did make me feel young again.”

  I just groaned in dismay. Caught between embarrassment and possible vomiting, I rolled out of bed and went straight for the shower. Once the water was hot, I let it take over and tried to wash away both the smell and memories of what I may or may not have said last night in my drunken stupor.

  “Vic, your phone is ringing. It looks like it is William calling. Would you like me to answer it?”

  “Yeah go ahead, I’m in no hurry to get out of here.”

  I zoned out as the water was hitting me, only to be brought out of my daze by Liz’s voice.

  “Victor, are you paying attention to me?”

  “Huh? What did you say?”

  “William just received a call from Sheriff Munoz. Early this morning one of his officers picked up a suspicious looking man on the side of the road. When they brought him back down to their office, they discovered a Bible that had the name Warren Tucker written in it. Sheriff Munoz is bringing him down right now for us to interrogate.”

  That snapped me out of my lull. Could we finally have a solid lead to go on? I didn’t want to get my hopes up, Tucker had already proven he was willing to use his followers as time bombs, so there was a chance this was just another sneak attack.

  An hour later, Liz and I were at the office along with Chaz, Argent, and dad. Liz had called Cristof and he would be there as soon as he could. Just as we were finishing setting up the interrogation room, Munoz showed up with the guy. When I saw him, it gave me chills. He was incredibly tall and built, shaved head, and his eyes were sunken so far back in his head. He had the look of a man who could make the Devil himself blink.

  Munoz handed him off to dad, who led him in where I was waiting. The man sat down and seemed to give little resistance. He reeked of that musky scent we had come to associate with Tucker’s holy water.

  “I’m Chief Inspector Victor Inglewood and this is Sheriff Callum Inglewood. You are currently in the town of Full Moon. We have some questions for you based on a Bible found on your person with the name of Warren Tucker.”

  As soon as I said Tucker’s name, the man started breaking down. “Don’t make me go back there. Don’t make me relive what I’ve seen.”

  I looked at dad, just what in the world had Tucker done to break a man like this. “You’re safe here, Tucker will never know anything you say.”

  “Don’t you get it nowhere is safe. He is worse than the monsters he rallied us against. He knows everything. The Hammer of Jehovah makes sure of it.”

  “Who is this Hammer of Jehovah?”

  He looked up at me, his dark eyes pleading with me not to continue. “Please, don’t make me talk, he knows.”

  “We can’t stop him unless we know what we are up against. Can you tell us something, anything to go on?”

  He closed his eyes. I thought we had lost him, but then he started talking again. “The Hammer of Jehovah calls himself one of God’s chosen. In the beginning, I believed it. But then I saw what they did to my fellows. Then what they did to me. He is not one of God’s chosen; he is one of the true daemons!”

  Just how deep was Tucker going here? “What do you mean by true daemon?”

  “Vampires and werewolves are just the front line soldiers in the coming war against humanity, at least that is what Rev. Tucker told us. He said they were being led by the true daemons, fallen angels who wanted revenge. But I think the Hammer is one of them, my God would never do what they do.”

  I needed to keep this guy talking, “What did they do to you?”

  “They injected us with Holy Water, to give us the strength to fight back. But so many of us died, our bodies not able to handle it. And if we showed weakness, they would torture us, if not just kill us.”

  “Is Tucker still in the Sacramentos? Tell us so we can bring him to justice for what he has done.”

  His eyes started darting all over the room, looking for bugs. Then in barely a whisper, “Yes, his camp is at Benson Ridge.”

  We found him. I looked up at dad and he was smiling. I wish I could have, but that nagging feeling was still gnawing at me. And then right on cue, my phone rang. I didn’t even have to look, so I left the room and answered.

  “Hello Tucker, what can I do for you this fine day?”

  “I suppose you found Hunter Mosley, one of my lost sheep.”

  “Somehow I am not surprised you know he’s here. So back to my question, what can I do for you, Tucker?”

  “You can do exactly what you are planning on doing. I’m ready to show you what I have been doing. Come to my base of operations on Benson Ridge, Victor and meet with me under the truce of parlay.”

  “We aren’t pirates; we are coming to end this.”

  “I think not. Right now I have three of my most trusted agents in very highly populated areas in different cities. Now unless you want me to unleash them to prove just how serious I am, you and one other will meet with me and my second. I will see you tomorrow evening at dusk; do not be late.”

  The phone disconnected. I guess the look on my face told the story. “Me and one other have to meet Tucker tomorrow evening at Benson Ridge under the white flag. If we don’t, he will send his monsters into major cities and probably kill.”

  “You can’t be serious, it is a suicide mission!” Chaz was the first to speak his opinion, as always.

  Liz turned to him, “Charles, if we do not go, innocent lives will be lost. I have too much blood on my hands from past indiscretions, I will not add more to it.”

  No one else said anything. Argent just quietly nodded his head, knowing that we had to do this. Dad and Munoz took Mosley and locked him up, more for his own safety. Cristof asked to have a word with Liz and I went to dad’s office and waited for him. It didn’t take him long to come in.

  “I don’t like it son, not one bit. We need to think of a way t
o have back-up in the area.”

  Could we even risk it, the guy somehow knew everything. I did not want to endanger any lives if I could help it. “I’m not sure dad. If he finds out and sends his monsters on a rampage, there is no way we can stop it.”

  “Son, you are asking me to send you into the fire with no back-up. I’m not speaking as the sheriff right now, but as a father.”

  “I know dad, but when we took these positions in life, we did so to protect others. I have to do my job, no matter the cost.”

  He knew he had lost. His eyes got that resigned look to them. “Your mother is going to kill me for letting you do this.”

  “I’m pretty sure she scares me more than Tucker or the mysterious Hammer of Jehovah. Tell her I will be fine, I’ll have Liz with me.”

  Dad got a stupid smile on his face, “Yes you will. That lass is one tough one and I can see it in her eyes. She would break the hand that touches you.”

  “Hey, I’m not entirely helpless you know. I have Roscoe and grandpa’s tanto too. You never know, it might be me saving her ass this time.”

  “You already have son, more than you probably know. But enough of this. I have a pile of paperwork Billy is insisting I do and you have a fool’s errand to prepare for.”

  He was right, I needed to get with Liz and put together a plan. We couldn’t go up there and get caught with our pants down. “I’ll call you and go over everything with you, down to the letter.”

  “You better, so at the very least, I can tell your mother something.”

  We shook hands and I went outside to find Liz. I found her leaning up against my car, texting someone I think.

  “Hey good looking, what are you doing tomorrow night?”

  She looked up and smiled, “Oh, I do not know. I was maybe thinking we could go on a romantic evening stroll.”

  “I hear there is a beautiful view up on Benson Ridge. Would you do me the honors and accompany me?”

  “I will have to check my calendar, but I think I am free.”