Freak Show (Episode One: The Nightshade Cases) Read online

  They were halfway down the stairs when Gerri came to an abrupt halt, spinning Kinsey toward her. She held up the slip of paper, eyes so intense Kinsey was almost afraid of her.

  “You’re sure you found this in the Bible.” Kinsey’s heart fell.

  “Well,” she said. “I’m 99% sure.” It was on the floor under her desk. She’d dropped the Bible there the night before. And where else would it have come from? She didn’t say any of what she was thinking, but she saw the frustration in Gerri’s face and knew the detective saw every excuse process through Kinsey’s eyes.

  “Damn it, Kins.” Gerri leaned against the stairwell, staring at the symbols.

  “I screwed up.” Kinsey knew she had a propensity for blaming herself for things she shouldn’t. There was no way she could have known the Bible might lead to the murderer. Even Gerri said the same thing. Roxy was still alive when Kinsey took it with her. Gerri wasn’t even interested in it. The spiraling thought pattern took her, as usual, through blame and guilt into irritation and temper until, by the time Gerri looked up again, Kinsey was ready to face off with her.

  “No,” Gerri said, soft and breathy, “I did.”

  Kinsey deflated, her anger gone in a flash. With a sudden hit of understanding, she realized there was more going on here. “What happened? What did I miss?”

  Gerri’s grin wasn’t amused. “I’ll fill you in later.” She fished out her phone. “For now, we have someone to talk to and I want you there.” She dialed a number, starting up her rapid descent again. Kinsey hurried after her.

  “To look for weird.” This time, Kinsey wouldn’t let her down. “Where are we going?”

  “The Collective of All Souls Church,” Gerri said over her shoulder. “Reverend Sterling hasn’t been telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but. And I’d like to know why.”

  ***

  INT. – REVEREND STERLING’S MANSION - AFTERNOON

  Sterling’s “from the neighborhood” lie had died the moment Gerri left the city limits, heading for the outskirts in pursuit of the reverend. She slammed her car door, hearing in absent attention the passenger front and back both close shortly after. There had been no solid, police work reason to bring Ray along, but Gerri was feeling vulnerable and wanted the girls with her. And, while she knew Ray needed to be at the morgue, investigating Roxy’s body, she hadn’t argued or put up any kind of fight when Gerri called. Maybe she didn’t want to know—like Gerri didn’t—if the fallen dancer’s X-Ray would resembled Aisling’s.

  Gerri shoved that anomaly aside. Better to have another medical examiner have a look. If Ray was right—Gerri couldn’t believe she was even considering that was the case—having another witness to the lack of vital organs might be a good thing.

  Besides, she’d much rather have Ray and Kinsey with her than her so-called partner who she knew would stab her in the back before he protected it. The reminder of Missy’s non-existent case wasn’t helping any, nor was Gerri’s worry Kinsey and Ray were right. That there was a paranormal world out there, people and creatures, who defied logic and her reality-based mind.

  No. Forget that. Cover ups pissed her off and she wasn’t going to let this one slide. Weird could go to hell.

  It pissed her off Sterling knew she was coming, that she’d been forced to flash her badge at the gate’s camera so he’d let her in. But, no matter. If he was hiding something, she’d find it. She always did. Gerri looked up at the three-story brick mansion and found herself smirking.

  “Since when,” Ray said from the other side of the car, “does a reverend have enough money to buy a house like this?”

  “Let’s go ask him.” Gerri circled the front of the car and headed for the entry. The low, stone steps led to a grand open porch, two massive cast iron doors lined with smoked glass guarding the way. She didn’t have to knock, or hunt for the oddly comical button shining on one side, begging to be pressed. Gerri could only imagine what the doorbell chime might sound like in a place like this. The moment she set foot on the top step, the left hand door opened and a woman she recognized appeared on the other side.

  “Detective.” She nodded to Gerri, not even noticing the other two women. She felt nervous, almost smelled like it to Gerri. Her small, chubby hands ran down the front of her brown cardigan, mousy hair in a bun at the base of her neck. “Welcome to the Collective.”

  “Thanks.” Gerri pushed past her, kindly but with authority. She knew this woman’s type, how to manipulate her. “Is the reverend available? We have questions.”

  The woman stuttered a moment before his strong, vibrant voice rescued her.

  “Mary.” Sterling strode down the broad staircase, smiling at Gerri, a prince welcoming a visiting entourage. “Fetch coffee for our guests.”

  He touched down on the marble floor, his silver-toned suit less tacky than it should have been. Again with the firm handshake, the steady smile and open gaze. Gerri’s doubts about Kinsey’s find rose up, but her gut quickly shut that down.

  Dirty. From the million-dollar smile to the expensive suit to the false welcome. Everything about him was steeped in filth.

  Gerri smiled back, ready to do battle. “We have a few questions,” she said. “About the Divinities.”

  And, with that, she went to war.

  Sterling was already walking away, through the foyer, past a small room and into a grand office lined with books. She knew his motives, understood his reasoning. By bringing her in here, his base of power, he hoped to dominate her. He was comfortable here and that made her happy.

  Let him. All the easier to take him apart.

  She felt someone following, assuming it was Ray and Kinsey. She had no time to check on them. She could only hope her anthropologist friend understood the “weird” observation was a standing order and that Ray would help. Gerri’s job was standing in front of her in his very expensive office, grim but smiling.

  “Tell me about the Divinities,” she said.

  He twitched. Just a little. More than enough. She held herself still as he denied it, just like she knew he would.

  “A local street gang,” he said, shocking the hell out of her, so much she was momentarily speechless. “I’ve been assisting them in converting to the faith. To bring them out of their lives of crime and punishment and into the fold of the Collective.”

  Gerri snorted, she couldn’t help herself. “Sure you are,” she said, still stunned he told her even that much truth.

  His artful frown gave him the upper hand, damn him. He was in control and Gerri knew it. How had she lost her advantage again? Time to take it back.

  “You can believe what you like, Detective,” he said. “And ask all the questions you want. But my life—and my ministry—are an open book.”

  Fine, she’d just see about that. “And these symbols?” She handed him her phone, watching carefully. His face didn’t flinch this time. Instead, he nodded slowly.

  “Yes, I’ve seen these before,” he said, looking up, innocence and concern in his gaze. “Tattooed on the Divinities members, I believe. You might want to ask them about this. I have nothing to do with it.”

  Frustration burned a hole in the lining of Gerri’s stomach. She’d have an ulcer before long, she was sure of it. “These symbols were found in the Bible you left with Roxy,” she said. And hated that she’d given so much away.

  Sterling’s face tightened. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said. “I certainly left no such thing with that damaged soul.” Roxy lied? But why? Because Sterling seemed truly shocked under his false concern.

  So, who gave her the Bible? Gerri ground her teeth. She was getting nowhere. And hoped the other two were making more headway. Otherwise, as soon as Sterling decided the show was over, this interview was a bust.

  ***

  INT. – REVEREND STERLING’S MANSION - AFTERNOON

  Kinsey held back while Gerri did what she did best. Instead of joining her detective friend and Ray in Sterling’s office, she
lingered outside, near the small desk, waiting for Mary. Not because she couldn’t stomach the interrogation. In fact, she would have enjoyed watching Gerri tear the guy down if he was guilty or involved. But because she knew the true source of information was coming toward her with a tray of coffee balanced in her hands.

  Kinsey smiled and went to Mary, relieving her of the weight of her burden. The smell of coffee was so good, she was almost distracted. But, when Mary, her anxious face turned toward the office door, tried to move past Kinsey, she cut the woman off with her body, still smiling, catching Mary’s full attention.

  “They’ll just be a few minutes,” Kinsey said, setting the tray on the edge of Mary’s desk. “Thank you so much for the coffee. That was kind of you.”

  “Not at all.” Mary fidgeted slightly, peeking over Kinsey’s shoulder.

  “Murder!” Sterling’s voice boomed from the next room. “How dare you…” his tone dropped as Gerri’s voice cut him off, muffled and undecipherable. Mary’s face compressed into a worried frown again, her gaze flickering to the phone on her desk.

  Who did she want to call? “I’m sure it’s all a big misunderstanding,” Kinsey said, patting Mary’s hands. They were ice-cold and shaking. In fact, the woman was so worked up, two bright points of pink stood out on her pale cheeks, a thin sheen of sweat standing on her upper lip.

  “Oh, wonderful.” Ray’s bright voice interrupted, turning Kinsey half around. Hazel eyes met hers with absolute clarity and understanding. Thank goodness Ray knew what Kinsey was trying to do. The brunette circled to Mary, pinning her against her desk, with Kinsey blocking one way and only retreat available as Ray took the open side. “Coffee. I’m absolutely parched.”

  “I should assist the reverend.” Mary tried to move through them, but Kinsey was determined. It wasn’t like this woman was a threat to Gerri’s investigation. But if they could keep her clear of Sterling, maybe they could convince her to talk. With a faint taint of guilt, Kinsey reached for the one tool she knew wouldn’t let her down, as long as she wasn’t imagining it. In her heart of hearts, she knew better. And she refused to let Gerri down ever again, even if that meant proving to herself, once and for all, she was an utter freak show.

  Her head vibrated as she sent herself out to touch Mary. There was a good reason she wanted to believe in the paranormal, a reason she carried with her like a secret she could never, ever share. But, as she leaned on the older woman with the quiet power in her mind, Kinsey felt her whole body relax, sighing with relief at being free.

  A subtle thing, this ability to encourage others to see things her way. Mostly, she’d used it out of ignorance in the beginning, to calm or relax those around her during tense situations. When she finally understood, as a teenager, what she was able to do, she stopped all together. Surely she was imagining her influence on the young man in the back seat of his car who wanted to have sex far more than she did. Or the teacher who planned to give her a “B” and ended up writing an “A” instead. But, as time went on, Kinsey came to accept her ability. And to only use it for good.

  This, she posited, was one of those times. Reminding her yet again paranormals did exist. That her grandmother’s influence wasn’t her imagination after all, years of pressure and swaying to Margot’s wants all suspect. Bringing Kinsey to one final thought. That maybe, just maybe, she and her grandmother were something more than normal, too.

  “Mary,” she said, pushing gently against the woman’s heart, forgetting about Margot and all those years she now feared were spent under her grandmother’s influence in more ways than just the critical. “It’s all right. Detective Meyers won’t be much longer. Maybe you’d like to tell us about the reverend? To pass the time?”

  Ray frowned at her, just the barest movement of her brows tightening. But Mary reacted as Kinsey expected, as she encouraged, sagging just a little, eyes no longer locked on the doorway, but on Kinsey instead. She even managed a fluttering smile.

  Proof positive of this talent of hers, in the flesh. Kinsey didn’t know if she should be jumping for joy or scared out of her ever loving mind.

  Both would have to do for now. Or she’d fall into furious with her grandmother. And she just couldn’t afford the distraction. This was too important.

  “He’s a wonderful man,” Mary said, clearly oblivious to the influence Kinsey held over her. The longer she held contact, the more complete the bond felt, until Kinsey knew what words would emerge from Mary’s mouth before she said them. Unsettling, the prequel. “Wise and kind and gentle. The perfect leader for our chapter of the church.” Kinsey watched her hands tighten into a ball at the woman’s waist, clutching together until the skin turned white, feeling it in her own hands like a subtle flex of muscle not her own. “He does such good work in the community. With the misguided.”

  Kinsey pushed a little harder, to the limit of her, admittedly, limited ability. Frustrating, now knowing for sure exactly what she could do but only able to carry it this far. “The gay community?” If Mary decided to fight her, this would be all over. The barest reassertion of control was all it would take. But the woman seemed more than willing to accept Kinsey’s soft pressure, welcoming it, even, as though she’d been looking for someone to confide in.

  Mary flinched from the word, though, her scorn mixed with an ache deep inside. “The queers,” she hissed before catching herself, both hands now over her mouth, eyes wide in shock, completely Kinsey’s. “Forgive me,” she said.

  Kinsey didn’t think Ray would be all that forgiving, but was surprised when she spoke up.

  “Such a shame, all those misguided, damaged people.” Her British judgmental bitch was showing. “Going against nature like that.” Ray shuddered. “How could they? Abominable.”

  Kinsey bit her lower lip to keep from smiling, though it really wasn’t funny. Ray sounded like her mother.

  “Against nature.” Mary nodded quickly, voice dropping. “You have no idea.” She glanced at the doorway before grasping Ray’s hand, pulling her closer, drawing her into the bare touch of influence Kinsey held over her. “They are demons,” she whispered, spit flying to land on Ray’s cheek. “Possessed by the devil himself. And the reverend, bless him, every day he struggles, he fights. He gives his energy and his time in the battle to exorcise their evil.”

  Ray wiped carefully at the spot of spittle, her tight smile a warning to Kinsey she’d better be ready to hold her back. Mary might end up with a broken nose for her homophobia.

  “Indeed,” Ray said instead of striking, pulling free of Mary. “Good for him, then.” She looked away as Mary turned her attention to Kinsey.

  “He’s doing good work,” she said, eyes watering, though Kinsey felt her retreating from the touch of her influence. Frustrated, she pushed harder, only to feel Mary slip away. “So necessary.”

  Ray’s hiss of surprise caught Kinsey’s attention. She leaned back as the brunette reached between her and Mary, lifting a photo frame from the desk, her hazel eyes dark as she examined it. When she held it up to the shaking woman, her face was blank.

  “Who is this?” Kinsey guessed Ray already knew, though she herself didn’t recognize the handsome young man. Tall, dirty blonde hair, smiling a brittle smile that seemed forced. Like her last portrait with her grandmother. He looked enough like Mary Kinsey guessed he was her son, maybe? But why was Ray so interested?

  “My boy,” Mary said, taking the frame from Ray, stroking the picture. “One of the saved.” She hugged it to her chest, rocking a little. “Reverend Sterling personally saw to his salvation.”

  “Is that so.” Gerri’s voice interrupted, her hand taking the frame firmly from Mary who tried to cling to it. Kinsey spun to see Sterling glaring at the woman, face pale.

  Gerri took one look at the photo and tsked before tossing it to Sterling. “You could have mentioned the fact you knew him.”

  Sterling’s face settled into a mask of outrage while Kinsey tried to figure out what she missed. “He was a devil,” he s
aid in his preacher’s voice. “Now, he is an angel.”

  “You’re sure about that, are you?” Gerri reached for her phone, dialed. “If your salvation worked so well, why is Curtis working as a bartender at the Starlet Lounge?”

  ***

  INT. – REVEREND STERLING’S MANSION - AFTERNOON

  Mary answered her question before Sterling could stop her. Not that there was much he could say to refute it. Gerri already knew the answer. But her gut? It never led her wrong before.

  “Reverend Sterling made sure Curtis worked with the demons,” Mary said. “As a missionary, to befriend and assist those still possessed.” Sure, that was the reason. Gerri turned to glare at the angry man while Mary went on. “He was the perfect one to do it, since he’s been freed himself of the yoke of the devil.”

  But there was no guilt in him, just grief.

  Just grief.

  Gerri snarled to herself. Because the boy didn’t think what he did was wrong. He was just sad he had to do it. She could have taken Sterling’s throat out with her teeth, she was so furious. Instead, she got in the man’s face and pressed a finger into his chest, gently, so he couldn’t cry police brutality later.

  “If I find out he killed those dancers because you told him to…” She drew a sharp breath, let it out in a controlled exhale as he stuttered in her face.

  “I’ve had enough of your accusations.” Sterling’s charisma dried up like a lake in a south Texas drought. “We’ve been more than accommodating in the face of such unjust treatment. It’s time for you to leave, Detective.”