by Jane Hinchey
“What the hell? Where are you now?”
“I’m still in the police station. Trying to find a way out. He’s got the main entrance blocked, but once he’s dealt with however many people are on staff, he’ll be looking for me. I need to find a back door. And I need you to come get me. Like, now!”
“On my way!”
“Duke?” I asked before he could hang up.
“Cut on his leg, stitched and bandaged and okay. I’ll bring him with me.”
I stumbled into an open-plan office area, most likely staffed by admin, and there I saw it, the familiar green sign. Exit. Thank you, Jesus. Sprinting across the room, I ran through a staff tea room and wrenched open the door leading outside. The rain had eased a bit, now a heavy mist, but still damp and still cold and I’d left my jacket in the interview room. Cursing, I stepped outside, quietly closing the door behind me, then sprinted across the parking lot only to come to a six-foot-high chain link fence, the automatic gates conveniently closed. With no other option but to climb it, I backed up a bit and then ran at the fence. Jumping I grabbed hold of the wire and began to climb, wincing when one of my flip flops fell off and the wire dug into my toes.
With less grace than I’d like, I scrambled over the top and climbed halfway down the other side before allowing myself to drop to the ground. I stayed crouched, catching my breath and watching the back door of the Police Station, lit by a single light bulb above the door. No sign of the detective yet, but I was confident he was tearing the building apart looking for me, killing anyone who got in his way.
I took off at a jog, letting the shadows of the night hide me, texting Jase as I did, telling him where to pick me up. Two streets over. Safe, hopefully, and out of sight of London Myers should he look outside. By the time I reached our rendezvous point I was puffed and limping. It was hard enough running in flip flops, doubly hard when you only had one. My bare foot felt torn up by the asphalt.
“Get in.” Jase reached across and pushed the passenger door open and I climbed in, grateful to be sitting.
“You’re hurt.” He frowned in concern. “You’re limping.”
“I’m fine. Just drive. Christ, I don’t even know where to go where he won’t find me! Just drop me at a hotel or something, Jase. He’s not after you or he would have paid your home a visit too. It’s me he wants and I’m not going to endanger you—or Duke. Can you look after him for me?” I swiveled in my seat to rub Duke behind the ears, my heart constricting when I saw the white bandage around his front leg.
“Couple of things. I’m not leaving you, so don’t even ask. Secondly, I know where we can hide out. We just need to swing by my place for supplies first. We have to assume he’ll check there, once he realizes you’re no longer at the Police Station, so we need to move fast.”
I smiled weakly, feeling my chin wobble.
“Hey.” Noticing my impending tears, he cupped my chin and tilted my face to him. “It’ll be okay. We’ve just got to stick together—the three of us.” I glanced again at Duke who was sitting on the back seat, looking at me with his soulful eyes.
“I’m okay.” I sniffed, pulling myself together. “It’s just been a long and shitty day.”
“I know.” Putting his four-wheel drive into gear, he pulled out from the curb, heading to his veterinary clinic that conveniently had his house attached to the back.
6
While Jase gathered sleeping bags and camping supplies, I changed into the dry clothes he’d conveniently packed for me when he’d dropped by my house to collect Duke. That’s when the break-in had been discovered. It seemed the detective had killed the pizza delivery guy to get us out of the house so he could search it. That was my theory anyway, and Jase agreed it seemed the most logical one for now.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked, standing in the foyer of his house, thankful for the warm dry tracksuit pants, tank top, and fleece hoodie.
“I’m sure.”
“Look, maybe it’s better if you drop me at a hotel. I don’t think it’s safe for you to be near me, Jase. I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you.” I fiddled with the bottom of my hoodie, twisting it in my fingers.
“Nothing’s going to happen to me. And I’m not leaving you alone, so forget it.” He pulled me into a hug, wrapping his big arms around me and squeezing. I gave myself a forbidden moment of bliss, resting my cheek against his chest and breathing in his scent. Of course, the moment was totally ruined by Wanda throwing the door open so hard it smashed back against the wall. Duke went nuts, barking and growling as he jumped up from his slumber on the lounge room rug and raced to my side. I jerked in Jase’s embrace, tried to pull away, but he held firm.
“Wanda. Didn’t hear you knock,” he drawled, moving me to his side but keeping an arm around my shoulders. Wanda stared at us, panting, her hair wild around her head, the moisture in the air doing her no favors. She’d ditched her umbrella just outside the front door and I caught sight of it as the wind swept it up and tossed it. I motioned to Duke to sit and he did, the odd growl still spilling from him.
“Your umbrella?” I nodded to the black night outside, but Wanda didn’t seem to care about her umbrella. Instead, she went on the attack.
“I knew it! I knew you were having an affair. You just didn’t have the balls to admit it,” she screeched at Jase. I stiffened, caught his eyes as he glanced down at me and then back at the blonde spitfire who looked ready to self-combust.
“I’m not having an affair,” he replied, cool as a cucumber. I admired his restraint.
“Bullshit. Look at you with your hands on her. You’re always with her and when you aren’t, you’re wishing that you were.”
I snorted. Funny, that’s how I felt about him. Wanda’s eyes blazed at me and I clamped my lips shut lest I say something I shouldn’t. Jase and I weren’t having an affair. This was between the two of them to sort out; my third wheel presence was not required. Only thing was, Jase had brought me here and I kinda needed him for transportation.
“Wanda,” Jase sighed, “don’t do this.” I wholeheartedly agreed. Geez, girl, have some pride, don’t air your dirty laundry in front of me. Chances are I’ll use it against you in the future, so please, don’t give me the ammunition.
“You broke up with me!” she cried, face red and blotchy, and I finally clued in that the moisture on her face was not rain, but was in fact tears. Then her words penetrated my brain. He’d broken up with her?
“What?” I asked, unable to stop myself. He glanced down at me, gave me a small nod, then turned his attention back to Wanda.
“I did,” he agreed, “and I told you why. It’s not because I’m having an affair. I would never do that. I’d never cheat.”
“But you’re in love with her,” she spat, hands curling into fists.
“Wanda, I’m sorry I hurt you. Truly I am, but the truth is, I don’t love you. I’m not sure I ever did. I like you. A lot. As a friend.” His words were soft, kind, but I bet they stung just the same.
Ouch. Friend-zoned. And my own heart leaped when I noticed he didn’t deny loving me. Did he? Love me, that is? My head spun, what a day today had turned out to be.
“Liar! You’re here with her now! It’s one in the morning and you’re with her!” Now she sounded hysterical and I wanted to slap her. It probably wasn’t warranted, but it was a desire I had whenever I was near this crazy woman. My mind was still digesting the fact that Jase had broken up with her. He hadn’t mentioned it earlier and I wondered why.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked him.
He knew what I was talking about; it was like he could follow my train of thought without me having to explain myself. “I was going to. Over pizza and wine. Only things went pear shaped.” He shrugged in apology, dropping his arm from around my shoulders. I immediately missed his warmth and then scolded myself for being insensitive. His now ex-girlfriend was still standing right in front of us, shifting from foot to foot, clearly unsure what to do nex
t. Continue to argue, or gather together what was left of her dignity and leave.
“You should go.” Jase made the decision for her. “This doesn’t concern you. If you want to talk later, fine, call me.” Her face lit up and I knew that look. She thought she could win him back. Seemed Jase knew that look too for he cupped her face in his hands and looked right into her eyes. “Wanda, you’re a great person, and someday you’re going to make someone really happy. And they’re going to make you happy too. Only that person is not me. I can’t love you the way you deserve to be loved. I’m not going to change my mind. Please don’t read anything into this. I hope one day we can be friends, but for now, it’s best that you go.” His words were soft and gentle and a tear escaped to trickle down her face. He wiped it away with his thumb, muttering, “I’m sorry.”
Now I was the one to shift uncomfortably from foot to foot. I didn’t want to witness this. This was raw and painful and none of my business. Nudging Duke with my knee, I crossed the room, stood with my back to them, and idly scratched Duke’s ears when he sat next to me, leaning heavily against my leg. He’d stopped growling and his hackles had settled, but he didn’t take his eyes from Wanda.
My mind was a whirl with everything that had happened today, and to be honest, I was exhausted and overloaded. Too much to take in. People being murdered, a mysterious shard from a medallion that was the key to the gates of Hell, and then Wanda and Jase. I didn’t know which one to focus my thoughts on. Everything was a big gigantic mess in my head and I could feel a headache start to pound at my temples.
“Ready?” Jase appeared by my side. Wanda had left. He’d escorted her to her car, and despite my dislike of the crazy woman, I felt for her. It hurt when the one you loved didn’t return your feelings.
“So where are we going?” I asked.
“There’s a cabin on the far side of the island. It was used by researchers a while ago who were studying the bird life. It’ll do for tonight. What’s left of it anyway.”
7
The cabin was remote and filthy. It was a one-room shack, no electricity and barely any furniture. Despite living on Fury Island for two years I’d never become much of a camper, preferring the luxury of a bed and hot running water. Jase, on the other hand, loved roughing it and had brought along his camping supplies. Thank god he did; otherwise, our situation would be worse than it already was.
“We’re only staying here tonight, right?” I asked suspiciously, watching as he got a fire going. Duke was in seventh heaven, busy sticking his nose into every nook and cranny of the rustic cabin.
“Hopefully. I don’t know about you, but I need some sleep. Then we can come up with a better plan. If necessary we’ll camp out, under the stars, he definitely won’t find you then.”
“In the rain?” I asked incredulously.
“In a tent.” He shook his head at my naivety.
“A tent. Right.” I so did not want to spend a night in a tent, especially if this weather didn’t clear up. I’d never seen it storm so hard on the island before.
“Are you hungry?” Jase asked, rolling out two sleeping bags in front of the fire and an old blanket for Duke.
I shook my head. “Not really. I had cheese toasties.”
“Well, if you change your mind, I’ve got some sandwiches here. I’m starving.” He pulled out a container that looked like he’d squashed an entire loaf of bread inside. He pulled out a sandwich and, sitting cross-legged on one of the sleeping bags, began eating.
“Ummm. Bathroom?” I asked, hovering. This was a one-room shack and I was yet to spot anything that remotely resembled toilet facilities.
“Oh yeah, right. Okay, take that umbrella”—he nodded toward the door where an umbrella rested against the wall—“and the flashlight”—he nodded at the table where a big flashlight sat at one end. “Head out the door and turn left. When you reach the end of the cabin, about ten feet away there’s an outhouse.”
“An outhouse?” Did he mean…a hole in the ground?
“Yup. No plumbing out here. Or you can squat in the rain. Your choice.” He shrugged, turning his attention back to his food. Snatching up the torch and umbrella, I stepped outside. The wind tried to wrench the umbrella out of my hand, so I clasped it with two, trying to juggle the flashlight whose beam shone everywhere but where I wanted. Blindly I struggled to the end of the cabin, then stood, getting a grip on the flashlight. I peered into the darkness, shining the beam of light until I spotted a very small shed-type structure. The outhouse, I assumed.
By the time I made it back to the cabin I was a wet bedraggled mess. The umbrella had been more a hindrance than a help and I’d abandoned it when it turned inside out. Slamming the cabin door behind me I rubbed my hands together, shivering. Jase glanced over and frowned.
“You need to get out of those wet clothes or you’ll catch a cold.”
“Yes, Mom,” I snapped, not at all happy to be roughing it out here in the wilderness. “Turn around. Do not look until I tell you it’s safe.” Rummaging through my bag I pulled out yet another pair of track pants, tank, and hoodie. Checking that Jase had done as instructed, and he had—he was now staring into the flames of the fire roaring in the fireplace—I quickly stripped out of my wet clothes, shivering like crazy, trying to pull dry clothes over my clammy skin. It took a while.
“Need a hand?” Jase muttered, voice sounding strangled.
“Nope. Just about done.” I was, in fact, decent, all my important parts covered. Finally getting the hoodie over my head and my arms through the sleeves, I announced, “All done,” and immediately Jase swiveled to look.
“You’re shaking!” He sounded surprised. “Get over here by the fire.”
“Gotta hang my clothes up first,” I stammered, teeth chattering.
“I’ll do it. Sit.” He indicated the sleeping bag next to him and got to his feet, busying himself with the pile of wet clothes I’d left on the floor. Grateful, I slipped into the sleeping bag, pulling it around me. Remaining upright I held my hands out to the fire.
“Are you still wearing your bra?” Jase asked. “Is it wet? It’s not here with your other clothes.”
I snorted. “I’m not wearing a bra, Jase. These babies aren’t big enough to need the support.”
There was a moment's silence, and then he muttered, “I really wish I didn’t know that.” I watched him drape my jeans, T-shirt, and jumper over the back of the chairs, then finally, the black panties that were too damp to be comfortable. Returning to his spot in front of the fire, his eyes roamed over me, the flames reflected by the fire mesmerizing.
“How’s your foot? I should check it. The last thing you need is an infection.” He reached behind him and rummaged in his bag, bringing out a first aid kit. Funny, I’d forgotten about my torn-up foot. It didn’t hurt at all. Doing as instructed I wriggled my leg out and placed my foot into his waiting hand. Ducking his head, he looked at it then up at me, frowning.
“Very funny. Other foot.”
“What do you mean? This is the one I hurt. I lost my left flip flop climbing over the back fence at the police station.
“Show me your other foot, Del,” he grumbled. Okay, so he didn’t believe me. With a heartfelt sigh, I pulled my other leg free of the sleeping bag and balanced awkwardly, both feet thrust at him. He peered at them, frowning.
“This can’t be possible. You were bleeding. There’s blood in my car to prove it.”
Sitting in a cross-legged position, I examined the sole of my left foot. If there were injuries, they were now gone. How was this possible? Was it the shard, did it have healing abilities? Digging into the pocket of my hoodie, I pulled it out. It looked so inconspicuous in my palm. A piece of broken pottery or stone, nothing remarkable about it.
“You think it was that?” Jase nodded at the shard.
“One way to find out. Come here, boy.” Duke trotted over and happily flopped half on my lap, half on the floor. I placed the shard over his bandaged leg, held my palm over
both for a few seconds, then put the shard back in my pocket.
“See if that did anything.” I watched as Jase unbandaged Duke’s leg, leaned over to look when he sucked in a breath. “Un-fucking-believable,” he muttered. Duke’s wound was almost completely healed.
Jase removed Duke’s stitches, then took his own trip outside to use the bathroom facilities. Rather than come back to the fire he stood at the window, peering outside at the storm. He stayed at the window for a long time. So long I got sleepy, so I snuggled down into my sleeping bag, toasty warm. Duke had dragged his blanket over to me, wanting to be close, and I drifted off to sleep with the warmth of his body tucked against my belly.
The front door smashing in woke me from a deep sleep.
“What the hell?” Jase muttered, rousing from where he’d been asleep on the other side of the fire. Thunder boomed overhead and Duke barked. I struggled to sit up. It was dim in the cabin, the only light from the now-dying fire.
“Shit.” I heard Jase curse. Glancing at him as I struggled with the zip of the sleeping bag, I saw him looking at the door. Turning my gaze that way, I froze. Standing in the doorway, looking like the very devil himself, was Detective London Myers.
“Hand it over,” he snarled, his handsome face twisted into an evil sneer.
“Don’t,” Jase commanded, jumping to his feet. I was still stuck in the damn sleeping bag, giving up on the zip I began to wriggle my way out. Duke was barking, teeth bared. When Jase charged at the detective I screamed “No, Jase!” but it was too late. I’d seen what the detective had clasped in his hand. The medallion. The two larger pieces had somehow joined back together – I didn’t have time to consider how or why – just that he was using it as a weapon. He held it up and I saw the ripple of magic burst from it, throwing Jase against the wall with a sickening thud. I rushed to his side, alarmed at the blood pouring from his head. Was he dead? He couldn’t be. Duke went wild, launching at the demon, intent on ripping him to pieces.