Page 73 of Deadly Lineage
I considered that and asked what I already knew. “Do you know her master?” I hated the word, but that’s what Aurelia herself called it.
Boone appeared wary. “I do.”
I was going out on a very shaky, morally uncomfortable limb. “Could you ask them to wish for Aurelia to—”
“I could and I won’t.” Boone shut me down fast. “Even if I did ask, I don’t think he’d do it, and I’d never ask. I won’t do that to Aurelia. What was done to her when she was created was horrific enough, and no one should have that kind of power over another. I want to give you peace of mind, Franklin, but I can’t do it that way. Please don’t ask that of me.”
I leaned forward, elbows planted on my knees, and reached for Boone’s hands. He laced his fingers with mine.
“Sorry. I didn’t want to ask, and you’re right, it was wrong to do so.” I felt like the shit on the bottom of someone’s shoe. It was scary how easy it was to fall into horrific mindsets when you were frightened of losing the ones you cared for.
“It’s okay. I get it. If the situation were reversed, or if it were Momma who was in trouble, I’d have the same thought.”
I wasn’t convinced. Contrary to what others thought, Boone was a far better individual than 99 percent of the population. That’s probably why Aurelia had willingly chosen to keep him safe on numerous occasions. I could only hope that she continued feeling that way.
“Okay, so we don’t ask Aurelia’s master to command her, but maybe you could ask if she’d be willing to wear one of those communication charms you were talking about.” I wasn’t certain that’s what it was called but went with the description that seemed best.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask. All she can do is tell me no or disappear. If she blinks away, I guess I’ll have her answer.”
I thought Aurelia was capable of doing a hell of a lot more than disappearing or telling Boone no. It was a calculated risk. Right now, those numbers fell on the side of asking.
Boone’s fingers squeezed mine. “I’m really bummed that plate number didn’t lead anywhere. I went to a lot of effort to get it.”
I knew what that felt like and said, “I get it. I—”
“Am I interrupting, Detective O’Hare?”
My eyes snapped up. I hadn’t heard or seen Dr. McCallister approach. The man was quiet as a damn ghost. Boone tugged his fingers, but I didn’t release them. I doubled down as McCallister’s gaze focused on our locked digits. Intrigue and disgust colored his eyes and pinched his lips.
Clearing my throat, I said, “Is there something I can do for you, Doc?”
McCallister held out a manila envelope. “No. Seeking to avoid a repeat of your earlier visits, I decided to hand-deliver my autopsy results on Mr. Linus Remington.”
My eyebrows shot heavenward. “You could have e-mailed it.” I didn’t open the report. Instead, I laid it on my desk. McCallister didn’t leave after delivering his report, and I had no idea why. In fact, he shifted his position so he could get a better view of Boone.
This time, when Boone pulled back, I released his fingers. “Something I can help you with?” he asked, voice carefully neutral.
McCallister’s finger poked between his eyes, pushing up nonexistent glasses. It was a habit he couldn’t seem to shake. Scowling at his wayward finger, McCallister shoved both hands into his lab coat’s deep pockets.
Leaning forward, McCallister sniffed subtly before pulling back. His nose scrunched and he viciously rubbed his finger under it. Boone lifted an eyebrow as he gave me aWTFlook. Honestly, I had nothing and shook my head.
Stepping away, McCallister kept his hand close to his nose, as if he smelled something foul and was attempting to keep the stench at bay. Voice muffled, he finally said, “I was unaware a necromancer worked so closely with the homicide department.”
I wasn’t sure if there was a question in there or not. Boone acted like there was and said, “Seems like a good fit.”
McCallister hadn’t been the primary coroner when Boone attempted to bring the Jane Doe’s soul back. Searching my memory, I wasn’t sure if Boone had been present much when McCallister was on the job.
“Indeed.” Head cocked to the side, McCallister kept his hand in front of his nose as he said, “It is not something I had considered.”
Neither one of us had time to answer, not that I really knew what words to throw at the man. Seemingly done, McCallister turned and walked across the room, headed for the exit. Ever so slowly, Boone said, “Okay?”
Again, I had a whole lot of nothing and answered, “No idea.” Necromancers weren’t plentiful, and those of Boone’s caliber were even rarer. I wasn’t necessarily surprised that McCallister hadn’t considered our department had one on retainer.
Shaking off the odd interaction, I reached for the envelope and sliced through the seal. Perusing the form didn’t take long. With a disgruntled huff, I threw the thing back down on my desk.
“Let me guess, heart failure?” Boone asked.
“Got it in one.”
