Read Online Eerie by C.M McCoy - Free Book Online Page A

was removed with a large blade  . . .”
    Hailey froze, but she clung to her theory: this was not Holly.
    â€œNever seen anything like it, actually. Were it not for the spatter inside the mausoleum, I would have said she was drawn and quartered by a team of horses. I did find a couple of stab wounds, but they were mostly superficial . . .some defensive wounds on her hands . . .
    â€œIt was difficult to determine an exact cause of death with the body so heavily damaged, although I can tell you she was burned postmortem. You’ll read all of this in my report, of course—should be ready this evening—eh—you did say you were with Detective Toll?”
    â€œYes,”  . . . in a manner of speaking  . . . “Could I see the body?”
    â€œâ€™fraid not. Mortician was here not half an hour ago to collect the remains. Not much to see anyway . . .just pieces really.” He picked up his scalpel again. “And you’ll have to wait until morning for an ID on these other two that came in with her.”
    Hailey sneaked a peek at them, but the pile on the gurney didn’t even resemble a human. It looked more like mashed and chunky meat.
    â€œOf course,” Hailey said graciously. She didn’t care about this crime, because it had nothing to do with Holly. She just needed to see the body to prove it.
    â€œWhich mortician, then?”
    â€œWho was it that came for the female dismemberment?” he asked his colleague.
    â€œEh . . .Rising Sun, wasn’t it?”
    â€œThat’s right. On the South Side.” Dr. Grabstein returned to his work, humming.
    â€œThanks!” Hailey hurried down the hall and inside the elevator, the stench of chlorine and death, sticking to her, making her nauseous. Rushing outside, she shook out her shirt, letting the sweet smell of city traffic and river water wash over her.
    Fin’s car sat empty in the parking lot.

    When Fin rounded the corner into the alley, the cat with purple eyes, which he’d glimpsed from the parking lot, strutted next to a dumpster and sat itself down.
    â€œAsher?” Fin said cautiously. “This is a new look for you.”
    The cat faded into the shadows and a tall, gaunt man emerged.
    â€œPádraig O’Shea,” he said, and he bowed.
    â€œCobon,” Fin replied coldly. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œI might ask you the same,” said Cobon.
    Fin weighed his answer. The Envoy would know if he lied.
    â€œResearch. And you?”
    â€œI hit a snag,” Cobon replied, baring his rotting teeth and looking suddenly . . .amused.
    Fin made a choking noise in his throat. “You . . .you got a little . . .” He curled his lip and pointed to Cobon’s mouth. “I know a good dentist,” he said, leaning back, wrinkling his nose.
    Cobon’s smile snapped into a grimace. “Mind your manners, slave,” Cobon said slowly.
    â€œForgive me, your highness.” Fin swung his arm with a flourish as he bowed mockingly in front of the Envoy.
    Cobon drew a sharp breath as his violet eyes ping-ponged around the alley. “You were sent to protect her,” he said in a high voice, “weren’t you?”
    Fin’s cocky smile melted, and Cobon exchanged with him a knowing look.
    â€œDon’t make me laugh, Pádraig,” Cobon jeered. “You? A Guardian?” Cobon put his face next to Fin’s. “You would have ripped her apart if I’d asked you to, don’t deny it.”
    â€œThat’s where you’re wrong, Cobon,” said Fin stepping back. “You’re incapable of laughing—first of all.” Fin rolled his eyes. “And second, you don’t control me. Those days are over. I’m a free man.”
    â€œAre you so sure?” Cobon chuckled, and that chuckle morphed into a cackle, which turned into a