I was speechless, unsure what to say or do, which is no less than paralysis for me!
Rachel stood up and walked over to the little office, opened the door, and crossed off the last day of our training. She turned back to me, put her hands on her hips, and smiled. “I declare you ready and Harbinger in serious trouble!”
I picked up my staff, went over and grabbed the other, then followed her up the stairs.
I think I’m ready. Probably. Maybe.
*******
After saying goodnight to Rachel, I drove to Journey Chapel. Leaving Bear in the Ranchero, much to her displeasure, I went inside the main sanctuary. The sanctuary was open every day for people to pray.
It was a cavernous structure, with a large stage at the front, and multiple doors around the perimeter. Each door opened onto an aisle blanketed with plush, burgundy carpet that ran all the way downhill toward the stage.
A few others were there, but they paid me no attention as I came in. I slipped into the last row, bowed my head, and reached out to my Lord and Savior.
I don’t know how long I was there, but after what felt like five minutes, I opened my eyes. The chapel was empty and the last light of the day was just disappearing, creeping below the red leaves outside the windows.
As I approached the car, Bear’s tail wagged back and forth, and I decided to treat her for being so patient. “Come on, girl. Ride up front with me.”
Her presence close by makes me feel just a bit safer.
*******
When I got home, both Bear and I ate before sitting down on the back steps. I was nervous, but also at peace, about the events ahead of me tomorrow. My phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Jack. It’s Sarah.”
“Hey, Sarah, everything okay?”
“Yes. In fact, better than okay. The doctor is finally tired of Buddy and is releasing him.”
“Sarah, that’s awesome! When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Oh Sarah, I’m sorry. I can’t be there to help you.”
“Don’t you worry about it. Buddy told me about tomorrow, and we’ll be praying for you.”
“Thanks, Sarah.”
I heard a voice in the background but couldn’t make it out. Sarah began to laugh. “Buddy says kick Harbinger’s butt!”
I smiled into the phone. “Tell him that’s the plan.”
After chatting for a few more minutes, we said goodnight and hung up. I sat staring at my phone, hoping Mandy would call, but not wanting to call and get her voice mail again.
Finally, I decided a text message was a good compromise.
Tomorrow I will be facing Harbinger. I have taken your advice, and I covet your prayers.
I wanted to say so much more, to tell her what happened with Rachel, and that it made me even more certain of my feelings for her.
No more, Jack. Just push send.
I did.
chapter 13
I arrived at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery before sunrise. This time, I wasn’t trying to hide, nor was I in a hurry. Bear walked with me to the grave of Steve Mason’s mother and sister, and lay down next to me as I sat and waited.
The morning dawned cold, a north wind bringing an early promise of a long winter. I wore my standard outfit. Black bomber jacket, white t-shirt, black jeans, and Reebok shoes. Mandy liked to refer to me as a cross between Fonzie and Johnny Cash. Tucked in my belt was the blessed sword. Two staffs lay in the grass next to me.
I took out my phone and re-read her message for the tenth time. A short message from Mandy was waiting for me when I woke up this morning.
Prayers coming your way.
That was all, but it was something, and it helped me put one foot in front of the other this morning. I wanted to stay in bed, come up with a different plan, like recruiting Rachel to fight with me. I knew better.
This is my task, my fight, and I’m not gonna put it off any longer.
The sun was barely above the horizon when Bear stirred. Her lips curled back to expose her teeth, and a low warning growl came from deep inside her. She stood and looked to the west.
“Good girl, Bear.”
Although I hadn’t spotted him yet, I knew Harbinger was near, and I stood next to my dog. I ruffled her neck fur, more for my own comfort than hers, and waited for Mason to show himself.
“We meet again.” The distinctive voice of Harbinger filled my ears.
I turned to my right, seeing him silhouetted by a sliver of the sun, wearing the same long, black leather jacket he always did. Even in the dim light, I could see his shimmering eyes, a trait that always creeped me out.
“Hello, Mason.”
He hates when I call him that.
“You’re going to ignore my proper title right up until I kill you, is that it?”
“Your name is Steve Mason, right?”
The shimmering eyes focused briefly on Bear. “I see you brought your spirit dog. You still need someone to fight for you, I guess.”
“She’s only here to let me know when you arrived. I didn’t want you sneaking up on me like you did Buddy.”
“I see. Buddy was old and it was beyond easy to get the drop on him.”
“You speak about him in the past tense. You know he’s fine, right?”
Harbinger nodded. “I heard. I stopped by the hospital to say hi.”
“I bet.” I reached slowly for the two staffs. “I brought you something.”
“You shouldn’t have.”
I tossed one of the staffs in his direction, and he watched it fall to the ground in front of him. “What’s that?”
“Pick it up and see.”
Harbinger bent down, keeping his eyes on me, and picked up the pipe. He stood back up and hefted it a couple times. I held out my own.
“Staffs, You and me. This ends today.”
He spun the staff like a cheerleader spins a baton. “No guns or Tasers or the like?”
“Nope.”
Harbinger lunged so quickly, striking my chest with the end of the staff, that all I saw was his coat swirl past. The blow knocked me over, and I landed on my back, with Bear next to me. She stared into my eyes, looking for the order to attack.
“Stay, Bear.”
As the words left my mouth, Harbinger flew over me, driving his staff downward into my shoulder, briefly pinning me to the ground. When he landed beyond me, his staff released, but the pain remained.
In one motion, I leapt to my feet, but my left arm hung loosely by my side. Harbinger turned, a smile crossing his face, and lunged at me again. He swung the staff from above his head, down toward my other shoulder, but I dove out of the way. I could hear the swish of air as it just missed.
He stumbled from the effort and it gave me a moment to gather myself.
Holy Spirit, I am your hands. Take me now!
Apparently, I’d said my prayer out loud.
Harbinger circled back at me. “The Spirit isn’t going to save you now!”
This time, when he charged me, the Runner appeared to be moving at half-speed, and I easily sidestepped him. As he passed me, I brought my staff to the back of his knees. He collapsed with a howl.
I rotated to face him as he regained his footing. His eyes revealed a small level of uncertainty, something I’d only seen once before. He rubbed the back of his legs.
My left arm still hung useless, but the pain I felt when it happened, now seemed absent. Harbinger yelled, rushing at me while swinging wildly for my head. Again, I easily avoided him, but this time I landed my staff across the front of his right knee.
I heard a tremendous crack, and he collapsed again, howling. I stepped back, caught my breath, and waited. Harbinger pulled himself up, leaning on the staff like a crutch, and stared at me. His eyes still shimmered, but now they reflected fear.
No words were said between us. This was it, and we both understood, only one person was leaving this cemetery.
He tried to hobble toward me for another attack, bu
t now all advantage and speed belonged to me, and I struck him before he could grasp what was about to happen. Coming in with my one good arm, I swung the staff for the other knee, striking home with another resounding crack.
Harbinger collapsed for the third time, unable to raise himself, and writhing in pain. I went to him, sat on his chest, and pressed my staff across his throat. The strength I used was not my own, and despite my injury, he was unable to break free.
Slowly, his resistance began to fail, the fight ebbing out of him. His physical form started giving way to the spirit nature. The moment had come to cross him over, but when I looked down for my sword, it was gone.
I held the pressure on his throat, frantically looking around for my blessed weapon, and hoping Mason didn’t die before I found it. If he did, it would mean another battle on another day.
I saw Bear sitting obediently, but tensed to pounce, and I could hear her whimpers.
“Bear, sword!”
With speed only available to a supernatural being, three steps landed her behind a large headstone, where she grabbed something. When she turned back to me, my sword was in her mouth, and two jumps brought it next to me.
I looked down at Mason. He was fading fast, and all movement had stopped, but he was still present in spirit form. I let go of my staff, grabbed the sword, and plunged it into his chest.
A huge flash, bigger than any I’d seen before, vaulted me off the ground and onto my back.
Dazed, I wasn’t sure what just happened. I felt a tongue licking my face, and as I slowly regained my senses, I realized Harbinger was gone.
I lay there, looking up at the cloudy October sky, and wept.
“Thank you, Lord!”
*******
After a while, people started to show up at the cemetery. I had to look bad after such a fight, and forced myself up off the ground, Bear helping me get to my car. Once inside the Ranchero, I got it started and drove to my mother’s home.
Annie Carter was a nurse, and I’d gone to her before when I needed medical care without the questions. When I pulled up, I blew the horn several times, unable to get out of the car myself. I saw the front door open.
“Jack?”
“Mom, come here!”
She started to run. “Jack!”
Once she got to my side of the car, she opened my door, and reached for my arm to get me out.
“Ahhhhh!” The pain was incredible.
“Sorry, Jack. Is there anywhere else beside the shoulder?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Okay. Nice and easy, let’s get you inside.”
chapter 14
My mother’s doorbell rang, and I heard her go to the door. It sounded like several voices talking back and forth, but I couldn’t make out what was being said. I was upstairs in my old bedroom, and she had given me something to take the edge off the pain.
I heard footsteps on the stairs, and assumed the people at the door were now coming to my room.
There’s that sharp PI mind of yours again.
I giggled slightly, both amused at my own humor and feeling more than a little drugged. When my visitors came in the room, I was smiling idiotically at them. Mom turned and looked at the two people. “Don’t mind him; he’s had a couple happy pills.”
Taking a chair next to me was Brother Gary Edwards. Leaning against the wall, Rachel pushed her red hair out of her eyes and smiled. “Hi, Jack.”
I smiled back. “Hey, Rachel.”
Gary touched my leg. “How you feeling? Your mom said you had a separated shoulder.”
“Yeah, hurts like crazy. Pills help.”
“I won’t ask for details, but I assume you being here means Mason is not.”
I nodded. “He’s gone.”
Rachel looked both relieved and excited. She gave a small pump of her fist. “I knew you could do it, Jack.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t me.”
Confusion flashed across both their faces. Gary looked at Rachel, then back at me. “Who then?”
“Holy Spirit.”
Gary stood, a large smile across his face. “You get better, we’ll talk soon.”
He moved toward the door, but Rachel stopped him and said something. Gary nodded, and left the room. She took the seat next to me.
“Jack…”
I looked into her green eyes, but didn’t answer.
“…I’m glad you’re okay.”
I smiled. “You’re not surprised are you?”
“No…no.” She appeared embarrassed. “It’s just I haven’t felt this way about someone for a long time.”
“Rachel, I can’t…”
She reached over and touched her finger to my lips. “Don’t Jack. I know how you feel.”
“I’m sorry…”
She shook her head, and I could tell she was fighting back tears. “I just want you to know that if things change, or even if they don’t, I’m here for you. Anything you need, you can call me.”
I stared at her for a long time. “Thank you.”
She leaned over and kissed me softly on the forehead. “Bye, Jack.”
I closed my eyes, not wanting to open them until she was gone, afraid I might call her back, ask her to stay, tell her I wasn’t sure.
You can’t, Jack. You are sure and you know where your heart lies.
I kept my eyes closed until I fell asleep.
*******
Three days of my mother’s care had me feeling better. She’d popped my shoulder back in herself, made sure I had everything I needed to recuperate, and I was finally beginning to feel like going home. Bear lay at the bottom of the bed, my constant companion, and would come up for a reassuring scratch whenever I made a noise.
Despite numerous attempts, I still had not reached Mandy. Other than a short text message saying she was glad I was okay, she hadn’t responded to any calls.
I was beginning to envision life without my best friend, and was tortured by the knowledge it was my fault. If I hadn’t told her everything, she would still be in my life, which was infinitely better than how I felt now.
Bear sat up and started banging her tail on the ground. I hadn’t heard the doorbell, or any voices, but Bear was getting more excited by the second.
“What is it, girl?”
“Hi, Jack.”
I looked toward the door, and standing there was Mandy. She wore a red blouse, jeans, and sandals. A red scrunchie held her blonde hair in a ponytail. She was beautiful.
“Mandy…I…I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I hadn’t planned on coming, but something happened, and I decided I needed to see you.”
I pointed at the chair next to the bed. “You want to sit?”
“Yes.”
When she was settled, I looked into her eyes. “I’m glad you came. What was the something that changed your mind?”
“I had a visitor.”
“Oh, who?”
“Sarah Daniels.”
Suddenly, I understood. If I knew Sarah, she was just the one to help Mandy see the reality of the Chaser’s life. I reached over and took Mandy’s hand. She didn’t pull away. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, Jack Carter.”
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR.
It’s with great excitement I’ve finished “Destiny.” I started this book immediately after finishing “Journey” , and I’ve spent a lot of time lately in the world of Jack Carter. It’s been fun.
“The Chaser Chronicles” is now three books long, and so many have written to tell me you enjoy the series. I wanted you to know I enjoy writing it just as much.
I’m sure the future holds much more for Jack, Mandy, Buddy, and all the others, including Rachel.
Blessings to each of you who has taken time to read these books, and I hope they brought you some enjoyment.
If you would like to comment, my email is [email protected] or you can visit my webpage at http://jcdalglish.webs.com. Also keep up to date
on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DetectiveJasonStrong
God Bless, John
I John 1:9
Cover by Beverly Dalglish
More by John C. Dalglish
CROSSOVER (Chaser Chronicles #1)
JOURNEY (Chaser Chronicles #2)
INNER DEMONS (Chaser Chronicles #4)
THE CHASER CHRONICLES (Books 1-3)
THE DET. JASON STRONG SERIES
WHERE'S MY SON? (#1)
BLOODSTAIN (#2)
FOR MY BROTHER (#3)
SILENT JUSTICE (#4)
TIED TO MURDER (#5)
ONE OF THEIR OWN (#6)
DEATH STILL (#7)
LETHAL INJECTION (#8)
CRUEL DECEPTION (#9)
DET. JASON STRONG: THE EARLY CASES
(Books #1, 2, & 3)
DET. JASON STRONG: COLLECTION #2 (Books #4, 5, & 6)
DET. JASON STRONG: COLLECTION #3 (Books #7, 8, & 9)
DESTINY (THE CHASER CHRONICLES Book 3) Page 8