by Stuart Jaffe
“In Germany, during the war?”
“Yes. A lot of people died then.”
“People die in war.”
“I know. That’s why nobody ever knew it was you. But this — look around here. This won’t be easy to hide.”
“Why should I hide?”
“I need to hide. So …”
“So, I need to hide for you?”
Nathan did not catch Octavia’s reply, but the Cardinal appeared to be calming down. He had no idea how long she could keep the Cardinal under control, but he recognized his chance to act. He stood and took hold of Crystal’s hand.
“We’re leaving,” he said.
Octavia jumped to her feet and scowled. If she tried to stop him, the Cardinal would snap back into his former rage. He could possibly turn on her, too. Kill them all.
Nathan saw it in her eyes. She understood. But in that same look, she made a promise. She would hunt him down. One day, there would be a reckoning.
Nathan and Crystal walked through the kitchen and out the back door.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
They drove to the next exit. Ditching the van at the exit sign, they walked a mile to a gas station with a convenience store. As Nathan headed inside, Crystal stopped.
He turned back. “What?”
“I told you, I’m not going with you. And after all that back at the diner, there’s no doubt. It’s too dangerous for us to stick together.”
He wanted to say something to change her mind. Without her, he had nobody that he could turn to, that would understand his life, that would be able to point him toward any answer he sought about immortality, but he suspected she was right. No matter what happened, two immortals created more notice than one.
“What are you going to do?” he asked.
“Same as you.”
He laughed. “Then what am I going to do?”
“Hide. Keep your head low and hide. Trust me. Wait a few years, five at the least, then you can start seeking him out.”
“Larkin?”
She nodded. “If you truly meant all that stuff about wanting your freedom, you’re going to have to shut him down. Just like I’m going to have to shut down Russo.”
“We should keep in touch. We might be able to help each other.”
A devilish grin rose on her lips. “One of the perks of immortality — our paths will definitely cross again. May not be for a hundred years, but it always happens. See you around.”
Crystal walked toward the trucks parked out back. Nathan entered the convenience store with a bit of bounce to his step. He fully expected her to hitch a ride long before he found anybody willing to help him out.
He walked up and down the aisles looking for something to eat that wasn’t stale or made of corn syrup. When he reached the back, he saw a young man with his forehead pressed against the glass door of the beer refrigerator. The man wore an inexpensive but nice-looking suit, the kind of thing an intern or new hire wore in a competitive business environment. However, the white shirt was untucked and the strong, red tie hung askew. At first, Nathan thought the man was simply cooling his head after a late night working on a project to impress the boss, but then he heard a sniffle and he saw a tear.
Nathan hesitated before turning back up the aisle. He had done enough for one day. Besides, he had to put some distance between him and that van. He wouldn’t be any good if he got caught again — especially since next time Octavia wouldn’t be hampered by the Cardinal. And Crystal had been right. They both needed to hide for a few years. Rebuild, put some safeguards in place, protect themselves — then he could get started on doing the “help others” plan.
He grabbed a pack of orange, cheese-dusted crackers and took them to the counter. The girl who rang him up peeked over his shoulder, and in a low voice, she said, “You see that guy back there?”
Nathan nodded. “Looks a bit upset.”
“He came in about ten minutes ago. I asked if I could help him, and he said there was nothing for him. He lost everything. Then he went back there and hasn’t moved. You think I should call the cops?”
Nathan took a closer look at the girl. She was probably nineteen or twenty, short and petite, bordering on frail. If the guy in the back decided to become a problem, she wasn’t going to be able to handle it. That was why she was telling him all of this. She was afraid to be alone, but she feared calling the police would end up with her as a hostage.
A copy of Travels with Charley lay open to the side with passages underlined. Nathan said, “You like Steinbeck?”
She frowned in confusion until he pointed to the book. “Yeah, he’s okay, I guess. It’s for a class. Did you hear what I said?”
“No need to call the cops. From what I’ve heard, they have some big problems going on tonight. I can handle this.”
“You sure?” she asked, already exhaling and easing back on her stool.
“Yeah. Just keep studying. Get whatever degree you’re working on. And get a better job, or at least, better hours.”
Nathan walked to the back and leaned against the refrigerator next to the man. He said nothing. He waited.
After a moment, the man turned his head. “You got a problem, mister?”
“Me? I got a ton of problems.” Nathan popped over and opened the door. He pulled out two beers. “Looks like you do, too. How about we go drink and you can tell me what’s wrong?”
“What the hell do you care?”
Nathan saw a bulge in the man’s jacket pocket. He recognized the square shape. “Oh, I see. Did she say no?”
The man’s face tightened as he fought back his tears. He shook his head.
Nathan’s heart dropped. “You catch her with another?”
The tears raced down his face. He fished out the square box with an engagement ring in it.
“I’ve been through the same thing. Sort of. Let’s go for a walk. Cold beers, warm night. You can vent it all out and tell me about the bastard you caught her with.”
“No, it’s not like that. She’s … she’s in trouble. Somebody took her. I can’t go to the police. I can’t go to her family. I’m stuck.”
Nathan set the beers on the ground. “Then it’s a good thing you found me. I’m here to help.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You can’t do this on your own. If you could, you’d already be doing it. But you’re not alone. I’m here now. And I’m going to help you.”
“You are? Who the hell are you?”
“I’m Nathan K.”
Acknowledgements
Starting a new series always brings special challenges. Getting the tone right, giving enough of the characters and situations to set up things that are planned for down the road while also maintaining the current story, discovering what the series really will be as opposed to what the author had initially planned — all of this and more gets weighed and balanced. Helping me achieve my goals with the series start were many of the usual but indispensable suspects. Oftentimes these people have no clue that they have helped me since it comes through a conversation, a kind word, or a gesture. This time around I extend special thanks to fellow writers John G. Hartness, Ed Schubert, and Gail Z. Martin; also thanks to Warren Murphy, Richard Sapir, and the late Don Pendleton for creating Remo Williams and Mack Bolan, both characters great inspirations for Nathan K; and of course, to my dearest and closest, Glory and Gabe. Without them, this book would look horribly different. Finally, my most humble thanks to you, my readers. I cross my fingers that I’ve served you another enjoyable read and hope you like Nathan enough to ask for more. If you want it, I’m thrilled to provide. Thank you.
Nathan K will return soon!
About the Author
Stuart Jaffe is the madman behind The Max Porter Paranormal Mysteries, The Malja Chronicles, The Bluesman, Founders, Real Magic, and much more. He trained in martial arts for over a decade until a knee injury ended that practice. Now, he plays lead guitar in a local blues band, The Bootlegg
ers, and enjoys life on a small farm in rural North Carolina. For those who continue to keep count, the animal list is as follows: one dog, three cats, three aquatic turtles, one albino corn snake, seven chickens, and a horse. As best as he’s been able to manage, Stuart has made sure that the chickens and the horse do not live in the house.
Copyright Information
Immortal Killers is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
IMMORTAL KILLERS
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2016 by Stuart Jaffe
Cover art by
First Edition: March, 2016