High Priestess Read online

  “This is the guy who hurt you?”

  Raven dropped back down into her chair before her knees gave out on her and winced. She’d forgotten how bruised up she was, but her body sure hadn’t.

  “Raven? Are you going to be able to handle this?”

  She didn’t deny or confirm Gregor had been the man who molested her for two years when he was seeing her mother. Mick knew. Could she handle investigating and arresting Gregor? Bet your ass, she could.

  “We need more. Checking them out on a dating site isn’t enough.” Thinking of Riley, she logged onto the internet and navigated to the Dating Pool. She brought up Riley’s profile page, but wasn’t able to determine who viewed her profile or tagged her. “Get hold of the guy who did the initial search. I want to know what other red heads Gregor Paigo has been cyber-stalking.”

  Mick’s colour drained from her face as she looked at Raven’s screen. “You think he might try for Riley?”

  “She fits the profile.” A little too well for Raven’s liking.

  “We could use that.”

  She’d thought of it herself, but there was no way in hell she was going to put Riley in that position. “No, we’ll find another way. We need evidence that Paigo was in Orillia at the time Emily McMurtrie went missing; Barrie when Sandra Kelway went missing; Gravenhurst when Charlene Brock went missing. We need solid evidence or a hell of a lot more circumstantial.”

  Mick’s shoulders slumped forward. “I thought we had him. Crap.”

  “We will. We just have to build our case.” She picked up the phone and called Dr. Mitchell. “Have you got anything back from the lab on DNA evidence in Emily McMurtrie’s case?” She picked up a pen and grabbed a piece of paper out of her printer. “Yeah. Go ahead.” She scribbled a number on the paper and pressed the release button on her phone. Then she dialed the new number. “Lab,” she explained to Mick.

  It took nearly ten minutes to get through to the tech who was processing the DNA evidence collected from Emily during the autopsy. Raven had to chock one up to cold Canadian winters, because the cold temperatures preserved evidence and they had a DNA profile. There was no match in the databanks, but if they could get a DNA sample from Gregor, they may have their case.

  “Let’s go for a drive.”

  CHAPTER 7

  GREGOR PAIGO LIVED in a small, run down cabin on Gilleach Lake, south of Huntsville. Raven signed out a Suburban because the terrain to get to Gregor’s cabin was treacherous and extremely muddy at this time of year. She wasn’t going to risk getting the Charger stuck in the mud.

  Mick had her hands spread out on the dashboard as they bumped over the hills and turns in the drizzling rain. Raven pulled the Suburban over to the side of the road and parked it. “We’re going to walk the rest of the way. I want to get a look at the place without him seeing us or hearing the vehicle.”

  Raven opened her door and stared down at the muddy road for a moment then glanced down at her clean black boots. She’d known the road would be muddy, but she hadn’t thought to bring waterproof footwear. She spotted a dry patch and made the leap only to double over, bend her right knee, and lift her leg. She hopped on her left foot for a moment and then eased her right leg down again. “Damn it.”

  Mick stood on the other side of the vehicle laughing. “Told ya you should have taken a couple of days off.”

  You have the power to heal yourself, Rave. Why don’t you use it?

  “Shut up.” Raven limped to the side of the road where it was less muddy. They walked a couple of hundred yards down the road, their boots mushing through wet leaves, then turned south into the trees. The leaves weren’t as soggy here and crunched under their feet. If Gregor was outside, he may be able to hear them, but no matter how quiet Raven tried to walk, the damn leaves and dry twigs crunched away. She pushed aside thin denuded branches reaching out from every direction. There was something haunting about being in the woods when the trees were bare. Once their leaves returned, it became a magical place to Raven. Especially when the sun speared through the canopy, falling in beams of light. She always felt like she could step into one of the beams and be transported somewhere else.

  The cabin came into view, a dark shack with the lake behind it a dull grey under thick dark clouds. Raven breathed in the fresh lake air as a cool breeze gently swept over her face, soothing the raw skin and bruises. This was too beautiful a place for someone like Gregor. He didn’t deserve the peace and quiet solitude of this serene setting.

  A beat up old car with it’s hood up, missing it’s engine and wheels, sat at the side of the cabin, rust slowly eating it away. Car parts and other assorted bits of junk were scattered all around the property. The shingles on the roof peeled up at the corners and moss grew up the side of the north wall. The middle step of the three leading up to the front porch was missing and the deck appeared ready to collapse. The wood was grey, peeling in some places and green with moss in others.

  One of the windows to the left of the front door, sported grey duct tape in an upside down Y shape repairing a crack. The screening on the screen door hung down from the top left corner and the old wooden door tilted precariously on its hinges.

  Raven walked a little further down toward the water, getting a look at the back of the cabin. A sliding glass door led out to a sloping deck and, on the far side, a bay window jutted out from the dilapidated boards. The soft breeze now brought with it the distinct odour of sewage.

  “Somebody actually lives here?” Mick wrinkled her nose and Raven snorted.

  “It suits him.” It may even be too good for the bastard.

  “Jesus. Is that what I think it is?” Mick pointed to a small wooden building, about three feet by three feet and six feet tall. The door hung on an angle and featured a half moon cut into the top.

  “An outhouse? Yeah.”

  “Eeew. Is that what smells?” Mick asked, pinching her nose.

  “His truck’s not here.” Raven glanced at her watch. It was nearly noon. Gregor didn’t work. He was on some sort of disability. She knew where Gregor would probably be. She’d seen his truck parked outside of The Muskokan, a local pub, nearly every day of the week from noon until he ran out of money or got too drunk. Or got kicked out. She wanted a look inside his house, but knew that, without a warrant, anything she found would be inadmissible. A damn cigarette butt would seal the deal, but she had no cause to go on his property and take it. “Let’s take a drive and see if we can find him.”

  “What? You’re just going to drive and hope you see his truck?”

  “Nope. I’m going to drive by his favourite watering hole.”

  Mick trailed along after Raven, back through the dreary woods and down the muddy trail to the Suburban. They both wiped the mud off their boots with wet leaves.

  “It’s like he’s living in 1920 or something.” Mick climbed into the passenger seat with a scowl on her face. “It’s nasty.”

  “Yeah, poor bugger. I’d much rather see him living out the rest of his pathetic life in a three by six cell with his toilet right next to his bed.” Raven executed a three point turn and added, “And a big brute that calls him Sue sharing his cell.” Mick laughed, but Raven was serious. “You have no idea how much better I’d sleep at night knowing he was locked up and being used as someone’s little bitch every night.”

  “Raven?”

  Raven’s chest tightened, squeezing her lungs and making it hard to get enough air. She pulled to the side of the road, put the vehicle in park and jumped out. The pain that shot down her leg was almost welcome. It forced her mind off of Gregor and their past history. The mud made a sucking sound as she lifted her foot, but she just kept walking, making her way to the side of the road. She placed her hands on her hips and bent forward, wheezing.

  Mick bent over next to her and placed a hand on her back, rubbing in a circular pattern. “Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.” She demonstrated, taking a slow breath in and releasing it. Raven’s breaths began
to slow as she matched Mick’s rhythm. “You know, you could have had him locked up any time by reporting what he did to you.”

  She knew it. Gregor Paigo was probably the reason she became a cop. She had this need deep inside her to see justice done for those who couldn’t speak for themselves or defend themselves. But to report Gregor, to get justice for herself, she’d have had to risk Ena’s life.

  Swinging her arm around, Raven brushed Mick’s hand from her back. “Alright, I’m good.” She placed her hands on her knees, taking a few more breaths. “I’m good.” The nightmares coming back and these little panic attacks or whatever they were had to stop. Between Ena and Gregor, all of the crap from back then was bubbling to the surface and she didn’t know how the heck to push it all down again.

  Mick took a step back and hooked her thumbs in her belt. “Yeah, you’re good alright.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “You know exactly what I mean. Raven, you need to talk about it.”

  You can talk to me, honey. I wish you’d told me when it happened.

  Raven straightened and screamed at the sky. “Get the fuck out of my head. How many times do I have to say it?”

  “Raven.”

  Mick placed her hand gently on Raven’s arm and Raven pulled away forcefully. Her head was pounding again and her entire body throbbed. She pushed her hands into her hair and used her palms to massage her temples. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

  “Hmm.” Mick cocked a hip, her head dipping to the side. “Lack of sleep and past trauma being triggered sound familiar?”

  “Smart ass. Drive me somewhere I can buy a boatload of Advil, then we’re going to the Muskokan.”

  “Whoohoo. Liquid lunch.” Mick did a tip-toe dance trying to avoid the worst of the mud as she made her way to the driver’s door.

  “You’re not drinking. You’re going to see if you can swipe his glass or one of his cigarette butts.” In her weakened state, mentally and physically, she didn’t think she was ready for a face to face with Gregor. Especially when she had a Sig Sauer strapped to her waist.

  “I am?”

  “You are.” Raven put her seat back and reclined. She thought it would feel glorious to lay back, but it only made the headache worse. She remained reclined, afraid if she lifted her head it would explode.

  “Advil first,” Mick said.

  Raven opened one eye and looked up at Mick. She was staring down at her with a frown and worry lines between her brow.

  “Just drive. Please.”

  Mick sighed and put the car in gear. Raven was jostled around as Mick navigated the bumps and pot holes. She curled onto her left side and tried to ignore the burning pain from the road rash, her throbbing right thigh, the blinding pain in her head, and the incessant urge to throw up.

  * * *

  A short nap in the truck and a few Advil revived Raven enough she could hold her head up without feeling like someone slugged her with a baseball bat. Mick had changed into jeans and an oversized hoody to hide her weapon.

  Gregor’s white Dodge Ram truck was parked right in front of the Muskokan.

  “So, I just mosey up to the bar, sit down next to him and order … what?”

  “I don’t know. Coke, pepsi? What do you like to drink?”

  Mick rolled her eyes. “A beer would be nice. He’s really going to believe I dropped into a bar for an apple juice?”

  Raven narrowed her eyes at Mick, but the kid was right. “One beer.” She watched as Mick jumped out of the car and bounced across the parking lot to the bar. Raven stayed in the Charger, parked in the plaza next door. Although it was unmarked, it was pretty obvious it was a cop car. From where she was sitting, she had a great view of the patio at the back of the Muskokan where patrons went out for a smoke.

  It was only about ten minutes later that Raven watched Gregor step out onto the back patio, light his cigarette, and take a long drag. He kept it between his lips as he hiked up his pants then took another long drag and blew it out. He looked like a harmless old man, but she knew better.

  She was waiting for Mick to come out the back door and join him, so when Mick opened the driver’s door, she nearly jumped out of her seat.

  “Eeeeee.” Mick held up a baggie with a beer mug sealed inside and squealed again.

  “Shut up, will you?” She ducked down in the seat as Gregor looked over his shoulder at them. She didn’t think he’d seen the mug, but he had seen Mick getting in the car. “Idiot.”

  “Sorry,” Mick whispered.

  “It’s a little too late to whisper. The whole damn town heard you squeal like a pig.”

  “Well,” Mick grinned. “I am a pig.”

  Raven shook her head as Mick laughed. She supposed the kid’s adrenaline was pumping, so she couldn’t blame her overzealousness.

  When they got back to the detachment, Raven sent one of the constables on a run down to Orillia to deliver the mug to the lab. She typed up a quick report then grabbed Mick from the squad room and headed back out to the car.

  “Haven’t you had enough for the day?” Mick asked.

  “Nope.” What she wouldn’t give to go home and crash. But, they had more than one investigation on the go. “I want to stop by my mom’s and see how the forensics team is making out.”

  She tossed the car keys to Mick and Mick caught them one handed, but she just stood there.

  “Look, I can go and check on the search and give you an update. Why don’t I just drop you at home?”

  Raven narrowed cold eyes at her and that got her butt moving toward the car. The drive over was quiet. Mick didn’t say a word to Raven’s relief. She didn’t need Mick butting her nose into her business. She suspected the ‘bits and pieces’ Mick claimed to know about her was more than the pinch she indicated. She wanted to bury everything again, but she couldn’t do that if Mick kept shoving it in her face.

  The forensics mobile unit was on the street in front of Ena’s house. A squad car sat in the driveway and another on the street. Mick pulled up behind the mobile unit and then looked over at Raven with those worry lines creasing her forehead and her lips pursed together.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “What is with you not wanting me to come here?” Having a psychic worrying over you going somewhere was unsettling to say the least. “What are you sensing?”

  “Nothing. I – I’m just concerned about your health. You just got out of the hospital and you shouldn’t be getting too stressed out.”

  “You didn’t freak out about us going to Gregor’s, but you’re worried about me being stressed out here? Spill it, Warren. What’s up?”

  Mick raised her hands then dropped them to the steering wheel. “Nothing.” Opening her door, she said, “Fine. Let’s go.”

  It took Raven a minute to get herself out of the car and moving again. She was stiffening up and a hot bath was sounding better all the time. She tried to stretch her body, but it just made her hurt more. She approached a uniformed officer standing in the driveway. When he turned and she saw it was Constable Tate, she cringed. He was tall and lean with a shaved head to mask his baldness. He acted like he was God’s gift, but Raven found him repulsive. “Constable Tate.”

  “Hey, DC.” He screwed his face up. “Who won? The truck or the road?” He made a hacking sound like he was clearing phlegm from the back of his throat and Raven suppressed a gag.

  “Ha. Funny.” She didn’t laugh. “How are things going here?”

  “Smooth. Except for your dad over there. He’s not too happy about us being here.”

  “Excuse me?” Had she heard him right?

  “Your dad. He’s pissed.”

  “My dad?”

  “Yeah. You know, the guy who lives here.”

  “What are you talking about? My mother was the only one living here, Tate.”

  “Oh. Well, isn’t this interesting.” He stuck his thumbs inside his duty belt, grinned from ear
to ear then made the phlegmy sound, turned and spat on the lawn. “Why don’t I introduce you to the tenant?” He nodded towards the house then followed Raven and Mick.

  “Oh, boy,” Mick said.

  Raven stopped and turned to her then shot Tate the evil eye. “Is there something the two of you would like to share with me?”

  “It’s about bloody time. Are you the officer in charge of this fiasco?”

  The voice coming from behind her had a thick Scottish accent. Raven turned and examined the tall, broad shouldered man walking towards her. He had raven black hair, ice blue eyes, and a face that was chiselled, strong, and downright beautiful. They studied each other, taking in the similarities, the differences. It was like looking at the male version of herself, although he was probably close to double her age. What little colour was in his face, drained. Even his lips turned white.

  “You’re Ena’s daughter?” he asked.

  “Who the fuck are you?”

  He combed his fingers through his thick black hair at the same time as Raven then they both fisted their hands at their sides.

  “Oh, this is good,” Tate said with a snicker.

  “Shut up.” Raven and the beautiful man said together.

  Oh, dear. Raven, honey, this is Kiran Hayes. My husband. Your father.

  Raven’s hand slid through her hair again and fisted there. “What the …?” Mick was at her side as she dropped to her knees then the man kneeled in front of her.

  “I knew Ena had a daughter, love, but I swear to the Goddess I never knew you were mine. Why the bloody hell didn’t she tell me?” He reached for Raven’s hands and she pulled them away.

  “You’re Wiccan? You’re a witch?” Raven asked in a hoarse whisper.

  “Aye, love.”

  “Don’t call me love.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m in a bit of shock as well, aye?”

  Raven looked up at him, studying his face again. God, she was his spit. Except for the five o’clock shadow. Her hand brushed over her cheek then slid down over her throat as if to be sure she didn’t have his stubble or Adam’s apple.