Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

tasting something. He sniffed the air. Abruptly he pul ed his arms in tight against him, as if holding something locked to him, closed his mouth, and then he vanished and took the chil of death with him.
    Jackson waited for the Reverend to speak to El e, but he didn’t. The man was notorious for taunting the Drake sisters, trying to get media coverage, offering to exorcise their demons. It was odd to see him without his bodyguards. The girl’s mother was nowhere in sight. Jackson had a bad feeling about that girl. And Bomber rumbled a warning, showing teeth.
    Deliberately Jackson crowded next to RJ at the counter. “Surprised to see you stil in town.â€
    The Reverend cast him a smoldering look of hatred. “You shouldn’t be. There’s been a cop cruising by my house every half hour. In a town where there’s no police, that seems a little excessive.â€
    The girl kept her head down, eyes downcast.
    â€œWe suspect a pedophile in the area, Reverend. You want us to make certain al the children are safe, don’t you?â€
    â€œThat’s an ugly word,†RJ spat out.
    â€œIt’s an ugly crime.â€
    â€œAnd that dog is dangerous. You shouldn’t have him around people.â€
    â€œHe’s only dangerous to criminals. He particularly hates men who abuse women, rapists and pedophiles. Just a thing he has.†Jackson gave a hand signal and Bomber snarled, showing a mouthful of teeth, then subsided at another signal from Jackson, but he never once took his gaze from RJ.
    The Reverend glared at Inez. “Can’t you hurry? If you weren’t talking so much, you’d get a lot more done.â€
    Jackson looked at the girl. “How old are you?â€
    RJ yanked the girl close to him, his face a twisted mask of fury. “She doesn’t have to answer your questions. Her mother put her in my charge.â€
    â€œAre you al right?†Jackson asked her.
    The girl refused to look at him. She just shook her head.
    â€œDon’t make trouble, Venita,†RJ warned. His voice seemed soft and soothing, even cautionary, but Jackson felt the psychic push of energy signaling something altogether different. “Your mother wil be so disappointed.â€
    The girl stiffened and averted her face further.
    â€œYou don’t have to be afraid,†Jackson said. “I’m a deputy sheriff. If this man has hurt you or threatened you in any way, I can help you.â€
    â€œI’m a man of God,†the Reverend proclaimed loudly and, gripping the teenager’s arm, he tugged her away from Jackson, leaving his items on the counter.
    Jackson watched them leave the store with a speculative gaze behind his dark glasses.
    â€œCan’t you arrest him?†Inez said. “He’s a monster.â€
    She looked at Frank. Clearly she believed Frank shouldn’t have gone to prison when RJ so clearly should. She believed Frank had been duped, that he wasn’t a malicious criminal. Jackson thought maybe a little bit of greed had come into play, or Frank wouldn’t have been so easily duped, but he wasn’t going to voice his opinion.
    â€œHe hasn’t been caught committing a crime, Inez.†Jackson glanced at his watch. He wanted to cal a friend at the office and find out what they could about the teen and her mother and they had to get back to the house soon. El e’s sisters would be coming over to do another healing session with her.
    â€œHe’s sleazy,†Inez declared. “Every time he comes near me, my skin crawls. And Bomber didn’t like him.†She smiled at the dog.
    â€œGood boy. You’re a very good dog.â€
    El e patted Bomber’s sides. “He is a good boy. We’l see you later, Inez. And you, too, Frank. We’re heading home.â€
    â€œEl e could use a little more rest, Jackson,†Inez advised. “She’s stil pale and has dark circles under her eyes.â€
    El e couldn’t stop her fingers from creeping up to touch her face. Inez had seen her bruised and swol en face, but her sisters had made her look normal again, hadn’t they? For a moment she doubted. She could stil feel every punch, every slap, the vicious quick jabs and then the gentle strokes.
    Stavros’s voice whispering to her, pleading and cajoling that she just needed to behave, that this was hurting him to have to punish her