Page 122 of Swept for Forever
Susan looked positively delighted. “That’s a yes.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Can we skip to the part where you’re the forensic artist I need?”
“Sure. But first, who’s the giggler?”
I sighed, already regretting this. With a hand on Autumn’s arm, I tugged her into the frame. “Susan Nolan, meet Autumn Jones,” I said. “Autumn, this is Susan. Artist, scientist, and relentless smartass.”
Susan’s eyes brightened. “Oh, you did well, Powell. She’s stunning. And I bet she’s smarter than you.”
Autumn beamed. “No bet. It’s a proven fact.”
Susan let out a satisfied laugh. “Did Powell ever tell you he got banned from a courthouse library?”
I groaned. “Susan?—”
Autumn’s eyes sparkled. “No, but please continue.”
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Susan said. “So, big trial coming up. He was knee deep in legal precedents and stacks of books, with no time to breathe. He finds this one ancient volume that’s out of print and fraying at the edges, the kind of thing law nerds write odes to.”
“It wasn’t even that fragile,” I muttered.
Susan ignored me. “Library policy was no checkouts on anything from the archives. What does Powell do? He sneaks it out in his briefcase.”
Autumn choked. “You stole a book?”
“Iborrowedit,” I said. “I brought it back the next day.”
Susan grinned. “With a sticky note inside that said, ‘You fought the good fight, and your margins deserve medals.’”
Autumn was wheezing now. “Stop it. You wrote to a book?”
“It had character,” I muttered.
Susan nodded solemnly. “And they banned him. One month. No exceptions.”
I shook my head. “It was worth it. That footnote won me a motion.”
Autumn beamed at me. “Of course it did.”
I exhaled, dragging a hand through my hair. “Okay, everyone, listen up. Especially you, Susan Nolan. I need your help. There’s a missing person’s case here in our county, and Autumn might’ve seen the man involved.”
Susan’s smirk dropped instantly. “Dom…I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. Of course.”
“Just help us.”
She nodded, her posture straightening. “Anything you need.”
“Autumn got a good look at the guy, and we had a digital composite done. It’s not useless, but you know how it is.”
Susan groaned. “Digital sketches? Please. They’re the paper dolls of law enforcement. Click to add eyes, swap a jawline, slap on some hair.”
“Exactly,” I said. “So, can you help us redo it?”
“Of course.” She paused, then grinned. “When?”
Autumn and I exchanged glances.
Susan tapped her desk. “Come on, Powell. You didn’t call me just to reminisce. Let’s do it now.”
