Gargoyle Sighted: The Vortex Series Read online

  Gargoyle

  Sighted

  The Vortex Series Book 1

  International Bestselling Author

  K.M. Jenkins

  Dedication

  I would like to dedicate this book to Stephanie Ayers, Maria Vermisglou, Allison D. Reid, and of course, my readers. Without you to encourage me over the year it took to finish this book, I would never have finished. Thank you so much, and I look forward to our journey together.

  Chapter One

  Cassie

  Papers slammed down on her desk. Cassie tilted her head to the side to see Sergeant Murphy standing there. She pushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes to take a better look at him. He glared down at her with fiery brown eyes.

  “You see, the mess of paperwork you caused? Get in my office, now!”

  Ready to take a licking, Cassie swung away from her desk, stood up, and marched into the office with her fellow police officers’ eyes on her back. Bet they are having fun with this one.

  She was barely in the room when Murphy slammed the door shut, nearly taking her left arm with it. His eyes locked on her, a smirk crossing his features as he gestured to a chair. He knew what he’d nearly done.

  “Sit down!”

  He stomped around the office as she slid into the nearest seat directly across from his desk. The office was depressing. Murphy didn’t decorate his desk with pictures or memorabilia that gave away anything about his life. No one even knew if he had a wife or dated. It was weird to work with a man who was so secretive about his life outside the job. She didn’t even remember the last time he’d joined the other officers for a drink off the clock; if he’d ever done it at all. Murphy was just a complete mystery to her.

  Deep in thought, it took her some time to realize he was mumbling to himself as he made his way around the office. He was apparently looking for something. She was curious to an extent, but then realized it probably wasn’t anything good for her.

  “Aw-ha, there you are, you little beggar!” Murphy slid a file free of the filing cabinet, then tossed it down on his desk. Her eyes took in the file with a hungry stare as she wondered what it contained.

  “You’re becoming a regular pain in my ass, Officer Armel,” he said as he plopped into his chair. He took the slim file and moved it towards her. “Tell me, what am I going to do with you?”

  “I don’t know, sir.”

  What did he expect me to say, fire me? It would be a cold day in hell before she gave up her job and stopped doing all she could for those she’d sworn to protect. The visions hurt matters. Cassie leaned forward in her seat, crossing her legs underneath each other. It isn’t like I can tell him I had a premonition.

  “You’re damn right you don’t know. You’re lucky I like you, Armel, and think you will become an outstanding officer. We have to break you of this hero persona you have.”

  Murphy leaned back with a twinkle in his brown eyes. His dark hair glistened in the fluorescent lighting.

  “But first we have to solve the problem of your partner.” Murphy entwined his fingers across his chest like he often did when he was deep in thought. She was worried about what would come next. Cassie didn’t want to hear the bad news.

  “Well, the bad news is your partner is on leave for the next several months after the gunshot wound he took saving your ass. This means you need a new partner, or you will get stuck behind the desk. So, it is up to you. Desk duty? Or do you want a new partner?”

  The smirk that creeped across his face irked her. She hadn’t much cared for her last partner since he’d been ancient. He’d always done everything by the book and treated her like she was stupid. Perhaps desk duty wouldn’t be that bad. But for a few months? Hell will freeze over before I sit that long at a damn desk.

  “I’ll take the new partner, sir.”

  Maybe I’ll get a female this time instead of a stubborn man. Murphy smiled, flung himself forward, and slapped his hand down on the file. He tossed it over to her.

  “Meet your new partner.”

  He had a mischievous look in his eyes. Murphy knew she didn’t work well with others, especially men. However, her curiosity got the best of her, and she flipped the file open.

  Great! A handsome man not too much older than her looked back at her from the file. He had sandy blond hair with bright blue eyes. The smirk on his face screamed womanizer or lady’s man without her even having to meet him in person. Great! Great! Great! I am stuck with a pretty boy.

  Murphy chuckled. “Hope you like your partner; he’s a young and attractive officer. Perhaps you will stay out of trouble if you’re too busy fighting the women off him.”

  She glared at him and huffed.

  His eyebrow arched. “Now, in all seriousness, Max is a good cop. You’re lucky to have him.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “Now, don’t be like that. Underneath that pretty face is a copper you can be proud of, and I believe you two will work well together for many reasons.”

  “Oh yeah? For what reasons?”

  “I’m not at liberty to tell you.” He smiled. “You’ll find out in good time once you let the walls down a bit.”

  “Fine.” Cassie stood up from the desk, still mad as hell. “Anything else?”

  “Nope. You can collect your partner outside. He should be waiting for you in your car.”

  “Great.”

  Once dismissed, she stood and turned towards the door. It was only open a few inches when Murphy said louder than normal, “Oh, and try not to get this one killed, will you?”

  The entire room stared at her as Murphy’s words rang out. Great, now everyone thinks I’m a danger to society. His hand fell on her shoulder, and she turned her head to see him standing close.

  “Next time you’re fired, understand?” he whispered.

  “Yes, sir,” she whispered back. What else could she say? She walked across the room towards the entrance. I have to figure out how to stop these visions from happening, but how? Cassie didn’t even know why she had them. Maybe I should talk to Mom about this later. Yeah, like she would know anything about visions. She would probably think I am working too hard and need a vacation.

  The hallway was quiet as she turned down it and walked to the grand entrance. Lucy, the receptionist, was sitting at her desk like always with a big smile on her face. She waved in Cassie’s direction, and Cassie waved back.

  “Have a good day on the streets, Officer Armel.”

  Cassie placed her hat on her head and gave Lucy a nod in acknowledgement. The doors shut behind her as she looked up and down the streets. It was a beautiful day outside, with hopefully a peaceful day of work to come.

  She made her way around the building to the parking area where she had left her police car the night before. A man stood beside it, waiting for her.

  As she approached the vehicle, Cassie eyed him up and down. He was tall, standing about 6’1 from the look of it. The light reflected off his sandy blond hair, and his blue eyes sparkled. Max had broad shoulders and muscles. She couldn’t help but admit that any woman would drop at his feet to get his attention.

  “Hey, you must be Cassandra Armel?” Max smiled, flashing his beautiful teeth. She took a step back as her eyes locked with his. They stood in silence for a few seconds. Something was off about him, but she couldn’t quite figure out what. His eyes seemed more animal-like than human. She shrugged it off at first, thinking it was because of the lighting. Was it her imagination or did his eyes shift colors? She blinked back the surprise.

  “You can call me Cassie,” she said.

  Max extended a hand, but she pushed it aside and grabbed the driver's side door. “Are you getting in, or do you plan to stand around all day?”

  He squared his shoulders and shot her a look.

  Oh, did I piss you off, pretty boy? She glared at him as he made his way around the car and plopped into the passenger seat.

  “Sergeant Murphy told me you would be a handful.”

  Her seatbelt clicked into place, and she looked into his eyes once again.

  “And, let me guess. You think you can sweet talk me into being submissive to you.”

  “Oh, God no!” he laughed. “I knew the second I laid eyes on you, he spoke the truth.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Max scratched the side of his head, ruffling up his hair. Shyly, he looked at her and smiled. “You look pretty badass, that’s all.” The car shifted into drive as she pulled out onto the street. She pondered his words. Perhaps working with him won’t be too bad.

  Chapter Two

  Cassie

  Silence fell between them for several minutes, but it seemed like decades. Max looked out the window, watching the traffic go by. His shaggy blond hair fell forward over his face. Max squared his jaw as irritation reflected from his eyes. The silence was driving her nuts; it was even worse than what her other partner had put her through. He’d at least clarified that conversation was off the table. Max just sat there with a sour face and his arms folded across his chest. He is such a baby—pouting because he wasn’t the one driving. It infuriated her to no end. She turned down Main Street, heading toward Gaston Bank. If he would not talk to her, then he could sit in the car while she did her normal routine.

  “Where are we going?”

  Oh, he speaks! she thought, gripping the steering wheel.

  “Running two errands I do every day. Have to check up on someone and make sure he’s doing okay.” br />
  He nodded his head and went back to staring out the window. She would smack him upside the head if he didn’t stop pouting. The bank came into view. Cassie turned right, heading for the parking lot hidden behind the bank. She saw her parking spot and pulled in, throwing the vehicle into park. Max turned around and looked at the bank, then glanced towards her. His blue eyes sparkled with interest.

  “What errands are you running?” He arched his right eyebrow in curiosity.

  She snatched up the paper bag sitting in the dash, then kicked open the door to get out.

  “Just have to drop this off for a fellow officer.”

  Cassie would not tell him that Gregory was an ex-officer, but he was a good friend. He just recently got a job as the security guard at her bank, and every day she brought him lunch. The old fool never remembered to pack one, and his health was going down the drain. She wasn’t about to leave him on his own after he’d lost his wife. It seemed like only yesterday she’d been at the funeral for Margaret. Gregory hadn’t been the same since that day. He’d become distant from everyone but her. She might have issues making friends with others on the force, let alone anyone outside of it, but she pushed to keep him alive.

  The door to the bank opened as she passed through. There were several floors with suites for lawyers, accountants, and other workers on the top levels. The main floor was for the bank, and she stood inside, peering through the small crowd of people. It wasn’t long before she saw Gregory step out from behind a security door with the manager. They must've been back in the vault. His eyes locked on her, and a knowing grin spread across his face. Each time she saw him, he looked like he’d aged another year. Today he stood slumped over with a hitch in his step. His short military cut hair looked grayer, bringing out the blue in his eyes.

  “Welcome back.”

  He reached out and embraced Cassie. She laughed at him for being such a big cuddle bear. Gregory was always one who showed his appreciation with gestures more often than words.

  “You seem well. Why are you walking so funny?”

  His eyes went to his right leg and shrugged.

  “Had a fight with the garden hose yesterday. I won, but the damn thing messed up my knee. It will get better, so don’t worry your pretty little head off, missy.”

  She laughed. He was the only one who could get away with calling her missy. The playful banter was welcome after the morning she’d had. Cassie looked him up and down, then stuck her tongue out at him. Handing over the lunch, she watched him playfully open it up with an ‘Oooo…’ expression on his face.

  “I made your favorite—a potato salad sandwich with a side of coleslaw. I even added an apple because Margaret always said you loved those.”

  “You are such a good friend, Cass. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  She smiled at him and shrugged.

  “So, how are things? I heard you got into a skiff with your partner. How is he doing?” Gregory asked around a mouthful of sandwich.

  Cassie scratched behind her head, looking anywhere but his eyes. Her gaze settled on her feet for a few seconds as she pondered her response.

  “Richie got put on leave after the gunshot wound. I have a new partner now; his name is Max,” she said nonchalantly.

  “Hmmm…”

  Gregory eyed her with a knitted brow. He shifted his weight, then reached out to her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

  “Don’t worry your pretty little head. I have a feeling the right partner will come along to keep you out of trouble. It just takes some time. Besides, I don’t think you and Richie meshed well. He was too old school for your younger mind.”

  She looked up into his light blue eyes and smiled. A sense of peace danced around her like rain. Gregory always knew what to say to get her out of a depressed mood—it was one reason she made it a habit to come see him as much as possible. She needed his reassurance more than she cared to admit. Sometimes she wondered why she craved his approval so much. Several people said it was because of his fatherly charm. She couldn’t understand that since she’d grown up without a father in her life. Perhaps that was why she’d always sought Gregory’s approval. He’d been a substitute dad without her realizing it.

  “Are you about done there?”

  Gregory looked at the walkie on her shoulder and gave her a mirthful smile.

  “He sounds young.”

  Cassie glared at him. She reached up to the walkie and turned her chin into it to get a rational response across.

  “Be out in a moment—keep your pants on.”

  “Fine, hurry!” Max barked over the walkie.

  She rolled her eyes and looked back at Gregory, who wore a sheepish grin. He took a sizeable chunk out of the juicy apple, his eyes gleeful as he savored it. Cassie couldn’t help but laugh at the expression on her friend's face. It was too hilarious.

  “Stop, you're going to make me pee my pants!”

  With an evil grin, he playfully waggled his eyebrows. The three tellers, Sally, Tiffany, and Brook, stood behind the counter laughing in unison. Cassie looked at the three women and couldn’t help but believe Gregory was in excellent hands. He always loved making people laugh. She had just turned her attention back to him when the lights flickered. She blinked, trying to clear her eyes, but black dots blurred her vision. Gregory looked at her with worry-filled eyes.

  “Cass, you okay?”

  The room spun, and she fell hard into the vision…

  ***

  She stood in the middle of the room. Everything was in a foggy haze as people materialized before her. Gregory disappeared from sight. The lights continued to flicker off and on, but no one else seemed to notice. Sally, Tiffany, and Brook still stood behind the counter. They were in a circle talking together. Tiffany, with her long blonde hair and sea-green eyes, noticed a customer ready to serve. She turned away from her co-workers as a black-haired man in his mid-twenties stepped up to the counter.

  “How can I help you?”

  What is going on here? Why am I having this vision? Cassie wondered.

  Everything seemed safe, normal. It made little sense. Keys clicked as Tiffany typed at her computer, fulfilling the young man's request. Brook stepped up to the counter to help the next woman in line, whose hair was sandy brown. She seemed normal enough, too. But there was always a purpose for the visions. They didn’t just happen for no reason. Something was coming, something would happen. And it did.

  As her eyes drifted to the clock, taking in its time of 9:01a.m., a loud boom filled the room. Five men in black attire slammed open the door behind them as they entered the bank. There were two that stood about 5’8, another two were 6’2, and one was in between at approximately 5’11. They carried large black bags and blocked the doorway, so no one could enter or exit. Sally locked eyes on the bizarre scene as she stood frozen behind the counter.

  The brunette-haired man who stood at 5’11 stepped forward. He must be the leader. His hand reached inside his coat. In one swift motion, he pulled out a handgun and pointed it right in Sally’s face. She gasped in shock as fear overtook her senses. She reached for something under her counter.

  “Ah uh, little missy. You best keep your hands where I can see them.”

  Sally gulped. One by one, she raised her hands to keep them in his sight. The leader smiled with a wicked smirk.

  “Now be a dear and fill these bags with all the cash in your till.”

  A man with blond hair stepped forward with the bags, dropping them in front of Sally. He stepped back amongst the other four as they, too, pulled out guns, then pointed them at the customers.

  “Get on your knees, and no one tries any funny business!” yelled the man with blond hair.

  Cassie watched as they rounded everyone up into a group and forced them to their knees. The four men in black stood behind them brandishing their guns. The leader looked at Tiffany and Brook. He motioned for one of the short men to step forward and collect the two. They were forced to the floor with the rest of the group, leaving poor Sally all by herself at the tills. He pointed his gun at Sally once more and cocked the gun.

  “What are you waiting for, missy? I want these bags filled and ready in less than five minutes. You understand?”