Nick: Justice Series (13 page)

None of them moved. Even when Dane turned to tell them to get Nick, they backed up, getting as much distance between them and Nick as they could. Laughing at the man, Nick turned to his stepfather. Addie felt the power of something move over her and realized that someone…something…had moved into her.

“Hello, Dane.” The voice was hers, but Addie knew that it wasn’t her speaking. The woman…child really…was speaking to Dane through her. “I’ve been looking for you. Did you know that Mother and I have been left behind because of you?”

“Who the hell are you?” The voice laughed, bitter and cold, and Dane took a step back. “No. No, that ain’t right. You’re not supposed to be able to break free of that shit. You’re dead ‘cause you killed yourself.”

“No. I’m dead because you left me no choice. There was no one left for me to turn to. You told me that my brother was dead.” Addie and the child walked toward Dane. “You lied to me, Dane. Just like you always did, but this time you did it as a ghost, and that just doesn’t work the same way.”

Dane backed up and Ana—she knew who she was now—looked at Nick. Tears in her eyes, she reached for her brother using Addie, and the moment they touched, she could feel everything Ana had as a child when she’d been told her brother had died. When she turned to Dane again, the power that came from her shot out and touched the other men behind him before hitting Dane. They were all gone in seconds. Ana turned her to Nick.

“I’m sorry.” Addie touched her fingers to Nick’s cheek just as Ana wanted. “Mother and I are at peace now. You will be happy and free of him. He is gone.”

“I’m sorry, Ana. Don’t go.” She turned and Addie could see the shadow of the woman just beyond them. “Mom?”

“We have to go.” Ana turned to him. “The woman, kill her. If you don’t, then she will live to haunt others.”

“I will.” Nick reached for her again. “I’ve missed you. I’m so sorry. I didn’t have any idea where to find you.”

“It’s good, Nicky. We had a job to do and now that it’s done, we’re going to be just fine. And so are you.” Addie felt the warmth from the child as she left her body. When she turned to her, Addie could see her just as clearly as if she were standing right in front of her. “You will help him, yes?”

“I love him.” Nodding, Ana smiled at her. “I wish I could have known you. Both of you. I’m sorry for what happened to you all.”

“You will know us. Through him.” Turning again to Nick, Ana told him again to kill the woman. “Do not let her go to prison again. She will survive.”

“We’ll take care of her.”

When Ana faded away, Addie looked at Ellen. She was having a heated argument with Steele, and Addie knew that Ana was right. If she lived, she’d get out and kill again. It had to stop now.

The officer that came into the house looked confused. Addie had no idea what he was talking about as he mumbled about head pain and a woman. But as soon as he was within touching distance of Ellen, she grabbed him around the chest and pulled him to her. The knife was at his throat before anyone could move. Addie moved to help him, but only managed to fall against him. She was kicked back before she could stand again.

“This is how this is going to work. You four are going to get out of my house and leave me alone. And if you do what I say, then I’ll let this guy go.” Her laughter made Addie think that Ellen had no such intentions of letting anyone go, not even them. “And those cops out there, they’re going to leave too. I’ve got work to do.”

“You’re insane.” Addie felt her face heat when she realized what she’d said. But Ellen nodded at her and smiled. “That’s the plan, isn’t it? You’re going to tell them that you’re insane and get sent back to prison.”

“It wasn’t prison. It was a home.” Ellen licked the officer’s face, and Addie looked at him. He had no idea what was going on, but Addie did. As she stood up, she felt it in her hand before she could think what it was, much less how it had gotten there. Lifting the gun up, Addie pointed it at Ellen and watched her face.

“Let him go.” Ellen laughed again, manically and full of insanity. “I said to let him go and I won’t kill you.”

“You won’t kill me anyway. You’re just too sweet for that.” Ellen spit at her. “Fuck you and your sweetness. I’m going to enjoy cutting him to shit. Then I’m coming for you. When I get you, you’re going to scream like you’ve never screamed before. See that—”

The gun seemed to just fire itself. Addie held it up even as Ellen’s head snapped back. The officer that had been in her arms fell to the floor and held his neck. Addie watched as Ellen stared at her, not a drop of blood coming from the neat hole that was right between her eyes. As she dropped to her knees, then to the floor, Steele was taking the gun from her, and Addie just stared at him when he said her name again.

“Let me have it, Addie.” Nodding, she stared at the gun. “Addie, you have to let go, honey. If you won’t give it to me, then give it to Nick.”

“I can’t.” Nick was suddenly in front of her. “My fingers won’t loosen up. Help me. I want to let go, but I can’t.”

“I’ve got you.” His fingers peeled hers away, and she felt like she was another person watching it happen. “Addie, look at me, not at her.”

It was then that she realized that she was staring at the body. Her mind was fuzzy on a few things. Like when did the sheet get put over Ellen? Where did the police officer go? How long had she been sitting in this chair? Nick said her name and she looked at him again. There was blood on his face, but she couldn’t seem to lift her arms to wipe it away.

“Can you hear me?” Nodding made her sick, so she answered him instead. “Can you see her? Can you see Ellen now, baby? Tell me what you see.”

Addie looked at the body. Nick told her no, Ellen’s ghost. Looking around the room, she saw her then. Ellen was being held by Ana and another woman. It was Summer…she was there as well.

“Yes. She’s being taken away.” As she watched, not only was Ellen being pulled by the women, each of them at one arm and one leg, but another person, a male, was there as well, helping the women as they continued to pull her along. “They’re pulling her apart. Tearing her limb from limb.”

Addie giggled then, the sound of it kind of scary. Then the man turned to her, the man that had just pulled Ellen’s leg free from her body. It was Joel. Joel was helping them take care of Ellen, and she told Nick everything as she was overwhelmed by it all.

Nick held her while the police asked questions. The body, the shell that had been Ellen, was still in the house, but she knew that she’d never bother anyone again. Addie was asked about the gun, why she’d killed Ellen, and a few other things. Addie answered all their questions, but said nothing of the ghosts that were there with them. All of them were speaking to her, and she understood.

As they were leaving the house, Addie went to find Steele. He and Kari were holding one another, and she asked to speak to him alone. There were several things she wanted…no needed, to tell him, and if he was mad at her, she didn’t want to be embarrassed.

“They said I was like you.” Steele nodded, not saying a word. “I’m to help you in ways that no one else can. That since…since I’ve been chosen to help you, my children will be able to do this too.”

“That’s what I heard too.” He looked around. “Kari knows. She said you need to tell Nick. He’s going to be afraid for you for a while.”

“I love him.” Steele put his arm around her and kissed her on the forehead. “What was that for?”

“Because, my dear necromancer, I love you as well.”

Chapter 13

“They’re all gone.” Nick knew that without Steele having to tell him, but to be honest, he was really glad to hear it from someone else. “And we have a lead on Evie. She’s being held in her daughter’s home. Addie seems to think that her mother has gone off the deep end. Donny found her for us.”

Donny had told him first that he’d found her. He even told him to make sure that Addie knew he’d done it. There was some fear there, and Nick hoped that his young friend would get over it soon. Nick had called Benson the moment he’d learned where Evie was.

“I’d say it has to do more with the money than anything else. Did you talk to Bentley?” Steele said that he had. “The poor man is beside himself with worry. He’s terrified that she’ll be killed before he can tell her how much he’s loved her.”

“She’s in good hands.” Which Nick also knew, but only nodded at his friend. “Addie is…she said she was going there. I don’t think that’s a good idea. She’s too…raw, I guess.”

She was too. Addie had been hiding in their bedroom since the police had released her from the shooting. Nick had a feeling that Steele had had a lot to do with the reason she’d not seen any jail time. As soon as an hour after the shooting, Addie was going home with him.

“The others, the ghosts, are driving her a little nutty. They want to work for her.” Steele nodded. “I don’t know how to help her with that. She’s seeing more than I can.”

“She sees what I do now. And I’m trying to help her with it. But it’s just too much.” Steele had been like this his whole life, Nick knew, so he’d needed very little in the way of adjustments. Addie was simply overwhelmed. “She’s getting better, but it might take her a bit.”

“Do you know why she is like you?” Nick wasn’t jealous about what Addie could do. He was very proud of her, as a matter of fact. But he was concerned. This was a lot to hang on one person. Especially one that, up until a few weeks ago, hadn’t even believed in ghosts. “She said they only told her that she’d be helpful to you and that you’d be the same. No explanations, just that.”

“It’s because of that that she’s been picked to help me. They seem to think that with her help, they can use us more.” Steele only laughed. “I think it’s great. I’m looking forward to the help.”

Not too long ago, Steele had decided to give up helping the dead. He hated it, he’d told Nick, telling him that because of them, he’d been angry with his sister the morning that she was killed. He also blamed them for him not being there when she needed him. Now, and Nick supposed it was because of Kari, not only was he helping them more, but he was stronger as well, and much more relaxed. Nick thought he was as well.

As they loaded in the car an hour later, Nick thought about what they were about to do. He had no idea how much Addie was worth, didn’t really care, but he knew from the conversation he’d had with her lawyer that Addie was worth a great deal. When they pulled up in front of the house that she’d grown up in after their short drive, he stared at it before turning to her.

“How much?” She frowned at him and he looked at the house before continuing. “This is about twice the size of Steele’s house. So either this is a hotel with several hundred more people in it than are at the Grand Hotel, or you’re worth a good deal more than him.”

“It’s not mine. What I had when you found me is all I have.” He nodded and grabbed her arm when she started to get out of the car. “My parents are going to inherit the money, Nick. Grandma is very wealthy, sure, but I already told her that I don’t want it. I’m happy with what she’s already given me.”

Nick let her go and thought perhaps he might get an answer from Evie. He also thought that Evie had her own plans when it came to her money, thus the reason for her being kidnapped from her own car. As they entered the house with Benson, Nick had a feeling that there was a great deal going on behind these closed doors other then what poor Evie had stirred up when she’d left her home.

“What is the meaning of this?” A very well dressed man met them in the grand hall when their coats were taken. He was standing there like he had no idea who they were, when Nick knew for a fact that he’d been told they were coming. “Benson, what have you done? This is my home, not a show house for you to bring every person you know off the streets.”

“I didn’t tell him.” It took a few moments for what Benson whispered to him to sink in. Then Benson walked toward Mr. West. When he turned to the man, he introduced him to Nick, but not Addie. “Mr. West, I did tell you I was bringing a couple with me to use as witnesses. These are my witnesses. Where is Mrs. Simon-English? You said that she would be here.”

“I’m here, Benson. Hello Nick. Darling.” Addie nodded to her grandmother, who had been put in a wheelchair. Nick would bet anything that she was tied to it rather than in need of it. When he leaned down to kiss her cheek, she showed him that not only was she tied to the thing, but she’d been hurt too. Her arm was bruised badly. “So, we’re going to do this the hard way, are we? I don’t know why you think the presence of Benson is going to make me sign things, but you always were stupid, Dalton.”

“You’ll do as you’re told, or so help me, I’ll have you declared unfit to live alone and have you shoved into a nursing home. The worst in the state. You’ll sign them now, Evangeline, or else.” Evie winked at him. “Benson, I do hope you’ve briefed them on what is going on here. I don’t have time for this nonsense. Addison has taken to her bed, she’s so upset. She had to miss her garden meeting when all this came out. And I don’t think they’re going to be having her back. She is most annoyed with this.”

“Poor Mother. Whatever will she do without her garden club? Do they still have those meetings at the country club, Father? I bet missing out on all that free liquor has really put a damper in her day.” Dalton stared at Addie as if he had no idea who she was. Addie must have seen his look, because she laughed before speaking again. “Don’t you know me, Father? I’m your daughter. Your long lost daughter, Addie West.”

“I have no daughter.” He turned his back on her and glared at Benson. “Is this your idea of a joke, Benson? If so, I’m not finding it particularly funny. Get her out of here. I’ve told you before, she’s not ever welcome here.”

“I can’t throw her from her own house, Dalton. Not even you can have that done.” Benson left them standing there and moved to the wheelchair. “How have you been, Mrs. E.? I do hope that they’ve treated you with some respect.”

Benson pulled out a small knife and cut the ropes at her arms. As he cut her legs loose from the chair, Nick held her hand to help with the circulation that seemed to be painful to her small hands. Addie came over to her grandmother and kissed her cheek as he helped Evie from the chair.

“What the hell are you doing? If you don’t tie her back up, I’m going to call the authorities.” Dalton started for them, and Nick stepped in front of him. “Young man, you don’t want to screw with me. I’m a very wealthy man. And you look as if you don’t have a pot to piss in.”

“Oh, Dalton, stop being such a bore.” Evie led the way to another room with the help of Addie. “Come along, the rest of you. I’m tired and in need of a long bath. Oh, Addie, how is Bentley? That monster over there had him hurt in that accident. Imagine hitting our car to have me brought here to be treated like an animal.”

“He’s fine, Grandmother. Just fine. He has a broken leg, but the doctor said that he’d heal nicely with time. Steele has gotten him a nurse to care for him and to pamper him endlessly. Also, you should see—”

“Shut up.” Everyone looked at Dalton, and Evie cocked a brow at him. The man was ruddy with his anger, and he glared back at Evie as he continued. “Don’t give me that look. You know as well as I do that you’ve brought this on all by yourself. What the hell did you expect me to do when you literally kicked me from my home? And had my credit cards cut up like I was nothing more than…well, than a common criminal?”

“You are a common criminal, you moron. Ah, there she is. My darling daughter, Addison the first. How are you, child? Drunk yet?”

Nick watched the woman stagger into the room and sit on the couch that was nearest to Dalton. She was Addie’s mother, there was no doubt about that, but looks were as far as the resemblance went. Addie was nothing like her mother.

“What do you think of your daughter, Addison? Didn’t she turn out well?”

“I have had this conversation with you before, Mother. Addison was no longer my child the moment she embarrassed us by leaving in the middle of the night.” Nick watched the elder Addison ignore her daughter. “I do hope that this ridiculous mess is cleared up now. I have a hair appointment tomorrow, and I should hate to have to cancel it. The last time I was there, my cards were taken from me. Mother, you’ll have to take care that that doesn’t happen again. Just sign the papers and we’ll all pretend that this didn’t happen.”

“I can’t help you there, Addison. I’m broke.”

If Nick hadn’t been looking at Dalton, he might have missed the look in his face. Terror along with disbelief. When he recovered a little, he looked at Benson, who nodded at him.

“My house has been sold as well. And this house has a new owner too. So the sooner you move out, the sooner the new owners can move in. I do believe they might want to do some updating on the house. Frankly, I’d just gut the place and start over, but that’s just me.”

“You can’t have sold our home. It’s ours.” Benson told Dalton that it wasn’t and never had been. “We’ve owned this house since we were married. You said it was a wedding present. You even told me that you hoped that I’d fill it with children so that they could live here long after we were gone.”

“But you never fulfilled your end of the bargain, did you? And when you didn’t, my father had you sign the deed over to Jacob when he was alive. Then you nearly lost it when you didn’t pay the taxes for the first ten years.” Benson tried to hand Dalton a file. “It’s all right here, Dalton. You defaulted on the taxes, therefore having the house revert to its original owner. And since Jacob is gone, Mrs. E. owned it, lock, stock, and smoking gun.”

“Taxes? Why should I have to pay taxes on a gift? And you never said anything about taxes when you gave us the house.” A sheet of paper was pulled from the file and handed to Dalton. Even from where he was, Nick could see it was a contract. “I’m not going to say this again, Evie; sign the papers and let’s have this done with. I’m not in the mood for your childish behavior any longer.”

“I told you, Dalton, I’m broke. I’ve signed everything over, and I only own what I have in my bank account right now.” Nick nearly laughed. He’d bet anything that there was more in her bank account than most people made in their entire lives. When Evie winked at him, Nick had a feeling she knew what he was thinking. “If I were you, I’d not mess around with this. Get out before the newspaper is called and let in on your dirty little secret.”

“What are you talking about? I have nothing to hide.” But he did, and Nick thought that he knew it too. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m just going to let the courts deal with you. But I warn you, I’m not going to be as nice as—”

“It’s my house.” Addie had been so quiet until then that he’d nearly forgotten she was a part of all this. “The house, the money, all if it…it’s mine, isn’t it, Grandmother?”

“It is. When I heard from Nick here, I had Benson change everything to your name. It was my intention all along to leave it all to you, but I thought I’d have so much more fun if I could actually see your father’s face when he found out.” Evie laughed. “It was worth it. Dalton, I’d like for you to meet the new homeowners. Like I said, I’d not mess with her. She’s a good deal stronger than you’ll ever be. Oh, and so you’re aware, you’ve been booted off the board at West Iron Works as well. They never really cared for you much after my husband left the company anyway.”

Dalton sat down and stared at his daughter. Nick was sure that his mind was going a mile a minute. He’d bet anything that he was trying to figure out how to make this new predicament work in his favor. When Dalton looked at his wife, Nick took Addie’s hand. He was sure it was going to be horrible, whatever spilled from his mouth.

“This is all your fault. I told you from the start that children were never going to give us anything but trouble. But you found yourself pregnant and you just had to keep it. Now look. She’s our landlord.” Addie laughed and he glared at her before continuing with his wife. “You brought her into this world, and now you’re going to deal with her. Get this settled now, Addison. I want things the way they were as soon as possible.”

~~~

When her dad stood up and went to the fireplace, Addie looked at him. He’d not aged a day since she’d left here, and she’d bet it was due more to a surgeon’s knife rather than any clean living or exercise on his part. Her mother too. She still had the same blonde hair she’d had as a teenager, and a figure that looked like she’d starved herself for months instead of being healthy and active. Neither of them had even played a round of golf so far as she knew, even though they were members of the country club that boasted a fine tennis court as well as beautiful golf course. She moved to stand in front of him, but he looked away.

“Look at me, Father.” Addie tried twice to stand in her father’s view, but he refused to see her. “I have never meant anything to either of you, have I?”

“You were a nuisance your entire life. Had it not been for the help here, I might have sent you away. But Mother forbade it.” Addie turned to her mom when she spoke. “Her paying off my debt to…well, her paying things off for me and Dalton saved us a bit of embarrassment, so we had to keep you once she put it in the paper that you were born. After that…well, we sort of forgot about you unless someone reminded us.”