The Fighter

by Elin Peer

  Cameron lifted his hand with a coffee cup in it. “How is that even possible? Did he go to the Motherlands? Where would he find a woman to cheat with?”

  “Her name is Gennie and the wife found her husband in bed with her.”

  “Wait a minute, that has to be Storm’s wife.”

  “Storm who?” Cameron asked.

  “Storm. I went to school with him and he married some wacko woman from the Motherlands.”

  “Maybe your friend should have kept a better eye on his woman.”

  Raven was waving her hands. “No, no, they aren’t married anymore. She divorced him last year.”

  “Then why is she still here?” I asked.

  Raven lifted her shoulders in a shrug signaling that she had no idea. “It’s lucky for her that most women here don’t have fight training. If she had been with my husband, the bitch would’ve been dead.”

  To call a woman a bitch was not done, and I gave Raven a reproachful glance while Cameron focused on another detail of what Raven had said.

  “You plan to have a tournament, Raven?”

  Raven wrinkled up her nose. “Not a chance.”

  “Then why did you mention that if she’d been with your husband, she would have been dead?”

  “I’m not saying that I’ll never marry. Just that I’m not having a tournament. And why would I? I don’t need a strong warrior when I can take care of myself.”

  With a snort, I crossed my arms. “Are you saying you want a weak husband?”

  “No.”

  “Then what?”

  Raven mirrored me and crossed her own arms. “The right man for me will be someone I can laugh with and who will support me and my dreams the same way I’ll support him.”

  “Hmm.” I frowned because I understood her comment about laughter was aimed at me. Raven had called me stiff and boring plenty of times. “Well, good luck finding that while I go find a solution to this mess.”

  I was walking out of the room when I heard Cameron talking to Raven behind me. “I’ve been supportive, haven’t I?”

  The man was twenty years her senior and a strong warrior in his own right. We could all see how he had fallen for Raven, but I didn’t think any of us stood a chance with her. Still, I slowed my step, wanting to hear her answer.

  “Yes, Cam, you’ve been supportive with my fight training, but I’m still stuck in the basement sorting files that no one really cares about. That’s not exactly my dream of police work.”

  The door closed behind me before I could hear any more. My head was spinning as I kept thinking about something one of Raven’s friends had once told me. She grows on you.

  After my initial strong attraction to Raven when I first met her, I hadn’t wanted the job as her mentor. It was one thing to admire an unattainable woman from afar, but working with her was a nightmare. I had little experience with women in general, and having responsibility for her safety had me worrying all the time. My life had been much easier and more uncomplicated before she got the crazy idea of joining the police, but at least I’d been able to use my irritation to suppress my attraction to her. The fact that she was annoying and disrespectful had pushed me to act cold and hostile to her.

  So why was Raven the first thing I thought about in the morning? Why did I wonder if she would come to work wearing her hair up or down? Why did I stand close enough to see if I could smell her perfume? And why did the days when she didn’t poke fun at me feel longer than the rest?

  I didn’t have time to ponder about it when I had a historic case waiting for me. Under normal circumstances, I would call in the Doom Squad in cases of domestic violence, but with a female aggressor that seemed like overkill. We men of the North believed in “an eye for an eye” but it wasn’t like we could beat up a woman or cut off her nonexistent penis. I would have to come up with something else, but what?

  When an idea struck me, I pivoted around and walked back into the station.

  “Raven, come here.”

  Popping her head around the corner, she looked at me. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “You said you wanted action, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then you’re coming with me.”

  Raven beamed as if I had just told her Christmas would now be celebrated four times a year. “For real?”

  “Hurry.” I spun around again and had made it a few steps outside when I heard her running footsteps behind me. “What about a jacket?”

  “You told me to hurry, so I just ran.”

  “It’s raining.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “That’s because you have no clue what police work is. We might be standing outside in the rain for hours interviewing people.” I pointed to the door behind us. “Get your jacket, right now.”

  “Yes sir, Inspector.” Raven sprinted inside and returned a minute later with a jacket in her hand.

  I was already by the drone. “Get in and let’s go.”

  Climbing in with eagerness on her face, Raven buckled up. “You know, it’s kind of sweet when you think about it.”

  “What is?”

  “You telling me to get my jacket. It’s like you care about me or something.”

  “I don’t.”

  “Not even a little?”

  “I’m your mentor. It’s my job to teach you stuff, that’s all.”

  “I’m still going to choose to think that you care about me.”

  I sighed. “Do you want me to leave you here?”

  “No, of course not. I want to come.”

  “Then stop talking about me caring about you. It’s a fantasy.”

  “What about Mila? Do you care about her?”

  “Raven.” There was a warning in my tone.

  “All right, all right, I’ll be quiet now.”

  “Good.”

  It took us twenty-five minutes to get to the crime scene, where a young uniformed officer who couldn’t have been out of the academy for more than a few years came to shake my hand. “Nice to meet you, Inspector, we spoke on the phone.”

  “You’re Officer Flannigan.”

  “Yes, sir.” His eyes kept going to Raven but for some reason, I didn’t want to introduce him to her. I should have known it wouldn’t matter, because she spoke up anyway.

  “I’m Raven. The first female police officer.”

  Flannigan smiled. “I’ve heard of you.”

  “You’re not an officer, yet,” I reminded her in a dry voice and walked into the house. “Where’s the husband and wife?”

  Flannigan was right on my heels, eager to answer my questions. “They went to the hospital.”

  “Both of them?” I turned.

  “Yes.” Officer Flannigan pointed down to his crotch. “The husband was bleeding severely after she tried to… You know.”

  “Yes, I know.” I had phantom pains in my crotch just from thinking about it. There was no need to repeat what she had done.

  “How bad was the wife hurt?”

  “She wasn’t hurt at all, sir.”

  Lowering my brow, I moved through the living room and into the bedroom. The torn bedsheet told a story of a fight and the bloodstains revealed how severe it had been.

  “Why did the wife go to the hospital if she wasn’t hurt?”

  “She was in remorse over hurting her husband and he wanted her to come.”

  “Why didn’t you arrest her?”

  “Because he didn’t want to press charges, sir.” Flannigan had a big question mark on his face. “I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Hmm. Is this the couple’s house?”

  “No. It’s the residency of Gennie Manning, the woman he slept with. Not sure how his wife knew he was here, but she must have suspected what was going on since she walked right in.”

  “And where is Gennie now?”

  “She’s in the kitchen, sir.” He pointed out the bedroom door. “It’s right through the living room.”

  At first glance, Gennie Manning was
an attractive woman, with symmetrical features and high cheekbones. She sat on a chair with her knees pulled up in front of her and a blanket wrapped around her body. Her hair was wild, making me conclude that her lover’s wife had yanked at it, and there was a long scratch on her jaw.

  “Oh, great, more police.”

  “My name is Leo da Vinci. I’m an inspector and I deal with domestic violence cases.”

  Gennie gave him a bored glance. “I didn’t do anything. You should go and talk to that crazy woman who attacked me.”

  “I will, but first you need to tell me exactly what happened.”

  “Just talk to him, I already explained everything.” When she lifted a hand to point at Flannigan the blanket fell over her shoulder and revealed that she wasn’t wearing a shirt underneath.

  I averted my gaze, pulled a chair over in front of her, and sat down. “Take me through it anyway.”

  “All right. If you insist. Nigel and I have been seeing each other for a while and then today we were in my bedroom when suddenly his wife barged in and started screaming at us.”

  “Were you having sex?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did she attack you physically?”

  “Yes and no.”

  I waited for her to elaborate.

  “She had this crazy look in her eyes and a knife in her hand. Nigel was on top of me and he got up from the bed to calm her down, but she just grabbed for his penis with one hand and the next thing I saw was her hand with the knife coming down.”

  “And then what?”

  “He was shocked, and he just stood there looking down at his bleeding penis with disbelief. I think she would’ve attacked him again if I hadn’t intervened.”

  “How did you intervene?”

  “I threw things at her and shouted at her to get out. I think she was in shock too from the sight of all the blood on her husband because she threw the knife down.”

  “Did she leave then?”

  “No. She was crying and yelling about trust and loyalty. Calling her a psycho probably wasn’t a good idea, because she came for me and we ended up fighting on the bed.” Gennie touched her head. “She tore out my hair.”

  “Did you fight back?”

  “Of course I did. I was scared. That’s why I asked my home-bot to call the police.”

  “I understand that you got divorced from your husband last year. Who is your protector now?”

  There was a shift in energy from Gennie, who let the blanket fall a little further down her arm and leaned forward. “Whomever I choose for the day of the week.”

  I pulled back, narrowing my eyes. “And they let you?”

  “It’s not like I give them a choice. I’m an adult woman, and I don’t need anyone’s permission to live my life the way I choose to.”

  My eyes found Raven’s and I could see the eagerness radiating from her. With a small nod I signaled that she was allowed to ask questions too.

  “How do you afford to live in a house like this?”

  “I have an entrepreneurial mind. Why would I settle for one man when I can have many who want to impress me and buy me things?” While she spoke, Gennie’s fingers toyed with a gold necklace.

  Raven stood with her feet spread. “But if you’re not going to marry any of them, then you’re just using them.”

  “Nonsense, I’m being very generous with myself. As I see it, I have lots of love to give, and I’m spreading it out. Because of me, more than twenty Nmen can say they’ve been with a real woman. I look at it as a modern form of philanthropy.” Gennie gave us an overbearing smile. “I’m simply feeding the hungry.”

  Raven lowered herself to the edge of a small dining table, still facing Gennie. “Interesting, and what are you getting in return?”

  Gennie rose up in her seat and pushed her jaw out, making her look defensive. “I’m getting variety and fun. I’ve been married, and I’m not interested in living with one of them.” As she said the last word, she made a nod with her head to me.

  “I know your husband. Storm and I went to school together and he’s a good man.”

  “He’s a pig who couldn’t clean up after himself and who would fart and burp with me in the room.”

  Raven didn’t look disgusted. Instead she answered in a dry tone. “Sounds human to me.”

  “Yeah, maybe, but he was over-possessive and we fought a lot.”

  “From what I heard, you two fought because you kept flirting with other men.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? Storm annoyed me while all these other men loved me. I’m telling you, woman to woman, don’t ever marry one of them. You’re much better off letting them love you with no strings attached.”

  “Really?”

  Gennie gave Raven a sly smile. “You wouldn’t want to eat in the same restaurant for the rest of your life, would you?”

  I didn’t like where this conversation was going and moved in my seat.

  “Men aren’t restaurants.” Raven’s tone was defensive.

  “To me they are. Each one tastes different and I sate my hunger when I’m with them.”

  I almost jerked a little when Gennie returned her attention to me. It was like a transformation happening right in front of my eyes when her eyes became hooded, her face tilted to one side, and her smile became soft.

  “You look appetizing. Maybe I should sample you?”

  I shifted in my seat. “Um, what did you say?”

  Gennie was looking straight into my eyes, now, and speaking with a sultry voice. “Have you ever been kissed by a woman?”

  “No.”

  She leaned a little closer. “Would you like to?”

  My eyes were staring at her lips as I tried to make my brain work.

  “That’s enough, Gennie, back the fuck off.” Raven rose to her full height and came to stand next to me.

  “There’s no need to be vulgar.”

  “If you want to sleep with a thousand Nmen, go for it. I really don’t give a shit but pick someone else.”

  Gennie broke into a small chuckle that sounded fake. “I see the Northlands rubbed off on you. Look at you swearing and being possessive.”

  “That’s right, and you know what else I learned here?” Raven had a challenging glint in her eyes as she looked down on Gennie. “I learned to kick ass and since I’m not a man I won’t be held to the same laws. I could literally beat you up and not go to jail for it.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “I’m educating you! Stay away from married men and get yourself under control.”

  Gennie’s eyes darted between me and Raven, and even though she appeared to look calm, it was a telling sign that her fingers were fiddling with that necklace of hers again. “My mistake. I didn’t realize he was your husband.”

  Raven placed her hands on her hips. “What Leo is or isn’t is none of your concern. Touch him and I’ll break your arms.”

  I rose up from my chair. “Raven, calm down.”

  “I am calm.”

  “Is this interrogation over now?” Gennie pulled the blanket back over her shoulder and looked away.

  “Yes. You didn’t commit any crime, but I’m warning you: you’re playing with fire. Gennie, our culture isn’t like the one you know back in the Motherlands. You are lucky that none of your lovers have killed each other yet.”

  Gennie didn’t respond to my warning.

  “Let’s go, Raven.” Placing my hand on the small of her back, I pushed her forward. It was unheard of for an unmarried man to touch a woman, but that rule was suspended with Raven during fight training, and as her mentor, I felt closer to her than most.

  We had only just taken off in the drone when I turned to her. “What the hell was that about? You’ll break her arms if she touches me?”

  Raven was looking straight ahead. “We were supposed to do our job, but you lost focus.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “You were literally drooling.”

  “I was surprised, that’
s all. She said I looked appetizing.”

  Raven rolled her eyes.

  “What? You can’t blame me for wondering if she might have…”

  “Might have what?”

  “Tell me honestly, do you think she would’ve slept with me?”

  “Of course. Didn’t you hear her? She’s on a mission to spread her love by feeding the hungry Nmen, and you definitely qualify. Anyone can see that you’re love deprived.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It would explain why you’re always so serious.” Raven’s voice rose a little, as she crossed her arms and turned to face the other way. “You know what, on second thought, why don’t you take Gennie up on her generous offer and bang her brains out? Maybe then I won’t have to deal with you being grumpy all the time.”

  For some reason her little outburst made my day. “Sorry, Raven, but I’m pretty sure your threats ruined my chances with Gennie.”

  “And now you want me to apologize?”

  “Nah, it’s fine, she wasn’t my type anyway.”

  In a slow movement Raven turned to look at me. “She wasn’t?”

  “No.” I was waiting for her to ask me what my type was, but Raven chose to swallow her endless curiosity and change the subject to the husband and wife. “What’s going to happen to her?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll have to discuss this with Magni after we have talked with the couple. If the husband refuses to press charges, there’s not much I can do. We’ve never had a situation like this before.”

  “Another ‘first’ in the Northlands.”

  “Yup, they seem to be standing in line these days.

  CHAPTER 7

  Treasure Hunting

  Raven

  Mila enlisted both her dad, Magni, and her uncle, Khan, to go searching with us for Dina’s belongings in the basement.

  So much for my secret investigation!

  I had wanted it to be just Mila and me, but she made a good point that Magni and Khan might be able to recognize Dina’s possessions, and that the more sets of eyes, the better our chance of success.

  To be honest I was surprised that the two most powerful men in the country took time out of their day to do this with us. It strengthened my feeling that Dina might be gone, but not forgotten. Finding answers to how their sister died was important.