Page 42 of Deadly Avarice
“Is it about the homicide you just came from?” Captain Cicely rested her forearms on her desk, her fingers interlaced and rings clinking.
“No. At least not yet. Not enough information. As of this point, we don’t even have an ID. I don’t need the coroner’s report to tell you it’s most likely a homicide. Our John Doe didn’t die from an overdose. Gunshot wound to the head. No gun found near the body so doesn’t look like suicide, although given the neighborhood, someone could have snatched the gun. The angle of entry, GSR, and burn around the entry wound should give us more information. Dr. Stowe was already on scene when I left.”
Captain Cicely relaxed and leaned back into her chair. “Sounds like the typical hurry-up-and-wait scenario.”
I couldn’t disagree and nodded.
“So, if it’s not about the case, then what brings you to my little corner of the building?”
“Boone.”
“Ah. What has our favorite necromancer gotten himself into this time?”
A grin tilted my lips. It was like saying your only child was your favorite offspring. “I got a text from him earlier. Heheard from the Warlock Council. They’re sending the list of necromancer mothers’ names.”
This time, both of Captain Cicely’s eyebrows rose. “Are they now? That’s surprising. What changed their minds?”
I started to tell Captain Cicely about Tenzen Huxley, but something stopped me. It wasn’t lack of trust because I trusted the witch in front of me with my life and Boone’s. It was something else I couldn’t identify and yet couldn’t ignore. Call it a gut feeling but I figured the fewer individuals who know of Huxley’s involvement, the better. Possibly better for them.
“It’s a long story.” The captain gave me a look that clearly called bullshit, but I ignored it. “I’m worried.”
“About?”
“Boone. More specifically, what this will do to him. We only looked through the names in the surrounding states and three out of four necromancers were already dead. That doesn’t bode well for the rest of the country or…” I let my voice trail off, unwilling to consider all the necromancers around the world.
“I see.” Captain Cicely’s fingers tapped along the armrests of her chair. “It will certainly be emotionally taxing.”
“To say the least.” I slouched within the uncomfortable chair, absently staring at a spot on Captain Cicely’s desk.
“Well then, I’d say it’s a good thing he has a handsome, loving man to hold him through the tough times.” The captain smirked when my head snapped up, my eyes wide. “Don’t look so surprised, O’Hare. I know you love that man, and the feeling is obviously mutual. You work in homicide. You know better than anyone that life is sometimes shit. You have horrid days just like I do. We learn to bottle that shit up and pressure inevitably builds until the cork flies off the bottle and we drench everyone in our rotting, stinking vitriol.” Leaning forward again, the captain’s gaze was laser focused on me. “That’s what the ones who love and care for us are there for.”
“To take our shit?” I choked on a grunt.
“Sometimes.” The captain nodded. “They’re there because they want to be, because they know that’s not who we want to be, because they know that we don’t mean to hurt them and they’re willing to take the hit because they love us. In spite of our flaws, in spite of the hurt we cause them, because we also know how to love and care for them in return. It’s a two-way street, and thank Gaia for that small mercy. I don’t know what I’d do without my coven. My sisters are there to help celebrate my victories and hold me up through the failures. That’s life,” she said with a shrug. “We navigate it the best we can, and sailing through rough seas is so much easier with multiple hands on the oars.”
“So you’re saying I need to get busy rowing?”
“You’ve got strong shoulders, O’Hare. I knew that the day I hired you. Boone’s lucky to have you, and if I’m not mistaken, he has others as well. His momma and, Gaia help us, his father.” Captain Cicely’s nose scrunched at the mention of Warlock Holland. There wasn’t a lot of love lost between warlocks and witches.
I considered the captain’s words and said, “He’s got more than that.” I thought of his neighbor, Calista Hart and her dog, Miss Pattycakes. Many of my co-workers also had Boone’s back as well. I still wasn’t certain about the hodgepodge of individuals living on the East Coast. Peaches seemed friendly and, in his own way, so did King Moony. There were others Boone spoke fondly of as well.
And then there was Aurelia. God help us, I had no idea where she figured into things.
“And there you have it. You’re not alone in this. Boone has a good support network and most likely, he’s going to need it. You’ll be there for him and if you need extra help from me, then all you need to do is ask. What Boone’s trying to do is important. You’ve got the support of the precinct. Obviously, we’ll need tofocus on current cases and I won’t make anyone do anything they don’t want to. It will be on a volunteer basis, but I’ll put the word out and if anyone wants to help weed through the list, then they are welcome to do so.”
My mouth slipped open, words absent. I was at a loss.
“Good thing it’s not summer or you’d catch a lot of flies with that open mouth, O’Hare.” Captain Cicely smirked before waving a hand toward the door. “Go on. Thank you for allowing me to rest my eyes from this damn monitor.” The captain looked at her computer with a lot of loathing.
Standing, I finally answered, “Thank you, Captain. I don’t know—”
“Save it, O’Hare. No thanks needed.”
I started to leave, but the captain stopped me by saying, “If you really want to help me out, get a ring on Boone’s finger by Valentine’s Day. That’s my date in the office pool.”
I choked on a gasp. “There’s a pool about when… I haven’t even decided if I’m going to propose yet. I don’t know if Boone would—”
“Oh, please. You’re smarter than that. Boone will jump your bones when you propose. Notice I saidwhennotif. Get your head out of your ass and buy a damn ring or whatever the hell necromancers want when they get hitched. Now, close the door on your way out.”
