This Isn't Home: A Drag Shergi Mystery Collection

By Kimberly Vogel

This collection holds four of the Drag Shergi Mysteries: Wrath of the Scapegoat, Kings Queens and All Their Things, Dual Rondo on the Sharne Train, and Persona of Persuasion. Each holds a curious adventure with a supernatural twist. Drag Shergi is a private detective. It's a little twisted with the way he acts at times; due to the unusual way he sees things. Sometimes it's good; sometimes it's bad. No matter what though, things will be set right, even if help comes from the most unlikely place - the dead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781105348280

Book preview

This Isn't Home: A Drag Shergi Mystery Collection

This Isn’t Home: A Drag Shergi Mystery Collection

Copyright

Copyright © 2011 by Kimberly Vogel.

ISBN eBook 978-1-105-34828-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For additional copies refer to:

http://www.lulu.com/shakkathi

Acknowledgements

I want to thank my family and friends for supporting me.

Without you, I don’t know where I would be.

Books 9-12

Wrath of the Scapegoat

Mystery CA 09 BW

It was the call I never thought I’d get. Sure, we all have to pass on sometime, and in my line of work I see plenty of dead people, but when it is someone you know, it takes a different meaning. Ron Masters was dead. I always thought he’d outlive us all, with his attitude. I’d gotten the phone call from my old partner, Jim Starling, two days ago. Tonight was the wake. It would be a little awkward to go, as I’d been forcibly retired from the police force early in my career, but I felt I had to.

It was a warm summer evening. Though I wasn’t much for drinking, it would be a perfect night to do just that. In the part of town the wake was being held in, there was a bar next door to the church. I found it a little odd, but apparently it brought good fortune to both, so I couldn’t say anything other than that. The side doors of both were open so the two could be connected. Those who wanted to drink and carry on could be in the bar section while the calmer people could be in the church.

I wasn’t late, but I wasn’t early either. Already the church was packed with the people that Masters had touched in his fifty-two years of life. The majority of them were police officers. Many were civilians as well. There were a couple dozen people in the same situation I was in as private detectives as well. While I looked around, I noticed nearly everyone from my old unit was there. I felt a little awkward, but I walked from the entrance of the church to the pew that held them. I sat in the far corner with a faint smile.

Hey Drag, whispered a hawkish man as he slid over closer to me. It was Jim Starling. He was dressed in his usual clothes. The only thing different was a black suit jacket over the white dress shirt and black slacks. He put his hand up and adjusted the black tie. I’m glad you could make it. As he spoke, his brown eyes glanced from his tan skin. The light brown hair brushed over his cheeks. He put his hand up and brushed the strands in an attempt to go behind his ears. It didn’t stay though, rather fell back.

I didn’t have anything else to do, I replied with a weak twinge of a smile. My light blue eyes glanced around the place again. The pale silver strands of my hair fell around my light skinned face, but I had it cut back enough to keep from going in my eyes. I don’t understand how this could happen, though. My hands pulled at my black trench coat. I’d exchanged my usual white t-shirt for a dress shirt and my usual blue jeans for navy blue dress slacks. As always, I had my black boots that were all policemen’s uniform.

We don’t really understand either, said another man. While he wasn’t one of my group per say, Bour Makas had been one of my informants. Now he was a policeman. We’d managed to keep in touch somewhat over the years. He smiled as he bobbed his head. The goggle-style glasses perched on top of his short gray hair remained in place. His hand went up past his ruddy skin to make sure they did stay as his brown eyes watched me. It was sudden and violent, though. When his hand fell I took in his clothing’s appearance. It hadn’t changed. He had a black trench coat over a white dress shirt and brown dress slacks.

Oh, I replied with a frown. But, was it foul play or anything like that?

Jim simply shrugged. Even if we knew, we couldn’t tell you.

Come on, as one officer to the other asking about a friend, what happened?

Bour took a deep breath in then let it out slowly. We just don’t know. It seemed like a terrible accident brought about by old age though.

With a deepening frown I sighed while I bobbed my head. I never thought he’d die, not really.

Neither did we, replied Bour.

Anyway, listen to the service, said Jim.

The preacher stood up at the pulpit. He placed his hands on either side of the stand. He leaned lightly against it as he cleared his throat then spoke loudly. Ron Masters was a fine man. Sure like us he had his faults, but he always stuck to his beliefs. With bulldog tenacity he fought for justice in this city... He will be sorely missed.

I have to confess that I drifted off between the beginning and the end of the speech given about Masters. I was too distracted by my own thoughts. It just didn’t seem possible that Masters would be taken by accident. He had lost all his hair from the stress of work yes, but there wasn’t anything else health-wise that I could think of. He had a face whose muscles couldn’t keep up, which made his jowls flap when he got mad. The rest of his body was all packed muscle though which made up his beefy frame. With his station he didn’t have to worry about being in uniform, but he made sure his clothes were respectful to the spirit of the code.

With the conclusion of the service, it was time to walk by the casket. I stood with the others. As the rows filed into the aisle to the front, I glanced around. There were few that rivaled my height, so I could see over everyone’s head. With a deep breath taken in then let out, I waited for my turn to approach the shell of Masters that remained. I wasn’t sure where he’d gone, but I knew he’d probably have the same attitude there as here. I tried to hide a chuckle as I approached the widow and the family.

Jim Starling went first, I came next, and then Bour Makas followed. With the murmurs of apology, we all shook her hand and tried to find some way to lighten the living people’s spirits. It wouldn’t do much good, but it was the thought that counted. Once done, we continued along with the crowd from the church to the bar.

All of us were of age to drink: Jim, thirty-nine years, me, thirty-five years, and Bour, twenty-seven years. Whether or not we chose to imbibe was something else entirely. Usually I wouldn’t. I wasn’t sure about the other two. Either way, tonight was a special night. It was seven thirty: too late for dinner, but not for drinks. The mood of the place held a faint melancholy air, but we wanted to send Masters off merrily.

I sat at the bar counter. Though I probably shouldn’t join in there, I managed to slide into a stool on the end. With a slight smile, I nodded to the barkeeper. Both of my hands rested on the top.

To my right was Bour, then Jim. They were still in the force, so they were able to chat with the other police easily. A round of beers were sent off to those in the bar to join in the rousing that might wake the dead, if such a thing were possible.

I barely drank, even with the offering at parties. This time was special though. With a soft sigh, I wrapped my fingers through the handle of the mug. I lifted the glass to my lips and took a small sip. My aversion to drink was both from seeing what happened to others as well as feeling what happened to me. When I was younger the age to drink had been eighteen, but there had been laws passed to raise it to twenty-one. I’d managed to legally drink for about a year, but I hadn’t found it as fun as it seemed to be when it was forbidden. Also, the sights of ghosts and the like came tenfold.

This evening I was in such a melancholy I didn’t bother with the usual forms that the others missed. The faded figures wandered through the bar. At times they even wafted through the people on this side of the veil. For the most part I ignored them; the same could be said for the living. With a faint sigh, I took another sip of the amber liquid. My eyes flicked over to watch as my ears caught the sound of the others going into song.

Go home dear brother.

You’ve lived well in this land.

Let no more these earthly troubles worry you.

Go home to the place prepared for you.

Live freely on the other side.

Only if it is your time.

Otherwise, come back to us now.

Come back to live, dance, sing, do anything.

Don’t remain lying down, soon to be underground.

Rise up! Rise up! Rise up!

I smiled faintly as I heard the sound. With each mention of rise, I lifted my glass. There was no one beside me to clink against. Still, I lifted the glass in salute. The song would be played occasionally through the night; there was plenty of time. With a faint sigh, I lifted the glass to my lips for a deeper drink.

From the corner of my eye, I thought I caught sight of something that was unusual for this bar. There was another soul; it had a very familiar build. Even after passing, the form of the deceased could be the same as it was in life. A bar stool was on the side of the bar counter, set singly apart for the deceased. Though it was empty to many, there were a few that could see the vague outline of the spirit that settled there.

To me, it was as clear as those who were still alive. My head turned as the glass lowered. I put the mug on the counter. There was nothing I could think of to do except to stare.

With an expression I’d never seen before, Masters leaned one hand on the bar counter. His weight shifted between his arm and the leg closest to the bar. The look he gave was a mixture of amusement and sadness. Then he spoke, To think after all this time and with all you’ve seen this surprises you.

How could I not be? You were not supposed to die, I managed to reply. Then I shook my head as a small smile pulled at the corners of my lips. You’re supposed to live on, like a monument.

It was his turn to laugh. It felt odd to hear him make those noises. In our dealings, he had been rather cross with me, but I couldn’t blame him since I did everything on the furthest edge of proper protocol. He shifted from leaning on the counter to sitting on the bar stool. I suppose so. I certainly didn’t think it would have ended like this for me either. It certainly is different from this side. I can see why you were always so ornery.

The small smile returned to my lips. I lifted my hand then rubbed it through my hair before I dropped it to the countertop again. Err, yes, but I suppose I should have been more careful with it.

With age comes both experience and wisdom, Masters said with a faint nod. He watched me for a moment then circled his gaze through the room. Though, over here it doesn’t have the same meaning.

So what happened? I heard it was an accident...

No such luck, I’m afraid, he said. A scowl pulled over his lips while he shook his head. His arms curled over the counter top. At least, it wasn’t the sort of accident one usually thinks of. The others may believe that I simply died in a tragic way, but I know I was killed. Before I died, there wasn’t anyone around, but as I passed over, I could see that there was another someone, another something, there.

I see. I’m sorry either way, I replied with a quick shake of my head. But, you died in the precinct, didn’t you? How can you wander around just anywhere? Not many can leave the place of death so quickly.

I seem to be able to travel the places that I knew well, Masters replied with a slight shrug. At times the whole world blurs, but I always manage to make my way into someplace familiar.

That makes sense then, I said with a slight sigh. But I can’t do anything about it. I’m sure whoever is investigating will figure it out.

And what will they do? You can’t catch ghosts and put them on trial here. Besides, I don’t think it’s done yet.

What makes you say that? I asked as my eyes lifted from my drink to stare at him.

The precinct has been haunted. I can’t go into details. It ties in with another reason why my case was put to rest so quickly.

You’re not making much sense, I said with a sigh. My head shook while I lowered my gaze into the liquid once more. I lightly tapped my fingers on the side of the glass. But why can’t you haunt one of the people on the force? Bour has pretty good senses himself.

He doesn’t have senses like you, though, Masters said. He leaned in closer to me then quickly returned to his relaxed position. Both of his hands folded over the counter with his fingers intertwined. I’ve been talking to others over here. I had no idea. You’re something of a legend.

I coughed faintly. An expression of embarrassment overtook my features. I shifted in my seat then coughed again. I just do what I can. It gets me into more trouble than it’s worth most of the time.

And we haven’t exactly been nice about it, commented Masters. He ducked his head slightly then shook it. The heavy flesh over his face jiggled slightly. I have to say to you Drag, I’m sorry about what I put you through.

Don’t worry about it, I said with a slight smile. That’s all in the past.

I know I have no right to ask you for this, but would you please help me?

You know what I want to say.

Yes, but please, would you reconsider? I can’t say it won’t make a mess for you, but I have to ask. Will you help?

I shook my head. There are times when one has to put their foot down. I have to say it: no.

He took a deep breath in then let it go. With a slight shake of his head, Masters lifted from the stool. Please reconsider, he repeated, But I understand your reluctance. I’ll try someone else. From beside me, he wandered from the side of the bar counter into the crowd beyond.

At the heavy expression his face took, I felt my heart twist. I had to be firm though. It would only cause more trouble if I went into the police station now to ask questions about his death. I knew everyone would have a fit. I’d have to go about it very carefully, even in casual conversation.

Drag, you haven’t said much.

Hmm? I murmured as I cast my gaze from the faded vision to the solid one beside me. Sorry Jim, I just find it a bit hard to concentrate.

I know, Master’s death has shaken us all, he replied with a sigh. Taking the seat closest to me, he leaned in on his elbows.

So what happened? You were so vague on the phone...

He had a heart attack. It was in the precinct in one of the interrogation rooms. We don’t know how no one noticed until it was too late, Jim dropped his head into his palm. His body shifted on the seat. I can’t imagine how it must have felt to be so helpless. We were right there, but no one noticed...

Sometimes things like that just happen. There’s no way to know when, if, or how. Sometimes it’s more than an accident though.

Jim nodded along with me until he noticed the last of my speech. With a slight scowl, he shook his head. Don’t start making something out of nothing. Master’s death was an accident, no more.

Sorry, I replied with a quick shake of my head. I didn’t mean to start something.

Just don’t talk about the end of his life, Jim said with his head pulled in a shake once more. Only talk about his life and the good things.

Yes, and again, I’m sorry.

Jim simply nodded. His body lifted from the slumped position to gaze around the room. He watched the wake, blissful of the turmoil in and around the occupants. The only thing he noticed was when one of the officers got a bit more than tolerably drunk.

There were a fair number of those through the night. It was no wonder, considering the situation. I thought about just leaving as well, but it wouldn’t do so well to just disappear. I’d done that so many times while Masters was alive. I didn’t want to miss out on time with the people I knew, even if my fear now came from a different place. As the bar cleared out, I craned my neck in search of more familiar faces.

Two faces came into view. Oddly enough, they were dressed in special outfits that looked quite similar. There was a gold vest on top then a black plaid skirt on the female and a black plaid trouser on the male. Since both of them worked in the station and didn’t go out, it was acceptable for them to be in a singularly different uniform.

The female tilted her head so she could look at me. Since I haunted her section of the police station quite often, she recognized me right away. A smirk pulled on her lips while she rested her tan cheek in her hand. There was a bit of a booze haze over her blue eyes, but other than that she didn’t appear affected by it. Even her pale orange hair remained pulled back in a perfect bun.

I smiled and gave a small wave while I spoke, Hey. It took me a bit too long to remember her name, but I did, Michelle Nikk. My eyes turned next to the male beside her. I thought I recognized him as well.

The male waved his arm. He was one of the receptionists at the front desk of the police station. The alcohol seemed to have gotten to him more than the other officer. His short blonde hair was plastered on his forehead. Thankfully the rest of his hair was clipped close to his pale skin. He had brown eyes that kept going in and out of focus. Yo, Drag, Drag Shergi, what’s up?

I chuckled faintly as I watched him. His name came up quicker than hers, which in a bit of a way was good. Not much Gavin, Gavin Mick. What’s up with you?

I am- I am special.

I blinked while Michelle giggled. She shook her head then leaned over to poke at his shoulder. Yes, you are. The two of them were around the same age. Michelle was older by a few months, but as of now she was thirty-three and he was thirty-two. Her height was the bigger difference though. She was five feet eight inches tall while he was five feet tall exactly.

I blinked again then chuckled while I shook my head. It might be a dirty tactic, but inebriated people were easier to get information out of. Err, yes you are Gavin. Hey Michelle, how are you?

I am- Well, as good as I can be, she replied with a lopsided smile.

I nodded faintly. I know the feeling. Do you want to go? Can you go safely?

No, I want to sit here for a bit longer, Michelle replied as her smile turned to a frown.

I bobbed my head again then gestured to one of the seats near them. The table had a booth style seat on three sides then a chair on the fourth side. May I sit with you for a bit then?

Sure! Gavin spoke up. He threw both of his arms up. Quite soon they fell down again. His torso followed so both arms curled over the table top with his face planted in the hollow between.

I chuckled while I sat. Thanks, I said with a slight nod. I’d left my beer at the bar counter, but I didn’t need it. Such a shame about what happened to Masters, isn’t it?

While Gavin bobbed his head in his arms with a hiccup shaking his form, Michelle spoke, Yes it is.

Jim didn’t tell me much. He was too upset. What happened?

It was horrible, The woman said while she shook her head. She stopped the motion to watch Gavin then me as she continued to speak, He was alone in one of the interview rooms. He had a heart attack. The scariest thing was, though, that on his face - when the medics found him - it looked like he was scared to death, rather than in pain.

Strange, I said with a soft frown. I shook my head. Then I smiled softly as I put my hand out to gently brush a finger against hers. That’s terrible. I know he and I were at odds, but I respected him greatly.

Yes, it is horrible. No doubt they’ll promote someone to take his place, but it’ll never be the same.

I nodded then leaned over to brush my hand over hers a bit more. While I did, Gavin swung out one arm. I could tell he was annoyed with my comforting gesture. It was perhaps too much since I hadn’t developed that close of a relationship with Michelle. I took my hand back then coughed softly. Yes, but who would be better than him? I can’t think of many that were like him.

Neither can I.

Anyway, let’s go, Gavin lifted his head. It lolled slightly to the side while he gazed up at Michelle. He ignored me, but I could see why. I think he had a bit of a crush on her. No more talk of sad things.

I agree. It’d be best to go to sleep, rest up for the upcoming day, I spoke up. With a smile I lifted from my chair. Both of my hands gestured, though neither of the officers took them in reply.

Yes, I believe we’ll need a taxi though, Michelle spoke with a soft laugh. She hurried out of the booth. With her arm curled under Gavin’s she helped him wander out of the booth. She held him while they both wandered through the bar.

I’ll help you get one, I said as I followed after them.

Thankfully, there were many out and about. It was a common time for many bars to be closing. With a good portion of the police force mourning, the cabbies knew many would need rides home. The yellow and black checkered vehicles ran like buzzing bees up and down the street.

I flagged one down. Once I made sure that both Michelle and Gavin were inside, I stepped back. With a slight smile, I closed the door then waved as the taxi cab pulled off. Both of my hands slid into the pockets of my slacks. I remained there for a time. Others went to pass me by so they could take a ride home. I might have been able to go, but I wanted to clear my head before I made another move.

Above me, the street lights flickered like fireflies against scrunched velvet. My head tilted to the side as my pale blue eyes glanced from one shining point to another. The artificial lights made the natural lights hard to see. With a deep breath taken in then let out, I turned to step along the sidewalk. Each strike of my sole brought a faint echo as an undertone to the loud city streets.

I turned from the busy streets of the business section of town to wander along the sidewalk closer to where I lived. My part of town was more office buildings and warehouses rather than shops. I hadn’t moved from there since I set up my office. The place at 222C Ambient Way had both a front room that I could use to greet clients in and a back room that I could use to sleep in. There were few visitors. The ones I had either sought me out, or I bumped into them other places in town. It was rather lonely, but with my condition it was better that way.

I barely glanced back when I arrived at my building. Not many came this way, so I hadn’t expected to see anyone following me. It didn’t seem that there was anyone today either. So I went inside then up the stairs to the second floor. With a small yawn, I walked to my door. I glanced back. No one was there. I fished in my pocket for my key. Once it was out and in the lock, I opened my door and wandered inside. The door was locked from the inside. Then I continued on to go through the first room.

It was pretty simple in set up. There was coat tree by the door. Over on one wall was a window. The opposite wall had a bookcase and file cabinet set side by side against it. Closer to that wall there was the same battered desk I’d had when I first moved in. The chair behind the desk wasn’t the same, since the piece had broken down a couple times so I had to get a new one every so often. I didn’t have much. Over the years the furniture changed a few times, but not enough that anyone besides me would have noticed. In the second room the wall had a sink. A closet was set in the wall as well. There was a bed as well, but it was not much more than a simple frame. I had a small dresser-like stand next to my bed.

Since it was a warm summer night, I didn’t need to do anything fancy for bed. I simply stripped and dove into the sheets. I was too tired to do much. When the morning came, I pulled on a t-shirt and boxers for covering. There was a communal bathroom down the hallway; I grabbed what I needed and hurried in there. I smelled a bit like the bar I’d been in. When I left the bathroom, I both smelled and felt much better. I hurried back to my place. Once inside, I dressed in a new white t-shirt and clean blue jeans. Though I could have dressed in more revealing clothes, I didn’t feel like being in something besides my usual pieces. The only real differences between my summer and winter clothes were the thicknesses of the fabric.

Since it was morning, I didn’t need my trench coat. I didn’t need any coat at all really. I filled my pockets with my usual necessities. The coat was nice to have the extra set of pockets in, but it could be cumbersome. I didn’t want to be held down. Once I was sure I had everything I needed, I wandered from the building I lived in back to the business district. Breakfast was my first thought.

There were a few restaurants scattered through town, but the majority of them were placed together so there was a hub set between the regular shopping and the residence districts. There was another part of the business district that bordered the restaurants. There were many streets there to border between them and the library, police station, jail, and other government buildings.

There were so many restaurants that it was easy to go into a new one every day for a month. That didn’t include the street vendors. Since it was summer they were out in full force. I had a hard time choosing, but the one I decided to go after this time had scrambled eggs and diced sausage in a bread bowl. There were more choices, but I picked this set because it felt good at the time.

I nibbled on the side of it while I wandered around the restaurant district. I hadn’t any thought on where I wanted to go. I just wanted to keep moving. I had to think of something to do that would distract me from what I learned last night. It would be hard, since I noticed the police presence more now than I had before.

Each officer who walked a beat had their own corner of town. Since we were a smaller town, it didn’t need more than one walking at a time, but at times their paths crossed. It was necessary for their safety. They checked in on the phones simultaneously. If both didn’t then a car would be sent to check on what happened to them.

I hurriedly finished off the breakfast meal. My eyes darted around while I took in the sights. There were plenty of people around in the summer. Most of the schools were closed, though some remained open for special classes. At this time of day those attending school would be traveling to get there. It was the same for those who worked in the nine to five jobs. Most of the other people with jobs were already at work. A small portion of those who worked wouldn’t show up for a longer time. Maybe I could blend in with the crowd.

My height was a bit of a problem with that plan. One of the beat cops caught my eye. I recognized him. The uniform was rather simple with a dark gray trench coat over a white dress shirt and dark navy slacks. Sometimes the females wore long skirts. The foot coverings were black boots. This