Mercy for the Damned (14 page)

I’m pretty sure he meant that as a compliment.  “Um, okay.  I guess it’ll be fine for a while.  Parker sort of has this rule about no boyfriends hanging out at work, but considering the circumstances, he can’t complain too much, as long as I don’t ignore the paying customers.” 

“Maybe he won’t care so much if I’m buying?”

“I meant to ask you, where
do
you get your money?”

“Oh, you know… around,” he shrugged dismissively. 

“No, I don’t know,” I frowned, not at all happy he’d blown me off.  “Seriously, how do you afford to set up Sam in his apartment or wherever you live?  Where do you live by the way?  And what name do you go by?” 

“Does it matter?”

“A girl does like to know these things when she lets a guy into her heart, not to mention her bed.”

“Why?  You know everything important there is to know about me.  You know things about me that people I’ve known for hundreds of years don’t even know.  Besides, whatever name I’m using now isn’t my real name anyway.”

“Do you know how embarrassing it is to have to admit to people that I don’t know the last name of the guy I’m in love with?  I had to tell the cops I was dating Parker to get them off my case.”

“I knew there was something funny going on with you and Parker,” he narrowed his eyes at me, but I’m pretty sure he was teasing.

“Really not the issue on the table here.  Adam, if we’re going to make this work, you have to let me into your regular life.  You know all about me and how I live because you’ve been keeping tabs on me.  But I have no idea where you disappear to when you’re not here.  I don’t know if you like Chinese food or sports or sappy movies…” 

Adam mulled that over for a long moment, nodding faintly.  “Fair enough.  I guess I don’t have all that much practice sharing those things with anyone.   For the record, yes, I do enjoy Chinese food, the spicier the better.  Sports, I could take or leave, it depends on the game, but I don’t follow any particular teams.  I have been known to watch a sappy movie or two in my lifetime, but that’s not something I would like distributed as common knowledge,” he grinned. 

“Thank you,” I returned his smile, inordinately pleased he’d taken me seriously.  “I’m not saying we have to learn everything there is to know about each other in the next ten minutes, but I’m glad you’re willing to share.”

“I’ll go you one better.  As soon as we get Ben back and things settle down, I’ll take you out on a real date and you can ask me all those inane questions people bore each other with over a steak dinner and greasy popcorn at the movies, what do you say?”

“A real date?” I blinked, the idea both surprising and appealing.  “I’d love to.”  It felt like the first normal plans I’d made in… I couldn’t remember how long. 

“Great.  I’ll even let you pick the movie.  Within reason, I don’t do musicals or Muppets.”

“Aw…” I pretended to pout, giggling inside at the idea of Adam singing along to a Muppet musical. I had at least two of them in my DVD collection.  “I think I can work with that.”

“Oh, and by the way, in this current incarnation I go by Adam Anderson.” 

“Really?  Huh.”

“What?”

“It’s so… ordinary,” I shrugged.

“You were expecting something sexier?  Ordinary is good when you’re trying not to attract too much attention.  It’s a name on the lease, Mercy, it has nothing to do with who I am.” 

“Thanks for telling me,” I gave him a heartfelt smile.  “And now, I’d better get ready, I have to call Parker about Luz and pick up my vest from the dry cleaners before work.  Still feel like tagging along on those boring errands?  It’s okay if you’d rather hang out here.”

“Actually I think there are a few errands I should see to myself after being gone for so long.  How about I meet you at Eden later?” He leaned over to steal a kiss, and I came away with a silly grin on my face. 

“Sounds like a plan.  I’ll count the minutes until we’re together again.” 

“You don’t have to leave yet though do you?”

“Did you need me for something?”

“I thought you might give me a hand.”

“With?”

“Washing my back?”

“Just one hand?” I quirked a single brow.

“I’ll take whatever you can spare…”

* * *

It was quite a bit later when I left the apartment, a bit flushed but happy, on my way in to the club.  I wasn’t sure whether or not to bring up my reservations about Luz and her friends to Parker or not, but he was the only one who knew how to contact her.  In the end I decided to say I wanted to talk more about logistics and what the witches might need from us to pull it off.

“Hey, Luis.  Is he in?” I asked our part time bartender, pointing to Parker’s office door.

Luis nodded, barely looking up from the blender.  I didn’t often work when he did, but he was getting a lot more hours lately with my crazy schedule.  If things kept up, I’d end up the relief bartender and he’d end up with the full time gig.

I walked on back to Parker’s office, not bothering to knock since he was expecting me.  “Hey, boss,” I called out, surprised to see Luz already there, looking very chummy with Parker, sitting on the inside corner of his desk while he smiled up at her.  “Ah, hello, Luz.” 

“
Madre de Dios
… What happened to you?” She rose from the desk, coming around to get a better look at me while I gaped back at her, not quite sure what to say to that.

“Ah…”

“You shine,
chica
.  Doesn’t she Parker?”

“I’ve always thought so,” he shrugged, unconcerned. 

“Um, thanks, I guess.”  I didn’t feel particularly shiny, I felt stressed out and a little tired.  Chalking it up to the Grace, I pushed on.  “Thanks for coming to meet me like this.”

“No problem, I kill two birds with one stone,” she smiled in Parker’s direction.

“Did another bird need killing around here?” I asked, but they were too busy making sexy eyes at each other to hear me, I guess.  “So, um…”

“I’m sorry,” she focused her attention on me again.  “I hear you got your angel out of hot water, congratulations for that.” 

“Yeah, thanks.  It wasn’t without cost, but hopefully this averts the worst of the prophecy.  We still have to get back in to steal Ben out though.  How much notice will you need to get the witches ready to go to do the ritual?  Once we get him back, it’ll be tough to keep him under wraps for very long.”

“It won’t take long, maybe a few hours to get everyone together, they are all on standby.  I told them to keep the night of the Solstice free in any case.”

“It’s really decent of you all to help us.  I know we didn’t talk about any kind of payment…” I began, more than a little uncomfortable bringing it up.

“No,
no te importa
… don’t worry about that, we are happy to help,” she waved me off.

“Really?” I smiled, glad my instincts about her had proven correct.

“Of course.  As I say before, we have seen these things coming from a long time ago.  It is our sacred duty to help.”

“Besides, I’m kicking in free drinks for the witchy after party back here,” Parker grinned.

“Something tells me Ben won’t be up for a drink, but I’m in,” I sighed, picking up an apron to start my shift.    

“Yes, Parker told me about him, he’s a policeman?”

“Yep, he’s a detective, or at least he was.  Hopefully he doesn’t lose his job over this.  It’s not like he can tell anyone what happened to him.”  Yet another thing to worry about. 

“People believe what they want to believe.  I’m sure he will be able to straighten it out, especially if he was a valued asset to the department.”

“Speaking of bacon…” Parker muttered as the door opened and Detective Santiago let herself in without knocking either.  Instead of singling me out like I expected, her eyes lit upon Luz.  

“Jadeluz?  You’re mixed up in this too?”

“If you mean mixed up in getting a drink and unwinding with a friend, then yes, I guess I am,” a roll of the eyes was given.

“You two know each other?” Parker’s eyes narrowed as he looked from one woman to the other, and Luz gave a half shrug.

“We’re cousins.  Not that she likes to admit it so much anymore.” 

The detective kept the same undercurrent of hostility in her voice I’d come to expect, clearly family made no difference to her in attitude.  “I’d prefer to keep my private life just that, private.  What brings you down here Jadeluz?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but like I said, I’m here to see a friend.”

“Miss Renault?”

“I like to keep my private life just that, private,” Luz threw back in her face with a smug smile. 

“Is there something we can help you with Detective Santiago?” I interrupted before things devolved any worse. 

“I’d like you to come downtown with me.”

“Is that really necessary?  What else would you like to know?  I think I’ve been pretty good about answering all of your questions.” 

“I think it’s best if we don’t discuss it here.”

“Is there a problem?” Parker rose from his chair, coming around to stand beside me.

“That all depends on Miss Renault here,” the detective replied evenly. 

“Mercy, you don’t have to go with her,” he frowned, but I shook my head, untying the apron.

“No, it’s fine.  Let’s get it over with.  I’ll be back later, okay?  Tell Luis I’m sorry to stick him with the hours.”

“Don’t worry about it, angel.”  Parker stepped in close.  “You call me if you need anything, alright?”

“I will, I promise,” I nodded gratefully.  “We’ll talk more later,” I added to Luz.  “Come on then, let’s get this over with,” I sighed, wondering why Detective Santiago seemed to be the one person on the planet who didn’t respond favorably to my Grace.  What would happen if I managed to touch her… could I send her some soothing vibes to get her to chill the fuck out?

* * *

I’d never been hauled down to the police department before.  The only times I’d been down there had been with Ben, and I’d been treated with the respect and kindness due to a girl who’s known for dating a cop.  But that trip was a different story entirely.  Even though she didn’t parade me through the precinct in cuffs, I could definitely feel the difference in the air as she led me back to the interview room.  Maybe it was my imagination, but it felt like every pair of eyes that looked my way were hooded with suspicion and hostility. 

As soon as I took a seat, Detective Santiago left the room without another word.  Maybe she wanted to keep me off balance, maybe it was a power play.  All I know is, the longer I sat there, the more nervous I got.  “Adamiel…if you can hear me, I need you on standby,” I murmured, seriously debating whether or not to make myself dim and sneak out of there unseen.  Only the worry I was either being recorded by a camera hidden in the room, or being actively watched from behind the two-way mirror kept me in my seat. 

With longing I looked at my phone tucked into the pocket of my purse on the table.  Would it seem guilty or normal if I sent Adam a quick text?  Only… I had no idea if he still had that phone number after his stay in Midian.  I had just decided to risk it, when the door opened, and Detective Santiago came in, a manila folder in her hands. 

No opening greeting, no thank you for waiting, she plopped a series of black and white photos down on the table in quick succession.  “Do you know this man?”

I recognized Sam right away, entering my apartment building, coming out of the corner market, standing in the rain outside the movie theater next to a blonde that was most likely Daphne.  The days of Sam passing unseen from human eyes were long gone, especially since he’d started hanging out in public with Daphne so frequently.  “Yes, I do, he’s a friend of mine.”

“What’s his name?”

“Sam.”

“Sam…?”

“I have no idea what his last name is,” I answered truthfully.  “Why do you want to know about Sam?”

“He’s wanted for questioning in the Charles Weatie killing.  I think you’re familiar with that that case?”

Uh oh…
  “Of course I am, that’s the guy who attacked me.  That’s how I met Ben in the first place.  Look, Ben didn’t think Sam had anything to do with that Weatie guy’s death.”

“Detective Gates’ notes say otherwise.” 

“No, this is crazy.  Ben knows Sam, he’s seen him at my apartment before.  He’s talked to Sam himself.  If there are notes in his files, they’re out of date.”

“Easy for you to say without Ben here to corroborate it though, isn’t it?  In fact, I’d say it’s pretty convenient.” 

“You know what?  I think I’d like to make a call now.”  I reached for my purse, and she slid it across the table, out of reach.  I opened my mouth to object, but the door swung open and Adam slipped in, raising a finger to his lips.  Detective Santiago gave no sign she noticed at all.

“You know what I think happened?”

“I can’t wait to find out,” I murmured, trying hard to pay attention to her instead of Adam, who propped himself against the wall.  He’d either gone back to his place to change or had gone shopping, wearing an elegantly tailored black suit, the black shirt open at the throat. 

  “I think he found out you’d been seeing your buddy Sam on the side the whole time.  Maybe you hired Sam to take care of Weatie for you when the cops had to let him go, or maybe your lover volunteered.  Either way, he took Weatie out and Ben found out about it.”

“Wow, talk about an active fantasy life.  She’s in the wrong business, I’m pretty sure there’s a Lifetime movie in there somewhere,” Adam smirked, and I darted a look to let him know he wasn’t helping.

I scrambled to answer because she had it half right, Sam
had
killed Weatie.  Ben just hadn’t ever mentioned prosecuting him for it.  “I’ve never dated Sam, he’s my best friend’s boyfriend actually. You’re definitely on the wrong track here, Detective.”

“Nice one, you’re a natural born liar, baby,” Adam gave me a supportive wink.

  She continued as if I hadn’t spoken a word.  “I think he confronted you.  Maybe you didn’t mean to hurt him at first.  Maybe you wanted him to look the other way, drop it.  But Ben’s too good a cop for that.  He wouldn’t turn a blind eye for a pretty smile, so you did what you had to do to silence him for good.”