BlackMoonRising Read online

  “So is he legit, like we heard?”

  “Not a chance. That must have been the propaganda the family spewed. I checked with my contacts at the DA’s office. They’re sure he’s into money laundering and who knows what else. They just haven’t been able to bring any charges yet. He’s also bought a couple of other businesses in Chicago. He seems to like shoe stores these days but they’re rarely open. Go figure.”

  “How did he know Eric and I were there?”

  “Cameras all over the place. Some of the pack members recognized you two.”

  “Guess we didn’t think that a country club would be spying on their members.”

  “But it isn’t a normal country club.” Joni stood from his desk. “It’s the pack’s new den.”

  Steve rolled his eyes. “Great.”

  “Eric told us about the conversation with Barbara and Merlotti.”

  “It’s obvious they’re a couple,” confirmed Steve. “But with this new information, I’m wondering if Barbara was involved in the murder. Maybe it was only Merlotti.”

  “Once they marry, he’ll be even richer and have an estate close to the club,” added Joni.

  Eric raised his eyebrows. “Maybe Merlotti isn’t finished killing yet?”

  “You mean Barbara?” asked Joni.

  Eric nodded. “And Herman.”

  Steve’s heart thudded in his chest.

  “How can we clear Herman and keep him safe?” asked Suzy. “This is so frustrating.”

  “We need someone to confess. I don’t know how that will happen.” Joni shook her head.

  “They need to slip up somehow,” offered Suzy. “Too bad we have no evidence. Nothing on that whale knife except Herman’s fingerprints.”

  “Every time I’ve seen Merlotti, he’s wearing gloves,” offered Eric.

  Steve bit his lip. Now was not the time to bring up the new information he’d gleaned from his nightmare. He couldn’t be sure of anything until he saw what was underneath Merlotti’s gloves. The rest of his family certainly didn’t need to think of Dad’s death right now.

  “Okay everyone, keep thinking caps on for that one. Time for the next agenda item.” Joni let out a breath as she shuffled papers on her desk. “We have a lead on the Butler fugitive and we need to be in Wrigleyville at noon. He’s supposed to meet with a former associate and Steve and Eric will be there to greet him instead. But in the meantime, I need updates on everything else going on.”

  So much for Steve’s day starting off so gloriously.

  * * * * *

  Herman was excited about Nahla coming over. He had Steve pick up a few things from the corner market before he went to work and followed a recipe to make an artichoke-cheese dip that he planned to serve with crackers and fresh bread.

  He couldn’t help but smile. Being forced to stay in Steve’s apartment could be stifling at times but he found things to do. He was happy that cleaning the apartment hadn’t upset Steve after all. But if he didn’t start lifting some heavy-duty weights on a regular basis, the muscles that helped define him would wither away. He flexed his biceps and tried to think positive. A fireman needed to be strong, and Herman had every intention of going back to work in the future.

  Steve was somewhat quiet once home from work, but after a nap and dinner things were better.

  “Any further updates from Nahla?”

  Herman shook his head. “I assume we’re still on. You okay?”

  He nodded. “Another busy day, but nothing I can’t handle. I’m feeling pretty good about tonight.”

  “As you should. The power of positive thinking and all that.” Herman gave him a hug. “We’ll get through this.”

  Nahla arrived shortly before ten. She smiled. “The apartment has an aroma of cheese and garlic. I love it.”

  Herman set the still-bubbling appetizer down on the coffee table. “Thought we all might like a little snack before we get down to business.”

  After a short time of casual conversation, the team readied to work on Steve’s nightmares.

  They went into the bedroom and Nahla tied a silver ribbon around a white candle. Herman lit it and placed the candle on the bedside stand. He put a silver earring of Steve’s on the windowsill. Steve sat on the bed as Nahla turned the lights down.

  “Watch the flame burn,” purred Nahla. “Imagine that you have the peace and happiness that you’ve always wanted. Restful sleep comes easy and dreams follow.”

  “Herman is trying to help me with that.”

  Herman grinned. What a sweet thing for Steve to say.

  “Focus, Steve,” coaxed Nahla. “Close your eyes. Meditate on peace and happiness. It’s a powerful spiritual tool. Once you’re completely relaxed, go to the window with the candle.”

  The room became quiet as Steve did as he was told. A few minutes later he stood and walked with the candle to the window.

  “Like I said yesterday, we have a black moon this month,” Nahla murmured. “There are two dark moon cycles, with the second cycle being what we are in right now. It holds great power in the spiritual world. That power is yours to unleash if you believe. Now focus on the moon, even though you can’t see it. The moon will help if called upon.”

  “All right,” declared Steve. “I’m ready.”

  “Say this chant five times and focus with every word. ‘Banish evil dreams from my sight. I’m looking for peaceful nights’.”

  Steve spoke the words five times.

  “Blow out the candle, take off the ribbon and put it around your wrist ’til the morning comes.” Nahla folded her hands in front of her. “The candle and earring will remain on the windowsill. Repeat this tomorrow night with a new candle and ribbon to take advantage of the black moon’s special power. I’m confident that your nightmares will be gone.”

  Herman tied the ribbon around Steve’s wrist and tucked him into bed. Nahla followed him out of the bedroom back out to the living room.

  “Thank you,” Herman gushed. “I think I’ll sleep out here on the couch as to not disturb him tonight. I’m hoping this will help.”

  “It will,” Nahla confirmed. “No worries. The black moon never fails.”

  “I found your black moon specifics quite interesting. I never heard about that phenomenon before.”

  “This is truly a special time.” Nahla picked up her purse from the couch.

  Herman thought hard and deep. “If something came up and we needed further assistance from the black moon, something unrelated to the nightmares, would you be able to help?”

  “Of course.” She hugged Herman. “Count me as a friend.”

  As Herman shut the door he couldn’t help but think about the black moon. Wouldn’t it be nice to look out the window and ask the black moon to show them who killed his dad? Too bad it would never be that easy.

  Or could it?

  Chapter Eight

  Steve hadn’t dreamed at all during the night. He actually felt rested when he looked at the clock. Eight a.m. He’d slept all night for the first time in years. He was no longer having the lost-love dream about Herman and he didn’t have the dad dream. After realizing that Herman hadn’t slept with him, he rose and went into the living room.

  Herman took a sip of his coffee and smiled. “You slept well last night. Sawing logs and all that jazz. I could have never lasted in that room.”

  “So if I actually do start sleeping all night, you won’t be able to sleep with me? Is that what you’re saying?”

  Herman tilted his head. “Something tells me I had better pass on that question for now. Did I mention the coffee is on? Get it while it’s hot.”

  Steve grinned as went he went through the motions of getting ready for work. He had the boring job of sitting at a stakeout that morning.

  An hour later, as Steve sat in a rented car outside a fugitive’s frequent haunt, all he could think of was Merlotti. How would they prove he was the murderer instead of Herman? Steve was sure he did it. He almost felt like going by Barbara’s home again
and finding some way of asking about Merlotti. Maybe he could use the female factor and take his sister to do the questioning. Every woman loved talking to Suzy. She was cute and personable.

  Brainstorm! That was it.

  His phone rang and he looked at the caller. Nahla. He frowned. Why would she be calling him? “Hello?”

  “Steve, this is Nahla. Something awful has happened.”

  Steve sat up higher in his seat. Goose bumps popped. He dreaded hearing her next words.

  “I suddenly had a strange feeling that something was going on with Herman. As I opened my door, I heard commotion in your apartment. By the time I ran downstairs, two men had dragged Herman out to their car. They were werewolves. After throwing him in the trunk, they sped off. I’m sorry my premonition didn’t come sooner. I’ve been too involved with myself this week. I’m sickened by it.”

  Steve’s heart thudded in his throat. Herman had been kidnapped! His gut feeling was that Merlotti was behind it. Wonderful Herman, the man he had given his heart to, was in the hands of the person Steve was sure had killed his father and Herman’s father. Would it be the same fate for his love? That was his worst nightmare. He wanted to vomit.

  “Steve? Are you there?”

  He could barely speak. “Yes.”

  “I’m enraged that someone would do that to Herman. I want to help.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “We have extra power tonight with the black moon. Remember that. I am the link. Let me know once there is a plan.”

  “Will do.” He ended the call.

  It was time for action. Steve forced himself to leave the bleak moment he was in and take the leap forward. His next call was to his mother. He touched her number on his phone and waited.

  “Hey, Steve,” she answered.

  “Merlotti’s thugs took Herman from my apartment.”

  “Oh no! Where are you?”

  “Right where I’m supposed to be this morning.” He swallowed hard. “I’m going to the country club and storming the place.”

  “You absolutely can’t do that and you know it.”

  Steve let out a deep breath. It was important to think logically.

  “Leave the stakeout now. Get over here so we can come up with a plan.”

  * * * * *

  “I agree that Merlotti probably took Herman,” Joni said once Steve had arrived at the office. “The good news is that Herman is probably somewhere inside that country club. But we have no proof of anything. If Merlotti wanted to kill Herman, he is already dead. You know that, Steve. I don’t need to pour any sugar on this. We have to work from the angle that Herman is alive and a prisoner.”

  Steve hung his head. What his mom said was true. “I want to talk to Barbara to see if she knows anything about this. Suzy, will you go with me?”

  She nodded and rose from her chair. “Sure. Let’s go.”

  Forty-five minutes later they sat in the living room of the Fleming estate.

  “Mrs. Fleming, we’re here to ask a couple of questions,” explained Steve. “This is my sister, Suzy. She works with us too.”

  “Nice to meet you, Suzy.” Barbara smiled. “What an odd job for such a beautiful young lady.”

  “It’s a family thing.” Suzy rolled her eyes. “I didn’t have a choice in the matter.”

  “Do you have any news on Herman?” asked Barbara. “It’s been a week since he’s been gone.”

  “We were hoping that you may have some additional information,” said Suzy.

  “Me?” Barbara put a hand on her chest. “He would never contact me.”

  “Leads usually come from family members, friends, old business acquaintances, lovers,” Suzy offered. “Did Herman ever go to the club with you?”

  Barbara blushed. “No. I, ah, I’d never let him go there with me.”

  “Which reminds me.” Suzy snapped her fingers. “We had a rather unusual call earlier that I wanted to mention. It was from a man at the club. A Roberto something-or-another. He thought he saw Herman in the parking lot.”

  “What? Roberto said that?” Barbara wrinkled up her nose. “They don’t know each other at all. Roberto has never seen him in person. I wouldn’t think Herman would ever go there.”

  “Oh, you know Roberto?” Suzy looked at Barbara with widened eyes of innocence.

  Barbara appeared distressed. She wrung her hands and her eyes darted around the room. “Yes, I know him. Roberto owns the club.”

  “For the record, may we ask what your relationship is with him?” asked Steve.

  She crossed her arms and let out a breath. “We’re friends. I’ve been going to the club for years. Once he took over, I offered to update the policies and procedures manual, which hadn’t been done in a long time. He appreciated my knowledge of the club’s history.”

  “So that’s why you were going more frequently to the club?” Suzy pulled a folded set of papers from her purse.

  “Of course.”

  Suzy handed the papers to Barbara. “If you were going to the club so much, why were so many phone calls between you and Roberto necessary?”

  Steve looked her in the eyes. “As we work to locate Herman, any information can be important. We need you to be upfront with us.”

  Barbara glanced through the phone records and shook her head. “Okay, I will admit it. We are having an affair. The excitement I have with Roberto makes me feel alive again. It’s something I hadn’t experienced in a long time living with an invalid. Roberto is handsome, sexy and charming.”

  Charming like a rabid dog, Steve thought.

  “You have to understand that Lawrence and I had nothing left anymore. We were housemates. The affair hasn’t been going on long.”

  “We don’t judge,” Suzy said. “That’s your personal business.”

  “But the affair had nothing to do with my husband’s death. People have affairs every day of the week. I never wanted anything to happen to Lawrence. I felt fine with the way things were.”

  “How about Roberto?” asked Suzy. “Was he fine with it?”

  Barbara threw up a hand. “Oh my goodness! I know what you’re implying. He didn’t kill Lawrence. He’d never hurt a fly.” She put her hand down suddenly and sat stone-faced.

  Steve thought she remembered how Merlotti had attacked him and his brother when they were dogs at the club. Never hurt a fly, huh? How about a couple of cute little dogs?

  Suzy prodded. “Do you know where Roberto was that day?”

  “I hadn’t seen him. He was supposed to be in the city. I had been at the club in the morning for cards, but they ended early and I went home just in time to see Herman sticking the knife into Lawrence’s back.”

  “What if Herman found Mr. Fleming that way and was holding the knife stable until 911 could get there?” Steve raised his eyebrows.

  “That’s what Herman told me.” Barbara looked down. “I didn’t believe him.”

  “What would be Herman’s motive for killing his father?” asked Steve. “Was he looking for an early inheritance?”

  Barbara didn’t answer.

  Suzy spoke softly. “Does Roberto have a key to your home?”

  Barbara nodded. “One day I had locked myself out of the house and Lawrence had gone to the doctor’s office with Herman. I wanted Roberto to have one in case it happened again.”

  “I’m sorry we’re asking so many questions,” Suzy said. “We must always be on the alert for new information.”

  “What do you think about what Roberto mentioned about Herman being in the parking lot at the club?” asked Barbara. “That’s new information. Are you going to check it out?”

  “Yes,” confirmed Steve. “We check out all leads. Will you be talking to Roberto or seeing him today?”

  “He called earlier to tell me he was busy with business in the city. I’ll see him tonight. There’s a big party at the club. A grand reopening, since Roberto took the helm.” She glanced at her watch. “I need to get going to my hair appointmen
t. You’ll have to excuse me.”

  Steve and Suzy stood.

  “One last thing, Mrs. Fleming.” Steve looked her in the eyes. “Does Roberto always wear gloves?”

  “Why would you ask that?” Barbara appeared distracted, as if she was in deep thought. “Yes, yes. He had an accident many years ago and lost a couple of fingers. Wearing gloves makes him feel better about the injury. The missing fingers are hidden.”

  The rage inside Steve built and he needed to get it under control. He bit the side of his mouth until he tasted blood.

  “Thank you.” Suzy shook Barbara’s hand. “We’ll be in touch.” She grabbed Steve by the arm and pulled him toward the door.

  As they drove back to the office, no words were needed. Steve was now sure that Roberto had killed their father. It was obvious Roberto had killed Lawrence Fleming and that Roberto had kidnapped Herman. But until they knew otherwise, he would force himself to believe that Herman was still alive and well at the club. What remained to be seen, however, was how the Beck family would get into the club and end this.

  * * * * *

  Suzy’s youthful good looks and style turned the head of every man sitting in the lobby of the club as she entered, and the two tiny Chihuahuas sticking out of her large Burberry bag drew further attention. One lady ran up to her right away.

  “What darling dogs!” The woman smiled. “And their tan coats match your Burberry stripes perfectly.”

  “Thank you,” gushed Suzy. “They love to travel with me.”

  The woman’s nose twitched. “Do they have on cologne?”

  “Yes,” Suzy affirmed as she glanced around the lobby. “That way I get no complaints.”

  “How interesting. I should consider that with my Shih Tzu.”

  The woman petted Steve’s head. He hated the smell of that cologne but it disguised him and Eric from being revealed as shifters to any wolves they came in contact with.

  “Is there someone I can speak with about joining the club?” Suzy inquired.