Page 61 of Goblins Don't Count
“And you’re sure he’s a dust dealer, not just a wily, slippery fellow that someone wants to use your organization to catch?”
I hesitated. Joss had been controlled by the Coratta demon. Ergo was corrupted, ergo might be involved in something as shady as using the department to catch someone.
“Sato?” he said, voice concerned.
“Yes. Sorry. Yes, I’ll have to look into it.”
“Do you have a description of this dealer? I’ll ask around.”
I exhaled a breath. Max was the most down-to-earth alpha you could ask for, but he was still a werewolf with his own priorities. “Yes, thanks.” I gave him the description, where last seen, and then hung up, leaning back and then stood to my feet abruptly when I realized that the mayor was leaning on my door frame, studying me with a frown. And now my life really was messed up.
ChapterSeventeen
“You were just talking to the alpha?” he asked with so much dripping concern, it made my skin itch.
I nodded and stood up. “Mayor. What are you doing here?”
“Other than eavesdropping? I’ve come to offer the city’s assistance.”
I studied him doubtfully. I’d had a few interactions with the mayor, and they had all impressed upon me his slick and treacherous nature. “Thanks. What exactly did you have in mind?”
“First, let’s make it official. You’re now acting Lieutenant Sato. Congratulations on the promotion.”
I gaped at him. “What?”
He shrugged and stepped inside, walking over to the board to examine my notes. “Honesty is not my policy, as I’m sure you’ve realized, what with your aura reading, not that I’m particularly subtle about it. Singsong city is always a life or death situation about to erupt. The trouble, I’ve recently realized, is that you never know what direction the threat will come from. Rynne Sato, you are incorruptible. Everyone knows this. You won’t take bribes, you won’t look the other way, and…” His voice lowered and he shot me a look. “This is the real reason I’m promoting you,” then raising his voice to normal levels, “You have connections with werewolves, the Grey Society, and the Goblin Authority. Also Winston the Warlock, who has been bothering our city more and more recently. He used to avoid Singsong, and you’d think after the devastation he’d avoid it even more, but no. That means that you have the resources necessary to be permanently in charge of policing our fair city.”
“If you make me the lieutenant, I’ll be hiring a lot of infernal cops.”
“Of course you will. No bias for you.”
“I’ll also investigate you if I hear of any corruption coming from your direction.”
He shot me a beaming smile. “So glad that someone will keep me on my toes.”
“Also, the station needs better funding.”
His smile faded and he cleared his throat. “Ah, well, as Lieutenant Sato, I’m sure you can organize a policeman’s ball to raise funds, and all the people you assaulted when you crashed the governor’s ball can come and return the favor.”
“That’s what I thought. Sounds like your office needs to be audited.”
He pointed at me. “If only you had the resources for that.”
“I’m dating the Goblin Authority. I’m sure he can lend me an accountant to look at your books.”
He laughed, delighted for some reason. “Exactly! You have your own resources. Why not make use of them? You’re giving them their next king. What’s a bit of gold and some goblins for that?”
I ground my teeth for a second at the suggestion that I was somehow the stupid human who had asked the goblin king to carry me away. I had said that we were dating, but everyone didn’t have to jump to conclusions. “You’re suggesting that I would trade my own child for gold and goblins?”
He chuckled. “Never. I’m sure you’re honorable, even if you’re the only one. Well, I’ll let you get back to your investigation. So glad I didn’t get involved in that uncomfortable situation,” he said, gesturing at the desk.
“What uncomfortable situation?”
He raised his brows. “Didn’t you know? You have the file right there. The suicide of the whistle-blower. Of course, it was tragic that the judge had to throw out the lawsuits once their inside witness became so depressed that she couldn’t go on.”
I stared at him, the wheels in my head turning. “You think that she was killed, and that the judge was involved? You’re the mayor! Why wouldn’t you do something about it?”
“This is Singsong City. It is literally founded on corruption. Business is particularly brutal. But you’ll learn all about that soon enough. You’ll have cases where there isn’t a good side, a right answer, or an optimal outcome, just corruption, and wolves eating wolves.”
