Page 6 of The Elementalist
“We’re doing our best to keep the town safe, Max.”
I took in some air. “Crystal heard her sister screaming, Sheriff. She didn’t hear anything else. No growling or roaring or even meowing. Dana said nothing about a cat, but she did say they were being stalked by something in the woods.”
“I know, Max. I spoke with Crystal at length. Dana never mentioned what was stalking her over the phone before she stopped talking... and started, you know...”
“Dying?”
“Yeah, that. Anyway, it could have been a big cat stalking her, and based on the evidence, it was, in fact, a big cat. If not, what else? A bear? If so, then why no evidence of a bear? A man? You really think there is a man out there killing people and making it look like a cat did it?”
“I’m just doing my job, Justine.”
“That’s Sheriff Justine to you, pal.”
I sighed. “Fine.Sheriff.Look, my client isn’t happy with the findings, and I’m here to see if anything got... um...”
“Missed? Overlooked? Is that what kind of department you think I run, Max?”
“That Private Dick Max to you, missy.”
“Oh god, that sounds all kind of wrong.”
I laughed. She... almost smiled. Good enough.
“No. I don’t think you cut corners or misread the findings, Sheriff. I’m here at the behest of my client, to serve her in whatever capacity I can. I’m being asked to look deeper into the case, and so I am. It’s how I make a buck.”
“Give her money back, Max. There is no case here.”
“One problem,” I said. “I already paid my rent with it.”
She snorted. “What did I ever see you in you?”
“My prowess in the bedroom?”
“Yeah, maybe. I do miss that. Don’t get any funny ideas. I don’t sleep around with assholes.”
“I’m not an asshole.”
“You hurt me. That makes you an asshole.”
“I’m sorry.”
She drummed her fingers on her oversized desk, looked at me sideways. “What else did you need?”
“The autopsy report?”
“You can read it in here, but it doesn’t leave my desk.”
“Thank you.”
“Wait here.”
“On pins and needles.”
She laughed once. “Such a dork. Be right back.”
I couldn’t help but smile as she left.
Chapter Three
