A Stitch on Time 5 (19 page)

I leaned on the table. “I met Henry at the Monster Coffee Break diner because he wanted to tell me what was really going on inside the Tower. He told me the energy levels below the building were reaching dangerous levels and that the spooks we captured weren’t being sent to their rightful place. He wanted me to help him solve this problem and was going to secretly sneak me inside, but Vixen shot him between the eyes.” I paused, sitting back. “She ran, and one of the waitresses—Sheila—said she’d take care of his body. Later on, Gareth told me Henry had been found dumped behind the Spook Catcher Council Tower. Looks like Vixen took care of the other councilors as well, but with all the crap that’s been going on, I’m not surprised it took this long for anyone to discover them.”

“I’ll speak with Sheila.”

“You know her?”

“Everyone in the supernatural world knows Sheila,” Saul said with a mischievous smile. “Her diner is a safe haven for all of us—whether predator, hunter or visitor.”

“Vixen’s dead, so she’s not going to be any help.” I’d killed the bitch and didn’t regret it. Not after everything she’d done. Besides, she’d bitten my sister, and the only way to beat the infection was to end her life.

Saul looked at Papan. “When do you think she got her hands on your weapon?”

“No idea.”

“She could’ve done it any time during the last six months,” I said. “She was pissed with Papan for being with me and felt ignored by him. I mean, why else would she team up with Mace and then wind up helping a couple of demented werewolves? She wanted me dead and turned against you because we’re together.”

“Vixen was crazy,” he said, squeezing my hand.

“This is going to be a total clusterfuck without an alibi, but I’m sure I can get you out on bail.” Saul made another note. “Your gun will have your fingerprints all over it, and I doubt Vixen was dumb enough to touch the weapon without gloves so things can’t be proven without a doubt. This’ll probably end up going to trial.”

“Don’t be so sure about Vixen’s intelligence,” I said. “She wasn’t as smart as she thought she was.”

“And I’m pretty sure the gun was spotless,” Papan added.

“What do you mean?” Saul held his pen poised over his notebook.

Papan shrugged. “Like I said, I haven’t used that gun in ages and I like to keep my weapons clean. So, her prints might end up being the only ones on there.”

The demon lawyer scribbled something on the open page. “That would certainly help with ballistics.”

“Do you know if they’ve checked my place yet?” Papan asked.

“They’re probably working on getting a warrant as we speak.”

“Saul, tell us what the worst-case scenario is. They can’t keep him in this room forever.” I didn’t even want to think about what they would do if Vixen had successfully planted more evidence against him. She was still screwing us around from beyond the grave.

“Shapiro can hold Jason for four hours without charging him. They’ll also work hard to convince the magistrate that bail isn’t a good idea.”

“Now isn’t the best time to be away from Fox.” Papan glanced my way. “Not after what happened at the estate. Mace is watching her from the shadows, so I don’t want to leave her vulnerable to attacks. You have to do whatever it takes to get me out of here.”

“I can take care of myself,” I said, squeezing his hand. “But after what happened to you, I don’t want to be away from you either.”

“Jason, she’s not as vulnerable as you think,” Saul said. “With the Hecate Ritual complete, she can overcome any threat in this patch and many others. Besides, she won’t be alone. I intend to stick to her like superglue, and by being open to Hecate, there are others who will be on the lookout.”

Diana claimed all of Hecate’s children could feel each other when they were in trouble or in need, and so far both she and Saul had proved the theory.

“Don’t worry about me,” I said. I was glad I’d been the one to tell Papan all about the Hecate Ritual my grandmother conducted and how the results manifested while inside the shadow patch.

“She’s in good hands,” Saul said, rubbing his palms together.

“Don’t ever rub your forced metaphysical connection in my face again.” Papan’s eyes flashed to amber. “I appreciate your willingness to keep her safe, but remember your place.”

“Now that she knows who I am, I’m sworn to protect her. It’s what her grandmother intended, but you shouldn’t suspect any bad intentions on my part. My interest in Sierra isn’t a romantic one.”

“Hey guys, thanks for talking about me like I’m not even here.”

Papan’s frustration was so strong I could feel it vibrating. He leaned closer, staring into my eyes. When I spotted a dimple and the quirk of his lips, I knew our bond was affecting him. “I know what your connection is,” he finally said, but didn’t get a chance to say anything more because the door opened behind Saul.

“Okay, douchebags, your time is up!” Shapiro charged into the interview room with his partner trailing him. “That’s enough chitchat. We’ve got to have a talk of our own with Papan.”

“Not without me you’re not.” Saul stood and turned to face the cop. “You might have personal aspirations of grandeur, but you can’t legally speak to or harass my client without me being present.” He moved closer and lowered his voice. “I know what you’re doing, and you’re not going to force him into a corner so he’ll say something incriminating. Jason Papan is innocent of all these ridiculous charges.”

Shapiro laughed. “We don’t have to do anything to prove his guilt. He’s done that all by himself.”

“You don’t have anything concrete to prove he murdered anyone.”

“Oh no? We’ve got the gun used to execute the councilors, and it’s registered to him. It’s also got his prints all over it.”

“You’re bluffing. There’s no way a ballistics report has been returned yet.”

“I don’t need a report to know he did it,” Shapiro spat.

“I’m sure you’ll soon find that your assumption is wrong.”

“Whatever you reckon, Sear. We’re searching his place as we speak—”

“You didn’t show me a warrant for his domicile.”

“I didn’t show you, but Papan saw it before you got here.”

Papan shook his head.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“It means you better kiss your lover goodbye because you’re not going to see him for a very long time. He won’t even qualify for conjugal visits.”

“We’ll apply for bail,” I said. I would put the money together.

“That won’t happen for a few days,” Shapiro said with an ugly leer.

“You should be ashamed of yourself,” I said.

He slammed both hands onto the table and leaned into me. “I’m following the law,
freak
. He shot four people in cold blood and left three of them dead inside a building for days! No one gets away with that on my watch.”

“Goddammit Shapiro, I didn’t do this!” Papan jumped out of his chair and was on the detective in seconds. He shoved him against the wall, pressing his forearm tightly beneath Shapiro’s chin, applying pressure.

“You’re assaulting an officer,” Shapiro said breathlessly.

Papan tightened his grip.

I rushed across the room but stopped when I spotted Papan’s eyes burning amber. Cream-colored fur sprouted along his arm, even his face appeared more angular. Papan was struggling to keep the wolf at bay. I could see the sweat dripping from the tips of his hair and down his temples. The shift was already in progress.

“Jason,” Saul warned. “Keep it together.”

“Papan,” I added.

A growl tore out of his mouth.

Shapiro winced. “What the fuck is going on? Get this asshole off me!”

“Papan, look at me,” I said, stepping close enough to place a hand on his furry forearm. All the muscles tensed beneath my touch but he turned his head. “Let him go, we don’t want this to escalate any further. Please.”

He looked deep into my eyes but didn’t move, so I wasn’t sure if I was getting through.

“Please.”

Papan didn’t look away until the amber receded from his irises and was replaced by green. He released the detective but didn’t step away. “I didn’t kill those people and you know it.”

“All I know is that there’s always been something off about you, and the councilors didn’t like your girlfriend. It doesn’t take a genius to put everything together.” Shapiro rubbed his throat while glaring at Papan.

“Someone framed me.”

“Sure they did.”

Several officers charged into the interview room and rammed Papan against the wall, away from Shapiro.

Burns stood back, watching with a frown. “Show’s over. It’s time for lawyer and girlfriend to get the hell out,” he said.

“Not if you’re questioning him further,” Saul said with a shake of his head.

Burns sighed. “We’re not going to question him without his lawyer present.”

“That’s not what your partner is saying.”

“It’s what
I’m
saying,” Burns said. “Now go, we’re all going.”

I reached for Papan but the police officers blocked my advance.

“Let him be,” Shapiro spat. “Didn’t you slut it up enough already?”

Fury clenched inside me and the tattoo blazed along my skin. If Saul hadn’t chosen that moment to take my hand and lead me out the door and into the corridor, I would’ve done something I would later regret. I’m glad he did because causing Papan more trouble wasn’t an option.

I looked back, over my shoulder and met Papan’s gaze only a second before the door was slammed in my face. My hands were shaking so much I could feel my shoulders tremble.

“Hey, don’t lose it, okay?” Saul wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me to the reception area. He helped me into one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs and took my tattooed hand. “Listen, he’s going to be okay. I’m going to have a word with someone for a sec. I have to make sure what Burns said was right. They can’t legally press him for more information without me there. Can you wait here for me?”

I wanted to nod, to speak to him because he was trying to help. But the words and actions wouldn’t come. I felt cold inside, hollow.

“Sierra, look at me.”

Somehow, I managed to move my head and met his blue eyes.

“Will you wait until I get back?”

I forced myself to nod. Where was I going to go?

He stood. “You look exhausted.”

I’m not exhausted, I’m pissed off,
I wanted to yell at him
.
Instead, I stared at my hands as he approached the front desk. Better to trace the tattoo than risk attracting the attention of the spirits loitering around the waiting area. Their wispy cold bodies beckoned for me to notice. But I couldn’t, there were too many spirit zones, and if I didn’t ignore all of them I’d get dragged in.

I bit my bottom lip, grateful for the meditating exercises Oren insisted I practice. I’d been improving enough to stay focused without astral projecting.

“Sierra, hey, I just heard what happened.”

I glanced up just as Gareth sat beside me. He was dressed in his police uniform, even had his hat and utility vest on. Actually, he looked like he’d just gotten in.

“Are you all right?” He pressed a hand over mine and quickly removed it. “I rushed to your office block as soon as I heard, but you weren’t there and no one would tell me where you were. I even called nearby hospitals.” He focused on the seat. “I was worried about you.”

“I—I’m fine,” I lied.

“Are you sure?” He frowned and his eyes softened. “You don’t look fine.”

“I’m not sure how much more crap I can take.” My life consisted of one huge problem after another. Hecate Ritual or not, I wasn’t sure how much more I could deal with.

“Sierra, you’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. If anyone can overcome so many impossible obstacles, it’s you.” A small smile teased his full lips. “Besides, you have a lot of good people willing to help.”

I nodded, and couldn’t help but wonder if Oren and Willow had heard about what happened to my office building. If they had, would they want to see the damage for themselves? I hoped not. Not with that asshole Duff nearby. I needed to let them know I was okay, but couldn’t summon the energy to call.

“Who are you waiting to see?” Gareth asked softly.

I cleared my throat so I could push the words out. “I’m waiting for Saul.” I sucked in a quick breath. “Papan’s been arrested for murder.”

“I know.” His hazel eyes widened. “Who did he supposedly murder?”

I almost laughed, because while Papan wasn’t responsible for this, he had killed someone—his own brother. Hell, I’d killed two people the same night. “They’re saying he shot the four councilors.”

Gareth shook his head. “But that’s not possible.”

“You try telling that asshole, Shapiro.”

“Shapiro’s leading the case?”

I nodded.

“Shit, that’s not good. He’s got it in for Jason and will do everything within his power to push this investigation in the direction of guilty.”

“Isn’t that against the law?”

“Not if he has enough evidence.” Gareth stood. “I’m going to poke around a bit and see what I can find out. I’ll call you if anything helpful pops up, okay?”

I looked at him, grateful for his kindness and willingness to help even though things between Papan and him weren’t exactly friendly. “Sure, thanks. I appreciate you helping Papan, even though—”

“I’ve already told you, I want you to be happy,” he said. “And Jason makes you happy.” He narrowed his eyes. “I also dislike Shapiro very much, so it’s a win-win situation.”

I smiled and he left me sitting alone on the plastic chairs, once again determined to keep the cold spots from sucking me in.
Come on, Saul. Hurry up.

As if in answer, Saul reappeared and held out a hand. “What’s wrong?”

“Too many ghosts in this place,” I said, taking his offered hand. As soon as I did I felt a lot better, as if some of the sadness and burden washed out of me and into the demon. It felt like the comforting touch of a sibling.

“Let’s go.”

I took one step at a time, concentrating on every move but paused just before stepping past the automatic doors. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead.

“What’s wrong now?”