chapter FIFTY-SEVEN
“What are we going to do about them?” I asked.
“I do not know yet. But before we discuss anything, I must try to reach Julian.”
I held my breath, praying Julian was alright. I had a sick feeling in my stomach, as if I was forgetting something very important.
“Julian? Julian, are you alright?” Vittorio asked. After a moment, his shoulders relaxed, and I let out my breath. “Thank goddess. I cannot talk long, but will call as soon as I can. I am so sorry to have involved you in this.” After a few more moments, he said goodbye then hung up.
“We must figure out what to do here.” He looked at my face. “You have an idea, mio amore?”
“Yes. I don’t know if you’ll like it or not. I know this is all supposed to be secret, but I really don’t know what else we can do with Kevin and Clavius’ bodies here.” I paused, afraid of what he would think. “I’d like to call Jerry and ask him to help us.”
“Jerry is your police officer friend?” Vittorio’s face and voice were neutral.
“Yes.”
“But you said you have not spoken to him in nearly three years.”
“That’s true, but I still trust him. Police are going to get involved, and I’d rather have him be the first to arrive. If you have a better idea, if you know who we can trust in the coven, tell me.”
Vittorio stared past me.
I turned to see what caught his attention, but nothing was there.
He continued to stare. “You are right. I do not know who we can trust, and we need help. I do not want to involve Julian in this anymore, even if he could do something without risking his career. Yet it goes against everything I have been taught to tell an outsider of our power. What will he say to it?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure it will be hard for him to believe. I had a hard time with it, and I have power. But Kevin accepted it.”
“Are Kevin and Jerry alike?”
“Not really, but Jerry was like a father to me until we quit speaking. I don’t think he’ll just dismiss me as a nutcase.”
“I hope not,” Vittorio said softly.
“I didn’t mean he’d have us committed.” How could I have been so thoughtless to say something like after Vittorio’s childhood experience?
“It is alright, mio amore. I know you did not mean it like that. But that is a very real possibility.”
“I don’t think we have to worry about Jerry. It will be hard for him to accept, but I think he will, eventually. And I don’t know who else we can turn to.”
Vittorio was silent for a long while. “Very well. Call your Jerry, see if he will help us. But be very careful how you present this to him. If nothing else, we have two dead bodies here. We could be arrested as suspects.”
“Thank you, Vittorio.”
I hoped Jerry hadn’t changed his phone number since we last spoke. After three rings, someone picked up the phone. I held my breath. “Jerry?”
“Who is this?”
I recognized his gruff voice. “Jerry, it’s Elena.” I paused, waiting for him to say something. “Don’t hang up, please. I need your help.”
“You aren’t on drugs again, are you?”
“No! Jesus, Jerry, no. I’m still clean.” That was why we fought when I quit the force. He was afraid I’d stop taking Zoloft and go back to illegal drugs. Nothing I said would convince him otherwise, and my therapist convinced me it would be healthier for me to end my relationship with him, at least for a while.
“Well, what’s wrong?”
“It’s really hard to explain, and I hope you believe me. I need you to keep this to yourself until I see you. Please, you can’t tell anyone.”
“Tell anyone what?”
“Can you meet me out in Wildwood?”
“Do you know what time it is, Elena?”
“Actually, I have no idea. I’ve had a really tough couple of days, and I don’t know who else to turn to.” I gave Jerry the address. “Please, will you meet me there?”
“Three f*cking years and you drag me out of bed in the middle of the night. Alright, fine, I’ll meet you there.”
“Come alone. And promise not to tell anyone?”
“Goddammit. I always had a soft spot for you. Never understood why, you’re nothing but trouble.” He sighed, and I pictured him rubbing his face with his hand. “Alright, I promise.”
“Thank you, Jerry. Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me.”
When Jerry arrived, I was grateful to see two cups of gas station coffee in his hands. I spent the next hour trying to explain everything to him. He didn’t believe it, and I knew I’d have to prove the magic bit to him. “What aren’t you telling me, Elena? And don’t say nothing. I hear it in your voice.”
“Remember Kevin?”
“Sure. Why the hell you didn’t listen to him sooner, I’ll never understand. I always liked that kid. How is he?”
A sob escaped my throat. “He’s dead.”
Jerry choked on his coffee. “Shit. What happened?”
I told Jerry everything about the night.
“You have two dead bodies, one of which you admit to killing yourself?”
“I swear it was self-defense.” I wiped the tears from my face.
“I believe you, Elena, but I can’t keep this quiet.” He took a sip of coffee, trying to process everything I’d told him.
“I know, and I never expected you to. But I wanted you to be the first person here.”
“What do you think I can do?”
“I don’t know. Isn’t there some way you can get involved?”
“Lucky for you I don’t work for the city anymore. I’m a state trooper. Technically, since you’re in unincorporated Wildwood, yeah, I can be involved.”
“Oh, thank you, Jerry. I’ll just feel better knowing you’re there.”