Devil's Lair

by Sarah Barrie

  ‘And the staff?’

  ‘The same excuse. I didn’t think it was my place to tell them anything else.’

  He sighed heavily and rested his forehead on hers. ‘I don’t know what we would have done without you this morning. Thank you. Are you holding up okay?’

  She drew back, nodded. ‘As long as I don’t think about it. I’ve been busy so I’m fine. What was she doing back here, do we know? I thought she was gone.’

  ‘It looks like she came back to the bunkhouse for some reason, because she went to her room first, then she’s come in here. The killer must have gotten in behind her.’

  ‘You’re not going to be able to use reception for a while. Can you use your equipment out here?’ she asked.

  ‘Yeah, I’m thinking I’ll set up in this corner of the guest lounge. Then it’s not too far to secure everything in the storeroom tonight.’

  ‘I’ll give you a hand.’

  They set up a fold-out table, used powerboards and extension cords and got the equipment working.

  ‘Connor,’ Indy said, appearing just as they finished setting up. ‘I need you again. Oh, and Callie, I haven’t spoken to you yet. Give me ten?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Meghan!’ Connor called. ‘Can you get started please?’

  Meghan appeared, nervously eyeing the equipment. ‘I only just started on office. I’m not sure …’

  Callie didn’t really believe the excuse. Meghan was shaken up. She knew something far worse than a tampering incident had taken place and they couldn’t have an upset employee manning the desk. ‘I can do it,’ she found herself saying.

  ‘Really? I don’t want to get in trouble.’

  ‘You won’t because you’re going to help elsewhere. The kitchen could really do with a hand. Setting up, cleaning up … You okay with that?’

  ‘Yes,’ Meghan assured her with a trembling smile. ‘Yes, I can do that.’

  If it had been anything less than second nature, Callie would have realised what she was doing and collapsed in a mess in the middle of the foyer. She’d dealt with more people in the last few hours than she had in over a year. She spotted a couple of staff hovering and got them moving luggage and assisting guests into their rooms. It was almost lunchtime, and she had to hope that would be under control. If the guests out on activities kept coming back in staggered lots, the check-in and lunch processes should be smooth enough.

  * * *

  Connor took Indy into his office so they could talk in private, and closed the door.

  ‘Any idea what she was doing here?’ Indy asked him.

  ‘None. But you said she’d been at the bunkhouse?’

  ‘Her car’s there.’

  ‘Maybe she just needed to collect some more things. She wouldn’t have known about the goat.’

  ‘And she didn’t confide anything else to you?’

  ‘She wouldn’t say much about any of it. She was never really herself from the moment she got that envelope in the mail.’

  ‘Envelope?’

  ‘Yeah. It was black. Had some strange message on the back. Arrived around the same time I overheard her on the phone with a friend. She sounded worried.’

  ‘What was that message on the back?’

  ‘I can’t remember.’ He thought. ‘She said it was just something from an old friend. She never actually opened the envelope and it didn’t feel like there was anything in it. The message sounded like a title for a play or a movie or something. I don’t remember what it was. I’ll have to think about it.’

  ‘That would be great. How’s Tess holding up?’

  ‘She was being Tess last time I saw her: trying not to be devastated, already planning how to handle the guests. But then Callie stepped in and took over, thankfully, so she didn’t have to. She went to do what she does—activities.’

  ‘I got Callie moving,’ Indy admitted. ‘I saw the look on her face and gave her something to do.’

  ‘It was a pretty big shock—she saw her first.’

  ‘It would have been an even worse shock because last time she saw something almost identical was the day her husband attacked her.’

  ‘Oh, hell.’ Connor dropped to his chair. ‘I didn’t even think of that. I should have.’

  ‘You’ve had a shock yourself. You’re holding up. That’s enough for now.’

  ‘Are the guests safe?’

  She nodded. ‘I believe so. All the victims have been connected in a way no one else here is.’

  ‘Indy, Callie said she thought you might be trying to connect what happened to her to what’s happening down here. Is she right?’

  ‘Maybe.’ Her phone rang and she pulled it out, headed for the door. ‘I’ll keep you updated.’

  * * *

  Callie stretched her arms above her head and stifled a yawn as she sat behind the temporary desk. The police had been in and out. For the most part, Indy had dealt with the situation. Callie had been hoping for an update or two, but none had come. There was simply the endless procession of police in their various roles, collecting evidence, taking photographs, asking questions. She’d learnt nothing since hours earlier, when they’d zipped Kaicey up in a nondescript black bag and carted her away.

  Tess came in, her eyes widening when she spotted Callie. ‘You’re still here?’

  ‘I didn’t want to leave the reception hardware unattended. I wasn’t sure what else to do.’

  ‘Where’s Meghan?’

  ‘Her shift finished half an hour ago.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Tess said.

  ‘Actually, I kind of took over your guesthouse. I hope you still think I was helpful when you see what I’ve done. You know about the complimentary drinks and for the ones I could shove out the door, complimentary activities. Also Meghan ended up helping with food prep, because there was a greater volume of people than you normally deal with heading to the buffet at the same time. And two couples checked out earlier. I couldn’t print them out receipts so I’ve promised to email them. You’ll have to do that because I didn’t think I should touch your email account. Also, there was a problem with room fifteen’s heating so I moved the guests into twenty-one. It’s an upgrade but there weren’t any equivalents available. Lastly, there are rumours circulating about what happened this morning and many of the staff ended their shifts quite upset that they’d been kept in the dark. You’re probably going to have to deal with that first thing.’

  ‘That all sounds perfect. Are you okay?’

  ‘Yeah. You?’

  ‘As okay as you are,’ Tess said with a small smile. ‘Connor went to the police station. I don’t think he’s back yet. Do you want to have some dinner, or a drink or something?’

  ‘No, but thanks. I think I’ll just head home.’

  ‘Okay. Callie … do you think you could help out again in here tomorrow—just until we get organised?’

  ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘No problem.’

  She got into her car and leant her head on the steering wheel to take some deep breaths. Had she really just done that? Taken over the guesthouse, organised activities, made executive decisions and dealt with dozens of people for most of the day? It beat the hell out of her little bed and breakfast.

  She flopped back in her seat and started the car. She’d go home, cook an easy dinner and rest. Because it looked like she was doing it again tomorrow.

  A bang on her window jolted her from her thoughts. Ned. She slid the window down.

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Was gonna ask you that.’

  ‘You’ll have to talk to Connor. I can’t—’

  ‘It’s Kaicey, isn’t it?’

  ‘Ned, please just talk to Connor.’

  ‘I want to know!’

  ‘Then talk to Connor!’

  As soon as he straightened from her window, she took off.

  She got home, showered, made a sandwich. But when she sat down to eat it, she couldn’t. Had she thought she was hungry? Tired? She was both, yet she
didn’t think she’d sleep any more than she could eat.

  When headlights swept onto the drive, and an engine stopped outside the cottage, she closed her eyes and prayed it wasn’t Ned. She didn’t have it in her to be polite tonight. She went to the door.

  ‘Connor.’ His face was devoid of colour, his eyes tired, but he smiled as she let him in.

  ‘I thought you might like some company.’

  ‘Company?’

  ‘Today was bad enough, then Indy reminded me that last time you saw something like that was the day you lost your husband, and I’m guessing got arrested and had your whole life turned upside down.’

  ‘That pretty much covers it. Except the “and thought I was going to die” part. That was a pretty big part of the—’

  He silenced her with a kiss. A long, desperate meeting of mouths that she needed more than oxygen. She wrapped her arms around his neck and walked him inside.

  ‘This is not why I came,’ he said against her mouth. ‘I just wanted to—’

  ‘Shut up.’ She didn’t want to talk.

  His hands, those big, rough hands, slid up and down her back, pressed her closer, slid into her hair. Wherever they touched they ignited sparks.

  ‘Are you sure?’ he asked.

  ‘I want to feel. I want to forget.’

  ‘God, so do I.’

  She tugged at his jacket and drew him into the bedroom. Their mouths remained melded as clothes fell, scattering. She tripped over her jeans as she kicked them off, falling onto the bed. He came with her. Everything was heat and light and energy as he touched, tasted, teased. And then she exploded; a flash of intense pleasure before he plunged inside her, his own needs sending him quickly over the edge.

  She felt his weight, enjoyed it as the aftershocks of their lovemaking reverberated through her system. She almost complained when he rolled off to lie beside her. But she could breathe again. And as she did, her heart rate slowed. She turned her head to see him watching her, his expression warm.

  ‘Thanks for getting there quickly,’ he murmured with a wicked grin.

  ‘I have to say it was my pleasure.’

  He chuckled, twisting onto his side to rest his head on his elbow. He gently stroked the hair from her face. ‘I came over to make sure you weren’t a mess.’

  ‘I was working my way up to it, I think. I’ve been on autopilot all day.’

  He pulled her onto him, so she was in the crook of his arm, resting her hand over his heart. When she finally pulled away to sit up, she glanced around the room for her clothes.

  ‘Guess we made a mess.’

  ‘Guess we did. I think most of your stuff ended up over in the corner.’

  ‘I see it.’ She got up to retrieve it and he snagged her wrist. He drew it to his mouth, grazing the sensitive skin with his teeth, kissed the same spot.

  ‘You’re beautiful.’

  ‘Every woman likes to hear that.’

  He put his hands on her cheeks and touched her lips lightly. ‘And amazing, and strong and capable.’

  ‘We all just did what we had to do.’ She burst into tears.

  He held her quietly and stroked her back as she pulled herself together.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said when she could speak.

  ‘Had to happen,’ he said, holding on. ‘It’s been a hell of a day.’

  ‘And you want to get going.’

  ‘You think I’d just leave?’

  ‘I don’t expect you to stay.’

  ‘It’s not about expectations.’ He brushed his fingers lightly down her cheek.

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘Oh—I brought food. In case you’d decided you weren’t going to eat. It’s still in the car. I wasn’t expecting …’

  ‘To be ambushed?’ she asked with a watery smile.

  ‘Any time—seriously. But that was my fault. Traditionally I think I’m supposed to offer you dinner first.’

  She laughed, which she assumed was his goal. ‘Dinner wasn’t what I needed.’ But it surprised her that she was now hungry. ‘What did you bring?’

  ‘A bit of everything. I’ll be back.’

  She set the table, poured two glasses of wine. She had no idea what he liked in reds, hoped the merlot was okay.

  He returned with six containers.

  ‘You weren’t kidding,’ she said when she saw the amount of food.

  ‘Wasn’t sure what you’d feel like. Want me to heat up the meat and pasta?’

  ‘I’ll do that. I opened a merlot. I hope that’s okay.’

  He tasted it, nodded. ‘It’s good. Want me to start the fire?’

  ‘Yeah, that’d be great.’

  They ate by the fire, and through unspoken, mutual consent, talked around today’s tragedy rather than about it.

  ‘I thought Ned might have turned up. He came over to my car when I was trying to leave. He wanted to know if it was Kaicey.’

  ‘Yeah, he found me. Has he been bothering you again?’

  ‘Not at all,’ she said quickly. ‘Other than right after Cliff died, I haven’t spoken to him. He’s gone into his shell.’

  ‘Logan said he can barely get a word out of him. It’ll take time. He’s grieving. His father was a really big part of his world.’ His finger traced the line of her jaw, sliding up to play gently with her hair.

  A sigh trembled out of her. ‘I hope this is the end of it. If it is that Adam person, I hope he’ll be satisfied with his revenge and stop killing. At least long enough for Indy to catch him.’

  ‘She’ll get him,’ Connor said with absolute conviction. ‘It’s what she does.’

  ‘Right, of course. It still doesn’t explain—’ She stopped, tilted her head to listen as a sound outside caught her attention.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘I’m not sure.’ When it didn’t return, she shrugged. ‘Probably nothing. I think the atmosphere out here is getting to me. Do you know about the history of this place?’

  ‘Bits and pieces. It’s pretty bad.’

  ‘Cliff had black tourmaline all around the house. He told me it had to stay exactly where it was.’

  ‘What is that?’

  ‘I didn’t know either, so I looked it up. It’s a grounding stone that channels healing so I suppose he believed in crystal healing. It’s also believed to be a powerful protection against dark energy. So I wondered why it was on all the doors and windows. Was I imagining being freaked out in the house? And what’s with the strange circle things? Every time I go in there I spot another one. They’re there, but they’re not all that obvious until you really look. Cliff said they’re hexafoils and Paisley told me Cliff thought they trapped demons.’

  A smile slid across Connor’s face. ‘Do you think the house is haunted?’

  ‘You don’t suppose it’s possible, do you? These dreams I keep having, they’re so weird. They started just after I found Ava’s plaque down by the river and tidied it up. I don’t even believe in all this stuff but it’s almost like she’s trying to tell me something, connect with me in some way. It makes no sense, I realise. Jeez!’ She jumped from her chair as a loud scream rang out from not too far away.

  ‘You’re okay,’ he said, and took her hand to gently tug her back into her seat. ‘That’s definitely a Tassie devil screech.’

  Callie released the breath that had caught in her throat and allowed her fingers to remain linked in his. ‘It’s a seriously disturbing sound.’

  ‘We get them out at our place occasionally, but I would have thought you were too close to town here.’

  ‘Apparently they used to have burrows by the river. Jonah said his nan used to see them a lot.’

  ‘That’s great.’

  ‘He also said they came out here for the dead stuff.’

  ‘Interesting kid, this Jonah. Devils are carrion feeders, so I suppose they could be encouraged to come around if food was left out for them.’

  ‘He is an interesting kid.’ She smiled. ‘He also tells me he knows all about monsters
.’

  Connor laughed. ‘No wonder you’re on edge out here. Maybe you need some of that tourmaline stuff. I could draw a circle for you—hey,’ he objected when she punched him playfully.

  She grinned and yawned, suddenly tired. Then she jumped. ‘Jonah said, “Sorry about your friend.”’

  ‘Okay … and?’

  ‘I thought it was a strange way to refer to Cliff.’ She shook her head. ‘Nah, I’m being paranoid. He couldn’t have meant Kaicey. No one knew until this morning.’

  ‘Come on,’ he said, and pulled her up. ‘You need to sleep.’

  CHAPTER

  27

  ‘Where have you been?’ Tess asked as soon as Connor arrived back at the guesthouse.

  ‘Isn’t there something you should be off doing?’

  ‘I’m doing it—minding reception. So? You were at Callie’s, weren’t you?’

  ‘And if I was?’

  Her smile was brilliant. ‘I think it’s wonderful.’

  He didn’t know whether to be pissed off or amused. She just knew him too damn well. At least she was giving him the third degree and not crying in the corner somewhere. He could tell by her eyes she’d spent a decent amount of last night in tears. He felt a bit guilty, then shook it off. Kaicey had been an employee and a friend, and she didn’t deserve to die the way she had. He’d grieved yesterday and he’d grieve for some time to come. But he wouldn’t regret those few hours of reprieve with Callie.

  ‘Thanks. How are you holding up?’

  ‘Okay. Better because Meghan and two other staff have called in sick but Callie’s going to be helping out again and she’s really good at all this. She did a great job yesterday.’

  He was certain the staff members weren’t sick and silently thanked Callie. ‘She won’t be long—wasn’t far behind me.’ He did a quick walk-through of the building, spotted Indy in the dining room.

  ‘How’s it all going?’

  ‘Hi. You should have your reception room back tomorrow. We’re just about finished up. I’ve organised for someone to come in and give it a forensic clean before the end of the day.’

  ‘Appreciate it. Have you got the bastard yet?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘When you do, can I have five minutes alone with him?’