“Bravo, Layton,” Leticia said. “Very well done.”

  “That would explain why I shed tears watching Scooby-Doo while I waited for Layton to come back to the inn,” Alex said.

  “It would indeed explain your tears,” Leticia said. “Unfortunately, I wouldn’t suggest taking the cure right now.”

  The waiter brought our orders and placed them in front of us. All three of us had gotten the daily special which was steak with garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized carrots. I was happy to notice we’d all ordered our steaks medium rare—the best way to order a steak.

  “For some reason I don’t understand, sweets and red meat help a person deal better with the Diony influences over their body,” Leticia said.

  My mouth was full of steak and potatoes so I moaned in response.

  “The icons at Natasha’s house sound fascinating,” Alex said. “How do they figure into everything?”

  “That is the million dollar question,” I said.

  “Yes,” Leticia said. “I can’t say I like being kept in the dark about the icons. The church is being very secretive for some reason.”

  “Well, Natasha did say they were used as some sort of supernatural protection,” I said. “Children, being innocent, are probably the best ones to be in charge of or use such a power. I’m assuming Norris has some sort of experience with that power or with icons in general and that’s why he and his mother are here.”

  “Yes, but I have no idea what his experience entails,” Leticia said. “I’m not very comfortable with the idea you mentioned earlier that the icons could possibly open gateways to other realms.”

  “I could be wrong,” I said. I’d decided not to mention the staff pictured on the icon to her, since I didn’t know how much Sassy had told her about it.

  “Hopefully you are wrong,” Alex said. “That sort of thing is frightening.”

  “Fear can cripple you—be cautious but never afraid,” I said.

  We finished our meal quickly and were waiting for dessert.

  “And here I thought I was the only hungry one,” I said. “You didn’t rush through your meal on our account, did you, Leticia?”

  “No. I’m a bit anxious about everything that’s happening regarding the icons and Natasha. I guess that made me eat faster than usual.”

  The waiter brought our desserts. I’d ordered the chocolate lava cake with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings, and Leticia had ordered the exact opposite. She had vanilla cake with chocolate ice cream, hot chocolate fudge topping, and white chocolate shavings. Alex decided to go light and have the apple, cranberry crumble with warm vanilla bean cream.

  By the time we’d finished dessert, we were full and sitting back in our chairs.

  “It’s been a while since I’ve indulged that much,” Leticia said. “I believe it was the last time we ate together, Layton. And I still need to eat at Frankie and Jimmy’s before I leave Mt. Ore.”

  “You are in trouble then,” I said.

  “I’m afraid so,” Leticia said. “Layton, I was serious about you and Alex taking two weeks off. The organization will pay you, since you’re dealing with the Diony effect. You both need to get your houses, or rather your house—Carson Court, in order… literally.”

  “And we both could stand to put in some hours at the gym,” Alex said.

  “Do they have a nice gym by your house?” Leticia said.

  “As a matter of fact they do,” I said. “We really need to invite everyone over to the court soon.”

  “Oh, I’d love to see the place firsthand,” Leticia said. “I’ve heard so much about it through the years.”

  “You don’t need an invitation to swing by,” Alex said. “Although you might want to call first to make sure someone’s home.”

  “Thank you so much,” Leticia said. “That’s a very kind invitation.”

  “Two weeks off is a long time,” Layton said. “If you should need our help with anything concerning Noelle, I hope you know you can count on us.”

  “I do, and I appreciate that more than you know,” Leticia said. “I may be worried over nothing, but even if something is going on it’ll take a while to get things in order.”

  “It might speed things up if we didn’t go through the organization,” Alex said.

  “I only wish that was a possibility,” Leticia said. “But, because of the presumed players and the unknown location, we’ll need to go through proper channels.”

  We continued talking and drinking the lemonades we’d ordered with dessert, when both my cell phone and Leticia’s buzzed.

  Natasha’s name showed up on my cell and I quickly answered it.

  “Layton, they’re here and shooting at the house!” Natasha said.

  “Get everyone in the back of the house and make sure wherever you are, you won’t be trapped. Ronnie’s out there and I’m on my way now.” I hung up, stood, and looked at Leticia and Alex. They were both standing and ready to leave.

  “Vargas texted me,” Leticia said. “They’re in trouble, Layton.”

  As we were about to leave, Jack Baker walked up to our table with a large folder, that had to be holding the photos Alex took of Chef and me.

  “I hope you enjoyed everything,” Jack said, with a smirk on his face. “I wanted to personally bring you this envelope someone left for you at the front office, Mr. Shayne.”

  Turning to Jack, I smiled, took the envelope, then punched him so hard in the face that he went flying back on top of an empty table. He hadn’t known what hit him. I ran out of the dining room with Alex and Leticia on my heels. We didn’t stop running until we’d gotten to my truck.

  “I’m going with you,” Leticia said, then went to the passenger side.

  Leticia sat in the front passenger seat, I got in the driver’s seat, and Alex sat in the back.

  AS I DROVE, LETICIA got a handgun out of her purse, then at Alex’s request, she took his camera out of the glove compartment, reached back, and handed it to him. I started receiving a text message on my phone, that was in the holder on the dashboard, and Leticia read the message to me.

  “Message from Ronnie—in need of backup. Jack’s recruited help. Callum on the way.”

  “Shit!” I said. “Jack wasn’t supposed to have any more backup.”

  My cell phone rang and I put it on speaker.

  “Layton, it’s Dimitri. Jack had an inside man here at Boobies. It was the other bodyguard who brought you to my office, his name is Gregory and he has Tara.”

  “They’re probably on the way to Natasha’s house. Ronnie’s there—I know we can count on him and I’m on my way.”

  “Thank you, Layton and Godspeed,” Dimitri said.

  “Damn it!” I said once I’d hung up. “Jack has more players in the game than anyone even suspected. Leticia, dial Ronnie back and text message him to look out for Gregory—he’s one of Jack’s boys.”

  “Doing that now,” Leticia said. “This is your show, Layton. Just let me know where you want me when we get to our destination.”

  “I’m flying by the seat of my pants now,” I said as I raced through a yellow light. “We’re almost there and we need to be ready for anything.”

  Chapter 30

  Time for Action

  I COULD SEE FLASHING blue police lights coming from the direction I was driving toward and grew concerned.

  “Are those your people, Leticia?” I said.

  “No,” Leticia said.

  “Then they’re the enemy,” I said, as my phone rang. It was Callum.

  “I’ll handle the blockade, don’t stop, brother,” Callum said, then hung up.

  We were a couple blocks from our destination when I saw two police cars parked front end to front end with a space between them blocking the entrance to the street before Natasha’s street. The space between them wasn’t quite big enough for my truck to go through, but it would have to suffice. There were two uniformed policemen standing several feet in front of the cars.

  “We’re gonna go in hard and fast,” I said. “Brace yourselves!”

  I stepped on the gas and the truck picked up speed. From a side street a motorcycle with a helmeted rider driving, flew forward, turned and fired two rockets at the police cars. They blew up minutes before I drove through them. My truck shook and the sound of debris from the cars hitting the roof could be heard, but we were fine inside.

  “What’s that?” Alex said, pointing straight ahead.

  Gold lights, coming from the direction of Natasha’s house shone like strobe lights They went so high up into the sky they looked like they might reach Heaven.

  “Oh… my… God,” I said as we were halfway down Natasha’s street.

  “Heavenly hosts,” Leticia said, staring out the window. “All around the house is a hedge of protective angels.”

  Alex had unbuckled his seatbelt and was leaning forward taking pictures. In front of us were the backs of gigantic winged creatures holding fiery golden swords in the air. They really were surrounding Natasha’s house. I managed to turn away from them long enough to spot Jack’s boys parked across the street from Natasha’s hiding behind their cars with guns in their hands. One of them had long strawberry blond hair, like the strand I’d found in my room at the inn. While keeping my eyes on them, I parked on the same side of the street, two houses down from where they were. A long Cadillac raced down the block, coming to a screeching halt behind my truck. Dimitri was in the driver’s seat. My cell rang.

  “What can I do, Layton?” Dimitri said, after I answered my cell.

  “Stay put where you are for now. If you have a gun watch our backs.”

  “I will,” Dimitri said, then hung up.

  Damn, the street was getting crowded, I thought. Normally that could be a problem, but for now it seemed like the angels were keeping everyone at bay just by their presence. I turned to Leticia.

  “What will the angels do if there’s gunfire?” I said.

  “I have no idea, Layton. Right now they seem to be more interested in protecting the house and everyone in it. But, if someone makes a move against the house, then it’s anyone’s guess what might happen.”

  “Try to keep that from happening, Layton,” Alex said.

  “I’ll do my best,” I said.

  Taking my gun out of my ankle holster, I tucked it into the waistband in back of my pants. When I opened my truck door, I saw Gregory walk into the middle of the street dragging Tara behind him while holding a gun to her head. The bastard hadn’t even bothered to let her get dressed. She was still in her club outfit, consisting of a thong, pasties and heels. Gregory pushed Tara down on the hard pavement, then spoke in my direction.

  “Come out here, Layton, or the girl gets it!” Gregory said. “Tell him I’m serious, Tara!”

  “Layton!” Tara says. “He’s the one who did it! Gregory told me on the way here that he was the one who killed Mandy!” She started crying then spotted Dimitri’s car and yelled toward it. “Dimitri! It was him! Gregory killed Mandy!”

  “Shut the fuck up!” Gregory said, then kicked Tara’s side.

  The poor girl screamed. She was scared and visibly shaking.

  I stood behind my car door and spoke loudly. “I’m coming your way, Gregory.” While keeping an eye on him I turned to Leticia. “Cover me if you can and be sure to keep an eye on the three guys hiding behind their cars. They look sort of petrified but you never know what they might try.”

  Cautiously and slowly, I walked toward the middle of the street.

  “Good boy,” Gregory said. “Now I want you to get rid of these Christmas lights or illusions around the house, so I can go inside and Tara and I can have a nice chat with Natasha. We want certain pictures she has.”

  “Can’t you feel it, Gregory,” I said. “That’s no illusion around the house.” The presence of the angels was thick around us.

  “Bullshit!” Gregory said. “I said get rid of the illusions, Detective Shayne! I’m starting to lose my patience.”

  I prayed in a low voice for God to guide my hand and make my aim true. Gregory was losing it and I’d only have one chance to save Tara. Something inside me was getting ready. I didn’t need to see Ronnie or Callum to know they had my back—my instincts told me I was well covered.

  “Oh, please, I don’t wanna die,” Tara said. “Please, help me, Jesus.”

  A line of scripture popped into my head and I said it out loud. “Call on the name of Jesus and you shall be saved!”

  “Jesus! Jesus!” Tara said. “I know you exist and I believe in you. Help me, Jesus

  “Shut the fuck up!” Gregory said.

  “Forgive me for stripping and whatever else I might’ve done wrong, Jesus,” Tara said, then looked at the angels. “The angels are turning, they’re looking your way, Gregory.”

  She glanced at me for a quick second. It wasn’t true that the angels had moved. Tara had made it up to give us an opening—smart girl. Gregory bought her line about the angels and turned toward the house. When he did so, Tara punched him hard in the nuts, and I made my move. It was all the time I needed to shoot him right between the eyes. I thanked Jesus as Gregory fell to the ground.

  Spotting movement out of the corner of my eye, I turned to shoot, but someone was faster in taking out one of Jack’s men. I looked back at my truck and saw Leticia standing beside it with her gun in the air, but she hadn’t fired. Alex was behind her taking pictures, so it had to be either Ronnie or Callum. Tara started to scream hysterically. The ground beneath Gregory was opening up and red flames were coming out. They looked like those pictured on the icon Norris had pointed out to me. Still on the ground, Tara was frozen and shaking as more cracks formed on the street.

  “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!” Tara said hysterically while shaking her head.

  Leticia ran up to Tara and got her on her feet. Dimitri was right on Leticia’s heels and helped her walk Tara to his car. I was shocked by the sight in front of me. Gregory’s body was engulfed in flames as it descended into the opening in the ground.

  “Dimitri!” I said. “Take Tara and get out of here.”

  I heard three car doors shut. Dimitri left at the same time a car belonging to at least one of Jack’s people peeled out from where they were parked.

  “Layton!” Alex said. “The cops from the blockade are coming!”

  “Holy shit! What are those things!” a man’s voice from behind us said.

  “I don’t know,” a second man said—one of the two cops I was sure. “Let’s go, Lee. It’s not worth it.”

  My attention was on the remaining car to the left, and Jack’s man who was behind it.

  “Jack paid us to do a job and we’re gonna finish this.” It was the voice of the first cop again.

  Bright headlights shone behind me, but I didn’t turn.

  “Layton!” Alex said. “It’s Forrest! It’s Forrest, Layton!”

  I heard a round of gunshots, but stayed where I was.

  There was the sound of a car stopping, a door slamming, and familiar footsteps heading my way.

  “Some mess you’ve got here, Layton,” Forrest said, as he got closer. Your rear is handled, the two bad cops won’t cause anyone any more problems.”

  “You have a way of taking care of my rear that’s very satisfying,” I said. “I’m guessing the noise I heard was them firing at you first.”

  “You guessed correctly,” Forrest said. “The dummies fired at my car, at least they didn’t hit the windshield—lousy aim on both their parts. My boy in the local force is on his way. Let’s see if we can’t finish this before those angels over there get mad.” He looked at the car that Jack’s last goon was hiding behind. “Put any weapons you have on the ground and come out with your hands up. You don’t want me going in after you.”

  I saw a police car drive up with lights flashing.

  “Your guy, I hope, Forrest,” I said.

  A skinny, blond cop got out of the car. “Forrest, It’s me Jake.”

  “We’ve got one guy playing hard to get behind the car,” Forrest said, then addressed the goon again. “I’ll give you one more chance to come out on your own.”

  “I… I… I can’t,” the goon said, then screamed loudly as if in anguish. “Oh my God! Oh my God!”

  I looked toward where the man’s voice came from behind his car, then downward and saw flames rising from the ground around him.

  “Time to repent and say your prayers!” I said.

  “I know,” the man said. “There was a time I went to church and was saved too, but I turned away from all that. The flames are so hot… they’re burning my skin!”

  Jake was now standing next to Forrest. “What’s going on, Forrest?” he said.

  “Judgement from a higher plane,” Forrest said.

  “Oh my God,” Jake said. “Then those really are angels around that house.”

  “Aaaa!” the goon yelled. “My name is Barry Robards, officers! I work for Jack Baker and he’s done some bad things. Aaaa—the flames! I’m a bad man, officers. I was there when they beat Mandy and I didn’t do a thing. When Gregory killed her I was there but too afraid to try and stop him. I’ll testify to all of it. Oh God! Forgive me!”

  We saw the ground next to the goon’s car opening up and flames appeared.

  “Aaaaaaaa!” Barry screamed in agony. “In the holy name of Jesus Christ your son, forgive me God. Forgive me! I swear I repent and am ready to do my time! Pleeease!”

  The cracks in the ground and the flames disappeared. Forrest and Jake rushed forward and brought a completely shaken Barry—the guy with strawberry blond hair, out from behind the car. They were dragging him into the street when something changed. The angel’s swords had disappeared and they were raising their arms toward Heaven. Forrest, Jake, and Barry stopped where they stood. Alex and Leticia ran to my side.

  “What are the angels doing now?” Alex said.

  Suddenly the ground trembled and a sharp loud noise filled the air. I heard a car door open behind me and turned to see something unexpected.

 

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