Chapter Eleven

"I knew I could count on you, McGuire." Jeffords dropped into the chair across from Frank’s desk. "Tell me the truth; were you surprised when you discovered two men were involved?"

Last night, Giselle appeared in his dreams, her smile peaceful, her face serene. "She mouthed the words. “You have set us free."

Frank had awakened in a cold sweat but serenity claimed him soon after. The victims were at peace and The Black Rail would never kill again.

The girl had tried to tell him when she held up two fingers. It wasn’t the symbol of peace, but rather a sign that The Black Rail consisted of two malevolent beings―Splinter, who enticed the Goth girls into the cellar through various means, and Paddy, who got off watching the bartender torture and ultimately strangle his victims.

Frank shook his head. "Surprised, yes, but I should have known. I’m slipping in my old age."

"What do you mean? How could you have known?"

Tired of explaining to Jeffords how messages funneled in during meditation or dreams, he shrugged. Not many understood the concept because they didn’t want to. Frank smiled as the lines lit up on his desk phone. On the other end, nameless, faceless parents were calling requesting his services with an admission they didn’t understand his methodology, but could he find their children?

Jeffords asked again, "Why should you have known about two men?"

"Let’s just say the clues were in front of me and I missed them."

"Hmm," Jeffords said. "Maybe you are getting too old for this." He rose from the chair. "I’ll drag my sorry ass out of here. If those flashing lines lighting up the room are an indication, things aren’t about to settle down for you in the immediate future."

Frank nodded and Jeffords turned to leave. He had no urge to answer the phone while Grace was at lunch. He left a note on her desk and followed Jeffords out the door. Grace could hold things down for a week while he took a much-needed vacation. He’d thought about nothing else while recuperating from the broken collarbone injury. He’d booked a ticket to Vegas, and today he would board that plane.

Marlow had recovered from her injuries and decided eavesdropping on her mother’s conversations had started all her troubles. Rand visited Frank every day during his recovery. Living at home again and enrolled in college, he seemed contented if not happy.

"Where do we go from here?" Rand had asked while sitting in a chair next to his hospital bed.

"Where do you want to go?"

"That’s a stupid question," he replied, his expression serious. "You said if I enrolled in college again and straightened up, I could live with you."

"What does your mother say about that?"

"She thinks you’re my only salvation."

Frank studied him. “I’m not anyone’s salvation. Hell, I can’t save myself from myself so don’t look at me like some guy wearing a halo.”

"I don’t care about the halo shit or about anyone’s salvation." Rand had tipped his chin down and narrowed his eyes. "Well?”

“Well, what?"

"Are you going to keep your word or not? I know my dad would approve."

"Oh, you’re going to play the Ace card with me, huh, your dad?”

“He loved you , Frank . . . we all did.” A blush came to his cheeks. “You know what I mean.”

“I’m not an easy man to live with, Rand. I’m used to going my own way and I’m not as easy as your old man. I have rules and I wouldn’t be happy about you breaking them?”

“You’re shittin’ me, right? You have rules?”

“And that’s another thing. That garbage mouth has to take a walk.”

“All right, I can clean up my language. What else?”

“You’d have to stay in school and be serious, pull good grades.” His eyes locked with Rand’s. “I don’t have to tell you how mean I can be when I have to, do I?”

Rand had put his hands in the air. “Hell, no. Can’t you see I’m shakin’ in my boots?”

“You’re not wearing boots, smart ass.”

“What do you say, Frank. Is that a yes or what? I gotta let my mom know.”

“All right. We’ll give it a try. A six-month probation. You fuck up during that six months, back you go with your mother and Marlow. Agreed?”

“Agreed. Definitely agreed.” Rand had jumped up from the chair. “I’m off to tell them then, and I better start packing.” He stopped near the door and pivoted around. “Have a great time in Vegas.”

“Don’t worry; I plan to.”

Rand had flashed him that cocky smile Frank had come to love. "See you when you get back, then.”

Frank’s head hit the pillow the minute Rand left the room. His eyes were heavy from the drugs they kept pumping into his system. Before he drifted into dreamland, he wondered what life would be like living with Rand.

For the first time in a long time . . . since Quinn’s death . . . his life had taken on a new meaning. Could he actually believe in a future again, convince himself hope was always available if one reached out and grabbed it?

The dark void came for him gently, like a silent thief in the night. He didn’t fight it this time but surrendered to the peace accompanying it.

~The End~

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About the Author

Keta Diablo lives in the Midwest part of the United States on six acres of gorgeous woodland. When she isn't writing or gardening, she loves to commune with nature. A pair of barn owls returns to the property every year to birth their young and show them off in the high branches of the oak trees. Nothing more adorable than these white fluffy babies with heart-shaped faces. A lifelong animal lover, Keta devotes her time and support to the local animal shelter.

Keta is an award-winning and Amazon bestselling author who writes in several genres: Western Romance, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance and Contemporary Romance. Occasionally, she writes Gay Romance. Her books have received numerous accolades, including RWA contest finalist, Authors After Dark finalist, Top Pick of the Month and Recommended Review from many top review sites, and Best Romance Finalist from The Independent Author Network.

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