Modern Pantheon: Ghost Read online

  Chapter 5

  Upon arriving at home, the first thing I noticed as I shut off the car was a lone figure rocking gently on the wooden armchair. Lit by my connected neighbor’s dirty security light and undisturbed by the late hour, he seemed to be watching carelessly as I approached.

  I stared back, fidgeting with my ring. A half dozen spells came to mind, just in case, but I knew I’d probably not use them. I’d broken enough laws tonight. The last thing I needed to do was to break the one of the Imperium Laws and reveal my use of magic.

  “Down, Tiger. I come in peace.” Cameron Cane gave a subtle smirk. “Rough night?”

  “You could say that.”

  “Have a seat. Let’s talk.”

  “Love to, but I have a bedtime to adhere to. Oh, and you fired me last time we spoke, so...” I trailed off the sentence and shrugged.

  “It’ll only take a minute.”

  “I get cranky after eleven, and it’s almost midnight.” I didn’t slow on my way to the door.

  “I told you to drop the case, and my cousins’ hunting lodge burns down about an hour after you left my place.”

  “Not my problem,” I opened the screen door and pushed my key into the door.

  “It is if the guy I hired to follow you reports your whereabouts to the police.”

  There’s something about doorknobs today. The second I touch one, everything goes to hell.

  “But if you’re tired I can–” He started to get up

  I turned to him and said, “Why?”

  “Why’d I have you followed?” He sat back down, leaning back. “Because there are a lot of players in this game and you’re one of them. You confirmed that once when you mentioned Lance Ruben, and again tonight at the lodge you burned.”

  “I didn’t–” I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling myself waver on my feet. When I opened them again, I sat down in the chair beside him. “I meant to just have a look around. I’m not as involved as you might think. Lance and I... Well, we have a past, I guess. I suppose you could say he hired me for the same case. I don’t know if you know anything about the guy, but you should know that he’s dangerous. If you have a chance to meet him, don’t.”

  “And your past. It’s connected to Emmitt’s death?”

  “No,” I said firmly. “I don’t know Lance’s part in this. He seems to think I had a hand in it.”

  “But you don’t?”

  “Would I have investigated James’ place if I had?”

  “Touché. So what did you find tonight?”

  “I found James’ place booby-trapped,” I considered telling him about the ghost, but tired or not, my mind wasn’t that foggy. I couldn’t tell him that any more than I could tell him of my own powers. Damn laws. “Personally, I think you’re right about James being the killer.”

  “Mr. Ruben hired you,” he said, rocking gently. “Just like that.”

  “More or less.”

  “I lied about him, you know. I’ve known all along who the guy is – he’s quite the genius, you know. Emmitt Cane attributes billions to that guy. Why would he take an interest in you?”

  “I, err, did a few jobs for him in the past.” I lied, trying to brush the topic aside. “Lance wants to know who killed Emmitt Cane as much as you do.”

  Cameron stopped rocking, but he kept his calm smirk. “I thought I was your first case.”

  I opened my mouth, but nothing good could come out of it.

  “Or was that employment contract on the desk for someone else?”

  I just shook my head in defeat. Cameron reached into his jacket. “Here.” He handed over a manila envelope. “Today’s pay and an invitation to Cane Industries’ quarterly dinner. Boring. Full of reporters and rich folk. But everyone involved in Emmitt’s life will be there. Both family and business. If Emmitt’s killer is someone he knows, he’ll be there.”

  Cameron stood up and started down toward his Mercedes, parallel parked just in front of Lara’s minimobile. With elegance, I stammered, “Hey, err... you mean I’m, err...”

  “Yes, you’re re-hired.”

  “But I’ve done nothing but lie to you.”

  “And held back the few truths you do know, but at least I can tell when you’re doing it.” With a satisfied half-nod, he added, “As I said, there are a lot of players in this game. This way, I at least know you’re on my team.” He walked to his car, spinning his keys carelessly around his finger.

  “Oh, and Thomas – you had another tail tonight.”

  “ASH license plate?” I said, holding onto the little shred of credibility I had. He flicked his finger toward me. You got it.