Page 36 of Seductive Architect
“Hush.”
Hudson didn’t look like a criminal mastermind, at least not in jeans and a t-shirt. Scanning the wall, it’d make sense that he tried to stop the burglars. If he had been designed to be a super soldier, I assumed they wanted to replace heroes. Had he shown up at the command of his handler? Did they not predict Zipper intervening and cleaning the house before he could show off his skills? Heroes stealing another hero’s save was considered a faux pas. I’d have to talk to Zipper if I ever saw him again.
Sirens blared from down the street. I only had a minute before they arrived on the scene and carted off the perps. I had to decide. Did I blast Hudson, restrain him, and toss him with his buddies, or…
He might be telling the truth. He might not. I’d have to live with whatever this decision costs. I lowered my hands. This is stupid. This is reckless. I know it. I did it anyway.
“Go.”
It defied all logic. Even if he were a super soldier sent to replace heroes, I could put a dent in their operation by having the police question him. Once they realized who orwhathe was, there’d be questions. By morning, their discovery would be splashed across every major newspaper. Yet, logic drowned in a gurgling feeling in my gut. With no evidence to prove my theory, he wasn’t a criminal.
“Go,” I said. “Before the police arrive.”
Hudson bolted to an alley as the cops flew into the courtyard. Parking their cars on the sidewalk, two officers proceeded with guns drawn. They had to make split-second decisions if I was the hero on scene or a villain they’d have to confront.
“I’m on your side,” I shouted.
It didn’t ease the tension or cause them to lower their weapons. “Who are you?”
“Failsafe. Member of the Coven.” I turned slowly, my hands held in the air. “I work with Mr. Supreme.” Thankfully, Wyatt’s superhero moniker served as credentials. They lowered their weapons. “Looks like a run-of-the-mill burglary. Zipper stopped them. I secured the scene.”
“Are there any more inside?” The female officer had seniority. Her male counterpart stayed behind her, allowing her to take the lead. “Casualties?”
“Bank was empty.” I glanced over my shoulder, making sure Hudson had gotten away. “This is all of them, Officer.”
I’d be interviewing Hudson later, and this time I’d be asking the hard questions. Ishouldbe worried that I just freed an agent of the government, and it’d bite me in the ass. My emotions were overriding logic, and in the past, that ended poorly. I needed to get my head screwed on straight before I did something stupid.
“So, should I follow you to the precinct to fill out a report?”
11
“Psst.”
I tried to ignore the inevitable conversation. Instead, I sat at my usual table, watching as the employees arrived for work. After yesterday, I didn’t deserve a cookie frappe. I grimaced as I took another swig of my coffee. Black. I had a feeling before the end of the day, I’d need caffeine coursing through my veins.
“Psst.”
“What?”
Janet glanced back and forth as if somebody might be following her. I chalked it up to her usual dramatic flair. She took a seat opposite me, her back facing the lobby doors. I slid my chair three inches to the side to ensure she didn’t block my view.
“There’s something wrong with Arthur.”
“Did he threaten to fire you again?”
Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward. “Not once! He didn’t bat an eye when I told him I wanted to change all the photos on the website with me and my crown.” With Janet, I expected nothing less. Glancing up, the tiara on her head didn’t even warrant mentioning. I half-expected her to say they were the Crown Jewels of England, she discovered on a black ops mission.
“You’ve worn him down,” I reasoned.
Her head cocked to the side. “Are you ignoring a conspiracy?”
“We don’t use the C-word.” Though she had a point. Everybody had their off days, but never had Arthur shied away from his sister. “Have you noticed anything else?”
“Drew showed up this morning and didn’t say hello.”
I raised an eyebrow. While some humans acted erratically, two similar oddities made it to the wall. Arthur never wasted an opportunity to fire his twin, and Drew never entered the office without a smile and pleasantries. He refused to drink coffee, and I never understood how he could muster coherent words at that hour.
“Odd,” I said. I’d have to update the wall. It wouldn’t be surprising if the clones had discovered I knew their plan. It’d make sense that they’d want to silence me before I connected the dots.
