RAVEN'S HOLLOW (13 page)

“Only if the word
fun
has suddenly become a synonym for debacle.” He snagged a mouthful of Rooney’s tea before propelling her into a corner crammed with dusty, sheet-covered furniture. “This gathering is a ticking time bomb. You should be as far away from it as possible.”

She sent him a guileless look. “Your suggestion might have worked out better if you’d mentioned it earlier. That way, instead of being here, Jerk could be playing pool with Brick, who’s completely freaked at the thought of his brother participating in a Bellam séance.” She pushed a meaningful fist into his stomach. “How long has Jerk been guard-dogging me?”

Catching her balled fingers, Eli brought them to his lips. “Since you and Orley went into Ben Leamer’s corn maze and you came out with the news that a monster had been added to the mix.”

Part of her softened, couldn’t help it. Another part resented his need-to-know attitude. “I thought we’d established that all murderers have monsters living inside them.”

“They do, but I sense a growing separation of entities with this guy.”

“We’ve established that, too, Eli. Monster wants me dead, stalker wants you dead.”

Tipping her chin up with his knuckle, Eli stared into her eyes. “Which creates the very intriguing question, Sadie. Who is it that wants both of us dead?”

* * *

T
HE
QUESTION
HAUNTED
her throughout the séance.

As if an order had been placed for the occasion, the thunder that had been rumbling over the north woods crept closer. Rain lashed the windows and pummeled the old roof. The raft of candles Molly had lit fluttered atmospherically in a dozen different drafts. Even with Sadie knowing that not a single aspect of this was real, her fingers felt like ice when they joined with those of her tablemates.

Rooney sat in apparent thrall, his eyes closed, his features thrown into skeletal relief by the center candle. Orley seemed annoyed, but surprisingly offered no snotty comments. Brady wore an expression that suggested his mind was elsewhere. Ty looked tense and a little uneasy. Molly might or might not have been in a trance. Jerk jiggled a leg in his chair—out of boredom, Sadie suspected, more than nerves. As for Eli, he watched the entire gathering without appearing to, and occasionally let a small smile cross his lips when her eyes slid to his profile.

Keeping her own eyes firmly closed, Molly attempted to invoke her chosen spirit. “We call to the one who left our world too soon. We seek the knowledge she possesses. We seek truth. We seek—”

The last word was swallowed up by a peal of thunder that made the lids of the teapots rattle.

“You, who were threatened long ago, are dead in body. None among us can say why. But there is one in our realm who knows the truth. One who seeks to repeat his heinous act, who would commit to the afterlife another of your blood. If you can hear me, sister spirit, if you can help us, let your presence and your knowledge be apparent to all. Speak in whatever manner you choose. Send to us a sign that you are among us.”

The candles flickered wildly as lightning split the blackness beyond the window. The table bumped. A second later, the door flew open, a blast of cold air rushed in and the candles blew out as one.

It couldn’t have been more than two seconds before Eli’s flashlight flared. Yet in those seconds, chairs were shoved in all directions and feet clattered. A body—no idea whose—slammed into Sadie, who stumbled into Eli. The flashlight fell and rolled. Ty barked out an order while Jerk—she thought Jerk—grunted.

Eli caught Sadie before she wound up on the floor. “Are you all right?”

“What? Yes. I’m just... Where are we going?”

“We need light.”

It took them several seconds to access the wall switch. By the time the chandelier flared, everyone except Rooney was on his or her feet and scattered.

“Okay.” Halfway across the room, Orley raised both hands. “That’s it, folks. That was one creepy interlude. I’m not a believer, but I swear, something cold and wet brushed across my face.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Ty scoffed. “It was the wind. A shutter blew open in the other room. That blew the door in, and the wind did the rest. Tell her, Eli. Someone’s playing a sick prank is all.”

“I’d take it a step further and say someone wanted to scare the crap out of us. One of us more than the others, I imagine.” En route to the covered furniture, Eli crouched beside his great-grandfather’s chair. “You still with us?”

“Didn’t spill a drop,” the old man replied with a toothless smile. He lifted his mug at Sadie. “Pure shinola.”

“Sadie?” Molly ventured tremulously.

Willing her heart out of her throat and a calm expression onto her face, Sadie exhaled. “It’s fine, Molly. I’m fine. I think Eli and Ty are right. Shutter, door, wet-wind effect, mass palpitations. And yeah, the crap pretty much scared out of us.” She regarded Rooney. “It was really good shinola.”

Molly’s features remained ghost white in the dim overhead light. “I think we can agree that’s an ending. Someone or something did not like what we were doing.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” Sadie glanced at Eli and made a subtle gesture for him to look down. “Someone or something was nice enough to leave me a gift. Not in quite the same condition as the last time I saw it, but I imagine that’s the point.” Raising her hand, she let Nola’s locket dangle on its chain for everyone in the room to see.

The once oval-shaped locket had been smashed so badly out of shape it was barely recognizable. And what she could see that the others couldn’t were the two chilling words that had been scored into the old gold backing.

DIE WITCH!

Chapter Sixteen

Yes, she was rattled, but no way would she let it show.

The sight of Nola’s locket, which, as far as Sadie knew, had been placed in a safe-deposit box at the local bank two years ago, wouldn’t have shocked her or anyone quite so much if it hadn’t been hammered flat.

So, not merely struck once or twice with intent to cause damage, but rather bashed to within an inch of its life. Or metaphorically, she supposed, hers.

It took the better part of two hours to search Nola’s rooms, clear out the guests and ensure that Rooney was transported safely home. On the way back to the manor, with rain bouncing off the roof of her Land Rover and thunder still rumbling, Sadie turned the ruined locket over in her palm.

“I know this is the monster’s handiwork, but why does everything suddenly feel so tragic to me?”

Eli glanced over. “Is that how it feels? I was thinking repressed violence myself. Teetering on the edge of insanity and building for an enraged final act.”

“Huh.” She regarded the scored words in the next flash of lightning. “You got a lot more out of this particular message than I did. Or maybe than I wanted to. Now, on top of everything else, the killer—monster—whatever—has branded me a witch.” She couldn’t control the shudder that started in her belly and rose. “Does this mean I’m facing the prospect of eighteenth-century torture tactics, or is it just an incredibly effective way to terrify the living hell out of me?”

“I’d go with the second thing. The witch label’s the killer messing with your head.”

“In that case, his gamesmanship’s bang-on, because I feel totally messed right now.”

Eli’s next glance held an undercurrent of steel. “Dead’s not an option, Sadie, unless your twisted gift giver’s playing the part of the corpse.”

“He rigged that shutter to blow open and the door after it, didn’t he?”

They’d reached a fork in the woods. Braking, Eli reached over and turned her head until their eyes met. “Don’t let him do this to you. This is a killer acting out what he can’t physically achieve. It’s words, and him planting seeds of fear, then hoping they’ll take root so you’ll do something stupid.”

“Like go to a séance in a house full of shadows and draped furniture and really bad lighting. The killer could have shoved a knife in my back as easily as he gave me this locket.”

“No.” Eli kissed her lightly on the lips. “He really couldn’t.”

“Trying very hard to believe you here, Lieutenant.” She waited through a lightning strike before asking, “Why?”

“Your dress has pockets, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you discovered the locket inside one of those pockets.”

“Again, yes.”

“Did you find it because you felt it being slipped to you?”

“No. I found it when I was helping you look for the light switch, and I bumped into a chair. I felt it—ah, right—on my hip. Got it.” The smallest of smiles touched her mouth. “The locket could have been placed in my pocket any time, even before the séance started.”

“I’d put my money on before. Were you ever alone in the room?”

“Not really. Molly and I were there together for a while.”

“Doing what?”

“Arranging plants and crystals, lighting candles, creating scent zones.”

“Did you do a test run with the chandelier off and only the candles lit?

Amusement stirred. “You’ve met Molly, right? Of course we tested it, several times.”

“Were you and Molly alone at that point?”

“By light-testing time? No. Orley, Brady and Ty arrived in a clump. And she paid a couple of delivery guys from the supermarket to bring party trays for after the séance. They came, gawked, placed their trays and left.”

“So there were people milling, however briefly. Lights on, lights off, furniture covered, shadows everywhere and you wearing your signature perfume.”

“You noticed it?” A smile blossomed. “That’s...nice, actually.”

His eyes slid down, then up. “There’s not much I don’t notice about you, Sadie.”

Because teasing was easy and fun, she fluttered her lashes at him. “Does this mean we’re going to have spectacular sex after all? And before you ask, yes, I’ve been accused of having a one-track mind before, many times.”

“Ditto, but we need to ride out the first track before we switch over. No matter how it was delivered, Nola’s locket was intended for you.”

“Meaning my monster’s target-specific—with lockets, bullets and likely crossbow arrows, as well. Big sigh of relief for anyone who’s not me. Or you. Well, sometimes you. I’m confused.”

“Actually, you’re right on top of it. The killer’s not after Rooney or Orley or Jerk.”

“Lovely. Again, though, only if you’re not me. Or us. Are we done with this conversation, because my brain’s about ready to implode?”

“Done enough.” He skimmed his thumb over her lips. “For the moment.”

Completely off-kilter, Sadie sat back to regard the turbulent night sky while Eli completed the tricky climb to the manor. “You’re thinking Cal could have snuck in at the prep stage and given me the locket, aren’t you?”

“Ty figures Cal hid under a sheet or behind a piece of furniture while the participants filed in. Séance started, stuff happened, the room went dark and Cal snuck out, nice and tidy.”

“Is that what you think?”

“No.”

“Gonna tell me why?”

“Are you up for a crash course in police logic?”

“Another ‘no’ would have done there, Eli.” She indicated the far side of the manor. “Park in the carport. If the wind picks up and decides to topple a tree, I don’t want it falling on my Land Rover, which still has six months of lease payments left on it.”

“You bought this vehicle on a lease?”

Her eyes fired a dangerous warning. “Don’t start with me. I know exactly what I gave up to come here and run the
Chronicle
.
New York Times,
buckets of money, Manhattan condo and monsters who, for the most part, wear business suits.” She waited through a long peal of thunder before angling her head at him. “Are you ever going to tell me who it is you almost hurt?”

He parked the Land Rover under the shelter, cut the engine, but left his iPod running. Nirvana might not have been the most romantic of bands, but a driving beat coupled with the screw-you lyrics added an edge to his suddenly closed features.

When he didn’t immediately respond, she took a chance and added a gentle “I get that you don’t want to talk about it, or her. But if something that happened in your past is preventing us from having amazing sex in the present, can’t I at least know part of the reason why?”

Sadie couldn’t begin to read his expression when he finally did look at her.

Troubled, angry, brooding, distant. What she could see was his mind sliding back to whatever time had generated those particular emotions.

“Her name was Eve,” he revealed at length. “And I came so close to shooting her—killing her—that I blew out a window right behind her.”

Whatever horror she’d been anticipating, it wasn’t that. Sadie started to speak, reconsidered and sighed. “I don’t know what to say, Eli, what I should say. ‘I’m glad you didn’t shoot her’ seems awkward and obvious. But I also know there must have been a reason for that to have happened, and it doesn’t involve you falling off some shaky psychological ledge. So let me sidetrack and ask you this. If it was only for one night, and we both knew that, understood and accepted it, could you get around what’s been and give yourself permission to enjoy what could be? What is, right now, at this moment?”

Staring out at the night, he gave a small laugh. “You mean can I live, however briefly, in the present rather than the past?”

“Well, yes, but my way sounded much more profound. There’s a person out there, Eli, an Ezekiel Blume who wants me dead. If you’re Hezekiah and I’m Nola, it makes sense that this modern-day Ezekiel wants you dead, too, before the legend kicks in all the way and you get desperate enough to bring in an evil spirit—and for evil spirit, read backup—to help you trap him.”

Traces of that vague humor lingered on his face. “Those recent dreams of yours have really done a number on your head, haven’t they?”

“Dreams, bullets, phone calls, text messages, a dead raven, a decimated locket and the knowledge that there are very few places in or out of the Hollow where I actually feel safe.”

“I won’t—”

“I know. You won’t let him hurt me. Kill me. But what if you die trying to save me? Or you die because the monster half of my stalker wants it? I can’t think of you dead, Eli. I’m not sure I could live knowing you were gone, whatever the reason.” Threads of tension began to creep up her neck and into her skull. “Would leaving Raven’s Hollow help either of us at this point?”

“Sadie...”

“Didn’t think so. And even if it would, Laura’s murderer would still be out there. He’d continue to go unpunished for a crime he committed twenty years ago.... And I have absolutely no idea how we got here from where this conversation started.”

“We were talking about me setting aside my emotional baggage long enough for us to make love.”

“Interesting how a side trip through hell can put such a huge crimp in such a simple—or I thought simple—question. Forget I asked it, okay?”

“So you don’t want to have sex?”

When her temples began to throb, she used her fingers to push back the pain. “I thought I did, but honestly, at this moment? All I want is about six aspirins and a whack on the head to induce sleep. Just walk me inside so I can feed Cocoa, fall into bed and pretend no part of tonight ever happened. You and Ty are clever cops. Join forces and you might actually have this nightmare dealt with before you and or I wind up facedown in Raven’s Bog.”

She didn’t wait for him to open her door, but slid out and set her sights on the entrance.

Painkillers, hot drink, hot bath, bed. It wasn’t what she’d thought she wanted, but it would do.

Thankfully, there was no dead raven on the welcome mat, and her front door was locked and bolted. Small favors, major relief. As long as the entry wall was still draped and taped, she’d be fine.

If Eli didn’t want to be with her, that was fine, too. No sex, no problem. He wasn’t the only person at the manor who had issues. Bellam women sucked when it came to building and maintaining relationships. And she compounded that with a constant need for change. She’d moved from city to city to town so many times over the past seven years that there was very little point in unpacking anymore.

Fortunately, those city stints had taught her how to walk quickly in high heels. She had the door unlocked and opened before Eli made the stoop.

Or thought she did.

One of his hands planted itself on the frame while the other grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Was that your idea of a dramatic exit line?”

He was angry, she realized, and wanted her to feel the same way. No problem. She moved her lips into a sugary smile. “Sorry to disappoint you, Lieutenant, but there was no drama intended. I changed my mind about us, simple as that. Go with the cliché of it being a woman’s prerogative. You’re not interested, and I’m not willing. Anymore.”

She started to turn back, but he held her in place with his body. “You were willing enough a minute ago.”

“Well, that’s the thing about women in general and Bellam women in particular. We’re changeable creatures. One minute we want chocolate, the next it’s ice cream. The trick is to catch us before we switch.”

His eyes slid down to where he pressed her against the door. “You seem caught from where I’m standing.”

“Physically, yes. Unfortunately, I’m not in the mood for chocolate anymore, so back off, Lieutenant, before I call on my ancestor to turn you into that lizard you mentioned once.”

His eyes glittered in the next bolt of lightning. “A raven would be more appropriate.”

Both her temper and her blood heated up. “Already been done. I’m going for something new. Step back, Eli. Now.”

“When we’re done here, sweetheart. It’s not about me being interested.”

It took a second for Sadie to recall her earlier accusation. “If being interested’s not part of it, you and I have very different ideas about why people have sex.”

“I’m married to my work, Sadie. I have been for the past twelve years.”

“Congratulations.” She shot him another come-and-go smile. “I hope you make yourself very happy.” Exasperation took root. “I said sex, Eli, not a lifetime commitment. I already told you, Bellam women are terrible at forever, so no worries there.”

Bracing his other hand on the door, he lowered his head. They were so close now that when the lightning flashed, she saw flecks of gold in his green eyes. “I don’t want sex with you, Sadie. I want to make love to you.”

“It’s the same....” But it wasn’t, and her heart recognized the difference instantly. Her mind was another matter. Reining in her annoyance, she sighed. “If that’s true, why are we fighting?”

“Probably because I don’t want to fall in love with you.”

“What? Fall...?” Who said anything about falling in love? Panic scuttled in. “Eli, I’m not... I can’t... Did you hear anything I just said? Have been saying all along? Love, marriage, relationships, Bellam women. We’re the ‘d-y-s’ in dysfunctional.” She planted her palms flat on his chest. “Most of us never make it to the altar, and those who do make everyone involved wish they hadn’t. Ty might not know it, but he’s a very lucky man.”

“Yeah? So what am I?”

She fisted the T-shirt under his jacket. “About two seconds away from turning ice cream back into chocolate. Eli, understand, this is insanity.”

If it was possible, his eyes grew darker. “I’m a direct descendant of Hezekiah Blume, Sadie, remember? Insanity works for me.”

Before she could utter another word, he took her mouth with his.