“Like I said: Welcome,” I said. “I’m sure Bertie has someone in mind to show you around town. Unless there was something I could do to be of help?”
“There is,” Bertie said. “I already extended my offer to be his personal tour guide, but Mr. Baum has certain needs. One of his terms is that he is allowed to move through town without much supervision.”
“Any,” he corrected with that billboard smile. “Any supervision. Too many cooks ruin the video spontaneity. I don’t like things scripted.”
“Uh-huh.” I put a little more authority in my tone. “My job is to look after and protect all the people in this town, Mr. Baum. You are, of course, free to move about town just like anyone else. But if I find you’ve broken a law—any law—I will arrest you just as quickly as I would any non-influencer.”
“I didn’t say I was going to break the law,” he said.
“And yet, you’re here, in my station, asking for an all-access pass. Property damage is breaking the law, trespassing is breaking the law, drunk and disorderly is breaking the law, and if those are the sorts of things you want to do—if those are the sort of things that make for good “video spontaneity”—then I need you to know I won’t allow it.”
“I have money,” he said. “And sway in a lot of circles. Social circles. Political circles.”
“Good for you,” I said. “Bribes are a crime too.”
“All right.” He dropped the smile and gave me what I thought might be the first honest expression of the day. It was thoughtful, maybe even impressed. “That was pressing my luck, wasn’t it? I’m used to people getting excited when I show up, kind of going along with me.”
“We’re excited,” Bertie assured him. “Delaney is not a woman easily swayed by glamour cast over her eyes.”
Nice. I liked how she opened up the opportunity for him to tell us what sort of supernatural he was.
His head jerked up. “Glamour? Like…fairytales? I mean, I’m a good storyteller, but there’s nothing but a bit of the bullshit to me.”
Was it possible he didn’t know he was supernatural? Maybe. Some people grew up sheltered and never found out they were more than human. It wasn’t our place to tell them.
“Bullshit your audience, but don’t bullshit law enforcement,” I said. “If you do, you’re on the hook for the consequences, though we can provide a lawyer for you if needed.”
“Nice of you,” he said.
“We treat everyone here, residents and bullshitters, the same.” I smiled.
“All right,” he said. “All right. That’s good enough. I won’t break any laws. But I’m an old pro at this, and I know it’s best if I introduce myself to the local law and let them know I’ll be nosing around, talking to people, asking questions. On my own.”
Bertie opened her mouth to argue, and thenclosed it.Okay, there was something really wrong with this whole deal if Bertie wasn’t arguing him into doing things the way she wanted them done.
“I’d prefer that you’d have someone local with you,” I said. “But since this is your show, and you know what your viewers want, I won’t insist.”
“Beautiful,” he said, “That’s just what I was hoping for. You’ve been a big help to me, Chief Reed. I do need a contact though. Someone I can call if I have questions.”
“Bertie can set you up with a contact.”
“I offered my number,” Bertie said. “He refused.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You should take Bertie’s number. There is no one who knows Ordinary better than her.”
“Well, I heard you were born here.”
“Lots of people are born here,” I said.
“But lots of people didn’t become the youngest chief of police, are also female, and have a record of the fewest civil complaints per capita as you. You areinteresting, Delaney Reed.”
Therewas the shark beneath the waves I was waiting for. Maybe he wasn’t fairy folk. Maybe he was some kind of were-shark come ashore to cash in on an easy lunch.
“You have my number,” I said. “It’s 911. If you have an emergency, a real emergency, call it. Myself or one of my officers will reach you as quickly as possible.”
He dragged his fingers back through his hair once and shook his head. His hair fell perfectly back into place, making him more handsome.
It had to be fairy magic. No one lucked out on looks that flawless.
