Black Bird (Nevermore Duet #1)

CHAPTER 14

ROCK BOTTOM

Sarah’s head was pounding, and she was freezing when she woke up in a holding cell by herself in a gray sweatshirt that wasn’t quite big enough to keep her warm. She lifted her cheek off of her forearm and raised herself to sit up on the bench. A few minutes of gathering where she was and why she had ended up there, and all the blurry images of what she’d done came flooding back to her. How long had she been here? Where was everyone? She rubbed her palms over her face and raised her knees to her chest, scooping her arms around them. She supposed this was it—rock bottom. Would this little stunt cost her that new job? How many people probably knew about what happened at the strip club? She didn’t wanna think on it. The door buzzed loudly, and Sarah’s head throbbed. She squinted against it, resting her hand on the side of her head as Rhaena opened the door and stood there watching her.

“I’ll give you something for that if you promise to behave,” she said softly.

Sarah slowly turned her face to look at her. “I’m sorry …” she breathed. Tears threatened to cloud her eyes and she blinked furiously. “I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine, Sarah.”

“It’s not fine!” Sarah yelped, her voice cracking with emotion. She flung an arm out. “ I’m not fine, Rhaena!” Warm tears started sliding down her cheeks and she sniffled, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “I’ve never felt so fucking lost …” Sarah buried her face in her knees.

She didn’t need to look over to know that Rhaena had approached her and knelt down. A gentle hand grazed her back. “Well … you’ve certainly made an ass out of yourself this time.” That wasn’t Rhaena … Sarah jerked her face up. She didn’t even have the words as she flung her arms around Wren’s neck and cried. Wren clutched her tight, sniffling at her ear.

“I’m sorry,” Sarah whispered, gripping her tighter.

“It’s okay, bitch. You won’t get rid of me that easily.” Wren snickered.

“I was awful. I shouldn’t have gone off like that.”

They pulled back and Wren offered her a tissue. “You had every right. I shouldn’t have butted in. I was just shook up from everything and I acted on impulse. You know if I spend too much time around him my mouth writes checks my ass can’t cash.” She shrugged, smiling.

Rhaena chuckled through her nose as she leaned against the open door. Sarah looked up at her. “How much trouble are you in?”

“With Cap, none. Kane might be a different story. ”

Just the mention of his name had her muscles weakening. It brought up the short conversation she’d forgotten about in Rhaena’s truck. “Oh, God. Rhaena … I’m—I didn’t mean …”

Rhaena held up a palm. “Don’t. It’s okay. No hard feelings. At least I hope you can say that after I socked you last night.”

“No, I earned that and then some. You pack a mean punch, Northwood. I’m sorry I put you in that position.” There was a little laughter between the three of them, and then silence. “So … what am I looking at? Jail time? Hot oil? The guillotine?”

“Actually, no. None of those things. I got you off with drunk and disorderly.” Rhaena shrugged.

“How?” Sarah asked.

“Well, after I explained to your little opponent that she could catch the same charge for instigating the fight and making the first move, she decided not to press charges. The bar owner was satisfied with the amount of money that was thrown at the two of you, so … everybody wins.”

“You’re a Jedi.” Wren laughed, shaking her head.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, though. You’re ah … banned from your little hangout, moving forward.” Rhaena winked.

“I won’t be going anywhere like that again.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So … are we ready to get out of this shithole?” Rhaena asked, turning sideways and gesturing out the door. Sarah let Wren help her up and they followed Rhaena out. She had no idea what time it was … or even what day it was. She took her walk of shame past all the officers that glanced at her as they reached Rhaena’s desk. Athan’s was empty and looked to have been that way for a while. Sarah paused. “He’s not coming. You can sit there. Once we sign the paperwork you can go home if you want. I can take you … unless you wanna stay at my place?” Rhaena offered as Sarah pulled the chair out from under his desk.

She lowered herself into the seat and Wren busied herself at the whiteboard. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ll just go home,” Sarah said sadly. Rhaena slid a small stack of paperwork across the desks and tossed her a pen. It rolled off the edge and clattered to the floor. Sarah bent over to pick it up and noticed a drawer half-open on her way back up. Her heart nearly stopped. She slid the small drawer open and in it was a small print-out of the picture she’d sent Athan from the lab. Small enough to fit in a wallet and taped to the inside.

“He’s pretty wrecked, you know …” Wren said from behind her. Sarah hadn’t realized they both were watching. “Sneaking coffee from Rhaena’s has really tucked his tail.”

“If the fool hadn’t one-upped me on the fancy shit he bought, I might have replaced it for him just so I wouldn’t have to see him more often than I already do.” Rhaena snorted. Wren chuckled as she turned to face the board again. Sarah remained quiet.

“Knowing what I know now … I can see why he was so upset about this .” She knocked the back of a knuckle on the photo of the body on the web. Sarah stood up and stepped behind her to look at the tragic woman that had been a muse in some sick ploy to get their attention. It was without a doubt a threat. A sinister one. Had her face been unmarred, Sarah would have guessed she was staring at her own body in that picture. A chill crept down her spine. She turned away, sitting back in his chair. It squealed loudly when she turned it and she noticed Rhaena’s irritation.

“That fu—you know what?” She started to raise up and a nice-looking guy, wearing a badge but no uniform, approached from the hallway behind Rhaena’s desk with a can of oil. “Hey …” Rhaena smirked, a little stunned and easing back down into her seat. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“When I saw your text earlier and realized what time it was, I figured here was the last place you’d wanna be. I brought Chinese.” He smiled, handing her the small can. Sarah noticed the tension between them and realized this must be the one she’d said she was seeing when they were in the truck. She recognized the guy. Had seen him a couple times before, but she couldn’t for the life of her remember his name.

“Guys this is—” Rhaena started. He cut her off and stretched a hand toward Sarah.

“Brandon Jenkins.” He gripped her hand and Sarah smiled, then he offered it to Wren who shook it gently.

“Umm … speaking of time. What time is it, pray tell?” Sarah asked, flipping through the papers and signing on the highlighted marks.

“Almost 4:30.” Wren yawned.

“In the morning?” Sarah asked. They all grew quiet, and Sarah raised her eyes from the paper to find them staring at her. She cleared her throat, feeling heat stain her cheeks. “S-sorry … I’ll um … finish this.”

Rhaena slid a plastic bag with Sarah’s stuff in it over the desk. “Here. I think your phone’s dead, but this was all you had on you. I umm … couldn’t find your shirt. The sweatshirt is from the training center. It’s clean. I didn’t think you wanted to wake up giving everybody another peep show.”

“I brought extra if you’re hungry,” Jenkins offered. Rhaena thwacked him in the shoulder, and he winced, drawing his brows at her.

“Rule number one, Jenkins. Don’t give away my food unless I offer it.”

“Damn, woman.” He rubbed his shoulder.

Sarah emptied the bag and pocketed all the contents. All but one. “I’ll just take some coffee if you’ve got it. Whenever you’re ready, Rhaena … I’m gonna go sleep it off and hopefully not lose my job tomorrow when I call in another sick day.”

“Say less,” Rhaena said, hopping out of her chair and rushing toward the break room. Wren and Jenkins followed behind her. Sarah slid Athan’s drawer closed and stacked the paperwork on Rhaena’s desk before glancing back to the board and heading in their direction.

It was damn near 9:00 in the morning when Rhaena finally knocked on his door. Athan sprung from the couch and opened it. She stood there, looking every bit as exhausted and weary as he felt while impatiently waiting for her to respond to every call and text he’d made while she was gone. There were a couple of scratches on her temple and on her neck. One of the scratches was on her chin.

“Tell me that’s not from her.” Athan gaped, moving aside to let her through.

“If I’m being completely honest, I’m not sure. Could be from a couple different half naked women.” Rhaena’s shoulders slumped, and she made haste to his living room and plopped face down onto the couch.

“And she was one of them? I must have called you a dozen times. You could have at least given me a text back.”

“Look, when I tell you what I’m about to tell you … could you at least do me the honor of beating my ass while I lay here? Cause I’m too wiped out to do this right now.” She dropped her hand over the edge of the cushion, and it laid wearily on the carpet.

“What happened?”

Rhaena sighed deeply, her face scrunched against the leather and her chestnut hair blowing in front of her face when she huffed. “She—she was out of control.”

“Tell me everything,” Athan said, dropping into the matching chair on the other side of the living room. Poe clicked his beak in his cage.

“Are you sure you wanna know? Cause it wasn’t good.”

“Just tell me.”

She sighed again. “She was giving lap dances to a bunch of nasty dudes when I got there. Had her top off.” Athan’s jaw twitched. “The dancers were throwing fits because they weren’t getting any attention, and the club owner wanted her arrested. By the time I made it to where she was, she twirled around and snorted a pill off some guy’s chest.”

“What?” He narrowed his eyes. Rhaena tried to nod and rolled her eyes.

“I grabbed her, asked her what the hell she was thinking. I, of course, thought it was cocaine, but she said she had crushed up some of her pills she had left over from the hospital. I got that confirmed when we confiscated it after.”

“After what?”

“She tested me. She was pissed off about the day she left your place. Called me a traitor. I expected that, but she was tanked. I told her it was time to go and one of the strippers got in her face. They mouthed off, and next thing I knew … Sarah had thrown that bitch across a table and there were people swinging everywhere.”

“Where were the uniforms that were supposed to be watching her?!” Athan yelped, flinging a hand forward.

“Handling the rest of the idiots that were trying to go after your girl!” Rhaena bit back, raising her face off the couch. “I finally got ahold of her, and she fought me. I warned her. I begged her not to make me do it. ”

Athan could feel his rage starting to boil. He gripped the arms of the leather chair. “What the hell did you do?”

“It was either let the rookie tase her or give her a solid enough blow to put her down myself. I didn’t want you murdering one of our own.” She looked at him, bracing herself. “I gave her a good one in the gut, cuffed her, and took her to the truck.” She kept her head raised and stayed silent for a long moment before resting her cheek back down on the cushion. “If you wanna lay me out, go ahead and get it over with. I’d rather just rip the bandage off quick.”

He thought he’d be more pissed, but the thought of taking a hit from Rhaena and then still managing to walk right after … it filled him with pride. Athan couldn’t hide his smirk … or the soft chuckle that escaped his nose. “Where is she?” he asked, unable to see most of Rhaena’s face through her thick hair. She didn’t answer. “Rhaena …” Still nothing. Athan stood up and walked over to the couch, peeling her hair back and realizing she’d passed out, mouth wide open. He snorted and shook his head. “Thanks, partner,” he whispered, and truly meant it. He knew it could have been so much worse. Knew if he’d been there, he’d likely be in prison. As much as it set his blood on fire to think of someone hurting Sarah, he knew Rhaena would only make that call if it was absolutely necessary. The fact that she took it upon herself to spare the rookie was admirable and telling him about it while also expecting the worst was even more so.

Athan couldn’t help but feel a deep regret low in his gut for taking Rhaena for granted. He was glad she had somebody to spend that time with now, but all things considered … he’d never find a better partner … or a better friend. He didn’t deserve any of these women that he found himself having in his life. As he pulled off Rhaena’s boots and covered her with a blanket, his phone dinged from the kitchen.

Wren Vintorri: Hey … just wanted to let you know that I’m with Sarah at her place … she’s asleep and everything is fine. Cops are downstairs. Don’t be too hard on Northwood. Here if you need me. Be back tomorrow after work.

His heart nearly stopped when a picture came through of Sarah soundly sleeping in her own bed. She certainly didn’t look like she’d just been through the ringer. Her tattooed hand was curled beneath her chin, and he could almost feel the warmth of her body as she snuggled beneath that tattered blanket she kept on her bed. Damn, he missed her. It was still strange to feel this way about anyone, let alone a woman like her that he’d gladly rip his own heart out for. He snapped a photo of Rhaena, sent it and texted her back.

Me: … don’t worry … she passed out before I could string her up and beat her like a dirty rug. Glad everything mellowed out between you two … later .

Another text popped up, this time from someone he hadn’t expected.

Nick Specter: Hey man, I need you at the office. We’ve got a problem.

Any warm, snuggly feelings he had vanished. Athan dressed quickly, grabbing his gun and badge and making sure Poe’s cage was secure before locking Rhaena in. The tagged key to his new wheels dangled from his finger and the elevator doors opened. Athan cracked his knuckles as he stepped inside and leaned against the back wall, his need for trouble growing more satisfied as the doors slowly closed. He smirked as he slipped a cigarette into his mouth and disappeared from view.

Nick tapped his foot nervously under his desk while he waited for a response from Kane. All had seemed quiet as far as his deception in sneaking those blood bags out of the hospital and handing them over to the Devil himself. He was pretty positive Kane hadn’t figured that out yet, if for no other reason than Nick was still breathing air. He knew deep down that it would only be a matter of time before that changed. He’d tried calling St. James several times this morning to let her know not to come into work, but it kept going straight to her voicemail. The desk phone beeped.

“Detective Kane is here, sir.”

“Yep, send him in.”

Kane stepped through the door, closing it softly behind him. “Specter.” He inclined his head and walked over to the chair across from his desk to sit.

“You’re scruffier than I’ve seen you. Everything okay?” Nick pointed out as he sat down.

“Been better. What’s going on?”

“Do you have any idea where St. James is?”

“Why?” Kane’s face revealed nothing.

“I’ve tried calling her all morning and haven’t been able to reach her.”

“She’s safe.”

Nick propped his elbows on his desk and steepled his fingers. “Can you keep her away from the lab? Maybe take her somewhere?”

“Get to the point, Nick.”

Nick sighed sharply. “Fine. She’s been testing some shit outside of what we have for her to work on. Not that it’s a problem where we’re concerned, she actually does an immaculate job and we’re lucky to have her even considering how she ended up here. However …”

Kane quirked a brow. “However …? ”

“What she tested, she logged. You know the government can look at whatever they want. She’s made it onto their radar. All her shit was claimed by the government, and I was forced to sign a document that says the facility and its employees relinquish all rights to the research. It’s gone. All of it.”

“She told me that she tested her own blood. Was there anything else?”

“Yes … this.” He reached into a drawer under his desk and dug out the glass container, sliding it across toward Kane. “I’m not sure what this is, but I managed to get my hands on it before they sent people here to take it from us.” He watched Kane’s expression change when he examined the contents. Dark and light purple shards of stone with flecks of gray and silver. “After she ran tests on it, she searched for a very specific virus in the database. I’m thinking that was what sounded the alarm on their end. We don’t have any record of what she was looking for.”

“What are you planning to do with this?” Kane asked, raising the small glass container and teetering it between his fingers.

“I was going to give it back to her, though I think it might be best for her to lay low for a while. They’re looking for her. It won’t take government lackeys very long to pin her down.”

Kane grew quiet and stared down at the contents of the container. “These are her mother’s ashes. She used to wear them around her neck. She must have busted the stone apart to test it.”

“I see … so the virus?”

“She’s trying to find answers,” he breathed.

Nick leaned back in his chair. “She’s got a damn army after her. If I were in her position, I’d find a way out of this whole country.”

“What good would it do, Nick? You know just as well as I do that our demons will follow us wherever we go.”

“What do we do, then?”

They both quieted and Kane lifted his eyes. Nick watched the blue turn to the darkest black he’d ever seen. It was like staring death right in its face. The black spread like ink until there was no white left in his eyes at all.

“We let them. If they’re brave enough … they’ll have me to deal with,” he said in a voice that had every hair standing on end. A wicked smirk curled up one side of Kane’s mouth and Nick swallowed hard.

“Could you return that to her for me? Tell her that her job is safe. I just want her to remain safe as well.”

Kane raised up from his chair, his eyes returning to their normal color. “Thanks for the heads up. If anything else seems off, I would assume you know to call me.”

“You got it.” Nick nodded, stiffly.

The detective didn’t say another word. He spun his keys around his finger and headed for the door. He wished he could have the confidence that man had. There wasn’t anything Nick wouldn’t do for the sake of his family, but even dying for them might not be enough to keep them safe. Maybe becoming whatever Kane was would benefit him. As the door shut and he was left alone, he reminded himself of how unhappy anyone associated with that coven seemed to be … even with immortality.

Nick let that idea slip right out of his head.

There were tears, and plenty of photos taken with grateful parents and sick children as Conrad Stratford met with hospital staff and cancer-stricken families that should have made him feel … bad about this. As he shook hands with the president of the children’s hospital, and carried a list in his pocket of possible candidates to receive a trial of the drug he was hoping to present to the world, he wondered why he felt nothing. His wretched existence must have finally consumed him at this point. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation to look down at the top five names of those children and try to make a decision. All were willing recipients, per their desperate parents, and all were under ten years old.

He found two with the same condition. The one he was most inclined to try for. Acute myeloid leukemia—cancer of the blood. Decidedly, the most fatal with the lowest survival rate after five years of diagnosis. Conrad spoke with a nurse to find the room where the first child sat occupied with two books in her lap, surprised to see her alone. His secretary, Gretchen, followed behind him and pushed the press back as she closed the door behind them.

“Good afternoon.” He smiled, seeming everything like the caring father he wasn’t. “Are you Anne?” The frail little girl looked up from her books at him, her head bare and bruised. As were several other places on her arms and hands.

“Depends on who’s asking … are you here to pump me with more crap?” she asked. Conrad smiled at her boldness.

“My name is Conrad. I’m—”

“I know who you are.” She closed her book and sat up straighter. “You’re the senator with the dashing son.”

Gretchen snorted as she stood with her leather binder by the door. He was inclined to follow up with a chuckle of his own. “How old are you, Anne?”

“I’ll be ten next month … that is, if I make it that long.” She leaned back against a stack of pillows. He admired her spunk.

“You don’t sound like a ten-year-old girl. I would have guessed at least sixteen.” He gestured toward her books. “What are you reading?”

“Books about law … and one true crime story when my mom isn’t around.”

“That’s a little stiff for a girl your age, isn’t it?”

She shrugged. “I know what I want. If I don’t live to be old enough to get it, then at least I can pretend there’s hope while I’m still here.”

“And what is it that you want, Anne?” he asked, stepping closer .

“I wanna be a lawyer. The kind that makes headlines. A badass in a suit that nobody wants to mess with … not even disease.” She smirked. “You know … kinda like your son.”

Conrad huffed a laugh. “I see. So that’s why you know him.”

“Oh, if I live through this, I’m gonna marry him.”

He and Gretchen had a good laugh at that one. He pulled a chair up to the side of her bed. “May I?” he asked. Anne nodded. Conrad sat and scooted closer. Cameras flashed outside the window by the door. “Where are your parents?”

“Downstairs having lunch with my older sister. I’ve been waiting for them to leave so I could get my book out.”

“I’m sorry we disturbed you.”

“It’s okay.” She shrugged again. “So … are you gonna tell me why you’re here?”

“Straight to the point. I like it.” He smiled. “I came to offer you a way out. Your parents applied for a clinical trial since you haven’t been responding to treatment. I wanted to offer you a place in the trial if you’re interested … personally.”

“Why would a senator be offering me something like that instead of a doctor?”

Conrad leaned forward. “Because I’m half the reason the option exists. And I’m looking for the bravest soldiers. You seem like you’re one of those.”

She quieted, staring him down and narrowing her eyes. It was several moments before she spoke again. He could see the wheels turning in her pale head. “You know, if we do nothing … I’m dead anyway. I’ve been a pincushion for three years. My friends stopped coming around. My teachers don’t check on me anymore. The next time anybody sees me I’ll be in a box. Screw it. If my mom and dad are cool with it, then I’m in.”

“That’s the spirit.” He winked.

“I have one condition, though.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, if you want people to do this trial … I’m sure there’s something in it for you. It must be really important for you to take the time to come up here and talk to me. So …” She shifted and turned her body toward him, propping her elbows on her lap and resting her chin on her palms. “I wanna meet him.”

“Meet who? Brent?” She nodded and a soft smile graced her pale, chapped lips. This child was so sick. He was a monster. “I think I can arrange that.”

“Big wig politicians shake hands on things when they make big deals like this, right?” She extended her small hand. “Let’s shake on it.”

He reached out, taking her cold fingers. They shook hands and she grinned. “You’re something else, Anne. It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”

“Call me Annie. We’ll need to be better acquainted if I’m gonna marry your kid.”

Conrad chuckled, nodding his head. “Well then, Annie … welcome to the family.” He stood, turning to a small bookshelf in the corner and pl ucking out a thick novel. He peeled the dust jacket off and replaced the book. “Here,” he said, handing her the paper. “Slip that around your book. Mom will never know.” He gave her a sly wink.

“Now why didn’t I think of that?” She grinned, fitting the dust jacket over the book. “Genius. I guess it’s true what they say.”

“What’s that?”

“Politicians are good liars.” The cunning little girl winked back at him, and something stirred in his gut.

“Well, you can be sure I’m not lying when I say I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Annie.” He dipped his chin and adjusted his tie, stepping out of the door Gretchen opened. Cameras continued to flash as they made their way down the hall.

“What a kid.” Gretchen smiled as they neared the elevator.

“Indeed,” he agreed.