Days of Darkness

Chapter 6

She is the sole heir to Mr. Corbett's estate," Samuel added. Cruthers' eyebrows went up. I suspect a lot of pieces were coming together in her mind. "It was going to be made public soon."

"Lucky girl," Cruthers said.

"She would disagree," I said with Teegan emphasizing from afar. "Her brother's been shot, and now Jason has died. That isn't luck." I stopped, reconsidering the tone I had just used. Samuel didn't seem pleased with the outburst. Concise, I reminded myself.

"I guess you're right," Cruthers said, "I was thinking out loud. I didn't mean to sound callous." She paused again, looking directly at me. I offered nothing more, not wanting to wreck Samuel's strategy. "You're a lot younger than I expected," Cruthers added.

"How is all this related to the incident of last night?" Samuel asked forcibly.

"I'm trying to cross the 'T's and dot the 'I's," Cruthers said to Samuel, "I'm pretty sure I know what happened, it's the why that concerns me."

I could feel Teegan considering her words. I agreed that Cruthers was smart but believed our lawyer could handle her.

"I don't believe that anyone here," Samuel said, "especially Jason Tisdale, who died heroically mind you, facilitated these events."

"Something's missing, Mr. Fortunato," Cruthers said, not looking the least bit intimidated. "It is my duty to find out all I can about the attack last night. I am Mr. Tisdale's advocate, and I agree he was indeed heroic. I am also charged with making sure something like this doesn't happen again. It didn't take much to find out this is the third incident to surround Ms. Fuller and Mr. McGuire." She paused a moment and looked back at me. "Two deaths, her brother in the hospital, and two of the attackers have lost all mental capacity. Massive strokes they tell me."

Teegan fought back tears at Cruthers crass description of the last few days. I was glad she wasn't physically present and mentally hugged her. This whole situation was taking a toll on us both. I would have preferred to be at the prom, oblivious of assassins and wealth. Teegan latched onto the image of us dancing and let her love flow. I responded in kind, welcoming the short reprieve in the oppressive sadness of Jason's death.

"Is something funny?" Cruthers asked. I lost the smile on my face, not realizing it had grown there. It's difficult holding multiple conversations.

"No," I replied without elaboration.

"I saw a video online," Cruthers pressed, "You moving like an action star up a flight of stairs, taking out guys twice your size." Teegan's anger flared. She was beginning to dislike Cruthers. "You look too young for the skills, and I don't mean to insult you, but you lack the physique I would have expected."

"Again," Samuel jumped in, "what has this got to do with last night?" Cruthers turned to Samuel, her eyes sharpened.

"Someone is trying to get to Ms. Fuller," Cruthers said, "and it seems Mr. McGuire has some extraordinary abilities. Is he a boyfriend or a bodyguard?"

"Self-defense training is not a crime," Samuel said, "nor a motive. I'm surprised at you Detective. You're questioning the victims as if they are to blame for the crimes against them."

"I spoke with a General Cooper earlier," Cruthers continued, "it was as high as I could go. They're pleading national security and have sheltered my military witnesses on base. The FBI has called me twice, wanting updates on my progress and wondering why I haven't closed the case." She took a sip of her coffee, then interrupted Samuel who was about the speak. "I hate being shut out of things and making decisions with only half the information. I especially hate being told how to do my job. I'm no genius, but I can see that Ms. Fuller is in a world of trouble, and Mr. McGuire is knee deep with her. Hiding in the middle of it all is the real reason for the attacks. And how in hell do two seemingly healthy assholes have massive strokes on command?"

Teegan sighed and rose from the bed. A brief exchange and we decided that Cruthers wasn't going to let things go. The inheritance angle wasn't going to work. Cruthers mind worked too quickly.

"What the hell was the military doing here in the first place?" Cruthers continued. "Are you trying to convince me they escort heiresses now? And they left one of their own and hustled back to base, away from civilian law. Why is this a national security issue?"

"I thought the scones were supposed to make you less cranky," Victor said.

"I lied," Cruthers admitted, "Hunger makes me forget my morals."

"Maybe a break is in order," Samuel offered, though it sounded more like a demand.

"Teegan's on her way down," I informed them.

"And how would you know that?" Cruthers asked me quickly, her quizzical eyes searching the corners of the room. "Is this meeting being recorded?" I went to the door and opened it just as Teegan approached. The timing surprised everyone but Victor.

"Nothing is recorded," Teegan said, then looked at Victor, "right?"

"There haven't been cameras in this house since your last visit," Victor said, "We still maintain some on the outside. Security purposes only.

"I really think this interview is at an end," Samuel said. He stood to use his mass to emphasize the point.

"I didn't see any cameras out there," Cruthers said. Victor sighed. "You've been here before?" Cruthers added to Teegan.

"I'm ending this now," Samuel said, turning to us. Teegan moved toward him, and I followed at her side.

"She's not going to let this go," Teegan said to Samuel. He looked confused, not realizing that Teegan had heard everything. "I assume you're confused as well." It was funny watching the expression on his face turn from fierce predator to teddy bear. Teegan looked so small next to him, but there was a power emanating from her. "I warn you, the last time I disregarded someone's advice, Jason died."

"You have rights," Samuel said, "they can protect you."

"It's the people around me that seem to need the protection, Mr. Fortunato," Teegan said. She turned to the detective. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"I want to know if there's video of the attack?" Cruthers countered.

"Yes," Victor said. Samuel looked defeated.

"I can do one better," Teegan said, "it will also explain a lot more." Cruthers looked questioningly at her. "It requires a level of trust. Can you trust me, Detective Cruthers?"

"I don't trust anyone but my husband," Cruthers replied. "And I want a copy of the video."

"It will take only a moment," Teegan said.

"It is necessary if you want to understand the whole story," I added. Cruthers looked at me, then back at Teegan. There was a brave fear in her eyes like she had a sense of things beyond the ordinary. It was the two that had the stroke that frightened her.

"What caused the strokes?" Cruthers asked, verifying my assumptions.

"Anger," Teegan said. "The first one shot my brother."

"The second attacked Teegan," I added. "Not something I could tolerate."

"I have an ability," Teegan said, "it can be horribly warped when we or someone we love is threatened. It's become more of a curse."

"It's a blessing," Victor countered. Samuel looked confused like we were all confessing to murder. He wasn't used to having no control of a situation.

"Blessings don't kill people," Teegan said. Memories of Jason's last moments flooded her mind and filled mine. I moved to her side and wrapped my arm around her. "Do you want to know or not?" Teegan asked Cruthers more forcibly.