Page 61 of Nemesis

When will he turn up?

And in what manner?

Police lights flash behind me. I grip my steering wheel tighter and groan through my teeth, then pull off to the shoulder. A small part of me hoped they’d fly past, but I’ve got no such luck.

It follows, stopping a good distance away, and I squint into the rearview mirror to see which asshole on Bradshaw’s force it is.

Their uniforms are green, and they wear ostentatious dark-green hats with a narrow, rounded brim. Apparently they’re not allowed to be outside without the hats, which makes it all the funnier.

Yet it slightly disguises the deputy as he approaches my car, the flashing lights behind him silhouetting his body.

I roll down my window, and the sheriff himself leans down into the opening.

“Artemis,” he greets me.

Great.

“Brad,” I respond.

Nathan Bradshaw has had more of aBradattitude lately,

His smile widens. “Aw, don’t be like that. I just wanted to talk to you.”

“You could’ve called.” I drum my fingers on the car door. “I’m exhausted. Can I not go home?”

He sighs. “I just wanted to warn you that we’re getting outside pressure to take the investigation into Bow & Arrow.”

I rear back. “What? Why?”

“Because the body was attached to your building, Tem. It took four of our guys to get him down.” He stares at me. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

“Jesus. I’m just not jumping to conclusions. Am I supposed to run around afraid? We just spent a year doing that, Nathan.”

“Nathan,” he repeats quietly. “Now I’m Nathan.”

“You’re annoying,” I snap. “I wasn’t speeding. Unless you have anything else to say, I’m going home.”

He sighs. “The warrant is coming. I can’t stop it.”

“Thanks for the warning.” I restart my car.

He steps back, and I hit the gas.

Outside pressure fromwhom?

There’s the city council, of course. They’ve undergone some changes recently, but it’s all been in our favor. I can’t see them turning on me. The Hell Hounds are now led by Malik, and while we don’t exactly see eye to eye, he’s not a bad guy.

These Cyclopes that are digging their way into West Falls… do they have enough momentum to pressure the sheriff?

I’m still puzzling it over when I get home. I park in the garage and take the elevator straight up, definitely more distracted than normal when I unlock my condo’s door. I get inside and shed my jacket, drop my phone and wallet on the entryway table, and kick off my shoes.

What I said to Bradshaw wasn’t a lie—I’m fucking exhausted.

If only I could sleep.

My gaze is drawn to the kitchen, then Saint’s bedroom. I make a regular habit of dumping out his alcohol, if only to spite him. But he’s surely restocked…

“Artemis.”

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