Page 92 of Monster's Baby

“Soon,” the professor replied.

It wasn’t long before the door inside the interrogation room opened, letting Edgar and his guards into the room.They uncuffed him from the travel cuffs before leaving him alone in the room.

Niamh entered before he could do anything.“Welcome back, Edgar,” she said, throwing a file onto the table and sitting opposite him, her back to us.“I trust you had a nice vacation?”

He sneered at her, but didn’t reply.

“I hope you enjoyed your little escapade, because you’ve just gained an extra fifteen years on your sentence, no chance of parole.”

“What?”he exclaimed.“I didn’t even try to escape!I was taken out of jail against my will!”

“Be that as it may, you didn’t exactly try to return.”

“They thought I was their professor.I was treated well.Fed three times a day.I could use my magic?—”

“Which you used to steal other’s belongings,” Niamh interrupted sternly.

“You have no proof,” he spat in reply.“That stupid giant, Grain, was put away for that.”

“Hmmm,” she said non-committedly.“He won’t be here much longer.”

He narrowed his eyes.“Why not?”

“New evidence has come to light,” she said breezily.“Pinning the thefts to you.”

“Impossible,” he snarled.

“Suit yourself.”She got to her feet.“Make yourself comfortable.”Niamh left the room, closing the door behind her.She left the file on the table.

Edgar watched the door for a long moment, long enough that Niamh was able to join us in the observation room.

“Doesn’t he know he’s being watched?”I asked.

“The wall looks like all the rest,” Niamh said.“Come on, thief.You’re about to be put away for longer than you were originally incarcerated.Look at the file.”

As if he heard her, he reached out for the file, flipping it around so he could read the contents.Whatever was in it made his eyes open wide, and his face pale.

He returned the file to its original place and chewed his lip in thought.

“Come on, you slimy little villain,” Niamh muttered.“Tip your hand.”

His gaze darted to the door again, and he began digging in his pocket with one hand.

He pulled out a dust bunny and put it on the table, poking through it for a moment.Then he muttered something and my grimoire and ring became full sized.

“That’swhere he was hiding them?”I gasped.

Niamh shook her head.“He’s a clever one, I’ll give him that.”

Edgar closed his eyes in concentration, and suddenly, there was a copy of myself sitting at the table.

I squirmed uncomfortably.“Is that enough?Can we get my things now?”

“No, we’re going to wait until he actually escapes.I want to know how he does it so I can plug the hole.”

“Okay.You’re sure you’ll be able to nab him?I really don’t want him walking around with my face on.”

“Don’t worry.”Niamh patted my shoulder.“Everyone’s on high alert.”

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