“Okay, I’ll run it. Give me your number. If we find him, I’ll call you. What you have better be damn good or I’m going to look like an asshole.”
Tori wanted to make a comment in the worst way, but somehow, she managed to keep her mouth shut.
Julian hoped that his team could connect the Dawkins family to the first killing. They were taking a huge gamble.
“Now you can cut the tail,” Tori stated. “He’s been lurking outside ‘The Killing House’,” she offered, taking a wild shot.
“Pardon?” Penny asked.
“Your deputy. You can call him off. He’s not going to learn anything by following us.”
Tori saw the flash. It wasn’t from the irritation of being busted yet again, but because she genuinely didn't know what was going on.
“Sure. I will.”
Tori let it go.
This was curious.
“I think we got off on the wrong foot,” Penny offered. “Maybe if we work together on this, you’ll see that I really want to help the people of this town.”
Neither of them believed that. This woman had gone from hostile to happy in under sixty seconds. The second she realized they had something, her attitude changed.
“Absolutely,” Julian stated, trying to play nice. They didn't trust her as far as they could toss her. “Let’s go, Tori.”
Heading out, they stopped outside.
“She didn't know,” Julian stated.
“Yeah, that just proves one thing.”
He glanced over.
“The sheriff is so busy trying to look good that she can’t control a man child. That’s a bad sign.”
He agreed.
When Julian’s phone began ringing, he answered. He didn't even have time to ask questions. Before he knew it, Beckett was hanging up.
“We have to get moving.”
Tori tried to be patient. “What’s up?”
“My sister and Beckett found something.”
There was a lot that they could find in that creepy old house. “Care to elaborate?” Tori asked, as they walked briskly toward their rental.
“They found our last two bodies. We’ve collected them all.”
When they arrived, both Beckett and Claire were a dusty mess. In fact, Claire was dirtier and covered in cobwebs. After explaining what they found, they all headed into the kitchen.
“They’re in here?”
Beckett nodded. “The reason I didn't feel anything is that they’re far enough back under the stairs, plus I’ve never gone up to the room this way. I’ve only used the main foyer steps.”
Julian looked at the old wood. “Shit! We’re going to have to open them up.”
Claire agreed. “I walked the corridor. It’s too narrow to get a body in there and have the killer fit though at the same time. They had to be put in there through here.”
Pulling on one step, Julian felt it give way a little and creak. “Okay, we’re going to remove them, but we can’t destroy them. Am I clear?”
He stared at his sister.
“What?” she asked, trying not to grin. If it was up to her, she would have torn through them by now. Unfortunately, Beckett wouldn’t let her get a crowbar and have at them.
“We have to put them back when we’re done.”
Beckett relinquished the crowbar and hammer. “Want to do the honors?”
Julian did, because then he could honestly take the blame when the Lamonts accused him of destroying their brother’s house. Then, he wouldn’t be lying.
As he pulled them off, one by one, slowly they revealed what was hidden in their dusty depths.
First they saw a skeletonized foot.
Then two.
The dusty white bones stood out in the cobweb filled area. As they moved up the stairs, taking off each step, they soon had more uncovered.
“There are definitely two bodies,” stated Tori.
Claire pointed through the flying dust. “Isn't that a book?”
That had all of their attention.
“Yes, it certainly is.”
Julian put down the tools and reached in. When he removed it, he handed it to his wife. She immediately opened it.
“It belongs to Ralph Clarence. He was making notes for his novel.”
Julian stared at the bones. “Beckett, I’m sorry to do this to you again, but we need to know.”
He understood. The entire time they were waiting for Julian and Tori to arrive, he knew it was coming.
Beckett had been bracing for it.
“It’s okay,” he stated, holding out his hands for the book. When his fingers touched the old leather, nothing bad happened. There were simply flashes of the man who owned the book. Beckett took them in so he could tell the team.
When he opened his eyes, the book was back in Tori’s hands.
“Well?”
“He was going to make money off the house. This was his big writing deal.”
That they already knew from his notes.
“Why did the killer bury this book with him, and why did he place the two sets of remains together?”
They were two very good questions.
All four of them focused on the bodies.
Beckett knew what was next. Kneeling, he placed his hand on the first leg. Immediately, he was swamped with the visions. While the other victims had suffered, this man didn't.
Pulling him away, Claire made him focus on her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. He was hit on the head with some kind of tool. Clarence was asleep at the time. He never woke up.”
Great.
Another victim who didn't see his attacker.
Shit!
This was going nowhere.
“Can you touch the second one?” Tori asked. She could already see that his skull, unlike the first one, wasn’t damaged. They died two different ways.
Beckett touched the second foot and there was a sharp pain to his chest. In his head, he was bombarded with images of someone struggling with his attacker.
He was scared.
Hurt.
Bleeding.
His body was slowly dying. Just as the pain was about to overwhelm him, Beckett could feel Claire’s lips against his. When he opened his eyes, he was lying on his back and staring up into her gold flecked eyes.
“Are you okay?”
He shook his head, trying to get his bearings. “He was stabbed in the chest,” he offered.
They stared down at the bodies.
“He saw his attacker,” Beckett added, once he’d caught his breath. It felt like he’d just run a marathon, and his heart was wildly beating.
“What?” Julian asked. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “Yeah. They fought. He lost.”
Julian glanced over at his wife. There was no doubt in his mind what she intended to do.
Well shit!
“I have to, Jules,” she stated. “I need to find out if Beckett is right. If he knew his killer, we can start figuring this out.”
At this point, what was one more visit with the spirits? This was now part of his wife, and he had no choice.
“Just do it, Tor.”
She moved away from the skeletons and called for her spirit guide. “Bethany, I need you.”
They all watched her.
To say it wasn’t fascinating would be lying.
Suddenly, the music started. Tori stared into her husband’s eyes, offering a silent apology. As the melody got louder, she slipped deeper into the swirling gray until it was black.
When she opened her eyes, she was back in the kitchen, only Bethany was the only one there.
“What do you need?” she asked, hopping up on the counter. “You feel stressed,” she offered.
“I need to speak to Ralph Clarence and Tennessee Woodrow. It’s important.”
“I don’t think you should do them both at once,” she warned. “It can be overwhelming.”
Tori didn't have a choice. “Ralph! Tennessee!” she call
ed. “Get your asses here now!”
Bethany looked worried. “Tori…”
The room around her shimmered and the two men materialized. One had the front part of his skull bashed in, and the second had a gaping hole in his chest.
Yeah, Beckett had been spot on.
Before she could speak, the energy slammed into her. They were angry. Actually, that didn't even come close to what they were feeling. The power from them was twice as difficult to handle. Immediately, they began shouting.
The buzzing got louder and louder.
Bethany frantically tried to calm them down.
She pointed at Ralph, despite her head aching from the sounds inundating her. “Who killed you?”
He became agitated, moving toward her. When he rushed her person, she felt the sizzle of electricity flood through her. In her mind, she could hear him as clear as day.
He was begging for help.
He didn't want to be dead.
Ralph wanted to be set free.
She clenched her teeth, fighting not to grind them. His panic, fear, and hate were welling up in her.
“We’ll find him.”
Bethany somehow got him to move back.
Before she could speak, the second man began screaming. He too was angry, but instead of being afraid, he was bitter because of the killer.
As he rushed Tori, the words appeared in her mind.
Friend!
Friend!
Friend!
She struggled to not get sucked under. Tennessee was also followed by wave after wave of anger.
Beneath it was betrayal.
“Who killed you and put you beneath the stairs?” she asked, feeling Bethany moving to her side.
‘Louis Jameson!’
The voice was as clear as day in her head.
‘Set me and my uncle free!’
Tori felt nauseous. The vision began wavering, and she was pretty sure she was going to throw up. When she opened her eyes, Julian was holding her. Instead of clinging to him, she raced toward the bathroom.
When she finally made it, Tori purged everything that was in her, hoping to free herself of all the negative energy.
She was swamped with it.
Julian held her hair. Outside the door, he knew Claire and Beckett were waiting. When Tori was done, he swept her up in his arms. “You’re finished. I’m not losing my wife for this case.”
She rested her head on his shoulder.
“I know, Jules.”
The fact that his feisty wife didn't fight him, proved that he was doing the right thing.
Outside the bathroom, their team was waiting. They looked concerned.
“Are you okay?” Claire asked, touching her leg.
Tori nodded. “Two ghosts at once was a bad thing,” she muttered. “Lesson learned.”
Julian wanted to be sick himself.
“They’ve been dead a long time. They’re strong.”
Beckett had to ask. “Did he see his killer?” He needed confirmation that what he saw was indeed accurate.
Tori nodded. “Yes. His name was Louis Jameson. He’s the man who killed both men. He started all this.”
Julian was good with that. Now, he was going to take care of his wife.
“You’re going to bed. If you want to read, you can, but you’re done running around tonight.”
He was laying down the law.
Claire handed her the journal. “Julian’s right.”
Tori didn't argue. “Can someone call Christina and get her on this?” she asked. “This is our best lead. Maybe the Dawkins are related to Louis Jameson.”
“I’ll handle it,” Beckett offered.
“After I get you settled, Tori, I’ll call the FBI. They can get the bodies. We’ve found them all. That part of this is wrapped up.”
Tori nodded. She hated to break it to Julian, but that was the easiest part. What she suspected was coming would be a million times harder.
They had a killer to catch.
~ Chapter Twenty-Five ~
Beckett couldn’t sleep.
He was edgy.
It was like the energy in the house was shifting, but he couldn’t explain it. Hopefully, this was his imagination, and nothing more.
After waiting for the FBI, he helped fix the stairs. They didn't look perfect because he wasn’t a carpenter.
It was the best he could do.
As he stood there, staring out into the garden, he was feeling a bit overwhelmed. Where he thought the gentle tinkling of water from the cherub in the fountain would calm him, he’d been very wrong. A lot had happened over the last few days, and he couldn’t help but fear it was going to disappear as soon as this case was over.
He didn't want to lose Claire.
Beckett prayed that he didn't screw this up.
Heading back to bed, he slid in beside her. With gentle fingers, he began stroking her cheek.
When she stirred, her eyes popping open, he was glad. While he didn't like waking her, he didn't want to be alone.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, trying to focus. “Why aren’t you asleep?”
“I feel off.”
She watched him with worried eyes, yet that wasn’t what he noticed most. Beckett couldn’t help but admire her body.
“A ghost?” she asked, looking around.
“Worse. I have this feeling in my gut.”
She relaxed. “Want to talk about it?” she asked.
He didn't want to. “I have a better idea,” he stated, bringing his lips to hers. Slowly, he coaxed her mouth open. The smooth, heated glide of tongues lit him on fire.
Claire’s body went against his, her hands sliding up to lock behind his neck. As she held on, he pressed her back into the pillows.
If this was heaven, she didn't mind in the least.
With eager hands, he traced her flesh beneath the sheet. Each curve, line, and angle was memorized. He loved her body, and wanted to savor this in case he did screw it up.
Odds weren’t in his favor, and he knew it.
“Beckett,” she moaned, as his lips left hers to trail down her throat.
He kept working at giving her pleasure. When she pulled his mouth back to hers, he allowed her to take whatever she needed.
Then she rolled, and he was caught off guard.
“Let me take care of you,” she whispered, her breath caressing his chest. When her fingers slid down to the plane of his belly, Beckett thanked the powers that be for this miracle.
Claire was all he needed, and Beckett knew it.
As her lips worked lower, first teasing his belly button, he watched, helplessly enthralled. He was captivated by the moonlight falling across their bodies.
It was erotic.
Amazing.
As she continued lower, she found his erection. Blowing warm air across it, he bobbed.
“Please,” he whispered.
She didn't make him wait. Taking him between her lips, she offered the man beneath her all she had to give. Claire was intuitive enough to see that he was worried.
Now she would save him from what chased him. Once it had been secrets, and now it was fear.
With slow, deep strokes, she took him into her mouth. From the moans, Claire could tell he was enjoying what she had to offer.
With each glide in, his body tensed, and with each glide out, he released a breath.
“Oh, baby, yes! Yes!”
She used lips and tongue to share so much pleasure.
When his hands slid deep into her hair, controlling her mouth, even Claire heated up.
She wanted him like nothing else in her life.
Here was the other half of her soul. Claire was beyond certain.
When she added teeth, he fought hard not to buck beneath her. As Claire fondled him, all the while sucking, Beckett thought he was going to break apart right there.
Then, it all stopped.
Glancing up, she was sitting in his lap, running her fingers over his face.
“I’m never going to leave you.”
His heart quivered.
“I’m not going to abandon you.”
Beckett was amazed that she knew.
Claire always knew.
“I’ll be here until we die. Then, once we pass, I’ll be there for you in the afterlife. Since ghosts exist, I’ll wait for you then too.”
It brought tears to his eyes.
“I love you that much.”
Her words undid him. When she placed her hand over his heart, and then took his to do the same, it was as if everything stopped around them.
“I love you, Claire,” he stated, just as she slid him home.
He was complete.
His heart had managed to weave itself back together again, all because of the Native woman straddling his hips.
She was the glue that sealed up his wounds.
When she began moving, her hand staying over his heart, she shared everything that she was feeling with him with just a look.
There was love in her eyes.
Promise on her lips.
Forever in her intent.
As she rode, he shook beneath her, begging for more. His words lured her closer to the edge, beckoning her to take the fall.
“Beckett,” she whispered, never looking away from his eyes.
He began driving his hips up, burying himself deep within her body. Claire was shaking above him, and he wanted nothing more than to take the fall with her.
She’d be the only woman that he’d ever love.
Here was his heart, and he’d die for her.
As her breath caught in her chest, he rolled, placing her beneath him for the last few strokes.
“Mine,” he whispered, as her hand went to his cheek.
Pleasure erupted around them, shoving them over the edge and into the abyss.
Together the fell.
As one, they floated.
It was the most amazing feeling in the world. The colors flashed and sizzled around them as the electricity shot through their bodies.
They were content.
Happy.
In love.
When they surfaced, Beckett’s head was lovingly cradled between her breasts, the sweet scent of Claire filling him with so much contentment.
“I meant what I said,” she stated.
Unthinkable Games (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 3) Page 39