“Well, he’s also a distant relative of the Hillside Stalker.”
Woah. I sit back against my seat, absorbing that information. The Hillside Stalker terrorized Ohio in the 1970s, particularly here in Raven’s Crest. “Wait. You’re saying that he became a serial killer because it’s in his DNA?”
“Not sure, but it fits.”
“Okay, so he came here for what? To pick up where his relative left off?” I don’t know. It seemed more personal than that. “He went after Lottie more than you. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Exactly,” Scarecrow agrees.
“I think it’s more complicated. Maybe it’s because Lottie is a Bishop.”
A Bishop female. One of the original families persecuted in Salem who fled to Ohio and helped form the city of Raven’s Crest. The witches made a home here—a safe place to practice their craft.
“It’s a possibility,” I admit.
Scythe stares at me, and I don’t know what he wants until I make the connection. “Cami is a Parker.” Another Salem bloodline. “Fuck.”
“I don’t know if Granny Jo and the bakery were targeted because of Johnathon Allen, but it’s a possibility we can’t ignore.”
“Then we need to keep protection on Granny Jo and Camille beyond the hospital,” I point out. “It doesn’t end until we figure this out.”
Scarecrow’s gaze bounces between us. “But Allen is dead. He can’t rise from the grave to fuck with the club or our families.”
“Maybe someone close to him who knew his plans,” I suggest.
“Fuck. I don’t like this.” Scythe ticks his chin at me. “Phantom will stay with the women.”
It fucking sucks, but I nod my agreement. Cami doesn’t want me to do it, so I have to trust that Phantom will protect her and Granny Jo.
“Scarecrow, I need you watching the carnival and attractions for any enthusiasts who seem overly eager about the Hillside Stalker at the Fear Farm. If Allen’s name comes up or his connection to this town, I want to know right away.”
“Done, Pres.”
“I’ll speak to Virus. Have him dig into the Allen bloodline and see if there’s shit on the internet we don’t know about.”
Good call. Virus is an expert hacker. There’s nothing he can’t find, no matter how deep it goes into the dark web.
“What do you want me to do? Alder and Braden ruled the fire as arson.” I tell Scythe and Scarecrow what I learned from my brothers. “They’re still investigating, but that fire happened intentionally. We just don’t know the reason.”
“Yet,” Scythe adds. “I don’t want taken by surprise. Stay in town, Mountain. Visit the shops and the Fear Farm. Try to find out what our employees and the other businesses have heard. We might find out something useful.”
It’s a chance. Not a big one, but worth the effort. “I’ll go before it’s dark.”
In a few hours, downtown will be swarming with tourists.
“This is our town. Granny Jo got hurt on our turf. I’m fucking pissed,” Scythe seethes. “It’s our obligation and duty to protect the people of Raven’s Crest. We solve this as quickly as possible.”
“And when we find the motherfucker responsible for the arson and hurting Granny Jo?” I ask, hoping he’s as determined to spill blood as I am.
“Then we show him what happens when you fuck with the Kings.”
I slam my fist on the table in agreement. “Good.”
After meeting with Scythe, I’m antsy. I haven’t seen Cami since this morning, and I want to check on her and Granny Jo. Just because I’m not their protection choice doesn’t mean I can’t help with whatever they need.
I stop for coffee and decide to bring Granny Jo’s favorite hot tea along with hot chocolate with whipped cream for Cami. I’m nice enough to snag a black coffee for Phantom.
When I arrive at the hospital, I carry the drinks inside and head immediately to the information desk to get my visitor sticker. I’m balancing all the hot beverages as I step inside the elevator and push the button that’ll take me to Granny Jo’s floor.
