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Lucian
The investigating officer sits across from my desk, his partner in the chair beside him. From the looks of it, the rookie was trying out the big boy wheels, by asking all the questions, while his mentor sat quietly beside him. Observing me, no doubt.
Too bad for them, I hold fucking degrees in bullshitting. It’s wound up in my DNA alongside my eye color, dark hair, and penchant for rough sex. These guys will be lucky to walk away with one straight answer by the time this inquiry is over.
“I understand she worked a couple years for you, as a nurse to your mother.”
Rookie boy’s attempt to sound official is thwarted by the uncertain glance toward the seasoned cop beside him, the sight of which, tugs at my lips for a smile. I’ll give the kid some credit--he’s trying to be thorough, just doing his job, but if they think they’re pi
“She worked for an agency that we hired.”
“Okay. And, um …” Face buried in his notes, the kid doesn’t seem to have a single thought of his own about this investigation. He’s spent most of the time staring at whatever he wrote down before knocking on my door. “She was fired the week before. What was the nature of that?”
“My mother’s pills have gone missing.”
“So, you fired her because she was stealing pills?”
“I fired her because she wasn’t the right fit. Happens, sometimes. Some people just aren’t cut out for certain jobs.”
His partner rubs his hand across his face as if to hide the smirk I catch, and I eye the signet ring on the older man’s finger. With his cockeyed, misbuttoned shirt, and hair that looks like he trims it himself, the guy seems the type to harbor little patience for anything, especially some wa
“We did find a prescription bottle for Laura Blackthorne.”
“And is that why you decided to interrupt my evening?”
The kid looks to his partner, then back to me, frowning. “We’re just following up.”
“Was there evidence of foul play?”
“No, we … dusted for prints. Didn’t find any outside of the maid and Miss Anders, of course. The lab is checking out what she injected in the syringe. But the room was rented under a James Smith. Does that name ring a bell?”
“Yeah. It’s probably the most common name in this country. You got a credit card? Camera footage?”
“No. It appears the room was paid in cash for the week. And the Crow’s Nest doesn’t have any outdoor cameras, from what we understand. Just one in the office to make sure their employees aren’t stealing anything.”
“Then, my guess? She wanted a place to get high without anyone finding her.”
“Fu
“Of course. Anything I can do to help the investigation, I’m happy to assist.”
“One more question.” Once again, the rookie buries his face in his notes, his eyeballs shifting back and forth as they scan the page. “She worked for you a couple years. Why would you suddenly decide she wasn’t the right fit out of the blue?”
“I try not to delve too deeply into the personal affairs of those I employ, but I will say, there’s been a gradual decline in her performance. We recently had an incident where she left without informing anyone, which put my mother at risk. I also found her to be increasingly impatient with my mother.”
“Do you mind if I … chat with your mother for a minute?”
“I do. My mother won’t be any assistance to you. Her mental faculties aren’t what they used to be.”
“Still, it might be--”
“We’re not chatting with Mrs. Blackthorne. We’ve got more pressing issues than a drug addict who decided to hole herself up for the weekend and overdose on heroin.”
“Of course. Thank you for your time, Mr. Blackthorne.”
The officers exit my office, along with Rand, who didn’t bother to say a word from the time he showed them in up until now. I pour myself a drink, carrying the glass back to my desk, and pulling out my phone, I check my texts.
The last one I received was Makaio, telling me Isa had apparently left the bar to walk back home. Why? No idea. On the way back, though, it appeared she caught on and ran from him, through the park. And that’s when Makaio got in touch with me.
I dial his number, which he answers on the second ring. “Yeah, Boss, I found her.”
“And?”
“She’s okay. Shaken up a bit. Some little pricks in the park were messing with her.”
“I trust you intervened.”
“That I did.”
“Everyone still has a pulse?” I pitch back the entire glass of liquor, trying to erase the mind-numbing exercise of having entertained an infant cop for the last hour.
“Yes.”
“Good. I don’t need another investigation thrown in my lap.”
“Rest assured, I only smacked them around a bit.”
“Enough to serve as a warning, I hope.”
“I don’t think they’ll mess with her again. And if they do, I’ll be sure to make it clearer.”
The comment makes me smile as I fill another glass of bourbon. “I want her brought directly to my office when you arrive.”
“Sure thing, Boss.”
As I hang up the phone, the elevator dings, and Rand strides toward me.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” I ask, falling back into my chair and kicking my feet up on the desk.
“I can assure you, I carried out your orders to the T. I let the woman know we were aware of the private investigator, and I let her go. That was the last I saw, or heard, from her.”
“I don’t like surprises. Having two police officers show up at my door is definitely a shitty surprise.”
Arms crossed in front of him, Rand lowers his gaze. “My apologies, Sir.”
“Did you have any awareness of her addiction?”
“Based on the information of our contacts, I was aware she had a history of drug abuse, but her tests have since been clean.”
“Guess it was a bad night, then. Relapse, maybe.”
The warm buzz of alcohol begins to dull my frustration from before, and I switch my mind to something else, no less concerning, but more worthy of my attention. “I appreciate the information on Isa. It appears she had a run-in this evening while in town.”
“She’s okay, I hope.”
“Yes. According to Makaio, she’s a little shaken. If I find out it has anything to do with the bastards who attacked her before, I’ll have their dicks severed and sent in a gift-wrapped box to their parents.”
The nervous shift of his feet tells me Rand believes every word of my threat. “Is that wise, Master? Given the attention Ms. Anders has brought our way?”
“I don’t give a fuck whether it’s wise, or not.”
The elevator dings again, and this time, it opens up to Makaio and Isa, who looks a bit disheveled and pale.
“That will be all, gentlemen, please excuse us.”
Both Rand and Makaio quickly exit the office, disappearing behind the closing elevator door, while Isa stands in the center of the room, her gaze downward.
In the silence between us, I scan over her, making sure not a single bruise mars her skin, the sight of which will trip my slowly budding temper. “Exciting night, as I understand.”