The Order of Brigid's Cross - The Wild Hunt (Book 1): The Wild Hunt by Terri Reid Page A

pulled out the chair in front of the computer and
nodded. “I can take it,” she said, sliding into the seat. “And it’s important
that I see them.”
    Sean glanced over to Ian, who shrugged his shoulders in
bewilderment. “Okay,” Sean said. “Let’s take a look.”
    After entering the settings for a slide show, all three
watched as the horrific scene was displayed before their eyes.   Even with his years of police work, Sean’s
stomach twisted as he viewed the mutilated corpses strewn throughout the park.
Many of the dead were headless, their decapitated, sightless heads lying
several feet from their bodies as if they were separated with violent force.
Pools of blood darkened the background of the photos, with macabre crimson-splattered
grass and bushes surrounding the remains.
    “Whoever or whatever killed these people, there were a lot
of them,” Ian said as they neared the end of the photos.
    “Why do you say that?” Sean asked.
    “Look at the circumference of the crime scene. No one was
running,” Ian pointed out. “Whatever it was descended quickly and was able to
not only catch them all off guard but also deal with them swiftly enough that
they didn’t have time to retreat.”
    “But there are easily one hundred bodies here,” Sean said,
clicking back to the overview photo. “How could anything, even an army, do so
much damage so quickly?”
    “It would take very sharp implements and an extremely long
reach,” Ian said.
    “Aye,” Gillian agreed and she glanced up at Sean. “And the
boy who saw this, he said he saw the Elk King?”
    “Well, no, not exactly,” Sean said. “He described some crazy
fantasy creature with tree-like limbs who was wearing a deer skull for a hat. Then
I called Ian, and he said it could have been the Elk King.”
    “And do you believe the young man?” she asked.
    Sean shrugged. “As impossible as it seems, yeah, I believe
him,” Sean said. “He didn’t seem to be high, and he was scared to death.”
    “Where is he now?” Ian asked.
    “He’s still at the hospital,” Sean said. “They’re keeping
him there under observation for a couple more hours. They’ll hold him until I
give them the okay.”
    “So, we have a few hours?” she asked.
    “Yeah, why?” Sean asked.
    “There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” she said. “He might
help answer your questions. But then again, he might just give you a whole new
bunch to worry about. I need a moment of privacy to call and set things up.”
    “Does this have anything to do with your blood-mingling
comment?” Sean asked.
    She nodded and a small smile spread across her lips. “You
are a clever one, aren’t you?” she said. “Aye, it might answer a few questions
in that area, too.”
    “Then I’m all for it,” he replied.
    Gillian pushed the hanging cast iron pan to the side and
slipped out the door to the hallway.
    “Do you have any idea what this is about?” Sean asked Ian.
    Shaking his head, Ian stared at the closed door for a moment
and then turned back to Sean. “Not as much as I want to know,” he admitted. “I
know she works for the Catholic Church and researches ancient church
artifacts.   She’s done some work at
Trinity College in Dublin, and the church approached her for this job in
Chicago.”
    “It sounds a little strange,” Sean said. “Why would the
church know anything about the Elk King?”
    “I have to admit, I’m a little curious myself,” Ian replied.
    Gillian poked her head back into the apartment. “He can meet
with us directly,” she said. “He’s very eager to meet both of you.”
    “The plot thickens,” Sean whispered to Ian.
    “Aye, and into the dragon’s lair we go,” Ian replied. “Grab
your coat, Sean, I’ll drive.”
    “Thanks, but I’d better take my own car,” Sean said. “I’ll
need to head over to Cook County Hospital once we’re done.”

Chapter Nine

 
    The boarded-up Catholic cathedral sat as a lonely,
monolithic reminder of