Page 82 of The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine

‘You reckon it’ll be done in an hour?’

‘It will be now Bunny’s helping.’

‘Great. Well then, maybe after all this is over we could grab a coffee.’

Sidnee smiled again. ‘I’d like that.’

His eyes lit up. ‘Great. I’ll see you later.’

I waited until he’d gone then looked at Sidnee. ‘You going there?’ I asked, waggling my eyebrows. ‘He seems smitten.’

Sidnee blushed. ‘I think I’d like to,’ she admitted. ‘I’m feeling a bit smitten myself.’

I was pleased; I liked Thomas and he’d be good for her. And only the thickest of mermaids would dare to mess with Sidnee if she was dating Thomas. He might be human but he was a council member and we all knew that he was deadly as hell.

We fell silent as we typed away at the mountain of forms.

‘Bunny, Sidnee, get back here,’ Gunnar hollered.

We both jumped but scrambled to our feet. ‘You bellowed, boss?’ Sidnee said cheekily.

I smiled at how quickly these little things had become part of my new norm: Gunnar’s loud bark, which was surely worse than his bite, and Sidnee’s inevitable response. I really did love everything about my job.

‘Bunny, go get the prisoner. Sidnee, have you done that paperwork?’

‘Yes, sir.’ We both snapped out sloppy salutes then laughed.

Gunnar rolled his eyes. ‘Well, get to it.’ He shooed us away.

I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Liv; I’d be lucky if she didn’t try to turn me into her personal vampire slave after I’d arrested her. I’d thought she was growing to like me until this –but she still scared the shit out of me. I grabbed the green cuffs and went in the back.

Someone must have brought Liv a change of clothes and her toiletries because she was made up, her hair was tied into tight bun and she was wearing an ivory dress with golden jewellery at her throat, neck and ears. I didn’t even know we allowed those things in jail. I guessed she was getting special treatment.

She held out her hands and I cuffed her. ‘I thought we understood each other, Bunny,’ she said, her tone heavy with disappointment.

‘I think we still do,’ I shot back.

She smirked. ‘You may be right.’

The four of us walked to the council chambers at the mayor’s office. Sidnee, Liv and I sat on the front row facing the paranormal council and Gunnar took his place with them. Everyone else was there – Connor, the mayor, Calliope, Stan and Thomas.

Once we were settled, the mayor stood up. ‘This informal hearing has been called by council member, Liv Fox. We are here to decide if this matter will be brought to trial. The charges are that Liv cursed two members of the community, including one of our council members, Stan Ahmaogak. It is suggested that both of the cursed would have died without the intervention of the Nomo’s office and the medical team at the hospital. It is further alleged that Liv Fox knowingly sponsored the black market. Finally, it is alleged that she attempted to subvert the gems that are powering the barrier in such a way that the barrier would fail.’

He looked at everyone to make sure they understood the gravity of the charges then at Liv, who looked down. ‘Each council member will have ten minutes to state their piece. We’ll start with Gunnar.’

Visibly upset, Gunnar got to his feet. For once Liv didn’t look at him salaciously but stared down at her hands. I could almost believe that she felt remorse for her actions, but this was Liv we were talking about…

Gunnar’s jaw was clenched and when he spoke it was a rumbling growl. ‘I vote that Liv Fox be tried for her crimes against this town and her fellow Portlockians.’ He didn’t elaborate: we all knew his wife was one of the cursed. Liv had also attacked Stan, Gunnar’s de facto son. He would like to see her booted out of town at the very least.

Stan was next. I was surprised that he was allowed to vote given the clear conflict of interest. Liv looked resigned.

‘Although, I nearly died as a result of Liv’s actions, I think this town needs her. Necromancers of her skill and moral fibre are rare. At the time of her actions she was under the influence of some powerful, malicious magic. I understand that she has been freed from the influence of that magic and is no longer a threat to this town. I vote to drop the charges.’

I was stunned – and so was Liv. He’d called her moral. Stan was far more mature than I’d given him credit for; a lot of people would have struggled to see past being cursed.

The mayor called Calliope to speak. Since she and Liv were often on opposite sides of an issue, I expected her to vote in the negative. ‘I agree with my learned colleague Mr Ahmaogak. Miss Fox’s actions, though egregious, were under the influence of potent deadly magic. I vote to drop the charges.’

The mayor, Mafu, stood up as Calliope sat down. ‘I think that council members should be held to the highest standard. I vote that Liv be tried for her crimes, at which juncture she may be exonerated – but the town deserves a full trial.’ He looked over at Thomas. ‘Patkotak?’

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