Oracle Seeing (The Phoenix Files Book 2)

by Kelley, Morgan

  Maybe by the time her reelection was rolling around, they’d forget all of this.

  She could only hope.

  “I’ll make you pay!” he hissed. “You’ll see that you can’t steal another man’s wife and not bleed for it.”

  “I think he just threatened you, Sheriff,” Alonzo said, moving closer.

  “Yeah, I think he did, but if I put everyone behind bars who got angry, called me names, or threatened me, we’d be full up with idiots. Walk him out, set him free, and Mr. Zimmer, stay away for your own good.”

  It started calming down once she walked away from the mêlée. Her head was pounding, and she needed to focus on what she’d planned on doing next before crazy rolled into her office.

  “Alonzo! We need to take a ride, and I need backup!” She trusted the man. He’d worked with her father for a couple years before she’d become a deputy. If anyone would have her back, it would be him.

  She grabbed her gun from the desk as she pondered the box that had been on the floor. “Reno, see if we can figure out who went out this window. Get CSIs in here to sweep. Have them check outside the window for footprints and anything else that might have been left behind.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Are you sure you don’t want me to join you? I…”

  She cut him off.

  “Please just do what I asked. I need to count on my team, and questioning me isn’t making it easier for me. It’s making it harder.”

  She was about to head out when she heard it.

  Shit!

  Shit!

  Shit!

  There was the telltale gait and the clop of a cane. He didn’t need to use it for walking. Oh, no! He used it to intimidate.

  Here came Silas.

  He’d found her.

  “Freeze,” he said, as she contemplated vaulting out her window to escape. It was childish, but she really didn’t want to deal with this right then and there.

  “Silas.”

  “Mayor Reed, if you please.”

  Crap.

  He was pissed.

  Here was the proof.

  He never made her call him that. In fact, when she tried once or twice, he threatened to boot her ass around the neighborhood.

  This was bad.

  “Alonzo, I’ll meet you outside. Mayor Reed and I have some things to discuss.”

  The man hustled out and closed the door.

  “Sit!” Silas said.

  She stared at him. “You realize you only play my granddad on TV, right?”

  “Sit down, Sheriff. This is an intervention. As your boss, I’m allowed to do this. I’m not in the mood for your sarcasm and sass.”

  She was three days past screwed. If Silas was on the warpath, she was the one wearing the bull’s-eye.

  Silas ran Ravenswood with an iron fist.

  “What the hell are you doing, Bish?” he asked, sitting down. “I saw the news. This is really troublesome from my perspective.”

  Yeah, here it came. At least he was calling her by her nickname. There was a chance she’d keep her hide intact.

  “I was trying to get Lucian from my place to the truck. Someone sicced the media on me, Silas. I was set up and this is exactly what they wanted to happen. I’m being screwed with, and I need you in my corner.”

  He tried to stay calm. He could see it from her point of view, but still…

  Silas was worried. He’d always promised Miles he’d keep Bishop out of trouble if anything happened, and he was trying to balance his job, as mayor, and his promise to a friend.

  “Are you having sex with a suspect?”

  “WHAT?”

  “You heard me, Bishop. Are you involved in a sexual relationship with Lucian Monroe?”

  Jesus!

  Really?

  “I don’t see how that’s anyone’s business but his and mine.”

  Silas sighed.

  He pulled out his smartphone and slid it to her. “Watch the latest news byte from Wendy’s morning show.”

  She almost didn’t want to do it. The mere thought turned her stomach. Bishop didn’t give a shit what the woman said about her. She was worried about Lucian.

  He would pull back.

  She’d finally gotten through to him, and now this.

  The day was degrading even faster. When she asked how it could get worse, this was it.

  Shit!

  Cuing up the video, she watched it.

  There, standing in her window were the two of them, and there was no doubt what they were going off to do. When she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his hips, she got all warm and fuzzy.

  Sue her.

  Then she saw the woman’s new nicknames for them. There were two side by side pictures. Her in the official sheriff’s station web picture, and one of Lucian smiling from a picture taken ten years ago.

  Then it morphed to a blackened out shot of just a shadow. Beneath it?

  ‘Beauty and her beast.’

  Oh, bloody hell!

  He was going to stroke the hell out, and she couldn’t blame him. She was on the verge herself.

  “Again. Are you having sex with that man?”

  “Yes, yes, I am. I’m not going to deny it, Silas. I’m an adult, he’s an adult, and we were in my place adulting. That’s it.”

  “Bish.”

  “What?” she asked, staring into his old eyes. They were full of wisdom of a grandfather. She didn’t have one, and he’d filled a void. The last two years, he’d been a surrogate father and grandfather of sorts.

  Roxy shared, and she was grateful.

  “Honey, you know he’s bad for you. This is no longer your boss talking, but your kin. When he was hurt, you sat by his side like a guard dog.”

  “He needed someone.”

  “I know, but what happened after? He turned mean, and he tried to break you. For two years, your father and I watched you sulk over him. You headed to his place, tried to get him to talk, and failed. Every day, you tried to reach him, and he pushed you away.”

  She recalled what Lucian had said.

  When she stopped coming, he missed her. They’d made love and she saw it there. He loved her. She only had to hold on, weather the storm, and avoid Wendy.

  She could do it.

  “He broke you, Bish. We saw the aftermath. You’ve never been the same. You wouldn’t date, you didn’t have that spark anymore, and you became a workaholic. You need to get far away from him. He’s horrible for you.”

  It was hard for Silas to have this talk with her, but what if Wendy was right?

  The bodies started turning up, and all of a sudden, he’s sleeping with the lead investigator.

  It was fishy to him.

  “I can’t do that, Silas. I love him. I’ve always had feelings for him, and the heart can’t help who it connects too. It just does. I can’t walk away from him, and if you loved me, you wouldn’t ask me to do it.”

  “I get that part. I miss my wife, but she wasn’t bad for me. He’s toxic. The man’s…”

  “Don’t call him that. Don’t you dare say a monster or beast. He’s a good man, Silas. You loved him when he was putting criminals away.”

  She didn’t mention his gift. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if her father had told Silas, or not. This wasn’t her story to tell, or her secret to share.

  “Get him out of your life, Bish. He’s going to ruin your career. You already shoved Wendy. She filed a complaint. That’s going on your permanent record. You’re the damn sheriff, and you need to start acting like one.”

  “Silas, it was on camera. My door hit her, she tumbled back.”

  “You threatened to kick her ass and called her a gold digger on camera, Bish. That’s not a person in control. In fact, that’s the opposite of control. He’s screwing with your brain. It’s happening all over again, only you can’t see it, honey. Those two are a mess that you can’t wade into, and someone has to tell you to back away. I’m neutral, and I’m telling you that you need to put as much space between him an
d you as possible.”

  She wouldn’t abandon him.

  It wasn’t happening.

  She’d stopped coming to his gate, and he’d missed her. She wouldn’t walk away from him again.

  Bishop wouldn’t hurt him like that. Right now, he needed her. That’s what it came down to, and she was loyal.

  She loved him.

  “I can’t leave him, Silas, and I won’t. Someone is gunning for him. Look at this mess. We have two dead men, and I had to put a BOLO out on Earl Thorpe.”

  The man looked shocked. “Earl? What the hell happened? Is he in the wind? Is he guilty?”

  “He’s missing. The FBI thinks that he’s the next target, and it fits. Everyone who’s been targeted has worked for this city—the judge, the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and even Lucian, the DA.”

  He thought about it.

  “Bish, I don’t like this.”

  Yeah, well she didn’t either. Lucian was in danger, and she couldn’t let him get hurt—not again.

  “Is he worth it?”

  She didn’t have to hesitate.

  “Yes. He’s worth it all.”

  “Then let it blow over, lay low, and pretend you’re not a couple. The media will let it drop, and maybe you can work it out then.”

  Or he could get them to stay apart.

  That was Silas’s goal. He didn’t want to see this woman hurt all over again. Lucian ran her heart through the wringer once, and that was more than enough for him.

  Lucian had his shot, and he’d blown it. It was time to step in and have a Bishop intervention.

  BEHIND HER BACK.

  “And let Wendy win? Never. She wants me to abandon him. She crushed him once, and I won’t let her do it again. She crossed the line, Silas. He’s a human being who served this city, not a beast. No one who’s done good deserves to be called names, let alone someone who was tragically wounded in a case that’s never been solved. Lucian has feelings. He bleeds when he’s cut, and I’m going to stand in his corner.”

  He sighed.

  “I have to get going. I have a shitload of issues.”

  “Like?”

  She told him about Wendy's report, and how she was aware of Holly Zimmer being interviewed.

  “Be careful, Bish.”

  She would. She had to be safe.

  Lucian needed her, and she promised to stay at his place that night.

  Then again, he didn’t really seem receptive to it after the run in with the media.

  Maybe time would help him calm down.

  She hoped.

  “Stay away from her, Bishop. I can’t keep you safe for too long. Then I’m playing favorites, and you know I run my office by the books. If you make the noose, you just might swing from it.”

  Yeah, she was well aware.

  In the grand scheme, to save Lucian, she’d swing from it without a complaint.

  She hadn’t lied to Silas Reed.

  Lucian was worth it.

  He was worth it all.

  When she walked away, he glanced down at his watch. He had an hour free, and he knew exactly what he needed to do. If she wouldn’t stay away from Lucian Monroe for her own good, maybe, just maybe, he could talk some sense into the man.

  Hopefully, he was still good enough to know what he was doing.

  Lucian was ruining Bishop’s career, and life.

  Someone had to stop it.

  * * * O R A C L E * * *

  Nolan Parker’s

  Home Address

  His place was nothing to write home about, and there was probably a very good reason. As a convicted felon, he’d likely had to live quietly, lest he be judged by society.

  Both men knew there were worse places to live. The small house was on the outskirts of the city in a private location. At least they didn’t need to worry about gang violence or a drive by shooting while they were conducting their interview.

  There was a plus.

  It was surrounded by nothing but trees and more trees. It appeared after spending time in jail, he wanted to feel the freedom of nature.

  They couldn’t blame him. A six by six cell would do that to a person.

  As they crossed the driveway, toward the door, the men were cautious. Neither Fed really wanted to be shot. So, they were ready for anything Nolan could throw out.

  As they knocked, they heard him moving around.

  When the door opened, there stood a clean cut man.

  “Yes?”

  “Nolan Parker?”

  “Yes, who are you?”

  They both pulled their badges.

  He studied them. “I’ve checked in with my parole officer, I’m gainfully employed, and I’ve been doing my community service. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but it’s bullshit.”

  Yeah, that’s what they all said.

  Nate wasn’t buying it.

  Once a criminal, there was always that lure.

  “We’re here to ask you some questions about Judge Abrahms, Lucian Monroe, and Dale Plunkett.”

  The man didn’t bat an eyelash.

  “What about them?”

  “When’s the last time you saw the men?”

  “That’s easy. Lucian Monroe got me convicted and the judge sentenced me to jail. As for Dale, he did his best to get me off, but it didn’t work. It was about eleven years ago, I guess.”

  “And that’s the last time?”

  “Yeah, I just got out.”

  “Where do you hang out?” Luke asked. “Is there someplace where we can double check everything you’ve told us?”

  “I don’t hang out. I work and then I come home. I’ve turned my life around.”

  “Uh, okay. Do you have anyone who can corroborate your whereabouts on the last two nights and this morning?”

  “I was with my new girlfriend.”

  They waited for a name. Finally, Nate knew he wasn’t going to give them anything.

  “How about you tell us her name?”

  “Her name is Starla and she works at the B & B in town. She’ll tell you I’m not causing no trouble.”

  They scribbled down the address.

  “She’ll say you weren’t out killing anyone?” Nate asked, staring past the man and into the small house. It was neat, clean, and didn’t set off any alarms.

  “She will. I go to work, we have dinner, and then maybe we have sex. I always come home. I have to stick within the parameters of my parole.”

  They weren’t buying it.

  Something felt off.

  Nate could feel it. “Where did you meet this Starla?”

  “There was an ad in the paper for a general maintenance man, so I applied. I didn’t think I’d get it, but Starla is a good person. She needed help, and I needed to get back on my feet. Crime doesn’t pay.”

  Yeah, they were well aware.

  They just weren’t sure he was really rehabilitated after his incarceration.

  It didn’t always happen.

  “We’re going to head there and have a talk with her. If she corroborates your alibi, we’ll leave you alone.”

  “I get it. You’re just doing your job. I’m supposed to be heading to work soon. Do you need me to hold back so you can talk to her alone?”

  They stared at him.

  “Did you find Jesus?” Luke asked. The man was way too calm, and he was getting suspicious. They’d seen this before with other parolees.

  “Yes, I actually did. It’s helped me get over the anger. My life was missing something. It was him.”

  They stared at him as if he was insane. To them, they’d prefer the anger. It was less crazy.

  “Thank you, Mr. Parker.”

  “No problem. Tell Starla that I’ll be a little late. I don’t like to make my lady worry.”

  They headed back toward the vehicle.

  “That was damn weird.”

  “You think?” Nate said.

  “I don’t know what to believe.”

  “Yeah, me either. Let’s go talk t
o ‘Starla baby’. Maybe she can shed some light on the subject. After all, this guy seems to be medicated.”

  He was aware.

  Hopefully, she’d shed some light on the entire thing.

  They were getting nowhere fast.

  Chapter Fourteen

  He had to save her.

  Lucian didn’t want anything to happen to Bishop or her career. He genuinely had feelings for her. There was only one thing he could do to protect her.

  He’d have to go to the source.

  Pulling out his cellphone, he called the number he’d held onto for a very long time. He saved it not to rekindle, but in case he ever needed to tell her off.

  Dialing, as he sat in his office, he waited for her voice to come over the line.

  As soon as it did, he regretted it.

  “Well, well, well, Lucian Monroe. What do you know? It’s been a long time since you’ve called me.”

  Yeah, he’d vowed hell would freeze over.

  “What can I do for you, lover?”

  “Leave her alone, Wendy.”

  There was laughter. Wendy didn’t need to ask who he was talking about. She knew the man on the phone, and of course, he was going to throw himself on his sword for her.

  He was pathetic.

  “Now why would I do that? She’s taken up with the most mysterious man in the city, and that’s news. Add that to the fact that she’s investigating a murder and you’re involved. That’s even better fodder for the evening news.”

  “She’s only doing her job. Cut her a break, Wendy. You’re making it harder for her and easier for the killer.”

  She found him amusing.

  Honestly, they’d had some fun, but he wasn’t her type. Oh, she loved that he’d gotten her recognition on his arm, but other than that, Lucian Monroe wasn’t worth the effort.

  He was too high maintenance for her.

  And now…