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“Maddie would. She has a similar gift and would have believed you.”
He hesitated. “Yeah, but she’s in enough trouble with Dad because of it. I didn’t want to land her in more.”
A sharp knock at the door rattled the silence, making the kid jump. Jon squeezed his shoulder and went quickly to the window. Mack and a bear of a man in a police uniform stood out front.
When Jon glanced back, the teenager had huddled down in the blankets. “It’s okay. Just the police,” he said, unlocking the door.
“This better be good, Barnett. I was enjoying a mighty fine lunch.” Mack dripped water onto the old carpet as he stomped past. “Ben Morley, meet Jon Barnett, the private investigator I mentioned earlier.”
Jon shook the big man’s hand, then closed the door once he’d come through.
“Mack, meet Evan. Evan, Mack’s from the FBI, and he’s trying to help the police. Why don’t you tell him what you just told me?”
Evan licked his lips, glancing quickly at the big man before looking back at Jon. “He’s okay?”
Jon smiled at Mack’s raised eyebrow, then nodded. It was odd that Evan seemed to trust him, even though they barely knew each other. But then, the kid had not only reached him when he was stuck down the well, but had guided his astral travels toward Maddie, as well. Maybe there was some form of psychic connection between him and the teenager. He’d learned long ago that anything was possible.
He crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall, listening to the harsh rasp of the kid’s voice. As anxious as he was to rescue Maddie, there was nothing to be done until Evan had told his story. The last thing he wanted was to rescue Maddie from Hank’s grip only to have her fall into Mack’s. At least this way she
’d be free to go.
Mack glanced at him once the kid had finished, and motioned toward the door. “We need to talk.”
Jon nodded and glanced at Evan. “We’ll just be outside, okay?”
The kid nodded, and eyed Officer Morley warily. He didn’t seem afraid, however, and after a moment’s hesitation, Jon followed Mack out the door.
“Do you believe the kid’s story?” Mack said the moment Jon had closed the door.
“Yeah, I do.”
“But ghosts? I mean, come on—it’s not a ghost that’s kidnapping and killing these kids.”
“No.” It was more likely a sylph, but he wasn’t about to mention that. “But he was half asleep at the time, remember. What he might have seen was a gray-clad figure coming at him.”
Mack grunted. “What about the other kid? Did you spot her?”
Jon hesitated, but there was no point in lying. “Yeah, but I didn’t have time to get her out.”
“So both Eleanor and Hank were there?”
“Hank was.”
Mack swore. “Damn it, Barnett, why the fuck didn’t you call me? I should haul your ass down to the station and charge you for impeding an investigation.”
Jon grimaced. “Maddie found them, not me, but given her psychic talents are somewhat raw, I wasn’t about to waste your time until I knew for certain we’d found the right place.” He hesitated, then added in a low voice, “There’s one other problem, Mack. They took Maddie hostage when I was getting Evan out.”
“Isn’t that just great.” Mack’s gray eyes were hard with anger. “You haul a civilian into a crime investigation and end up losing her. Real smart move, Barnett.”
He ran a hand across his mouth. What Mack had said was true. If he’d made her stay here, as instinct had told him to do, she’d be safe. But he’d given in to the plea in her eyes, and now she was paying for his weakness.
“Where’s the cabin?” Mack continued roughly.
“The place is called the Malkin Cabin. It’s off 202, about fifteen miles out of Jewell.”
“Is there a chance that they’re still there?”
He shrugged. Hank wasn’t a fool, but there was always the chance he couldn’t move quickly. It would depend on the type of ceremony Eleanor was preparing. “Maybe.”
