I wanted to argue with her, but I couldn’t. I messed up. Cassian was unsafe because of me. “I’m sorry, Commander.”
“You’ll start patrol at the eastern gate tomorrow. Hand in your case notes and all relevant information. You’re no longer an investigator.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter Twelve
CASSIAN
Ididn’t want Sterling to leave, but the other option was him leaving and taking Jasmine too. There was no way it was her. She wouldn’t have cursed our grandfather’s inn.
I spent the entire night crying over him just to find he was gone when I found the courage to face him.
So I got back to work, waiting at the front counter for my life to unfold before me, forever at the inn.
“Morning, Mr. Fibbersnap,” Mimster said as he approached the counter for checkout. “Early riser, eh?”
“That’s right,” I said.
“You all right, son?” he asked.
“Just fine.”
He inspected me. “You don’t look fine. You look like you’ve been crying.” He handed me his room key.
I took the key and waved it around. “I’ve just been worried you’d lose this again,” I joked.
He chuckled. “You’re funny, just like your grand-pop.”
“Thanks,” I said, storing the key in the drawer.
“It always helps to talk about things that hurt us, you know,” he said.
I shook my head, glancing over my shoulder at the office door. “I’m all right, Mims. Just a little down because I broke up with my boyfriend last night. I’ll be better next time you see me.”
“Ah, love. You either get your heart broken or die trying. I’m on track for the latter, as long as my wife sticks around,” he said.
My laughter surprised me. “You’re lucky, then. Just don’t leave us too soon, all right?”
“I’ll do my best. Until next time, Cassian.”
Jasmine came out not long after that, and I found it hard to look her in the eyes. “Morning, Cass,” she said cheerfully. “Where’s Sterling?”
“He left,” I said with nothing behind my voice.
“Whoa, really? Why?”
“The case is closed. There’s nothing left for him here,” I said.
Jasmine leaned against the counter, frowning at me. “What did he tell you?”
I eyed her without turning my head. “What do you think he told me?”
She hesitated. “He thinks it was you, but he likes you enough that he won’t arrest you?” she asked.
I turned my head to fully frown at her. If she were guilty, she would know it wasn’t me. If she weren’t, she’d be more alarmed that the investigator thought I cursed the inn. I got a sinking feeling in my stomach watching the placid look on her face.
“Did you tell him I seduced him?” I asked.
