“Something wrong?” He scanned the area around me, sharp eyes clear. He was a good cop. If there was something weird going on, he’d see it.
Was there something weird going on? I was just…walking. Right? Walking out to my car?
“There’s, well, no. Just…” A moment, a flash. A man’s hard yellow eyes, his eggbeater voice, and then nothing but that damn lingering headache. “…gotta take care of something,” I said.
His gaze ticked over to my Jeep. “A pony?”
“Xtelle.”
“Again?”
“Signed the contract this time.”
“Think that’s a difference maker?”
“We’ll find out.”
“I’m allergic.”
“To what?”
“Whatever she is. Can’t take care of her. No fenced yard. Hives. Systemic shock.”
“I’m unloading her on Jean.”
His left eyebrow twitched up for a second. “You need a hand?”
I knew he was asking if I was okay.
“With anything?” He nodded toward the Jeep.
“Thought you were allergic.”
“Only on contact.” That eyebrow quirk again, and a smile.
This was good, normal, and whatever strange moment I’d had, whatever memory I’d been chasing…
…a man with yellow eyes…
…faded away. I dug my thumb into my temple, the pressure welcome against that low-level throb.
“Working the theft case with Hatter?” I asked.
“Just got back from canvassing Bertie’s neighbors.”
I waited.
“If I had found something other than coffee,” he lifted the cardboard carrier, “I would have led with that.”
“Keep me updated.” I started to the car, and just before I opened the door, there was something else I knew should tell him. About a robbery. Something missing.
A quick flash of Jame stopping me on the way to the casino for a chat filtered through my head, then was gone, as quickly as liquid sucked up by a sponge.
“Am I forgetting something?” I asked the dragon pig in my arms. It grunted and wriggled, impatient to get into the car.
“Right. Fine.” I unlocked the door, tossed the dragon pig down into the driver’s seat so it could hop over to the passenger side. Then I slid into place behind the wheel.
“…cannotbelieve you made me wait out here for so long. This is neglect. You’re neglecting me. I will file charges.” Xtelle moved around and I heard the distinct crinkling of wrappers being shoved between the seat cushions.
