The Steve Williams Series Boxed Set

by J. E. Taylor

  “I’ll swing by on my way back to the apartment.” She unlocked her door. Steve opened it for her.

  “Bye, babe.” He closed the door and watched her pull out, the smile on his face fading.

  He reached into the car and pulled out the notebook, heading toward the library. He had Indian folklore to look into. There were plenty of books on Abinaqui Indian tribes, but damn few about their folklore. After exhausting every book on the shelf, he took a seat at the computer, logging in with his student ID, and plugged in the tribe name. He scanned the results, stopping on an interesting passage. When he double clicked, the story filled the screen and he read it, digesting, and reading it again.

  Palawion, the ruler of the tribe, died near Mirror Lake. But that wasn’t what interested Steve. The Indian chief was a magician, and a powerful one at that. The story alluded to black magic and conjuring of spirits. After his death, any white man broaching the area either disappeared, or was found rambling and bleeding, swearing a monster in the woods attacked him. A monster summoned by Palawion with his last dying breath.

  He leaned back in the seat, rubbing his eyes, and glanced at the notebook, flipping it open. The bloody words still graced the page and he grunted, logging off.

  Steve headed toward the law building in the hopes of finding his boss. He was no longer sure a human being caused the disappearances.

  Chapter 14

  Steve walked into the small academic office and closed the door, turning toward his boss.

  “What the hell happened to you?” Special Agent Jack Murphy asked, removing his glasses as he rose to his feet. His salt and pepper hair was cut in a close cropped military style screaming Fed, yet, when paired with the corduroy patched jacket, it added a scholarly air, allowing him to blend with the rest of the pretentious professor crowd.

  Steve’s hand shot up to the side of his face and he winced. Crap, I forgot all about my eye. “Someone got the drop on me. Don’t worry—it had nothing to do with the job,” he said, quickly neutralizing the concern flashing in Murphy’s eyes. He sat in the chair and opened the notebook in the middle. The bloody words leapt out at him. “Murph, can you see anything on this page?” He held the notebook up.

  Murphy looked from the blank page to Steve’s face. “Is this a joke?”

  “No. Is this page blank?”

  “Yes, what’s your issue?”

  Steve closed the notebook and leaned back in the chair, shaking his head. “I’m not sure that the fraternity is the origin of our problem.”

  “What do you think is?” He leaned forward.

  Steve cocked his head to the side. “I’m not sure.” He kept eye contact with Murphy. “That girl was torn to pieces, Murph.”

  “I know. I was there.”

  “I still can’t fathom a person doing that.” He glanced at the notebook again. “What if it isn’t human?” he asked, meeting Murphy’s eyes.

  “We ruled that out. There were no animal tracks, no sign of droppings, and none of the victims found had signs of being eaten. Animals don’t kill for sport. Only men do.”

  Steve tilted his head. “That’s what I keep going back to. The freshest kill we found was Amy, yet there was no sign of the body having been foraged by animals. They put her death something like two days before we found her. These forests are full of scavengers. Why didn’t they touch her?” He leaned forward. “Or any of the others that were found?”

  Murphy leaned back, his eyebrows scrunched together.

  Steve took a deep breath, venturing ahead with his train of thought. “What if it isn’t human… and isn’t an animal?”

  “What else is there?”

  Steve shrugged. “Nothing that I would have considered before today.”

  Murphy leaned forward and took a closer look at Steve. “What the hell are you mumbling about?”

  Steve opened the notebook again and stared at the words. “You see a blank page. I see blood red words in the center of each and every page. It makes no sense. I’m not the only one who can see it either; otherwise I would be checking myself into the psych ward.” He flipped the notebook closed and tapped it absently with his fingers. “I’m not sure what we’re dealing with.”

  Murphy sank back slowly. “Maybe you should take some time off.”

  Steve glared at him. “I’m not crazy,” he growled low.

  “I never said you were,” Murphy answered. “But you haven’t had a break since Peg died.”

  “I’m fine.” He stood and began pacing. “But between a girl with visions and a notebook that bleeds words, I’m not so sure what is behind the disappearances.”

  Murphy’s eyebrows rose and he pushed back in the chair. “Visions?”

  “Yes.” Steve stopped pacing. He saw the doubt in Murphy’s eyes but he didn’t explain further. Instead, he waited for the flurry of questions.

  “Visions of what?”

  “She described in detail what Amy was wearing that day.”

  “And you didn’t haul her ass in?” Murphy’s eyes widened and little blotchy splotches of burgundy broke out on his cheeks.

  “You said she was in New York at the time of Amy’s death,” Steve said, and started pacing again. “Believe me; I grilled her before I called you.”

  “She knows who you are?” Murphy shot to his feet, flew around the side of the desk, and stepped into Steve’s pacing path. The color in Murphy’s cheeks spread to cover his entire face in an explosive plum.

  Oh, Shit. Steve stopped and shoved his hands in his pocket. He looked sheepishly through his bangs at Murphy and nodded. The color transitioned from plum to red and Steve swore Murphy’s head was going to explode from the pressure.

  “Where is she now?”

  “On her way back to her apartment.”

  “Please tell me she isn’t a student at Brooksfield,” he growled.

  Steve shrugged and smiled a little. “She won’t say anything, trust me.”

  “You slept with her?”

  Steve couldn’t help but smile. “Well?” he cringed and gulped the sudden dryness from his mouth.

  “Please tell me she is at least of age,” Murphy barked. Steve nodded. “I want her brought in right now,” he ordered.

  “Can’t do that,” Steve replied. “Her roommate is the fraternity president’s girlfriend.”

  “Are you out of your fucking mind?” Murphy grabbed Steve by the shirt.

  “She won’t say anything,” Steve said.

  “And why not?”

  “Because I’m dating her.” Steve kept eye contact, calmly meeting Murphy’s angry glare.

  Murphy slowly let go. “You’re what?”

  “We’re dating.”

  Murphy blinked rapidly and sank onto the desk, the color abating a little from his face. “How long?”

  “How long what?”

  “How long have you been involved with someone related to this case?”

  Steve’s face suddenly grew hot and he turned away, mumbling, “Three days.”

  “Did you just say three days?”

  He turned back and Murphy’s jaw was clenched so tight Steve could see the tendons jumping in his neck and the veins throbbing at his temple. “I grew up with her but I hadn’t seen her for ten years until three days ago. I didn’t expect this. I didn’t expect her to be so goddamn beautiful that I’d have a hard time breathing around her. I didn’t expect to see her and I certainly didn’t expect to sleep with her, but it happened, okay?” The words tumbled out in a flurry trying to mitigate the explosion he knew was coming.

  “Is she the other person who can see the words?” Murphy asked as one eyebrow rose in suspicion.

  “Yes but…”

  Murphy grabbed him by the arm and pushed him toward the back of the office. “Drug test—now!” he barked. “And until I get the results, you are not to see her, or I’ll have your badge.”

  “Bullshit! I’ll gladly do the drug test, but I won’t stop seeing her. That would completely fuck up my cover and B
ill Tyler will go ballistic on me again.” He pointed at his eye. “I got this because he defended her honor.”

  “Drug test.” Murphy pointed toward the bathroom. “Under the sink.”

  Steve found the containers and complied. He walked out a few minutes later and handed Murphy the sealed container full of urine. “Bill is your chief suspect. Do you want me close to him or not?” Steve watched Murphy slide the container into an envelope and put it in his bottom drawer. “If I’m with her, I’m with them. Jen has no idea Bill is on our radar.”

  “Let me see if I get this straight,” Murphy started, “first you get yourself into the fraternity of the chief suspect, second you start dating the roommate of his girlfriend.” He paused. “That was the perfect cover.” He shook his head and paced, the anger radiating off him. “But you didn’t stop there. You put your identity at risk by blowing your cover with the girl. An entire summer of undercover work fucked up in just three days because you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants.” He stopped and glared at Steve.

  Steve shrugged. “She’s not going to say anything.”

  “I don’t give a flying fuck what you believe. Bring her in!” The glass on the door rattled under the volume and timber of his bellow.

  Steve shook his head.

  “I should take your badge right now. I’m ordering you to bring her in.”

  “I can’t do that,” Steve said, knowing the ramifications for disobeying an order. “I need her and she won’t say a thing.”

  “How can you be so sure?” The octaves lowered a fraction and so did the crimson shine in Murphy’s cheeks.

  “Intuition,” Steve shot back. “You know damn well I don’t trust anyone off the bat. I knew this girl growing up. We were close.”

  “You said you hadn’t seen her in ten years. A lot can change in ten years.” Murphy mirrored Steve’s exact words the day before.

  “I know. I all but outright accused her of killing that girl last night. I didn’t take her word for it. I checked out the facts before I backed off. I risked losing the best thing that ever walked into my life because of this fucking job.” He turned his back on Murphy, his fists in tight balls, and he inhaled a deep breath, gaining control and unclenching his hands.

  Silence settled on the room. “I know it’s crazy but I’m in love with her, and she’s right smack in the middle of this thing.” He faced Murphy.

  “You can’t be objective anymore,” Murphy said.

  “Yes, I can, just don’t ask me to bring her in. She isn’t drugging me, Murph, and neither is anyone else. Maybe her visions or whatever they are can help us catch the son of a bitch faster.”

  “This goes against the book, Williams.”

  “I know, sir.”

  Murphy looked out the window and eased down on the edge of the desk, crossing his arms. “I knew your grandfather, you know.” He brought his gaze back to Steve. “He was the best field agent the FBI ever had and up until today you were following a close second.” He gripped the desk. “God damn it, Williams!”

  Steve shifted under the angry stare and his heart leapt into his throat. He’s going to fire me. Shit. Instead of pleading his case, he remained quiet and held the stare.

  Strained silence filled the room and neither man spoke for the length of ten heartbeats.

  Murphy inhaled, and his tight lips parted. “I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I want to meet her. Have her in the pub tomorrow at noon.”

  “She has class tomorrow at noon. Can we do it Friday instead?”

  Murphy glared at Steve, his lips turning into a thin white line. “I’ve got to be out of my fucking mind. Fine, but if you’re not there with her on Friday, I’m bringing you both in. Now get out of my office.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Steve picked up the notebook and left before Murphy could change his mind.

  He headed back to his car, glancing at the clock on the dashboard as he slid into the driver’s seat. He had close to five hours before he would see her again. He started the car and headed to the frat house.

  Bill sat on the steps, his face formed in an angry scowl. He nodded acknowledgement when Steve approached.

  “You hurt her and I’ll rip you to pieces,” he said, and stormed into the house, leaving Steve stunned on the front stoop.

  He looked up at the Beta Theta Pi flags flying over the entry of the frat house. The eyes of the red dragons watched and waited for their next victim. Steve shivered as their glance passed over him with a ripple from the wind. He shook his head. At least it isn’t the skull and cross bones like Phi Kappa Sigma down the block.

  He headed inside.

  Chapter 15

  Jennifer walked into the apartment smiling.

  “You didn’t have to pull that on us, Jen,” Tracy called from out on the balcony.

  “Yes, I did,” Jennifer answered. “Do you realize how many bad dates you and Billy have set me up with since Tom died?”

  Tracy crossed into the living room and flopped on the couch. “They weren’t all bad.”

  Jennifer rolled her eyes at her roommate and nodded. “Uh, yes, they were.” She tossed her notepad on the coffee table and headed to the refrigerator for a soda. “You want one?” She turned toward Tracy.

  “Sure.” Tracy continued sulking on the couch.

  “All they were interested in was getting into bed with me, nothing else.” Jennifer handed Tracy the can of soda.

  “Like Steve was any different.”

  “Okay, I’ll admit he did want to sleep with me, but that’s not all he wants, and that’s where he differs from everyone else you have subjected me to.”

  Tracy tilted her head a little. “Did you sleep with him?”

  Jennifer blushed. “That’s none of your business,” she said, a grin surfacing and disappearing just as fast.

  “Oh, my God!” Tracy shot to her feet. “You did!”

  “I’m not going there with you Tracy,” Jennifer said, but the barely-suppressed smirk confirmed it.

  Tracy grinned. “How was he?”

  Jennifer blushed. She wanted to tell Tracy it was none of her business, but just smiled instead.

  “That good?” Tracy sat and put her feet on the coffee table, crossing her arms, studying Jennifer.

  Jennifer laughed. “Yeah, that good.”

  “What made you say yes?” She knew Jennifer had only been with Tom until now.

  “Let’s just say Steve can be very persuasive.” Jen blushed. “And he is one fine-looking man.”

  Tracy nodded, a little envious of her roommate. Bill was good-looking, but he wasn’t in the same ‘stop and stare’ realm as Steve. “Even with the black eye.”

  “Especially with the black eye. For some reason, that just makes him more…” Jennifer trailed off searching for the exact word.

  “Sexy.”

  Jennifer laughed and nodded. “You have the hots for my boyfriend?”

  Tracy raised her eyebrows. “No, not really. He’s just sweet eye candy.”

  Jennifer giggled. “Don’t tell him that. It’ll just go to his head.”

  Tracy smiled at Jennifer. “So, we finally found the right one for you.”

  Jennifer’s smile faded. “As much as I hate to admit it, yes. He is the one.”

  Tracy’s mouth dropped. “How can you be so sure he’s the one?” She wasn’t even sure if Bill was her one, and they’d been dating for years.

  “I just know,” Jen replied. “I can see forever with him.” She took a sip of her drink. “Didn’t you know with Billy?”

  Tracy shrugged. “I’m not sure he is the one. I love him to death, but forever? I just don’t know about that.”

  “When did you come to that conclusion?”

  Tracy shrugged. “I don’t know, this summer I guess.” She stood and walked onto the balcony. Jennifer followed, taking the spot next to her at the railing. “He doesn’t want to leave New Hampshire,” she continued. “This isn’t what I want.” She surveyed the view of Mirror L
ake and the surrounding mountains. “It’s wonderful for school or visiting during the summer, but living up here would drive me batty.” She glanced at Jennifer. “I want New York or L.A., just like you do.”

  Jennifer nodded absently. “I wouldn’t mind spending the summers on the lake,” she said, more to herself than to Tracy.

  Tracy slowly turned to her roommate. “You couldn’t wait to get out of here last spring. What changed?”

  Jennifer shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s peaceful up here and there are beautiful places around the lake.”

  “You went there,” Tracy gasped.

  “Went where?”

  “Paradise Cove.”

  “What if I did?”

  Tracy felt the hair on the back of her neck tingle in the light breeze. She looked out at the lake and back at Jennifer. “What did it show you?”

  “Cut the crap, Tracy. There isn’t anything to the legend you told me about.”

  Tracy stepped back. Her eyes darted between the lake and Jennifer. “Do you understand what you’ve done?” Panic flowed into her voice.

  “Come on,” Jennifer said.

  “Do you?” Tracy screamed and ran into the apartment, down the hall and threw herself onto the bed in her room.

  Jennifer went after her and stood in the doorway. “Tracy, the legend doesn’t exist.”

  “Yes, it does, Jen. I’ve seen it.” She raised her makeup smeared face from the crook of her arm and met Jennifer’s gaze.

  “Sweetie, it’s not real.” Jennifer ventured in the room. “You can’t see the future in a reflection on the water.”

  “Yet you can see it in your visions?” Tracy sniffled.

  Jennifer shook her head. “Not really,” she said, dismissing the gnawing at the edge of her mind.

  “That’s not true, Jen, and you know it,” Tracy snapped. “It’s gonna want you.” She let out a sob. “And it’s all my fault.”

  Jennifer skin broke out in goose bumps. “It’s not your fault,” she said and walked over to Tracy, taking a seat next to her on the soft bed. “Nothing is going to happen.”

  Tracy wished she could believe her friend, but she already felt the cold hands around her heart and could only deny the powerful commands for so long before giving in or going crazy herself. She sat up, wiped her eyes, and just nodded.