aisling grimlock 03 - grim discovery (20 page)

“They’re not all grouping together as much as they are … listening … to one person,” Bub said. “Before you ask, I don’t know who is leading them. I do know whoever it is wants you for … something. You’re some big key. I have no idea what you unlock. After meeting you, I have no idea why anyone would want you. It can’t be because of your brain.”

I ignored the jab. “Are gargoyles really former statues?”

“It depends on who you ask,” Bub replied. “Some people believe witches brought stone gargoyles to life to do their bidding at the turn of the century. Others believe we brought ourselves into being. Does it really matter?”

“You must know how you came into being,” I pressed.

“I do,” Bub said. “I hatched from an egg. I am a dog-owl, after all.”

I scowled. “You have to know something more than you’re telling us.”

“I’ve told you everything I know,” Bub said. “I wanted to warn you. I’ve done that. I’ve also been insulted and told there would be no litter box here if I wanted to stay. I don’t know what else to tell you. From now on, you’re on your own.”

“At least tell us where these wraiths hang out,” Griffin said. “They have to have a home base now that the Olivet Mausoleum burned down.”

“If they do, I’m not privy to that information,” Bub replied. “My best guess is that they’re gathering in the abandoned homes down near the Cass corridor in the city. I have no proof of that, though. It’s just a hunch.”

“Well, thank you,” I said. “You were a big help with all the swooping and knocking me around you did tonight.”

“You were pretty impressive with the solar light,” Bub shot back. “You were less impressive with the dog-owl stuff … and the rabies warning … and the tail crap.”

“Hey, I still maintain that thing looks like a … .”

Griffin slapped his hand over my mouth to silence me. “Thank you for your help. I think we can take it from here.”

Unfortunately, I wasn’t so sure.

Nineteen

Griffin was already in bed by the time I finished in the bathroom. He lifted the covers to make it easier for me to climb in next to him and then switched the lamp off before gathering me close.

“Is your hip okay?”

He’d been mostly quiet since Bub said his goodbyes – and scoffed at Jerry’s pedicure one more time – so the sound of his voice almost surprised me.

“It’s okay,” I said. “It hurts … but there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I know what we can do about it,” Griffin suggested. “Why don’t you quit your job, and I’ll quit my job, and you can con your father into writing you a fat check so we can find an empty beach somewhere to live out the rest of our days.”

“We both know you’d kill me if you had to spend that much time alone with me.”

“I don’t know, that sounds pretty good to me right now,” Griffin said, petting the back of my head as he tried to lull me into a more relaxed state. “I don’t want to bring this up now, but I’m not sure we’re going to have another chance … um … .”

“You’re wondering if my mother is paying wraiths and gargoyles to go after me,” I finished, knowing he was desperate not to say the words he feared would break me. “I don’t know. She seems the likeliest candidate, though.”

“What do you think about Bub?”

“I think he’s not telling us the complete truth,” I replied. “He knows more.”

“Why approach you in the first place?”

“Curiosity? Sport? I have no idea,” I answered. “He did save me. I’m not sure I could have taken both of them without his help.”

Griffin tightened his hold on my back. “We’re going to figure this out,” he said. “I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you. I … I won’t.”

“You can’t protect me twenty-four hours a day,” I pointed out. “I’m not sure anyone can.”

“You’re right,” Griffin said, his tone grim. “You have to tell your family what’s going on.”

I knew he’d say that. It was only a matter of time before he brought it up again. “What do you think I should say? Hey, Dad, remember two weeks ago when Duke Fontaine died on my lap? Well, right before he died he told me Mom was still alive and she’s trying to kill me.

“Why didn’t I tell you? You know me. I’m such a prankster,” I continued, my heart pounding. “Oh, and on top of Mom being alive, there’s a good chance she’s a ghoul like Genevieve Toth. I also had a meeting with Fox Grimpond behind your back, got approached by a rogue reaper and wraith, attacked by two more wraiths, and invited a crazy little hobgoblin into my home. How has your week been?”

Griffin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand as he rubbed the other across my back. “It sounds bad when you put it like that,” he admitted. “This has spiraled out of control, though. You need your family to help protect you.”

“I won’t sacrifice them to save myself.”

“Then I’ll tell them.”

I stilled, horrified. “You can’t do that!”

“Aisling, I don’t want to betray you,” Griffin replied. “I’ll do it to keep you alive, though. On the list of things I can’t live with, losing you is higher than going behind your back and telling your family what’s going on. I’m sorry, baby, but I can’t let you keep putting yourself at risk.”

I wanted to argue with him. I wanted to scream at him. He sounded too desperate, though. “They’ll never forgive me.”

“They’ll be really angry at first,” Griffin conceded. “They’ll think you betrayed them. They’ll yell … and they’ll scream … and they’ll pitch so many fits we won’t be able to keep up.

“They’ll always love you, though,” he continued. “They’ll always want to keep you safe. They won’t risk you, either. I’ll be with you when you tell them. I’ll stand with you, Aisling. What I won’t do is lose you.”

I turned so I could bury my face in the hollow of his neck, causing him to wrap both arms around me as he tugged me on top of him. “I’m afraid.”

“I know you are,” Griffin whispered. “I’m afraid, too. There are worse things in this world than telling the truth, though. You have to do it.”

“I know you’re right,” I said. “I just need to work up some courage.”

“You’re the bravest person I know. It’s going to be okay.”

We lapsed into silence for a few moments and I was almost convinced Griffin slipped into sleep when I lightly said his name.

“I’m still here,” Griffin said. “What’s on your mind now?”

Something had bothered me since Bub called me a “key.” I couldn’t push it out of my mind. “Do you think it’s possible they want me because they think I can do something evil for them?”

“What do you mean?”

“I always thought a person’s soul was safe if they believed in doing good,” I explained. “My mother believed in doing good, and look at her now. I don’t think she’s an upright citizen these days. If they corrupted her, what’s to stop them from corrupting me? Maybe I’m already evil and just don’t know it.”

Griffin grabbed my face with both hands and forced me into a position where I had no choice but to look at him.

“Don’t you ever say that,” Griffin warned. “Don’t you ever think that. You’re the best person I know, despite that nonstop mouth of yours. You’re not evil. They won’t be able to corrupt you and make you do something you don’t want to do. You’re the most stubborn person I know. You’d never let them win like that.”

“My mom was stubborn, too.” I fought tears as my lower lip quivered.

“Your mother was vulnerable, and we have no idea what was done to her over the past ten years,” Griffin said. “Don’t you even think for a second that you’re susceptible to that. You’ve got a whole army of people willing to fight for you and keep you safe.”

“But … .”

“No,” Griffin said, shaking his head. “Don’t let doubts crush you right now. I don’t know how we’re going to fix this situation. I don’t know how we’re going to find your mother. I don’t know how your family will react. I do know that you’re too good to let this pull you down.”

“I … .”

“Promise me you won’t think something like this again, baby,” Griffin ordered. “We can take only so many problems at one time, and I’m not up for this one. Promise me you understand that you’re incapable of doing what you’re suggesting.”

“I want to believe that.”

“Do I ever lie to you?”

The question caught me off guard. “No.”

“I’m telling you it’s not possible, and you have to believe me because I don’t lie,” Griffin said. “Promise me.”

“I promise.”

Griffin kissed me softly before releasing my face. He cuddled me close, not bothering to shift me back to my previous position, instead holding me against his chest. “You need some sleep,” he said. “We’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. We’ll tackle everything together.”

“Okay.”

“Go to sleep,” Griffin whispered. “You’re safe. You’re going to stay that way. I’ll make sure of it.”

BY THE
time I finished both of my Thursday jobs it was almost noon. I was too keyed up to go home in case I ran into Jerry or Aidan, which left me with nothing to do in downtown Detroit.

On a whim, I headed toward Griffin’s precinct, hoping we could have lunch. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. I hoped we could talk me down from the lofty ledge I perched on. I knew he was right about telling my family the truth. I was still terrified.

I’d been by Griffin’s department exactly two times, so I was surprised when the uniformed man behind the protective bubble at the front of the station recognized me.

“He’s back at his desk,” the officer said. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”

“I … okay. Thanks.”

The officer buzzed me back and I trudged down the nondescript hallway until I found Griffin’s division. His back was to me as I approached, and for some absurd reason I felt ridiculous about bothering him at work. I’d just about made up my mind to leave without saying anything when he shifted in his chair and caught sight of me.

“What’s wrong?” His face instantly shifted from placid to worried.

“Nothing,” I said, holding up my hand to placate him. “I … I’m sorry.”

Griffin knit his eyebrows together. “For what?”

“I shouldn’t have bothered you,” I said, glancing around to find the bulk of the division office empty. “I finished work and I was down here and … .”

“You didn’t want to go home,” Griffin finished.

“I thought we could get lunch,” I added. “It seemed like a great idea until I realized I was bothering you at work and you probably wouldn’t appreciate it. I’m so sorry. I’ll go.”

Griffin reached out and snagged my wrist before I could move away. “Why do you think you’re bothering me?”

“This is your job.”

“Wow, I hadn’t noticed that,” Griffin said dryly. “You’re welcome here whenever you want. You know that, right?”

Actually, I didn’t know that. “I’m still sorry.”

“Well, I’m happy to see you,” Griffin said. “You have good timing. I was going to get a sandwich from the vending machine, but now that you’re here we’ll go out. How does Mexican sound?”

I nodded, relieved. “Thank you.”

Griffin got up from his chair and pulled me in for a quick hug. “You don’t have to thank me for lunch,” he whispered. “Although, if you want to repay me with a special treat later, I won’t put up a fight.”

I knew he was going for levity and I appreciated it. I was about to give him a dirty preview when the frame on his desk caught my attention. There was a photograph of us inside of it. Jerry took the photo a few weekends earlier. I had no idea he’d given it to Griffin. “That’s me.”

Griffin shifted his attention to the frame. “You’re kidding. I wondered who that chick was.”

“You put a photograph of us on your desk.” I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“I think that’s what most couples do,” Griffin said, rolling his eyes. “Don’t make a big deal out of this.”

I couldn’t help it. “It feels like a big deal,” I said. “I … I’m desk worthy.”

“You’re definitely worthy,” Griffin said, slipping his arm around my shoulders and tugging me close to kiss my cheek. “Come on. If we get moving now we should be able to slip in between lunch crowd rushes. I know a nice place around the corner.”

I slipped my hand in his and let him lead me toward the exit. That’s when Andrea Black, Griffin’s new partner – who looks as if she could double as a model in her off time – slipped through the door. Her eyes widened when she saw us. “Oh, hey. I didn’t know Aisling was here.”

“She stopped by to surprise me for lunch,” Griffin replied. “We’re going now. I won’t be gone too long. We need to finish the paperwork on the Travers case.”

“I’m sorry to steal him,” I offered lamely.

“Oh, no,” Andrea said, smiling brightly. “It’s great you stopped by. If he didn’t have that photo of you on his desk, I wouldn’t have realized you two were still together.”

It was a pointed jab. Only a woman could recognize it for what it was, though. “Well, at least he has the photo.”

“Don’t listen to her,” Griffin said. “I talk about you nonstop.”

“I guess I must be absent from the room when he does that,” Andrea said. “I’ve been dying to get to know you better. Griffin and I spend so much time together. I’d like to spend some time with the other woman in his life.”

I narrowed my eyes. I knew what she was doing and I didn’t like it. “Well … maybe we can carve out some time for lunch down the road.”

“Or maybe I should just go with you guys now,” Andrea suggested. “I’m not busy. What better time than the present?”

Griffin opened his mouth to argue. He was caught. We both knew it. There was no way he could shoot Andrea down without appearing rude. “Sure,” he said finally. “That sounds great.”

“I’ll just get my purse.”

The look Andrea shot me was full of something I recognized from my high school days with Angelina Davenport. She thought we were competing. If there was one thing I was good at, it was winning.

“Bring it on,” I muttered.

“Did you say something?” Griffin asked.

“No,” I lied. “I’m really looking forward to lunch.”

“Yeah. I have a feeling it’s going to be a … special occasion.”

I had a feeling he was right.

Twenty

“This is a nice place,” I said, smiling as Griffin pulled a chair out for me. Paco’s Mexican Grill looked like a dive from outside. Inside, it was one of those hidden Detroit gems that only locals know about.