Wicked Charms (Lizzy and Diesel 3)

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The driveway wasn’t well marked from the road. There was a rusted mailbox with the house number on it, and a single-lane gravel road leading into the woods. We followed the road for a half mile as it gradually wound its way uphill. When we broke out of the woods into rolling pastureland we could see the house looming in front of us. It looked like a downscale, builder-grade version of an old Scottish castle with dark, water-stained stone walls and minimal landscaping. Halfway to the House of Doom there was a guardhouse, complete with a man wearing black fatigues and carrying an assault rifle.

“Lizzy Tucker to see Martin Ammon,” I said to the guard.

The guard looked in at Diesel and then at me. “You were supposed to come alone.”

“I’m almost alone,” I said. “He’s going to wait in the car.”

The guard made a phone call and waved us through.

A second guy with an assault rifle met us when we approached the house. He directed us to a parking place and silently watched while I left the car and Diesel settled in to wait for my return.

The interior of the house was even gloomier than the outside. It was all gray stone, heavy columns, dark red overstuffed furniture, and dark wood trims. The front door opened into a massive foyer with an ornate staircase. I had the diamond in a leather pouch in my sweatshirt pocket. I put my hand to it and felt it hum. The stone was here somewhere.

Rutherford came to greet me. “Again, so sorry about that misunderstanding in the cave,” he said. “We certainly didn’t want to leave Mr. Ammon’s favorite cupcake baker behind.” Large smile.

I looked around the room. “Where is Mr. Ammon?”

“He’s out and about somewhere on the grounds. This is the time of day when he likes to get a little exercise. It’s important to Mr. Ammon that he stay fit.”

“I bet Mammon likes that, too.”

“Ha, yes. We all want a fit Mammon. Speaking of which, did you bring the coin?”

“Yes. Do you have Gramps?”

He nodded. “Yes. And he’s been a delight.”

“I’d like to see him.”

“Of course.”

There were several men in suits standing at parade rest around the room. Rutherford motioned to one of them, and a moment later Gramps was led in.

“This hotel is a disgrace,” Gramps said to Rutherford. “I don’t have a bathtub in my room and my eggs were cold this morning.”

“Oh dear,” Rutherford said. “Apologies. I’ll speak to the household staff about it.” He turned back to me. “Do you have the coin?”

I handed the coin over, and Hatchet stepped out of the shadows. He was wearing khakis, a white dress shirt, and a red tie with the Ammon logo.

I gave him a little wave. “Heard from Wulf lately?”

“Not lately,” Hatchet said. “My new lord doth forbid other contact. I now live to serve Mammon.”

Hatchet made a whirly sign alongside his head to indicate crazy. I smiled and Hatchet nervously shifted from foot to foot. We both knew there would be hell to pay when Wulf found him. And we both knew Rutherford was no match for Wulf.

Hatchet came forward and touched the coin. “It doth vibrate,” Hatchet said. “It is truly enchanted.”

Rutherford told his man to release Gramps into my custody, and Hatchet stepped back into the shadows.

“So glad you were successful in finding the coin,” Rutherford said to me. “Of course we’ll be seeing you again, very soon I expect. Mr. Ammon has mentioned that he would like to invite you to participate in the final ceremony. It will be quite the occasion. Very festive.”

Lucky me. I led Gramps out of the house to my car, where Diesel was waiting behind the wheel. I buckled Gramps into the backseat and jumped in beside Diesel, and he took off.

“That didn’t take long,” Diesel said.

“Rutherford got what he wanted. I got what I wanted. End of story.”