Page 21 of Monster Mania

“I don't know what I believe,” he admitted.

“Fuck you,” she spat.

“I wasn't there,” Ghost said.

“Neither was I!” she yelled. Ghost went still, and Jackhammer frowned. “What?” Angel realized what she'd said, but it was too late to take it back. “I wasn't there when Gabriel was killed.”

Ghost studied her. “Then how'd you find him?” She hated how quickly he put things together. Angel walked toward the window. Outside, orange leaves blew across the parking lot. Halloween decorations hung from the balcony across the street. Plastic ghosts twisted in the breeze. Someone had put pumpkins along the balcony railing. Normal people were getting ready for Halloween, living their normal lives. She'd almost convinced herself she could have one.

“I got a call,” she whispered.

“From who?” Ghost asked.

“I don't know,” she admitted.

“What did they say?” he asked.

“They said that Gabriel needed me,” she said. Jackhammer moved closer, and Angel could feel him behind her. She didn't turn around. “He and I were fighting. Had been for weeks.”

“About what?” Ghost asked.

“My father.” Ghost stayed silent, and Angel appreciated that. “My dad was dead, and I couldn't let it go. I wanted answers. Gabriel wanted me to stop asking questions.”

“Why?” Jackhammer asked.

“I thought he was trying to protect me,” she said.

“And now?” Hammer asked.

Angel swallowed. “Now I don't know.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “The caller told me where Gabriel was, and I drove there.”

“The gas station,” Ghost said.

Angel nodded. “He was already dead.” She could smell the rain again and feel gravel beneath her knees. She remembered the blood soaking through her jeans when she crawled to him. “I found him behind the building.” Jackhammer's hand settled against her shoulder. Angel should have pulled away, but she didn't. “He'd been shot three times.” Her voice cracked. “Once in the head.”

She knew that he was executed. She didn't need to say it out loud because men like Jackhammer and Ghost understood what that meant. “I called his name even though I knew he couldn't hear me. I kept thinking maybe if I touched him, he'd wake up.”

Jackhammer's hand tightened on her shoulder. “When I rolled him over, there was something in his hand.”

Ghost moved closer. “What was it?”

“My father's ring,” she admitted. Neither man spoke. “It was this ugly silver thing Dad always wore. Grim Saints skull on the front. His initials were inside. M.S.”

“How did Shadow get it?” Ghost asked.

“I don't know,” she said.

“Did your father have it when he died?” Ghost pressed.

“Yes,” she said.

“You're sure?” Ghost asked.

“I buried him wearing it,” she said. That silenced both men.

Ghost's eyes sharpened on her. “Then somebody dug up your father.”

Angel shook her head. “No.”