Seeing it in real life, even second-hand through a photo, made it seem even worse to me, and sadness washed through me as I thought about his friends and family. Instinctively, I reached out and brushed my thumb over his head in the picture, murmuring a quick Gaelic phrase.
“What did you say?” Chief Thomas had a suspicious look on his face.
“An Irish blessing. Sort of like a last rite. It’s sad. Sad to see this. I don’t know how you do this job,” I admitted to him, turning away from the picture.
“That’s two dead bodies you’ve seen recently,” he pointed out.
“And hopefully the last,” I said, meeting his eyes straight on.
Chief Thomas searched my eyes for a moment, then nodded.
“Luna? What does this say to you?”
“Well, the body is laid out facing downwards on the pentagram – which instantly signals dark ritual to me. I’ve only heard of the seeds in a body once or twice before. It’s supposed to be like an offering to the earth, but this is usually done when an elder has died of natural causes. Or in this case, with the way the body is facing, I would guess it is an offering to an evil god; you can assume which one, though I won’t say his name. The seeds growing from the brain though…that is kind of like a life-from-death cyclical offering to mother earth.”
“The trees say new life to me. Growing from the earth – or from brain matter, in this instance,” Chief Thomas said.
“Yes, new growth. New beginnings. Summoning of…things, you know…blood drained into the soil, gifts to the gods of below,” Luna shrugged, raising her hands helplessly in front of her.
“Would these rituals be consistent with a Pagan religion?” he asked Luna.
“Not typically. Pagans are very peaceful. I follow some Pagan beliefs and rituals myself. Usually it’s all about harnessing the energy for good, following the seasonal cycles, that kind of thing. It’s typically a very pure sort of religion, one that’s been around for centuries.”
“I notice you’ve said ‘typically’ twice now,” Chief Thomas observed.
Even I had missed that. Which was a reminder to me tostay on my toes with Chief Thomas. His boyish good looks belied a sharp mind.
Luna shrugged lightly.
“Isn’t it true that all religions have groups which break off and often become fanatical in their beliefs?”
Chief Thomas left that question hanging in the air for a moment before nodding his understanding. Picking up the picture, he slid it back into the envelope and turned to leave the store. We watched him in silence, Rafe hovering over his head, until he was almost to the door.
“Thanks, ladies. Oh – and one more question?”
“Yes?” Luna smiled.
“What size shoes do you wear?”
I froze, ice moving up my spine as I fumbled with the idea of lying to him. Deciding against it, I kept my face smooth and tilted my head at him in question.
“Nine and a half. Why do you ask?”
“Seven for me,” Luna said quickly. Naturally Luna has dainty feet.
“No reason. Have a nice day, ladies. Watch your backs, please.”
And with that Chief Thomas left the building, taking with him all hope that we’d get out of this scot-free.
Chapter Fourteen
“Well, I’m screwed,”I lamented, as soon as I saw his car drive away. Rafe swooped over and hovered nearby, twisting his hands nervously.
“Is that the local Hermandad?”
“The what?” I turned to look at Rafe in confusion.
“The – how do you say – keepers of the peace?”
