Repercussions

Chapter 3

Caleb hated to admit it but things were tense with Evangeline. Every question she continued to try and ask him he dodged and soon she learned to stop asking them. Whatever their relationship was or wasn’t had nothing to do with the latest danger breathing down her neck and they needed to keep their focus on what was important.

At the newly opened SCF building he was relieved to run into Jake first. He told his second the gist of what was happening with Evangeline who was listening from the sidelines. “Do you know anything about what she was doing last night?” Caleb asked.

Jake shook his head no and addressed the woman herself. “You weren’t in the office last night at all. I don’t know if Bess had you on something more low key.”

Evangeline nodded and tried to keep her frustration under wraps. “Is she here?”

“Yeah, in her office.”

Caleb knew the way and let Jake get back to his work. Bess had the office on the far right while other members of the SCF used the others. Evangeline looked around as they headed down the hall to meet with the woman in charge. The SCF headquarters wasn’t anything too fancy, it was meant to be boring and welcoming. Ironically it was the exact opposite of the work they dealt with. Hunting vampires and figuring out the many mysteries to supernatural crime was never boring or welcoming. It was damn dangerous and he hated how mixed in Evangeline was with it now.

With a rasp of his fingers he made their presence known. It wasn’t uncommon for Bess to be engrossed in work and oblivious to her surroundings. She hung up the phone and gave them her full attention. Bess Jane was a beautiful woman a few years older than Evangeline with blue eyes and brown hair. She wore her confidence on her shoulder and seemed to be ready for anything. From what Caleb knew she was passionate and that made the woman good at her job because she actually gave a damn.

Bess was frowning as she took in the image of them in her office; together. He wondered what Evangeline might’ve told her about their past encounters. “What am I missing?” Bess asked and stood from behind her desk.

When Evangeline remained silent Caleb took the floor. “Jamie and I paid her a visit this morning to find she has no memory of anything but the last several hours. I have her staying with me because whatever wiped her memory has been trying to hurt her.” He explained the gash he found on Evangeline’s back and the only details they had managed to put together. He wasn’t used to going to somewhere else for help or explaining himself but Bess was Evangeline’s boss and a good someone to have on your side.

“Well, shit.” Bess leaned her butt back against her desk. Her expression was thoughtful and carefully worried, she masked it well but he knew better. “You think it’s related to a SCF case? I wish it was, so we’d have a lead to follow but Evie wasn’t working anything major.” She addressed the woman in question and said, “I’m sorry.”

Evangeline shook her head. “Don’t be.” She walked over to the empty couch and sat, her shoulders slumped in defeat as their only hope started to circle the drain.

Caleb opted to keep standing. “Could it be something you wouldn’t consider major?” he knew it didn’t take much for something to go from clean cut to hell in a hand basket.

Bess gave a grim smile. “Evie only works major crimes but as far as I know she had the day off. I can talk to everyone and find out if you were helping with another investigation.” She made sure to address her employee accordingly, memory or not.

Evangeline wasn’t holding out much hope. “Sounds like shooting fish in a barrel.”

Bess walked over to the couch and sat. “That’s a saying you don’t hear everyday.” Her voice changed from worried boss to experienced federal agent in a heart beat. Caleb stood back like a fly on the wall and listened.

“It’s something my dad used to say.” Evangeline realized with a frown. “I guess the memories are still there.”

“Yes and we need to pry them out. I know someone who might be able to help us find out what you were working on or anyone you saw that might want to harm you.”

Evangeline’s eyes brightened. “I’m willing to try anything.”

“Her name is Rebecca Kayden and she has the talent to peak into memories, no matter how old or new. She once told me about a vampire nearly a hundred years old and she saw memories of him human.” Bess was trying to ease her friend’s fears and give her a reason to have hope. Caleb’s opinion of the woman was soaring high with gratitude.