California Demon

by Julie Kenner

  “I probably forgot to lock the door behind me,” Laura said, correctly reading my concern. “Or Mindy did.”

  “I want to check the house anyway. Stay here,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”

  I scoured the house thoroughly, but found nothing out of place. Not even our daughters, both of whom were fast asleep at the remarkably early hour of eleven.

  I finished the upstairs, then made a run through the downstairs before meeting Laura back by the door. “Everything’s fine. We probably did just leave it open.”

  “Sorry,” Laura said. “It was probably my fault.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ve been here all evening. So unless we had a very neat thief who decided to walk in very, very quietly while the house was full of people—”

  I snapped my mouth shut and looked to Laura. Her hand had flown to her mouth, and I knew she’d realized, too. The unlocked door. The noises I’d heard in the house. They weren’t made by the cat. They were made by invisible teenagers, subservient to a demon.

  l got to the cathedral in record time, but the cops still got there first. I found Father Ben by the altar, the EMTs already working on him. “Is he okay?”

  “He’ll be fine,” the tall one told me. “We’ll take him to the hospital to make sure, but it looks like a mild concussion.”

  Father Ben reached up and tugged at my hand. “They got the book, Kate. I didn’t even see them coming.”

  “You wouldn’t have,” I said. I tapped my ring finger and mouthed a single word. Invisible.

  He closed his eyes and let his head fall back. “Of course,” he whispered. “They coldcocked me. I was out for . . . I don’t know how long. I checked the altar. Kate, it was gone.”

  “It’s okay,” I said. “It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”

  No, it wasn’t his fault. It was mine. I’d heard them, right there in my house, and I hadn’t done a damn thing except tell them exactly what they’d wanted to know.

  “NO answer,” DavId Said, then he pounded on the door once again, just for good measure. “Mr. Myerson? Mrs. Myerson? Troy? Is anybody home?” He turned back to me. “Not there.”

  I nodded and flipped closed the phone that I’d had pressed to my ear. “No one’s answering their home phone, either.”

  “Have you tried Troy’s cell?”

  “Twice.”

  “That’s it then,” he said, taking a seat on the Myersons’ front stoop. “Both of the surf captains are missing tonight. I’m betting they stay missing until the exhibition tomorrow.”

  I sat down next to him and rested my elbows on my knees, then cradled my forehead in my hands. As soon as the ambulance had pulled out of the cathedral parking lot, I’d called Laura to check on the kids and give her an update. All was calm there, which was some good news, I supposed.

  Right after that, I’d called David. We’d met at an all-night café on the Coast Highway and I’d brought him up to speed. Fortunately that hadn’t taken too long. David’s a bright man. He picked up on the high points pretty quickly, then hustled me into his car and we’d started driving the town, checking both of the surf captains’ houses.

  Nobody was home. Not a surfer, not a parent, not even a pet.

  “Do you think the parents are involved?” I asked. “Worse, do you think they’re dead?”

  David shook his head. “No. I don’t think they’d kill them. Our theory is the boys think they’re getting something out of this, right? Immortality, money, something. For that, they’ll steal, but I don’t think they’ll kill.”

  “Right,” I said. “They think they’ll be around when this is over. You can’t spend millions if you’re doing time for murder.”

  Made sense, I thought. And the demons would have tricked the parents to get them out of the way. Make them think they’d won a cruise or an all-expenses-paid vacation. For that matter, it didn’t even need to be a trick. Considering the magnitude of Asmodeus’s plan, I figured the local demon union would happily kick in for the cost of airfare and hotel.

  “Let’s patrol,” I said. “Maybe we’ll coax a demon out of hiding.”

  The plan made some sense, but it didn’t work. We spent the rest of the night walking the beach, walking the boardwalk, walking up and down the streets that made up the touristy, beachfront part of San Diablo.

  Nothing.

  “Maybe the demons are at the Denny’s on the 101,” I said. “This town has thirty thousand people. We’re patrolling a tiny fraction.”

  “Or maybe there are only two demons in town right now,” David said. “Maybe they can’t risk us taking one out.”

  “Because if they don’t have two, the plan can’t go forward. You may have a point.” I yawned. “Of course, if we’d thought of that before three in the morning, I could have gotten a decent night’s sleep.” For that matter, I could have made it home before Stuart. I’d left him a voice mail telling him I was going to the hospital to sit with Father Ben, who’d been mugged. I crossed my fingers, hoping Stuart hadn’t questioned my message. Or, worse, gone to the hospital to sit there with me.

  David and I were all alone on the boardwalk now, and nowhere near the hospital. The lights in the shop windows had flickered out hours ago, and the only illumination now came from the odd streetlamp and the glow of the moon.

  “Ready to head back?” he asked.

  “Sure,” I said. Then, “No. Wait.”

  “What?” His voice was sharp, alert. “You see something?”

  “No, no. I just . . .”

  I closed my eyes, feeling stupid.

  “Kate?”

  I knew I shouldn’t open the gate, but I couldn’t stop myself. And so I opened my eyes, stared at the ground, and whispered, “Tell me about Eric.”

  He looked sideways at me, then started walking again, the action so unexpected that I thought maybe he hadn’t heard me.

  “David?” I hurried to keep step with him. “Did you hear me?”

  “Do you love your husband?”

  “Stuart? Yes. Of course I do.”

  He stopped, then looked me up and down. “You didn’t even hesitate.”

  “Well, no. Why would I? It’s the truth.”

  “Then what’s the point?”

  “The point?” I repeated. And then I understood. My eyes welled, and a tear spilled out.

  He brushed it away with his thumb, the intimate gesture making me shiver. “Kate?”

  I shook my head, grappling for an explanation. I couldn’t find one. “I don’t know the point,” I said. “I wish I did, but I don’t.”

  He started walking again. This time, I didn’t prod. After a while, he spoke again. “I will tell you one thing. He loved you, Kate. He loved you very much. And I think he’d be damn proud of your daughter.”

  This time, I couldn’t stop the tears. I captured his words and held them close. They weren’t everything. But for right then, they were enough.

  Nineteen

  The house WAS quiet and dark when I got back home, which really isn’t that unusual for four-thirty. I crept upstairs and peeked in on the kids. Then I got into bed, this time without waking Stuart, who had left me a single rose and a note saying he’d gotten my message and he hoped Father Ben was doing okay.

  The note had warmed me, and I scooted close, pressing against him until he shifted in his sleep and closed his arm around my waist. I fell asleep that way, letting all the confusion drift out of my head, and filling my senses with the scent and feel of my husband.

  Morning came all too quickly, which tends to happen when you stay out until four, and I woke to Timmy’s insistent “Pick me up, Momma! Pick me up!”

  I peered bleary-eyed at my little boy in his Buzz Lightyear pajamas, his hands stretched out for me. “Hey, shortstuff,” I whispered.

  “Up! Up, up, up!”

  “Psh fin yup,” Stuart said, which I interpreted as an order to pick the kid up. I did, and Timmy started happily bouncing across the bed while singing the chorus of “Jin
gle Bells” at the top of his lungs.

  Stuart moaned and sat up. He gave me a quick kiss. “How’s Father Ben?”

  “Doing okay,” I said. “Thanks for the rose.”

  He brushed his finger along my nose. “You’d had a hard day.”

  “That I had.”

  Stuart propped himself on his elbow and regarded Timmy. “Hey, little man. You want to go with Daddy to the zoo today?”

  That got my attention. “Sweetheart, I can’t go to the zoo today.”

  “Well, that’s convenient then. Because this is a man’s outing.”

  “Oh really?” I crossed my arms over my chest as I studied him. “You look like my husband . . .”

  “I’m the new and improved model.”

  “Yeah? I don’t recall ordering an upgrade.”

  “Automatic installation,” he said. “The software upgrades when there’s a need.”

  “Is there a need?”

  He hooked an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. “I’ve been thinking about us. About the kids. And so, yeah. I think there’s a need.”

  “And you’re starting with a trip to the zoo. He’ll like that,” I said, nodding toward our spastic child who’d switched from “Jingle Bells” to the “A, B, C” song.

  “We could go to the exhibition, but I thought he’d like this more. And I didn’t think Allie would mind if I missed. After the Troy fiasco, I figure she’s going to get in, do her cheerleader stuff, and head home.”

  “I’m sure she won’t mind if you miss,” I said, not bothering to correct him about the rest. Specifically, that there was no way my daughter was going anywhere near that exhibition.

  I slid out of bed and held my arms out for Timmy. “Come on, big guy. Let’s get you dressed for your day with Daddy!”

  He jumped into my arms with a squeal, and I spun him around. An act which naturally spurred a request for me to spin him again. And again. And again. After the fourth spin, the room was spinning, too, and I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for it to slow down.

  Stuart came to my rescue, hoisting Timmy up onto his hip. “Come on, kiddo. Let’s let Mommy collapse in peace.”

  He paused in the doorway. “I almost forgot. I thought we could get a sitter for tonight, or see if Allie and Mindy want to earn a few bucks.”

  “What for?”

  “I thought we could go see a movie. Hold hands. Eat popcorn.”

  A little tingle of pleasure shot through me. “What movie?”

  “Does it matter?”

  His grin was wicked, and I matched it watt for watt. “No, I guess it doesn’t.”

  “So it’s a plan then?”

  I thought about the plans I already had for the day. Stop Asmodeus. Save the world.

  Surely I’d be done by dinnertime.

  I looked up at my husband, who looked just as rumpled in his pajamas as my little boy. “Yeah,” I said with a grin. “I think I can squeeze you in.”

  Allie WAS still asleep when my two guys left, and I didn’t bother waking her. Instead, I relaxed in the living room, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper and enjoying the quiet of the near-empty house.

  I figured I deserved the downtime. After all, in a few short hours, I’d be up to my neck in demons and minions, trying to keep the vilest demons in history locked tight in Hell where they belonged. I needed to relax and get ready. Not to mention pump myself up with caffeine.

  I was on my second cup when Allie barreled down the stairs. “Mom! It’s already nine o’clock! How could you let me sleep so long?”

  “You seemed tired.”

  “I was tired. But now I’m incredibly late!”

  A little finger of worry snaked up my back. “Late? For what?”

  “Duh. The exhibition. I’ve only been working on it for like forever.”

  “You’re going? But I thought . . .”

  “What? Troy?” She lifted her chin. “I am so over him.”

  “Yes, but he’s going to be there.”

  “I’m not a baby, Mom. And I’m not about to give him the satisfaction of not showing up.”

  “Yeah, Allie,” I said. “You are.”

  She blinked at me. “What?”

  “I don’t want you going anywhere near that exhibition. Do you understand?”

  “Do I understand? No! I don’t understand. Mom, I have to go.”

  “No, young lady, you don’t.” I stood up, working to keep my voice calm and level. “I don’t want you anywhere near that boy or near Cool. We talked about this once already.”

  “God, Mom! All I’m going to do is stand around serving food and perform a couple of cheers.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “That’s so unfair! Everyone’s going to think I’m a total slacker!”

  “Then we’ll get you a doctor’s note. We’ll tell them you have Ebola or something, but this is one argument you’re not going to win.”

  She spun around, then stomped up the stairs and disappeared. A few seconds later, the house shook with the force of her slamming door.

  Well.

  Someday I’d explain how I’d kept her out of harm’s way. In the meantime, I figured I’d earn some brownie points by renegotiating my stand on eyeshadow. But later. Right now I needed to get dressed and go to the exhibition that I’d just prohibited my daughter from visiting.

  I took a quick shower, got dressed, then gathered my weapons and backpack-style purse. On my way out, I tapped on Allie’s door. No answer. I debated, then decided to go on in. “Al?”

  The lump on the bed moved.

  “Are you still mad at me?”

  No answer.

  “So I’m getting the silent treatment?”

  Still no answer, but the lump moved again.

  “Fine. Sulk if you want, but I’m going to go run some errands. Stay home, keep the alarm set, and call Mrs. Dupont if you need anything. Okay?” Eddie was at the hospital with Father Ben, but I’d give him a call from the road and get him to go home and stay with Allie.

  A hand emerged from under the blanket, flashing me a thumbs-up sign. I stifled the urge to roll my eyes, then gathered my things, strapping a utility belt on under my leather jacket, and arming myself as best I could without being too obvious.

  I was checking the lock on the back door when I noticed two of the water pistols Allie had bought for Timmy.

  I grinned, considering the possibilities. And then I opened the door, grabbed the things, and shoved them in my backpack.

  l found David in the thick of things, giving directions to a cluster of parent volunteers. He caught my eye, then signaled for me. As soon as he was free, he came over and steered me to a quiet spot.

  “Lots of people here,” I said. “I’ll do what I have to, but I hate having this thing go down in front of so many people.”

  “Is it too late to cancel?”

  “I thought about that yesterday, but what if Asmodeus and the others scatter? At least now, we know where to find them.” He frowned. “Or we thought we knew where to find them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The surfers were supposed to have been here by now. I’m starting to wonder if we called this wrong.”

  I turned and looked out toward the sea. At least six kids dotted the horizon, riding the waves. “Aren’t they here?”

  “Not the captains,” he said. “And not Cool.”

  “Well, hell,” I said. “Maybe they’re invisible?”

  “I don’t think so,” David said. Honestly, I didn’t believe it, either.

  “They can’t perform the ceremony until noon,” I said. “Maybe they’re waiting to come at the last minute.”

  “Or maybe they’re somewhere else entirely,” David said.

  I frowned, but didn’t say anything. He was right, of course. But where else would they be? Why plan out this whole thing and not use the beach? Not questions I could answer, and I fought a wave of helplessness. “No,” I said. “There has to be a way to figure th
is out.”

  With David following in my wake, I headed down toward the surf, staying far enough back from the froth of the incoming waves to keep my shoes dry. One of the team members was climbing out of the water, a wide grin splitting his face. He held his arms out for a blond girl, who applauded and laughed. The blond, I realized, was Susan.

  “Susan!” I called out for her, waving my arm over my head to get her attention.

  She turned, then smiled broadly when she saw me. She grabbed the boy’s hand and the two of them came over. “Hey, Mrs. Connor! Hey, Mr. Long! Did you see that? Wasn’t it awesome?”

  “Pretty nice,” I said.

  “Good job, Andy,” David said, giving the boy a pat on the back. “I’m impressed.”

  The boy, who looked to be about Allie’s age, blushed furiously. “Thanks. I’ve been practicing. Too late for today, you know, but I wanted to show Coach that I coulda been a team captain, too, you know?”

  “He’s so much better than Troy Myerson and Brent Underhill,” Susan said loyally.

  Andy ducked his head. “Nah, those guys are awesome. But I’m doing pretty good.”

  “You looked great,” I said. “And believe me, there are a lot better things than being the team captain.” Especially under the circumstances. But talking with Andy had proved one thing to me. The captains had been handpicked. Asmodeus had done his homework, selecting only boys he knew would be susceptible to his suggestions. Andy’s sweet temper and modest nature may have kept him from being selected team captain, but it had also kept the eye of a demon off of him.

  I would have liked to have told him that, but I didn’t quite know how to phrase it. Instead, I just asked where the team captains and Coach Cool were.

  He shrugged and looked at Susan. “Dunno,” he said. “They were here at ten. I saw Brent talking with JoAnn. And then the next time I looked for ’em, they were gone.”

  “Gone where?”

  Andy shrugged. “Didn’t say. They’ll be back soon, though. I mean, we start in about half an hour.”

  “Why?” Susan added. “Are you looking for Allie?”