Chapter Twenty

Pressed for time and cash, Harry goes to Monica Sells’s suburban house. The street feels emptied and blighted, matching his suspicion that dark magic is near. Monica answers guardedly and tries to shut him out, but Harry wedges the door and leverages a bluff about her and her husband to force entry.

Monica lunges with a stun device, vowing to protect her family. Harry blocks her, lets her bring the stunner close, and hexes it dead. In the struggle, Monica meets Harry’s eyes, triggering a soulgaze that exposes her history of abuse and the fierce love for her children driving her actions. Harry realizes key pieces of the puzzle fit, though he still lacks full details.

Harry demands his stolen hair, asks why she involved him, and who killed Tommy Tomm, Jennifer Stanton, and Linda Randall. Monica is shocked to learn of Linda’s death. Thunder rumbles, and Monica’s fear of the approaching storm and of “him” becomes evident. She begs Harry to leave before it’s too late.

Monica’s children, Jenny and Billy, appear, frightened. Monica orders them back to safety and breaks down, pleading again for Harry to go. Harry presses her for help, invoking the murders and his own peril as leverage. Torn and exhausted, Monica finally agrees to tell him what she knows, but insists that nothing can help anyone now with the storm coming.