Page 34 of Deadly Avarice
I shrugged. “I think it’s the nature of his work. Most people assume their secrets are buried along with the dead. Boone digs those secrets up and hauls them back into the light.”
Standing, Becks stretched before reaching for her cup of coffee. With a pat to my shoulder, she headed toward her desk, a quiet “that he does” slipping from her lips.
With Becks gone, I refocused on the information on the screen. What I’d told Becks was true. So far, I hadn’t found anything alarming regarding Detective Cardoza. That didn’t mean there wasn’t anything, simply that I couldn’t access it. Maybe Becks would find something different, but I didn’t think so.
Closing out of the file, I got busy on one of my cases. The domestic-abuse-turned-homicide case was nearly wrapped up. The autopsy results had come in and there were no surprises. Mrs. DeVane had neatly dispatched her husband with three bullets. It wasn’t what one would consider overkill, especiallygiven the background circumstances. Medical records supported Mrs. DeVane’s claim of long-standing abuse. I wasn’t a prosecutor or a defense attorney. From what I understood, there wasn’t much, if any, money fueling any claims. Mrs. DeVane’s very own children backed her side of the story and there didn’t seem to be a lot of sympathy or outcry over her husband’s untimely demise. I couldn’t imagine the prosecution going after her. It would be a PR nightmare, and they had a lot bigger fish to fry.
Closing out the case report, I was ready to send it off to Captain Cicely when my phone rang. The ringtone didn’t point to anyone I knew. Glancing down at the caller ID, I frowned. It wasn’t a local area code. In fact, it wasn’t an area code I recognized at all.
I considered letting it go to voicemail but answered before that happened.
“Detective O’Hare,” I answered.
“Ah, the human detective. I was uncertain you would answer as my call undoubtedly came through as an unknown number.” There was a dark chuckle that sent prickly spikes down my spine. “This is Tenzen Huxley. I am the Director of the Magical Usage Council.”
I swallowed hard. I knew exactly who Tenzen Huxley was. The question was, why was he calling me? I was, perhaps, the least magical creature on the planet.
“I’m aware, Director Huxley. How may I help you?” I found it curious that I was offering to help the very man I’d been desperate for assistance from this past summer. At the time, my pleas had fallen on deaf ears. We’d see if my ears had the same impairment.
“What a kind offer, Detective. I considered calling Necromancer Boone with the information I have acquired, but I decided to use the situation to speak with you instead. Forgivemy curiosity, but it is not every day that a necromancer finds a mate.”
I stiffened, not at the terminology, but the fact this man knew so much. While humans didn’t consider our significant othersmatesin the way weres and other species did, I wasn’t unfamiliar with the terminology and didn’t find offense.
“I’m afraid I’m not that familiar with what is common withother necromancers.”
Huxley laughed again, the sound just as grating as before. “Well spoken, Detective O’Hare. Positively diplomatic of you.” There was a pause before Huxley continued, “I believe it is fair to say your situation is unique.”
“If so, then it’s a shame.”
“Indeed. I could not agree more.” Huxley dramatically sighed. “Ignoring necromancer needs has been a significant oversight of the Magical Usage Council. One I intend to correct.”
I shifted, and sweat trickled down my back. I still had no idea why Huxley had decided to call me and not Boone. I supposecuriositycould be the cause, but it seemed unlikely. At least, I couldn’t fathom it was the only reason. Huxley had to be crazy busy and speaking with alowlyhuman couldn’t sit very high on his radar.
Clearing my throat, I attempted to remain calm and sound at ease. “I’m glad to hear that, Director Huxley. I’m sure Boone will be pleased as well.”
“Yes. I’m sure. Now, as for the reason I called. You and Necromancer Boone should be expecting a representative from the Warlock Council to reach out to you soon. They have agreed to release the list of necromancer mothers from the last thirty years. Should you require names further back, please let them know and if you encounter pushback, please do not hesitate to reach out to me again. I am more than happy to intervene, and Ibelieve those on the Warlock Council are now fully aware of how personally important this project is to me.”
My fingers clamped painfully tight on my phone. If I kept this up, I’d need a crowbar to extract them.
“Thank you,” I finally managed. “I’m sure Boone will be pleased to hear.” I knew he would be so, again, why hadn’t Huxley called Boone instead of me?
“That pleases me. I truly wish Necromancer Boone well in this endeavor. It has come to my attention that Erasmus Boone has very unique qualities, abilities that could possibly be one of a kind. I sincerely hope this isn’t the case, but if it is, then Necromancer Boone is a precious commodity I would hate to lose.”
A new type of fear raced down my spine. “Boone isn’t acommodity.” Anger pushed away my fear.
“Forgive me. My choice of words was careless. I only meant to convey that Necromancer Boone is beyond special and his safety is of utmost concern to me. I have to say that I was somewhat alarmed to learn that his mate is human. You can understand that I would naturally hope the one Erasmus Boone chose was a little more…shall we say, capable.”
Now I was just downright pissed. “I assure you, Director Huxley, there is no higher priority in my life than keeping Boone safe.”
“That is excellent to hear. I cannot tell you what a relief that is to me, Detective O’Hare. Perhaps my earlier concerns were unfounded.”
“Perhaps so,” I quickly agreed. This was the real reason he’d called, although I still wasn’t certain if it was to try and scare me off, point out how inadequate I was, or just be an ass. All three options were on the table, along with a few other shitty choices. None of them endeared Tenzen Huxley to me.
“Ah, I’ve upset you. I beg pardon, Detective. I meant no offense.” Huxley sounded ingratiatingly congenial. As if I was in the wrong if I didn’t immediately forgive his wounding words.
I grinned and eased back into my chair. As a homicide detective, I’d dealt with plenty of assholes in my time. Huxley wanted to get under my skin and so far, I’d allowed him to do just that. “Your concern is understandable,” I pleasantly said, pushing as much warmth into my voice as I could. “As I said earlier, there is no higher priority in my life than protecting Erasmus Boone. Some say love is the most powerful type of magic of all. If that’s true, then you have nothing to worry about where Boone’s concerned. When Boone is with me, he is well protected. From any and all threats.” I wasn’t trying to brag. I was trying to drive home a point.
“Indeed.” Huxley loudly exhaled. The sound had an oddly smokey feel to it. “I’m glad we had this little chat, Detective O’Hare. Please be a dear and pass on the information regarding the Warlock Council to Necromancer Boone. Should either of you have any questions or if I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am always available to Necromancer Boone.”
