"Yes how can I help you," John said walking behind the counter.
"I want to come work for you," she said stepping up to the counter. "I know you may not remember me, but you saved me three years ago. Since then I've been studying everything I could get my hands on that dealt with the occult. Thinking that I could help those that were in trouble as you did for me." John leaned against the back counter crossing his arms.
"Its a bad time for me to take on an apprentice," John said looking over at Catherine. "The police think I've had a hand in some sinister murders. So I would advise you to look for employment elsewhere."
"Please won't you reconsider. I know you work alone from what the other vendors and practitioners have told me. They also tell me your the best and that's who I want to work for," she said reaching across the counter.
"The pay is lousy," John said trying to dishearten her.
"I don't care the knowledge is far more then enough," she said looking at him with pleading eyes.
"Fine what's your name child," John asked letting out a sigh.
"Susan Witworth," she said straightening her back.
"Follow me," John said walking around the counter into the darken room. With a wave of his hand flames sparked to life on the wick's of the opaque candles. Highlighting the shelves that housed his many magical tomes, and text of the many mythical creature's that lived in the world. Lining her arms with books that would aid her in her journey through the magical world. "You have a month to study these text. After which I will test you should you fail you will leave and return home. Until then you will help in preparing potion's and powders, and whatever the customer needs. Do you agree to these term's," John said looking down at the girl.
"Yes I do," Susan said squaring her shoulders.
"Then gather your things Sarah will show you to the spare bedroom," John said with a wave of his hand returning the room to its original state. "Dinner will be ready in an hour," he said as the two women ascended the stairs.
"John is it wise to allow her to stay here," Catherine asked looking over her shoulder. "I mean you know nothing about her she could be trying to con you."
"If that the case she'll find that she is surely mistaken if she tries to steal from me," John said with a sneaky smile. "If you worried then why not have one of your pals run a background check on her. Seeing how the police have nothing better to do then harass simple business men and little girls," he said placing the bread into the oven.
"John I said I was sorry and that all I'm going to say about it," Catherine said her anger rising. "If you think so poorly of me then why did you agree to help me?"
"Because people like that gives us a bad name," John said pulling a stack of plates from the cabinet. "Plus your hot I thought what the hell it could give me a chance to get to know you better," he said not noticing her stunned look as he set the table. "Now are you going to stay or storm out because your jealous," he said with a sinful smile. A lump formed in her throat as if her heart sought to escape her body.
"You done all this because you thought I was hot," Catherine gasped.
"Sure men have done far more foolish things to capture the eye of an alluring woman," John said setting out the glasses. "There was Helen of Troy, Cleopatra of Egypt, Elizabeth the Great of England, just to name a few. Granted most had to go to war over the women. I just hope I don't have to preform some heroic act in the near future," he said smiling at her. "It would tarnish my reputation," he joked pulling out a bottle of wine. "You wouldn't come save me from death's door at the hand of some fiend," Catherine placing her hands on her hips.
"Depends on my reward," John said wiggling his eyebrows.
"Well then I know who to call then," Catherine teased catching the hints of garlic on the air. "That would be Maricus," she said sticking out her tongue.
"Well I do hope the old boy has an a wide array of arsenal's at his disposal," John said setting the baking sheet on the stove. "It would be a sad day to see the lost of such a pretty face," he chuckled. Punching his shoulder lightly Catherine couldn't believe this was happening to her. "Well looks like you two are getting along," Sarah said coming down the steps in a faded pair of jeans and a old T-shirt. "John I hope you don't mind me borrowing these for tonight."
"Not at all as long as you wash it before you return it," John said looking for the corkscrew. "Now where is that husband of yours you know how I hate to eat cold food," he said looking up the stairs. "What do you think of her," John asked looking at Sarah.
"Mike said he be here within the hour," Sarah said taking her place at the table. "The moment she got settled she dove into those books you gave her. She didn't even complain about the cramped space. Though you'll probably have to store some of it down in the basement," she said giving him a knowing look.
"Basement! You didn't tell me about a basement," Catherine said looking over at Sarah. "Well I'm not in the habit of helping the police when they are intent on persecuting my client. Plus the only things down there are candles, herbs, old books among other things," Sarah said checking her reflection in her mirror.
"The door is over there," John said pointing to the far side of the room. "If you must check it out then I asked that you don't touch anything and stay within the lines. There are many dangerous things that are stored down there. Most are best left stored in their containers then to be set free once again," he said reaching into the refrigerator. Setting down a can of soda for Susan. Catherine wondered what was so dangerous that it must be sealed away.
"Are you telling me that you imprisoned people down there," Catherine said reaching for her gun.
"Not people things that humans haven't seen for thousands of years," John said matter-of-fact. "Things that are better left to their imprisonment," he said darkly.
"Like what," Catherine asked eyeing the door nervously.
"Imps, shadow spirits, a troll or two, a handful of goblins, and a entombed vampire that had plagued this city for half a century," John said counting his fingers. "Those are just pest compared to the true evils I've encountered throughout my travels," the jingling of the door chime brought their conversation to a halt.
"Surely you can't mean that," Catherine said she clearly thought a vampire was among those.
"I'm deadly serious about my work to take it lightly would only get someone killed."
"I thought I heard your stern voice John," Mike said entering the kitchen. "Who might this be," he asked his almond brown eyes moving down Catherine's body.
"Detective Catherine Halford of the Chicago P.D." Sarah said from her seat.
"How do you do Detective," Mike said cheerfully extending his hand. "I'm Mike McDonald I see you met my wife. How is it you came to meet out dear friend here."
"John was working with the police until they arrested him on false charge's," Sarah said pouring herself a glass of wine.
"Is that so I assure you that you have the wrong man. If it wasn't for John I wouldn't have met Sarah nor would I still be here to this day," Mike said sitting down next to his wife.
"Well Catherine if you don't mind pulling out the lasagna then I'll fetch our other guest," John said ascending the stairs. Pen stroke's moved frantically over the pages as Susan took down notes she deemed important. John stood in the doorway wondering if she was truly ready for what's out there. Her lips shaped the words yet no sound came out as she read through the borrowed text. "Dinner's ready," he said from the end of the bed. Looking down at Steinberg's mystical creature's encyclopedia that laid open. "In the event that you come across a band of water goblin's. What is the best way to incapacitate them," John asked as Susan thought about the question.
"Spill beach sand before them. While they are counting each grain empty the out the water they store in the vessels on their heads," Susan said closing her notebook.
"Good what is a Sphinx's greatest weakness," John asked as they walked down the hall.
"Gold," Susan said after a few moments.
"That's half right
not all gold is the same. Sphinx's loves rose gold, loathes yellow gold, and eats white gold," John said as they entered the kitchen.
"So how did you meet John," Catherine asked as the meal got underway.
"It's not a tale that is best told when one is eating," Mike said looking over at the teenage girl. "I run the website for John so the he can stay competitive in this day and age," he said passing the bread around.
"Do all the people you save comes and work for you," Catherine asked taking a bite of the delicious lasagna.
"No most just pays the bill and set off back to their daily life's. Trying to forget what happened to them. Others try to arrest me," John said teasing her.
"Well I do hope they learned their lesson," Catherine said sipping her wine.
"One can only hope you know police thick headed and set in their ways," John said smiling into his glass. He heard her huff causing bubbles to cascade along the surface. Her phone vibrated violently against her hip scowling at the irritable phone. Hoping that it wasn't anyone important to drag her away from her meal. Tailer's phone number flashed against the blue backlight.
"I have to take this," Catherine said as she pushed passed the curtain. Taking a moment to listen to the upbeat conversation. How she wished she could stay and enjoy their company for the night. Catherine hoped Tailer was only calling to check up on her. "What is it Tailer," Catherine asked looking back to the black velvet curtain.
"Cat are you sitting down," Tailer's voice was ragged and horse.
"Tailer what's wrong," Catherine's heart hammered in her chest.
"It's Maricus Michigan state police just found his body what's left of it," his voice breaking into a fit of sobbing. "They found his body a little over an hour ago. The captain is out for blood this time. I just hope your right about this John fellow," Catherine's arm shot out catching hold of the counter. Jarring the odd assortments of nicknacks that lined the glass surface. Her knees felt like jelly, for five years they had been partners watching each other's backs. Maricus had saved her ass numerous times when a suspect thought it was wiser to go out in a blaze of glory. Now where could she turn to when she needed advise. "Cat you still there?"
"Yea, has anyone informed Lissy yet," Catherine said breathlessly.
"Where do you think I'm at, but you didn't answer my question," Tailer said growing irate at the fact she was stalling.
"He can't be the person Tailer. He's been in police custody for better part of a day, and under surveillance since this afternoon. Since then his lawyer and I have been with him. Whoever it was knows we are on to them and knew about Maricus's trip to Michigan. John wouldn't know about the body in Michigan because I never told him." "I believe you Cat but I doubt the captain will," Tailer sighed into the phone.
"Who are they sending to retrieve his body," Catherine's grip tightened around her phone. "As far as I know the captain hasn't thought that far ahead," children's crying could be heard in the background. "Listen I got to go if you hear or find out anything let me know."
"I will do give my love and condolence to Lissy," Catherine said softy. As she looked up John's form shadowed the doorway. Catherine fought back the tears at the news of the lost of such a dear friend. "I'm sorry if I disturbed your meal," her lip trembled her tears glittered in the weak light. John moved silently through the room his arms wrapping around her offering comfort in her time of need.
"I'm sorry about your friend," John said stroking her hair. Nodding her thanks burying her face into his chest. She knew if she spoke she would break down in front of him. "I thank you for defending me to your friend," he whispered into her ear.
"You once wanted to see the crime scene. If your still willing to work with me," Catherine said holding back a sob. "That once we return from Michigan I will take you there," she said looking into his blue eyes.
"Alright this one time. However if that captain comes after me again you'll have to catch this murderer on your own."
"Don't worry about the that I'll handle the captain. I need you at my side you know what we are up against if you let me. I would like to be by your side an the time comes," Catherine said hoping that she hadn't smeared her makeup on his Tshirt.
"You can use my bathroom if you need to freshen up," John said stepping back into the kitchen. As Catherine looked at herself in the mirror she hoped, John wouldn't mind that her mascara marring the washcloths surface. Breathing heavily as she sat on the edge of the tub what was she going to do without Maricus. Thoughts of his children wondering why anyone would want to hurt their father ran rampt through her mind. How could anyone know of Maricus journey outside of the department. Someone had to be working with the killer or was the killer. Her first thought was her captain then shook her head that absurdity of the notion. He had no means to lure Maricus into a trap. Then someone in the Michigan corners office had to be the one that killed her friend. However she needed evidence to bring to Dollson not conjecture. Catherine hoped that with John's help they could bring Maricus murderer to justice. As Catherine walked out off his bathroom her breath was stolen, as John stood in front of her bare chested. Her eyes lingered over his sculpted muscles that lay just beneath his tan skin. To the many scar's that marred his chest foretelling how dangerous his job was.
"Forgive me," Catherine said diverting her eyes. His chuckle filled her heart with warmth.
"Come now you already got your fill why not keep looking," John said as his shirt slid along his chest. Turning around a scowl formed on her lips as she had missed the best part of his undress state. "What excepting a strip tease," he asked teasing her.
"Well I do have multiple dollar bills that are just burning a hole in my pocket," Catherine said walking over to his bed. Sitting on the pillow top surface she wondered how it would feel after a long day of work among other things. Crossing her legs Catherine waited patiently for the show to begin. "Well whenever your ready," she said pulling out the crumbled bills from her disorderly pocket.
"I doubt you could afford me," John said locking the clasp of his watch.
"Come on don't you have a discount for officer's of the law," Catherine said placing her hands begin her allowing her chest to allure him into the show.
"200 an hour," John said smiling into the mirror at her stunned look. "That's the going rate for female officer's of the law."
"Someone sure thinks highly of himself," Catherine said turning her head so he wouldn't see her smile. Knowing he was trying to lift her spirits after the heart breaking news.
"Now shall we go and retrieve the body of your fallen friend, and learn what we can from his car," John said leaning against the dresser. "Yes let's go, though I hope you don't mind me driving or the hours away from your store," Catherine said as they walked out of his bedroom.
"I'll just put it on your tab, plus Susan will be here watching the store," John saw the worried look in her eyes. "Fear not I'm not that daft Sarah will check in on her while we're gone," he said as they descended the stairs.
The drive to Michigan was uneventful for the two, though she mourned the passing of her dear friend she hoped she was gaining another. John had slept half of the way, while the other half he kept her up with his witty humor and outrageous jokes most on the naughty side. She had asked him to share some of his experiences with her. Yet she saw his unwillingness to discuss the subject. "Well at least tell me what you think we're dealing with here," Catherine said as she closed the car door. "I know you have an idea of what they were trying to preform."
"I have a vague notion of what they were doing. Yet without seeing the bodies or the site that's all it is a notion," John said as they entered the state police office.
"We'll continue this later," Catherine said softly as she approached the Sargent's desk. "Hello I'm Detective Catherine Halford of the Chicago P.D," she said flashing the Sargent her badge. "I was informed that you found the body of my partner. I would like to see his body and all the evidence if any you found."
"Let me get you someone to
escort you," the Sargent said making a quick call.
"He's coming with me," Catherine said placing her hand on John's arm.
"John Adams," he said smiling at the old officer.
"If you'll have a seat someone will be right with you," the man said handing John a badge. As they moved off to the rows of chairs, Catherine noticed the lingering stares from the female officers. Even a few of the men as they went about their everyday task. John didn't seem to notice this which she was grateful for she didn't need him growing a bigger head. "If he did then I would never get him into the car," she thought smiling to herself. Catherine narrowed her eyes at the approaching crime scene tech. Her white lab coat did little to hide her voluptuous bosom. Nor did her wire fram glasses dim her stunning emerald green eyes. Her crimson hair seemed to be alive under the artificial light.
The Balance: Darkness Unchained (The Chaotic. Order Book 1) Page 5