by Erin Johnson
I watched his reaction closely, but he didn’t give anything away. I tried again. “Did he steal it?” I narrowed my eyes. “For his potions, maybe?”
Neo huffed. “I can’t say.” He pointed a finger with a black ring around it at me. “The boss just said to tell you not to ask too many questions. Got it?”
I scoffed. “It’s kind of my job as a consultant for the police to ask questions.” I decided to try a little reverse psychology. “Whatever. I bet you have no idea why Ludolf cares about this. Not like you’re his confidant and right-hand man. I bet he can’t even remember your name.”
Neo’s lip twitched, curling with anger. He bared his teeth at me. “Just do what he said—don’t look into it too much and keep us informed on how the investigation is proceeding, got it?”
I rolled my eyes.
He huffed and marched forward until he stood right in front of me, nearly chest to chest. I recoiled a bit, Heidi’s teasing that Neo had a crush on me suddenly seeming less far-fetched.
His eyes held an earnestness I hadn’t seen from him much, his brows lifted in the center. “Please, Jolene. Don’t mess with Ludolf, or he’ll hurt you.”
It didn’t sound like a threat this time… more like a plea. It took me aback, but after a moment I shrugged it off. “He’s already hurting me.” I raised my brows. “You’re working for a bad dude, you know that right?”
He shook his head and stepped back. “We grew up together, Jolene. Not all of us got a lucky break and ended up lawyers.” He rejoined Sacha and Viktor. “What choice did I have, huh? We’re both doing what we have to to survive.” He pointed at me. “Don’t forget what I said.”
With that, he marched through the tunnel of brambles, Viktor skipping behind him, giggling. Sacha gave me a wave, then ducked his head and followed.
I watched them disappear for a moment into the fog, then leaned forward and cupped my hands to the sides of my mouth. “I’m going that way too, you know? You just made this awkward. Guess I’ll give you a head start.”
The only reply was some manic laughter from Viktor. I crossed my arms and tapped my toe as I thought the interaction over. Judging by Neo’s reaction, I’d caught the fish on the first cast—he had no idea why Ludolf wanted to be clued in on this case.
But I could also tell he was scared for me. I shivered and waited a few more moments before walking alone into the pool of fog toward my place on the bottom tier of the island.
18
Will and Heidi
Crowds of bargoers poured in and out of clubs pulsing with music, and shoppers swarmed the jumble of stalls and food carts when I made it back to the Darkmoon District. Neon lights reflected off the puddles, which shimmered with a pattering of rain, and the smells of sizzling spices and savory meats mixed with the less than appetizing fog that drifted up from the sewer grates. I ducked down Urchin Alley and hung a right, heading toward my place.
When I got to my graffiti-covered door, my cold hands fumbled with the keys as the bass beat from the bar below my place thumped in my chest. The lock turned, and I pushed the door in, stepping out of the rain and into the narrow stairwell that led up to my apartment. My foot slid, and after my stomach lurched back into place, I glanced down to find a slip of parchment under my boot.
I dipped down and grabbed the folded paper with Jo scribbled across the top. My stomach clenched as I stared down at it in the dim light coming from my place at the top of the landing. Ludolf’s style was usually to carve an annoyingly difficult to fix symbol into my door anytime he wanted to see me, but still—who else liked to leave me cryptic notices in the middle of the night?
With a sigh, I leaned my back against the cold wall, the tight space vibrating with the bar’s music, and unfolded the note.
Hey, girly.
I grinned, and that knot in my gut relaxed—okay, definitely not from el creepo. Friendly was not his style.
I came by looking for you—I have some info on you-know-who. Talk soon.
—Madeline
I heaved a sigh of relief and trudged up the steep steps, then pushed through the beaded curtain to my run-down apartment. I thought the letter over as I dug through piles of laundry and threw some spare clothes and pajamas into a beat-up leather backpack.
So our intrepid reporter had dug up some dirt on Ludolf. I grinned to myself—good. Maybe we’d be able to book him on some charges that would actually stick this time and throw him behind bars before he tested any more mysterious potions on me.
I checked the time on the clock in the kitchen. It was getting late—I’d have to go see her tomorrow night at The Conch headquarters, the local newspaper she reported for. Gary the cockroach scuttled around in my cupboards, muttering about how stingy I was for not leaving more crumbs out for him. I shook my head and finished packing.
After I changed clothes, jogged back downstairs, and locked the door behind me, I pulled my hood up to shield me from the rain and looked left, toward Peter’s place, then right.
It sounded like Peter had some business that might keep him busy in the precinct for a bit, so I decided to pop over to Will’s back alley veterinary clinic to say hi and fill them in on the case.
Heidi let me in with a squeal and gave me a tight hug, pinning my arms to my sides.
“Oof! You’re crushing me.”
But she just giggled and hugged me tighter. “Will!” she called through the swinging door to the exam room. “Guess who’s here?”
She let me go and skipped back behind the tall front desk to perch on her stool. “You have to tell me everything.”
I didn’t have a chance to answer. Will, my giant bear shifter friend, shoved through from the back, wearing his typical scrubs and white lab coat. He glowered at me from under his bushy brows. “You stole my assistant all night. Better have been worth it, Jolene.” I cocked a brow at him, and he glared back at me.
Heidi rolled her eyes at Will and bounced her foot, neon pink leg warmers up to her knees. “Tell me what’s going on with the murder case? Do you know who killed those women?”
I filled them in. “I think something’s going on with Malorie Rutherford’s husband, though he seems completely clueless and spineless. Their veterinarian seems shady and disgruntled, their recently fired head zookeeper was caught trying to steal a wombat, and we actually arrested her stepdaughter, who admitted to killing her.” I narrowed my eyes. “Though I don’t think she actually did.”
Heidi gaped, and Will pulled his chin back and blinked at me. “Um… why not?”
I heaved a sigh and settled my chin on my crossed arms. “Because she admitted to pushing Malorie, but the woman died of a poisoned dart to the back of the neck.” I narrowed my eyes. “We think. We still have to wait on the coroner’s report.”
Heidi curled her lip and exchanged a look with Will.
I pushed myself back upright. “Plus, the stepdaughter didn’t know anything about our second victim, our mysterious Jane Doe who no one seems to know anything about or even have heard of before.”
Heidi frowned and nibbled the end of a pencil. “Oh!” She gasped, and her eyes lit up. “It was a sanctuary! Were the animals able to tell you anything?”
“No.” I grabbed one of the hard lobby chairs and dragged it over to the front desk. I flopped into it and slumped down, groaning—I’d been on my feet all night.
Will sniffed. “Such a lady.”
I shook my head. “It was… weird. The animals acted like they didn’t understand me or something. But then when I talked to the wombat that woman was trying to steal, it could understand me just fine.”
Will’s already huge eyes grew wider, and he let out a sharp gasp. “Are your powers slipping?” He glared at me. “Was it that last potion Ludolf tested on you?”
“Will!” Heidi whacked him on the arm, but he continued to glare at me.
I sighed. I knew he was coming from a place of caring about my health and safety, but it was getting old. “We’ve been over this. I’m just co
operating with Ludolf while we look into him and try to figure out a way to hopefully put him away for life.”
One of Will’s bushy brows arched. “And how many potions has he tried on you since our little mission started, sister?”
I rolled my eyes. “Two, but they haven’t had any effect, good or bad.”
“Mm-hmm.” He pursed his lips and nodded. “Oh good, just two. And how long do you think this can go on before something terrible happens? A few more tests? Less?” He batted his lashes at me.
I shot him a flat look. “And what do you suggest I do instead?”
He huffed but dropped his gaze. “I already told you I’d give you money—I have old friends in the Earth Kingdom you could stay with.” He hugged his hairy arms tighter around himself.
I shook my head. “I’m tired of hiding.” I shot him a sassy look. “Besides, you agreed to help me look into the sea slug, which makes you as much of a target as I am. Why aren’t you going into hiding with these friends?”
He rolled his eyes. “For one, he’s not testing deadly—”
I held up a finger. “Possibly.”
He glared. “—possibly deadly potions on me, Jolene. Second, you’re not the only one who wants to get out from under Ludolf’s control, okay?”
He grew quieter as he studied the speckled linoleum floor. “And third, those friends are actually two elderly aunts, and I might have accidentally shifted in their presence when I was like sixteen, and might have, again accidentally, eaten one of their precious cats and may, as a result, not be welcome back there. Though they’d love you, so it’d be fine.”
Heidi spun on her stool and gaped at him. “You ate a cat?”
I curled my lip. “Ew.”
Will huffed, indignant. “I was sixteen!”
I gawked. “Is that supposed to make it better?”
“I didn’t know how to control shifting back then, okay, Jolene? My powers had just started kicking in.” He leaned forward and flashed his eyes at me.
Heidi frowned. “Did your aunts tell your parents?”
He rolled his eyes. “My aunts didn’t realize I was the bear. Apparently they walked in, found me in bear form… you know… and then chased me out of the house, and I bounded off into the forest.” He shrugged. “I came back later and pretended I’d been hiding under the bed. When they asked me how the bear got in, I panicked and told them it’d knocked on the door and I let it in without checking who it was first.”
A long moment of silence stretched out.
I pressed my eyes shut and held up a hand. “Hold on… and they believed you?”
“Yes.” Will nodded, emphatically. “And they still haven’t forgiven me to this day for letting a bear into the house.”
“Wow,” Heidi breathed. “Your family’s—”
“What?!” Will shot her a challenging look.
She glanced down at her lap. “Nothing.”
“That’s what I thought.” Will turned back to me. “Anyway, back to your slipping powers and the diabolical maniac who’s using you as a lab rat.”
I sighed and slumped lower in my seat. “Right. Back to those cheery subjects….”
Heidi nodded. “I think you need to get back into that zoo—”
I held up a finger. “Sanctuary—they were very clear about that.”
She waved it away. “Whatever. You need to get in there and grill those animals.”
I cocked my head and narrowed one eye.
She giggled. “Not like that. I meant—ask them the tough questions.”
I nodded. “I agree. I just hope they’ll understand me.” I turned to Will and cut him off. “And as to your concerns, Madeline L’Orange left me a note that she’s found something, okay? Hopefully we’ll be able to arrest Ludolf soon.”
“Not soon enough,” Will grumbled, though he unfolded his arms and looked slightly appeased.
We caught up for a little longer, then I rose and put the chair back in its place against the waiting room wall. “Well, I’m off to meet up with Peter.”
Will shot me a saucy look. “Surprise, surprise. Do you even sleep at your own place anymore?”
I grinned. In truth, I’d barely been home more than a few nights in the last month.
“Oh, have your fun.” Will sighed. “While you still can.”
I shook my head at him as I headed back into the drizzly night, my backpack slung over one shoulder. I knew Will teased and poked at me, but it was just because he was worried about me. “Always the optimist.”
He pointed at me. “I’m a realist, Jolene!”
I winked at him before letting the door swing shut behind me. “Love you, too.”
19
Coffee
It was tough to get out of Peter’s comfy bed the next evening, but we had sleuthin’ to do. I dragged a brush through my hair, threw on some jeans, an old band tee, and a worn bomber jacket, then shuffled out the door yawning.
Daisy lifted her snout skyward, her wet black nose twitching. Her eyes narrowed at me, and she whined. You go down the stairs first. Your breath smells like death, and you’re moving like a zombie. I don’t want you to fall and take me and my Peter down with you.
I rolled my eyes and whined back at her. Har har. I just need coffee. We were headed, per the usual, to the cafe at the bottom of Peter’s building. One of the many reasons I loved staying over with him.
Peter locked the apartment door behind him and then grinned at me, color flushing into his cheeks. I grinned back—and there was the main reason.
We headed down a few flights of stairs, my head pounding. Peter waved hello to an elderly couple on their way up, and I grunted something close to a greeting. I really needed some caffeine to be functional—it was healthy.
The enchanted bells of the island tolled, signaling that the last ferry was leaving for the mainland, taking all the human tourists back with it. Which meant it was time for the magical folk to come out in droves and all the magical shops to open.
We briefly headed out of the brightly lit, clean lobby into the drizzly cobblestone street, and headed next door to the cafe. A bell tinkled on the door as we stepped inside—the earthy aroma of coffee and the warmth of the shop already easing my case of just woke up grumpiness.
Jacques, an older man in a white apron, waved from behind the glass pastry case. “Ah, Peter, Jolene, hello!” He held up a finger and dipped behind the glass, emerging a moment later with a pretzel.
Daisy’s pointy ears pricked, and she licked her lips.
I let out a quiet whine. You’re drooling.
She barely spared me a glare before refocusing on Jacques and the treat in his hands. She growled. So are you.
Oops. I quickly wiped the corner of my mouth with the sleeve of my jacket. Maybe my dependency on coffee had gone too far. I took another whiff of the bitter, comforting drink and grinned. Oh, well.
Jacques came around the side of the elaborately carved wooden counter topped with marble and bent over in front of Daisy.
“Well, hello, Miss Daisy, how are you today? Care for a pretzel?” His dark eyes darted up to Peter’s face. “It’s completely canine safe.”
Peter grinned. “Of course. Thanks, Jacques.”
The old man cooed over Daisy, who tapped her front paws in excitement. He offered her the pretzel with an open palm, and she lunged and gobbled it up so quickly, I startled.
I curled my lip. Geez. Didn’t know she could move that fast. We left the pup cracking into the pretzel, spitting bits and crumbs everywhere on the black-and-white honeycomb tile floor. The owner of the cafe watched her a moment longer, wiping his hands on a towel that hung out of his apron pocket, then walked, chuckling, back behind the counter.
“The usual?”
“Yes, please.” Peter dipped his chin, but I shook my head and held up a few fingers.
“I’m going for a triple today.”
His eyes widened. “Oh, my. The lady needs her evening boost.”
I nodded. �
��The lady does.”
Peter slid an arm around my shoulders, and I hugged close to his side. All the little round tables were empty—it was still early—but I was sure the place would be bustling soon. Jacques made a very good—and more importantly, very strong—cup of joe.
As the older man bustled about, steaming milk for Peter’s mocha and grinding fresh beans, my cop boyfriend’s pocket buzzed. I jumped back, and he grinned, then fished the gumball-sized communication device out and popped it in his ear.
“I’ll be right back.” He held up a finger, then stepped out into the wet street, the bell tinkling behind him.
I slid over to stand closer to Daisy, who was dragging her tongue across the floor in an attempt to lick up every last morsel of that pretzel.
I glanced at Jacques, who stood with his back to us, his huge brass coffee equipment loud with its hisses and grinding noises. I didn’t bother to lower my voice too much when I let out a bark. Do you want me to give you and the floor a moment or…?
The dog jerked her head up and blinked at me as if she’d forgotten where she was. Then she glared at me, and her lips twitched back, revealing white, pointy teeth. You’re one to talk. I’ve seen you clean out a corpse’s fridge.
I tipped my head side to side and woofed. Not my finest moment, I’ll give you that. Then again, I was basically starving, so you do what you have to, you know? I cocked a brow. You act like Peter doesn’t feed you.
I was saved whatever witty comeback the dog would have hurled at me by Peter stepping back inside. He sidled up close to me and lowered his voice. “That was Gabriel—they have the results of the autopsies back.”
I perked up. “And?”
“Malorie Rutherford suffered a blow to her head, but it wasn’t fatal. The poisoned dart, which hit her after the fall, is what killed her.”
I cocked a brow. “So she was still alive after her stepdaughter pushed her into the phoenix’s enclosure?”