Soul Catchers

   

Chapter 1

    “Maine?”

    “Yes.  It’s a small coastal town.  Blue Hill.”

    “Maine, as in the state?”

    “You know of any other Maines?”

    “Well, no.”

    “We leave tomorrow.  I’ve taken care of all the reservations.  The northeast team is setting up everything we need.  We only have to take the things they can’t supply.”

    “They just had a cold front move through.”

    “What?  Who?”

    “Maine, the New England States.  They had a cold front.”

    “So?”

    “So it’s going to be really cold.  I don’t do cold.  I don’t think I even own any cold weather clothes.”  She paused.  “In fact, I know I don’t.”

    “What does your wardrobe have to do with the current problem?”

    “I can’t go.  Call the team.  Tell them to tell the residents to move.  There.  Problem solved.”  She turned back to the computer.

    Jasmine could only stare at her sister.  Her thoughts raced, and she realized with disgust her mouth was agape.  She snapped her jaw shut, and moved into Sabrina’s line of vision.  “You cannot be serious.”

    Sabi raised her gaze to meet Jazzi’s incredulous stare.  “Actually, I can be and more importantly, I am.  I don’t do cold.  If NOLA wasn’t home, I’d be in St. Thomas.  They don’t have cold fronts.”

    “Did you miss the part where the Northeast team said this thing asked for us personally?  Joseph sent the EVP recording.  I listened to it.  It’s playing a game.  We can’t ignore that.”

    “I’m not ignoring it.  Tell them to go back to the house, and give it a message from me.”

    “A message?  A message.”  Jazzi threw her hands in the air.  Raising her eyes toward the ceiling, she muttered, “Goddess, give me strength.”  Louder now, she said, “And this message would be…?”

    “Tell it to call back when it gets to warmer climes.  Or maybe after the spring thaw.  I like that.  Maine will be pretty in spring.”

    “This isn’t a holiday we’re planning here, Sabi.  This is work.”

    “No,” Sabi replied.  “This,” she pointed at the word document program open on her computer.  “This is work.  Maine in October chasing arrogant demons is a pain in my-“

    “They have children.  Did I mention that?”  Jazzi cut off Sabrina’s tirade. 

    The steam visibly left Sabrina’s sails.  She briefly closed her eyes, drawing a steading, calming breath.  When she reopened them, her dark hazel gaze met Jasmine’s look.

    “Álainn.”  Sabi glanced at the computer before turning back to her sister.  “You know I hate you, right?”

    “Yeah, I know.  Your suitcase is on your bed.  I got it down when I came in,” Jasmine offered before turning to head downstairs.

    Sabi closed her eyes briefly before getting up to go pack.  Walking into her room, she glanced at the suitcase showcased at the end of her bed.  Sabrina rolled her eyes as she walked to her closet.  “Maine, she says.  Who wants to go to Maine?  I don’t.  I’d rather stay right here,” Sabrina muttered.  She flipped the light on as she opened the door.  With her hands on her hips, she gave the contents a quick once-over. 

    “I knew it.  Not a cold weather anything in here.”  Sabi reached out to stroke a silk sleeveless blouse.  “This isn’t an option.”  Blowing her bangs out of her eyes with a quiet huff, she looked around one final time.  “Looks like I’m going shopping.  Crap-tastic.”

    Sabrina walked back into the bedroom, eyeing the case again.  “Well, I guess I can put unmentionables in you.  Otherwise, you are useless.”  She quickly gathered enough underwear and bras to see her through a few days away from home.  She wasn’t bringing more because she wasn’t planning to stay any longer than necessary.  Wasn’t it bad enough that she had to buy clothes that she would never wear again for this trip? 

    Sabi gathered up her flannel pants and favorite BDB shirt, tossing them into the case with some socks, before waking her laptop from sleep mode.  She made a quick check of the room and en suite before returning to the laptop.  Sabi ordered a few outfits from Amazon hoping she wouldn’t need more. 

    “Jasmine Anastasia Hudson!  Oh Jazzi!  I need you!  Yoo-hoo!  You’re to blame for me having to buy clothes so you need to come HERE!”  Sabrina all but sang at the top of her voice.  “I need answers, oh sister mine.  Where are-“

    “Could you please stop the racket?!  The neighbors called and said they think your yelling has rousted their Saint Bernard,” Jazzi said, cutting Sabrina off mid-sentence. 

    “I thought their Saint Bernard died last year.  What was his name?  Nico?  Nigel?  Newbie?”

    “He did die.  And his name was Newt,” Jazzi supplied before popping her jaw in an attempt to stop the ringing in her ears.  “Now, what do you want?  The neighbors want to know.”

    “Well, if the neighbors have an address for me to have these clothes shipped to in Maine, I’ll take it.  Otherwise, Sister Dear, I need you to supply one.  I’m not shopping when I get there and we don’t have a plethora of cold weather clothing stores in the city.”

    “Really?  I mean, really?”  Jasmine could only gape.  Shaking her head, she scrolled through the contact information on her HTC.  “I can’t believe you.  Didn’t you save any of the clothes from the trip to Montana in January?  And don’t call me the ‘A’ word.  I don’t call you Creel, do I?”

    “No, I didn’t save any of those clothes.  Why would I?  It wasn’t like I was planning on traipsing off to Maine in October.  I hadn’t planned to traipse any farther than Canal Street.  The airport, followed closely by Maine, was the furthest thing from my mind.  And don’t threaten me.  It wasn’t like I used your middle name in public,” Sabrina huffed out.  “Just come off an address so I can complete this order.” 

    “What are you planning to wear to the airport?  You do realize it will be snowing when we land.  I mean, it will be colder than you’re use to when we land,” Jazzi adjusted at Sabrina’s pointed gaze.

    “I’m going to run down to Daphne’s shop when I get everything here squared away.”  Sabi took Jasmine’s phone and copied the address into the shipping request.  “Daphne is bound to have something I can wear on this little adventure.”

    “Bitter much?” Jazz asked, taking her phone back.

    “Bitter?  No.  Disgusted?  Yes.  As a matter of fact, I am.  Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll head down to Daphne’s to buy a pair of pants, several sweaters, and thermal long johns if I’m lucky.”  Sabrina picked up the suitcase from the bed.  Turning to look at Jasmine, she said “Lock the door when you decide to leave please.  I’ll be back later.  You know, after I’ve found clothes for my arctic adventure.”

    “It’s not arctic, Sabi.  It’s just not as warm as you like.” 

Sabrina walked out of the room and started down the stairs.  Jasmine walked to the doorway, leaned against the frame.  “Sabrina.”

    “Wait for it,” Sabi replied before raising her left hand to express her feelings about the trip and the weather conditions in Maine.

    “That’s not respecting your elders, Sabrina Creel Hudson,” Jazzi said laughingly.  She had moved away from the doorway, watching Sabrina move into the foyer below.

    “I knew you wouldn’t let it go,” Sabi replied as she opened the door.  Smiling, Sabrina set the suitcase near the door and walked out into the misty morning.

***

    Jasmine stood where she was at the stair railing until the door closed behind Sabrina.  Turning back toward the bedroom, Jasmine hit send on the text she had waiting on her phone.  She packed up Sabrina’s laptop, moving methodically around the room trying to ensure there wasn’t anything else they would need. 

    Checking off items from her mental list, she walked downstairs.  She was opening the front door when the first notes of Usher’s Hot Tottie drifted from her pocket.  Pausing with her hand on the knob, she answered the phone.  “Talk to me, Toddy.  Tell me something good.”

    “Mornin’ little sister.  The Eye of Ra is shining bright in the east.  There’s a nice fall breeze blowing in from the river.  And your upcoming trip will be cold,” the gravel-deep voice of Todd Baxter resonated over the line.

    “That’s not quite what I had in mind, Todd.  I know all those things,” Jasmine replied.

    “I know.  Just as you know that I can’t give you any information on your trip.  Although, if there was the possibility that the plane would crash, I would suggest taking a car,” Todd said.

    “Okay, sweetness.  Let’s cut to the chase.  Why did you call if not to share a helpful tidbit about this crap case?”  Jasmine asked.

    “I called to tell you to be careful.  Something is off.  I can’t pinpoint it, but I don’t like it,” he said.  Todd’s voice had taken on a harsher quality, becoming hard as blue steel.

    “Toddy, we’re always careful.  I have no intention of being shipped off to East Louisiana State Hospital for a prolonged psych visit.”  Jasmine cradled the phone to her ear as she engaged the lock and walked out to head home.

    “I know you try to be, little sister.  But I also know that the things that go bump in the night aren’t just stories our parents tell us to make us stay in the bed.”  Todd said.  “Watch the guy on the bike, coming from the west.”

    Jasmine was in mid-step when she changed her direction and walked the edge of the sidewalk instead of stepping into the street.  A bike messenger skirted the sidewalk.  His jacket sleeve brushed against Jasmine’s right arm as he rode around the corner.  Jasmine watched the young man ride toward the French Market.  “Incredible,” she murmured under her breath.

    “He’s alright, but I don’t think I’d go so far as to call him incredible,” Todd said laughingly.

    “Christopher Todd, how do you know what he looks like?  I thought it didn’t work that way,” Jazz said as she came to a stop.

k    “Because I pay attention all the time, Jasmine Anastasia.  Just as you need to do.  I saw his sharp cheekbones, his dirty blonde hair that looked as if it hasn’t seen a brush in at least a week, his baggy blue jeans that are too big rather than fashionable, and his…control.  He could have fallen, knocked you down, or fallen and knocked you down.  Instead, he merely brushed against your sleeve,” Todd replied slowly, as if speaking to a child.

    “Don’t take that tone with me, Todd.  I’m not one of your many starry-eyed admirers,” Jazz replied coldly.

    “No, you aren’t, Jazz.  I think sometimes it would be better if you were.  I’d probably get rid of the perpetual headache I have from fighting with you.”  He sounded weary, his voice becoming more rough than usual.

    “He was wearing a gray LSU hoodie, his jeans were Levi 550’s, CK1, and I thought the bed head look fit him,” Jazz said, a hint of laughter flowing with her words.

    “He’s not for you, so just get those thoughts out of your head,” Todd said, striving for authoritative.

    “Come on, Toddy.  I promise to put him back.  I believe in the ‘catch and release’ program,” Jasmine said, laughing outright.

    “You are going to be the death of me,” he muttered.  “Be safe, little sister.  I’ll be listening.”

    “You too, my brother.  You too.”  Jasmine smiled to herself before continuing home.

***

    Sabrina stepped out of her house onto Royal Street.  The Quarter was already bustling.  Tourists were strolling along the sidewalk, stopping to window shop.  The few locals she noticed were moving with purpose and skill to avoid the tourists.  Everyone who lived here viewed them as necessary evils. She smiled to herself.  One of the few I won’t have to go up against.

    She pushed her sunglasses into place and moved into the flow of pedestrian traffic.  She headed to the Royal Blend for a piece of heaven in the form of a mocha cappuccino, whipped with a double shot and a morning bun. 

    Sabi was positive she was going to need it.  Maine.  In freaking October.  Why can’t anybody do the jobs they take on?  She dug her phone from her pocket and dialed Daphne.

    “’Lo,” a croaky voice answered.

    “Goddess.  Are you sick?” she asked when Daphne answered.

    “No.”  Daphne cleared her throat.  “No.  This wonderful fall weather is trying to kick my sinuses’ ass.  I just finished a hot shower hoping it would help.”

    “It doesn’t sound like it worked,” Sabrina said.

    “Ha.  You should’ve heard me before the shower.  It was much worse,” Daphne replied.

    “Do you have something to take?” Sabrina asked.  “I can swing by and get something if you need it.”

    “No, I’ve got something that Todd made for me.  I’m going to take it when I get dressed,” Daphne said.  “What are you doing this morning?  I thought you were working on the book.”

    “I was,” Sabrina groused.  “At least, I was until Jazz announced we have to make an unexpected trip to Maine.”

    “Maine?  What on earth for?” Daphne asked.

    “It’s a case the northeastern team caught.  Apparently, it’s more than they can handle and it’s making requests,” Sabrina grumbled.

    “Making requests?  Am I supposed to understand that?”  Daphne asked.

    “No, you aren’t.  I’ll explain when I see you.  I need clothes.  I was hoping you could help me,” Sabrina said. 

    “Well, yeah sweety.  Anything you need, you know that,” Daphne said before a coughing fit overtook her. 

    “Thank the Goddess.  I have no cold weather clothes and now, I have to fly to BFE Maine where they are expecting a blizzard the size of Texas,” Sabrina said, getting worked up all over again.

    “Didn’t you get winter clothes in January?” Daphne asked, her voice quizzical.

      “Yes, I did.  But I got rid of them.  It doesn’t get cold enough here to warrant keeping the stupid things to just collect dust,” Sabrina replied.  “Besides, I don’t need a hard time about it.”

    “Ah.  Jazz already asked, right?” Daphne said laughingly.

    “You know Jazz.  I’m going to the Blend.  Do you want anything?” Sabrina asked as she entered the archway leading to the shop.

    “I’ll give you MY clothes if you bring me the usual,” Daphne said earnestly.

    Sabrina laughed.  “I might need to shop in your closet instead of your store so I’ll hold that open as an option.”

    “Okay, sweety.  I’ll see you in a few,” Daphne said.

    “Thanks, Daph,” Sabrina said before ending the call.

    She stepped into the small shop, looking at the display cases.  After assuring herself they had morning buns, she glanced at the guy behind the counter.

    “Morning, Billy.  How you doing?” she asked the young sandy-haired clerk.

    “Hey, Sabi.  I’m doing good.  I missed you yesterday.  My day just wasn’t as bright as usual without your smile.” Billy replied.

    “Well, I sequestered myself to try and write.  But today it seems my sequester has come to an end,” she said, leaning against the counter.

    “Does this mean you finished the book already?” he asked.

    “No, unfortunately, I’m not done.  It just means my self-imposed exile has been cut short,” Sabi replied sourly.

      “Let me guess.  Jazz?” Billy asked with a laugh.

    “How did you guess?” she asked.  “It seems that I have other work that needs my attention and the book will have to wait.  I need to get two of my usual.”

    “Two?” he asked, moving to the espresso machine to make the coffees.

    “Yeah, I have to go by Daphne’s and I promised her a bit of heaven,” she said.

    “How is my Daphne girl this morning?  I usually see her by now,” Billy said, glancing back at her.

    “Her sinuses are in revolt of the weather, but otherwise she’s fine,” she said.

    “Poor baby.  Tell her I’m thinking about her and if she needs anything, give a holler,” he said, ringing up her order.

    “I will.  Thanks, Billy,” she said, taking her items.  “See ya.”

    Sabrina walked through the courtyard, heading toward Daphne’s store.