A Deep and Dark December(79)

He gentled his tone. “I know you do, Babe. Where are you?”

She glanced around at the parking lot of the strip mall. People came and went, going about their day as though nothing was wrong. “Shopping.”

“Come to the station.”

“Why? So you can yell at me some more?”

“Erin, just come. Please.”

“No more yelling at me.”

“I can’t promise that, but I’ll try.”

“All right.” She clicked her phone closed with a sigh and tossed it into her purse. At least Graham hadn’t turned against her. She had one person on her side. The most important person.

It was a short drive to the station and in no time, she parked and went inside. Jessica had the phone pressed between her ear and shoulder while she filed her nails. Mabel had called in to stay with Erin’s father, which was where Erin had found her that morning when she’d spilled her secret about her ability. If only she could go back in time. But then what was the alternative?

Jessica hung up the phone. “Well, if it isn’t Witchy Woman. Now I know how you managed to land Graham.”

“I don’t have that kind of ability.”

Jessica rose from her chair and came around the desk. “He’s not going to want you when he finds out what you are, you know.”

“He already knows.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Is he here?”

“He’s busy.” Jessica planted her hands on her hips. “Why don’t you go practice your voodoo on someone else?”

“Knock it off, Jessica,” Graham said.

Erin jumped at the sound of his voice. “Jeez. You scared me.”

Graham put a hand on Erin’s low back. “Sorry.”

“How can you touch her?” Jessica asked, disgust evident in her expression and words. “Don’t you know what she is?”

“I said to knock it off.”

“How clever of you,” Jessica taunted, edging toward them. “You put a hex on him so he can’t see what you are. But I see. I know.”

Jessica’s reaction was more than unexpected. It was extreme, over the top. Could this too be the killer’s doing?

Erin drew closer to Graham. “Stop it.”

“Murderer,” Jessica sneered, her lip curling as she stalked closer.

Graham wrapped his arm around Erin. “No more, Jessica. Not another word.”

“She was at the house,” Jessica continued. “I bet she’s the one who killed Deidre and Greg. And how convenient.” Jessica stood just inches away now. “Using your powers to mess with the sheriff’s head. I bet you made Keith kill himself. Got rid of the obstacle in your path to Graham.” Jessica leaned in and Erin could see the fever in her eyes just like the one that burned behind her father’s gaze. “You’re not going to get rid of me. He’s mine!”

She lunged for Erin. Graham put a hand out to stop her, but Jessica got in one good swipe before he hauled Erin back. Erin gripped her cheek where Jessica had dug her nails in. The gashes burned. Erin backed away, shaking. Jessica was shrieking now, struggling against Graham’s hold to get to Erin.

“Go,” Graham told her. “I’ll take care of Jessica. Go home. I’ll call you.”

Erin snatched her purse up from where it had fallen when Jessica had attacked her. Her head ached from fighting back the tears, but she managed to stumble down the steps to her car.

“Monster!” someone shouted, drawing her attention to the crowd gathering.

“Witch!”

“Freak!”

Someone grabbed her elbow. She spun, ready to strike.

“You’d better get,” Graham’s father said, his fingers biting into her flesh. “Go someplace else. Move to another town, another state. Stay away from my son.”

She jerked her arm free and ran to her car. As she pulled away she thought she saw Ham smile, all teeth, his stare flat and penetrating right into the center of her chest. She hit the gas, leaving behind the town she’d once loved, the town she’d tried so hard to fit into.

*

Graham wrestled Jessica into her chair and leaned over her, bracketing her with his hands on the arms of the chair. “You’re lucky I don’t lock you up for assault.”

“She deserved it.”

“What in the hell is wrong with everybody in this town?”

“We’re finally seeing her and her family for what they are. You don’t want her, Graham.” She ran her hands up Graham’s arms and locked them behind his neck, trying to draw him down to her. “You want me.” She licked her lips. “I know how to make a man feel good. Real good.”

Graham pulled his head back and tried to move away, but she hung on, yanking him toward her. He had no choice but to grab onto her to keep them both from going down.

“What’s going on here?” Ham shouted.

Jessica wriggled closer, pulling Graham’s head down, aiming for a kiss.

Graham clamped a hand over her mouth and pushed her head back just before she connected. “I have no idea. This whole town has gone completely insane.”

“You’d better not be using your position as sheriff to cut a swath through the women in this town.” Ham shook his finger at his son, his face flushed and sweaty. “I raised you to respect the union between a man and a woman.”