A Grave Mistake

by Leighann Dobbs

  Jolene watched the object shoot past her, a smile quirking her lips. Belladonna frequently amused herself by batting and chasing little items, like plastic milk bottle caps and elastic bands, and she was a lot of fun to watch.

  But Jolene was only momentarily distracted by the cat’s antics. She brought her attention back to the problem at hand, pressing her lips together as she considered their conversation. “If what you guys are saying is true, then the licorice killer and the beards are racing against each other—and us—for the relic.”

  “Right, but we don’t know if the licorice killer is one of Bly’s guys, or if he killed one of Bly’s guys,” Fiona said.

  “This licorice killer person scares me. He must be very powerful to take out one of Bly’s minions.” Celeste loaded some greens into the tunnel of the juicer and switched it on. The noise made it impossible to talk, so Jolene thought about the facts of the case while the machine made its headache-inducing noise.

  So far, all they really knew was that Ezra Finch had hidden an important relic decades ago. That relic was infused with energy from an energy master, which could be disastrous if it fell into the wrong hands. One or more groups of paranormal bad guys were after the relic, one of whom had a penchant for Black Crow licorices and had already killed at least one person. They had no idea what the relic was or where to look next.

  Mercifully, the whirring of the juicer stopped and Jolene watched Celeste pour the green, gloppy liquid into a glass. “So, it looks like we’re up against both the licorice killer and Bly’s guys. But who has the relic?”

  “The licorice killer must have it, since it was no longer in the cornerstone,” Morgan said.

  Johanna’s left brow rose a fraction of an inch. “If it was in there in the first place.”

  Fiona nodded. “That’s right. We only know that the licorice killer was in there before us. We don’t know he actually found anything.”

  “And if the bearded attackers reported back that we were in the cornerstone, than Bly probably thinks we have it and he’ll be coming after us,” Celeste said over the rim of her juice glass.

  “Breeeow!” Belladonna’s paw shot out at lightning speed, sending the object zipping across the floor. Jolene frowned as she watched it. It didn’t look like a milk carton ring or any of Belladonna’s usual toys. She stuck her foot out to intercept it. The object bounced off her foot, then spun to a stop an inch away. It was an old, brown cork. She slid off her stool and grabbed it off the floor then stood, holding it up in front of her face. “What is this? I’m not sure Belladonna should be playing with it.”

  “Brrrrrowgh.” Belladonna glared at Jolene as if to say that she was perfectly capable of figuring out what was safe to play with on her own.

  Morgan squinted at the cork. “That looks like one of my remedy bottle corks.” She held her hand out and Jolene dropped the cork into her palm. “Yep. It’s okay. My remedies are all natural.”

  Jolene narrowed her eyes. “But don’t you use antique bottles. What if the cork still has some old poison on it?”

  Morgan closed the cork in her fist and put her hands on her hips. “I sanitize the bottles and the corks, of course. You don’t think I’d be giving remedies to people in bottles with poisonous corks, do you? But anyway, I have no idea how she got this. I don’t leave my stuff lying around. I just thought she was batting around some balled-up masking tape.”

  “Me, too.” Jolene felt bad that she’d thought the cork might not be sanitized. She knew Morgan was diligent about safety with her remedies. Still, it unnerved her that the cat was batting around the cork and she hadn’t noticed what it was. Which made her wonder what other items the cat played with that she assumed was one thing when it was really something else. Assumptions were too easy to make, and Jolene knew from her private investigator training that assuming was never a good idea.

  And that thought made her wonder if they were making too many assumptions about the relic and the parties involved. “I’m not sure what to think about this. We can’t assume anything about Bly and the licorice killer, or even that they are the only two groups after the relic.”

  Celeste said, “Sheesh, how many people do you think are looking for the darn thing?”

  “The amount of people looking for the relic isn’t what worries me the most,” Morgan said. “What worries me the most is who has it now.”

  “Nobody has it.” A voice shot in from the hallway shortly seconds before its owner, a tall, sharply-dressed woman appeared in the doorway. Jolene recognized the woman as Dorian Hall, Luke’s mysterious boss. Dorian was decked out in her usual, all-black office attire outfit. Her short, black hair was salted with a few grays, but her dark eyes were sharp and clear.

  “How did you get in here?” Morgan leaned back in her chair to look down the hall toward the front door.

  Dorian looked back over her shoulder. “Luke said you girls always leave the door open. I knocked but no one answered, so I just walked in.”

  Jolene frowned at her. Luke was always on them about the security at the house, and with good reason. Jolene wasn’t sure she wanted everyone walking right in … not even Dorian. Belladonna must have felt the same way because she arched her back and hissed at the tall woman, then slinked her way out of the room, giving Dorian a wide berth as she passed her in the doorway.

  “Whats with her?” Dorian watched the cat sidestep down the hallway.

  “Maybe she doesn’t like people walking in,” Fiona said. “And how do you know no one has the relic?”

  “We have our ways.” Dorian crossed her arms on her chest and leaned her shoulder on the doorframe. “Anyway, we have word there is more than one group after the relic, but no one has it in their possession yet.”

  “Just what is it?” Celeste asked.

  “That, I can’t tell you.”

  Morgan narrowed her eyes at Dorian. “Really? You seem to know everything else.”

  Dorian pushed off the doorframe and stepped over to the kitchen island. Leaning her palms on the surface, she bent forward slightly and fixed the girls with an earnest look. “Our outfit can only recover so much information. We have limited resources. That’s why we need you girls to step it up and get the relic before Bly does.”

  “So, you’re hiring us?” Johanna looked shrewdly at Dorian. Dorian’s company, which the girls knew was really a secret branch of the government despite her denials, had hired them to do a couple of other jobs and they paid well. Of course, the Blackmoores didn’t really need money. Not since they’d discovered a priceless hoard of treasure hidden by the ancestor, Isaiah Blackmoore. But since Johanna’s return, she’d been running their activities like a finely honed business and she didn’t think it was wise to turn down money. Jolene agreed with her philosophy—you never knew when earnings might dry up.

  “Yes, I already have Luke out trying to identify the other groups looking for the relic.” Dorian surveyed the room. “Have you girls had any interaction with any other paranormal groups?”

  The sisters looked at each other. The girls had learned that the less information they gave out, the better. Jolene knew each of them was wondering if they should tell Dorian. But know that they were working for her, Jolene figured they should probably come clean. After all, they were on the same side and Dorian might have information or resources that could help them.

  Johanna must have thought the same thing. She looked at Dorian out of the corner of her eye. “As a matter of fact, we have. My girls have already been followed and attacked, so we can’t accept your usual rate. This job is much more dangerous.”

  “Already attacked? You’re already looking into it, then? I figured you would be.” A smug smile spread across Dorian’s face. “And you were doing that for free.”

  Johanna shrugged. “That’s right. So you owe us. I figure a ten percent increase should cover it.”

  Dorian frowned. “I don’t know if my bosses will agree to that.”

  Johanna’s left brow ticked up. “W
ell, then maybe we’ll recover the relic and use it for ourselves instead of handing it over to you…”

  Dorian held her palms up. “Okay, ten percent, but not a penny more. And the next job goes back to the regular rate.”

  Johanna stared at Dorian for a few seconds then stuck out her hand. “Okay. Deal.”

  The two women shook hands, then Dorian said, “Tell me about the attack.”

  The girls related the events of the day, including the person following them at the Finch farm and the attack behind the museum.

  Dorian’s face turned thoughtful as she tapped a red-tipped fingernail on her pursed lips. “So, there is more than one party.”

  “Yes, but who is the other party?” Morgan asked.

  "I'm not sure, but I did hear that your old friend Overton has made some friends who possess very interesting paranormal gifts."

  "Sheriff Overton?" Morgan's eyes widened. Sheriff Overton had been a thorn in the girls’ side since Johanna disappeared. He'd originally come to town to investigate her supposed death and ended up harassing the girls any chance he got. What they’d never realized was that he was one of the 'bad guys'.

  Overton had left town mysteriously two years earlier, but the girls had been unfortunate enough to have a recent run-in with him where they'd been forced to barter a meteorite locket that enhanced paranormal abilities for their freedom. If Overton had paranormal associates that were using the locket, there was no telling what he might be up to.

  "Do you think he's after the relic?" Fiona asked.

  Dorian shrugged. "It's possible, although he seems to be more interested in money than old relics. But if he thinks it will put him in a position of power, then he might want it."

  "Great, now we have to watch out for him, too," Jolene muttered.

  "True, but he's no match for us," Celeste said.

  "I'd be more worried about his associate," Johanna said.

  "We don't know for sure that Overton is the other person after the relic." Morgan turned to Dorian. "Any idea who else would be after it?"

  “I don’t know. A rogue paranormal, perhaps?” Dorian suggested.

  “Do you have anyone in your rogues’ gallery that has a fetish for Black Crow licorice?” Jolene asked.

  “Excuse me?”

  “We found Black Crow licorice near the body and in the cornerstone. And on the road where the person that was following us had been parked.”

  “Interesting.” Dorian shook her head. “But I don’t know of any paranormal that likes licorice. Maybe they are from a new faction we have yet to identify.”

  “That’s a big help.” Jolene blurted the words out and was rewarded with a sharp scowl from Dorian.

  “So, what do we do now?” Celeste asked, ignoring the adversarial undercurrent between Jolene and Dorian.

  Dorian glanced at the slim watch on her wrist. “That’s up to you girls. I gotta run.” She headed out of the kitchen, her heels emitting a staccato clack on the black and white tile floor.

  “Don’t forget to send the first payment,” Johanna yelled after her.

  “Payment for what?” Mateo appeared in the doorway, loaded up with grocery bags.

  “Cripes. This place is like Grand Central Station.” Jolene stared at Mateo. “What are you doing back here again? I thought you left.”

  Mateo slid the bags onto the counter next to the fridge. “I’m just loading up for Thanksgiving.”

  “Thanksgiving?” Fiona frowned. “We don’t usually do anything for Thanksgiving since Mom die … err … disappeared.”

  “Yeah, and now she’s back, so you girls have a big reason to be thankful.” Mateo started unloading the bags onto the counter.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Morgan smiled at Johanna, then got up to help Mateo put the groceries in the fridge. “But where have you been?”

  Mateo bent down, his head in the fridge as he put potatoes into the vegetable crisper. His voice came out muffled. “Out and about.”

  “We were attacked, you know,” Jolene blurted out. Then grimaced, thinking the statement sounded stupid and wondering why she’d even said it.

  Mateo backed out of the fridge and winked at her. “You can take care of yourselves. I can see none of you are hurt.”

  Jolene bristled. She wondered why it bothered her so much that Mateo hadn’t been there to come to their rescue. The girls had fought off bad guys without him plenty of times, so why did his absence bother her now?

  “Anyway, what was Dorian doing here?” Mateo opened a kitchen cabinet, frowned at the contents and then opened the one next to it.

  “She hired us to look for the relic,” Fiona said.

  “Uh-huh.” Mateo shoved a can of cream of mushroom soup in the cabinet. “You guys should really clean these cabinets out. They’re so cluttered, I don’t know how you can find anything.”

  Jolene rolled her eyes behind his back and Celeste snickered.

  “So, where have you been?” Morgan asked. “Did your absence have anything to do with the relic?”

  “Not really. I was on a recon mission to see what Bly was up to. He definitely has plans for the relic, so we’d better find it soon. It worries me that there are other groups involved. I can't help but feel something isn’t as it seems.”

  Morgan pressed her lips together. “You know, I get the same feeling.”

  “So, I guess the cornerstone must have been empty,” Celeste said. “But all three of the groups were looking in there, so was the relic ever in there or did we all follow the wrong clue?”

  “Good question,” Morgan said.

  “So, now what do we do?” Fiona echoed Celeste's earlier question.

  Jolene puffed out her cheeks. “I guess we need to keep looking for the relic. We need to revisit the clues.”

  “It would be a lot easier to find the darn thing if we knew what it was,” Morgan said.

  Johann nodded. “Uh huh. Or who the players were.”

  “The break-in at the museum must be related somehow and I’m pretty sure that boat I saw has something to do with this,” Celeste said.

  “Right.” Fiona whipped out her cell and started texting. “Where is Jake? He was supposed to look into that.”

  “I say we regroup tonight when Luke and Jake are here. We can map out a plan, figure out what to do next and then start fresh tomorrow,” Morgan suggested.

  “Yes, but bright and early. I’m sure Bly and the other bad guys are working well into the night to find the relic,” Celeste said.

  Johanna’s face turned grim. “One thing’s for sure. Whatever the relic is, you can bet Bly has an evil plan for it.”

  Mateo pushed a can of fried onion rings into one of the cabinets, shut the door and turned around to face them. “I’m sure you’re right about Bly. What worries me more is that the other guy might be planning something even worse.”

  Chapter Nine

  Jolene looked over the top of her laptop screen at her sisters and their boyfriends, who were settling in on the overstuffed couches and chairs in the east sitting room. Jolene was just starting to do some research on the mysterious boat Celeste had seen in the cove when Johanna, who had insisted on cleaning up the dinner dishes on her own, finally wheeled herself in.

  “Did Mateo leave?” Celeste’s brows mashed together over the rim of her tea cup.

  Johanna nodded. “Yes. He had to go off again, but he said he’d be back in a few days.”

  “That guy sure is mysterious.” Jake’s brows ticked up over his steely, gray eyes.

  “Yeah, are you really sure we can trust him?” Cal Reed, Celeste’s boyfriend and longtime friend of the family asked. Cal had grown up in Noquitt and the Blackmoore sisters had known him since they were little. He was almost like a brother to all of them, but he and Celeste had been particularly close—best friends on a platonic level until the year before, when they’d become more than friends. Jolene smiled at the thought. Cal was a great guy, and she’d always thought he and Celeste were perfect for
each other. It was about time the two of them figured out what the whole family had known all along.

  Johanna shot Cal a look.

  “Of course we can. If it wasn’t for Mateo, we might not have made it out of Fury Rock alive. You know that,” Johanna said, referring to the harrowing events earlier in the year at the secret underground laboratory of Dr. Mortimer Bly—an evil paranormal whose face to the world was that of a scientist searching for alternative energy.

  Cal tilted his head in submission. “Yeah, that’s true. He just seems kind of … elusive.”

  “It’s part of his charm.” Johanna smiled and slid her eyes to Jolene.

  Jolene chose to ignore her mother and focus on the task at hand. Her fingers flew over the keyboard.

  She was usually pretty good at hacking into online databases. Computer forensics was her forte and while she usually tried to do things within the law, there were times when she had to step over the line. Too bad the Perkins Cove harbor didn’t keep information online. All they had to go by was the boat registration number, which didn’t seem to come up in any of the state databases.

  “Did you find out anything about that boat?” she asked Jake. Jake had hired Jolene earlier in the year to help with his private investigator business. His forte was getting information from people and Jolene knew he’d spent most of the day talking to his various contacts at the cove and around town. The two of them had complementary skills sets and worked great together, although Jolene thought Jake could be a little overprotective of her at times—kind of like an unwanted big brother. She was working on that, but she had to admit that sometimes it did feel kind of nice to have someone watching out for her … as long as it didn’t cramp her style.

  Jake twisted his lips. “I did find out something, but I don’t think it helps us much. The boat is registered to a shell company. I can’t track who the owner is.”

  “What’s the name of it?” Luke asked.

  “Light of Day Ventures.”

  “Could that be a front for Bly?” Luke reached over to help Johanna, who was trying to maneuver the chair so she could transfer herself onto one of the armchairs.