Brimstone Blues

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Taz curled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. This was one of her favorite movies.

“Bring out ’cha dead. He says he’s not dead.”

She grinned. Rafael did a great impression. “I didn’t know you were a Monty Python fan.” She had to remember to keep her voice low.

“It’s just a flesh wound. That rabbit’s dynamite. Who isn’t a fan? You mean there are heathens who don’t appreciate great comedy?”

She was going to answer him when she heard footsteps and Matthias walked in. “There you are.”

“Here I am.”

“Here we are.”

“Shut up, you,” she thought to Rafael.

Matthias frowned slightly. Oops, need to tweak the barrier just a hair more. He’d caught a whisper of her thought, fortunately not the whole thing. She hated doing this, but if she didn’t, he would see what was going on.

How would she explain to Matthias what they’d done? Could she keep her secrets hidden from him? No, Rafael technically never laid a hand on her.

He just laid her.

This would be tricky. Fortunately it was a funny movie, so Rafael snarking in her brain and sending her into laughing fits wasn’t unexpected. Taz knew Matthias didn’t have much love for Monty Python, but appreciated he was willing to sit there and watch it with her.

“But those huge…tracts of land.”

Taz choked on a piece of popcorn, and Matthias handed her a bottle of water.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded, laughing and choking at the same time. She took a drink, finally dislodged the popcorn. “I’ll live.”

“Need to learn about swallows, Taz.”

“Swallowing.”

“You already know about swallowing, don’t you, baby girl?”

She choked back another round of laughter. Oh, he was bad. So bad. She could only imagine what movie nights would be like if he was still alive.

No, don’t need to think along those lines.

She finally settled down and enjoyed the movie. Matthias didn’t mind her saying lines along with the film, and Rafael chimed in when appropriate with inappropriate comments.

Well, inappropriate for anyone else. Between the two of them it was quickly becoming normal.

She even imagined a huge flat-screen TV in the room in her mind for him, so he could sit back and watch the movie, instead of seeing it through the “windows.”

Tobias found Matthias in the kitchen later that night after Taz had gone to bed. “There you are. I want to have a word with you.”

Matthias sat back. “This sounds serious.”

“Not like that. I know I originally planned to leave next week, but I wondered if it would be an imposition if I stayed indefinitely?”

“Not at all. It would be nice having you around. We have plenty of room here, or you’re welcome to have the guest house.”

“That won’t be necessary. The room you put me in is fine. I won’t be in the way?”

“Of course not. I’m sure Taz will be pleased to have you around.”

Not if she knows why I want to stay.

Tobias spent plenty of time watching her. She might be sensitive, but her instincts weren’t as finely honed as his. Without centuries of ingrained survival instinct behind her, it was relatively easy for him to study her, unobserved, when she was home and about the house and grounds.

Many times she seemed to have conversations only she was privy to, smiling and nodding her head, rolling her eyes and gesturing, sometimes laughing out loud.

Sometimes he heard the piano just to find her sitting there playing, and when she noticed him in the doorway she’d stop and badly fumble an excuse as to why she couldn’t continue.

He always felt a shifting, the air expanding and contracting around her in these cases, as if something changed.

Millicent was no help. She knew something, but apparently had been sworn to secrecy. As a member of the Tribunal, Taz could guarantee whatever she asked would be granted in this regard.

He’d have to watch.

And wait.

It was a Monday, and Taz had the house to herself, she thought. When she’d asked Matthias if he minded if she took the day off, he hugged her.

“I think that’s a great idea. I need to go in to the office for a while.”

“That’s fine. You were right. I need some time off.”

He didn’t even think about saying, “I told you so,” and she loved him for it.

Rafe’s Mustang was overdue for an oil change, something Rafe was religious about. Now she understood the great protest in Yellowstone, and then again at home when she wanted to take it someplace to have it done. This was his baby. He didn’t like anyone else touching it unless absolutely necessary. She drove to the auto parts store, got everything she needed.

“I use synthetic oil, Taz. That brand there,” he said as her hand hovered over the bottles on the rack.

“How many?”

“Get eight. Won’t use that many, but I like having extra. There should still be two filters at the house as long as Albert didn’t forget anything. We’ll need to order more.”

Back at home she laid out the tools, prompted by Rafael, and found a filter. Taz popped the hood.

“Don’t forget to put a new washer on the drain plug.”

Alone at home, it was more natural for her to answer him out loud. “I’m perfectly capable of doing this, you know.” She didn’t mind Rafael’s backseat wrenching. It was nice having him to share this with.

“I want a new washer. I put one on every oil change.”

“You know it doesn’t need it, right?” she asked, reaching for one.

“Humor me, baby girl.”

“All right, got it. See?”

“Good.”

She dragged the floor jack over to the car and knelt down.

“Don’t forget the jack stands.”

“I know what I’m doing. I’ve done this before.”

“I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“I won’t get hurt. Jesus, Rafe, would you relax? It’s an oil change, not an engine overhaul.”

She was too engrossed in her conversation and activities to notice Tobias walking toward the garage.

Taz pulled the jack stands into position and got them ready. “There, are you happy?”

“Good.”

“Can I jack it up now?”

“Smart-ass.”

“You should know. You’ve had your hands on it enough.”

She enjoyed the sound of his laughter in her mind.

Tobias heard Taz’s voice in the garage, but it was weird, like she was having a one-sided conversation. He slowed his approach and stopped near the end of the building, out of sight but close enough to hear.

If he didn’t know any better…

He thought about the funeral, his recent observations, and walked closer, fascinated and horrified at the same time, knowing for certain his suspicions were correct.

With the car securely on the jack stands, Taz pulled the jack out of the way and shoved the drain pan under the car.

“Don’t forget the washer.”

“Rafe, I will put a new friggin’ washer on it, okay?”

She heard his amused chuckle. He had fun pushing her buttons. With their agreement not to make love anymore, their playful banter had exponentially increased.

She made sure the drain pan was positioned properly, removed the drain plug, and used a shop rag to wipe the plug clean while the old oil drained. “See, I’m putting the new washer on.”

“Good. ’Bout time.”

When the oil finished draining, she replaced the drain plug, tightened it, and wiped the dripping oil from around the bottom of the oil pan. Pushing the drain pan to the side to catch the old filter, she grabbed the filter wrench and removed the old filter, managing to not make too much mess in the process.

“Don’t forget to oil the gasket on the new one.”

“For the last friggin’ time, Rafe, I have changed the oil in a car before. Lay off, all right?”

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch.” He chuckled.

“I’ll bunch your panties. If you had panties to bunch.”

“Promises, promises.”

She used a dab of clean oil to lube the gasket on the new filter and spun it on by hand, tightening it with the filter wrench.

“Did I forget anything, smart-ass? Or should I let you do this?”

“No, I think you got it all, baby girl.”

“Really? Because I wouldn’t want to forget and have you make me get back under here and—”

“Why would I make you get back under there?”

The sound of Tobias’ voice startled her. She sat up, nailing herself on the cross member.

“Ow! Son of a bitch!” She grabbed her forehead, seeing stars. Really seeing them. It wasn’t just a cartoon cliché.

“Are you okay, sweetie?”

Tobias knelt down and peeked under the car. “Taz, are you all right?”

“Yes,” she said to both men, the one in her brain and the one in the garage.

She wiggled out from under the car. Tobias took her arm, helping her to her feet, and examined the newly forming goose egg over her left eye.

“Let me look, dear,” he said, pulling her hand away. “You didn’t break the skin, but we should get some ice on it.”

“No, I’m okay.” Now that the pain was abating, she wondered how much he’d heard of her conversation with Rafe.

Tobias fixed his eyes on her. “Are you? Are you truly okay?”

“Please,” she whispered, “you can’t tell Matthias or the others.”

Tobias sighed. “I’ve suspected ever since the funeral. How long has he been with you?”

“The night he died. He threw himself at me when Caroline killed him. I didn’t realize he was there until Dame Agnew figured it out in London. I just thought I was going crazy, kept hearing his voice.” She grabbed his arm, desperate. “Please, you can’t tell them!”

“He’s obviously aware of what’s going on. He was the one who planned and was at the funeral, I suppose?”

She nodded. “And as you probably heard, he’s quite opinionated about his car.”

“Damn right. Don’t forget to put the oil in, either, Taz.”

“I need to finish this.” She grabbed a quart of oil.

“I think Matthias has a right to know,” Tobias said.

“He’ll want me to make him leave. I won’t do that.”

“You don’t know that.”

She glared at him. “He’ll be worried it’ll set me off again. I’m fine, really. I’m dealing with it.”

“Carrying Rafael around in your brain isn’t dealing, it’s existing. And it’s no way to live.” It certainly explained why she’d distanced herself emotionally from Matthias and everyone else immediately after their return from London.

She recapped the first empty bottle, then carefully upended another into the oil fill. “I’m not making him leave. End of subject.”

Tobias watched as she finished the job, used the jack to raise the car, and helped her remove the jack stands and drain pan. She dropped the car, checked the oil before starting it, let it run for a moment, shut it off, and checked the oil again.

She looked at him. “I’m not telling him. Not yet. Eventually, I will. Please, don’t say anything.”

He sensed her inner strength, her incredible will, and knew she was, in fact, okay. It wasn’t how he would deal with it. Then again, he wasn’t in her shoes. He nodded. “All right. If that’s what you want.”

“It is.”

“You really need ice on that.”

“Tell him I say hi.”

She closed her eyes. “Rafe says hi.”

Tobias smiled. “Tell him hi back.”

“I can hear him.”

“He says he can hear you.”

Tobias laughed. “Rafael, I’ve heard of getting into a woman’s pants, but this is ridiculous, even for you.”

“Tell the old fart he can bite me.”

“I’m not telling him that!” Taz objected.

“Did he say ‘bite me?’”

She nodded, and Tobias laughed again. “That was always his standard answer.” He paused. “May I talk to him?”

She looked at Tobias and leaned against the fender. She closed her eyes for a moment. Tobias felt the change, just like at the hotel after the funeral, watched Taz shift her weight then open her eyes.

They were her green eyes, but it was Rafe’s stare and stance.

“Hiya, Uncle Toby.”

He shook his head, tears in his eyes. “Rafael. It is you.”

She—he—turned and finished putting away the tools. “Yeppers, that would be me.” He made sure to turn down the sound in the mental room so Taz couldn’t hear their conversation. She would respect his privacy.

“Why?”

“I don’t expect you to understand.”

“Try me.”

He shook his head. “Some things are left best unsaid.” He turned to his uncle. “You cannot tell Matts about this. Please.”

“Why are you doing this to her?”

“Look, it’s not exactly what I want, but she doesn’t want to tell Matts, and I respect that.”

“You’re ruining their relationship.”

“No, I’m not. Taz is trying to figure her life out. I’m not doing anything.”

“She’s in love with you, Rafael. She’s in love with a dead man trapped inside her head. How is that healthy for her? How does that help her and Matthias heal from all that’s happened?”

Rafael looked away, continued to wipe down the car. “It’s her decision.”

“It wasn’t her decision for you to set up a second life inside her brain.”

“No, and it wasn’t my decision to get killed, either.”

“That’s not Taz’s fault—”

“I know it, goddammit!” That was all Rafael’s rage, and he continued. “Look, I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t mean to end up in here. I don’t want to hurt her or Matts or anyone. But I’m here, and I’ll respect her wishes. If she wants me to leave, she knows all she has to do is say the word and I’m gone. She can kill people, with her thoughts, Uncle Toby. You know that. Do you really think I could stay if she didn’t want me here?”

Tobias finally looked away. It was Taz’s voice, but the inflection and speech pattern was one hundred percent Rafael.

“All right. I won’t tell them.”

“Thank you.” Rafael closed the hood. “This isn’t a permanent solution. I know I can’t stay here forever.”

“Then for how long?”

“As long as Taz wants me.”