“No,” Andrew replied. “I sealed the door with ice and sent a signal for you. I didn’t know if anyone was still inside—or how many there might have been.”
“Okay, I’m going to check it out. You three wait here.”
“I’ll come too,” Juliette said immediately.
“No, I don’t think so,” Edmund replied sharply.
“I don’t think you should go alone, Edmund,” Andrew said. “But I don’t want to leave Isla.”
Isla sighed. “Why don’t we all go?”
Andrew looked as if he wanted to protest, just as Edmund had, but Isla’s raised eyebrow stopped him. He gave her a resigned nod.
As the four of them approached her apartment door, Isla felt her stomach twist. Shepherd’s pie suddenly seemed far less appealing. Someone had broken in—what if she had been home?
Andrew released his icy lock on the door, and Edmund placed his large hand on the doorknob. A faint flash of lightning danced across the knuckles of his free hand, ready to strike. He eased the door open, tilting his head to listen. His broad frame blocked Juliette’s view as she tried to peek around him. Satisfied it was clear, he stepped fully inside.
He swept the room with sharp eyes before checking behind curtains. Then he moved into her bedroom. She heard the faint creak of her wardrobe door opening and closing. When he emerged, the glint of electricity had vanished from his hand.
Isla looked around at the chaos—lecture notes and books scattered across the floor.
“I don’t know what they were after,” she murmured, her voice small. “I don’t own anything of value.”
Edmund crouched to examine a stack of papers, frowning. “It looks like they were after something you’ve researched,” he said carefully.
“But why?” Isla’s brow furrowed. “Everything here is already in public journals. Nothing here is a secret.”
“What have you been working on?”
“I’ve been focusing on improving crop yields. Everything I’m currently working on is in my satchel.”
“And where is your bag now?” Edmund asked, his tone calm but purposeful, like a soldier assessing a situation—every question aimed at understanding and keeping her safe.
“I left it at Andrew’s place.”
Edmund nodded. Andrew came up beside her and put his hand around her waist.
“Okay,” Edmund said, glancing between them. “We need to go and look at your bag—of course, only with your permission, Isla.” She nodded, though she didn’t see why itwould be necessary. “But before we do, I suggest both of you”—he indicated Isla and Juliette—“pack an overnight bag and stay at Andrew’s. Do you have a guest bedroom, Andrew?”
“No,” Andrew replied, shrugging, “but the ladies can take the room. I’ll manage on the couch.”
Isla opened her mouth to protest—she didn’t want to kick him out of his bed—but Juliette cut in with a gleeful grin.
“Oh, a sleepover! How exciting. But why doIneed to go? I mean, I want to go,” she added, “and I probably should go”—she continued glancing at Isla—“to be a chaperone,” she said, looking meaningfully at Andrew’s hand still resting on Isla’s waist. Isla felt her cheeks heat. “But why did you suggest it? I’m sure it wasn’t because of pillow-fight possibilities or keeping these two apart.”
Isla glared at her friend, who only smiled wider.
“You live next door to where the break-in happened,” Edmund said evenly. “It’s safer if you’re not too close to the scene.”
Juliette tilted her head, teasing. “Ah, Detective Edmund, are you worried about me?”
He didn’t react to the tease. “I’m making sure no one gets hurt.”
Juliette smirked, undeterred. “I confess, the first day we met, you were both impressive and scary. You intimidated me a little when you said I was your first suspect. But look at the progress we’ve made.”
Edmund’s gaze remained steady and unreadable. “Progress in the case has happened,” he said simply, obviously not willing to acknowledge they had made any progress as two people. He was already moving toward the door.
Out in the hall, Isla shouldered a bag of clothes while Andrew carried Darwin’s small tank. The water sloshed gently from side to side as Andrew used his powers to keep it steady. The little fish swam in calm circles, occasionally eyeing Andrew as if judging him for being relocated.
