Waking the Witch (Otherworld 11)

He said it like he was offering not to smoke in front of me.

"Call me next time," I said. "So I know you're inside and don't blast you with an energy bolt."

"Hadn't thought of that. Consider it noted."

He reached for an open Coke bottle on the table. When he couldn't quite get it, he flexed his right hand slightly and the bottle slid to him.

"Show-off," I said.

"Hey, I have to use my powers for something. They aren't good for much else. Not like I'm a supercharged Volo."

"And good thing, too."

He frowned, then snapped his fingers. "Right. Lucas mentioned that you guys knew one. Quite the character, I hear."

"Crazy psycho bitch, more like. Left me trapped in a research lab, tried to kill Paige and Lucas, and probably had something to do with my mom's death. Let's just say I fondly recall the day Paige sent her home to hell."

"Don't blame you." He took a swig of Coke. "So, as you can tell, I'm swinging by earlier than expected. I figured I'd read the files and make copies of some pages." He held up a camera. "I also figured I'd take you for a beer and discuss the case if it's not too late."

"It's only ten o'clock."

"I'm giving you an out, in case you're still pissed off at me for dumping the case on you."

"I was never--"

"Annoyed, then. So you'll join me for a beer?"

"Or two."

"Good."

I grabbed my shoes. My cell phone chirped on the night table.

"You forgot this," Jesse said, grabbing it for me. "It's been going off all night."

Not so much forgotten as left behind so I couldn't get a call from Adam when I was out with another guy.

I checked it. Three text messages. One missed call. All from Adam, looking for that promised update. Damn.

"Just a sec," I said to Jesse. Then I popped off a quick text, saying I was still working and I'd call in the morning.

twelve

There was no chance of finding a bar open in Columbus--I wasn't even sure there was one. So we headed over to Battle Ground. Jesse bought the beer, then announced he had reason to celebrate. He'd found the deadbeat dad he'd been hunting.

"Bet your client is happy," I said.

"Thrilled. I just hope it means they'll get the guy to pay up. You should see this woman. Juggles two part-time jobs so she can be there when her four kids go to school and back when they get home. Lives in a dump and takes in typing work so she can pay for paint to spruce the place up. And the bitch of it? Once, when she was ready to crack, she admitted that she hadn't wanted four kids. She didn't think they could afford so many, but her husband came from a big family. He wouldn't let her go on the pill and would keep 'forgetting' to use protection, knocking her around if she complained."

"Bastard."

"Yeah." He took a gulp of beer. "I mean, my family life wasn't the best. I think my dad had a suspicion I wasn't his kid--the whole half-demon thing--so he didn't want much to do with me, but then I see people like this family, and I realize I had it okay. Anyway, I'm really hoping this guy gives up and pays. And if not, let's just say that my next visit won't be so friendly."

"If you need backup, I'm a phone call away."

"Or closer. At least for a few days. My case is done, meaning I'm now at your disposal. I just need to head to Seattle and grab clean clothes, and I'll be back tomorrow."

I must not have looked as happy about that as he'd hoped, because he said, "Or not ..."