Agon (21 page)

~~~

Boss sat at the table and said nothing
for several seconds. Neither Judith nor Agon seemed to mind as they
both were in a state of…He’d call it overwhelmashion. Not a word
really, but one He used when He had nothing else to call a total
meltdown of too much, too soon.

“
It won’t stand up in
court.” Boss nodded. He and Michael had gone over what was going to
happen when it came down to it. “I gave him money to sign his
confession. He’ll say I paid him to do it.”

“
They will. But it will
matter little.” Judith nodded. Boss felt His heart hurt for the
young woman. So much had been done to her and for her that she was
as close to breaking as He’d ever seen. Boss looked over at Agon.
He knew that this man was a perfect foil for her.

“
Will he be let out?” Boss
took her hand and shook His head. “I’m afraid he’ll be let go. If
he does, then he’ll murder again and again. It might not be me, but
people will die.”

“
He will never leave the
court system again.” It was the truth, and all she needed to know
at the moment. “Have you seen the farm house as yet?”

“
Don’t do that.” He
started to smile but held back. “Don’t treat me like some fragile
flower because you think I’m going to explode or something. I don’t
explode. Tell me what’s going to happen. I don’t mean sugarcoated
either.”

“
Your uncle will be
convicted on all charges because he will confess. Not the way you
had him do it, but he will confess. Then, because of his
unfortunate sexual partner, he will die in prison in a few months.
As will three other men he has relations with.”

“
Because he’s gay.” Even
though it wasn’t a question, He nodded at her anyway. “And what
happens with the property? I know we talked about using it as a
halfway house or something, but I didn’t have him sign anything
over to me.”

“
You did what was
necessary. As for the house and all his properties, they will come
to you, as you are his only living relative. The people we have in
place will make sure that things progress in a timely manner for
you. And you will get everything that was his in due time.” She got
up to pace, and Boss looked at Agon. “The building downtown? You
are pleased with the work?”

“
We are. I never…did you
know that the protectors are enjoying this more than I ever
thought? I mean, they are working nearly non-stop taking down walls
that are not useful, painting them when the repairs are made. Two
have even asked if they may work the counters when their time for
rest has come. I believe they are having a very good time.” As Boss
had thought they would. “I have talked with a few of the others,
Galin in particular. He is worried You will be finding him a wife
as well.”

“
I am.” Agon smiled, and
Boss laughed. “You will tell him so? Or will you leave him to
fumble through this as you and Riss have?”

“
Fumble and fall.” Agon
looked over at Judith as she paced. “I believe the reward is much
sweeter when you must learn as you go. I know that I have never
been happier.”

Boss felt good. Better, actually, than
He had in a very long time. When Judith sat back down, He knew that
her mind had settled all that she was thinking about, and now she
would have questions.

“
Will the others, the
other protectors, come to my shop to work or will they be there to
rest?” Before He could answer her, she continued. “I don’t have a
lot of money to pay them with. I could use the help, I think. Kala
has asked me to supply the house and grounds with soaps and herbs,
as well as all the jellies and jams I can make.”

“
None of the people who
would come to you will need your money. All of them are paid well,
and most of them will not want your money even if they did. It is
relaxing for them to do something that requires them to interact
with others. As for the soaps and jellies? I think it would do you
good there as well. You, too, will interact with others and mayhap
become less cautious of people.” She nodded, but He could see the
skepticism on her face. “You will be fine, Judith. By the way, have
you chosen a last name as yet?”

“
Yes.” Agon took Judith’s
hand into his as he answered. “Riss took the name Trainer, as he
should. It took us a little while to find something that would suit
us as well. Judith has thought of Guardian. For that is what we
will be to the fruits we have taken into our care.”

Boss liked it and made a mental note
to add it to the list. After the couple left Him, He sat down at
His desk and thought of the progress they were all making during
this time of need. Two of His best men were now happy, and He had
so many more He wanted to care for. He looked at the wall that had
appeared when He’d requested it. The pictures there were vast, and
most of the men and women nearing what they thought of as their
end.

He’d seen a difference in the few that
had gone to the other realm. Two He knew for sure were benefiting
from their work more than He’d hoped for; Dan for one. The man was
enjoying helping at the new building so much that Boss had asked
him if he would mind staying for a few more months.

“
It would be an honor.”
Boss nodded, and Dan smiled as he continued. “I know that you have
a plan, but if you could…I am not going to tell you how to do your
job concerning me. But if you could see your way to letting me go
as a protector, I would be most grateful.”

“
You are tired.” Dan
nodded. “I have seen this on you. Much too much I’m afraid. You are
a good man, my friend, and I shall miss you.”

Dan had gone away with a lighter step
and had been working harder since their conversation. He knew that
he’d not share his news. Boss knew that if he did, others would
wish the same thing, and for now at least, He had work for them.
Dan would do Him more good work as an earthbound protector than he
ever would now as one who would take assignments.

Then there was Galin. He was going to
hate Him for a while. He was sure the man would not want anything
to do with the female he had coming his way. Nor would the female.
She was much more headstrong than even Kala and Judith
together.

Yes, Galin was in for a treat. As were
the other men on this first run of Mystics. But this was needed.
More than for the entertainment value, because it was a bit of fun
for Him to watch them try to stay one step ahead of the women. But
He knew that in the end, each and every one of them were going to
be happy, and that would make Him happy. Boss looked up when
Michael stepped into the room.

“
Should I ever come in
here and find my picture on Your list of candidates to marry off, I
shall quit You so fast that Your head will spin for a month.” Boss
laughed and leaned back in His chair. “I am serious.”

“
I have no intention to
find you a wife, dear Michael. You are too stubborn to try to find
one that would suit you, and I do believe you would murder Me
should I try. Nay, there are no plans for you to marry. Should you
ever want to, give Me enough time to find the right one. I am not
sure she is there, but we will try.” Michael glared but sat down.
“You are here for the trial, no doubt.”

“
I am. I should like to be
there. I know that things are set now, but I should like to be
there. I have spoken to him twice more, this Jerrod person, and I
should like to torment him just a little. He has hurt someone that
is very dear to us all.” Boss nodded. “Kala has expressed a desire
as well. I have told her she would be safer at home. She is most
unhappy with me.”

“
As she is me. I have
explained to her that she cannot take in every stray that she
finds. And I do not mean cats and dogs. The woman has nineteen
people that she is caring for at the moment. And Lily is beside
herself with worry as well. What shall we do with her?” Michael
laughed. “‘Tis not funny. She is with child.”

“
She is at that. But I
think she needs to care for the others because she is with child.
It gives her something to focus on besides the children. In a few
weeks, she will need to tell Riss he will be a father of not one
child as he thinks, but four. He has grown worrisome about her as
well. He is terrified she will pop soon.” Boss had seen him look at
her with a frown.

“
I would like to be there.
It will be a great thing to see him crumble. The man has been
working hard to assure her that he can make this work, and she is
worried he will hurt himself. The two of them are more suited than
I first thought. They worry too much.”

“
As does someone else I
know.” Boss decided to ignore him for the moment. “The trial is in
a few days. I’m glad now that we have been able to move it forward.
I know that people want to have justice, but this will settle
things for our people as well. It has been hard on
them.”

“
It has been. Judith will
lose the most, but she will be fine. Agon will love her no matter
what, and the orchards will help. Have they…what of the house
there? Are we able to save it?”

Michael nodded. “Dan has worked
wonders. Of course, the magic that they’re using has helped a great
deal. But I do believe that he has found what he wants to do.” Boss
told him of the conversation He and Dan had had. “I’m very glad to
hear that. He will do well there. I do believe he would have quit
us before much longer.”

It was nearly dawn when they parted
ways. Boss sat at His computer and wondered not for the first time
if He was doing what was right. It was not anything He would share
with a soul, but He often wondered. As He set to work, He smiled at
the names on His list for today. It might prove to be entertaining
anyway.

Chapter 12

Jerry knew his rights and lucky for
him, so did his attorney. Pedro Phillips had come to see him four
times in the past two weeks and each time, he’d had better news.
And now today he was going to be a free man. Looking down at the
bandage on the back of his hand, he shivered again.

They’d drawn blood that morning. He’d
been told it was standard policy in situations like he’d been
caught in last night, but now he was terrified. The sex he’d had in
the woods had not compared to the little bit he’d enjoyed last
evening and the day before, but he’d gotten relief. But to be
caught literally with his pants down had been embarrassing to say
the least.

Everyone stood up when the bailiff
announced the trial would begin. He had one rule to follow, and he
was going to stick to it. Shut the fuck up, his lawyer had said.
He’d handle it all.

The judge was looking over the file
that had been handed to him once Jerry’s crimes had been listed.
Jerry looked around and saw Judith with her husband. He’d heard
yesterday from Pedro that she’d actually married, but he still had
his doubts. But he could see the huge fucking diamond on her finger
and thought about taking it from her cold dead hands when this was
finished.

Yes, he thought to himself, he was
going to still kill the bitch. She’d fucked him over enough, and he
was going to get his revenge. Pedro had told him if all went well
today, or tomorrow at the latest, he’d be a free man by the end of
the week. Before the next Monday, Judith and her husband would be
dead. It was all that kept him sane.

The first witness was called, and
Jerry zoned out. He wasn’t allowed to speak, so he didn’t listen.
That’s what he paid Pedro for. But the thoughts of what he was
going to do as soon as he was out played like a wonderful porn
movie over and over in his mind. She was going to suffer before she
took her last breath, and that gave him a woody faster than
anything he’d done in a while.

He’d been planning. A few favors had
been called in and a few more I.O.U.’s had been signed. Jerry was
going to have a hard time meeting some of the things he’d promised
people, but he didn’t care so long as she was dead.

“
Are you ready?” He looked
at Pedro blankly, not having a clue what he meant. “You’re up. Are
you ready? You remember all you’re supposed to say?”

“
Yeah, just answer what
they ask me and don’t fucking lose my temper.” Pedro watched him
for several seconds. “I’m not going to lose it. I’ve been waiting
for this for a long while.”

“
See that you remember
that.” Pedro stood up and helped him to rise as well. When Pedro
told the judge his client was ready, Jerry was sworn in and helped
to waddle across the floor. They’d let him dress in his suit, but
he was still clamped in irons around his ankles and his wrists.
Jerry sat down and was asked his full name.

“
Jerrod James Craft.” The
judge nodded, and the first man stepped up to speak. Before he
could say anything, Jerry held up his hand. He was going to say
this and be done with it. “I want her out of my house.”

“
Your house?” He nodded at
the judge. “I’m not sure you understand what’s going on here, Mr.
Craft. But you’re on trial for multiple murders. How about we table
the house for a later time?”

Jerry flushed and looked at his
attorney. He was looking at him like he wanted to strangle him. He
had been told and told to shut up, but he felt it was his right to
show Judith and the others that he was in charge. Fuck the
system.