Destiny's Wrath (Destiny Series - Book 3) (13 page)

“
I could get used to this.”

“
You remember our agreement? I’ve kept up my end of the bargain; I’ll need you to give me your body for a few hours
.”

“
What’re you going to do now?”

“
Do you really want to know? I will tell you, but I believe you may prefer to be kept in the dark on this one
.
It is for my enjoyment this time, not yours
.”

“
Uh, okay. Where do I go?”

“
Just slip into the darkness. I’ll summon you when I’m done
.”

Just like that, Bert was gone. Samael was pleased with his obedience, a welcomed change from the headstrong teenager he’d been co-habitating with these last months. Samael looked at this body in the mirror and spoke aloud to himself, “Not bad. A little too tightly wound, but he has a nice physique.” Samael extended his fingers then wound them tightly into a fist, flexing the muscles on his arms and examining Bert’s body more closely, when a voice called from the bed, “That was incredible. I feel like cooked pasta.”

Samael smiled to himself, then slowly responded, “I feel as though I might not have given my best effort earlier.” He began sauntering back to the bed where Cynthia was propped up on a pillow, “How would you like to give me another shot?”

“
Bert, I’m spent. I think I’ll need to pass this time. How about tomorrow?”

Samael shook his head, “Oh, my dear, I insist. I intend to ruin you for all other men. You’ll be my Little Pet.”

She half-heartedly laughed, “Stick a fork in me, Sweetie, I’m done.”

“
Hmm, an interesting idea, but, My Pet, I can assure you - you are
far
from done. I merely permitted you a rest. I knew you would need your strength.” Samael scooped up her hand in his and brought her wrist to his lips. “A little advice to you: I love screams – loud and long. I like to know that I am the reason for them. Nothing will satisfy me more than hearing your fear wrapped in your shrieks. Give me what I want, and I’ll leave you in a state where you won’t walk tomorrow. You won’t deny me my little thrill, will you, My Pet?”

Samael could see the fear on Cynthia’s face. He smiled wickedly back at her, “That’s it, My Pet. I feel your fear. Show me how scared you are.”

****

Samael looked at Cynthia’s body lying limp under him. If he didn’t know better, he would have thought he killed her, but he
did
know better. Shallow as it was, she was breathing. Samael examined the marks he left on her, a very nice collection, reminders for her. She would not be able to block out what he had done to her. She proved to have an extremely high threshold for pain; he looked forward to their next encounter. Samael rifled through a drawer and found a pen and a small piece of paper.

My Pet,

Sorry to leave you, but duty calls. I’ll expect to see you here again tomorrow night, 7 p.m. Do not be tardy. Wear something sexy.

Master

Samael sneered to himself as he put the note in her hand. After everything he had subjected her to, she would be back. He had given her a taste of how sadistic he could be; her pleading for him to stop still echoed in his mind. She wouldn’t want to displease him.

Samael knew Bert would be pleased to see her again, too. Bert would be oblivious to this second encounter. Samael knew he would have to develop Bert’s taste for this or convince him to leave again. He would see what kind of shape Cynthia was in tomorrow at seven.

Samael dressed and picked up Bert’s cell phone, scrolling through the contacts. He selected the contact that said, “Thornton,” and dialed.

“
Hello, Dennis?”

“
Hi, Bert, what’s up?”

“
I was wondering if you have been badgered by a young couple from Ridgeville?”

“
Uh, I guess so. They are nosing around about the case.”

“
What do you know about them?”

“
Well, not much. They seem okay. They met with Jimmy’s mother and have asked me some questions.”

“
Really? What kind of questions?”

“
They are pretty adamant about wanting to speak with Jimmy. They say he’s got a friend that put him up to this, but they don’t know his last name or where he lives. It sounds like a rabbit hole to me.”

“
I’m sure it is. What is this supposed delinquent’s name?”

“
They said his name was Samael, but like I said, they didn’t have any information on him. I told them to get a hold of me if they could get any information on his identity or his whereabouts. It feels fishy, but the kid might have had an accomplice.”

“
Hmmm, I don’t like loose ends, Dennis. Maybe I should meet with this couple?”

“
How did you hear about them, anyway? Did they try contacting you, too?”

Dennis heard a brie hesitation before Bert responded, “Yes, I received a sketchy voice mail, but before I returned their call, I wanted to know if you’d had any interaction with them.”

“
I’ve talked to them a couple times. They seem to be on the level, but no proof of anything. Their names haven’t made it into any reports.”

“
Good, say, why don’t you contact them? Let’s meet them at the station tonight.”

“
Tonight? Bert, it’s already after ten.”

“
I’m perfectly capable of telling time, Dennis. If they want to be heard, let’s hear what they have to say. Let’s keep this between you and me, for now. We don’t want the chief getting wind that someone out there thinks we’ve left a stone unturned.”

“
It’s pretty late. How about I tell them to meet us tomorrow morning?”

“
Officer Thornton, I’d like to meet them at the station tonight. Tell them to be there in an hour.”

His friend had just pulled rank. Dennis knew he wasn’t in any shape to work. He was exhausted and had had a few beers. Telling Bert that he was under the influence wouldn’t go over well, either. “Okay, I’ll tell them.”

Dennis hung up with Bert and dialed Lauren. When she answered, Dennis said, “Hey, I know it’s late, but the lead detective on Jimmy’s case wants to meet you tonight.”

“
He does? Is everything okay? Did something happen to Jimmy?”

“
He told me he got your voicemail and wants to meet with you, to see if you’re legit - before the Chief of Detectives hears about you.”

“
I didn’t leave anyone a voice mail. What’s his name?”

“
Detective Ross. He sounded a little pissed. Unless there’s a good reason not to go, I think you two should meet us at the station tonight.”

“
Uh, okay.”

Dennis had a breathalyzer in his squad car. He blew into the device and looked at the reading: .08. Dennis knew showing up at the station without his squad car would be bad if anyone noticed, but he couldn’t take the chance of driving. Dennis called Maggie, who was used to his odd hours. He decided it would be better to be on the outs with her for asking for an obscure favor, rather than lose his job over a DUI.

Maggie did pick up Dennis and drove him to the station. As he opened his door to get out, her voice was angry. “Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that you have to work and you’re too damn drunk to drive yourself. This place is like a ghost town, so just let me walk in with you. If no one’s around, you could let me see Jimmy.”

“
Maggie, you know I can’t. He said he doesn’t want you to see him like this. I promise I’ll check on him while I’m here.”

“
Ask him if he needs anything. Ask him why he won’t see me. Tell him I love him.”

Dennis could see it coming: she was on the verge of a melt down again. He leaned over to her in the driver’s seat, put his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her forehead. “I will, I promise.”

“
I can wait for you here, to give you a ride home when you’re ready.”

“
Naw, I’ll be fine. Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Dennis walked into the station and found Bert sitting at his desk. His posture seemed odd. Normally Bert was hunched over files strewn all over his desk; tonight he looked different somehow. “Officer Thornton, so nice of you to join me this evening.”

“
Yeah, sure, whatever you need, Bert. So, why the interest in Lauren and Max?”

“
It sounds as though you’re pretty chummy with them.” Bert leaned in more closely, while Dennis eased back in his chair. “Do I smell alcohol, Officer Thornton?”

“
I had a few beers earlier.”

“
And you thought it wise to come to work while you were under the influence and assist me with an interview? I know of your connection with Jimmy’s mother. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to sabotage this case.”

“
Uh, no, I didn’t think…I mean you said you wanted to talk to them tonight.”

“
And you neglected to inform me that you were unable to assist me this evening, is that correct?”

“
Listen, Bert, you said you wanted this to go down tonight. You were adamant that we not wait until morning. I’m not drunk, I’m fine.”

“
Do you realize showing up here in an official capacity while under the influence of alcohol is grounds for termination?”

“
Bert, hey man, what do you want me to do? I’ve already had three cups of coffee.”

“
I’ll need to decide what best to do with this situation. If I turn a blind eye, it looks as though I am condoning your behavior. For now, go, sleep it off. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”

Dennis was scared. All he ever wanted was to be a cop. One stupid decision and it could be erased. Bert was right: if he did nothing and someone found out, it would be Bert’s ass on the line. He mumbled to himself, “I’m such a frickin’ imbecile.”

With near sonar hearing, Bert replied, “Yes, you are. Now get out of here before someone else smells you.”

Dennis was making his way down the steps in a hurry as he saw Max and Lauren climbing them. “Hi, Dennis. Where’re you going?”

“
Detective Ross wanted to talk to you two alone. Just check in with the Desk Sergeant. He’ll take you to him.”

“
Are you okay? Has something happened we should know about?”

“
No. But . . . don’t say anything about talking to me at Ebony’s house tonight, all right?”

Lauren

Dennis was shaken, and I could sense fear from him. I nodded that we wouldn’t mention our earlier encounter. He continued down the steps without so much as a second look in our direction. We found our way to the Desk Sergeant, and just as Dennis had said, he took us to Detective Ross.

Detective Bert Ross stood up from his desk. “How can I help you two?”

Max cleared his throat, “We wanted to see Jimmy Jacobs. Dennis Thornton called us tonight and said we should meet with you.”

“
I’m sorry, Max, Jimmy isn’t permitted visitation from anyone other than his lawyer. You haven’t passed the bar since the last time we spoke, have you?”

I felt my eyes bulge, really seeing him for the first time. Samael was right there in front of me with a gun and badge, the lead detective in the case.

Max didn’t see it; he looked confused, “I’m sorry, have we met?” He held out a friendly hand. Before the detective could take Max’s hand, I slapped it away.

I shouted, “You son-of-a-bitch.” All eyes from the little room were on me, “Don’t touch him!”

Three officers in the room stood up and looked as though they were ready to tackle me. Samael gave them a dismissive wave. “Why, Lauren, it’s always a pleasure to see you; I cannot imagine what you two hope to accomplish here.”

I growled, “We came to see Jimmy, to save him from you, you leech.”

An evil grin spread wide across his face. He lowered his voice so only Max and I could hear, “Jimmy is a criminal. A murderer. But don’t worry, my sweet; he’ll have his day in court. I wonder what his defense will be? A demon made me do it? No, probably not – he was always so pliable, so willing to keep the secret. I bet he takes it to his grave.”

Samael reached out to touch my hand. I yanked it away a second too late and felt his hand brush mine. The revulsion oozed from me with the words, “Never touch me.”

“
Lauren, you must realize, you are in an awkward situation. I am, after all, ‘Johnny Law’ in this town. Do not try my patience, or I’m sure I can find a reason to get you a cell right next to dear Jimmy.”

Max stepped in front of her, “Samael, what’re you doing? Renny and Dakota are in town. Showing yourself to us is a quick way to get the detective killed.”

“
Ahhh, Max, I’ve missed you as well. Who is going to tell them? You? I think not. You and I still have our bond, don’t we? You always were averse to murder. No, I think you’ll keep the secret just as well as Jimmy.”

“
So, why did you want to see us? Just to let us know that you’re alive and well?”

“
A simple message: Back off. Leave this one alone.”

“
But if you made Jimmy…”

Samael cut him off in a harsh whisper, “I didn’t make that little piece-of-shit do anything. He had it all planned out. He is exactly where he deserves to be. Now stop meddling and go home.”