Share
Chapter 21: Backup
Related chapters
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 22: Firefight
Whitney's father disappeared into a pile of ashes.She gasped, her other hand going over her mouth. She stared at the pile that had once been her father. She wasn't sad to see him gone. But how had Deke done that?When she turned to Deke, he was back in human form. He took her into his arms. She melted against him, leaking tears."It's okay, Whitney," Deke said. "He's gone.""What about Donal?" she asked."I'm okay, lass," Donal said. "Thanks for thinking of me."She leaned away from Deke to see Donal, in human form. "You're gargoyles?" she asked."Aye, lass," Donal said. "The explanation will have to wait.""Let's get out of here," Deke said, nudging her towards the unlocked door.She wasn't going to argue.***Whitney stared out the window while Deke drove her back to the apartment they'd been staying in. His townhouse was probably safe, but he wanted to be sure. He'd almost lost her, but somehow, she'd found it in her heart to trust him. But how was he supposed to protect her? He'
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 23: Aftermath
Whitney got out and dried off, then pulled on the sweats the women had left for her. She could hear them chatting in the bedroom outside the bathroom. Whitney had never been social, but she wasn't shy. She just hadn't had time to develop anything other than professional friendships. No one had ever even invited her to a book club meeting or out for coffee. Having never missed it, she'd never pursued it.She took a deep breath before opening the door. She knew that once she did, she would be stepping into a new world—one she didn't understand. But she'd handle it the only way she knew how—by asking questions.The three women stopped talking when Whitney yanked open the door. Three sets of green eyes turned to her, and Whitney could see the resemblance. Fiona sat on the edge of the bed, while Colleen lazed against the headboard.Meg was in mid-pace. She was the first one to smile at Whitney. "Feel better?" she asked.Whitney sighed. "I need answers."The three exchanged a glance. "We'll
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 24: Stone Savior
Billy Malone was missing. Kel Halloway had never thought about having kids of his own, but he loved the boys in his Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood. Especially the redheaded boy who wasn't part of the game Kel was currently playing. He probably shouldn't read too much into it since Billy was a foster child, but his absence didn't sit right with Kel.With his involvement in Grotesque, a pop up nightclub he didn't work an everyday job. The bar was only open once a month so he was around during the day for the kids. With summer break in full swing and the humidity not yet fully hit, he loved being outside in the park. Some of them had absent fathers because of jail or divorce. Others had dads who worked a lot.He'd met all the parents so they knew he wasn't some predator. They were all comfortable with him playing football in the park with their sons. Except for Billy's foster parents. They'd remained elusive. Kel hadn't been able to meet them."Hey Mr. Halloway, throw the ball."He
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 25: Late for Her Appointment
Maggie O'Grady was late for an appointment. Of course. She seemed to always be a day late and a dollar short. The fact that her boss, Chelsea Buck, knew it didn't help."These kids depend on us, Maggie. You need to take more pride in your work."That she was late because of another child didn't hold any weight with her boss. She had a set amount of time to sit with each kid, and the fact that Maggie wanted more didn't matter. There were too many kids in the foster program for any one of them to get any special attention.The only thing that buoyed Maggie today was that she was on her way to see her favorite child. Billy Malone was a bright and energetic early teenager. She figured he was poised for his growth spurt and she was happy he'd found a good foster home.At least on the surface, it seemed like a good home. Something bothered her each time she visited him, but she'd seen no signs of abuse so she couldn't pull him from it. Besides, those foster parents took the hardest cases so
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 26: Trust Your Gut
The neighborhood was quiet. The heat of the day was upon them, but Kel didn't mind. He'd been in worse places while in the military. A hot day in Philadelphia was not even in the top twenty of the most awful places he'd seen.Still. He didn't want to get involved. He'd been in the thick of things flying in the Air Force. His post-military life had been laid out to go to work with the nightclub then live a quiet life making furniture. He liked it that way. He stopped in the middle of the block. What was he doing? Billy Malone was none of his business. Kel fisted his hands, trying to deny that he felt a special affection for the boy. He saw a lot of himself in the boy and he wanted to guide him. No, Kel. Don't get involved. Don't. He turned back to his house, but his heart wasn't in the idea of leaving this alone. He sighed. "Damn it."He spun back around. He had to take action. If something was wrong with Billy Malone, Kel needed to fix it. He'd heard stories of how badly foster chil
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 27: She Wasn't To Be Messed With
If Maggie were anyone else but a Philadelphia-bred orphan, this man might intimidate her. He was a head and half his chest taller than her. He had a quiet presence that probably parted crowds. In a dark alley, she might be afraid of him or want him on her side.Right now she didn't want him taking control of this situation. "I've already done that."He paused with his booted foot on the bottom step. Who wore boots in the summer time? Her feet were already sweating in her pumps. "And what did you see?""I could only see the hallway from here.""Was there anything in it?""No, but that isn't odd. They live a Spartan life," Maggie said.He glanced at the door then turned his gaze to her, his husky blue eyes studied her. Without another word, he reached up and pressed the doorbell. As if him pressing it would have more of an effect. That the occupants of the house would say, "Clearly that was a man summoning us so we must answer."She sighed. Most of the time when she dealt with men like h
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 28: His Idea
Kel looked down at Maggie, trying not to notice that she did indeed have a few freckles that dotted her nose. Or that her eyes sparkled when she was angry. "How far are you willing to go to find Billy Malone?"She shifted her purse further up on her shoulder then crossed her arms. "What do you mean?""The only way we'll find evidence of what is going on is to get inside the house."Her mouth dropped open. "Are you suggesting we break in?"He shook his head. He wasn't going to get involved in this, but if she benefited from it so be it. "I'll break in. The door will be unlocked when you try.""That's not legal. I work for the city, Kel. I can't break the law.""You won't be. You can walk around the block if you want. I'll do it so that you won't be a witness."In the silence of her deciding, he heard the traffic on the street. Cars beeped. A siren wailed in the distance. This neighborhood was out of the throes of the city, but close enough that the noise could be heard from here. His ho
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 29: Where's Billy?
"Yes."Maggie rounded the second corner and stopped, leaning on a lamp post. A call with Chelsea was always draining. "Well, he's getting to that age. Almost a teenager.""He hasn't even had his growth spurt yet. He isn't that close to being a teenager. Look, Chelsea, I've been doing this for a while."Chelsea had been promoted over Maggie and she liked to think she didn't resent it, but she did. Especially in situations like this. Chelsea didn't have her experience. Maggie suspected she'd traded some kind of favor to get the position. "Don't lecture me, Maggie. I know all about your background."Maggie counted to ten, keeping her Irish temper in check. "I'm not lecturing you. I just think I'm closer to this case than you are.""Maybe too close. Should I assign another case worker to Billy?"Maggie's heart seized. No. That couldn't happen. Billy was special. Billy was hers. "No. I don't think I'm too close, Chelsea.""Then let it go for today. Walk away this time and try again later.
Latest chapter
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 103: Aftermath
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 102: She Was Here
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 101: Saving Ben
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 100: You're a Fairy
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 99: Ben Gone
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 98: Suspended
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 97: Reunion
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 96: Confession
- Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 95: Revealing
