April’s voice registered at the back of her mind, growing louder, and she realized that she’d collapsed on the floor. The huge chandelier glowed overhead and she could feel the cool mosaic tiling against her skin.
“Alexandra! Are you all right?” April appeared above her.
Alexandra blinked. She’d never experienced such an intense vision before and somehow she was sure that what she’d just witnessed hadn’t yet happened. “We don’t have much time,” she said urgently as she sat up. “He’s going to kill her!”
April frowned in confusion. “Who’s going to kill who?”
“The Penn State Serial Killer. I know where he’s keeping Mady, and he’s going to kill her!”
Detective Beckford, who’d come to stand above her, narrowed his eyes at the mention of the serial murderer. “What do you know about the Penn State Serial Killer?” he asked.
Alexandra stood. “Not much, but I’m sure he’s responsible for a missing child from the Bronx. The one that I tried to tell you about. Now he’s going to kill her!” When he fixed her with an incredulous look, she decided to reveal her gift to him. “I have the gift, believe it or not. I see things, and I’ve seen him. I know where he’s going.”
His gaze became more assessing as he absorbed her declaration. Alexandra didn’t think it should be so hard to believe after all he’d witnessed tonight.
April took a step toward him. “It’s true, Tyrese. She’s a psychic. And that apartment I took you to look at, that was the killer’s residence.”
His frown flitted between the two women before him, finally settling on April again. “You told me that was your ex’s apartment and he was withholding some of your possessions from you. You lied,” he accused.
April shrugged. “You wouldn’t have gone any other way.”
He was silent for a moment then nodded slowly. “True,” he said, then turned to Alexandra. “Where is this killer now?”
“I’m not sure,” she replied. “I’ve never seen the place before, but it’s an old house, about three stories high. And it’s near a water tower with the letters H.W. on it.”
Detective Beckford frowned as he tried to place her description. “I couldn’t begin to imagine where to start looking. I’ll radio it in and have one of my men do a—”
“There’s no time for that!” Alexandra interrupted. “He’s going to kill her now!”
Just then one of the onlookers moved forward. “Perhaps I might be able to help you,” he offered.
Alexandra looked him over. With his dark good looks, he was definitely a Drakon. He stuffed the handkerchief he’d been dabbing on his forehead into his pocket. He looked frazzled, and Alexandra guessed that the night’s activities had been a bit too far removed from his daily life.
“My name is Andrew Drakon and this is my home.” He introduced himself. “The place you’re speaking of is a small town called Hemmingway. It’s a bit of a distance from here, about an hour’s drive.”
Detective Beckford moved toward him as he pulled his radio from his pocket. “How do I get there?”
“You’ll have to travel south on Route 92 and take Exit 21. There’s no town marking, but you should be able to see the water tower from the highway,” he told him.
Detective Beckford nodded and radioed his men to head out to that location instead of the mansion.
Alexandra turned worried eyes onto Andrew Drakon. “You said one hour’s drive?” He nodded.
Mady would be long dead by the time they arrived. “Is there another way?”
Detective Beckford looked at her. “Everything’s going to be fine. I dispatched about twenty men out there and I’m going ahead of them,” he tried to reassure her.
Alexandra shook her head. “It won’t matter if you sent one hundred men if they’re all too late. You don’t understand. That child has only minutes left.”
The oval chamber had cleared by this time save for a few people who’d remained to restore order to the room. And Nicholas and Simion, still in gargoyle form.
Nicholas, his eyes turned downward, was the first to approach. “Your gift is truly great. It would be a pity to see it rendered useless because of the mere obstacle of distance.” Emerald eyes found hers then, reflecting remorse. “Please, allow me to assist you. I can fly you to this place within a few minutes.”
Alexandra swallowed a lump in her throat and did her best to hide the fear she felt. April had retreated a few steps to stand beside Detective Beckford, and so she stood alone before this huge and very dangerous creature.
She had no reason to trust him, but what choice did she have? A child’s life was at stake. If he was able to help her save Mady, then she was willing to put aside her mistrust.
She swallowed again. “How fast do you think you can get me there?” she asked with apprehension.
“Twenty minutes at the most.”
She nodded. “I’ll go with you.”
April ran to her side. “Alexandra, no! It’s not safe.” Her gazed fixed pointedly on Nicholas.
Simion moved forward then. “She will have nothing to fear from us,” he said with a hard yet repentant look. “My brother and I will also protect her with our lives. We will save this child.”
Detective Beckford stepped forward, too. “I’ll go with you,” he offered.
Alexandra looked at Simion, who nodded his agreement. She gave a small smile of thanks, then took April’s hand. “Please watch over Marius until I get back. I have to do this. I made a promise to Mady’s family and I won’t let them down.”
Chapter 22
Everything was as she’d seen it—the building, the water tower and the light in the window. The only thing that Alexandra hadn’t anticipated was not finding Mady on the third floor. The dim illumination she’d seen from outside turned out to be a single candle sitting on a wooden table that was covered with dust. A dirty mattress was pushed to one corner. Detective Beckford squatted there, wearing latex gloves as he slipped bits of evidence into a small bag.
Alexandra’s attention was drawn to the mattress. She could almost feel Mady’s energy lingering there. It was the very spot she’d seen in her vision.
Nicholas cast a look around. “What manner of man would bring a child here?” His voice was laced with disgust.
“The kind that has no scruples,” Detective Beckford supplied.
Alexandra moved toward the mattress, her attention riveted to the newspaper clippings taped to the wall above it. Her stomach churned as she read one of the bold headlines.
Rapist Attacks Third Victim in Bronx Area.
Slowly, she peeled the article off the wall. It was dated thirteen years ago. Realization flooded her and the clipping slipped from her fingers. The Penn State Serial Killer was Mady Halman’s father.
Images flooded her then, visions of a deranged man, deeming it his right to claim a child who’d resulted from his vicious attack on a woman he didn’t even know. He’d tracked down Veronica Halman and kidnapped Mady because, in his own twisted mind, he felt he was being robbed of the chance to be a father. But he was growing tired of Mady now. He hadn’t considered the responsibilities of caring for a child. She was a liability, a burden, and he was ready to get rid of her, but knew he couldn’t just return her to her mother. There was only one way to do away with her and prevent himself from being captured.
A feeling of desperation filled the pit of her stomach and Alexandra spun around and crossed the room to where Simion stood in the doorway. “We have to find her,” she said.
Nicholas followed her to the door. “Alexandra and I will go below. You and the detective can search above,” he told his brother.
Simion grunted his accord and when Detective Beckford joined him, they disappeared up the stairs.
Alexandra removed the candle from the table and turned to go with Nicholas. As they moved into the dark hallway, she remembered the day she’d climbed into the sewer with Marius. He’d been able to tell her which direction the killer had taken by pic
king up his scent. “Do you think you can trace Mady’s scent?” she asked.
“I will try, but it is often difficult if the individual has been gone for a while. And this room has been vacant for several hours now.”
They headed down the hall, Alexandra guided by the light of the candle. The place was a wreck. The wooden floors were littered with dust bunnies and bits of old cloth and they creaked beneath their weight. Cobwebs hung overhead in a decadent canopy, some wandering tendrils hanging low to shroud the way.
The stairway was even less admirable. Its dilapidated railing leaned in an awkward sway and she wondered if it would support their weight, most especially Nicholas’s. As if sharing her thoughts, he leaped from the ground and disappeared somewhere above her.
She froze, her heart racing. “Where did you go?” She lifted the candle a little and made a slow turn as she searched the ceiling. The light spilled over his form, revealing that he was clinging to the wall above her.
“Keep moving,” he told her. “I am at your side.”
She returned her attention to the stairway and shielded the candle as it flickered in a draft. One at a time she took the stairs, carefully testing each and praying that she wouldn’t fall through. In the shadows overhead Nicholas followed, moving silently.
At the bottom, she found herself facing a doorway across a narrow hall. She peered into a room filled with furniture draped in white sheets. A chill crept over her. She could feel it. Mady’s energy thrived within that room. “She’s here,” she breathed.
Without delay, Alexandra entered and looked around. “Mady?” she called out and received no response.
Nicholas walked to one side of the room and inhaled deeply. Alexandra followed him, her trepidation rising.
“Where is she? Can you smell her?” she asked anxiously.
He gripped the end of a sheet and pulled it away, revealing a tall wardrobe. Alexandra immediately saw the length of chain draped around it, secured with a master lock. Nicholas wound it about his fist and ripped it away. There was a tiny shriek and relief flooded Alexandra.
They’d found Mady! She placed the candle on the floor as Nicholas threw open the doors. A young girl squinted up at them in fear. Her face and pink jumper were covered in dirt and her hair was tangled. Her attention focused on Nicholas and her eyes widened as she emitted a piercing scream.
Alexandra reached into the wardrobe and drew the child into her arms. “It’s okay, Mady. We’re not here to hurt you. We’re going to take you to your mother,” she told the girl in a soothing voice.
Nicholas headed for the doorway. “I will wait out here.”
Alexandra nodded and helped a tearful Mady from the wardrobe. “You’re safe now, sweetheart.”
Mady sniffed and pointed toward the doorway. “What is that thing?”
“He…is a guardian. He’s here to protect you,” she reassured her. “Now tell me, did that man hurt you?”
Mady nodded. “He hit me and told me to shut up. He said he’d kill me if I didn’t do what I was told.” She wiped at her tears.
Alexandra gripped Mady’s arms gently and looked her in the eyes. “Is that all?”
When the girl nodded, she released a sigh of relief.
Mady’s mouth formed in a pitiful frown. “He said he’s my dad. He’s not, right?”
Alexandra squatted to look at her. “I don’t know,” she answered, uncertain what to say.
Mady wrapped her arms tightly around Alexandra and cried into her midsection. “I want to go home. I want my mom.”
Alexandra smoothed a hand down Mady’s hair. “We’re going to leave soon. In just a few…” She fell silent.
She’d heard a noise that sounded like a door slamming—the door of a vehicle. She set Mady aside and raced to the window. From her vantage point she could see the tail end of the van parked in the front yard. The Penn State Serial Killer had arrived!
“What is it?” Nicholas asked from the doorway.
She crossed the room, blew out the candle and grabbed Mady’s hand. “It’s him,” she said as calmly as possible.
Alexandra guided Mady into a corner and they faded into the shadows. Mady clung to her and Alexandra fought desperately with the fear raging inside her. He had a gun; she’d seen him load it in her vision.
Nicholas eased back into the room just as a door creaked open at the end of the hall. He, too, slipped into the shadows on the opposite end of the room.
Scuffling footsteps grew louder and a light appeared in the doorway, followed by a tall gangly figure holding a flashlight. A heavy thump resounded in the room as he dumped a duffel bag on the floor. A dark curse spilled from his lips when he pointed the light toward one end of the room. Slowly he advanced and assessed the scene: the broken chain, the candle placed on the floor and the empty wardrobe. A shaking Mady tried to hide behind her, but Alexandra stilled the child’s movements. Mady’s soft scuffling didn’t go unnoticed. Alexandra watched as the killer reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the handgun.
“Who’s there?” he said evenly as he turned his light slowly about the room. “I know that girl ain’t escaped all by her lonesome.”
Alexandra held her breath as the light crept near. She knew there would be no escaping, for they were directly in its path. Her only comfort was the tall figure of the beast that was sliding from the shadows behind him.
The light passed over them then and stopped. The killer started laughing softly, a perverted wheezing that made her blood freeze.
“Well, well. Seems I got me two little rabbits in a hole,” he mocked.
He trailed the light up Alexandra’s body. She was still wearing the red dress and his tongue snaked out. The light fell on Mady next and he jerked his head away from the door. “Come here, girl.”
Alexandra eased Mady behind her. “She stays with me,” she told him determinedly.
His eyes narrowed on her. “Don’t think I won’t shoot you.”
She stood her ground. Nicholas’s figure was completely visible behind him now. “You’re hardly in the position to be making threats, outnumbered as you are.”
“Ain’t no one else here. Now hand over the—” His thumb moved to cock the gun, but he froze as a heavy footfall sounded behind him. He tossed a look over his shoulder, his hands began to shake and the flashlight clattered to the floor.
Alexandra stepped to one side with Mady as the gargoyle’s massive form emerged from the darkness.
The killer’s eyes widened and he stumbled backward. He aimed his gun, but before he could pull the trigger, a crash resounded in the room as Simion smashed through the tall window. The killer spun around and the gun went off just as he was knocked to the ground.
From the doorway Detective Beckford raced into the room with his gun drawn. “Stay down!” he shouted as he pulled a pair of cuffs from his pocket.
In the distance the sound of sirens could be heard and Alexandra knew that Detective Beckford’s squad had arrived. She looked at the gargoyles before her. She wondered if she would ever be able to forgive them. They’d done so much wrong to her, yet on this night they’d given something back. Only time would tell.
“Thank you,” she breathed softly with a shaking Mady wrapped around her waist.
Detective Beckford snatched up his prisoner and also nodded his gratitude.
Without another word, the two gargoyles disappeared into the night beyond the shattered glass of the window.
It was over. Alexandra held Mady close as a squadron of police vehicles raced into the yard. “You’re safe now.”
Alexandra smoothed a lock of dark hair from Marius’s forehead. He’d been out for three days now, stirring in and out of a restless sleep. Miraculously, his wound had healed completely, leaving only the faintest hint of a scar. With the help of his mother, Alexandra had spent the last few days caring for him.
After the arrest of the serial killer, Alexandra had returned briefly to the city for questioning. She’d claimed that while
investigating the story, she’d received an anonymous tip that had led her to the place where Mady was being held. And with Detective Beckford backing her, no one had questioned her too closely. She’d then been able to see Mady home. Ms. Halman had been overjoyed to have her daughter returned to her safely and after overcoming the shock of the motive for the kidnapping, she’d agreed to testify in court against the man who’d raped her thirteen years prior.
For Alexandra, the resolution of the case had brought her some personal peace. She’d used her mysterious talents to save a little girl from certain death and a mother from the pain of losing a child. She was left with a soothing calm. She’d learned so much about herself and found love in the process.
She’d also made a name for herself in the news world. This was both a blessing and a disadvantage, for not only was she revered for catching the Penn State Serial Killer and rescuing his next victim, but she was also the center of the Central Park Creature investigations. As she’d feared, the entire ordeal had been the headline of every news media. The security tapes from her building had been confiscated and, along with hundreds of amateur recordings, the footage was being played daily over the Internet and the news.
Of course, when questioned, she had pretended not to know what the creatures had wanted. Again she was grateful that Detective Beckford—with some persuasion from April no doubt—had kept quiet about all he’d learned. Even April had forfeited her claim to the details that Alexandra had promised her. Instead, she’d printed a very diluted and inconclusive version of the whole ordeal. It didn’t matter if the truth came out though. Any claim that members of a very wealthy and prominent family were gargoyles who changed to stone at dawn would be regarded as nonsensical. The proof simply wasn’t there, for the curse had been broken. Even Marius’s brothers had failed in thwarting redemption. When Simion and Nicholas had returned to the mansion and the sun had crept above the horizon, their ghastly exteriors had fallen away and, instead of stone, they’d become human.
Heiress to a Curse Page 22