Page 16 of Ghosted in Arkadia
I look up, peering through Killian’s window at the warehouse across the street. Victoria Shepperd had been strung to a beam in the basement before being disemboweled. Her soulmate, Steven Shepperd, was tied to a chair opposite her the entire time.
All because he said no to Bill Roman.
It ended up being our lucky break when Steven had enough of a backbone to speak against Bill Roman’s name. Of course, it meant Steven was conveniently killed before the trial, and Roman walked. But it was a crack. And where there is one weak point, there are bound to be others.
“What are we looking for, exactly?” Killian asks, putting the folder down.
“If I can bring Roman in for jaywalking, I will.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, a thought prickles into my mind, making the back of my neck heat.
I could end Roman’s life with nothing more than a bit of blood.
No. Just because my soulmate is a psychopathic murderer doesn’t mean he could get into the same room as Roman. Let alone kill him.
“Kira?” Killian asks, grabbing my attention. He looks at me like he expects an answer.
“What?”
“I said, don’t you think we should try to build a case for something more severe than jaywalking?”
I laugh and look down at my lap. Part of me feels guilty knowing I will be here to observe the slow tainting of Killian’s soul. The world is much darker and more complicated than people realize. Most wouldn’t want to see it if they got the chance, preferring to live in blind bliss rather than see reality’s ugly truth.
“I’ll take every shot I can against someone like Roman,” I say, letting this be a lesson Killian learns in his own time. “If you can build a case, go for it.”
Killian smiles, like I have given him a challenge, reminding me of when I first joined the force. That sense of enthusiasm fades as the jaded strings of time continue to stalk forward. Killian still has that spark. I’ll let Roman be the one to snuff it.
After sitting in the cruiser for an hour, I am ready to enter Charles’ Convenience Store. My legs ache for the stretch, and my back cracks as I twist. Killian gets out as well but doesn’t stretch. He opens the door and stands in place, like a guard waiting for me to enter.
“Thanks,” I mutter as I walk past.
Killian nods, then follows.
“Kira! It’s good to see you. It’s been a while,” Charles says enthusiastically from behind the counter as I approach. His hair is mostly gray and has been for as long as I have known him. His familiar smile is crooked and nicotine-stained, but his heart of gold shines through the imperfections. He slides a bar of dark chocolate on the counter. “Who’s the new partner?”
I take the candy bar, unwrapping it to pop a square into my mouth. It’s bitter, with chunks of salt embedded inside. My favorite.
“Killian,” I manage once I finish the first bite. I needed the minute to push down the fact that it wasn’t Cathy with me, and this question would come up.
I can see the question on the tip of Charles’ tongue as the tip flips from cheek to cheek inside his mouth. His mind warring between curiosity and politeness.
“She died,” I say before taking another bite from the bar.
Charles pales, his lower jaw slack, while his curious mind chastises him.
“I’m so sorry, Kira,” Charles breathes, flopping back into the padding of his chair. His hand comes up to rub the wrinkles on his forehead. “How?”
“Killed in the line of duty.” It’s void of emotion. I like Charles, but don’t like him enough to give him any more than that.
Charles isn’t mateless.
Charles nods with solemn respect, as if it is an acceptable fate considering the profession.
“She’s with her soulmate now,” Charles adds.
I close my eyes to take a deep, settling breath. An onlooker would assume it’s a moment of mourning, but in reality, I have to try hard not to punch anyone who utters those words.
“Do you want a coffee or something?” Killian asks, coming up next to me and placing two water bottles on the counter. Through Killian’s glasses, I see Charles’ concerned expression, and I struggle to keep from laughing, the urge to smile bubbling up inside me.
“I’ll take a cup. No sugar. Extra cream. And grab a Cola, please.”
