~ Chapter Fourteen ~
During the walk to the café, Beckett was concerned. It was quite the hike, and he’d been worried if Claire could make it. To his surprise, she didn't complain, and when he offered to stop for a few minutes, she laughed at him.
He was impressed with her toughness. He knew that his ex would have…
And he had to force himself to stop.
Beckett needed to stop comparing the two. It was just so hard. The ghost of Melinda past was running rampant through his brain.
As they approached the café, he dropped his arm over Claire’s shoulders. People had been staring the entire way there, but now they were gawking.
The least he could do was protect her.
“I must be a wreck,” she muttered, trying to tuck her hair behind her ears.
Beckett stopped in the middle of the café and pulled her into his arms. “You’re beautiful.” He hated her feeling like she was less than perfect. With gentle lips, he kissed her. Their lips moved over each other’s until they were lost in the mating of mouths.
It was Julian clearing his throat that got their attention. When he slowly broke apart, he still stared into her gold brown eyes. “You never have to be worried what you look like, Claire. There was never a more gorgeous woman in the world.”
Her heart fluttered.
“We should sit down,” she whispered, focused on the lips that were just sweetly caressing hers.
He took her hand and led her to a chair. When she sat, he slid it in.
“Hey,” he stated, ignoring the look on Julian’s face. While the boss looked cranky, Tori, on the other hand, was grinning.
“Good to see you made it,” Julian stated. “It’s good to see that you didn't leave.”
Claire tensed. “Julian,” she began.
Beckett knew the man had every right to be worried. In fact, if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be a decent man or good brother. “Claire and I have discussed it. I’m not going anywhere.”
Yeah, because he was in love.
Oddly, he could think it, but he couldn’t get the words to come out. What was wrong with him?
“After that lip lock, I’d hope so. If that was your ‘I’m just friends’ kiss, I can’t wait to see the real deal,” Tori teased.
Claire stared openmouthed.
“What?” Tori asked.
Beckett needed to know. “Is it going to be a problem if I’m starting something with your sister?”
“Who is right here,” Claire reminded them nervously, “and she doesn’t like her brother and you discussing her like she’s missing.”
Julian knew he could say something, or he could trust the man in front of him. Already, he’d opted to stay. Now, he was playing watch guard over his sister.
He appreciated that.
“You don’t have to worry about me. When Clarissa gets to you, that’s when the panic should start.”
Tori and Julian grinned, clinking their glasses.
Beckett relaxed.
“Maybe we should focus on work,” stated Claire, her head pounding.
When the waitress approached, Beckett ordered food for Claire and himself.
She stared at him.
“Who are you?”
He laughed. “Hey, you wanted me to stick around. You should have thought that through,” he teased.
Claire saw the nerves through his attempt at humor. Running her hand up and down his leg, she offered him some reassurance. “I did.”
Tori grinned at them. It looked like Beckett was going to be a permanent part of their team. She could tell by the look on Claire’s face. It had been the same one Julian had given her when he was chasing her down. She’d named it ‘the Littlemoon leer’. Even Justin did it too.
“Back to work,” she stated.
“What’s the plan?” Beckett asked, taking a sip from his iced tea. “Keep in mind, she shouldn’t be running around like a maniac.”
“Yeah, maybe you should go home,” Julian stated.
She looked offended.
Beckett stepped in before it got ugly. “If she leaves, I’m with her, so if you want me to use this skill of mine on this case, she’s going to have to stay.”
She couldn’t love him more if she tried. That one sentence cemented him into her life. Her heart had been right after all.
“So, you’re finally in?” Julian asked.
“Yes.”
He held out his hand. “Welcome to the team, Beckett. We look forward to working with you.”
The man immediately relaxed. “I’m sorry, Julian. I wish I was honest from the beginning.”
He understood. “We all screw up.”
Tori laughed, ready to remind him of his mega ones. Before she could open her mouth, Julian laid down the law.
“One of us, if she makes a comment about my past mistakes, is going to be in trouble. I don’t care if she’s pregnant.”
It wasn’t like Tori was worried. “Welcome, Beckett.”
“What’s our game plan?” Claire asked, so grateful to her family.
They were accepting him.
This was a gift.
Julian broke it down, telling them about the psychic and the missing man.
“Wow, that’s going to bump her up the suspect list,” Beckett stated.
“Yeah, it did. We’re going to contemplate taking one of her tours,” he stated. “By one of us, I mean the men at this table.”
Tori’s glass stopped halfway to her mouth. “Pardon?”
“You heard me.”
“Well, I did, and I plan on ignoring you. You need me there. Beside, Bethany might see something on our tour.”
Julian laughed. “Yeah, she’s been so helpful. We don’t even know if she can see anything around her.”
Tori didn't like her husband’s attitude. “Well, last time I ‘saw’ her, she thought Beckett had an amazing body, and she wanted to slip into me to jump you, Julian.”
Both men looked horrified.
Claire snickered. “Good one, and Bethany’s right. His body is hot. He’s got these hip flexor muscles that make my mouth water.”
He stared at her. “Claire!”
Beckett wanted to be appalled, but he was pretty damn glad that Claire found him sexy. The feeling was mutual.
Julian shut it down, and fast. He recalled the last time Bethany had pulled that stunt. “Okay, I retract that, and apologize to Bethany.”
The salt shaker shook out of the blue and fell over.
“I guess she’s around,” Tori stated.
That creeped him out.
“Okay, so anyway, we may take a tour. In the meantime, we’re going to interview the people who live next door to the house. Maybe they saw something.”
“There are houses out there?” Beckett asked, trying to avoid looking at the salt shaker. He knew what gift he had, but Tori’s was scary. He read energy. She talked to the dead.
“Apparently.” Julian told them about the two men.
“And what are we supposed to do while you’re out doing two interviews?” asked Claire.
Julian was taking Beckett’s advice. His sister was taking it easy. “I want you two to head back to the house. You can start with the message we found on the back of the wine label. We need that next clue, but Beckett, you’re not to touch that bottle until we’re all there.”
He understood.
“We’re a team now. We do it the right way.”
“Deal,” stated Beckett.
Just then, the waitress appeared with food for them.
“Eat fast. We have a lot to do,” stated Julian.
It was going to be a busy day for all of them.
* * *
Back at the house, they got down to work. This was going to be a huge undertaking. As they walked through the place, Beckett and Claire realized just how many walls had flowered wallpaper.
Then, they went into the butler’s pantry, and found flowered carpeting.
“We’re going to be
doing this all day,” she stated.
He was well aware. “I want you to stick by me,” Beckett stated.
“I think I can keep myself safe inside the house,” she offered.
Beckett stared down at her. “I meant for me. If I touch something bad, I may need you to help me. You’re the only one who can pull me back out. Apparently, that’s your gift.”
She went up on her toes and kissed him. “I won’t leave your side.”
“Which room do you want to hit first?” he asked, hoping she said her bedroom. Then maybe they could get naked. Immediately, Beckett felt guilty. It was hard not to notice that she looked a little worn down. “How about we start in your room?”
Yeah, and maybe he could talk her into a nap while he worked in there.
“Okay,” she offered. Holding out her hand, she waited for him to take it. Together, they headed up the stairs.
“This place has a weird layout,” stated Beckett. “I think there are three staircases.”
She’d noticed. “I think the one in the kitchen was built recently. It’s not the same wood trim. Maybe Warren Luther liked having a million escape routes.”
Beckett laughed. “Yeah, see how that worked for him?”
Claire winked at him. “Okay, don’t touch anything. Can you just walk around and feel for something wonky?”
“Wonky?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow. “I know you didn't go dropping that word on a Navy vessel.”
She laughed. “True, I didn't.”
Beckett wasn’t feeling any trepidation about doing this, and that spoke volumes of the trust he had for the woman beside him. “I can walk around and pick up the vibes. If it’s mild, like with the wine bottle, I’ll have to hold it. If it’s like the body in the wine cellar, we don’t have to worry. I’ll know.”
She squeezed his hand. “You slept in here with me, and you didn't feel anything off, so we should be good.
“True.”
Claire headed in and began running her hands across the walls looking for anything unusual. When she didn't find anything, she glanced back at the man behind her.
“Anything?” she asked.
He shook his head.
Claire moved toward the closet. She’d yet to put any of her things in there. When she opened the door, immediately she felt like something was off.
“What?” he asked, moving closer.
“This doesn’t look right to me,” she stated. “Can you stand here and let me know when you hear me knock?”
He could do that. “Sure. Where are you going?” Beckett asked.
“I’m going into your room.”
God, he hoped he didn't have to follow her. It was overwhelming to be in there.
Beckett waited.
“Claire?” he called.
She peeked her head back into the room. “Did you hear me?” she asked.
“No, did you knock?”
Claire had. “Yeah, and that closet sits against this one, but the weird thing is the dimensions of that one feels off too.”
“Really?”
“Yes, come look.”
So much for not going in there. “Okay,” he offered, following her. Once in the room, he shoved both hands in his pockets. There was no way he wanted to touch anything.
Claire immediately went into the closet and pointed. “It’s too small. There’s about five feet missing.”
When he stepped into the closet, it happened.
“Oh, crap,” he muttered.
The room began spinning.
The darkness loomed.
“Beckett?” she said, noticing he wasn’t answering her. Gently, she placed her hands over his cheeks. His eyes flickered up to meet hers.
“I know why I couldn’t sleep in here,” he muttered, trying to not fall to his knees as wave after wave of pain washed over him.
“What is it?”
He punctuated every word. “Its. Like. The. Wine. Cellar.”
“You think we have another body?” she asked.
Beckett stumbled backward toward the bed, his hands going back to brace him. In that split second, he knew exactly what he did.
The bed’s energy sucked him under.
And the screams began.
* * *
They easily found Paul Spencer’s home.
When Christina mentioned that it was next to ‘The Killing House’, that wasn’t exactly true. The land did touch it with common boundaries, but there was a good deal of space in between.
As they pulled into the drive, there was a man waiting for them. There had to be some sort of security devices warning him of their arrival.
“What do you want?” he asked, as they stepped from the rental vehicle.
“We need to talk to you regarding the house next door,” Tori stated, asking the questions.
“That travesty of a haunted house?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Yes, what can you tell us?” she inquired.
“All that I know is that is that house needs to go. With each year, more and more lunatics come here. They trespass on my property, damaging the vegetation, and I hate it.”
She stared at the balding middle aged man. “Is that why you tried to buy it three separate times?”
“Yes. I want to tear it down. Then, I’ll gate the whole thing, and no one will bother me.”
“So, you like your privacy?” she asked.
“Yes, and I enjoy respect. Each owner of that house has shown me none.”
That had her attention. “How long have you been here?”
“You’re awful nosey,”
“I’m trying to investigate the house, so the owners can sell it.”
Okay, it was a little white lie.
Sort of.
“Oh! Then okay, I’ll be more than happy to help.”
“Thank you, Mr. Spencer,” she replied, smiling again.
“I’ve lived here for fifty four years. My grandfather built this house. He picked this spot, because at one time that house was a show stopper. Now it’s an eyesore.”
“Is there anyone else you can think of who would want it destroyed?”
He took a minute to ponder it.
Julian grinned at his wife. She was doing a damn good job. The man didn't even realize that she was making him a suspect with each question.
“Our other neighbor is probably the only other person I know,” he offered.
Julian jumped in since he had his notes out. “Are we talking about a Mr. Brady Parker?”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“We’re heading there next.”
The man started laughing. “Yeah, good luck with that. Brady is crazy. Talking to him is going to be about as useful as installing an ashtray on a motorcycle.”
It didn't really matter.
They had a job to do.
“Have you seen anyone lurking around here lately?”
“Yeah, all the damn time. Crazy kids are always trying to shack up and scare the shit out of each other. That’s why I want that house. Can you put in a good word with the owners? Maybe I can buy it quietly.”
Julian rolled his eyes so only Tori would see him do it.
“Sure thing, sir,” she offered. “Thank you for your help. If we have any more questions, can we come back?” Tori asked.
“Yes, you can. Thank you for asking. Respect is a really nice thing.”
As they headed back to the vehicle, Tori leaned into him and whispered. “I once saw a motorcycle with an ashtray.”
He stared into her eyes. “Really? Where was it mounted?”
“Oh, the guy was this Marine who wanted into my pants. He liked to use the gas cap.”
Julian didn't know which horrified him more. That she said that to him, or that it was incredibly dangerous.
“Yeah, that’s pretty damn crazy.”
Before she could reply, teasing him further, Julian’s phone beeped. Glancing down, he saw the message.
‘Get here fast. I need you.’
> “Claire has a problem,” he blurted, throwing the SUV into drive.
Tori had just enough time to get her seatbelt on before he flew down the driveway. Her husband was already on the edge with Claire getting hurt the previous day.
This might put him over the edge.
“She’ll be fine, Jules,” Tori reassured. Although, with the way he was driving, that might not be the case.
The last thing she wanted to do was to let go of him as he was trapped, but she needed her brother and Tori. Once she released him to send the message, Beckett bowed in pain.
It was something new. Usually, he slipped into a still state, trapped inside himself.
Everything about this scared her.
Whatever he was feeling was either worse, or he was sick. She didn't know what to do for him.
Claire couldn’t carry the man, but she knew he didn't like the bed. So, using all she had, she pulled him off, apologizing profusely when he hit the floor.
While his seizure-like state eased, Claire wanted to get him the hell out of that room. Grabbing him under his arms, she used everything she had to drag him across the floor.
Her head screamed in pain.
Well, thank God for boot camp. It was the only reason she could move the far bigger man.
When she got him out into the hallway, she dropped to the floor and pulled him into her arms.
Already, he was pulling away from the horrors.
He blinked a few times, trying to focus on her face.
“Bad?” she asked.
“Yeah. There’s a body back there, and he’s a mess.”
Claire gently laid kisses across his face. “You were having what looked like a seizure. It was pretty terrifying.”
“I’m sorry, baby,” he said, closing his eyes.
His use of the term of endearment touched her. “It’s okay, Beck. I have you.” To prove it, she lowered her mouth to his. Silkily, her lips moved over his, trying to help him forget.
He fell into the kiss, heating his icy flesh. What he wanted to do was find peace buried in her body. Pulling his mouth from hers, he stared up into her eyes.
He was just about to tell her that he loved her, when Julian and Tori came running in.
“What happened?” he shouted, looking around.
Unthinkable Games (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 3) Page 24