“You said not to tell you,” Mocha said.
“Ha ha, very funny,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “Could this day get any worse?” I held a hand up to her. “Don’t answer that.”
At least Mocha didn’t look smug. She even looked a bit worried.
“I'll call Ethan,” I said, sounding about as enthusiastic at that idea I felt.
“You technically could ignore it,” Mocha said. “Back away, not call any attention to it.”
Assuming it was a joke, I rolled my eyes, until I looked at her and realized she was serious. “Really?”
“You’re already deep enough,” Mocha said, her eyes distant.
I stood there, considered it. Maybe that was the sane thing to do. But…
“I'm not smart enough for that,” I said, sort of just annoyed with myself for putting myself in the situation.
But it was what it was.
“I'm not going to get that lunch, am I?” Mocha said, glaring at me like I was the problem.
“I'll do my best,” I said.
Mocha sighed. “I'll go wait for the police.” She trotted down the stairs.
Chapter Nineteen
“I'm not guilty,” I said, gritting my teeth.
I sat behind the table in the police department, one leg crossed over the other and my fingers tapping impatiently on the desk. Ethan was sitting on the other side, looking both impartial and concerned at the same time. Miles was next to him, curiosity seeming to win over anything else.
“You had an argument with the deceased,” Ethan said patiently.
“From my understanding, a lot of people did,” I pointed out.
“Good way to deflect the question.” Miles gave me A Look. “Most of them didn't have the same access to both victims that you did.”
“I didn't have any access,” I said, trying not to ball my hands into fists. “I was just there to see if she could answer some questions.”
“And you felt comfortable going to her place of residence,” Miles said.
I wanted to strangle him. “That’s what asking someone includes. I went there once before. And she was still alive.”
He was good at his job, I could give him that. But that didn't mean I didn't want to strangle him.
“If you confess, we’ll go easier on you,” Miles offered.
I could see him watching Ethan out of the corner of his eyes, both gauging how he responded and trying to anticipate it at the same time. For two men who apparently didn’t work formally together, they seemed to be in sync.
“We don't want to have to hold you,” Ethan said.
“But I'm afraid, until this is cleared up, we don't really have a choice,” Miles finished.
“So Kerrity let you stay on the case,” I said to Ethan.
His eyes narrowed. “That’s not your concern.”
“I didn't do it,” I said firmly.
“You don't have an alibi,” Miles said evenly. “Your alibi for Mildred's murder is sketchy and uncorroborated by camera evidence.”
“I still didn’t do it,” I said again, irritation making me shift in the chair.
“So why did you kill them?” Miles asked. He leaned forward, his height and figure intimidating. “Was it over the coffee shop? You knew it was coming to you, didn’t you?”
“How in the heck would I know that?” I snapped. I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath, closing my eyes briefly before refocusing on Ethan. “Do we really have to play this game?”
“At least on paper,” he said cheerfully.
Miles gave him a sharp look. Ethan didn’t notice.
“We served a search warrant on your apartment,” Ethan said. “There’s traces of drugs.”
“Drugs?” I stared at him, flabbergasted. “How stupid do you think I am?”
“You'd be surprised how stupid some people are,” Miles said dryly.
I made a doubtful noise. At this point, there wasn't much that surprised me. Annoyed me, yes. Surprised me, no.
“What next?” I asked. “More questions I can't answer?”
“She's sassy,” Miles said to nobody.
“She does have a point,” Ethan said with a faint grin. “It's not like she's been formally accused of anything.”
“Besides murder,” Miles said peevishly.
“Kerrity hasn’t charged her with anything,” Ethan pointed out.
“And this is why she didn’t want you on the investigation.” Miles leaned back in his chair.
“Like you like her any more than I do.” Ethan gave as good as he got.
Miles gave him a look.
I couldn't help a smile. “I can see why you’re friends.”
Miles frowned at me, like he was offended by the very notion. He gave Ethan a sideways glance, his eyes softening even as his scowl remained. “We tolerate each other.”
“Okay,” I said, placating. The room was quiet for a while longer. I put my elbows on the desk, hands under my chin. “Seriously, I didn't do it.”
More silence.
“What can you tell me about Mildred?” I asked, switching tactics.
Miles crossed his arms over his chest, hiding his surprise.
Ethan’s brow creased for a second, then smoothed out. “I’m afraid we can’t reveal that information.”
“You want to catch who killed her – and Millie – as much as I do,” I argued.
Ethan sighed. “They were both quiet about their personal lives.” His eyes were distant. “They were part of the LASTNAME family, so local gossips followed them while they were younger until, well, they didn’t any more.”
There was a story there, but it didn’t seem like I was going to get it. Shame.
“Were there any rumors about them?”
“Rumors?” Miles frowned.
“Family, or drugs, or…” I shrugged. “Anything.”
Ethan looked distant for a few seconds, like a memory was floating its way to the surface.“ The sisters were very different,” Ethan said, slowly, as if he was feeling the words out. “Millie was the popular one, and Mildred the quiet one. There are some rumors about her disappearing in school, but I can't confirm or deny that.”
I wasn’t sure if that was useful or not, but I mentally noted it down anyway. It was better to know than to not know.
Miles gave me a bemused look. “We’re supposed to be the ones interrogating you, not vice versa.”
I winked, although I meant nothing by it. “That's what you want to think.”
He shook his head, although there was more exasperation than amusement.
Then Ethan glanced at the door, holding up a hand to Miles. Miles nodded, some unspoken signal between the two of them. Patient, because I didn't really have another choice, I sat there, switching legs. Ethan went outside, talking to whoever was behind the door. I waited.
Miles was staring me, his eyes intense. They were distractingly so, but not in a way that frightened me. Instead, I would have been quite content to stare back at him for a while. That was a problem.
“You help on cases?” I asked. I wasn't sure if I was trying to make conversation, or just trying to make the room feel less awkward.
“Why?” he asked.
“You’re not supposed to answer a question with a question.” I was teasing, sort of. More probing, assessing. I wanted to see more about him, how he worked. How his mind processed things.
“Sometimes there’s nothing to say,” Miles said. “Sometimes, saying something can cause more danger than staying silent.”
“You're paranoid.” Not that I could really blame him, as a former cop, but I was sort of unhappy about it at the moment.
His smile was crooked. “The more you have to lose, the more you become concerned about losing it,” he said, the words cryptic.
I had a feeling he’d just given me some insight into his history, even though I didn't know what it was.
“We didn't find actual drugs in your apartment,” Miles said, sounding somewhat disap
pointed. “Just remnants.”
“I don't do drugs,” I said, attempting to sound patient. “And I’ve been in that apartment less than 72 hours.”
Miles didn’t look impressed. At that point, I didn't necessarily care. Cute or not, he was getting on my nerves.
Then the door opened, and Ethan came in. “We’re going to let you go,” he said.
I brightened up at that. I had a feeling that Miles was not nearly as happy, but I was going to go home before somebody else decided to lock me up. “I'm free?
There was something complicated in Ethan's look. “I wouldn't quite say that,” he said dryly. “But you are currently not being held here any longer.”
I sighed. “Don't go anywhere interesting? No randomly flying to Cuba?”
“Basically,” Ethan said.
“Miles said you didn't find drugs during the search?” I asked, my curiosity winning over common sense. My common sense, the sensible part of me, was screaming for me to run the other way.
Ethan glanced at Miles, as if he was surprised that Miles had said that. “No actual drugs,” he said. “Just the residue.”
“That’s good, right?”
“This isn't going to clear you,” Ethan said tightly. He looked at Miles and jerked his head towards the door. Looking miffed but ultimately understanding, Miles headed out the door. He closed it behind him.
I swallowed, feeling distinctly uncomfortable with the way this was going. That way things sort of happened when there was big stuff about to go down. Big stuff that didn't necessarily mean good things for somebody like me, even though Ethan had just said I could go home.
“Kerrity's not going to let this go,” Ethan said. “If she would, we’d have a chance of putting it behind us, but – she's tenacious when she wants something.” There was something begrudgingly polite in his voice, like he’d just remembered she was his superior and he probably shouldn't insult her. “The best way to get this off your plate is to solve it,” he said, his voice deliberate.
“Are you encouraging me to stick my nose into police affairs?” I asked as neutrally as I could.
Ethan's expression didn't change. “Of course not,” he said. “I am merely saying it might be worth pursuing alternate methods of investigation.”
That was a yes, if I'd ever heard one.
“Well, thank you,” I said, not sure what else to say.
He nodded to me, his face blank. “We'll get you through this.”
Strangely enough, I had a feeling he would. It was a comfortable reassurance that hadn’t been there earlier. “Does she do this to everybody?” I asked under my breath.
Ethan had stood and was heading towards the door, and I saw him glance around before he answered. “It's a long story,” he said finally. “Maybe, if you're good, I’ll tell you.” His exaggerated wink made it clear it was a joke.
I rolled my eyes, but I was grinning, too. “As if.” When Ethan opened the door, I followed, wanting to get out of there before Kerrity found me.
Miles was waiting outside, his gaze blatantly curious. I had a feeling sometimes he thought of me as an exotic creature in a zoo. “Hello,” I said.
He just stared at me in silence. Okay then.
I looked at Ethan, not sure where to go from here. “Is my apartment clear?” I asked.
“We did our best to put back the way it was,” he said.
At that point, I would take even a dirty apartment. Cleaning would give my brain something to focus on that wasn’t the police chief’s vendetta.
“Thanks,” I said. Because mess or no, I had a feeling he really had done his best. Especially in a police department that seemed determined to thwart him at every turn.
“Remember what I said,” Ethan said, managing to look stern. “You are not to stick your nose into an active investigation.”
I resisted the urge to salute him. That was exactly what I was going to do next. It was like he could read my mind. Bonus points for the fact it had been his suggestion.
He shook his head at me, his smile faint.
“Murderer!” Sarai said, bounding out of nowhere.
I saw the sergeant, Sally, trailing behind her.
I looked from her to Miles, trying to hide my amusement. “Gave up on leaving her at home?” I asked. “And I’m not a murderer.”
Miles shrugged, and his gaze was thoughtful as he looked at me.
“Suuuureee,” Sarai said, drawing the word out. She winked at me as if it was an inside joke. I wasn’t really sure. She pulled a chair out from the cubicle nearest to us and plopped down on it.”Did you kill anyone today?” she asked.
I looked at her, and then looked at Miles, who didn't seem fazed at all.
“Did you?” he asked.
The look I gave him was half exasperated, half – I wasn't sure what the heck it was. “I haven't murdered anybody,” I said. I still couldn't figure if he was teasing me, or if he legitimately thought I was guilty. Or both. At that point, I wouldn’t have put it past him.
“Disappointing,” Sarai said. Even better, she actually sounded like she was disappointed. I kind of wished I'd met her mother, to see what type of family had raised that type of little girl.
“You're strange,” I said, not able to help myself.
“So are you,” Sarai said, not sounding at all displeased.
“I thought you said I was innocent.” I arched an eyebrow.”
“You can be innocent and still a murderer.” Sarai gave me a ‘duh’ look.
“I’m not sure that’s how that works,” I said, strangled. But Sarai was giving me the ‘pity the adult’ look, so I left it alone.
“If you’re done?” Miles asked. He was looking at Sarai, who had no fear in her eyes as she looked up at him. Apparently, even his pointed stare couldn’t tame her.
I was starting to get a feeling about what type of kid she was. She was the type that was fun to hang out with, but you were always so very grateful that you could give them back at the end of the day.
I turned to ask Ethan a question, and then stopped. I had no idea where Vance had come from, but he was talking to Ethan, both of them speaking so quietly I couldn’t hear. I tried to inch closer without being observed, but it wasn’t going to happen.
Miles clearing his throat was clear disapproval. “Disapprove?” he asked coolly.
Shocked, it took me a second before I shook my head. “Of course not,” I said. “They do seem so very different.”
“Outsider,” Miles said with a shrug.
I glanced at him, exasperation on the tip of my tongue, but I reined it back in. “Do you have any other wise comments?”
“Haven't you heard the phrase, ‘opposites attract’?” he asked, glancing at Sarai and then at me.
I had a feeling he was talking about his wife, but I wasn't going to ask anything. Yet. “Of course,” I said casually. I glanced him. “How do you think I found a boyfriend?”
He arched his eyebrow. “I'm surprised there’s somebody that will take you on.”
I feigned indifference. “It can be difficult to find challengers,” I said flippantly.
“I'll challenge you,” Sarai said, sounding way too enthusiastic for my liking. I hadn’t even realized she was paying attention to the conversation.
Miles shook his head. “Not this time,” he said.
“What?” My brain crashed.
“Come on Sarai,” Miles said, glancing at her.
“But I was talking with Sally,” Sarai complained.
“And you can talk with her more tomorrow,” he said. “But for now, it's time to get home.”
If that wasn’t a subtle hint, I didn’t know what was. I beat them out the door, realizing that I didn’t have a ride.
“Up for a walk?” Mocha asked, appearing out of nowhere.
I stretched my arms and legs. Walk or run, I’d get there. “Time to go home,” I said.
“I’m glad to hear that.” She took off at a trot. “If you’re last, you owe me we
t food.”
“That’s not fair!” I ran after her. “That’s cheating!”
“Good.”
Chapter Twenty
I was starting to get less weirded out by being in one of those private rooms in the house that functioned as ‘magic headquarters’. Wren had brought me there for another lesson, and Mocha had come to observe for fun.
“You're doing good,” Wren said, sounding surprised.
“I'm a quick learner,” I said. Once it had started to click, the rest of the basics had come fairly easily.
“You seem to be.” She seemed pleased. Then she cleared her throat.
“Uh oh.” I knew what that meant.
“You have an evaluation today,” Wren said.
“A what?” I asked warily.
“An evaluation of your skills.”
I had a sinking feeling about this whole thing.
“It's after this. With Belle.”
Yep, there was what I'd been waiting for. “It's been nice knowing you, but it’s time to plan my funeral.”
Wren sighed. “It won’t be that bad.”
I just looked at her.
“It shouldn't be that bad,” she amended.
I wasn’t sold. Wren could tell, because she gave me an exasperated look and then seemed to refocus herself. “We’ll work on a few new things today,” she said.
“Okay,” I said, curious despite myself. I may not have been particularly fond of Belle, but I was still curious to push my magical limits. At least this way I would learn something new before Belle ate me.
“We've gone over the symbols,” Wren said, scattering the papers out in front of me.
I nodded, because some of the symbols were starting to become as familiar to me as my own name. I couldn't have told you why, they just felt – right.
“The next step is using them in magical applications.” There was a wicked twinkle to her eyes and I was cautious. It spelled trouble.
“Like activating a spell?” I asked.
“Sort of,” she said. “More like opening yourself to the possibilities.”
I raised an eyebrow at her, because that was starting to sound suspiciously hippie-esque. “What possibilities?”
“The energy of the world, of course.” She extended her hands to gesture all around us.
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