16

16Cope

Cope had an amazing day in Sedona with Ten, Jace, and the kids. They'd taken their time shopping at the art boutiques and crystal shops. He'd spoken with one of the store owners named Delia, who had psychic gifts similar to his own, and she'd explained that she'd moved to Sedona because the energy vortex muted her gifts. She didn't want to speak with dead people or know what the future held. All she wanted was to live in peace and help others along their life paths.

Not that Cope could blame Delia for not wanting to deal with her gift. Being in Sedona was soothing in a way nothing else had been during his life. He supposed the feeling might be similar to that of an overstressed person getting a massage, but not even that came close to this feeling.

Ten and Everly had been in a world of their own. They'd happily gone from shop to shop, picking out crystals and books on the vortex. Aurora had fallen in love with amethyst, which was known to promote good physical, mental, and spiritual health. She and Everly had also been drawn to the Hopi fetish animals. Aurora got an owl who was a keeper of night visions, which would help with her nightmares, and Everly got a bear, which represented strength and healing. Wolf had gotten his namesake fetish, which represented finding your own path and teaches self-knowledge. Lastly, Cope had picked up a raven for Lizbet which stood for cleverness and wisdom, two qualities, he knew his daughter would have in spades.

While they'd been shopping, Cope hadn't been able to keep his mind off Jude and how things were going with the captain of the tribal police. That question had been answered when Jude called around lunchtime. He'd asked for Cope to grab steaks and all the fixings for dinner and that he'd be bringing four guests.

Cope hadn't needed his gift to know Jude was bringing the three friends from the tribal police and the man from the FBI. He'd gotten in touch with Eagle to see if he and Kaye could keep the kids for a bit so that they could have dinner without interruptions. Eagle agreed instantly, although Cope had a feeling it was so that he could spend more time with Kaye.

"What do we know about this FBI guy?" Jace asked as he set the table for dinner.

"Not much, just that he grew up in Arizona, just outside Flagstaff," Ten said.

Jace paused laying down silverware to focus on the psychics. "So you'll spend the evening reading him to get more intel?"

"I'll do my best. I think Agent Flynn is the key to helping these women." As much as Cope hated to say it, romancing Flynn could very well be the key to finding the missing women.

"Why do you say that?" Ten asked.

"The tribal police has gotten nowhere with these missing women. Flynn has the backing of the agency behind him, along with resources Navajo Nation can't match. We need to butter him up and get him on our side." Cope eyed his nodding husband as he spoke.

"I'll make sure he gets the biggest steak." Jace snorted. "What about your gifts? Are we keeping them on down low?"

"I'm not sure yet. I want to talk to Jude before we make a decision." If Cope had his way, he'd keep his gift under wraps for the time being. He wanted time to read Jude's former bullies and the FBI agent. If they knew what he could do, they'd shut themselves down. It was even possible the cops would walk out on the meeting, thinking he and Ten were witches.

"I was thinking the same thing," Ten agreed. "Speaking of, they're here."

As Ten spoke the front door opened, and in walked Ronan, followed by Jude and Fitz.

"Hey, guys, where are our guests?" Cope asked, rushing to hug his husband.

"They're on their way. Should be here in a few minutes, which gives us some time to discuss how to handle things tonight." Jude exchanged an uneasy look with Ronan.

"Okay, what's that look for?" Cope asked.

"We think you should keep a lid on your gifts for now, but we need to figure out a way to mention what Rainbow said about being driven north from Flagstaff when she was kidnapped." Jude shook his head. "I feel like we're walking a tightrope here with us barely being invited into this case. One wrong step and we're out."

Cope nodded. "That works for me. If there's something we need you to know, we'll use ‘snake' as a code word."

All three men burst out laughing.

"I don't need to tell you boys not to pull any shit with those fake snakes, right?" Cope's eyes moved back and forth between Jude, Ronan, and Fitz.

"Right," all three men muttered, not sounding at all happy with the situation.

"There will be plenty of time later for you to scare the shit out of each other." Cope turned his mind toward Jude's field trip. "What did you learn about the case today?"

Jude shook his head, frustration simmering in his dark eyes. "Not a lot. John filled us in on his feelings toward each of the kidnappings. He thinks it's possible that the cases are all related, that one person is responsible for the disappearances."

"What about Nathan and Trevor?" Ten asked.

"We didn't see them. When we were visiting the police station, they were running down leads for Prairie Moon's case." Jude didn't look at all pleased.

Cope didn't like the sound of that. "Why is her brother working her missing persons case? Isn't that a conflict of interest?"

Jude shrugged. "Yes and no. It's complicated."

"What do you mean it's complicated?" Jude's answer made no sense to Cope. "What if he's the one who took her?"

"The first thing you have to understand is how things work here on the reservation. Our people don't want help from outside law enforcement agencies, state or federal. The absolute last person they want to investigate is Liam Flynn because his involvement means the government is up in the Navajo's business." Jude paused and took a deep breath. "It is possible Trevor had something to do with Prairie's disappearance. According to what John said, Prairie was eyeing a life off reservation once she got her degree, and he wanted her to stay."

"I don't understand how he could begrudge his sister the opportunity to make a better life for herself." Cope sighed. His father had been all for Cope going to college and following in his footsteps rather than following his dreams, while his mother wanted Cope to pursue whatever made him happy. He'd been in Prairie's shoes and had walked his own path at the cost of losing his father. Was it possible the missing woman had been just as brave?

"I hear you," Jude said. "But not every family is as open-minded as mine. Trevor isn't married, and my guess is that Prairie has been taking care of him, cooking his meals and washing his clothes."

"So he didn't want Prairie to leave because he'd have to wash his own dirty clothes?" Ten shook his head as if he couldn't imagine anything more ridiculous.

"That's only my impression of the situation. I could be totally wrong," Jude said as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it."

While Jude headed for the door, Cope took a moment to get his thoughts together. It wasn't going to do Prairie any good if he put her brother on the defensive. Cope might not have a lot of law enforcement experience like Tennyson did, but he was good with people. He'd rely on his Southern manners to get him through this night.

"Hey, everyone, you remember John, Nathan, and Trevor?" Jude said, walking the three men to the dining table.

"It's good to see you all again," Cope said.

"Thanks for inviting us to dinner." John wore a happy grin. "Fitzy's been telling us all about what a great cook Jace is."

"They're already thick as thieves," Ten whispered to Cope.

"John is, but Trevor looks like he's got a mouthful of shit with another mouthful on the way." Cope looked around the room. "Where's Agent Flynn? I thought he was joining us tonight?"

"He'll be along," Nathan said. "Liam's got a house in Flagstaff, and he wanted to shower and change before heading over here."

"Why don't we all have a seat?" Cope ushered everyone to the table. He couldn't help but notice Jude checking his chair before he sat down, obviously looking for another rubber snake.

"Nathan, can you and Trevor fill us in on what you were investigating today?" Ronan asked.

"We talked to several of Prairie's friends," Nathan began. "According to one friend, she and Prairie had visited the campus of Yavapai College and had registered for summer classes. After that, they'd gone for coffee at a local shop downtown. The friend, whose name is Martha, offered Prairie a ride home, but she said someone else was coming to pick her up. The friend assumed it was Trevor."

"It wasn't me. I didn't even know she'd left the reservation that day." Trevor shook his head. "If she'd just dropped this idea of college like she was told, none of this would have happened." He reached for the bottle of water Jace had set in front of him and downed half of it in one slug. "Don't you have anything stronger?"

"Sorry, man. I'm in recovery," Ronan said. "Best I can offer you is a Coke or some of the kids' juice pouches."

"Coke is good. I could use a shot of sugar and caffeine." Trevor folded his arms over his chest, looking like a toddler who'd been told they couldn't have a cookie.

Cope had so many things he wanted to say to Trevor, none of which would get him anywhere. He wanted to know who the hell he thought he was to control Prairie the way he'd done. Maybe if he had let her be a free spirit, she wouldn't have been taken. "Was there anyone she was dating or spending time with?"

Trevor raised an eyebrow at Cope. "Gee, I never would have thought to speak to the male friends in her life." Sarcasm dripped from every word out of his mouth.

"Look, Trevor—" Jude started but was interrupted by the doorbell again.

"That's Liam. I'll get it." John got out of his seat and hurried toward the front door.

Cope's attention never strayed from Trevor. The man was hiding something, no doubt about it. He opened his gift wide, concentrating on him, but got almost nothing in return. Trevor's volcanic anger overwhelmed everything else going on in his mind.

"Everyone, this is Agent Liam Flynn," John said by way of introduction. He quickly went around the table naming off everyone while Jace set the tossed salad in the center of the table.

"Rumor has it you boys are from Boston, with the exception of Jude," Liam said. "You picked a hell of a time of year to come out here."

"You're telling me," Ronan said. "I feel like I'm going to melt into a puddle, but our kids are out of school, so we figured it was a good time to come for a visit."

"What did you do before you joined the FBI?" Jude asked. "I'd thought about taking the test but figured I'd never get in."

"I was a cop in Chicago," Liam said, taking the salad bowl from Tennyson. "My boss recommended me to the academy, and I got in. Took to it like a fish to water. I spent my first few years at a field office in Nebraska and got transferred out here six years ago."

"Do you have a family? A spouse or kids?" Fitzgibbon asked.

Liam's face crumpled at the question. The man looked as if he were about to burst into tears. "I'd been out here for six months when I met a Navajo woman named Maddie Goldstone. She worked at the coffee shop I went to every morning. She was gorgeous with her long dark hair and beautiful smile. She was so out of my league that it took me six more months to ask her out. After that, we were never apart. We got married a few months later, and before we knew it, our little princess Michelle was born. We named the baby after my mother. I'd never been happier in my life." Liam swiped the back of his hand against his damp eyes. "Anyway, one night when Michelle was almost two years old, Maddie went out to get some milk with the baby in the car. A fast-moving storm swept in, and Maddie lost control of the car. It smashed into a tree. Both died on impact."

"Sweet Jesus," Fitzgibbon muttered. "I'm so sorry, Liam."

The agent sat up straighter in his seat and picked up the ranch dressing. "Thank you, I appreciate it. It's been one day at a time since I lost my family. The bureau offered to transfer me out of Arizona, but I wanted to stay so I could be close to their graves. Now, I do everything I can to help the Navajo and Hopi people."

Liam's story took Cope's breath away. He could feel the devastation radiating off the agent like heat from a stove. He couldn't imagine what life would be like if he lost Jude and the kids. It was hard for him to take a deep breath just thinking about it. Never mind living through it.

"John sent over the tribal police files for each of the missing women," Jude said, obviously looking for a way to get the conversation back on track and away from the subject of Liam's losses. "Is there anything beyond what's in them that you've been able to uncover?"

"Not really. I've been looking into the johns Rainbow used to see. Several of them have criminal records that include sex crimes, but they also have alibis. After Prairie disappeared, I collected surveillance footage from the camera outside the coffee shop where she'd been with her friend, but all it showed was her walking past the camera on her way south. There's a bus stop just out of range of the camera, but there's no evidence she took a bus that day."

While the others talked about the case, Cope scanned Liam Flynn. His pain over the loss of his family was almost crippling. Buried somewhere beneath his grief was determination to finish the job he started. Getting all the answers he needed from the FBI agent, he turned to the three members of the tribal police force, who'd bullied Jude mercilessly before he left the reservation all those years ago.

First up was John. Cope was instantly swept under by a wave of guilt. The man felt horrible for the way he'd treated Jude, for going along with the crowd instead of standing up for him. He wondered if there was any way he could apologize for all the pain he'd caused. Cope would take him aside later and encourage him to have a chat with Jude away from everyone else. If John told Jude only half of what was on his mind, his husband would forgive the man in a heartbeat.

Next, Cope turned to Nathan, who carried some of the guilt John felt. He realized his behavior toward Jude could have been better, but he'd grown up with a father who hated everything to do with the white world. It had taken years for Nathan to overcome that bias. Jude could probably do without hearing that Nathan hated him because his father taught him to.

Rolling his eyes internally, Cope studied Trevor, who was still a giant ball of anger. He could see the man's rage seethe like a volcano about to erupt. As hard as Cope tried, he couldn't put a finger on the root of the problem. Was there one thing that lit his fuse? Or did everything anger the man? Cope wasn't sure he wanted to find out. His hands balled into fists as Trevor's emotions began to course through his veins. He quickly slammed the door on Trevor's mind, and grabbing his fork, Cope speared a cucumber and shoved it in his mouth.

"What about you, Cope? What do you do for a living?" John asked.

Cope's heart began to pound in his chest like a jackhammer. He could feel each beat in his toes and behind his eyes. Christ, if this kept up, he'd have a stroke. "I work at a shop back in Salem, Massachusetts."

John nodded. "Retail is great, man. What do you sell?"

Cope thought he'd been off the hook by giving a bare-bones account of his job, but now, it looked like he had two choices: lie or confess the truth.

"What's wrong, Cope? Don't want the others to know you're a charlatan?" Trevor asked with malice dripping from every word.

"Charlatan?" John asked good-naturedly. "You don't sell used cars, do you?"

Cope shook his head. He was about to offer a bit more information when he noticed Trevor was ready to unload the second barrel.

Trevor sat forward in his seat, a look of disgust in his eyes. His knife was clenched in his left hand but wasn't pointed at anyone. "Do you really think I'd agree to dinner with strangers and not google you all?"

Cope eyed Jude, who looked like he wanted to reach across the table and punch Trevor in the throat. Ronan and Fitz wore a similar look. "You got me, Trevor," he said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. It didn't work. The tension was so thick Cope could cut it with a knife. "I'm a psychic medium. I can speak to people who've crossed over to the other side." He wasn't about to tell the man about his other gifts.

Trevor's angry eyes moved over everyone at the table. "So, we've got a billionaire, two detectives, two witches, and a fucking half—"

Ronan set a hand on Trevor's shoulder and squeezed. "If you want to leave with all the teeth you came with, do not finish that sentence."

"Take your fucking hand off of me." Trevor grabbed Ronan's hand and shoved it away. "You were trash when you came to live on our sacred land," he gritted out from behind clenched teeth, his eyes on Jude. If looks could kill, they'd all be dead twice over. "You were never welcome here, and now that you're back, you bring fucking witches with you? A witch killed your father and Wolf's parents, yet you're fucking one?" Trevor pushed back from his chair, which hit the tile floor with a sharp crack.

Fitzgibbon was on his feet. "Your sister is missing. We're uniquely situated to help you find her, and this is how you act? Three other women are missing. The monster who took them is still out there. All we want to do is see that person brought to justice and to bring the women home to their families."

Cope offered a dark grin of his own. "The only reason I can think of that you wouldn't want to avail yourself of my and Tennyson's gifts is because you're the monster."

Trevor slammed a fist against the table. "How fucking dare you accuse me of killing Rainbow, Leaf, and Sky?"

Cope's grin widened. He couldn't believe it had been this easy to trap Trevor into confessing. "Only the killer would know those three women are dead, but Prairie is still alive."

Trevor gasped and took a step backward. His foot tangled in the fallen chair, and he crashed to the floor, landing hard on his ass.

"I spoke to Rainbow's spirit, Trevor. She told me she'd ordered an Uber to take her home the night she was kidnapped. Too tired to check to see if the car was the one she ordered, she hopped into one she saw idling in the parking lot. The car doors locked behind her, and she couldn't get out. In front of her was a partition that kept her from being able to climb into the front seat. What kind of car would have that kind of equipment in it?" Cope paused, watching Trevor closely. "Maybe a police car?"

Nathan and John turned to Trevor, who was still lying on the floor. "You fucking did this?" John asked, his eyes dark with disgust.

"No, I didn't fucking do this!" Trevor sprang to his feet. "Don't tell me you're actually listening to this witch!"

"The car Rainbow was in drove north out of Flagstaff and turned down a dirt road near the HPC plant. You pulled Rainbow out of the car, raped her, then strangled her." Cope wasn't about to let this asshole off the hook. He hoped that if he kept going, Trevor would relive the killings in his mind, and then Cope would have more information to go on.

"Where are their bodies?" Nathan asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Where is Prairie?"

"Fuck you all! We've been friends our whole lives. You don't know anything about me if you think I could hurt any woman, especially my sister."

"I know you really well, don't I, Trevor?" Jude stood up from his chair, looking like he wanted to charge at the man. "I remember every taunt. Every racist word out of your mouth. Every time you stole my lunch or smashed it in my face. Every time you took a swing at me. I know exactly who you are. If there was a man capable of murdering three innocent women, it's you!"

"Innocent?" Trevor scoffed. "Silver Sky was an exotic dancer who'd blow you for twenty and fuck you for fifty. Rainbow was a dirty addict and a whore who sold her raggedy pussy for a snort of blow."

"Dancing Leaf was a nurse. She dedicated her life to saving people. Why the hell would you kill her?" John asked.

"I didn't fucking kill anyone!" Trevor roared. His voice echoed off the vaulted ceiling. "I don't have to take this shit from any of you." He stormed toward the door, nearly ripping it off its hinges, and walked out into the night, slamming the door behind him.

"I'm so glad we sent the kids off with Kaye and Eagle," Ten muttered. He rushed toward the front door and locked it before coming back to his seat.

"Did he do it?" Nathan asked. His eyes bounced between Cope and Tennyson.

"I don't know. All I could see was a man dressed in black. I tried reading Trevor, and all I could feel was his volcanic anger. I don't know what he's angry at specifically. Could be anything."

"Or everything," Jude added.

"I'm gonna throw the steaks on the grill," Jace said, pulling the platter of meat out of the fridge. "Anyone want to lend a hand?"

"I will," Liam volunteered. "I want to hear about your shelter back in Boston. We could do with that sort of thing out here."

"We'll come with you," Ronan said, motioning Ten and Nathan to follow him.

When they were alone, Cope rested his head on Jude's chest. "That sucked donkey balls."

"Yeah, it did," Jude agreed. "What happened here tonight might get us booted off this case."

Cope had been thinking that very thing. "We're going back to Navajo Nation in the morning. I need to speak with Sky or Dancing Leaf. We need more clues so we can find the man who took them."

"Okay, I'll get Ronan, Fitz, and Ten to come with us. We can use all the help we can get. Trevor looks good for this, but I don't want to point fingers until we're absolutely certain he did it."

"Plus, we need to find these women. They deserve to come home to their families and to have proper burials." Cope wrapped his arms around his husband. Trevor's vitriolic words about the missing women echoed in his mind.

Only a weak man put his hands on a woman. Only an insecure man used his words to wound rather than uplift.

All Cope needed was one clue to break this case wide open. Come hell or high water, he was going to find it.