‘Right,’ I continued. ‘Well, what’s not common knowledge is that he’s a doppelganger.’
There was a pregnant pause. ‘That’s not ideal.’
‘No,’ I agreed drily. ‘It gets worse. The body he was subsuming until recently has been found dead.’
‘And now he’s loose and you have no idea where he is?’
‘No, I know where he is,’ I said with satisfaction. ‘I’m pretty sure, anyway. Cocky prick acted like he found his own body. But the thing is, the new body he’s in … well, he’s ostensibly dating a friend of mine. I went around to see her at her house last night and we did the double-dating thing. All my alarm bells went off. I’m all but certain Jingo is in Troy Fairglass.’
She whistled. ‘Mer royalty.’
‘Exactly so. Another reason to get Jingo out and leave Troy alive. The last thing we need is Mathias Fairglass coming after us for failing to save his son. I need to work out a way to get Jingo out of Fairglass in a scenario where Fairglass gets to live. Have you ever heard of such a thing?’
‘No,’ Amber admitted. ‘From what limited lore I’ve read, a doppelganger’s host always dies.’
‘Right, but here’s the thing. My medical examiner, Kate Potter, is a witch, a sensitive, and she got a reading from Aspen’s body – relief. I think that means the dryad was alive the whole time, stuck in his body while Jingo controlled it. If that’s right, surely there has to be a way to get Jingo out and leave Fairglass alive?’
‘Hmm. Maybe,’ she said noncommittally. ‘Let me look into it. I’ve got resources, people I can speak to. Let me see what I can dig up.’
Relief flooded me. She could use resources I couldn’t, especially since I needed to fly under the radar on this one. ‘Thanks, Amber. I appreciate your help. Any luck on the vampyr’s image?’
‘Not yet. Bastion’s on it though. He’ll get results for you soon.’ Pride and affection shone through her voice.
‘Of that, I have no doubt. Can you ask him to send the image to me?’
‘Of course. I’ll do that now.’
‘Amber?’
‘Yes?’
‘Thanks somuch for all your help. I really appreciate it.’
‘You’re welcome,’ she said, sounding gratified. ‘It’s certainly nice to be appreciated.’
She hung up and I moved on to the next part of my plan.
I rang Ji-ho.
‘Hey, Shirlylock,’ he greeted. ‘Are you okay?’ His voice was laced with concern. ‘I heard you got attacked on your way home. Do you need anything?’
‘Actually …’ I hesitated. I didn’twantto use him, to risk getting him into trouble, but what choice did I have? I needed to use every resource at my disposal, and that included the clever, technologically skilled naiad. ‘Yes, yes I do. Can you swing by before work? Maybe with your computer? I’m going to stay off today. Have a day’s rest.’
‘Uh-huh.’ His tone made it clear he didn’t believe a word I was saying. ‘Rest. Sure. You’re famous for resting. Well, I’m owed some flexi time,’ he said. ‘I’ll be at yours in twenty and I won’t leave until I’m done.’
‘You’re the best.’ Just as I hung up, there was a knock at the door. ‘Robbie!’ I hollered from my bedroom. ‘Can you grab that?’
There was no way it could be Ji-ho already…
Robbie must have got the door, because moments later I heard murmuring. I went out and stopped dead when I saw Channing.
The detective wore jeans, a t-shirt and a stubborn expression.
‘Channing. What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at work in ten, and you’re not dressed for it.’
He looked at me flatly. ‘I’m sick.’ He coughed half-arsedly into his hand.
‘So I can see,’ I deadpanned, but a smile pulled at my lips.
