Page 60 of Evidence of a Folktale

“Women who work on Aesop’s Files.”

“We’re already stretched so thin. How are we supposed to protect every female cast and crew member when we have two murders to solve and a town bursting at the seams?”

“Miss Monroe is the priority,” Bel said. “And not because she’s a famous actress. Realistically, how long can the killer keep murdering women before something interrupts him? He’s gotten away with it twice, but now that we’re increasing our efforts, it’ll be harder for him to kill. I think Miss Monroe is his next target.”

“That makes sense,” Griffin said. “We’ll focus on her, but if we visibly increase security, The Wolf might panic. He’ll feel like a cornered animal, and predators get nasty when trapped. If he suspects we’re on to him, he could start killing anyone he gets his hands on.”

“I’ll do it,” Bel said. “I’ll work Monroe’s protection detail in plain clothes, and we’ll sell my presence to the public as a police consultant. Shows use them often, and we can feed the fans that narrative. That Taron Monroe wants to perfect her role on Aesop’s Files, so shehireda real-life detective to accompany her on set. Yes, I’m still the police, but as a woman, I’ll hopefully fuel The Wolf’s fantasy, especially if I play up my femininity. If I come across as more friend than protector, he won’t view me as a threat, but as another female to satisfy his delusions. Instead of threatening him with an increased police presence, I’ll become bait, and hopefully, he’ll target me when he makes a play for Monroe.”

“Absolutelynot!” Griffin practically shouted at her. “What’s wrong with you? I am not putting you in the line of fire, especially not after Blaubart. That’s not happening.”

“Where’s Olivia?” Bel asked, ignoring his outburst, even though she secretly loved that he cared so deeply.

“Still trying to track down Gwen Rossa’s final hours.”

“Well, if she were here, she’d agree. She can handle the investigation, and I’ll play the consultant to Miss Monroe. If we can draw The Wolf out, we won’t have to worry about searching for evidence that isn’t there.”

“Did you not hear what I just said?” Griffin gawked at her. “The answer is no. An absolute, resounding, and definite no. We aren’t using you as bait. I don’t care who’s in danger. Your life is more important to me. If that makes me a terrible sheriff, so be it, but you always come first.”

“I know.” Bel stood up and leaned forward, kissing her boss’ forehead. “I come first to Eamon too, and he’s mastered walking through the shadows. He can be invisible when he chooses to be,a fact thatwas made clear when I interviewed the bed-and-breakfast owner. She has no clue what he looks like. All she knows is he’s reclusive.”

“Ha,” Griffin snorted. “I wish he would be a recluse instead of bothering me all the time.”

“You love it.” She reached for her boss’ hand, and he took it, his larger fingers swallowing hers whole. “So, Olivia will take over the case, I’ll protect Miss Monroe, and Eamon will protect me. He’ll have no problem getting onto the sets. His… skills or money will guarantee he can follow me around.”

“I don’t know.”

“You said it yourself; we’re stretched too thin. We need help, and we need someone we can trust. Eamon didn’t kill those girls, and he won’t let anyone harm me. It’s the best plan we have.”

“Would he even agree to it?” Griffin asked, and Bel glared at him with raised eyebrows. “Right, ofcoursehe would.Do youjustbat your eyes and get everything you want?”

“Pretty much,” she teased. “It works on you too, though.” She batted her eyes at him, and he rolledhisin response.

“All right, all right.” He swatted her away. “Fine, we’ll try your idea if, and only if, Eamon can be on set with you at all times. And I mean it, Emerson. I want him glued to your metaphorical hip.”

“I havean idea to sell our story,” Taron Monroe said as she and Bel entered the building. They were scheduled to film inside Bajka’s picturesque courthouse, and both Eamon and Taron had readily agreed to help Bel pose as Miss Monroe’spersonalconsultant.

“We should do a live,” the actress continued.

“A live?” Bel asked, and as they passed through the courthouse’s secondary doors, a hand shot out and grabbed her fingers. She didn’t react as the cool skin caressed hers. Her gaze remained on Taron as the grip held her until the distance forced them apart, and without glancing over her shoulder to see who hovered in the crowd, she smiled to herself. She loved having Eamon work alongside her again. She was a braver cop with the devil guarding her back, and facing the bitter outdoor shoots was suddenly less daunting with him by her side.

“Yes, a social media broadcast where people can watch me live,” Taron explained. “I’ll introduce you as my new consultant and explain how a real female homicide detective will guide my character. The fans will eat it up, and it’ll help portray you less like a guard and more like a set piece.”

“You want to show my face?” Bel stopped walking,catching sight ofEamon leaning against a wall just beyond the set’s commotion.

“I mean…”

“No,” Bel said. “I don’t have social media, and I don’t want my face online. It’s bad enough when I end up on the news.”

“Oh… Okay,” Taron paused. “I just thought it would sell our charade since you believe The Wolf might be more inclined to take the bait if you weren’t a threat.”

“No, it’s smart, but can you do it without me?”

“What about a compromise?” the actress asked. “Go talk to Beau and offer to help him when I don’t need you. I’ll film the live here, and it’ll capture his face and the back of your head. It’ll add to the legitimacy because it’ll appear that I’m catching you hard at work. Besides, Beau loves the attention, so he’ll position himself to be in the shot instead of you.”

“You promise not to reveal my face or name?”

“Absolutely. You’re the only person taking my concerns seriously, and I cried when you promised to help. I’ve been so freaked out by this wolf character, and I’d never post you online without your consent. I realize as an actual cop, you want to keep a low profile.”

---