Andi sighed. “Unfortunately, yes. I had such a wonderful dream.”
“You were twitching like somebody electrocuted you.”
“Um, yes, the end of the dream wasn’t perfect. The mole cricket got eaten.”
“I’m just pretending what you just said doesn’t make the kind of sense I’m afraid it makes. Come, I’ve made grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.”
Andi’s stomach took this moment to remind him that food was actually a good idea. Especially food he didn’t have to work for. “I’m coming.”
He got up and followed George downstairs. There were already two plates on the kitchen counter, heaped with grilled sandwiches, chips, and a small salad. The red of the cherry tomatoes made a beautiful contrast to the gold of the melted cheese. “Remind me again why you’re not moving in with me?” Andi sat down, only half joking. It was nice having somebody in the house and even nicer to wake up to cooked food.
“We already agreed it wouldn’t be a good idea.” George’s voice was calm, with only a hint of amusement tinging it.
“I can’t remember agreeing to anything.”
“Must have slipped your mind.” George bit into his grilled cheese sandwich, a single drop of cheese fat collecting in the corner of his mouth—
The blob was delicious, healthy and vibrant with life, such a good meal, not too loud either, getting used to him was easy, he didn’t stir things up too much, and he cooked, leaving morsels of food outside, nourishment to collect, his body was a mixture of colors and scents and forms, all molded into the familiar shape ofGeorge, who was there, with Andi, also his blood tasted good, no diseases, no drugs, perfect—
“Uh, Andi? Are you still with me?”
Andi shook his head. “Sorry. Got some input just now. Thank you for cooking.”
“It’s no problem. Actually, cooking for two people is easier than for just one person. Feels less like a waste of time.” George speared a cherry tomato with his fork. “Do you think you can go back to the precinct tomorrow?”
“Yes. I feel a lot better already. One more night of sleep and I should be as good as new. Or as good as I can get.”
George grinned. “I really shouldn’t find this funny but, yeah. I’d love to have you back as grumpy and growly as usual.”
Andi shrugged. “That’s my natural charm.”
They ate in silence, Andi consuming the calories his body needed so desperately, just slowly enough to not look like a pig. When he was done, he put his fork down and leaned back. “What’s our plan should Shireen not have anything for us?”
George took his time to noisily crunch the last of his chips, his brows furrowed in what Andi hoped was serious contemplation. “I think taking a closer look at the sons isn’t a bad idea, no matter if and what Shireen finds. We can at least cross them out for good with a valid explanation for the chief.”
“I hate that we have to dance around her. The old chief was so much better.”
“Harry Renard. I’ve heard only good things about him.” George gathered the plates. “He didn’t mind your methods?”
“Not in the least. And he always protected me, and he never ever doubted what I did and how.” Andi sighed. “Paradise.”
“It certainly helps when your superior is fully behind you.”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.”
Andi got up and took the dishes to the kitchen. A quick glance into the dishwasher and he decided it was time to let the old girl do her work. “Do you want to have a beer?” he asked George. “We could see if something interesting is on TV.” Out of the corner of his eye, Andi saw an interesting mixture of fear, relief, and happiness playing out on George’s face. He also felt it, the surge in pheromones that enhanced what he had read on his partner’s face.
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Of course, you’d have to stay the night, because I can’t let you drive intoxicated.” Andi smirked.
“One beer is hardly enough to intoxicate me, but as an officer of the law, I have to set a shining example.” George started moving toward the living room. “Plus, I think it’s a good idea if I keep an eye on you. Just to be sure you’re fine.”
“You’re so good to me.” Andi went to the fridge to get two bottles of beer. For a short, paranoid moment he feared it might have been tampered with, unconsciously dipping into the memories of the arthropods in the house, who showed him no strangers at all. They had by now accepted George as part of the scenery, another reminder how dependent Andi was on him. He opened the bottles and brought them to the couch, where George was already channel surfing. They agreed on the rerun of a hockey game and spent the evening in companionable silence, nursing their beers and cheering the goals, no matter which team scored.
THE MORNINGwas nice. After a real breakfast with bread and cereal, they drove to the precinct, where Shireen was already waiting for them in the hall, motioning them to follow her into her lair. Her face had that grim expression she always got when she had found something truly ugly. She didn’t bother with a “Good morning.” Instead she started talking immediately, her tone clipped with a hint of sharpness Andi rarely heard from her but remembered well from the few times he had.
“It’s an awful morning. And before you ask, I haven’t found anything on the darknet yet. But I pieced together other things. Terrible things.” Shireen’s brows were furrowed; even the ever-present clinking of her jewelry sounded dulled. George nodded at her to continue. Andi had his nose buried in his tea, waiting for Shireen to hit them with whatever she had found. Given how agitated she was, it couldn’t be good. Shireen took a deep breath.
