Page 37 of Dead Heat

“Are we talking about a frog or a beast?” Hailey asked.

“All the options. Even if there’s a lesser-known fairy tale about a rock that turns back into a prince, I want to know about it.”

Hailey’s brown eyes twinkled. “No problem.”

“And bonus points if it’s a Slavic story.”

“Got it.” Her gaze darted to the dozen antsy children in the reading section. “Would you mind if I enlisted the help of others? I think this is the kind of research project that would keep the kids engaged.”

“Sounds like a great idea.”

Hailey radiated with giddy excitement. “I’ll compile the information in a spreadsheet and send it to you when we’re done. I’ll organize the tabs by area of origin, fairy tale title, and method.” She didn’t wait for my response. “I can’t wait to get started!” She hurried to the reading section, bubbling with enthusiasm.

Next, I checked the computer for books on runes, as well as curses and hexes. I pulled four books from the shelves and found an empty table in a quiet corner. The first book was on Norse runes. I flipped straight to Fehu. According to the book, people once wore Fehu rune pendants for luck. The more I learned about Fehu, the more I was convinced it was the correct rune. What I didn’t understand was its connection to Alessandro and why the luck he experienced was bad rather than good.

I cracked open the next book, eager to see whether therewere any lesser-known runes that resembled Fehu. It was possible a similar rune in a different culture marked its bearer for misfortune. If nothing here shed light on the situation, I’d try my luck at Jessie Talbot’s secondhand bookstore, Leather Bound. The elderly woman had an excellent collection of older tomes and had made it clear I was welcome to use her shop as a library. Both me and my bank account appreciated the kind gesture.

I was halfway through the first book when a shadow fell over the page.

“Hello there. You must be Lorelei Clay.”

I glanced up to see a woman best described as a life-sized doll complete with a pink dress and blonde hair adorned with a sparkly pink band. “And you must be Barbie.”

Her laughter tinkled. “No, but I’ll take the compliment.”

“It seems you have the advantage because I have no clue who you are.”

She flashed a blinding white smile that revealed two dimples and slid into the chair across from me. “Oh, honey, as I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, we always have the advantage.”

I closed the book in front of me. “And which department are you from? Idle Threats? No, wait. Pretty in Pink. Pinkalicious?”

She snapped open her shiny pink handbag and retrieved a business card. “This will help.” She flicked the card across the table to me.

Posy Martell. Recruiter.

“Interesting name. Ironic, too, considering posies were used to ward off evil spirits.”

“The Middle Ages were a long time ago. Times have changed.”

I tossed the card back to her. “Shouldn’t this say Mergers & Acquisitions?”

“That’s my department but not my title.”

“Mathis said I wouldn’t be bothered about Aite anymore.”

“I’m a recruiter, Miss Clay. Obviously, I’m not here about a former employee.”

I studied her perfect features. They gave nothing away, yet still I knew. “You already know she’s dead. How?”

She folded her hands primly on the table. “All of our avatars are equipped with implants.”

“Like microchips?” If that were true, then The Corporation would be able to track their avatars no matter where they went, yet they hadn’t been certain of Aite’s whereabouts.

“Not quite. The implant monitors body functions. It helps us collect data for research and refinement. We were alerted the moment Aite’s body ceased to function.”

The information shouldn’t have shocked me, but it did. “If you’re here to collect her body, I regret to inform you that you’re too late.”

“She asked you to burn it, I assume.”

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