“Lady Heroux—of course I’m familiar,” said Officer Geruda.
“Cassidy Darwish.” Cass held out her hand.
The officer shook it as he noted her empty holster. “The front desk told me they checked your gun. You have a permit for that weapon?”
“Of course, Officer. I’ve been a professional bodyguard for several years. I fired shots to incapacitate, not to kill, but I didn’t succeed in stopping anyone.”
He sat at the small table. “Noted. Who wants to go first? What’s your recollection of events from start to finish?” He was ready, with a pen hovering over his notepad.
“I’ll go first, but can you tell me, where’s the prime minister? Is she safe?” The thought had belatedly occurred to Scarlett that she and Brayden might not have been the attackers’ sole targets.
“I heard over the dispatch radio that she was gone as soon as the incident started,” he said. “Now, please proceed.”
Scarlett cleared her throat and rested her elbows on the table in front of them. “My husband Brayden and I were in the lobby waiting in line for drinks when five or so masked men came for us. Cass shouted a warning and shot one of them when they didn’t listen, but they threw something at her to incapacitate her and tased her. Then they grabbed my husband, and three of them worked together to handcuff him. I believe they meant to abduct both of us.”
Gold smoke. He agreed so far.
“I see. What happened when the men restrained your husband?”
Scarlett paused, choosing her words with care. “He fought them. I hit one of them in the face. He came for me, and I ran. He caught me and picked me up. The others had managed to handcuff Brayden. That was when he used magic to overcome them—when it was clear we weren’t escaping them without it.”
Black and gold smoke.
The officer’s eyes flashed. “Which is still illegal. Can you be more specific about the magic he used?”
“He’s from Clair de Lune. He has fire magic. If he hadn’t used his magic, we would’ve been kidnapped and probably killed,” she protested.
“And did you know he had these abilities?”
“Of course I did—we’re married,” Scarlett snapped.
“I saw in the papers you were only recently married, so please forgive the intrusive question. Cass, do you have anything to add?”
“No,” she said. “Lady Heroux gave an accurate account.”
He made a note. “Are you aware that two of the men he burned are in critical condition?”
“I’ve been in here since the incident, so no, I was not aware,” said Scarlett.
“Additionally, the smoke damage to the property was considerable, and there’s water damage from the sprinkler system. Luckily, the fire department arrived before it could spread beyond the lobby.”
“But if he hadn’t, we might bedeadright now. Those men had guns. Maybe you recall my father was recently assassinated, and also, I’ve just taken up the work that got him killed.” Scarlett locked eyes with the officer. “Doesn’t that change how he’s charged? In a typical self-defense case, wouldn’t it be warranted to incapacitate your assailants? I’m happy to pay for the damages to the theater—”
“He used deadly magic,” interrupted Geruda, his expression guarded. “We haven’t had a case quite like this one before, so it’s hard to say how this will pan out.”
Scarlett let out a growl as she glared at the officer. “I’ll change that law if it’s the last thing I do.”
He shrugged in a way that said,Go ahead, but it’s not changing shit tonight, lady.
Cass cleared her throat. “What happens now?”
“Lord Maddox will be charged for Class A magic use. Further charges depend on witness statements and security footage.” He paused for a moment. “Unless you have further questions, leave your number with reception, and we’ll be in touch.”
“What about bail? Can’t Brayden come home tonight? Can I see him?” He’d told her he regretted not getting the North Star runes. She’d meant to tell him she felt the same, but the moment had passed too quickly. Now he was gone. Sheneededto see him.
“There’s no bail for a Class A offense. He’s currently being processed, and visitation won’t be possible until tomorrow.”
Scarlett stood. “Don’t think foroneminute I won’t use all my vast resources to come down on this precinct with the fire of a thousand suns if you don’t do everything by the book. If I catch onewhiffof bias in how you handle this investigation, you won’t be able to get a job as a security guard.”
