He looked thoughtful. "Thank you."
Michelle
Yesterday had been a lovely day off until Elron appeared at dinner. I was determined today would be better. It had to be better. I was going to the aquarium with Clark to take the mermaid's statement. They needed the statement on tape because it would be difficult to put her in a court room, but he couldn't do a speech spell that would work for multiple people, or allow her to reach through the tank and sign. Clark was picking me up in town and driving us to the aquarium.
Pulling in to the police station, I started munching down my bagel. I hadn't wanted to see the elf, so I'd picked up breakfast at a coffee shop on my way over. By the time I finished the egg and cheese bagel, I was full, happy and had spotted Clark's car pulling in the parking lot. I grabbed my purse and work duffel, locked the car, and scampered over.
Clark pushed the passenger door open for me. "Am I late? I thought we'd agreed on nine thirty?"
"Nope, I'm early." I pulled the door shut behind me, settling my equipment between my feet. As he pulled out of the parking lot I asked, "How's the mermaid been doing? What's her name anyway?"
"Liso, and she's fully recovered. We've located her tribe and she's scheduled for transport back to them tomorrow."
"I thought it would take longer." Most mermaids roam a large area.
"Nope. It was easy to match her missing person report. She's from the Georgia coast. Poor thing was scooped up by a couple of hicks dragging a net behind their speed boat. We have some good leads on the fishermen, but we've turned that evidence over to the state and Glynn County. Anyway, Glynn County sent a cop to the beach to send out the word. As it turns out, her tribe has been searching for her and was just off shore. "
"Wow. I'm surprised the feds haven't taken over." Human trafficking often crossed state lines.
"Me too, but it looks like these guys were just getting set up, and hadn't moved anyone out of state yet. We found several people in the house, but evidence that one or two had been sold."
"Seriously?"
"Yup. They figured the best way to start was to get a bunch of merchandise, then sell it off and slowly replenish. They didn't realize that going on an abduction spree, almost in a straight line from one part of the state to another, was the fastest way to get the police's attention. The guys we grabbed were in the holding business. The kidnappers haven't found their way into custody yet, but I don't think they'll be hard to find."
"Did they do anything right?" I couldn't believe a group of criminals could be this dumb. I felt like they'd all but put up a sign in their front yard proclaiming what they were doing.
"Not really."
We fell into a comfortable silence as he started to drive through heavier traffic. It was nice for someone else to be doing the driving, but I wasn't sure why I was here. This mermaid was really close to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation headquarters. They had witches on staff. Why did they need me?
"Clark, why do you need me for this? Doesn't GBI have witches on staff?"
"Not exactly. They have a contract with a firm, but that wouldn't include our interview. Also, we need slightly different information than they did, and I knew you'd want to see her healthy and feeling better." He glanced at me. "You're also cheaper, and more fun to work with."
Clark used the back entrance to the aquarium, since we weren't sightseeing. We walked through the employee entrance to a desk with a guard behind it.
"You must be here to interview the mermaid." He was a typical, chubby, middle aged security guard.
"Yup." Clark said.
"I'll need to see some identification before I give you passes." While we pulled the requested information, he called our escort. He barely looked at the cards before handing us badges.
An elf, with long blond hair, and pointy ears, walked over. "Welcome, I am Alara. If you will follow me I'll guide you to Liso."
"Greetings, Alara. We would be honored to accept your help. I am Michelle, and this is Officer Clark."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. This way."
Elves liked to be greeted properly. I maintained, most of the reason Elron and I hadn't gotten along was a lack of proper introduction. It was considered an insult in elven society to skip introductions. Years ago it had been considered grounds for a feud or duel. Today, elves didn't hold with that, mostly because they'd realized every race couldn't know the correct cultural responses for every other race. There were too many races for all greetings to be ritualized.
Alara led us down several hallways before guiding us into a large room that had a small crane and access to several tanks. Along one wall was a small upright tank that attached to a larger tank. The gate between the two sections was currently closed to prevent other fish from intruding upon Liso while we talked. Liso was seated on a small bench in the tank facing the table outside the glass.
She looked much better than she had previously. Liso had regained the natural brown color of her people, but more importantly, she was clothed in a shark skin vest. Liso waved as we approached, clearly greeting us as best she could through the glass.
"I will be on this floor if you need me." Alara didn't wait for a thank you, but quickly walked across most of the room to work at a small tank near several computers.
Clark set up the camera while I cast the spell. It was a complex spell, making her speech sound like ours, rather than us hearing her and understanding. The spell for hearing was much simpler than the one for altering speech, but wouldn't translate to the recording. Using a language charm as a base, I wove new runes and more power into the fabric of the spell. This spell would enable the camera to record her as if she was speaking English outside the tank, preserving her statement.
Clark pulled out several sheets of paper and writing implements. With his instruction, I set the spell that would allow her to reach through the glass with a dry hand and sign the papers.
"I'm Officer Matthew Clark. I will be assisting you with your statement today. I would like it if everyone could state their name for the official record."
Since he'd stated his name it was my turn, "I'm Michelle Oaks, witch and consultant, assisting with spells today."
Liso spoke, "I am Liso of the Deep Water tribe. I am the daughter of Tearon and Also."
"Liso, if you sign this paper you are agreeing to only speak the truth, and tell events as you remember them." Liso signed the first paper. The spells were working beautifully. "Liso, if you sign this paper you are agreeing that what you say in this interview can be used in court to prosecute the people involved with your abduction, transportation, and captivity." Liso signed again.
"Liso, when you're ready, please tell me what happened, starting with your abduction. Michelle, could you please sign as the witness?" I signed below his signature.
Several moments passed before she started to speak. Her first words where slow, hesitant. "Some time ago, I believe two weeks; I was swimming about half a mile off the coast of the Georgia mainland. I knew I was swimming near a boat, but I had started to go deeper. I didn't want trouble. Before I could go anywhere, a net wrapped around me. I was pulled on the boat by three men. There was one man driving the boat. I was stuffed into a very large saltwater cooler."
Clark asked several question, helping her remember details about the men and the exact events before she continued. "Some time later they moved the cooler into a vehicle. They drove, and I was nearly out of air when they hauled me into the basement before sticking me in that very small tank. The men who put me in the tank were the ones who stayed at the house. They had to place several tank cleaners and oxygenators in the water to keep me alive. The tank was too small for me to do anything so I just floated there. I think about once a day they would drop some food in the tank."
"Did any other men ever see you?"
"Yes, twice other men came to look at me." She gave a timeline and general descriptions.
"Did they ever take pictures of you?"
"Once, right after they pu
t me in the tank."
"Did anyone leave after you arrived?"
"No, everyone who was there when I arrived was there when you raided the house."
"What was a typical day?" She went on to describe what the men did, bathroom rotations, food rotations, and several acts I'd rather I hadn't not known about.
Finally, the interview was over. Clark put away the camera and thanked Liso. I removed the spell that allowed her to pass through glass.
"Wait, don't undo the speech spell yet."
I looked up, unsure of what to do. "What's wrong?"
"Wrong?" She tilted her head. "Nothing is wrong. I wanted to thank you. I might have died if you hadn't come. If you are ever near the ocean and in need, my people and I will come to you. Speak my name and let a drop of blood join the water."
"Thank you, that is a very kind offer. I wish you a long, safe life."
"No fear, lady. I shall stay with our warriors in the future. I have not enjoyed my time on land."
"That's understandable. I wish you safe travels." She bowed her head and I finished dismantling the spells. The merfolk rarely made such offers to those of us who lived on land. She must have been very grateful, and well-connected in the tribe, to be sure her promise would be honored.
I looked at her one last time before Alara guided us out. Liso was beautiful, with her bronze skin, white hair, and slender body. Her eyes were nearly luminous, green, and studying us. Her green scales started at her hips, covering her entire lower body all the way down to the large fan at the end of her tail. I would remember her this way, ready to swim to the rest of a tank full of sharks and sea creatures, not only unafraid, but excited.
"She is captivating," Alara summed up my feeling well, having read them off my face.
"Yes, but she belongs with her people, not here for people to look at. If you want to see her, in her full beauty, you have to go swim where they swim, and for a few hours see the world as they see it." Realizing I'd spoken aloud I blushed.
"Young witch, you see more than I would expect from someone of your years. Your words demonstrate the truth of who you are." The small smile felt like a great compliment.
"I would say the same of you. Elves are known for their unsurpassed sight." I bowed my head.
A seductive laugh filled the room. "I eagerly await word of your deeds, young one." She turned and left, having delivered us to the guard who gave me a strange look as we turned in our badges and walked out.
Clark waited until the door shut before asking, "What was that about?"
"I'm not sure."
"Uh huh."
"I'm really not, but we can talk about it over lunch." I was hungry.
"Where do you want to go?" Clark loved to eat, but you'd never know it by his incredibly thin frame.
"I don't know. What about Atlanta Subs?" I wanted a sandwich.
"Sure, I think we passed one on the way over."
Twenty minutes, later I was biting into a turkey sub.
"You owe me an answer." Clark was like a dog with an extra meaty bone; he just wouldn't let go.
"No, I don't. I said we could talk about it here. I don't have anything to say. Elves look at the world a bit differently. She liked what she saw; there isn't much else I can tell you."
"Why did she say she'd look forward to your achievements?"
I wished he would just chew on his chicken sub. "I don't know, Clark. If I knew I would tell you."
"Alright, I didn't mean to pry."
"Yes, you did."
His smile broke though, "Yes, I did,"
I was paused before starting on my chips. "I hate this case." I don't know why I told him, he already knew.
"We all do. Oh, I don't know if you heard but they found the dragon's parents."
"Athe? They found his parents?" I wanted him to have a happy ending.
"Yes. He's home now. The fairy light was moved to a sanctuary. It should be safe there."
Athe deserved a happy ending. He had been very brave and polite, but he hadn't been the one who needed the most help. "Any news on the dwarf, unicorn, gryphon, or phoenix?"
"The unicorn has returned to its herd. Uh, the gryphon is with child services. They haven't been able to identify her or her family. She is making progress, but it's slow. The dwarf is still in the hospital. He'll be released to his family soon. The phoenix isn't doing well. They are trying to get it to flame and be reborn, but so far it hasn't gone well."
The unicorn would feel better with her own kind. I hadn't expected the dwarf to make a speedy recovery, but I'd hoped the gryphon and phoenix would fare better. "Thank you. Did they deal with the house?"
"Oh, yes. It was a huge fire. It's cooling and under guard, but they have a firm contracted to look things over once it cools."
"Good. It needed to be done." And I was exceptionally grateful I wasn't the one dealing with that mess. The power in that house wanted to corrupt me.
He chewed on his sandwich. "Have you done anything fun lately?"
"I had a family dinner that was nice, and a weekly dinner with some girlfriends. Why?"
"Eh, this kind of thing can really eat at you. I think everyone who works with it needs to get out, have some fun, see friends, and forget about work."
"I'm starting to see that. I didn't, not at first, but the longer I've worked with the police the more I value the rest of life."
He studied me, thinking about something, though I wasn't sure what. "Keep this separate from the rest of your life. Go on a few dates. It doesn't matter if they're serious, just fun. Have some fun. It'll make this job easier."
"I'll keep that in mind, Clark."
Driving back, my thoughts kept returning to our previous conversation. Clark was right. I needed to spend more time away from work. I needed to spend more time with people who were special to me. I really wanted to spend time with a guy, one that might mean something and be somebody I could spend part of my life with.
I didn't think Clark was that person, and I was hoping his comments weren't a build-up to asking me on a date. I didn't want to hurt our work relationship. I liked working with the guy, and he was a good guy, but not for me.
Clark was human, which wasn't his fault or a flaw, but I didn't want to date and fall in love with human. I didn't want to marry someone who would live less than a third of the time I would. I couldn't do that over and over. It wasn't fair, and I'd date a human for fun, but never seriously. Hopefully, he was just being helpful. With a mental sigh, I turned my mind to other matters.
Alara had been something else. I'd seen elves act like that before, but never to me. I wasn't sure why she thought I'd do something interesting. It was strange knowing someone would be listening for news of my action; watching me.
"We're here."
My eyes flew open, focusing on the parking lot where my car was parked. "Thanks, Clark."
"No problem. Be safe driving home."
"I will." I pulled my bags off the floor board and closed the door.
Elron
I'd never realized how frustrating it was for the elves on the outside to keep in touch with their more traditional friends. The community I'd lived in for many years didn't have phones, computers, or internet. They received mail, but in this world there was little reason to write a letter when a casual conversation over the phone was so much more efficient.
I felt like I'd heard about Michelle years ago, and should know about her past. The memory lingered just out of reach. There was a feeling deep inside, telling me so much of her life had been the product of misunderstandings. I knew her mom hadn't been much of a witch, and I wondered how Michelle had learned so much. Usually, the entire clan helped educate the new generations, but she hadn't had their help. Her family's mistakes had deprived her of a valuable part of her culture.
On the other hand, I'd never seen a witch that young who was so sure of her limits, and willing to face the world alone. There were drawbacks to clans. They didn't promote individuality, self-sufficienc
y, or entrepreneurial spirits. The clan wanted its members working for the good of the clan. With the oldest members in charge, they were traditional, not taken with modern innovation, and slow to change. The old codgers liked to dictate how people lived. More than anything, the clan wanted a bigger, stronger clan with the most magic possible.
Most of my questions could be answered today. Smiling, I took a trip.
Michelle
"Oaks Consulting." I'd just sat down in my living room, and didn't want to rush off for a police emergency.
"Hi, is this Michelle?"
"Yes, may I ask whose calling?" This was strange, usually people announced who they were, and I'd never gotten a call from a hospital number before.
"I'm Andrew Wright. We haven't been formally introduced, but we met at a crime scene in Fannin County. I was healing the mermaid." He sounded hesitant.
"Yes, what can I do for you?" He must have been calling from work.
"I was wondering if you wanted to get coffee sometime." Andrew sounded nervous.
"I wouldn't mind exchanging work stories, and getting out of the house." Clark's words were ringing in my ears, and I didn't want to spend another evening sitting in my room. "We could get coffee at this little place in Ellijay."
"Coffee Times?"
"That's the place."
"Sure, when?"
"Are you free tonight, say seven?"
"I am. I'll see you there at seven."
"See you then, bye."
"Bye." His phone clicked off.
I gently ended the call, excited about going out on something resembling a date for the first time in months. Before I could enjoy the feeling, my phone rang again.
"Oaks Consulting."
"It's Jones."
"What can I do for you?"
"Have you had any other thoughts on how to find the trolls?"
"Let me guess, Carls is angry that no additional trolls have been discovered."
"Yup."
Witch for Hire Page 13