“That was a neat trick,” I muttered.
“I’ll take payment in visits,” she said. “Come by for tea a few times. I’d like to tell you about bruja history and culture.”
“I’d love that!” I said, excited to spend more time with this woman. Honestly, not only was she fascinating, but she literally exuded serenity.
“Your men are welcome to come too,” she said. “But they have to bring some of Mila's pastries.”
“Done,” Danzig said. “Is there anything else you can tell us or that might help?”
She shook her head. “I wish I had more of those charms to give to each of you, but that’s the only one. They take months to make.”
Hearing that made me want to bring her boxes and boxes of Mila's sweet treats. I'd have to find some way to give hersomething valuable in return. I'd talk to Mason, he'd know what his mom would like.
“I can feel that something significant is going to happen to the three of you,” she murmured. “But not today.”
Both the men relaxed, but I wasn't sure why. Her words were basically saying that after today, there was going to be danger. I didn't point that out. For now, at least they wouldn't be trying to get me to stay behind.
“Tread carefully, my friends,” Elena said as we got up to leave. “There’s no such thing as an active and stable casket druid.”
Danzig
Bec’s phone rang as we left Elena’s house. “It’s about time Jim called me,” she muttered before answering the phone.
“Hey Jim,” she said, then her brows furrowed. “Oh, hi Cheryle, I thought it was Jim calling me. Is he around? There’s something weird going on with one of his cases.”
She paused, her frown turning to surprise, then settling on deep concern. “I’ll be right there!”
After ending the call, she looked at us. “Jim’s in the hospital.”
I grabbed her hand and led her to the motorcycles. “We’ll get you there fast.”
“What happened?” Marduk asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Cheryle wasn’t making any sense. Something about Jim being attacked I think.”
I got the name of the hospital from her and mapped out a route while Marduk helped her secure her helmet.
We were there in only fifteen minutes and parked in a doctor’s only parking spot.
“You might get towed,” Bec said as we led her into the hospital.
“The bikes have been charmed,” Marduk explained. “We can park them anywhere and the charm will make humans perceive them as belonging there.”
“I want one of those charms,” she said. Her tone was cheerful, but I could feel the fear and tension coming from her.
It didn’t take long to talk to an admin, then we were all wearing wrist bands and in an elevator.
The moment we stepped out of the elevator, a woman came running at us. “Bec!”
“Cheryle, I’m so sorry,” Bec said as the woman enveloped her in a hug.
“The police are here,” she said, pulling away and wiping away her tears. “I didn’t know who else to call, but Jim always told me you were exceptionally smart. I hoped you might be able to help them.”
Bec nodded. “I don't think I know anything, but I'll answer any questions they have. What happened to Jim?”
Cheryle sniffed. “He was attacked when he was getting into his car.”
“Where was he parked?” I asked.
