Deadly Dozen: 12 Mysteries/Thrillers

by Diane Capri

  As he got ready to leave, he decided he’d try to find her sans angelic powers. No supernatural surveillance, no celestial fly-bys, just human ingenuity. He pulled out his mobile phone, which felt even less physically solid than before, and texted her.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

  SITTING AT A TABLE OUTSIDE THE COFFEE SHACK in LaJolla Village, Hope watched the fiery sky and told herself not to worry. She hadn’t heard from Nick all day, but he could go anywhere and be back before anybody even noticed. He experienced time differently. For all she knew, he could be anywhere on the planet between here and the spiritual layers. She had to trust that he’d be back soon.

  Since she was a little girl she’d loved watching sunsets. And now, to perfect this glorious scene, a monarch butterfly alighted on her hand and fanned its wings.

  “Hello.” Hope brought it close to admire the intricate patterns on its wings, the bright colors that matched the ones dominating the sunset. Hard to believe this lovely creature had recently been a creeping bug.

  Well, yesterday she’d been a woman with nothing to live for. Today, a new creation.

  “Like you,” she said as the butterfly flew off. “Free.” Now that the burden of depression and despair had been removed, her spirit could soar with the same sweet liberty.

  She took a sip of coffee that not only warmed her but tasted better than coffee had tasted in years. Her new lease on life came with a renewed appreciation for its simple pleasures.

  She couldn’t wait to tell Nick what had happened during her first day of freedom. After all those emails and phone calls over the past few years, she had finally been able to contact the source of light that had been there in her darkest days with a different report–an encouraging report. The conversation had led to something incredibly exciting. Nick would be so pleased.

  The phone on the table chimed. Her first text message.

  It was from Nick, of course.

  Nick: How do I get to The Coffee Shack?

  Hope: Are you still at the hotel?

  Nick: No, I’m actually...

  She heard a dull, clanging thud nearby, followed by a loud moan.

  “Oh my gosh, Nick! Are you okay?” She hurried over to the sidewalk, where a very dazed, a very physical Nick lay at the base of the streetlamp into which he had walked. He was rubbing his forehead with one hand and clutching his cell phone with the other. A small crowd had gathered.

  “I guess that’s why they tell young people never to text and walk.” Hope said, offering him a hand. He was a lot heavier than she’d imagined. “You found me.”

  “It wasn’t far.”

  She led him to her table, wondering how an angel could be so...well, clumsy.

  “Wait a minute, Nick.” She glanced around. “Can they see you?”

  “Yes.”

  “And...that’s okay?”

  “I’ll explain in a minute, all right?” He pointed to the cup. “May I?”

  “Sure, knock yourself out.”

  “I nearly did back there,” he said.

  “It’s an express—”

  “I know. Sorry, just trying this humor thing. Need some practice.” Nick lifted the cup and took a long sip. “Mmm...now that’s good.”

  “My fave.”

  “Oh, bother. I’ve finished it.”

  “It’s all right, there’s more from where that came from.” She reached out and slipped her hand in his. “You act like you’ve never had a latte before.”

  “If I have, I can’t remember it ever tasting that good.” He stopped her as she was about to signal the waitress for another cup. “Never mind that. I’ve something important to tell you.”

  “Wait, Nick! I have something to share too. Can I go first? Please? I’ll explode if I don’t tell you soon.”

  “By all means, ladies first.” He sat back in the chair, eyebrows raised.

  “Okay, then. A few years back, when I was depressed and hitting rock bottom—”

  “Excuse me,” the barista said. “Can I get you two anything else?”

  “I’m good, thanks.” Hope looked at Nick. “Another latte?”

  “How about something stronger?”

  “Espresso?” the barista said.

  “Anything stronger than that?”

  The barista told him the best they could do was a double espresso. Nick asked for it to go, then leaned over the table to loop a wayward lock behind Hope’s ear.

  “You were saying?” His touch electrified her but this time it seemed more natural. The sensation originated from within her.

  “During my dark years after Chloe died,” she said, “one of the only rays of light came from Jonathan Hartwell’s talks on the radio. You know who I’m talking about?”

  “Who doesn’t by now?”

  “Yeah, too bad about that scandal. I’m sure there’s a good explanation, if he says there is. Guess we’ll know tomorrow.” She sighed. “Anyway, I used to call his lifeline a few times a year, when I needed someone to talk to, and eventually I became one of their regulars. They prayed for me, sent me care packages—they’re really the sweetest people, and they did everything they could. But I stopped calling, pulled away from them once I started thinking about...you know.”

  “You were afraid they might talk you out of it.”

  The very memory of those recent attempts sent a chill through her heart. She reached out for his hand.

  He took it, and smiled poignantly.

  “Well, anyway, that’s all the past, thanks to you. And today, after almost a year, I called them again and told them how I’d been rescued from—”

  “You didn’t tell them about me, did you?”

  “No.” She hadn’t thought they’d believe an angel had saved her life and with a touch healed the pain within her.

  “Good.” He let out a sigh. “What did you say, then?”

  “That God had revealed the truth to me—I mean, that’s what angels do, right? Bring messages from above?”

  “Um, right.”

  “Anyway, long story short, they called me back—thanks for this cute little phone, by the way—and told me Jonathan Hartwell loved my story and asked if I would share it at Cabrillo Stadium tomorrow at his speaking event!”

  “Really?”

  “Isn’t that amazing?”

  “That’s wonderful!” he said as the barista returned with his double espresso.

  CHAPTER SIXTY

  “I’M HAPPY FOR YOU, HOPE.” Nick drank the espresso, which made up in strength what it lacked in volume, and put a twenty-dollar bill on the table.

  “You’re a big tipper,” Hope said. He stood and took her hand to help her up.

  “It’s just money.”

  “Still, you don’t just throw it around like that.”

  He’d never given this human issue much thought. Might want to start, though—once his transformation was complete, he wouldn’t be able to conjure up currency like that anymore.

  Hope wrapped her arm around his as they left The Coffee Shack and walked down the sidewalk toward the shore. The sky’s embers cooled to a deep violet as the moon rose and the multitude of heavenly hosts entered the stage. Enthralled, Nick stopped.

  “Is it usually that beautiful—I mean, from down here?”

  “The sky and the stars?” She watched with her head leaning against his shoulder. “It is special tonight, but yeah, it’s usually like that.”

  “Remarkable. It’s like I’m seeing everything for the first time.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  He took a minute to answer her.

  “Yes, I believe it is.” He led her across the street to a bench overlooking the foamy waves hitting the shore with a soft hiss. They sat under a street lamp and he turned to face her. The words didn’t come readily, though.

  “You all right, Nick?”

  “Yes, of course. Why?”

  “I don’t know, you seem a little preoccupied.”

  Going from immortal and eternal to finite and
human was hard on the system. But there really was no middle ground. If anything, it was only temporary

  “I’ve got something weighing on me,” he said.

  “I knew it,” she said, not looking at him, her lip quivering.

  “Knew what?”

  “It was too good to be true, wasn’t it?”

  “I haven’t said any—”

  “Don’t have to, it’s written all over your face. You’ve done your job and angels can’t become involved with mortals and you have to leave even though you don’t want to and I really do understand, but—”

  “I don’t think you do.”

  “It’s always been that way. Something good comes into my life, only to be—”

  He pressed two fingers over her lips.

  “Just listen to me, love. I am not going anywhere.”

  Then he lowered his hand, and let her speak.

  “What about the angel laws?” she said.

  “Applicable only to angels.”

  “You mean…?”

  “I’m giving up my angel status to become human.”

  At first, she stared at him, as though trying to understand what exactly that meant. All at once, her eyes grew wide. Hope cried out his name, threw her arms so tight around his neck he thought he might suffocate. Then she became quiet for a minute. Sighed. Looked away, then back again.

  “You’ve been an angel for thousands of years,” she said finally. “Becoming human means...”

  “I’ll die one day. I know.”

  “For someone who’s lived as long as you, a human lifespan will seem as short as a breath.”

  “And what a glorious breath that life will be if I could spend every day of it with you.” She could feel his gaze deep in her soul—he sensed this with what remained of his angelic powers.

  Which was beginning to weaken. It was happening—he could tell. With or without approval from above, gradually, he was falling.

  “Do you know what you’re giving up?” Hope said.

  “To feel what you feel, to enjoy the sunsets, the tastes, the sights, the smells—most of all the love that only humans can fully appreciate? I’d rather live one day sharing that with you than an eternity without you.”

  She shook her head, tears rolling down her face.

  “I...I can’t let you give up your immortality for me.”

  “It’s mine to give.”

  His entire past life seemed to have faded into a distant impression. All he could think of was being with Hope, right here, right now. With barely restrained intensity, he placed his hand on her face, whispered her name, and kissed her.

  It seemed to have stunned her for a second, but then she returned the kiss, a tear falling from her eye and warmly onto his hand.

  “Nick…”

  “I’ve made up my mind.” He kissed her again.

  She held him desperately as more tears fell. He had observed such human behavior before but never quite understood the contradiction until now. Although the tears were Hope’s, he was feeling exactly what she felt, and the awareness that he loved and was so loved filled him with such joy it hurt.

  Try as he might, he could not suspend this moment beyond what a human would ordinarily experience. The thought that tomorrow might diminish the joy surging through his very human heart at this moment hung over him like an executioner’s ax. He pushed the thought aside.

  And then the ax fell.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

  SHE MUST HAVE SEEN IT IN HIS FACE, which had changed the minute his phone started ringing.

  Hope let out a breath. “If it’s important…”

  “I’m sorry, it is.”

  He stepped away from the bench and answered Lena’s call.

  “Listen carefully, Nick—”

  “Before you say another word,” he said, “I need to tell you something.”

  “Make it quick.”

  “I’ve completed the Hartwell assignment. There were some complications with Guzman and with Hope Matheson, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve made a decision.”

  “Wait, you failed to complete two of your three assignments?”

  “Well, yes. But—”

  “Listen to me, Nick. There’s a new directive, so they’ve lowered the priority level of all your assignments. We need to speak in person right now.”

  “Now?” Nick glanced over at Hope. “Can it wait till—?”

  #

  The next instant Nick was teetering on the ledge at the top of One America Plaza, five hundred feet above the ground. He nearly slipped, then a firm grip on his forearm pulled him back.

  “What’s wrong?” Lena held him fast until he found his footing.

  “You don’t just yank a person into a construct without a warning.” Never before had he felt so shaky atop a tall building.

  “We don’t have a lot of time, Nikolai, so listen carefully.”

  “All ears.” He shifted his weight from one foot to another in a vain attempt to steady himself.

  “There’s a much bigger agenda now, so I have to know if you’re on board or not.”

  “With what?”

  “If you thought getting out of the endless rut of reaper work was worth leaving your previous position, you’re definitely going to want in on this.”

  Bracing his back against a glass wall, Nick cleared his throat. “I’m having a bit too much trouble with this construct of yours to understand what you mean.”

  “This isn’t a construct.”

  She was coming so close he wanted to move away, but didn’t dare risk losing his balance.

  “Something wrong with you?” Lena said.

  “Of course not.”

  “Then why are you acting like this?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Other than behaving like an angel on the brink of mortality.

  “Never mind. What I’m about to share with you is huge. My director doesn’t know yet, but I’m recommending you for a major operation that’s right up your alley.”

  “Based on?”

  “Based on your strengths and skill set. As a guardian, as a warrior.”

  “That’s all in the past, Lena. In fact, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

  She sailed on as if he hadn’t spoken.

  “You want a job that puts you on the front lines, where you can make a difference. Not on the sidelines where the Angel Forces have so unjustly abandoned you.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “You want your talents and gifts fully appreciated and utilized, you want them to impact the mortal and spiritual realms alike.”

  “Lena, hold on a minute—”

  “I don’t want to hear any objections from you, Nick. This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.” A sly grin twisted her blood-red lips. “And when you’ve risen in the ranks of the new order, never forget that it was I who gave you this break.”

  He dared not inquire further, despite the disconnect. If his suspicions had any validity he’d best play along until he could get everything sorted out.

  “Sounds intriguing,” he said. “But what about my assignments?”

  “They’re on the back burner for now. This new campaign is much more important. It’s a huge step up for me; they’re putting me in charge. If we’re successful, I’ll be managing all the major regions in the new territories.”

  “I see.” Nick said. “You’ve been transferred to sales and marketing.”

  “Cute,” she said. “Now, once I’m in charge I can’t think of a better partner than you, what with your power, commitment to change, proactive personality...not to mention strikingly good looks.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  This was the part where the dark vapor should appear.

  But it didn’t.

  Instead, the scant cotton clouds above them parted and the full moon emerged. Heart racing, Nick peered out over the San Diego skyline as a pair of ravens cawed and flew past the top of the skyscraper. He’d flown countless ti
mes over the earth like those dark birds, never fearing he might fall. But now, were Lena to let go of his arm he couldn’t be certain he wouldn’t lose his balance, topple, and make modern art of himself on the concrete below.

  “So, Nikolai...” Each time she spoke his name he felt a little more strength ebb from him. “Are you in?”

  Best act as if he knew what she was talking about. But this felt really, really wrong. “Tell me more.”

  “I’ll be in touch with the details. Glad you’re with us.”

  “A bit presumptuous, aren’t you?”

  “I know what I want. I always get it.” She loosened her grip. “Run along, Nikolai.”

  But Nick grasped her wrist. She obviously thought he knew about this “major operation.” No matter, he’d sort it out another time. Right now his only concern was to get down from the skyscraper in one piece.

  “Send me,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Seriously?” Lena smirked. “Why?”

  He couldn’t tell her that if he tried to go off on his own he might end his human life before it really began. Instead, he ran his fingertips through her silky hair and stroked her face.

  “Because I like it so much more when you do it to me—transporting me the way you did today feels so...I don’t know...”

  “Carnal?” She lowered her voice to a seductive, breathy register. “All right, how do you want it?”

  “Transport me back to the ground. It makes my toes curl.”

  She turned him around to face the open sky. Slipping behind him, she wrapped her arms around him, pressed her hand over his chest, then nuzzled the nape of his neck and cooed. For a brief moment, his mortal flesh was tingling. As soon as he realized it, he refocused.

  He had to get away from this creature whose warm breath tickled his ear.

  “Can’t wait to make you come to me again,” she whispered.

  “That so?”

  “Mmmm...Ready?”

  He took a deep breath, then nodded. But curiosity got the best of him. He looked back and saw her eyes—really saw them. He was certain he’d seen eyes like that before, been the target of that ghastly expression.

  “Just what kind of angel are you, Lena?”

  “Angel?” She laughed as she shoved him off the ledge of the skyscraper.