“I… doubt that. Sorry, entomologist,” she said, shooting Audrey a challenging grin, like she didn’t really doubt what Audrey was saying, she just wanted Audrey to prove her wrong.
Audrey grinned. “Did you know they’re locked in an evolutionary battle with bats?”
“See, if you describe it likethat,of course it sounds cool!”
“Because itiscool,” Audrey shot back, feeling more like herself than she had since landing in Michigan. “Bats use echolocation to find moths to eat, right? And, for years, we all believed that moths developed tympanal membranes, like ears, to hear those sounds and evade the bats. A couple of years ago, though, there was new research that suggested moths developed ears independently of evading bats, but, the fact remains that they do use those ears to avoid becoming prey. Some of them can emit sounds to block or trick the echolocation. Some non-toxic moths can imitate the sounds of toxic ones so the bats know notto eat them. Or, upon hearing the bats, they can perform evasive maneuvers in the air, folding their wings and dropping to the ground if needed, all just to stay alive.”
“Wow,” Hallie breathed, looking up at Audrey in awe, and something self-conscious rushed through Audrey. Her brain knew Hallie’s reaction was less a newly developed love of moths and more something to do with Audrey’s passion. “Yeah, I definitely didn’t know about all that.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to go off about moths like that.”
“No, I’m glad you did. It was amazing.”
Audrey laughed, a little embarrassed. “Should I then also tell you that moths have resonant scales on their wings that are capable of absorbing up to eighty-seven percent of incoming sound?”
“You absolutely should tell me that.”
They looked at each other for a minute too long, at which point, Audrey’s brain kicked back in and she cleared her throat, stepping back. “Yeah, so, that’s moths.”
Hallie laughed, the sound a little breathless. “Are they your favorite insect?”
“No, but they are interesting.”
“Yeah, I’ll give them that. Two minutes with an entomologist and I’ve got a whole new respect for them.” She shot a look at Audrey. “What’s your favorite?”
“Fireflies—lightning bugs.” She shrugged, allowing whichever name Hallie used for them.
Hallie beamed. “Oh, that’s a good choice.”
Audrey laughed lightly. “Yeah, there’s a whole argument to be made about the fact that they’re scientifically fascinating, and they are—bioluminescence, their communication and mating rituals—but I just remember seeing them as a kid and feeling like I was seeing magic made real. These fascinating, mesmerizing flashes of light, so beautiful and… unreal.”
Hallie nodded gently, moving closer to Audrey again. “Yeah, I can see that. And I guess you finally answered that question I’ve been holding onto without me even having to ask it.”
“How I got into bugs?”
“Basically? Yeah. Still not clear on how you went frommagic in the real worldto forensics, but I’m no longer confused about the bug thing in general. Passion suits you.”
“Oh. Uh. Thanks.” Audrey looked away again, across the frosty landscape. “I can… explain the rest of it, but it might take a minute.”
Hallie elbowed her softly. “I’ve got all night.”
Chapter Nine
Audrey had a girlfriend, Zora, and that should have been good news. It was, finally, confirmation that she was queer—though Hallie had pretty much been sold on the fact—but, more than that, it was supposed to be the impetus to have Hallie backing off, that made it easier to pretend to be with River, the thing that shut down all of the silly little crush feelings she’d felt bubbling up inside her all day.
Alas, her body hadn’t quite gotten the message. Its overwhelming emotion was jealousy, disappointment following quickly after it. And that, more than anything, was confirmation that she was definitely developing a crush on her fake girlfriend’s cousin.Shit.
“I just really wanted to get rid of uncertainty for people,” Audrey said quietly, looking out at the night sky. “It’s bad enough that you’ve lost someone, but when you’re lacking answers and you’ve lost someone, how are you ever supposed to process and keep going? A lot of cases I’m brought in for are…fairly gruesome deaths. Too early, violent, covered up… and I can use insects to help answer some of the questions.”
Hallie sucked in a difficult breath. That was so admirable, so considered and gracious. How was she supposed to get over the little crush if Audrey was going to be out here being the most fascinating, genuine person she’d ever met? “So, you always knew that’s where you’d end up?”
She shook her head. “No. I always knew it would be bugs, but it was only when I took a class that covered how they could be used in forensics that I knew I couldn’t not do that. And, you know, there aren’t that many places that just hire full-time forensic entomologists, but, this way, I get to do that and I get to teach a few entomology classes and share my love with the next generation too. I get to do research. It’s the best of both worlds.”
“Wow.” The whole thing was mesmerizing. “I just work at an inn…”
Audrey turned to look at her, smiling so warmly it melted Hallie’s insides. “I think that’s interesting.”
“No, you don’t.”
