Page 25 of A Match Made in Coven
Sarah Michelle nodded, pulling out a stack of crime scene photos from the file. She used a magnifying glass that radiated a gentle light, uncovering subtle clues as they pored over the images, searching for anything that might support their gambling theory.
Suddenly, Lorcan jabbed his finger at a photo. “There! That mug with the Encore Boston Harbor Casino logo.” Elijah used it as a pen holder.
Sarah Michelle leaned in for a closer look. “And those pencils… they’re from Foxwoods Resort Casino. One of the largest in the country.”
Lorcan’s mind raced with the implications. “Can the police track how often Elijah visited these places? Maybe through his phone records?”
Sarah Michelle pursed her lips. “I’ll have to call it in, but I don’t know how long it’ll take the department.” She clicked her tongue. “They’re not the best at dealing with human tech.”
“But I am,” Andromeda chimed in, a wicked smile playing on her lips. “Just give me Elijah’s cell number, and I’ll work my magic.”
He gave a low whistle as she pulled up the first set of encrypted data. “You’re disturbingly good at this.”
The blond witch flashed him a wicked grin, making him more relieved than worried. With Andromeda’s skills and their combined determination, they might get to the bottom of what happened to Elijah.
As Andromeda worked her technological sorcery, Lorcan’s gaze drifted back to Sarah Michelle. Under her tough exterior, the detective seemed to be a kindred spirit—someone who understood the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of piecing together a puzzle, but who was also able to show compassion. If only she didn’t hate his entire family.
Andromeda hammered the keys at lightning speed as she navigated the digital labyrinths. After a few tense minutes, she leaned back in her chair, a triumphant grin spreading across her face.
“Got it,” she announced. “In the past year, Elijah’s phone pinged near the Encore casino in Everett every weekend. And he made a few trips to Foxwoods in Connecticut, too.”
Lorcan’s heart sank at having his suspicions confirmed. Elijah, his easygoing, reliable business partner, had been harboring a secret gambling addiction. The discovery left a bitter tang in his mouth that tasted a lot like guilt and regret. Despite what Sarah said, he should’ve known. Should’ve noticed something was wrong.
Taking in his saddened expression, or maybe just being her usual pragmatic self, Sarah Michelle broke the somber silence. “We should call it a night.” Had they been working all day? Did they even have lunch? “We can head to the casino in the morning and ask around.”
Despite the revelation that had just flattened him, a sliver of vitality returned thanks to her stern, no-nonsense frown. He couldn’t resist poking her. “You’re only looking for an excuse to spend more time with me.”
“Funny, I thought I was just doing my job.” Her poker face gave nothing away. “I’m not interested in catering to your ego, Black. Trust me, I’d rather be locked in a room full of Boggarts than with you.”
He stood up. “Lower on the social scale than Boggarts? My ego is being crushed, detective.”
“I’m sure there’s still plenty to go around.”
As Sarah Michelle escorted him to the door, Lorcan shifted his playful demeanor to serious. He turned to face her, his expression sincere. “Oh, admit it, Callidora. We make a good team.”
She faltered. “You’re not what I expected.”
Lorcan’s heart soared at her confession. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. He offered her a gentle smile, his hand lingering on the doorknob. “I’ll take that,for now. Goodnight, Shelly.”
Chapter Fourteen
Just a Sewer Rat
SARAH MICHELLE
As Lorcan’s broad figure disappeared into the night, a cauldron of emotions brewed in her stomach. His parting “Goodnight, Shelly,” might’ve also caused her to ovulate on her doorstep. It unsettled her, this inexplicable attraction that had no business existing.
As she stepped back inside the house, Andromeda pounced, fanning herself dramatically. “Whew, is it hot in here or is it just me? Those smoldering looks between you two nearly set the living room on fire!”
“Oh, shut it,” Sarah Michelle grumbled, stalking past her nosy roommate. “There were no ‘smoldering looks.’ We were working.”
Nox scampered into the room, nimbly scaling the sofa to perch on the armrest. “Working, eh? Is that what they’re calling it these days?” His beady eyes flashed with reproach. “If your mother knew you’re consorting with a Black…”
Sarah Michelle shot him a withering glare. “Not you, too. There is no consorting going on between me and Lorcan Black.”
But even as the words left her mouth, they rang hollow. Her pulse quickened whenever he was near, and a jolt of awareness zipped through her when their eyes met and held a beat too long… It was getting harder to deny the attraction simmering under the surface.
Andromeda, ever the observant friend, wasn’t buying it. She plopped down on the sofa, propping her feet up on the coffee table. “Seriously, Shelly, you two have more chemistry than a potions lab. Why fight it?”
