Destiny's Wrath (Destiny Series - Book 3) Page 10

Samael dressed and picked up Bert’s cell phone, scrolling through the contacts. He selected the contact that said, “Thornton,” and dialed.

  Chapter 15

  “Hello, Dennis?”

  “Hi, Bert, what’s up?”

  “I was wondering if you have been badgered by a young couple from Ridgeville?”

  “Uh, I guess so. They are nosing around about the case.”

  “What do you know about them?”

  “Well, not much. They seem okay. They met with Jimmy’s mother and have asked me some questions.”

  “Really? What kind of questions?”

  “They are pretty adamant about wanting to speak with Jimmy. They say he’s got a friend that put him up to this, but they don’t know his last name or where he lives. It sounds like a rabbit hole to me.”

  “I’m sure it is. What is this supposed delinquent’s name?”

  “They said his name was Samael, but like I said, they didn’t have any information on him. I told them to get a hold of me if they could get any information on his identity or his whereabouts. It feels fishy, but the kid might have had an accomplice.”

  “Hmmm, I don’t like loose ends, Dennis. Maybe I should meet with this couple?”

  “How did you hear about them, anyway? Did they try contacting you, too?”

  Dennis heard a brie hesitation before Bert responded, “Yes, I received a sketchy voice mail, but before I returned their call, I wanted to know if you’d had any interaction with them.”

  “I’ve talked to them a couple times. They seem to be on the level, but no proof of anything. Their names haven’t made it into any reports.”

  “Good, say, why don’t you contact them? Let’s meet them at the station tonight.”

  “Tonight? Bert, it’s already after ten.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of telling time, Dennis. If they want to be heard, let’s hear what they have to say. Let’s keep this between you and me, for now. We don’t want the chief getting wind that someone out there thinks we’ve left a stone unturned.”

  “It’s pretty late. How about I tell them to meet us tomorrow morning?”

  “Officer Thornton, I’d like to meet them at the station tonight. Tell them to be there in an hour.”

  His friend had just pulled rank. Dennis knew he wasn’t in any shape to work. He was exhausted and had had a few beers. Telling Bert that he was under the influence wouldn’t go over well, either. “Okay, I’ll tell them.”

  Dennis hung up with Bert and dialed Lauren. When she answered, Dennis said, “Hey, I know it’s late, but the lead detective on Jimmy’s case wants to meet you tonight.”

  “He does? Is everything okay? Did something happen to Jimmy?”

  “He told me he got your voicemail and wants to meet with you, to see if you’re legit - before the Chief of Detectives hears about you.”

  “I didn’t leave anyone a voice mail. What’s his name?”

  “Detective Ross. He sounded a little pissed. Unless there’s a good reason not to go, I think you two should meet us at the station tonight.”

  “Uh, okay.”

  Dennis had a breathalyzer in his squad car. He blew into the device and looked at the reading: .08. Dennis knew showing up at the station without his squad car would be bad if anyone noticed, but he couldn’t take the chance of driving. Dennis called Maggie, who was used to his odd hours. He decided it would be better to be on the outs with her for asking for an obscure favor, rather than lose his job over a DUI.

  Maggie did pick up Dennis and drove him to the station. As he opened his door to get out, her voice was angry. “Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that you have to work and you’re too damn drunk to drive yourself. This place is like a ghost town, so just let me walk in with you. If no one’s around, you could let me see Jimmy.”

  “Maggie, you know I can’t. He said he doesn’t want you to see him like this. I promise I’ll check on him while I’m here.”

  “Ask him if he needs anything. Ask him why he won’t see me. Tell him I love him.”

  Dennis could see it coming: she was on the verge of a melt down again. He leaned over to her in the driver’s seat, put his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her forehead. “I will, I promise.”

  “I can wait for you here, to give you a ride home when you’re ready.”

  “Naw, I’ll be fine. Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Dennis walked into the station and found Bert sitting at his desk. His posture seemed odd. Normally Bert was hunched over files strewn all over his desk; tonight he looked different somehow. “Officer Thornton, so nice of you to join me this evening.”

  “Yeah, sure, whatever you need, Bert. So, why the interest in Lauren and Max?”

  “It sounds as though you’re pretty chummy with them.” Bert leaned in more closely, while Dennis eased back in his chair. “Do I smell alcohol, Officer Thornton?”

  “I had a few beers earlier.”

  “And you thought it wise to come to work while you were under the influence and assist me with an interview? I know of your connection with Jimmy’s mother. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to sabotage this case.”

  “Uh, no, I didn’t think…I mean you said you wanted to talk to them tonight.”

  “And you neglected to inform me that you were unable to assist me this evening, is that correct?”

  “Listen, Bert, you said you wanted this to go down tonight. You were adamant that we not wait until morning. I’m not drunk, I’m fine.”

  “Do you realize showing up here in an official capacity while under the influence of alcohol is grounds for termination?”

  “Bert, hey man, what do you want me to do? I’ve already had three cups of coffee.”

  “I’ll need to decide what best to do with this situation. If I turn a blind eye, it looks as though I am condoning your behavior. For now, go, sleep it off. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”

  Dennis was scared. All he ever wanted was to be a cop. One stupid decision and it could be erased. Bert was right: if he did nothing and someone found out, it would be Bert’s ass on the line. He mumbled to himself, “I’m such a frickin’ imbecile.”

  With near sonar hearing, Bert replied, “Yes, you are. Now get out of here before someone else smells you.”

  Dennis was making his way down the steps in a hurry as he saw Max and Lauren climbing them. “Hi, Dennis. Where’re you going?”

  “Detective Ross wanted to talk to you two alone. Just check in with the Desk Sergeant. He’ll take you to him.”

  “Are you okay? Has something happened we should know about?”

  “No. But . . . don’t say anything about talking to me at Ebony’s house tonight, all right?”

  Chapter 16

  Lauren

  Dennis was shaken, and I could sense fear from him. I nodded that we wouldn’t mention our earlier encounter. He continued down the steps without so much as a second look in our direction. We found our way to the Desk Sergeant, and just as Dennis had said, he took us to Detective Ross.

  Detective Bert Ross stood up from his desk. “How can I help you two?”

  Max cleared his throat, “We wanted to see Jimmy Jacobs. Dennis Thornton called us tonight and said we should meet with you.”

  “I’m sorry, Max, Jimmy isn’t permitted visitation from anyone other than his lawyer. You haven’t passed the bar since the last time we spoke, have you?”

  I felt my eyes bulge, really seeing him for the first time. Samael was right there in front of me with a gun and badge, the lead detective in the case.

  Max didn’t see it; he looked confused, “I’m sorry, have we met?” He held out a friendly hand. Before the detective could take Max’s hand, I slapped it away.

  I shouted, “You son-of-a-bitch.” All eyes from the little room were on me, “Don’t touch him!”

  Three officers in the room stood up and looked as though they were ready to tackle me. Samael gave them a dismissive wave. “Why,
Lauren, it’s always a pleasure to see you; I cannot imagine what you two hope to accomplish here.”

  I growled, “We came to see Jimmy, to save him from you, you leech.”

  An evil grin spread wide across his face. He lowered his voice so only Max and I could hear, “Jimmy is a criminal. A murderer. But don’t worry, my sweet; he’ll have his day in court. I wonder what his defense will be? A demon made me do it? No, probably not – he was always so pliable, so willing to keep the secret. I bet he takes it to his grave.”

  Samael reached out to touch my hand. I yanked it away a second too late and felt his hand brush mine. The revulsion oozed from me with the words, “Never touch me.”

  “Lauren, you must realize, you are in an awkward situation. I am, after all, ‘Johnny Law’ in this town. Do not try my patience, or I’m sure I can find a reason to get you a cell right next to dear Jimmy.”

  Max stepped in front of her, “Samael, what’re you doing? Renny and Dakota are in town. Showing yourself to us is a quick way to get the detective killed.”

  “Ahhh, Max, I’ve missed you as well. Who is going to tell them? You? I think not. You and I still have our bond, don’t we? You always were averse to murder. No, I think you’ll keep the secret just as well as Jimmy.”

  “So, why did you want to see us? Just to let us know that you’re alive and well?”

  “A simple message: Back off. Leave this one alone.”

  “But if you made Jimmy…”

  Samael cut him off in a harsh whisper, “I didn’t make that little piece-of-shit do anything. He had it all planned out. He is exactly where he deserves to be. Now stop meddling and go home.”

  “How can you say you didn’t have anything to do with it?”

  “Just as I said, your presence is going to do the little hoodlum no good. Be on your way while you still can.”

  I returned Samael’s smile, over my initial shock, “You’re afraid. I can feel it. Whatever you have planned, you’re scared we’re going to get in the way.”

  Samael’s expression never wavered, “I must be having a Scooby Doo moment. You meddling kids need to mind your own business.”

  I felt the physical power I commanded, the strength I took from Samael all those months ago. I saw his wallet setting on the desk, and picked it up right in front of him. I held my smile, never breaking eye contact with Samael, and removed the badge, letting the leather holder fall to the desk. I held the tin shield in my palm, bent it in two, then began rolling it with my fingers until it took the shape of a long AAA battery. “Max may be averse to murder, but I’m not. You aren’t the law. You aren’t anything.” I could feel Max’s eyes burrowing through me, and I knew he was silently telling me to back off.

  Samael’s smile finally began to fade, “I assure you, I am the law. Push me further and I will become your greatest fear.”

  “You had that role once, remember? That was before I took your power of sight, your physical strength, and the body you took refuge in. You care to go against me again? What do you have left for me to take?”

  It was as if thunder echoed through Samael’s voice, “Enough!! I am through with your little games.” The three police officers in the room scrambled to their feet, and a young one in a starched uniform with razor sharp creases actually drew his weapon, focusing it squarely on me. In a more calm voice, Samael continued, “You both have a purpose, as do I. Provoking me in front of these mortals will solve nothing. Go now before the rookie shoots you.”

  Max grabbed the back of my shirt and tugged me backwards. “Okay, Samael, we’ll be on our way.”

  I allowed Max to pull me backwards; we were at the top of the steps before I let my stare waiver. Samael wasn’t locked up; he wasn’t hidden from humanity. I was still holding the rolled up badge in my palm. I said, “Hey, Detective Ross, this is yours.” I flicked the rolled up shiny metal directly at him; as I turned my back, I heard it twang on the floor.

  Max gave my sleeve a hard tug, “C’mon, we need to go, now!”

  I started down the steps. Before we got to the bottom, I called to Renny, “Meet us at our motel tomorrow morning. Bring the Council.”

  Her response came through loud and clear, “Lauren, you’ve seen Samael?”

  “Yes. Have the Council meet us at our motel tomorrow morning. We’re going to need your help.” I blocked any further communication with Renny so she wouldn’t see what we had just seen.

  Max, who couldn’t hear my communication with Renny, said, “I think we should call Dakota.”

  “Dakota? Why Dakota?”

  “She’ll know what to do, and it won’t involve killing a police detective.”

  “I just told Renny to bring the Council to our motel tomorrow morning.”

  Max looked frustrated, “I don’t think that’s such a great idea. That Detective Ross didn’t ask for any of this. He’s still inside somewhere. Turning the Council loose on him puts his blood on our hands.”

  “More than the other nine people that Jimmy killed?”

  “Their blood isn’t on our hands. You heard Samael. The kid did the murders all on his own.”

  “And you believe him?”

  “Lauren, I don’t like him, but you heard him. If he were responsible he would have been bragging about it. There’s got to be a way to get him out of Detective Ross without killing the Detective. I think Dakota will help. I don’t think Renny will be willing to take the chance.”

  “I want him destroyed.”

  “I do, too, but not at the expense of another innocent. We should try to meet with Detective Ross, offer to help him.”

  “Offer to help him? I only saw Samael. How do you think we make contact with the Detective?”

  “We’ll figure it out.”

  Chapter 17

  Samael

  “Detective Ross, is everything okay?” The rookie with the starched uniform was confused by what had just taken place.

  “Everything is fine, officer.”

  “Did you want us to tail them or anything? It’s kind of a slow night; I don’t mind.”

  “Not necessary,” reading the rookie’s nametag, “Walowitz. I know exactly where the two are headed. They’ll be no trouble.”

  I looked at my watch, “Looks like the graveyard shift is in full swing. Excuse me for a minute,” to no one in particular. I’d been through the police station enough the last couple days to know my way around. Let’s see, through the double doors, down two flights of steps, around the corner, and wa-la! I looked up at the yellowing sign on the caged area in the bowels of the basement, “Evidence Locker.”

  A cheerful voice offered, “Hey, Bert, congrats on the murder wrap up! Haven’t seen a case closed that fast in twenty years.”

  “Well, thanks. It helps when the suspect confesses at his first opportunity.”

  “Yeah, did he really just ramble on about the whole thing?”

  “Full confession, all evidence intact, even gave us all the information on the bomb he planned to make.”

  “Well, congrats anyway. You should get a parking spot for that case.”

  “Maybe. Now that’s wrapped up, we’re working on a drug sting. I’m going to need to sign for $50,000.”

  “Uh,” the evidence custodian picked up a clipboard, “I’m not showing a sting on the sheet. Has the chief signed off on it?”

  “Would I be here if he hadn’t?”

  “Right, but Bert, there isn’t anything on my list. Do you have a requisition form?”

  “Everything should be in order. Believe me, I wouldn’t need to be here at midnight to sign for some cash if there weren’t a sting going down. I’d much rather be home sleeping.”

  “Bert, I understand, but with no requisition form and nothing on the property transfer register, I can’t get you the money. You know that.”

  “Right. I thought the chief had cleared everything. Let me give him a call.”

  “You’re going to call the chief, at midnight?”

  “If he ne
glected to fill out the necessary forms, he’s putting my op at risk. I’ll just call and find out where he put the forms. Is tonight Thursday or Friday?”

  “Thursday, why?”

  “The chief has a standing appointment with a friend of his every Thursday. I’ll need to phone him at her place.”

  I pulled Bert’s cell out of my pocket and scrolled through his contacts. I saw the chief’s number programmed in, but scrolled past it. I dialed Maggie’s phone instead. I’d better make this sound good. “Hello Maggie, I’m looking for the chief.” I knew she’d think I was talking about her precious Dennis, and this custodian wouldn’t bother to check my story if I could make it sound convincing enough.

  “Hi, Bert, no, I dropped Dennis at the station over an hour ago.”

  “No, he left shortly after, said he needed to get back to your house. He didn’t go back? Oh, well, do you know where I might find him?”

  “Bert, I thought you called him in tonight?”

  “No, sorry, it wasn’t me. Listen, he was supposed to fill out some paperwork before he left, and I am not sure where to find it. Could you ask him to call me as soon as you see him?”

  “I doubt I’ll see him tonight. He probably went home.”

  “Ah, I understand. I’ll try him at his house then. Thanks, Maggie.”

  Disconnecting the phone, I looked back at the property manager. He had hung on every word and asked conspiratorially, “The chief has a girlfriend?”

  I did my best to wear a clandestine look, “I never said that.”

  “Sounds like you’re pretty chummy with her.”

  “No, just tight with the chief. I’m surprised he neglected the paperwork. It really isn’t like him. He has always had meticulous attention to detail. Are you certain the off-going custodian didn’t file it in the wrong place? I don’t mind calling the chief at his house, but his wife can be rather difficult. She’s on to his Thursday night rendezvous. I’d hate for the chief to take it out on you if he sent the paperwork down and the property department lost it. Remember the last time he had the entire cage re-inventoried when the single bullet casing walked away?”