“Ask your question.”

  “Do you have one of the green-eyed lady statues?”

  “Yes. She’s been in the family a while… my mother was studying her and how she seemed to give off a strong energy at times. My mom was sort of a guardian over her, and now I am.”

  We were both silent, and I wasn’t really surprised that she answered so honestly. Charity, stood, went to a corner of the porch, picked up a small shovel, and handed it to me. She saw the question in my face and answered it.

  “For everything there is a season; the lady’s done a lot of good for people in her time, but her time is at an end. My mother would never want to see the statue being used for evil doings… come on, let’s go get her.”

  I put my shoes back on and followed Charity off the porch and around the side of the house to the fenced in backyard. She opened a gate, and we walked into an outdoor floor area of large cement paving stones with a three tier fountain at its center surrounded by tall trees and lush flower beds. Charity pointed her bare foot toward one of the tiles. She looked up at me.

  I knew that look—I was being tested to see if I trusted her. When I lifted the tile, I could trigger a booby trap or worse. I lifted the corner of the tile with the shovel and using my hands, picked it up and moved it to the side. Under it was a clear acrylic box, and inside was the statue.

  “She helps with conception somehow,” Charity said. “Because of her studies into ancient tribal cultures, Mrs. Markham understands it a lot more than I do.”

  Walking to Charity, I wrapped my arms around her, hugged her, and kissed her cheek.

  “All I had to do all along was to ask you for her, right?” I said.

  “Yes, but isn’t that just what you did, once you realized I had her.”

  “If only I had figured that out earlier,” I said.

  “Sometimes, it’s the journey that’s really important. Things happen at their appointed time, and for reasons we don’t always know. But, it won’t be so easy to get Andrew’s lady.”

  “I didn’t think it would be.”

  We walked up to the back porch, and I saw a hammock, which was just calling my name.

  “You’re welcome to sleep out here, if you like, Layton.”

  “That would be my idea of heaven right now.”

  “I’ll keep the statue in the house under the kitchen sink. It’s late, and you’ve been through a lot. I can fix you a cup of warm tea that will give you the best sleep you’ve ever had in your life. You’ll wake up feeling renewed and refreshed for your job; I promise.”

  “Bring it on, then.” I said. Once she was inside, I stripped off my shirt and shorts, slipped out of my shoes, lay down in the hammock and wrapped the sides around me like a cocoon.

  Charity kissed my cheek, wished me sweet dreams, and handed me a cup of warm, soothing tea, which put me almost instantly to sleep.

  I awoke fully refreshed to the smell of scrambled eggs and bacon. By the time I’d sat up and dressed, Charity had brought out plates and utensils for me and herself. Then she went back inside and returned with two glasses of orange juice.

  I ate like I hadn’t eaten in years.

  “That whole experience you had last night leaves most people feeling like they’re starving the next day.”

  “I concur with that assessment,” I said, then took a bite of bacon.

  Charity left again and returned with the statue in its case. She shook it and I saw green emerald inside.

  “Those are yours to keep, of course,” I said.

  “I don’t really need them, but if your people don’t mind, I think I’ll donate them to the Markham’s ministry, it’s such a worthy cause.”

  “That’s a great idea, and very generous of you,” I said.

  She opened the box, took the handful of emeralds out, then closed it again.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I forgot to ask if you’ve spoken to Linus about his mother.”

  “Yes. I called him after you fell asleep. He was awake and expecting news like I had been when you arrived last night. Linus said his mother always did love drama, and that it sounded like she went out in a dramatic fashion. He also said to tell you and your group thank you. Prudence didn’t have a lot of friends and visitors, because so many of her friends had passed away or moved. He was glad she didn’t die alone.”

  “Is he a good guy?” I said.

  “Yes. Once he’s finished with his latest project, we’ll be married.”

  “Good,” I said.

  While I was using the facilities and cleaning up, Charity got me a cup of lemonade to go and a bag of cookies.

  “You’ve got your hands full with the statue, detective, I’ll take these to the car for you.”

  “I can wait for you to pack some things and come with me,” I said. “I don’t like you being out here when so much is going on.”

  “I’ll be fine. Remember, I’m coming to town tonight to drop the emeralds off at the Markham’s church.”

  “Charity, getting the other statue may involve a nasty fight and—”

  “I understand that, don’t worry about me, you have bigger things on your mind, like saving the world from zombies and bad guys.”

  She kissed my cheek and sent me on my way back to the B & B. The ride back was quiet, and the day still—like it always is just before a battle.

  -28-

  Game Plan

  When I got back to the house, Alex let me in.

  “It’s quiet,” I said, before giving him a kiss on the lips.

  “Miss Lucy’s people took Prudence’s body away last night. It’s noon and we’re getting ready to eat. Buck and Sassy are out back on the porch, and Miss Lucy’s upstairs.”

  “Not anymore,” Miss Lucy said, from the top of the stairs. “I hope you had more luck than we did, boy.”

  I held up the case containing the statue. She quickly walked downstairs and took it from me.

  “They’re not much to look at really—except for the emeralds… are they?” Miss Lucy said, and gave the statue back to me.

  “But I think the emeralds were really what this was all about,” I said. “At least, before our new friends came to town.”

  “It’s disgusting what people will do out of greed,” Miss Lucy said. “But greed is easily dealt with, as long as other players aren’t involved. I want you to try to get the last statue the easy way without turning this town into another battlefield. Maybe somehow, Sandoval’s people won’t enter into the mix.”

  “Understood, Ma’am,” I said, then paused before continuing. “I told Charity everything.”

  “Good,” Miss Lucy said.

  I didn’t bother to hide my surprised expression from her.

  “None of us really stood a chance against her,” Miss Lucy said. “I’ve seen people like her before—human truth detectors so strong they can bring a grown man to tears. How quickly did she make you cry, boy?”

  “Less than ten minutes, but it lasted forever. Do you think what happened to me was a bad thing?”

  “I don’t know why you’re asking me—when you know it wasn’t. Charity Parkinson has a gift I’d rather have on our side than working for our enemies. Women can last longer around those types for some reason, but even I wouldn’t have lasted another day without telling that girl all my secrets… and she wouldn’t have even needed to ask me one damn question. She’s a good woman though, despite giving me the runs. And I would’ve warned you about her, had I known the truth before this morning. Are you going to need the statue in my possession to track the last remaining green-eyed lady?”

  “It’d make us vulnerable to have them all in one place, wouldn’t it?” Alex said and Miss Lucy and I both shot him a look, to which he gave a wise response. “I’d better go give Buck a hand.”

  Once he was gone, I spoke again. “He said what I was thinking.”

  “And you’re both right, of course. Still, the two statues should lead you to the third one, or at least bring the players out to the bargaining table. I’ll get it to you later today. Make sure your team has a game plan, because time’s running out. You look good, boy, considering the ordeal you must’ve gone through.”

  “Miss Lucy, Charity mentioned that her parents have some research material the organization might be interested in.”

  “I’ll call Leticia and tell her to look into it.” She walked out the door without even looking back.

  I looked in the hall mirror and was happy with what I saw—I looked as fresh and rested as I felt. Charity’s tea had done wonders.

  When I walked onto the backporch, the others were making sandwiches from fixings spread out on a table that was against the wall, but they stopped what they were doing to look my way. Sassy walked up to me, then around me.

  “He looks alright,” she said to the others.

  “What do you want on your sandwich, Layton?” Alex said. “We found cold cuts, including ham, salami, and turkey, as well as mustard, ketchup, and mayo in the fridge.”

  “I’ll have salami with mayo, thanks.”

  Sassy took my hand and led me to the porch swing where I sat and kicked off my shoes.

  “Damn, man,” Buck said. “Layton, you really do hate wearing shoes; you and Alex are a good match.”

  I turned and noticed that Alex was barefoot and casually dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. Buck was wearing deck shoes, khaki shorts, and a blue plaid, button-down shirt. Sassy was in a simple red, wrap dress and low heels. What a bunch we made. I sat back and looked at my team, who were all looking back at me with faces full of questions.

  “Let’s get this over with,” I said. “Who wants to start?”

  Sassy handed Buck a sandwich she’d just made, then turned my way.

  “This is just the sloppiest handling of a case I’ve seen yet!” she said. “And I’m not talking about from our end. Lucy should’ve warned you about Charity being a truth detector… unless—”

  “Unless what?” I said.

  “She told Layton she just found out about Charity this morning,” Alex said.

  “Shoot!” Sassy said. “I knew it… I just knew it. There’s no way Lucy would ever come within a hundred miles of a human truth detector. That means her organization didn’t know, and you had no warning… neither did the rest of us. Hell, I’d rather get shot in the head like ole’ Prudence, then spend time alone with a truth detector; especially one like Charity.”

  “What do you mean ‘one like Charity?’” I said, noticing everyone was looking at Sassy for an answer.

  “You didn’t get any training at all before they put you in the field, did you?” Sassy said.

  “No,” I said.

  “Then they must’ve been watching and studying you for a while to see how you worked. For sure, they didn’t just pick your name out of the phone book… or did you think they had?”

  “To be honest, I didn’t think about it one way or another,” I said. “The first case in Shelby was a good excuse for me to leave my hometown, and the organization offered me good money as well—so I didn’t ask too many questions… I guess I should’ve.”

  “That wouldn’t have been a bad idea,” Buck said.

  “That explains why Lucy’s been taking such an interest in your cases and making sure she’s around to help.”

  “Enough about Layton,” Buck said. “What about this Charity chick?”

  “It’s not polite to call women, chicks,” Sassy said.

  “Charity seemed nice enough,” Alex said.

  “I’m sure she is nice,” Sassy said. “But the woman doesn’t know she’s a human truth detector! That makes her more powerful than most. The ones that know they’re detectors become self-conscious about it and their powers grow weaker because of it. Since Charity doesn’t know about her gift, that means it’s in its purest form.”

  “That sounds scary,” Buck said.

  “It might be best to share what you experienced, Layton, so we can at least be knowledgeable about it,” Alex said.

  “We’d follow you no matter what, boss,” Buck said. “But I’d like to think you could share important stuff with your team.”

  I thought about it for a second and knew Buck was right.

  “Thanks, Buck; I appreciate what you just said. The experience felt like some sort of invisible hand reached into my brain and physically squeezed out the most painful memories of my life from the time I was six years old, including the deaths of my parents, and even pets. I relived failed love affairs, and my weakest moments. The stronger I fought the flood of memories the more painful it got, until I just didn’t have the strength to fight it anymore. That’s when I bawled like a baby… and I mean from the gut. I cried on Charity’s porch with all that was in me. And it hurt like hell, let me tell you.”

  Buck gulped loudly and spoke. “If that woman could make a strong military man like you cry, we would’ve been dead meat.”

  “Maybe not you, Buck,” Sassy said.

  “Gee, thanks,” Buck said. “Hang on a minute… why not me?”

  “It sounds like Layton had a lot of things he’d kept deep inside him, which that invisible hand grabbed. Last night was probably the first time he cried since he was a baby. I’ve heard you scream like a prepubescent girl, Buck, so I’m sure you’ve done your share of crying. I wouldn’t imagine there’s much to grab onto in your brain—in respect to held in emotions. I didn’t mean to imply you’re dumb or anything… because I don’t think you are.”

  “My mom wanted me to be an enlightened modern man, she said I could cry whenever I felt like it,” Buck said. “And that it was nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “It’s not,” I said. “But I was the son and grandson of macho soldiers; who didn’t believe a man should cry or be emotional; especially one who was expected to follow in their military footsteps.”

  “How did they take to you being gay, then?” Alex said.

  “Oh, neither my dad or granddad had a problem with that. Dad told me that a man is entitled to fuck who he wants to fuck, when he wants to fuck, and how he wants to fuck—or be fucked, as long as he doesn’t cry like a little girl when doing it.”

  “Now that was an enlightened man,” Sassy said, picking up her sandwich and walking to the sofa where she sat down.

  “Can this lady put a whammy, like she did to you, on us?” Buck said.

  “Sassy just said Charity doesn’t even know she can do it, which means it’s not something she did purposely,” Alex said. “And besides, she’s got no reason to do it.”

  “Moments of high emotion can trigger it to happen,” Sassy said.

  “I was angry over this whole case, and mad at myself for not going to Charity’s sooner,” I said.

  “The anger and self-doubt made you completely susceptible,” Sassy said. “This whole area should’ve been checked out by Lucy’s group long before now. They’re losing their touch—unless they’ve been too busy putting out fires elsewhere.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that,” I said.

  “Neither do I,” Buck said.

  “We’d better focus on this mission and not get distracted,” Sassy said.

  “You’ve been doing this longer than any of us, Sassy,” I said. “Do you have any advice for us?”

  “Actually, I do,” she said.

  Alex handed me my sandwich, then after retrieving his sat down next to me, and Sassy started talking again.

  “Detective, you’ve done what many others have done before you. You’ve gone soft and started questioning your instincts, when those instincts and the tough man you were before all this are what got you this job. Lucy’s group offered me a permanent job with them, and I refused it. I pick which jobs I work for them, or with them. Remember your military training, Layton; because it’s what will keep you and the others on your team alive. Most of the men who work for Lucy’s group forget that. They become mesmerized by the supernatural aspects of the job, or have religious revelations that make them go soft. It’s good to believe in God—even I do. Believe it or not, I go to church on Sundays, but I don’t allow it to make me soft at my job.”

  “I understand what you’re saying, and you make several valid points,” I said.

  “How long were you crying on Charity’s porch, Layton?” Sassy said.

  “Three hours.”

  “Holy moly!” Buck said.

  Alex just put his arm around me.

  “Don’t be ashamed of that,” Sassy said. “Maybe your military training is what taught you to keep those emotions in check for so long, but—” She paused for a moment as if trying to collect her thoughts, then continued. “But, it’s also that training that helped you bounce back. And I don’t just mean in a physical sense… I’ve heard of agents having complete mental breakdowns after going what you went through. And the longest I’ve ever heard of anyone experiencing what you did is an hour and a half.”

  “And, Sassy,” I said. “Alex and I are on retainer with Miss Lucy’s group—I’m not interested in a permanent position with them either.”

  “They’re not bad people, but that’s smart of you, nonetheless,” Sassy said. “To have you and Alex, who are new working on this case, and Buck, who’s also fairly new at being an agent, the group must be doing some fast recruiting.”

  “What about me?” Buck said. “What should I do?”

  “You don’t worry your pretty lil head about it,” Sassy said. “When they throw your sweet ass out, I’ll come find you and you can come work for me.”

  “Yeah, but don’t you do the same thing?” Buck said.

  “I’m in salvage; I’m into finding and reselling unique objects. Sometimes Lucy’s group and I cross paths when the objects are especially unique, like the statues here. But I tend to deal more with real world thugs… this supernatural junk gets to be a pain after a while. I prefer the bad guys who stay down once I shoot them, not the ones I have to chop into little pieces. It’s just too damn messy.”

  “It sounds like you came here blindly too,” Alex said. “What I mean is, shouldn’t you have heard about the statues too?”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25