They moved to the porch and knocked. No one answered. She knocked again and called out his name. “Mr. Cohen, it’s me Dee.”
Niko reached out and twisted the knob. The door opened without a creak. She turned to look at them. “Should we go in?”
“Yes, this looks like an invitation to me.” Niko took a deep breath, preparing to change if he needed to.
Nicolas did the same. Both of them smelled the scent of the created. It was twisted, but it was there.
“Stay behind us Dee.”
She nodded and followed them in.
“Mr. Cohen.” Niko called out. “We are friends of Dee’s. We are here to make sure you’re alright.”
They walked through the house calling out. There was no sign of him. They walked up the steps.
His body lay in the hallway.
“Is he dead?” Dee asked, as a sense of horror washed over her.
Chapter Twenty-one
Nicolas was on the floor checking Mr. Cohen. “He’s going to live. There’s no doubt a created was here. The question is why? Why would he come here?”
Nicolas stood with Mr. Cohen in his arms and walked him to the bedroom. He laid him down and ran out. “Going to get my bag.”
“Do you think he came after him as a warning to me? What could the warning be?”
She looked lost and scared. As long as she was in Niko’s house, which doubled as a mini fortress, she had felt safe. She had almost talked herself into believing that it was all a misunderstanding. Almost.
This was no misunderstanding. It was done deliberately. He was letting her know that he knew her, followed her, and that he could strike anywhere or anytime. He wanted her to know there was nothing she could do about it.
“Will he come back?’
“No, he did what he wanted. It’s over. He wanted to send a message.”
“Margaret? You remembered the flowers. You always remember.” Mr. Cohen muttered. “I miss you so much, I almost came to see you today, but at the last minute they said it wasn’t my time.”
Dee went over and sat on the bedside, taking his hand. “Not yet, Harry. You have to live. The kids still need you. Stay with the children for a while longer.”
“I miss you Margaret.”
“I miss you too Harry, but the kids need you. Can you live until it’s your time?”
“You always were the wise one dear. Junior wants me to come live with him in Florida. He says I will love it down there.”
“Why are you still here?”
“This is where you are.”
Tears brimmed in Dee’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
“I will always be wherever you are Harry. Go to Florida. Be safe.”
Harry’s grip weakened and the tears Dee had been fighting flowed. Niko moved her so Nicolas would have room to work.
She stood in Niko’s arms and watched as Harry’s breathing evened out.
“Don’t worry kitten. He will get to Florida.”
End of statement and she knew he meant it. He would make sure Harry got to Florida and whatever he needed would end up there with him.
She turned and kissed him, not for Harry, or Margaret or even herself. She kissed him for the eight year old girl who finally felt safe.
“He’s going to be just fine.”
“Thank you, Nicolas. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“How about advice on women when I need it?”
“I’ll be your fount of wisdom anytime.”
Niko slipped out of the room while they were talking. He wanted to check out the rest of the house before Mr. Cohen woke up.
“Nicolas, come here.”
He was standing inside the bathroom door when he called him. Nicolas stood by him and looked at the message on the wall.
‘Your time is coming Dee. Tick Tock.’
“What should we do?”
Niko took a big breath before answering. “We should show it to Dee.”
“Show me what?”
“The created left a message on the wall.”
Niko took her in his arms and then walked her into the bathroom.
She stood stock still, waiting for her little girl to throw the covers over her head. Nothing.
She was scared, but who wouldn’t be. She had been kidnapped, shot and now threatened. Yeah she was scared, but this guy got off on fear.
She held her head up high. “Then I guess you better find him fast.”
He stared at her before hugging her close. “My kitten has claws.”
“Let’s get out of here. I will send someone over to clean this up and to make sure Mr. Cohen makes it to Florida.”
She nodded and looked in on him again. The flowers were sitting beside the bed where he would see them when he woke up. More importantly, he would live. She headed out of the house.
“I am going to go pay Aran a visit and tell him what occurred tonight. The two of you should probably get back to the house where you are safe.”