Time Spell (13 page)

Even though I used my
Time Spell
to inspire my writing and to give me the clever material that set my stories apart from the rest of the herd, I always felt it was my obligation to do the right thing first. I couldn’t sit on information about a murder or a jewel heist just to have an advantage; I wanted my
Time Spell
to do some kind of good. Anonymous tips were the only way I could keep my secret and still do the right thing.

I had found everything I needed in Vegas. I was ready for home, ready to start writing, and ready to share this story with the rest of the world.

Sullen’s Grove, Present Day

I re-sorted the information with Jack, and the columns on the legal pad were empty. I glanced at the clock hanging over his mantle and saw both hands pointing to two. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. Jack and I had been going over the information for hours and made little headway.

“So, let me get this straight.” Jack stood and rolled his shoulders. We were both stiff from our perched positions. “You called the Las Vegas PD and tipped them off about Holden Chadsworth
and
you called the Dallas museum to tell them about the diamonds?”

“Yes, yes, I had to. I couldn’t keep that kind of information to myself.” My eyelids were growing heavier.

“Ivy, those things aren’t in the book though.” He looked at me through bloodshot eyes. “Obviously, it’s someone involved in the murder and the diamond heist. Someone who knows the same backstory you do. Are you forgetting someone? Is there anyone at all you saw in 1968 you forgot to mention?”

“It doesn’t matter who I forgot. They’re all dead!” I blurted out. “I think we need to call it a night. We aren’t getting anywhere. We keep rehashing the same things. I’ll come back in the morning and we’ll start again. We have time until our flight tomorrow at noon.”

I headed toward the door and slid one arm into my leather jacket. I regretted snapping at him.

Jack followed me, carefully yanked the sleeve down my arm, and tossed my jacket on the chair. “I think you need to stay here tonight.”

The words sent chills across my shoulders and tingles down my back, the good kind, the kind I wanted from Jack. Even in my sleepy fog, my body started waking up. Did he just ask me to spend the night?

“I’ll sleep on the couch and you can have my room. We can get a lot more accomplished if you just stay,” he urged.

My runaway daydreaming started as I thought about us making breakfast together and me walking around his kitchen in one of his white button-up shirts, but barely buttoned. He would slowly unbutton the last one as I stirred pancake batter, and then he’d slip the shirt down to the floor, pull me in his arms, and kiss me. Ugh! I was tired and exhausted enough to concoct a crazy fantasy at 2 a.m.

Jack was right. We could get more done if I stayed, but I had left Cooper long enough. I needed to sort through my thoughts, away from Jack, away from those eyes, and those arms and that body.

“Come on. You need to stay.” He was starting to convince me.

However, I knew one way to dissuade him. “Look, I have an idea. I can do something to help your sister before we leave tomorrow. She needs a protection spell. I know someone who can cast one for her that should last a few days, at least until we get back. Why don’t I go work on that? I’ll let Cooper out, pack my bag, and I’ll meet you back here. Deal?”

“Protection spell? How does that work exactly?” I could hear the sliver of hope rising in his voice.

“I can’t get into it, but it’s a good one. Do we have a deal?” I handed the notepad to him. “Just write her address down and I’ll make sure Emily is ok.”

He took the paper, but paused before he filled in the street number. “If I let you go, you’re not going to run are you? You’ll come back?”

The entire night I had felt as if I were Jack’s prisoner in the house, a prisoner to the contents of that letter, and a prisoner to all of the questions he had, but looking in his eyes, I realized he was really the prisoner. He was trapped in a new world he didn’t understand, with no way to navigate through to the safety of his only family.

I wanted to reach for him and let the back of my hand touch his cheek, but I powered through the impulse. “I promise I’ll be here in the morning.” I picked up my jacket and bag and walked out the door.

I
INHALED
the cool night air and regained my thoughts. The nearness of Jack and my lack of sleep were definitely clouding my judgment. I pulled out my phone and put my car in reverse. This call wasn’t going to go well, but I needed that protection spell done tonight. Instead, I decided to send a text. Texting was easier. I’d hear enough about my mistakes later.

Emergency. Meet me a.s.a.p. Same spot
.

My phone vibrated back.

O
k

I steered toward Oaks Park through the vacant streets. It was well after 2:30 a.m., and most bar patrons had already found their way home by now. In this sleepy city, there wasn’t much happening after two. Except for a lone abandoned car in the parking lot, the park was empty. The swings swayed back and forth.

On hot, sunny days, it was the perfect place to find shade. Cooper loved to catch the Frisbee or tennis ball and the poor guy got hot so fast. Towering oaks bordered the edge of the park like guards, and long limbs reached together to form a thick canopy. We often found refuge in the shady park and played here on those hot days with the moms and joggers of Sullen’s Grove.

I clutched the paper in my pocket with Jack’s sister’s address written on it.
Emily Coleman, 2122 Birch Ave., Atlanta
. I scanned the street behind me in the rearview mirror, peering for headlights that would drive through the iron gates. I looked at his text. He said,
ok
. Where was he? I stepped out of the car to wait.

I heard the revolving
swish, swish, swish
as he landed with a slight thud behind one of the oaks. My stomach turned in knots and my heart raced. I tucked my hair behind my ear, tilted my head, trying to muster my best Ivy smile.

“Hey, gorgeous, you need me?” the smooth voice called from behind the oak, and in my mind I could picture his face in the shadows—half smirking, half unconcerned, but with crystal blue eyes and the longest eyelashes I had ever seen.

As if pulled by a magnet, I ran toward the shadows, toward Finn, toward my only chance to help Jack.

Sullen’s Grove, Three Years Ago

Finn had won my heart, soul, and most dangerously, my body the first time I met him. Ian’s department hosted a swanky fundraiser at the Children’s Museum to help fund missing children’s cases. My parents were in attendance, and my mother had helped organize the entire event from the themed invitations, to the flower displays, to the elegant food selections. She opted for a masked ball. The night’s patrons donned masks, and the largest donors were signified with a red rosebud fastened to their lapels or waists.

One room displayed rows of silent auction items. I wavered between placing a bid on a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes or a spa package—both were much needed. Ian insisted I attend, and Mama wouldn’t take no for an answer. Admittedly, I’m not the type of girl who likes to turn down the chance to wear an evening gown or spend a night in a room full of hot detectives in tuxedos.

I chose a black gown with a plunging V-neck that was rivaled by an even deeper plunge in the back. My five-inch sparkling shoes peeped past the hem when I walked. My mother was happily looped on my father’s arm, chatting with their friends. Ian traded jokes with his buddies on the force, so I stepped to the bar to refill my champagne glass. I turned to take in the scene, admire my mother’s handiwork, and absently nodded a “thank you” as an icy glass was placed in my hand.

“Really, that’s all you have to say?” The voice was calm.

Shocked a server at such a high-dollar event would be so reproachful, I turned to cast a stern eye. I caught my breath.

Through the mask, brilliant blue eyes drank in my dress, my face, and my breasts. He had dark blond hair that was styled with an edgy cut. He was taller than I was in my stilts for shoes. I could tell he was lean and fit underneath all of those tux layers.

I giggled. “So, sorry. I thought you were a waiter and you sounded just a tad bit upset.” I made a little pinching gesture with my thumb and finger.

“No, not a waiter. Just a detective.” He held out his hand. “Detective Delano. But I’m ok with you calling me Finn.”

I thought I saw him wink through the mask. I wanted to see his face, but I guess that’s part of the allure of masquerades—mystery.

“Ivy.” When I reached for his hand, he took mine to his lips, pressing a kiss near my knuckles.

He smiled. “Wait, you’re Ian’s sister, right?” He still hadn’t let go of my hand, and I was starting to feel electric tingling in my fingertips.

“Yes, I am. Has Ian been talking about me at work?”

I was only slightly worried as I looked at this gorgeous man. Ian would never reveal much about me. I heard the big band start up again, and the brass blared.

“He mentioned something about a sister.”

By the way he was smiling I thought there had to be more to it than that.

“Do you work missing persons cases too?” I sipped the champagne, enjoying the sweet taste.

“I’ve moved around so much I don’t have a permanent department yet. I’m still the new guy at work.”

Before I had a chance to ask if he considered Sullen’s Grove a place he’d like to stay, he motioned for me to follow him. The way he grabbed my hand and held it close against his back felt familiar and protective. I liked that he so easily took the lead. He navigated through the crowd to the stairwell exit. We climbed two flights of stairs and emerged on the rooftop.

The stars were out in full force and the summer air engulfed us. I could hear the slight bass thumping from several floors below, but it was quiet on the roof.

“Wow, it’s beautiful up here. Have you been up here before?” I peeked over the side of the building.