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Chapter 14
After dropping Eva off at her house, Isabella and Liam were jolted back into the present by the sight of Jerry waiting with Dan in front of Liam’s apartment. He seemed to be in a good mood despite spending the last few hours with Dan who happened to be a master in pushing people's buttons.
Thanks to Dan's phone, Isabella had already texted her to be as agreeable as possible at this visit, not questioning any of her remarks to Jerry. Much to her surprise, Dan did a marvelous job helping Isabella convincing Jerry that Ghost was all his to take into custody. Two hours later, Jerry was finally convinced, or most probably exhausted at this point arguing with Dan, and headed back to the station.
Isabella leaned against the door, looking up to the ceiling from where Jerry had just disappeared. She felt horrible lying to him, but she had no choice.
“So why are we putting on this Oscar-worthy performance?” Dan asked, wiping some stains off her half-broken glasses.
“Because we are going to set a trap for Ghost,” Isabella answered as she sat down at the table next to Liam. Dan didn’t turn around, too preoccupied with rummaging through Liam's fridge. She found a plate with yesterday’s pancakes that was half eaten. The smiley face was now missing an eye and half of its whipped cream grin. She turned to Liam with a suspicious stare, debating in her mind whether or not it was edible and why food had to have a face. Does he enjoy eating food with faces?
“It’s a man-cake,” he said proudly.
"Mhmm..." Dan snickered, closing the fridge, signaling that she had made her choice. She didn’t bother to get a fork and came straight over to the table. “I am on board with whatever you plan to do with that daemon, but why not get Jerry involved? I know he can be a bit annoying, but the man does have a gun, and the license to shoot it.” She stopped next to Liam, close enough to invade his personal space. Liam got the hint and gave her his seat. He would have done so anyway, which made Isabella smile watching the whole scene.
“We can’t have the police involved,” Liam said, picking up Rambo who was rubbing himself against his leg, demanding attention.
“And why not?” Dan asked, holding the pancake like it was a hamburger and starting to devour it.
“Because we need answers. Answers we could never get once the police has him locked up." Liam gave in to Rambo’s demands by scratching him under his chin. Isabella followed his moves, thinking to herself that this man looked even sexier while petting a cat.
“What kind of answers?” Neither Isabella nor Liam answered.
“Oh please, I already know that you're not from here… Not Philly, not America, not even this world...” Dan said as if it they were having small-talk about the weather. For some reason Isabella wasn't surprised at all. She had gotten used to her every single oddness. To be honest, Isabella missed most of it, but she still threw Liam a quick look. He shrugged his shoulders as if telling herit's up to youbut I don’t see why not.
“You’re too smart for this world,” Isabella nodded at her. Dan took the last bite of the pancake.
“Not smart—blind. I’m not blind. You have a glow in you that has long been lost in this world.” Things could not have gone any better. She didn’t even have to go into all the details with Dan.
“You are truly amazing, Dan.” Isabella put her hand on Dan’s arm. She meant it from the bottom of her heart. Dan was one of the most amazing people she had ever come across, beside Liam, that was.
“Mhmm…” Dan mumbled, catching Liam’s gaze, directing it toward her oily hands to signal him that she needed a paper towel. Liam rolled his eyes and left, then came back with a pair of napkins that he handed to Dan.
“So, any ideas yet how to set up that trap for this so-called Ghost?”
“Yes,” Isabella spoke before Liam could even give it a thought. “We wait until it’s dark. Somehow for whatever reason, he feels safe in the shadows. Then you will have him follow you from your place to the river again. Do you think you could make him stalk you?”
“That jokester is following me wherever I go as soon as it gets dark. He never gets close enough, but I know he's there. I usually get rid of him near the Church. No one follows Dan if she doesn’t want to be followed,” Dan said with a high chin.
“Splendid! Then I guess it's settled.” Isabella seemed to shine.
“Didn’t you say he won’t show himself if he sees me?” Liam asked, placing Rambo on his shoulder.
“Well,” Isabella pursed her lips, and swallowed the lump in her throat, debating in her head whether to tell him now or later, knowing this one would not sit well with him. “That is why you won’t be—”
“Absolutely not!” Liam waved his hand like he was slashing the air in his way. Rambo immediately jumped off, running toward the bedroom. "That is way too dangerous!” His harsh voice and flaring nostrils did not allow any room for replies.
“Just hear me out." Isabella edged closer toward him, refusing to back down. "This Ghost is way too smart. He will see you before you even notice him. Then we will never be able to confront him.”
“There is some truth in that,” Dan joined in, breaking up the tension. "This Ghost no longer shows himself to groups of people. He's adapted, showing himself only to his target, like a real ghost.” Dan leaned back in her chair. "Sometimes I wonder if he really is one,” she snorted.
“If he shows himself in front of Dan, he might not be bothered by me either?” Liam countered.
“Sorry to shatter your rosy world views, but people don’t really hold the homeless in high regards. He wouldn't think of me as much of a threat. He already tried to attack me once, and I still have a bone to pick with that bastard. Besides, I’m the best chance he has in finding her.” Isabella nodded in agreement.
“Thank you, Dan. We have to approach this with logic not brute force.” She crossed her arms, thinking that Dan was on her side.
“However…” Dan continued much to Isabella’s displeasure. “I agree with army boy here. It’s too dangerous without him. I won’t put you at risk like that.” Isabella tilted her head with a downturned mouth. If those two thought they could just hide her like the spoiled, entitled child she used to be, they were wrong. She drew her brows together, arms stiff and steady, bracing for impact and ready for battle; when Dan threw her off course.
