“What we were trying to say,” Herri said, “is that we are here and will help you if you need us, Delaney. With the power, or anything else.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Can you tell me that you didn’t kill Heimdall? Complete truth, Herri.”
She looked me straight in the eyes. “I did not kill him. Nor was I involved in his death. On my word, honor, and power, Delaney Reed. The complete truth.”
I believed her. That kind of a statement, with that kind of oath, was binding.
Words had power. Even the gods knew that.
“That’s really good to hear,” I said.
She stood up and patted my shoulder. “Come on over to my bar sometime when you’re off duty. We’ll talk, just us girls. It isn’t just the town fish who can pour a decent brew.”
“I will.”
“Good. Then I’m out. See you all at the rally.”
She sauntered over to the bar, maybe to look for Chris, who, come to think of it, I hadn’t seen for a while. She leaned over the bar to look at the floor behind it. She shook her head then walked around the bar and bent.
Myra walked over and helped her with whatever was back there.
Correction: whomever. The two of them half dragged, half carried an unconscious Chris out from behind the bar and lugged him over to a pool table, where they laid him out more or less in a comfortable position.
Herri also placed a pitcher of water on the table for him, and patted the side of his face. He made a lazy swipe at her hand, rolled over, and snored.
“So,” Crow said, “you got what we’re saying?”
“That you all promised my dad you’d help me?”
“That. Keep us in mind. For anything.”
“Anything? Want to judge the Rhubarb Rally instead of me?”
His eyes widened in shock. “Oh, hell no. Anythingbutthat.”
“Chicken.”
“Maybe, but at least I won’t have to live in a town full of people angry at me for voting down their nana’s secret recipe.”
“You know they wrote legends about how brave and clever you are,” I said. “Schoolchildren read them.”
“All true. I am clever. And brave. Which is why I would never get roped into judging a rhubarb contest in Ordinary, Oregon. What were you thinking?”
“To serve, protect, and keep Bertie from going to jail for hitting Dan Perkin over the head with her desk.”
“And that,” he said as he stood and planted a quick kiss on my cheek, “is why you are the police chief. I always feel safer knowing you’re on duty.”
“Suck-up.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Good night, Delaney. Don’t get into too much trouble.”
He started toward the door, and so did Aaron and Frigg. Zeus got up and wandered over to talk to Thanatos, or maybe to pick another fight with Odin. It didn’t matter.
It looked like the party was over and everyone was leaving.
Myra walked my way. “Everything okay?” she asked.
“I think so. Is Chris?”
