“Well, you know I dress this way for work. The last thing I want is to look sexy here and have every man pawing me and lusting after me.”
“Yeah, we should all be so lucky.”
Gerry walked up behind Addie and leaned in close. “I’ll protect you, sweetheart.”
“What are you doing listening in on our conversation?” Darcy asked.
He laughed. “Sorry, couldn’t help it. It’s quiet in here at the moment.”
Both women shook their heads in exasperation.
Gerry winked. “It’s true enough, though, even if you were to use more makeup and dress differently, it wouldn’t change you in the slightest. You’d still be sexy-beautiful.”
“I guess you’re cursed,” Darcy added.
Addie pursed her lips. She knew her body had its share of ample curves, she just wasn’t keen on the idea of showing them off the way Darcy did, and she certainly wasn’t convinced that wearing a sexy blouse was a good idea even if Gerry were there to help ward off any male prowlers. Of course, she didn’t really need his protection; she was very capable of defending herself, but still, having a man in her life right now might complicate things. The nightmares had something to do with the way her dad died and Addie considered them a presage of her own future. The last thing she needed was a man telling her she was crazy and should get over it—as the cops had implied after her dad’s death. Her Aunt Maia agreed with her, but after the police closed the case, Maia told Addie she needed to move on. She said there wasn’t anything they could do about it, and suggested they move back to Whisper Cape, where she was born, and start a new life.
Addie picked up her bowl, paused, and, not wanting to go anywhere close to the kitchen where Jared was, gave Darcy a pathetic look.
“Someday ...” Darcy mumbled, shaking her head and rolling her eyes as she grabbed Addie’s empty bowl along with her own and headed toward the kitchen.
Addie strolled around to the other side of the bar and wiped up the place where they'd had their lunch. She liked the way the bar had a relaxed come-sit-for-a-spell feel. As she moved on to wipe the cream spots off the mirror she couldn't help but admire the way it gave the illusion that the bar and dining area were twice as large. At certain times of the day, like now, with the sun glimmering in, it created an illusion of tiny sparkling lights emanating from the bottles lined up in front of it.
Addie continued to speculate over the possibility of whether or not she might have actually killed a man today, which would make her a murderer. Why hadn’t she tried harder to see if he was okay? She reached beside the cash register for the remote to the television to check the news when her blood ran hot again and a jolt of tiny sparks surged from her fingertips.
“Ouch,” she cried in a low whisper, jumping back from the remote. “Damn static electricity,” she grumbled and rubbed her hand on her thigh as the television blasted on. She stared at the undisturbed remote control.
“How did that happen? I didn’t even touch the remote,” she mumbled to herself in a low voice. Her gaze moved from the television to the remote and back again. She looked around to see if anyone else could have used the other remote, but Gerry already left for the bank and Darcy was on the other side of the room singing a song as she cleared away some dirty glasses.
“Hey Darcy, have you experienced any static electricity today?” she asked, trying to control the tremor in her voice.
“Static electricity?” Darcy repeated, giving Addie a puzzled look. “No. Why?”
“I don’t know. I just got shocked and was wondering.”
Darcy returned to her song and clearing the table. Addie grabbed the remote and surfed the channels for some news. If she had killed him, surely they would mention it, but the only thing on the news was the story of the woman they’d found that morning, mauled to death. They discovered her on the outskirts of an old farm, her face and body mangled, her clothes in shreds. Addie shuddered but continued to watch the news for about half an hour and was relieved not to hear any mention of a hit-and-run anywhere.
She looked over as Gerry entered through the back door, returning from his bank errand. Darcy and Jared were in the kitchen, chattering to each other about something Addie didn’t care to know about. She glanced out the window, saw the sun shining, and remembered the camera she’d brought with her, thinking it would be a good idea to take advantage of the afternoon light and get some pictures of the coastline.
“I’m going out for a while,” Addie said to Gerry as she removed her apron, laying it beside the register. She grabbed her jacket and ran toward the door.
“Okay, but be sure you’re back by four o’clock. I need your help with the liquor inventory for tonight, and don’t go wandering off by yourself near any farms!”
“No problem,” Addie shouted back and glanced at her watch. She had an hour, which gave her plenty of time to get some good pictures.
Addie drove about a mile, then pulled over at what looked like a great spot providing several different views of the coast. Leaving the clunky tripod behind, she grabbed her camera and headed for the trail to the cliffs. Gazing around at the high shrubs, she realized it wasn’t a well-traveled path and an uneasy tightness inched up her spine as she thought about the dead woman. Nearing the edge of the cliff, Addie spotted a small building. An old tool shed, she figured, with a small group of sightseers milling around on the other side of it.
Popular place, she mused and trekked on with a sudden surge of courage. Her spirits brightened as the sun warmed her skin but she thought she’d better hurry and get some decent pictures before it disappeared behind the clouds she spotted rolling in.
Addie strolled toward the shed, thinking it might make a good picture with the cliff in the background.
She froze when she saw the black leather coat.
He stood at the corner of the entrance to the shed, reading something resembling a map. The sun glared in her eyes, and she squinted, trying to make out his face. She was sure he was the same man. She'd recognize that coat anywhere and the black hair he kept tucking behind his ears as the wind blew it around his face. A great sense of relief came over her as she realized he was alive. Excited, she headed in his direction to apologize for almost hitting him, and ask where he’d disappeared to so quickly. As she approached, his gaze met hers and he scowled. She strode toward him, and as she neared, he turned and walked around to the other side of the shed.
She struggled with the decision to turn and go in the other direction or continue walking toward him. Curiosity got the better of her so she continued to the shed.
The sun filtered through what was left of the roof and the holes in the faded green walls made it easy to see through to the other side. As she rounded the corner, he looked up and his frown deepened. She wasn’t sure if she should be frightened or angry. She was certain he recognized her, but as she started to speak, he brushed past her in a blur and disappeared into the thicket a few feet away.
She hadn’t expected the cold brush-off.
That went well. What an ass. Hmmm ... Addie shook her head at the thought, leaned against the side of the shed, and sighed. Glancing down at the camera in her hands, she remembered the reason why she was there and wandered toward the edge of the cliff, taking her bruised ego with her, only to discover the fog had rolled in.
“Jeez, so much for taking pictures today.”
The fog grew thick around her, abrupt and so dense. With each breath, she tasted the minute particles of water penetrating her tongue, cool and salty. Barely able to see five feet ahead, the area appeared sinister, and every bone in her body trembled. She heard the waves crashing against the rocks below the cliffs, and the roar they made had her stepping backwards. She thought of the dead woman they’d found earlier and her heart pounded in her chest as a lump formed in her throat. The trail, now covered with fog, was only a memory and she ran, blindly, in the direction of her truck. When she reached it, she jumped in and locked the doors. Panting, she took a minute to calm
herself before starting the truck. She glanced around and noticed the fog had dissipated almost as quickly as it had appeared. It was still cloudy, but at least she could see the road as she eased onto the highway.
Chapter 4
Cael walked back to the old abandoned shack he’d been leaning against for shelter from the wind when the woman had shown up. He’d been checking out a local map in search of a hotel close by when she came strolling over with a camera dangling from her wrist. She walked straight toward him, mumbling, recognition written all over her face. Man, questions about his instant disappearance were the last thing he needed.
Although, before he brushed her off, he took the time to notice the brown hair cascading around her shoulders and her long slender legs—legs that seemed to glide as she walked—the kind of legs a man would really enjoy having wrapped around him. Damn, when she started to approach him he’d panicked and disappeared into the thicket. What was he thinking? Now she’d probably be even more curious.
The dense fog scared her enough, he noted, and smiled. He’d watched with his heightened vision as she sprinted back to her truck. He could almost feel the scream welling in her lungs. Well, maybe he’d get lucky and never run into her again during this mission that was turning out to be the most important one of his life. His world was being threatened and the dead woman they’d found that morning just made his task more urgent.
He’d been a private investigator for the Sectorium for nearly three years now after his short stint with the New York Police Department. He had known from the time he was a small boy what he wanted to do—what he would do—when he grew up. Being a cop had been just a stepping-stone to his career with the organization.
He walked toward the road and thought about finding a place to stay. A hotel for a couple days would be fine, but considering they’d found the dead woman, it appeared as though he would most likely be here longer than just a couple of days. A house would be the only way he would feel comfortable and something with an alarm was imperative. So first thing tomorrow, he would search for a house. He looked forward to having a kitchen—he hated eating out all the time. He was a decent cook, and actually enjoyed it. Besides, from what he remembered, there weren’t too many great places to eat around here. The Cliff Hanger restaurant he’d noticed was most likely the only respectable place other than the small café in town.
He’d been here before, many times as a child and again as an adult. Whisper Cape was a small town and Cael enjoyed its welcoming spirit and wished he could visit more often. He thought of the woman again, her long slender legs and flowing brown hair. A reason to visit more often? Hmmm. The last thing he needed now was a beautiful female complicating his life, not that he wouldn’t enjoy the complication, especially with this one, but business first.
***
Addie worked nonstop through the dinner rush. She fingered the tip money in her pocket and smiled. It had been a good night so far and she was grateful, not only for the money, but for the distraction from worrying about the mystery man.
At half past eight, locals started trickling in. Being Saturday, she was in for a long night.
Addie saw Nick in the bar, taking advantage of his night off. A man filled with encouragement and good cheer, he'd helped Gerry train her as a bartender. Not exactly a young man, he'd never had any problems picking up the young pretty tourist women. With his charming gift of gab, Nick was an attractive man for someone Addie guessed to be about fifty. Despite a little gray at the temples and a few laugh lines at his eyes, he still qualified as a definite lady-killer. Tonight he'd managed to surround himself with a couple of blonde hotties, tourists, no doubt.
Jared had finished his shift for the night and sat down at the other end of the bar. She was glad for that. He was a nice guy, but more Darcy’s type than hers. Darcy always went for the rugged silent type, giving her the upper hand. She enjoyed wrapping men around her little finger.
Darcy and Jared dated each other in the past, and Addie wondered why they were no longer together. Anytime Addie asked Darcy about it, she’d clam up.
Glancing toward the end of the bar, Addie caught her aunt, Maia, staring at her. Addie smiled and waved and Maia waved back. Maia usually came in on Friday and Saturday nights to hang out with Gerry. Most times, she would assist behind the bar, wait tables, or anything else that needed attending, but tonight she just sat, looking worried as she listened to Chief Thompson and the new lieutenant.
Maia was her dad’s younger sister, fourteen years younger actually. She was a pretty woman with soft golden brown eyes that twinkled when she smiled. Some people said Addie resembled her aunt, but she thought she looked more like her mother. Then again, she had only seen pictures of her mother, who died during Addie’s birth.
Aunt Maia was the one who raised Addie. Maia had been just eleven years old when Addie’s grandparents died in a car accident, leaving Maia nowhere else to turn except to her older brother, whose wife just died a few months earlier, leaving him to care for a new baby girl. Addie thought of her dad and what a tragedy it must have been for him to lose his wife and his parents all in the same year. Maia was old enough to help care for Addie and as time passed, she became Addie’s sole care provider as her dad’s work often took him away for days at a time. Maia sacrificed most of her teenage years caring for Addie, giving up friends and boyfriends.
After twenty-something years of living back east, they moved back to Whisper Cape, where Addie had spent the early years of her childhood, and where her aunt and her dad had grown up.
Addie wondered why Maia was talking to the chief and his new lieutenant for so long. The chief, with his dark hair and dark eyes, seemed very serious as he tugged on his bushy mustache. Maybe the man she’d almost hit filed a complaint against her. She watched as the lieutenant got up, smiled as he said his goodbyes, and then left—but the chief remained. If he planned to arrest her, surely he’d have done so by now. But she still couldn’t shake the mystery man from her mind. The way he had vanished was so bizarre.
The night dragged on and Addie found herself glancing at her watch—several times.
She sighed, eleven o’clock. Two hours left—two very long hours. As she pulled the tap down to fill a glass with beer, the front door opened and the wind blasted through, hitting her in the face. Addie looked up and there he was.
A lump formed in her throat as she watched him walk straight to the little table in the back corner. She gulped, and then motioned to Darcy to join her.
As Darcy shimmied her way between two customers seated at the bar, Addie leaned closer and whispered, “There he is.”
“Who?” Darcy whispered back.
“The man I almost ran over this morning.”
“Where?”
“He’s over there at the corner table.”
Darcy looked over at the table. “Are you sure it’s him?”
“Yes, I’m sure, I saw him this afternoon by the cliffs when I went there to take pictures.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you missed him. You forgot to mention he was gorgeous. I wouldn’t mind running into him myself,” Darcy teased.
“No, please, don’t.”
“Okay, settle down. It’s nice to see you’re interested,” she laughed.
Addie tried to calm herself. Maybe he didn’t get a good look at her before he disappeared.
Addie placed a glass under the beer tap and filled it. As she turned around, her gaze met his. This is it. My life is over. She tore her eyes away and glanced to see Chief Thompson still talking with her aunt.
Addie turned to the man at the corner table again and this time their eyes held. She smiled at him, and like this afternoon, he didn’t smile back. Again, her ego took a dive. She turned to wipe up a spill, feigning disinterest. When she looked back in his direction, he still stared at her.
He was rather striking and rugged. His scowl added a warrior-edge to his face, sending a chill down her spine. Even with the frown, he was undeniably handsome.
<
br /> Addie glanced in the mirror behind her to check her appearance … nothing out of place. She smoothed her hair—tightening the elastic band holding it together in one long tail that draped between her shoulder blades—and bit her lips, hoping to elicit some color from them. She hated to admit it, but maybe Darcy was right and she could use a sexier wardrobe.
She watched as the man ordered a drink from Darcy and noticed a slight smile form on his lips as Darcy walked away with a smirk.
“I need a Screwdriver, a Bloody Mary, and a Guinness,” Darcy said as she placed her tray down in front of Addie’s station.
“What did you say to him?”
“Nothing, just asked him want he wanted.”
“Why would you do that? I asked you not to.” Addie frowned.
“Uh, it’s my job? He’s the Guinness.”
“Oh. Why were you smiling?”
Darcy shrugged. “He’s very polite.”
***
Cael sat at the only available table in the small restaurant. When he noticed the woman from this afternoon standing behind the bar, he wished there had been somewhere else to go, but this was a small town without many choices. All he could do now was try to enjoy his beer.
He found himself staring, and as he studied her more closely, he considered her slender features. A straight nose, large golden brown eyes, almost too large for her face, those lovely lips, and her hair, that silky brown hair—now pulled away from her face and hanging in a sleek trail down her back—he was unable to tear his eyes away from her.
“Complications,” he muttered.
His life style didn’t leave much room for relationships; even casual encounters were difficult. He was here for one reason only, to find Ristéard’s killer—who was most likely the same monster who slaughtered the woman they’d found that morning. Cael needed to find him before he murdered anyone else, and with any luck, he just might find the crystal and the sacred journal, both of which had been in Ristéard’s custody.
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