“Boston PD is handing the investigation over to us.We are better placed to make the connections between the people who’ve been affected, and it falls within our remit.They’ll continue to support when manpower is needed.”
“That’s a big case to take on.”
“Which is why I’ve drafted in an additional resource to assist.Someone with first-hand knowledge of what’s been happening.”Warden avoided meeting Bryn’s curious gaze.
Bryn leaned forward in his seat.“Tell me you fucking didn’t…Warden…”
“Am I missing something?”Emmett asked.
“I really hope not,” Bryn replied.
“This case demands the best we can offer.”Warden stared at the door and, without raising his voice said, “You can come in now.”He rifled through a manila folder with the kind of forced casualness that set off every one of Bryn’s finely tuned warning signals.Bryn braced for impact.
Giles Delacourt made his entrance.The sanguine moved with the kind of fluid grace that made catwalk models look clumsy.He was all long limbs and perfect posture in a charcoal suit that probably cost more than Bryn’s monthly salary.His dark hair, shot through with elegant streaks of silver at the temples, was swept back from high cheekbones.He looked like he’d stepped out of a Renaissance painting, all aristocratic features and knowing eyes, with the kind of face that made people forget to breathe.The bright lighting should have made him look washed out.Instead, it seemed to create its own shadows around him, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the subtle curve of his mouth that always suggested he knew something Bryn didn’t.Bryn’s stomach knotted.
Warden actually stood up when Giles entered, like he was greeting nobility.Bryn remained exactly where he was.He’d learned the hard way that beauty could be the deadliest weapon in Giles Delacourt’s arsenal.Gunnar was also on his feet, a warning growl rumbling in his throat.Bryn reached for his hand and tugged him back into his chair.
“Mr.Delacourt,” Warden said, extending his hand.“Thank you for coming.”
Giles took it with the kind of old-world courtesy that went out of style before the Industrial Revolution.“The pleasure is mine, Warden.”His British accent was a smooth blend of old money and older privilege that made everything sound like poetry.Or a threat.
With Giles, it’s usually both.Bryn’s head throbbed.Separation hadn’t dulled his memory of how that voice could make the most brutal lessons sound reasonable, even necessary.The way Giles could make breaking someone seem like an act of kindness.
Gunnar was bristling, his eyes dark with fury.Bryn was grateful, and though watching Gunnar rip Delacourt’s head off would have been satisfying, violence wouldn’t help the investigation.I’m not even twenty-two, I shouldn’t be expected to have achieved this level of restraint.
Warden gestured for Giles to take a seat and resumed his own.Giles settled into one of the free chairs.His eyes, a shade of brown so dark they almost looked black, found Bryn’s across the table.“Hello, dear boy.You’re looking well.”
Bryn had forgotten how much weight Giles could put into simple words, how he could make a casual greeting feel like fingers trailing down his spine.He didn’t respond and gritted his teeth.
“Mr.Delacourt has been kind enough to offer his expertise on the Thanacrine case,” Warden said.
“How generous of him,” Bryn commented.
Giles’ lips curved.“Now, Bryn, there’s no need for hostility.We’re all on the same side here.”
“Are we?”The words came out sharper than Bryn intended.The air in the room had that peculiar heaviness it always got around Giles, like the atmospheric pressure before a thunderstorm.
“Bryn,” Warden said, his tone carrying a clear warning.“Mr.Delacourt has provided valuable intelligence about the effects of Thanacrine and has been conducting some investigations already.His knowledge could be crucial to locating more production facilities.He has agreed to assist us in a consulting capacity.He’ll be working directly with you and Detective Ericson.”
“That’s not going to…” Bryn started, but Warden cut him off.
“This isn’t a request.Whatever personal history exists between you and Mr.Delacourt is irrelevant to the current situation.”
And you know all about that history.Bryn felt Giles’ satisfaction like a physical thing, a cool current in the air.He gripped the arms of his chair until his fingers ached.He couldn’t look at Gunnar.
“The latest batch is even more potent,” Giles said.“The effects are devastating.”
Don’t fucking guilt trip me, you bastard.
Warden cleared his throat.“Allow me to introduce Detective Gunnar Ericson, Giles,” he announced, gesturing at Gunnar, who offered a curt nod, his expression conveying his displeasure.“Gunnar is Bryn’s partner.”
“Protective.Interesting.”
“And this is Emmett, our talented admin support.”
Emmett glanced up from his laptop, his eyes wide behind his glasses.He blinked, and gave a shy, almost apologetic smile.“Uh, hi.”
“Well then.”Giles gave a lazy smile.“I’d say we’re going to make quite the team.The dynamics will beveryinteresting.”
