Page 53 of Stalk the Dark
She blinked sharply. “I have an insanely accurate body clock.”
Things between us seemed to be smoothing out the past two days. Working together on getting the offices operational was a great bonding experience for our small team, and I was itching to ask her about the other night when I’d overheard her with Edwin in the corridor. Where did she go in the evenings after curfew?
I could ask, but it would be better if she volunteered the information. I’d wait a little longer in the hope that would happen.
“Well, look at this.” The counter bell rang. “A fucking bell.” I’d only heard that voice once before, but I recognized it as Gunther from the Sangualex offices.
I joined Padma in reception where Gunther stood, arms crossed, surveying our handiwork. With the floors cleaned, the windows washed, and a fresh coat of paint on the framework—courtesy of Edwin—the space was beginning to take shape, almost ready to open to the public.
“You think a little lemon polish and paint will bring you clients?” Gunther sneered. “No one will come to you for help when they have the Sangualex.”
Clients? Alarm bells went off in my head. “Why would you call people in need clients? We’re apublicservice.”
He looked momentarily thrown, like a rabbit with its paw in wolves’ territory. “I meant people.”
“Did you?” Edwin asked, stepping closer, undaunted by the other man’s size. “Did you really?”
“You’re wasting your time,” Gunther said quickly. “We have the manpower and the resources to get any job done.”
“Yeah?” Merry challenged. “Is that why we have a gazillion boxes of unsolved cases in our filing room?”
He snorted. “Those are Order office cases, always have been. Not our problem that you couldn’t resolve them.”
“Bullshit!” Padma said. “These offices are three years old, and the Sangualex have had them ever since they were acquired for the Order. Before that we worked from the HQ offices, the onesyou’vetaken over.”
“Yeah, well, they must have been your unsolved cases from back then.”
“Some of them are,” Merry admitted. “About five percent so far. The rest have Sangualex seals on them.”
He sniffed and raised his chin. “Anyone can forge a seal.”
Oh my God, the man was an asshole. “Get out.”
“What?” He seemed genuinely thrown, as if no one had ever told him to get out of anywhere before.
Good, I’d be the first.
I crossed my arms, mimicking his stance. “I said. Get. Out.”
He took a menacing step toward me, and Edwin moved to block him. “You heard her. Get the fuck out before I throw you out.”
Edwin was younger and not a big guy, but in that moment, there was a palpable air of menace to him that I’d never seen before.
Go Edwin!
Gunther’s gaze dropped to him, a kaleidoscope of emotions passing across his features as he considered his next move.
Make the right choice,dude…
He exhaled and dropped his arms, backing toward the exit. “Whatever. You’re not worth it. None of you are. Play law enforcement if you want. I don’t give a fuck.”
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him like an overgrown, petulant child.
“Well…” Merry said.
“What an asshole,” Padma said.
“Yeah, with asshole breath,” Edwin added.
