Covina "The Arrowhead Chronicles"

By Dana Leigh

In Covina, the first explosive book in the Arrowhead Chronicles, Dana Leigh, blazes a new frontier with an edge-of-your-seat supernatural thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Delaney McClellan is Chief of Police in rural Arrowhead, Colorado. The usually quiet town, set along the northern foothills of the Rocky Mountains, has experienced a string of unusual drug related crime. She and her ill-equipped police department are at a loss on what to do. Exhausted and overworked, Delaney seeks help from any resource she can. On advisement from respected colleague, Shawn James, Delaney recruits drug task force expert, Aaron Rockway, to help her and her police force stem the flow of drugs and bring law and order to Arrowhead.

Things go from bad to catastrophic, when the investigation leads to Delaney shot and bleeding in an alley and her best friend, Jeanie, and Jeanie’s brother, Christopher, missing. Their only suspect is a dark and brooding pharmaceuticals executive whose shady operations have red flags going up. Delaney prays Aaron is the answer to her problems. Can she objectively handle working side by side with him when the electricity between them is impossible to ignore? If that wasn’t enough, her quirky, but loveable family begins acting strangely and attempts to cover up a mysterious secret that will change Delaney for all eternity.

Aaron Rockway is a lawman from way back. The East Texas good ol’ boy has stared in the face of evil, and made it out alive. When he’s given the directive to go to Arrowhead, he does so with apprehension. He can see Delaney is one tough cookie, but orders are orders. He’s willing to do what it takes to make Delaney ready for the battle ahead of them. Her stubbornness and cynical attitude make it hard for him to turn on his natural charms. How will he prepare her for their life in the future and explain the strong connection he shares with her? Will Delaney be able to handle the blow to her reality? Can she accept a world where the creatures of heaven and hell are more than just tales in a book? With an ancient text, and smile that could stop traffic as ammunition, Aaron is determined to open her eyes to the reality of the world around them, and turn her into a kick-ass solider in the army against evil.

Delaney struggles to understand a world filled with witches, demons, and annoying arch-angels lurking under her very nose. Aaron and Delaney have a big target on their backs. The fate of Arrowhead hangs in the balance in the war between good and evil, and the key to winning the fight, lies with Delaney.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC
• Release date: Aug 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781621833796

Dana Leigh

Dana Leigh is an American author of supernatural fiction. Dana was born in Northern Colorado in 1979 and was raised in the rural town of Pierce. She attended college in Northern Colorado and East Texas, where she studied history. In 2011 she moved to East Texas. While there, she worked in law enforcement. In 2015 she moved back to Colorado where she currently lives with her only daughter and continues to pursue her dreams of being an author.

Book preview

Covina

The Arrowhead Chronicles

Dana Leigh

Brighton Publishing LLC

435 N. Harris Drive

Mesa, AZ 85203

www.BrightonPublishing.com

ISBN13: 978-1-62183-379-6

Copyright © 2016

eBook

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Cover Design: Tom Rodriguez

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. The characters in this book are fictitious and the creation of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to other characters or to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Chapter One

The blanketing fog was cool and damp. It enveloped Delaney completely, blocked the view of her surroundings, and made it impossible to determine just where she was. Delaney recognized the smell of fresh cut hay. She looked down and realized she was barefoot and standing on grass-covered ground. The feeling of being watched began gnawing at her instincts, and she was suddenly startled by the presence of another person within arm’s reach.

She desperately tried to make out who it was, but the fog was so thick. All she could see of the stranger was his eyes. Green eyes like milky jade with tinges of hazel surrounding the outside of the black pupils. Strangely, she felt no fear of the person, just the opposite. His presence had been rather comforting. She slowly reached out her hand to touch the face of the figure with the green eyes, but with her fingers a mere breathe away from the shadowy cheek in front of her, a great wind swirled all around and stopped her advance. The wind brought with it thousands of large gray and white feathers that fluttered all around and seesawed on the air currents. They fell down and down and then landed softly at her feet.

A ringing sound, shrill and discomforting, jerked Delaney McClellan from the dream, and for a moment, she wasn’t able to recall her exact whereabouts. Her exhausted brain tried to make sense of her surroundings. The ringing continued, piercing her consciousness like thousands of tiny needles. Delaney brought a shaking hand to her forehead and glanced at the bedside clock. Green digital numbers told her it was one o’clock in the morning.

Christ, she muttered and rummaged along the top of the nightstand to find the switch to her bedside lamp; she found it and clicked the plastic rocker switch over. It gave a satisfying snap and light flooded the dark bedroom. Delaney squinted against the intrusive light, with her eyes tearing slightly. The annoying ring sounded again. Delaney realized it was accompanied by the sound of two hard surfaces vibrating together. Her gaze fell to her cell phone. Its front was lit up, and it had vibrated it’s self dangerously close to the edge of the nightstand.

All right already! Delaney shouted at the phone.

She snatched it up with a fumbling hand and then awkwardly sat up in bed. Delaney slid a finger over the touch-screen face of the device and held it to her ear.

Hello? she said. Her voice was still gravely from sleep.

Chief? Officer Jason Miller’s voice had an edge of urgency.

Delaney was immediately annoyed. Who the hell else would it be? she thought to herself, but answered, Yeah, what is it, Jason?

Chief, Jason began, we’ve got a situation at the house on the corner of 5th Street and Schaffer Avenue. We need you down here.

Surprise startled Delaney. What’s the situation?

Drugs, Jason answered dryly.

Crap, Delaney muttered to herself, and then to Jason she said, Call the county. Have them send the drug task force over.

Already did that. They’ve got their guys searching the house right now.

Okay, good. I’ll be over there shortly. Until then, you’re in charge.

No problem, Chief, Jason responded and disconnected the call.

The light on the face of Delaney’s phone flickered off, and she set it back on the top of the nightstand. She blinked as she tried to collect her thoughts, but found it difficult because of her lack of sleep. Delaney pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, closed her eyes, and sighed. The urge to lie back down and go to sleep was strong, but her sense of duty to her job was stronger.

I wish I could have finished that dream, she thought absently. Had she been dreaming? Yes, her exhausted mind reassured. Delaney concentrated as she tried to piece together the fragments of the dream that she could remember. Delaney frowned at the memory, and briefly pondered if the dream held any underlying meaning. Yeah, she scoffed. It means you’re overworked and losing your marbles.

The probability that she was suffering from exhaustion-induced hallucinations was very good. Delaney had been putting in seventy-hour weeks for the last month. She had been aware of the responsibilities when she accepted the chief of police position in Arrowhead, Colorado. However, Delaney couldn’t recall a time during the four years as chief when things had been so hectic. The illegal drug business was booming in the rural Northern Colorado town, and it was giving Delaney and her officers a run for their money. As she rose from bed and began to dress, Delaney’s thoughts drifted to the problem she was facing at the corner of Fifth and Schaffer.

She stood in the center of her bedroom attired in her usual work outfit. She had on a cotton, short-sleeved, buttoned-down shirt. It was beige with the department’s logo embroidered on the upper arms and breast pockets. Her badge was pinned above the left pocket of the shirt proclaiming her chief. Under the shirt she had remembered to put on her Kevlar vest. It gave Delaney a blocky, unisex silhouette, but it was necessary and required. Blue denim jeans, brown cowboy boots, and a straw cowboy hat completed her look. She expertly put on her duty belt and holster and then drew her weapon to check for ammo and to double-check the safety switch.

Satisfied with her appearance, Delaney strode from her room, through the small kitchen, and to the back door. She slipped a lightweight Arrowhead P.D. jacket on before stepping into the night air. It was mid-October, and although the days were still fairly warm, the nights could be chilly.

The moon was full, and its light illuminated the driveway where her police cruiser was parked. Delaney dug the keys out of her pocket and got into the car. The seats were cold and the inside smelled of leather and the spearmint gum she always chewed. Delaney had been a smoker, but she’d been making an effort to quit for the last year. The spearmint gum seemed to help stave off the craving for her beloved Camel cigarettes.

Delaney started the car and the engine hummed to life. She backed out of her driveway and waited until she was on the street before flicking on the headlights. The beams illuminated the sleepy street in front of her, and she sped through the quiet town toward her destination.

The car rounded the corner of 5th Street, and Delaney’s gut tightened nervously. Two blocks away, blue and red lights disturbed the peaceful night. She recognized Officer Jason Miller leaning against his cruiser talking to a county drug enforcement agent. The two men looked up as Delaney’s car approached. She stopped her car right behind Jason’s, jammed the gearshift into park, and turned the car off. She opened the driver’s side door and got out. The two men strode toward her and met her halfway.

Hey, Chief, Jason said.

Miller, Delaney responded with a nod. Her gaze went to the drug enforcement agent.

This here is Agent Shawn James, Jason introduced.

Delaney bobbed her head at the balding middle-aged man. He nodded back at her and took a breath to speak.

Jason eagerly interrupted him. The house is being searched now.

Delaney glanced at the house and saw three men in Larimer County Sheriff jackets just inside the doorway.

What else? Delaney asked, looking at Shawn.

The man looked relieved to be allowed to speak and then said, So far we’ve removed ten cases of oxycodone. The boxes were stamped with the Halsey-Price pharmaceutical company logo. We also confiscated four pounds of meth, five automatic rifles, and a grocery sack full of money. We won’t know how much is in the bag until it’s processed and cataloged.

Delaney had been nodding and intently listening to the man when a white van pulled around the corner and stopped next to Jason’s cruiser. Her attention was drawn to the black letters on the driver’s side door. It read, Larimer County Child Protection Agency.

Delaney’s gut clenched, and she turned her gaze to Jason. He shifted nervously and hooked his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans.

There were a couple of kids in the house when it was raided.

Jesus Christ, Delaney moaned. She watched as a smart-looking blonde climbed out of the van and headed in their direction.

Jason jumped to attention. I got this, he declared and went to the woman.

Jason began speaking to her and guided her to a squad car. He opened the back passenger door, and the woman looked into the back seat. Her features froze, and she shot Jason a stunned look. The sound of a toddler beginning to wail brought her attention to the back seat. The woman forced her expression into a kind, soothing smile. She knelt down and tried to maintain nonthreatening eye contact with the children. Delaney couldn’t hear what the woman was saying, but she guessed the woman was trying to cajole the terrified kids, and soon the wailing stopped. The blonde held out her hands and two small, filthy arms shot out from the doorframe. The woman grasped their little hands and helped them get out of the back of the car.

Delaney stifled a gasp at the sight of the dirty, malnourished pair. The little girl looked to be about four, and the little boy was maybe two. They were clad only in underwear. The children were filthy and bedraggled. Clean spots of skin showed where their tears had washed the grime off their cheeks. The woman led them to the van where she opened the sliding door before lifting both children into car seats and buckling them in. Delaney watched as the woman pulled two blankets out from behind the seat. She tucked each one around a child, and then slid the door to the van shut. She turned, spoke to Jason for a brief moment, got in the van, and drove away.

Jason walked back toward Delaney. He took in her questioning gaze as he approached. He looked over his shoulder in the direction the van had driven in. She’s got a foster home to take them to tonight. The conditions in the house aren’t safe for adults let alone a couple of babies.

Delaney nodded in affirmation. Jason had made the right decision when he called the child protection agency.

Besides, Jason continued. We’ve got their strung out junkie mother under arrest and in the back seat of Jarrod’s squad car.

She’ll be facing child abuse on top of the drug charges, Shawn added.

Who else was taken into custody? Delaney inquired.

Jason again began to shuffle nervously, and Delaney bunched her eyebrows in response to his reaction to her question.

Shawn took it upon himself to answer. We took into custody two adult males. One by the name of Jackson, he appears to be the homeowner. The other suspect’s name is Braxton. He was loitering outside the house at the time of the raid.

Jason’s nervousness grew as Delaney eyed the two men. She knew exactly who had been arrested in front of the house, and anger began to surface. Was it Christopher Braxton? She grumbled through clenched teeth.

Yeah, Shawn offered. Do you know him?

Where is he? Delaney asked Jason. Her brow was pulled tight with anger.

Jason sagged and gave her a knowing look. Now, Chief, don’t go losing your temper.

Where is he, Miller?

Jason stared at her momentarily and then rolled his eyes. He’s in the back of that squad car. Jason motioned to a black-and-white county sheriff car.

Without hesitation, Delaney pushed herself into motion. She took long, angry strides toward the car Jason had pointed to. Delaney could see Christopher through the back window of the cruiser. He was slumped down; his head rested on the back of the seat. She reached the car and in a fluid motion, Delaney jerked open the door. Christopher scrambled to the other side of the back seat. Surprise and fear twisted his features. All her anger and words of reprimand died as she got a look at the young man cowering in the back of the police car.

Christopher was pale and thin. Dark circles rimmed his tired, bloodshot eyes. He was filthy. The thick head of auburn hair he once took great pains to maintain hung around his face in greasy strands. There were ugly, red abscesses all over his face, neck, and arms. Christopher’s teeth had begun to show the effects of his meth addiction. They were rotting right out of his mouth. He smelled of unwashed body and urine. His jeans and hooded sweatshirt were grimy and hung loosely on his thin frame.

D… Delaney? Christopher questioned, stammering nervously.

Christopher, Delaney gasped. What have you done to yourself?

Christopher recognized the concern in her features and began to cry. I’m sorry, Delaney. I never meant for it to go this far. Sobs shook his frail shoulders. Delaney blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. She had known the young man since he was seven years old. He’d had so much promise, and now his future would be forever marred by his bad choices.

His sister is going to kill him, Delaney realized. The thought of Jeanie Braxton’s reaction to the news of her brother’s arrest swirled through Delaney’s mind. Jeanie had been Delaney’s best friend for more than fifteen years. Now Delaney had to call Jeanie and tell her what had happened.

Christopher’s thoughts mirrored Delaney’s, and panic tore through him. No, Delaney! he screeched. "Don’t call her! Don’t call Jeanie! She’s going to kill me!"

I have to, Delaney choked out. She needs to know. Delaney winced as Christopher cursed in frustration and kicked the floor of the car with his feet.

Please! he wailed. "You don’t understand! She’s going to kill me!"

Delaney swallowed back a lump and slowly straightened her shoulders. Christopher continued to throw his tantrum. Delaney slammed the car door shut, muffling his cries. She slowly started back toward Jason and Shawn. Both men watched as she came near them. Jason was waiting for her explosion of temper, and Shawn was bewildered.

Are you okay, Chief? Jason quizzed as he threw her a concerned glance.

Delaney paused, took off her hat, and ran her fingers through her black hair. She turned her attention to the fingers of her other hand. They were worrying the brim of the cowboy hat. Delaney sniffed, cleared her throat, and put the hat firmly back on her head.

Yeah, she croaked. I’m fine.

Delaney tossed a glance over her shoulder at the car Christopher was in. He had stopped his tirade. Yeah, Delaney mused, Jeanie’s gonna be pissed.

Chief, Jason prompted, interrupting her thoughts. The county is done here for tonight. They’re gonna be back tomorrow morning at eight.

We’ve got the place sealed up, Shawn added. It should be fine until morning.

Delaney nodded then drew her attention to Jason. Miller, I want you to finish out your shift parked right here. Keep your eyes on the place. Make note of any car or foot traffic that comes by here. Tell Smith to deliver his suspect to the county jail and get his butt back here to patrol the streets.

Yes, ma’am. Is there anything else?

No. I’m going to run over to Jeanie Braxton’s house, and then I’m going home. I’ll have my cell phone on and with me if you can’t reach me on the radio.

Jason nodded and then turned and jogged off. Delaney swiveled to face Shawn. She gave him an apprehensive smile. I sure would like to thank you boys for helping us out with this situation. I don’t know what we would have done without you.

Shawn returned her smile and looked a little embarrassed. It’s our pleasure. I’m just glad you’ve been so open to our helping you. You’d be amazed at how many small police forces like yours try to take on this kind of problem alone.

Delaney shook her head in disgust. I couldn’t imagine trying to tackle this alone. We don’t have the resources or the training to even begin to try.

It’s smart of you to recognize it. There are a few town police chiefs in this county who think they’re Wyatt Earp and resent our agency getting involved.

Delaney chuckled and shook her head. Yeah, I think I know who you’re talking about. They’re less like Wyatt Earp and more like Barney Fife… It’s coming up on election year for some of them. They don’t want your agency to steal their glory.

Yep, Shawn said with a sigh. That pretty much sums it up. He paused to take a breath and jerked a thumb over his shoulder toward the house that was now empty of county drug agents. Yellow police tape crisscrossed the battered front door and was strung up in the yard. It looked like a teenager’s Halloween prank had taken place in the front yard. Only, instead of toilet paper covering the lawn and house, it was yellow police tape. We’ll be back here tomorrow morning. Once we’re done getting what we need, I’ll get a report over to you.

That sounds great. I’ll make sure Miller and Smith have their paper work in order before they turn it over to you.

That would be helpful. Thank you.

Delaney nodded her head once then turned to walk to her squad car. She popped the door handle and swung it open. She paused to glance back at Shawn. He flicked a wave and smiled. She returned his wave and then gracefully slid into the car and closed the door behind her. The leather squeaked under her bottom as she settled herself. Delaney turned the key in the ignition and turned the heater up.

As she waited for the engine to warm up, Delaney glanced around the inside of the car. She was looking for a pack of Camels that didn’t exist. With a disappointed sigh, Delaney fumbled in the glove box for her pack of spearmint gum. She took the foil wrapping off a stick and popped it in her mouth. The