“There has to be another way,” Justin protested.
“And maybe we’ll think of one,” Amy said. “But it doesn’t hurt to talk through the options.”
Justin crossed his arms over his chest, outvoted and unhappy. Scott laid a placating hand on his thigh, but it didn’t soften his resolve.
“Anything we did would have Scott magically protected up the yin-yang.” Amy smirked. “That’s a technical term, ‘yin-yang.’”
“Meaning what?” Liam glanced between Amy and Justin, who guessed the librarian was trying to ease the tension.
“We let them see Scott, and think they’ve got a shot at him,” Becca said. “We have him heavily warded and lure them to a place of our choosing that is also protected. They make their attempt, and Armel swoops in to clean up the trash.”
“Even a bulletproof vest only goes so far,” Justin pointed out. “One head shot and game over.”
“Won’t happen if the confrontation goes down someplace weapons won’t work,” Amy noted. “We control the information that gets leaked, and that includes the timing and location. They think they’re getting the drop on him, but we’re getting the drop onthem.”
“The ghosts are very willing to help protect Scott,” Becca said. “The hardest part there is keeping them from ripping the hitmen limb from limb.”
“Maybe we should,” Justin said. “How sure are we that the courts will do their job? The Mob has a long history of buying off judges.”
Liam cleared his throat. “What I’m going to say has to be kept in strict confidence.” He looked from one to another as they nodded in agreement. “We have some of our people—shifters—in the legal system, locally and on a state level. It’s basic self-protection. But they’re people known to our community here and folks whose integrity we can vouch for.”
“That’s all well and good, but what if the case doesn’t go to one of them?” Justin protested.
“Nothing a few magical nudges can’t arrange,” Amy said. “Tampering with justice for a good cause.” She winked.
“If that mine reopens, it’ll be a death trap,” Scott said in a sober, quiet voice that made them all focus on him. “It cost a lot of lives back in the day, but Santoro won’t be any better. He’ll cut every corner to bring in a profit to save his skin with the higher-ups. They’ll recruit non-union miners who won’t be missed and other people who don’t have the ability to rebel. We can stop that.”
“In theory, I agree,” Justin said. “But actuallydoingwhat we’re talking about scares the shit out of me. And I’m pretty sure it’s all illegal,” he pointed out.
“Legal methods haven’t stopped Santoro and his goons,” Becca said. “And we’re just making sure they get their day in court, with all the evidence against them. Once we foil their attempt on Scott and we get the full testimony from the ghosts, with Brent’s independent verification, there’ll be enough to put them away for the rest of their lives.”
“There are more mobsters out there,” Justin said. “Santoro’s boss could keep sending gunmen until someone gets lucky.”
“That’s where magically engineering a cataclysmic explosion and cave-in comes in,” Amy mused. “No one else ever needs to get the same idea because the mine wouldn’t exist anymore.”
“The ghosts will finally rest in peace,” Becca added. “Which also means the spirits don’t become violent. We’ll deal with any ‘monster’ that might still be lurking in the depths. And the miners who died are vindicated when the truth comes out in court.”
“Scott—” Justin started.
Scott took Justin’s hand in both of his. “I know I’m asking a huge thing from you,” Scott said. “I know you just want to keep me safe. But I can’t hide forever, and unless we put an end to this, someone will always be out there gunning for me. If not them, some other of Santoro’s flunkies. And if he moves forward with reopening the mine, it will be worse. Please?—”
“I don’t want to lose you,” Justin blurted.
“I don’t want to get killed,” Scott replied. “But it’s the only way to get my life back, short of going into the Witness Protection Program.”
“I’d go with you, if it came to that,” Justin vowed.
Scott smiled warmly at him. “I believe you. And that would save us. But what about the others?”
“I want to hear the whole plan before anything gets put in motion.” Justin leveled a glare at Becca and Amy. “We need to get Brent’s information and compile the ghosts’ testimony. Anything our psychic friends can add would help, including any premonitions or warnings.”
“That’s reasonable.” Scott gave Justin an encouraging half-smile. “Take all precautions, including the supernatural ones.”
“It will take a day or two for me to have the wards and other spells ready,” Amy said. “That gives Becca and Liam timeto record the ghosts’ testimony and run more details through Brent’s resources.”
“I still don’t like it,” Justin growled. “And if there’s any other way, I’m in favor of a change of plans. But I can’t argue with the logic,ifwe can do everything possible to make sure Scott stays safe.”
He turned to Scott and looked him in the eyes. “No dead heroes. Do you hear me?”
