Calling the Dead, page 27
“She is represented by Our Lady of Charity and is married to the warrior god Chango. If this had been done in his name, I could understand. Those whom Chango favors usually get what they want, since none of the other Orishas want to go against him.” He turned and faced Sept, appearing to have thought of something. “Whose house is this?”
“Mine, though I haven’t been here much lately.” Sept peered up from her notes and tapped her pen on the page. “Why?”
“I’m no psychiatrist, but I don’t think this was a sacrifice. Well, partially one, but more like a gift to you.”
Sept ran a hand along the top of her head, making her hair swirl in crazy directions, but she didn’t care. “Now you lost me.”
“Think about where this was done and who he killed.”
“I knew Roxie, but we were never lovers.” Sept’s face got hot since her father was standing nearby.
“That’s not what this is about. You’re chasing him down, and he knows that somehow, and he killed someone you work with where you live. It doesn’t get any more personal than that.”
Sept told him about the killer’s phone call while he was still in the apartment. “He called me ‘warrior.’”
“Then the next god he’ll try to impress is Chango. By calling you warrior he must think you’re already a favorite of the warrior god, but in his mind he’s better, since the other Orishas are helping him. I’ll put something together for you, but I want you to meet someone.” Julio stepped out of the room and took a deep breath once he was well away from the bedroom. “I realize you put no faith in this religion, Sept, but this person can give you more insight than I can.”
“Insight how? You’ve done a great job so far.”
“I believe, and I’m a high priest because I know the academic side of things and all the rituals. But you need to meet with the high priestess Matilda Rodriguez. Matilda is the best conduit between the world of the Orishas and this one that I know.”
“If you can set it up, I’ll be happy to go.” Sept held her hand out to him. “Is there anything else?”
“What did the note say? If you can’t tell me, I’ll understand.”
The bag was still in the bedroom, and Sept wasn’t opening it here no matter how curious she was. “I’ll tell you what. If you want, you and Nathan can drive it to the lab, and once all the tests are done, you two can read it.”
“I’m glad you trust me this much. The killer’s evolving. The books didn’t mention the sacrifice, but he got it right this time, all the way down to the pennies.”
“Actually, he’s gotten it right twice. In the rush to chase down some leads, I didn’t get a chance to show you the first note. We found it in the second victim killed like this.”
Julio nodded almost absently and didn’t seem to realize he was still holding Sept’s hand. “Can I see that one as well?”
“Sure, but remember our deal. You can’t share this with anyone, especially the notes, since those won’t be released to the press until we know we have the right suspect behind bars.”
“You have nothing to fear from me, Sept. I’ll see you later,” he said, and finally released her.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The night dragged on as Sept took the place in sections, starting at the foyer downstairs close to Madeline’s apartment. She only left for a few minutes to talk to the clerk at the A&P about when Roxie had made her purchases. With Nathan at the lab, Sebastian helped her work the scene.
“What’s your take so far?” Sebastian asked as Roxie was put in a body bag and carried away.
“She left work and he followed her. This one was specific and targeted at me.”
“Why do you think that?”
Sept held her finger up as she called the hazard cleanup guys to arrange for them to take the blood-soaked items to the lab. “I’m following my instincts.”
“What’s the scene telling you?”
Sept sat on the hood of her car and took out her notebook. “Roxie was on duty tonight on the new crackdown in the Quarter. She got off, went to the grocery, and was planning a night in, from what the clerk said. Our guy must have followed her from the station house and grabbed her in front of my place. I didn’t realize she lived so close to me.”
“Still, the distance from her place to yours could’ve made it a spur-of-the-moment thing.”
“If it hadn’t been for the call to me afterward and how he staged the scene this time, I might agree with you, Dad. The note tied around that little statue might give us what we need to know for sure.”
Sebastian sighed and stared up at the window to Sept’s bedroom. “I’ve been to all these, and I just don’t see Damien doing that.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Does that make me sound crazy or gullible?”
“No one wants to believe someone they love is capable of this kind of violence, and if it’s him, I can only blame the stress of what happened.” Sept mirrored his actions and followed his eyes up. “If it turns out to be Damien, I’ll always be ashamed for not realizing how much trouble he was in, but I’ll do my job.”
“If it’s him, all of us will do our job. Stress is one thing, kid, but your sister would die a thousand more times if she knew this.” Sept could tell he was angry. “I think of Noel and Sophie the first thing in the morning and right before I go to sleep. You know I’m not much on praying, but after you mentioned who you suspected, I started praying you were wrong for once. Your sister’s memory deserves better than that.”
“I’m not sure, Dad, but he’s the only one I can put near any of the crime scenes who lost someone recently and has knowledge of these rituals.”
Sebastian’s back straightened. “What the hell makes you think that?”
Sept told him about the robbery they’d investigated together at Estella’s bookstore years earlier. “We didn’t talk much about it afterward, but Estella’s mother told us what the place was about and offered us a session if we were interested. When you’re grasping at straws trying to dig yourself out of a deep depression, anything can pop into your head. Maybe on one of his walks he passed there and he used the little knowledge he had to get to this.” Sept shrugged and yawned. “Stranger things, you know.”
“You need to get beyond conjecture and on to some solid facts.” Sebastian put his hand back on her shoulder and squeezed. “I have faith in you to get us there.”
“Thanks, Dad, that still means a lot to me.” Her phone rang and she hoped it was Keegan. She wanted to hear her voice after the day she’d had. She checked the called ID before answering. “Hey, Nathan, you have anything?”
“They went through everything in the bag, and like before, there was nothing we could use, but the note confirmed what Julio told you.” Nathan read it to her. “I’ll drop a copy off to you before I head out.”
“Why in the world does this guy think I’m a warrior?” Sept said, and pinched the bridge of her nose. This case had more turns than a roller coaster and none of it made any sense, but she had no patience when people started doing weird shit in the name of religion.
“Julio had a theory about that,” Nathan said.
“What? I don’t hide my sword and shield well enough?”
“No, you ass, but you do handle yourself in a way that would please this god Julio keeps going on about. He called that lady he told you about, and she’s waiting for us at nine tomorrow morning.”
“Good work, Nathan. I’ll meet you at the office first.”
“Anything else you want me to do tonight?”
“No. They’re locking up the scene now and I’m heading over to Keegan’s for the night. From what that note said, I’m not comfortable leaving her alone at all.”
“Take care, and call if you want me to do anything.”
“You’re a good man, Nathan. Good night.”
Sebastian laughed and stood up after glancing at his watch. “You can thank me later for the great partner. He seems like a quick study.”
“You’re just happy you found someone who puts up with me, or at least has for more than a week. Go home, Dad, and I’ll see you and Mom tomorrow.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek.
“We’re wiring the upstairs back part of the house, and don’t forget to bring Keegan. I’m sure there’s a bunch of things your mother and the girls haven’t told her about you yet.”
“Not funny, old man.” Sept walked him to his car and closed his door once he was behind the wheel. “Drive safe and kiss Mom for me.”
“You too, and don’t take your eyes off Keegan if you can help it.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Sept said with a wink.
*
“You almost got caught, but you rallied well,” Teacher said as they drove home. “Even the warrior was impressed by what you were able to accomplish.”
“I killed some bitch right under her nose in the one place she’s used as a revolving door for women. That life of filth isn’t hard to work around,” Novice said as he took off his shirt and admired the whiteness of his chest in the mirror. “You might think she’s strong, but she’s really a weakling with a penchant for picking up whores.”
“Still, her record is impressive since you’re the one who’s bragged on it for so long. Even your wife got tired of hearing about it.”
“I wasn’t bragging about Sept, you idiot. I’ve always hated that smugness she wears like that damn leather coat. It makes me want to hurt her.”
“Are you sure about that? Like I said, your wife got tired of listening, but she might have been hanging on your every word, wanting to know what it was like to spend some time with a weakling who loved to screw around like she knew what she was actually doing.”
“I don’t care how hard I have to work, but as soon as I can feel you and touch you, I’ll be tempted to stick a knife so far into your chest that you won’t be able to bother me again.” Novice slammed his fist so hard into his chest that he coughed. “Why the fuck are you even here, if you’re just going to make fun of me?”
“I’m not teasing you, Novice. I’m only trying to make you better than anyone who’s come before you. You’ve finally caught the eye of those you worship so well. You give them what others are not willing to, especially Chango.”
“Tell me what I need to know,” Novice said as he slapped his knife against the side of his pant leg.
“The woman you killed tonight had power because of who she was and what she did for a living. The other two came easy because they carried no real consequence if you were caught.” Teacher’s voice was still male, but it was as seductive as any lover. “A cop, though, that carries consequences, and it pays off in the power you gain.”
“Do you mean another one like that one, and I’ll get my wish?”
“Remember, the harder the sacrifice is to make, the louder it shouts to the land of the dead. If you pick the right one, the god you want to attract can’t possibly continue to turn a deaf ear.”
“Who carries that much power?” Novice asked, feeling like a young boy asking for a treat from his mother.
“Think about what you want and how Chango will finally throw that door open for you to walk through at will. It will take a thousand whores or just one worthy opponent. Who do you think that is?”
“You want me to kill Sept Savoie?” Novice was surprised at the question, but he wasn’t opposed to the target.
“Who carries more power? Didn’t you feel it tonight when you held her things in your hands? That wasn’t your imagination working overtime. It was real, and it can be ours for eternity if only you have the courage to see it through.”
“Then we’ll leave her a trail of bread crumbs to lure her where we need her?” Novice walked to the window of the bedroom and looked out at the backyard. Sept would die there, where her blood could soak the ground and make his dreams grow into reality.
Novice laughed at how good simply the idea made him feel. For the first time since his wife had left him, he felt alive and full of purpose. His days would no longer drag out like roads through the desert.
“Don’t get too comfortable in the land of the dead, my love. Soon you’ll return to me, only this time you’ll be mine so completely that I won’t let you go.”
“That can be true, if you do your part. To attract a god, you must bring down his greatest disciple.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Please tell me you don’t have to go to work,” Keegan said with her eyes still closed. “I want to stay here all day.”
“I’d love nothing better, but you’re not talking me into something that’ll make Della come down on me like a ton of bricks, young lady.” Sept put her arms around Keegan now that she was fully awake. “And I can’t tell you that I’m not working, because I am, but only for a while.”
“That sucks. Today’s Sunday.” Keegan’s whine woke up Mike, and he trotted to Sept’s side of the bed and put his paws right next to her.
“I see, she’s in charge of feeding you, but the other not-so-nice chore belongs to me.” Sept kissed the top of Keegan’s head and pulled the covers back so she could get her shorts on. It was two minutes past seven when she glanced at the clock, and as she went downstairs she felt slightly tired, but nothing like when she woke up from one of her nightmares. “Go on, boy, and I’ll take you for a walk later.”
Mike ran around the backyard a few times before he flew past her and up the back steps. When she made it back in, he was lying in her spot with his head down and his tail wagging, almost as if he anticipated that she was about to play with him. Instead of shooing him off right away Sept looked at what she considered a perfect picture. Keegan and Mike defined happiness for her and made love possible.
“I’m sure if you ask nicely he’ll move,” Keegan said, and smiled as she held her hand up in invitation.
Nicely wasn’t what Sept thought Mike wanted, so she wrestled him off the bed and laughed as he licked her face between barks. When they were done he stayed at the foot of the bed and put his head on his paws.
“What were you thinking so hard about over there?” Keegan asked.
“It wasn’t anything bad, I promise.”
“If it’s good you have to share it.” Keegan maneuvered herself on top of Sept as she spoke. “That’s the law of good relationships.”
“That would explain why I’ve never had one before now. No one told me that.” Sept finger-combed Keegan’s hair back, taking time to scratch her scalp.
“Will you think I’m nuts if I tell you that I’m in love with you?” Keegan said, and opened her eyes. In the morning light they appeared as blue as the ocean.
“That’s what I was thinking about when I came in. Noel always said, ‘When it’s real, it’ll take the blink of an eye to fall into the one thing you never want to escape from.’”
Keegan blinked a few times, then said, “I’m sure I know what you’re talking about, but would you explain a little better?”
“It’s probably different for everyone, but last night I realized something about you.” Sept rolled them over and held herself up and off Keegan. “I love my job, and before I met you, last night and the days I’ve been having at work would’ve been hard to take a break from. Nothing was important enough to distract me from what had to be done.”
“I don’t want to come between you and your job, Seven.”
“You’re not. I’ve discovered that I need both things to balance me out, and in the end I’ll be better off for it.”
Keegan placed her hand against Sept’s jaw. “What do you need?”
“To try and build something with you that makes what I do worth it to me. Up to now I’ve enjoyed the thrill of the chase, but when it’s over I have nothing but the anticipation of repeating it when I’m needed.” Sept kissed her and wanted to finish dispelling the uncertainty she saw in Keegan’s eyes. “I love you, Keegan, and when I walked in here and saw you and Mike, I realized that I might not have been looking for you, but I found you. I haven’t been this happy in forever.”
“I guess this means you don’t think I’m crazy.”
“Not at all, but if you are, it’s the good kind of crazy.”
Keegan kissed her again. “Could you say it one more time?”
“I love you, and I’d love nothing better than to show you how much, but right now you’ll have to take my word for it. Nathan’s coming by in a bit and we have an appointment to see a high priestess.”
“That’s something you don’t hear every day. Can Jacqueline and I come with you?”
“Sure. With any luck she’ll read your tea leaves so you can be sure of what a great deal you’re getting in me.”
Keegan pushed on Sept’s shoulders to move her. “If she’s telling me deep secrets about you, let’s get going.”
Sept pinned her to the bed and smiled down at her. “Tell me something good and I’ll be happy to let you up.”
“I love you.” Keegan said it, and her body relaxed so much that Sept went down with her. “I do, very much, and I can’t wait to tell Della.”
“She’s not going to ask for a blood sample, is she?”
“More like a criminal background check and a good set of fingerprints.” Keegan rolled away, got up, and headed to the shower.
Sept couldn’t be sure, but she thought Keegan wasn’t exactly making a joke.
*
“What’s the bag for?” Sept asked Jacqueline later when they were all in her jeep.
“Keegan said we were going to your parents’ after this, and I thought I’d tag along. That is, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind, but I thought you couldn’t cook.” Sept looked at her via the rearview mirror.
“I wasn’t planning to cook,” Jacqueline said sweetly, and winked at her. “I thought I’d help you and your brothers with the house.”
“What’s the catch?” Sept asked.
“I want to meet your family and help. That’s all.”
“Uh-huh,” Sept answered, but then they arrived at the address Nathan had given her.
