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I gave Garnet a kiss on her nose, set her back on the floor, and suggested that she go play. The kitten tore off, and after a moment, there was a thump before the sound of her wheel being used with great vigor. “I was told he got pissed about why I left and cleared my name.”
“That’s a decent summary, albeit he was a bit more romantic about it than that. He pitched an absolute fit that a bunch of prejudiced so-and-sos cost him the love of his life. Because the love of his life worked hard to secure justice for those who no longer had a voice, using purple dragon magic to accomplish that cause.”
I bowed my head, drew in a deep breath, and let it out in a gusty sigh. “How embarrassing. Clearly, I can never return to Miami due to the high risk of death from embarrassment.”
Chester snickered. “Erik said you’d probably react that way, as you are not a fan of having too much attention drawn onto yourself. While you’re a stellar detective, you’d make a terrible captain. The first time you are interviewed by a reporter, according to him, you’ll either skin the reporter alive with the power of your words alone or run away.”
“Probably both,” I admitted. Picking up Garnet’s dish, I cleaned it, returned it to its spot on the counter, and considered how best to make use of Erik’s brother. “Actually, I’m glad you came by. What’s with the string of attacks and murders going on in Dragon Heights?”
“Heard about that, have you?”
“I started reading the local newspapers recently.” Fortunately for my sanity, I spoke the truth—and I had no intention of betraying Cedrick or Cecilia to anyone in the force. By the time I finished grilling Chester, he’d believe my past haunted me.
He need not know I worked under the table doing private investigations.
“Mind if I take a load off?”
“Go for it. If those mean cops haven’t been feeding you, I’ll even make you a bite to eat.”
“Dad’s expecting the family for dinner, so I’ll pass. I value my life, and my mother might cook me for dinner if I refuse her food.”
Uh oh. “Is Erik going to be at dinner?”
“Yep.”
I narrowed my eyes. Rather than play a game of cat and mouse, I could show up, see what he had to say, and handle the problem directly. Garnet and Tourmaline would charm the entire family within five minutes.
However tempting, I wouldn’t make use of Erik’s direct connection to the commissioner, but I would grill them all about the killings and attacks on the brothel women.
“You want to crash dinner.”
Damn. Had I betrayed myself with a thoughtful expression? Upon retrospect, I realized I’d done just that. “I’ve been informed, by my parents, that Erik fully intends on hunting for me. If he’s seen the article, there’s very little hunting required. My father would cave given five minutes of interrogation. Erik probably already has my address, and that’s without using his police contacts to get the information. Would you tattle, Chester?”
“I wouldn’t even put up a fight about notifying my brother where you’re at, what you’re doing, and showing him pictures of your kitten. She’s quite cute, and I’m saying that as a man who likes dogs.”
I pointed in the direction of the living room. “She’s extra cute when using her wheel.”
The cop went to check out my kitten, and sure enough, he used his phone to take pictures. “He’s not going to be happy about where you’re living, by the way.”
Considering how my parents reacted, I expected Erik’s tantrum over my living situation to be worse. “Was it the stabbings or the murders that got to him?”
“Mostly the stabbings, as it’s common knowledge that Cecilia owns these apartments. It’s also assumed that women living in these apartments are brothel workers.”
“I’d make a terrible brothel worker. I demand loyalty.”
Erik’s brother snorted. “Dad made the suggestion that you may have delved into the dark world of brothel operations. The fight was spectacular. Then it was revealed that you just rescue animals and take the conjurations in for a bounty. Then they started doing the math. Erik then became offended, as you’re clearly getting by through bagging corpses and working as an undertaker of animals. Then he heard rumors about the venomous toad biting you.”
“Speaking of which, I need to pay Mouthy Asshole a visit. He’s sad without someone brave enough to handle him, Chester.”
“Care to come to dinner tonight? You can bring your pets with you. I’ll just pretend I’m bringing home a brothel worker to get the best reaction out of my family.”
I grinned. While I hadn’t bought many clothes, I’d gotten a rather slinky outfit for the days I needed to feel like a badass. “Let me go get changed. I have the perfect outfit. Are your parents prudes?”
“Not particularly. They’re more prude about actual behavior than showing skin. What are you going to wear?”
“Something that shows some skin and is made of leather. The other option is one of the dresses my mother foisted on me during that outing yesterday. Some of them are indecent.”
“Go with the leather. I don’t think my brother has ever seen you wearing anything leather.”