Plus, he liked her knowing that he hadn’t forgotten about her. There’d been nights he’d hidden behind her house and watched her stare out her bedroom window. Could she feel the depth of his love from across the yard? Was she looking for him, waiting anxiously for his return? They’d ended things on a sour note, but surely there was love for him burrowed deep into her soul. He turned to his assistant. “Beltane arrives in four short days. There is still much to do.” It was almost a blessing that he rarely slept now. “I need some things.” Nathan pulled a list out of his pocket.

“Where will I find stuff like this?” His assistant’s brow knitted.

“The address is on the back of the list.” The forest provided most of what Nathan needed. But since the police had confiscated all the treasures from his uncle’s collection of spiritual objects, a few specific items needed to be procured. Homage must be paid to the gods who would be asked to cure him and spare his son.

“You want me to steal these things?”

“Those things are sacred. They belonged to my ancestors. Think of it as reclamation,” Nathan said. “Besides, the power you wish to gain from the ritual comes with a price. No gain comes without sacrifice. It’s time you anted up.”

“I’ve hidden you for months. Isn’t that enough?”

Nathan dismissed his assistant. “It’s never enough.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

Danny took the exit for Huntsville. On the country road that led into town, lunchtime traffic consisted of a tractor, three SUVs, and a few minivans. Irritation at Rossi churned in his gut. Chill. Begrudgingly, Danny admitted that the cop didn’t have many options. Budget dollars and manpower were limited. The state of Maine had tried damned hard to find Nathan.

Maybe he really was dead. Maybe Danny was just paranoid. Maybe some hiker would come across Nathan’s decomposing body this spring.

But something still felt wrong. The little antennae on the back of Danny’s neck had been attentive way before he’d gone to Iraq. Danny had always known when shit was about to hit, which was how he’d avoided juvie and jail for ten years of troublemaking. Except for that last time, when he had gone too far and gotten caught red-handed. That had been a game-changer. But then, everybody’s luck runs out eventually.

Just outside town, Danny glanced at his phone. Snap. He had bars. Last night he’d written down the number for the local pizza joint in town. A large pie would take care of lunch and dinner. He ordered, then turned the stereo volume up. The first drum beats of “Paradise City” emanated from the speakers. Danny tapped his fingers on the wheel. Green grass and pretty girls sounded like heaven.