by Renée Jaggér
Douglas nodded. “Tell me everything, but first, sleep. Houndsinn’s PR people reached out after we got separated. They want an interview with you tomorrow morning at ten. You’ll have to take part of the day off, Morgan.” He gave me a gentle, encouraging smile. “Tomorrow, we go into the real battle.”
I took a deep breath.
The studio lights were almost blinding. How the hell were people used to this? I straightened, adjusting the skirt and blazer Mum had picked out for me. I hadn’t expected to give an interview. I had expected Reginald Houndsinn, the most prestigious, wealthy, and charismatic individual in the area, to grant me a twenty-minute meeting but nothing more. I had come prepared to be precise, not to talk for an hour. Don’t get me wrong; I was elated, but after the night I’d had, it was difficult to focus.
I searched for the power within me. Help me out here, I requested. Some said Reginald Houndsinn had influence over everyone, but perhaps with the Way of Kings, I could influence him.
I smiled, prepared to answer his next question. I had been sent a script to study but had not had enough time to read it while Douglas drove me to the site from which the interview would be live-streamed. Houndsinn sat across from me on a plush white sofa. I was terrified to touch white furniture. What a stupid idea. It gets dirty so quickly, I thought, then redirected my focus.
Houndsinn was looking at me while his PR people and cameramen stood around us. There were many of them, but at least they were wearing masks. Houndsinn and I were not, but he sat six feet away from me. He was a tall, slender man with a sun-kissed complexion and a neatly trimmed white mustache. His ice-blue eyes glittered at me as he flashed a too-white smile.
Let’s just get to the Q&A, I thought. That part I did have some control over, at least. So far, I had been asked who I was and what my profession involved. I had given him details about what had happened at the council flats, though some of them were made up. This wasn’t a show to make jokes on, and even though killing six phouka was no joke to me, there was no way in hell anyone else here would take it seriously. I explained Morgan’s Murder and what my intentions were for it.
Everything was going well so far, but I was itching to bring up what mattered to me the most. I hadn’t killed a dozen phouka, their goblin overlord, and a tree last night for nothing, I thought, bitterness rising within me. The wolf, my ally who had defended me, hadn’t died for no reason. I noticed my posture had stiffened, so I tried to relax and hide my eagerness to get to the last portion of the interview.
At last, Reginald Houndsinn clapped his hands. “Well, we thank you, Angelica Morgan, for making us aware of some of the issues our community faces.” He laughed, his eyes dancing with easy charm. I was warming to the billionaire faster than I wanted. His charisma leaked off him onto everyone else. How the hell was I supposed to compete with that, even with my power? Another thought came to me. I didn’t have to compete. I just had to do enough.
“Let’s open the rest of our time up to Q&A from our community!” Reginald announced. “If you’re watching this, pop your questions into the comments, and our own Crow Lady will choose.”
I hated the term “Crow Lady,” especially when someone was saying it in a serious tone. We’ll have to fix that, I thought. I focused on scanning the questions as they popped up on the screen across from us. I was searching for one name and one name only. Any day now, I thought, groaning mentally. At last, Douglas’ question popped up.
My name is Douglas. I’m a local activist who pays attention to the people funding our businesses and hospitals. I understand you’ve spoken to Samuel Alpine but had a less than pleasant experience. How does he aid what you’re doing right now?
This morning, Douglas had strategically posted how Samuel Alpine, an entrepreneur with whom I had met, had been less than willing to help. This had enraged many plugged into the group by the time we made it to the interview.
I mustered what I hoped was a pleasing smile as I directed my power at Reginald Houndsinn. I could not influence the hundreds of people watching, but if I could influence Houndsinn, he could sway those watching. “This local activist presents a good point,” I stated.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Houndsinn’s PR team shuffled forward, alarm in their expressions. I heard one murmur, “Perhaps we should do a different question, sir?”
Reginald waved them off and allowed me to continue. The Way of Kings was working. I forged ahead. “As many of you know, I posted this morning about how I met with CEO Samuel McAlpine just last week. He wasn’t very willing to listen to me talk about what I have experienced firsthand in the medical field.” I withdrew a folder with Douglas’ evidence within. “After doing some digging, we’ve discovered that the thugs in the council flats the night I went there were sent to infiltrate the area and destroy it by McAlpine.”
Houndsinn leaned forward, his interest piqued. I just had to hold it. “He did this to bring upheaval to the area. Rundown places are slated for urban renewal, meaning if he can get his hands in the real estate market, he has room to make even more money.” I smiled at the billionaire across from me. “I know you understand entrepreneurial skill, Mr. Houndsinn, but unethical behavior requires accountability.” I handed him the folder. The PR people were shifting, clearly preparing to shut this down, but Reginald was interested in what I had to say.
He flipped through the folder, and a flame of triumph ignited within me. After a long moment that might have felt like an eternity on the live stream, he looked up, his eyes carrying a sadness I had not expected. “You’re right. This cannot stand.”
I fought to keep my expression neutral. “What do you plan to do, then?”
Reginald leaned back, laying his beringed fingers on the folder I had handed him. “Sounds like you and I need to have a much longer conversation than I expected.”
I didn’t have to press my ear to the heavy oak doors to hear what was being said behind them. My hearing had improved with my power, and the people beyond the door were not keeping their voices down. I could distinguish their words without a problem. Well, for the most part. Douglas interrupted every minute or so.
“How many are in there?”
“Shhh,” I hissed. “I’m trying to figure that out.” Even McAlpine’s secretary was inside his office, leaving me free to listen at the door without surveillance. I glanced at a camera across the room and stuck my tongue out at it. If McAlpine was watching me, he didn’t care right now.
From our secluded spot on the street, Douglas and I had seen a dozen men and women dressed in business attire enter the building. “He must have seen the interview,” I mused. “He called a quick meeting with all the directors of the companies he oversees, it looks like.” I had watched Simon Lorne enter with the others.
Now, as I stood with my ear pressed to the door, I hoped Simon wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire. He had left ten voice messages on my phone. I hadn’t had time to answer.
Douglas sighed into my earpiece. “Any moment would be a great time for you to tell me what the hell is going on.”
I smirked, knowing that Douglas’ fingers were poised over a laptop keyboard, prepared to update our followers in Morgan’s Murder. The group had been buzzing since the interview with Reginald Houndsinn a couple of hours ago. He had agreed to meet me here, but he was taking a hell of a long time.
That was all right. It gave me more time to gather intel. I felt like a regular Nancy Drew as I sleuthed my way into McAlpine’s office. I had left my disguises behind. I would be Crow Lady today and the Morrigan inside.
At last, I heard Samuel McAlpine’s voice address his audience. “I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that Reginald Houndsinn and I are on perfectly good terms. I spoke with him just an hour ago, and we cleared up the whole thing. There has simply been an enormous misunderstanding between the Morgan woman and the philanthropic trust.”
“Misunderstanding” was one way of putting it. Indignation swelled within me. McAlpine was down, and he
knew it. His Redcap was gone and his tree was destroyed, leaving him magicless. There was a small part of me that worried I hadn’t done it right. Then, remembering the wolf in my trunk, I knew I had completed the destruction.
I shoved the memory away. Focus, Ang.
McAlpine had lied. Houndsinn hadn’t been in contact with him as far as I knew, but then, I had left the interview to come here. My rage simmered to the surface but did not break through. I related to Douglas over the earpiece what McAlpine had just said.
Douglas answered, “Hmph,” and I guessed he was shaking his head as his fingers danced over the keyboard.
“Work your magic, Velez. Our community needs you.”
“Not any more than they need you, Morgan.” He paused. “You’ve done a damn good job so far.”
I smiled but suppressed a laugh so I wouldn’t be heard. “Why, thank you. You know, you’re not as much of a cranky partner in crime anymore.”
Douglas did not answer, but it didn’t matter since someone else stepped into the lobby. I straightened to greet Reginald Houndsinn. His charming smile and glittering gaze had vanished, replaced by cold intent. He nodded a greeting to me. “Thank you for everything, Ms. Morgan. We will rid ourselves of this nasty business today.”
I gave him a reassuring smile. “He’s in a meeting right now.”
Houndsinn didn’t care. He pushed past me, opened the oak double doors, and strode in. I followed at his heels. Perhaps I was the wolf in this scenario, but this time, I was okay with it. I’d sink my teeth into McAlpine and draw his money-filled blood.
Mr. Money Man started, recognition crossing his features as his eyes lighted on the billionaire in his office. His eyes then slid to me for a second, and in that tiny window of time, fear flickered in them. He regained his composure, however, as his gaze met Houndsinn’s. He extended a hand. “Look! Just what I said, here’s Reginald himself.” McAlpine’s smile grew broader, and he tried to embrace Houndsinn. The billionaire fixed McAlpine with a cold stare and gave him a stiff handshake.
“I’m glad to see you’ve called your directors here,” Houndsinn said, flashing his too-white smile at those present. I studied the faces of the directors. They looked nothing short of bewildered.
Finally, I caught Simon’s gaze, and he started. His lips parted as if to say something, but I gave him a look that said, “I’ll explain later.” How much I would explain was still up for debate, but he did deserve to be given a reason for why I had skipped work and showed up here with the wealthiest man in the area.
Houndsinn continued, “You saved me some trouble by having them here already.” He laughed. “I don’t have to make as many phone calls now.”
I watched McAlpine’s expression shutter and his smile falter. The color drained out of his face. “I-I was just explaining to them our continued good faith, and—”
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, waiting to pounce, but Houndsinn started before I could. “You saved me some trouble, but you’ve caused a whole hell of a lot more.” The billionaire’s amusement faded as every pair of eyes in the room fixed on him. “Why don’t you explain to your directors exactly what you’ve been doing here?”
McAlpine stuttered. “I-I don’t know what you’re referring to, Regin—”
Houndsinn’s cold stare made McAlpine’s voice trail off. Houndsinn shrugged and turned to the directors. “Would any of you like to share if you’ve had difficulty with McAlpine funding your business?”
To my delight, Simon cleared his throat. “Yes, actually. I’ve had quite some difficulty.” As Simon dove into explaining all that had occurred in the past several months with not being able to get funds for hiring at the hospital, I looked on, pride swelling within me. Satisfied warmth surged through me. That’s the man I knew in Haiti, I thought, standing up and telling the truth.
My thoughts paused as Simon turned to look at me, then motioned me forward. “When I brought Angelica Morgan with me to discuss with Mr. McAlpine what we needed, he didn’t even listen to us. Angelica can attest to that.”
I nodded. “Everything Dr. Lorne says is true.”
This seemed to provide the impetus some of the other directors needed to speak up.
I watched McAlpine’s face as others explained their troubles to Houndsinn. His cheeks flushed crimson, and his eyes watered with fury. At last, the billionaire turned back to Money Man. “Any defense you want to make before I kick you out of your job?”
Flustered, McAlpine tried to explain, but he could barely pull the words out of his brain. “Well…well, yes, I have done some things, but you yourself, sir, have benefitted from my investments. You never complained about what was going into your pockets.”
Ah, so we’re going to shift blame then, are we? Am I next? As I thought this, McAlpine turned on me, wagging a finger in my direction. “An-and that girl! She’s been nosing her way into everything from the beginning!”
My brow rose, and I gave him an incredulous look. “You’re lucky I didn’t know from the beginning, sir. I would have made sure we got to this point much faster.” I noticed Simon’s grin out of the corner of my eye.
I glanced at him and grinned back. Turns out being a spitfire was just what we needed, I told him silently.
I looked at Houndsinn just as his eyes lifted to mine. I gave him a slight nod, encouraging his response. The billionaire nodded. “I did not complain about the money, but I should have been looking closer at what you were doing, McAlpine.” He turned to look at the directors, sincerity in his eyes. “I promise that from this point on, I will be more focused on the needs of the communities. A new director will replace McAlpine, and I will be in close and constant contact.”
A smile pulled at my lips. The directors looked at one another in shock. One stood up and approached Houndsinn with an extended hand. “Th-thank you, sir. We will benefit very much from such a change.”
Houndsinn smiled. “McAlpine will be replaced by someone who understands the system and will serve the community and company with honor. This is a promise I am making to each of you.” With those words, the billionaire gave me a long, meaningful look and smiled.
I had forgotten Douglas was listening until through my earpiece, I heard him say, “Congratulations, Morgan.”
Chapter Twenty
“The Dawn breaks anew. Here she comes: the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars. Together, they have waged war, and together, they will meet their end.”
—Song of the Sundering
I stood with Reginald Houndsinn as the directors left McAlpine’s office.
“Score,” I murmured to Douglas. He did not respond, but I didn’t need to see him to know he was grinning from ear to ear. “Feels good to be right, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, Morgan. Yes, it does.”
So as to not look like I was muttering to myself, I stopped talking to Douglas and nodded at the directors as they filed out. Looks of shock were still on their faces as they whispered among themselves.
Simon exited last. “Someone’s angry in there.” He nodded at the room where McAlpine was now alone.
Houndsinn sighed. “I’ll take care of—”
I cut him off with a grin. “Let me, Reginald.” I wanted nothing more than to show McAlpine exactly how he had been taken down.
Houndsinn’s eyes widened.
Simon laughed. “I’d let her,” he told the billionaire.
I grinned at my temporary boss. “Does anyone have to let me do anything?”
Simon scratched his head. “I suppose not, Ang.” He squeezed my shoulder. “I’ll see you later.” He turned to leave, then glanced over his shoulder and added, “You still have to explain everything.”
“I will.” To Houndsinn, I added, “I’ll be just a moment with McAlpine. Can we talk after?”
Houndsinn almost frowned, but I held him with a warm stare, allowing my power to drift into him. After a moment, he nodded. “I have a lot to do today, but replacing McAlpine is my number one priority. We’ll talk this
evening, Morgan.”
“See you then.” Reginald left, and I stood before McAlpine’s office doors. I took a deep breath before entering again.
McAlpine’s head whipped up when I walked in. I smirked. “Cleaning out your office?” I asked in a cool tone.
Rage filled the druid’s eyes, but I knew his power was gone. I tilted my head. “I’m sure you had trouble summoning your redcap.” I looked at my nails as if they were very interesting. “He had a nasty run-in with my knife.” I grinned at him. “After he showed me your tree, of course.”
McAlpine stood up, and if he had been a little taller, he might have been intimidating. He pointed a meaty finger at me. “You’ve gotten what you wanted,” he snarled, “but tell me, why my territory? Why couldn’t you have kept to your own fucking circle?”
I did not answer him but stepped around the desk, opened it, and found two glasses and a bottle of chardonnay. I kept my eyes on him as I filled one, then the other. I sank into the plush seat that had once been his and motioned for him to sit opposite me.
Fury wafted off him, but grumbling, he sat, and I pushed a glass across the desk to him. I shrugged. “Please, have your last taste of alcohol not brewed in a toilet. Reginald would have said not to indulge you, but I thought we should chat for a second, and what is a good chat without a good drink?”
I sipped with slow ease, watching him over the rim of my glass. You don’t scare me, I thought.
McAlpine’s expression changed. His fury remained, but instead of allowing it to fluster him, he reined it in and became cold and calculated. He sipped and held my stare. We remained silent for a long moment. He would have to crack first. He glanced at the window. I laughed. “If you’re thinking about jumping, you’ll never make it. The police are on their way.”