Page 58 of For Dear Life

“You went to work that day? At the factory?” I ask.

Josef looks back. “Mr. Sawyer’s movements are none of your concern, and we are the ones asking questions, not you. Now, tell us where the jewelry is.”

“This is ridiculous,” I retort. “Why are you really targeting us, Mr. Sawyer? Why do you suddenly need your attorney?”

Placing both hands on the table, Josef leans across to me. “Is Kai your next target?”

“Again, ridiculous. Mr. Sawyer’s son is inconsequential to me. As is his wife’s jewelry collection.”

The door to the room opens, the new arrival not knocking to announce himself. Sawyer’s annoyance is cut dead when Dorian walks into the room and slaps a manila folder on the desk.

“Good morning, gentleman,” he says.

Josef Petrescu noticeably shifts closer to the window as my imposing father brings all his powerful energy with him.

“We weren’t expecting you to join the meeting, Dorian,” says Sawyer evenly.

“Nice to see you again, Christopher.” Dorian flashes his charming smile. “I do apologize for not attending town council meetings recently.”

“I understand. You’re a busy man.” His own smile is thin-lipped.

“Yes, but with all the commotion happening recently, I feel we need more involvement by either myself or the supernatural council.” Dorian sits on the edge of the desk and flicks through the file without revealing anything to others.

“In town affairs?” asks Josef stiffly.

“I’ve avoided too much interference in case I’m found to favor my daughter, but these issues spread across three jurisdictions now. Mine, human, and shifter.” Carefully, he opens the folder and pulls out a photograph. “I’m aware you have a Petrescu attorney, Christopher, which is concerning enough, but I also understand that you’ve witch influence on your business or life. Or both.”

I can’t see the image clearly from here, so fold my hands in my lap and pay close attention.

“This man.” Dorian taps the paper. “What role does he play in your life?”

“Don’t answer,” says Josef sharply.

Dorian gives a bored sigh and yanks out another photo to show Sawyer. “And this one.”

There’s a definite odor of human perspiration growing in the room as Sawyer shakes his head.

“No?” Dorian taps a third photograph. “What are you discussing with both of them here?”

Josef leans across and places the photos in a pile, not looking at them. “You can’t walk in here uninvited with questions and veiled accusations as if you have authority over this man.”

“What?” Dorian’s fake innocence doesn’t fool any of us. “I have jurisdiction over the witches in these pictures. You presume I’m accusing Christopher when I’m merely ascertaining whether he and his family are safe.”

“I guess Violet’s inherited her verbosity from you,” says Josef tersely. “The tone you used with my client sounded accusatory.”

I’m unable to hold back. In fact, I’m rather proud that I’ve kept my mouth shut for this long. “Who are the witches?”

“This isn’t your business, Violet,” says Dorian, not looking at me. Indignance chokes from me. “In fact, perhaps you should leave while I discuss this with Sawyer and his attorney.”

“But—”

“But you are suspects in recent crimes and I don’t want my own investigations compromised.”

I open my mouth, but words won’t come. His investigations?

“My client isn’t prepared for you to hijack his interview with your daughter by using distraction techniques,” says Josef. “If you wish to discuss the witches, we’ll arrange a time and meeting.”

Dorian reaches for the photos and his nails linger on the back of Josef’s hand as the two meet in more challenge than an attorney and his client’s accuser. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” says Dorian softly.

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