Ghostly Justice (Seven Deadly Sins, #2.5)(14)
“I did a little surveillance,” Grant said. “I can park a block down, kitty corner to the club and keep my eye on the entrance. I’ll be on my radio, Carter has one as well. Small, concealable. I’ll hear everything that’s going on, so stick with Carter.”
“What did you learn from the information about the camp?” Moira asked Grant.
“Between Jeff and me, we contacted the remaining six families who had girls staying in the cabin, plus the counselor. Everyone is accounted for. No one is missing.” He looked glum. “Maybe you’re wrong.”
“Wrong about what?”
“The killer might not be from the victims’ cabin—”
“I said nothing about the killer. I said that someone in that cabin cast a very dangerous truth spell over the place, it killed all the plants in a five foot radius, and she is involved in the coven responsible for Amy’s death.”
“Whoa,” Carter said. “Coven? As in witches and warlocks and broomsticks?”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Moira snapped. “We explained earlier about black magic and blood sacrifices.”
“I didn’t take you seriously.”
Rafe took Moira’s hand to keep her from slapping Carter. It jingled with the many bracelets she wore. He said, “If you can’t be serious, and understand that we have a lot of experience with the occult, then you will be a danger to yourself and to us in that club.”
Carter stared at him, but Rafe didn’t back down. Finally, Carter said, “I understand. I’m not necessarily buying into everything you’re saying, but there’s enough weird stuff going on in Defiance that I won’t discount a threat even if I can’t see it.”
Moira asked Grant, “Is something watching the six girls? What about the counselor?”
“What am I supposed to tell them? That they were cursed and if they’re virgins they’re going to have their blood sucked out until their hearts stop beating?”
“What good are the police if you can’t keep your eye on a few girls who are in immediate danger?”
“I don’t have six cops to put on six girls. Not to mention the counselor. Especially on the word of a...a...hell, I don’t even know what to call you. If I even mention psychic to my chief, he’ll laugh his ass off before he fires me.”
“I’m not a psychic!”
Rafe glanced at her. She was, and she knew it though she had never admitted it and fought the designation every step of the way. How else could she explain her visions? She called them dreams, but they didn’t come only in sleep. The vision at the willow tree was only the latest.
Grant didn’t push it. He exited the freeway and almost immediately they were in a light industrial area. The only businesses that were open flashed neon signs proclaiming nude dancers, half-off drinks after midnight, or all-night dancing.
Grant said, “Tomorrow we’re going to go through the rest of the campers—those who weren’t in Amy and Beth’s cabin, but were there the same week.”
“Tomorrow will be too late!”
Grant glared at Moira in the rearview mirror. “You could have screwed up this whole investigation talking to the camp owner. I told you both to stay out of it.”
“Like I care,” Moira snapped. “The only important thing is to stop the ritual that is going to take place tomorrow night.”
“No, the important thing is to find out who killed Amy Carney and put him or her in prison.”
“If this is truly a vampiric coven like we think,” Rafe said, “there’s more than one person involved.”
“Then I want to put them all in prison,” Grant said. “Don’t f*ck it up. This is an off-the-books investigation right now—at least related to the club. If there’s nothing there, I want to know so I can focus my efforts elsewhere. If there is a connection, I need something solid that I can take to my boss. Something more than Moira’s psychic feelings.”
Moira rolled her eyes and looked out the window as Grant pulled over on a narrow side street that intersected another narrow street.
“Defiance is across the street, down at the other corner. There’s no visible markings on the building,” Carter said, “but there’s a bouncer. He’s my CI.”
“I need to get out of this car,” Moira said. “This corset or whatever it is they call it is not only too tight, it itches, so let’s get going before I decide dressing like a vamp isn’t necessary for this game.”
Chapter Six
Moira had her inner shields up as they approached Defiance so that any magic wouldn’t overwhelm her. Slowly, with each step, she let the atmosphere seep in as they grew closer to the club. Light spread dully from the lampposts, indistinct in the misty drizzle that had started to fall. It was also oddly quiet for an L.A. neighborhood, only the distant sound of cars and the low beat of music breaking into the still night.
She released her internal guard bit by bit as she walked. She felt something in the air, but it wasn’t focused. Dark magical energy flitted around her, touching her without purpose. She held her bare arms a few inches from her body, palms up, trying to touch the energy so she’d know what type of spell was at work. She wasn’t scared; this energy wasn’t aimed at her or anyone specific. It was more a gentle pulse, soothing and comfortable.