I stood, eager to get into action. “Where would you like me to start?”
“Go back to the club to investigate the area—but be wary.”
“Of what?” I tipped my head.
“The owner isn’t cooperating. He thinks that since the police didn’t find anything suspicious about Tony’s death, we should back off. Besides, it happened off site. Nothing was found in the security footage as it was away from his club. When we mentioned the dark magic found at the scene, something humans would overlook, he didn’t budge. He said he told us all he knows so we should leave him and everyone in the club alone.”
“What about the local police? Are they cooperating with us?”
“So-so.” Pandora raised her hand and motioned before her. “You know how the departments are outside of Salem.”
Right, they weren’t as willing to consider non-human activity. Humans could be so close-minded. As long as something didn’t affect them, it didn’t exist.
“Okay.” I pictured Lucas. If a dancer was killed, did that mean he could be targeted next? My pulse jolted. No, I couldn’t let that happen. I pushed back in my chair, ready to leap into action. “I’ll head right over.”
“Hold on one second. You have someone to join you.” She buzzed the reception area. “Send him in.”
I turned to the doorway. The familiar mischievous smile and twinkling eyes arrested me.
“Zoe.” He tipped his head.
“You’ve met Lucas,” Pandora said. “He’s volunteered to help you with the investigation.”
Chapter 6
Lucas
After Pandora left the office, Zoe stared at me, slack jawed. “Lucas,whatare you doing here?”
I glanced around her office. She stood before a hardwood desk with papers stacked neatly in file holders. Her laptop was connected to a large-screen monitor. One framed black-and-white photo was mounted on the walls, a scene of a path through trees in the woods, the center point dark and mysterious. No personal photos, though. Either she didn’t have anyone close enough in her life that she wanted framed in her office, or she didn’t want to bring her personal life into work. Beside her was a five-shelf bookcase with books on the history of magic, supernatural defenses, and others mostly focused on magic.
I cocked my head at her. “Surprising reaction for someone who’s been trying to recruit people to help at the Network.”
“Right.” She pursed her lips. “I am surprised. You’re the last person I’d expect to walk in here to volunteer.”
I placed a hand on my chest and mock pouted. “I’m hurt. It’s like you don’t take me seriously.”
“Doyoutake this seriously?”
I lowered my hand and straightened. “Of course. My coworker was killed, bringing this situation too close for comfort. Self-preservation is key to my survival, after all.” I winked at her.
Zoe’s mouth tightened into a grim line. “I’m sorry about Tony. Were you close?”
What happened to him was disturbing. He didn’t deserve it. “We worked together. Sometimes, we partied.”
To say I volunteered out of some selfless call for justice was baloney on a pony. I didn’t want what happened to him to happen to anyone else, especially me. And I didn’t want anything bad to happen to Zoe. That odd drive to sleep with her had extended to wanting to protect her, something I blamed on my dragon’s fixation. If I could manage to do both, maybe I’d finally shake off this restlessness.
What was it about this elf detective?
I sat down on the empty seat facing her desk. “So, partner, how do you want to get started?”
“Partner?” She leaned forward, placing both hands on her desk.
“What else would you call it?” I leaned back in my chair and appraised her with a half-smile. “We are teaming up to solve a case, aren’t we?”
“This isn’t some game.” She pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. It was a fascinating color with red and blond highlights. “It’s not playing detective like something you see on TV. This is a murder we’re talking about.”
I rolled on the balls of my feet. Did she think I was an idiot? “I understand that.”
