“I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“So, when we pick ‘em up, will that make the curse go away?”
“Not really. For one thing it will be impossible for you to get all of them.”
“It somethin’ that could kill ya’?”
“Probably not.”
“Prob’ly?”
“It’s magick, Ben,” I explained. “It isn’t good, but it’s also something I can protect myself against.”
“Well, then I guess ya’ better do some of your hocus-pocus then.”
“Trust me, I will. And, Felicity already has hocus-pocus planned for your house.”
“Friggin’ lovely. So, how’s your head? You’re sure you ain’t gonna kick off all of a sudden or somethin’, right?”
“It hurts, and I seriously doubt it.”
“Okay, just checkin’. So, anyway, listen… Do cloves mean anything?”
“Why? Did you find cloves out there too?”
“No. Got a call from Martin. Apparently, Devereaux didn’t do any of the regular Voodoo shit we’ve found in the past. Nothin’ obvious anyway. But, there was a big ass container of cloves spilled all over the kitchen counter.”
“Hmmm… Clove oil is used in love and lust spells. Are you sure it just wasn’t some sort of accident in the kitchen?”
“Well, there’s a pile of wax too. Looks like what’s left of a red candle accordin’ ta’ Martin. They also found a dish with what appears ta’ be blood in it. He figured I should run it past ya’ since I was here.”
“Okay, if you throw in the candle and the blood, I’d have to say it sounds like some kind of magick, or at least an attempt at it,” I replied. “But I’m not sure exactly what.”
“Okay. Just thought I’d check…” He sighed then shook his head. “So, if ya’ saw it ya’ think ya’ might be able ta’ tell?”
“Maybe. It’s hard to say.”
“What if you were in the same room with it?”
“The odds would be better,” I replied. “Ben, are you asking me what I think you are?”
“Look, I know ya’ quit and all, but yeah, I’m askin’. You wanna come with me to the scene?”
“Why?”
“Ta’ see if all that is somethin’ ya’ need ta’ worry about.”
“I’m not really comfortable with leaving Felicity right now. I think it would be…”
“I’ll go,” Felicity’s voice cut me off from the doorway.
Ben and I both turned to look in her direction. I had no idea how long she had been standing there, but it was obviously long enough to know what I was objecting to.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I told her.
“Why?”
“I think that’s pretty obvious.”
“I gotta agree with Row on this one,” Ben added. “Besides, given your history with this guy, your name on the scene log ain’t gonna fly.”
“One of us needs to go,” she replied. “You can’t effectively counter a spell without knowing what it is to begin with.”
“You can just ward against magick, Felicity. You know that.”
“Aye, well maybe I’m tired of hiding,” she shot back. “It hasn’t done me any good so far.”
Ben looked at me and said with a shrug, “Your call, White Man.”
I glanced back to my wife. Her expression hadn’t changed and neither had the look of determination in her eyes.
“If I can’t go, then you have to,” she said.
“What about the whole thing with me being banned from the investigation?” I said, looking over to Ben.
“Fuck it.”
“You could get into trouble taking me into a scene.”
“Yeah, so?”
“I’m not good with that.”
“You don’t hafta be.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Listen, this ain’t about the investigation. This is personal. If this bitch is throwin’ somethin’ down on you, then ya’ need ta’ know what it is.”
“It might not have anything to do with us at all.”
“You really believe that?”
I didn’t reply.
“Uh-huh,” he grunted, adding a slow nod as well. “Thought as much.”
“You actually sound like you’re starting to believe in magick.”
“Right now I believe in makin’ sure you two are safe. If this weird ass shit poses a threat, then ya’ need to know about it.”
“So what could happen to you if I go?”
“That ain’t for you to worry about.”
“I’m going to anyway.”
“Yeah, so now ya’ know how I feel.”
“Well, like I was saying earlier, I’m not comfortable with leaving Felicity here by herself. Not after this morning.”
“Not an issue anyway,” Ben offered. “I already called for a unit from the locals to come over an watch the house. They’ll be here before the crime scene unit even thinks about clearin’ out.”
“Aye, I’ll be fine,” she interjected. “I’ll lock the door and finish packing while you’re gone.”
All of my objections had been met head on, and I really couldn’t think of any more. Of course, even if I did I suspected Ben would have an answer for them as well.
Reluctantly, I gave in. “Okay, I guess I’ll go.”
CHAPTER 30:
News crews were already on site, their vans positioned across the street while reporters performed for the cameras using the activity surrounding the apartment complex as a lurid backdrop. As usual, Ben muttered an expletive or two about them as he hooked his van into the parking lot then nosed it into an empty space. Before climbing out of the vehicle, he slipped his badge onto a cord then hung it around his neck.
When we arrived at the fluttering line of yellow tape, my friend flashed the shield to the officer standing watch at the building entrance then signed in on the crime scene log. He stood by patiently waiting while I added my name to the list.
“Can I see your ID, sir?” the officer asked as I handed the pen back to him.
“He’s with me,” Ben answered before I could reply.
The officer glanced at my name on the clipboard, back at Ben, then to me. “Which department are you with?”
“He’s an independent consultant,” Ben replied, once again not giving me a chance to speak. “Like I said, he’s with me.”
The man cocked an eyebrow and stared at him for a moment then pointed toward the building. “One-oh-three. Down the stairs, second door on the right. Can’t miss it.”
Inside the door, we both donned latex gloves and paper shoe covers before continuing down the short flight of stairs then along the hallway toward the entrance to the apartment. My mind was already starting to race before we had ever entered the building, and upon reaching 103, it was setting new speed records. Ben started through the door, but I visibly hesitated before stepping across the threshold.
The scent of cloves wafted out of the apartment carried along on the unmistakable metallic funk of blood and fresh death. The bizarre melange of smells made the ache in my head automatically shift into a higher gear.
The last time I had entered a crime scene where Annalise and Miranda had played their deadly games, I had walked into far more than I was prepared to handle. Granted, I had been alone and too exhausted to properly shield myself from the onslaught, but the memory of that incident was still fresh. Too fresh, in fact, for something that was now over two weeks old.
“You okay?” Ben asked as he stepped back out into the hallway. “I turned around and you were gone. You ain’t goin’ la-la are ya’?”
“No…” I replied. “I’m just a bit… anxious… I guess.”
“I told ya’ not ta’ worry about that,” he said. “I’ll deal with it.”
I shook my head. “It’s not that. It’s more like bad memories.”
“You wanna take a pass?” he asked. “You can wait in the van if ya’ want.”
“No. I’m already here. I might as well have a look.”
“Long as you’re sure. I mean, I want ya’ ta’ take a look at this whole candle thing, that’s the whole point. But, I also don’t wanna push ya’ over the edge either.”
My head was pounding at this point, but I couldn’t be sure if it was a product of what waited on the other side of the doorway, or if it was entirely due to this attack of anxiety. I closed my eyes for a moment then drew in a deep breath.