“On the teacup ride at Disney World?”
“Close, not on the teacups, but on the ride home from a day at the park. Her brakes gave out and she rear-ended a semi-truck. She died at the scene. Last and by no means least, there was Jessica from Tucson. She was Alistair’s fiancé, who was bitten by a rattlesnake and died in the hospital. She’d gotten the antivenom too late to save her.”
“This is absolutely incredible. We need to get the autopsy reports for all these women.” Fitz and Ronan were gonna lose their minds when Jude and Greeley laid these suspicious deaths before them.
Greeley shook his head. “No can do. Since Alistair was the next of kin, all of the women were cremated without an autopsy.”
“What the actual fuck? Do we know if he’s dating anyone at the moment?” If so, Jude was going to need to order protective custody for this poor woman.
“I don’t know, but we need to find out. They could be in more danger than they know.”
“Eight elderly women who die somewhat suddenly and under tragic circumstances. Eight inheritances netting him millions of dollars and this guy isn’t on anyone’s radar?” Jude knew exactly why. Each of the deaths had taken place in a different jurisdiction. The deaths were ruled accidental by the medical examiner and the grieving husband cremated, then buried them. There was no reason for anyone to look twice at Alistair.
“I couldn’t find anything current on Alistair in public records. He’s got no pending litigation against him and there are no warrants out for his arrest. What’s our next move?” Greeley asked.
“We need to get in touch with Fitz and Ronan and let them know we’ve got an even bigger problem on our hands. Alistair Hooke might be a serial killer.” Why the hell didn’t anyone sense what was going on with Hooke. How the hell was it possible that Cope, Ten, and Everly couldn’t read this man at all, and where were his wives’ spirits? Why weren’t they beating down Cope’s door?
One thing was for certain, Cope had cracked open one hell of a hornet’s nest. Jude couldn’t wait to give it a kick.
8
Cope
After snarfing down a quick lunch, Cope grabbed Tennyson andbrought him into his reading room. They both had a free half an hour before their next clients, which made it a perfect time to reach out to Endora Bartley and Amity Wellington. No one knew a person as well as their family, at least Cope hoped that was the case withthisparticular family.
“Are you ready to do this, Ten?” Cope asked, feeling jittery. He hadn’t slept well the night before. Thoughts of Alistair Hooke kept him tossing and turning until half past three.
“I’m ready to go. Do you want me to reach out to Amity?” Ten asked, seeming to study Cope.
“Please, I’m not feeling completely myself today.” That was the understatement of the century. Cope had brought this chaos into their lives. Jude was hot and cold, disappointed in his husband on one hand, and deliriously happy he was back to work on the other.
“Okay. Let’s start with some breathing exercises.” Ten took a deep, cleansing breath.
Cope followed along, breathing deeply. He was slightly bothered that Ten hadn’t offered any sympathy or a mini pep talk to lift Cope’s spirits. Although, to be honest, if the roles were reversed and Ten had done something that put Wolf in the line of fire, Cope wouldn’t be in any mood to offer comfort either.
“Amity Wellington, can you hear me?” Tennyson asked. His eyes were screwed shut, his focus apparent.
Cope tangled his shaking hands together. “Amity, we need to speak with you about Alistair Hooke. Any information you can give us would be very helpful.” Cope felt nothing with his gift. With Amity having been dead for over three hundred and thirty years, the chances were slim they’d be able to reach her with no family present or objects she’d owned.
“Mistress Endora, the all-knowing, the all-seeing queen of the carnival midway, we come to you on bended knee begging for your help,” Tennyson said, his voice filled with awe.
“Well, it’s about damned time, boys,” a voice said from the door. “It’s good to see you again, Cope.”
Cope turned his head to see Endora Bartley in all her splendor. She appeared to be in her late twenties, with ash blonde hair, and grey eyes, an exact match of Alistair’s. She was dressed in a regal dark purple robe, covering her petite frame past her toes. When he’d communicated with her spirit at the theater, he’d only heard her voice. Seeing her now, he had to admit Endora was gorgeous. “Please join us.” Cope stood and offered Endora his seat. He took the one beside her.
“Do either of you boys smoke?” Endora’s eyes moved between Cope and Ten, seeming to size them up.
“No, sorry,” Tennyson said.
“I didn’t think so.” Endora pouted her bottom lip. “You both look like the straight and narrow type.”
Cope chuckled. “Guilty as charged.”
“I assume you brought me here because of my good for nothing nephew, Alistair?” Endora rolled her eyes. “What a stupid name. Trying to make himself sound all proper and better than everyone else.”
“We do want to talk to you about your nephew. I had a bit of a run in with him the other night, as you saw. I’m afraid he’s coming for me and my family.” Cope’s heart raced as he spoke. Not only was his family in danger, but Ronan’s as well.
“You were magnificent, standing up to him like that, Cope. Stupid, but magnificent.” Endora laughed.
