“I would appreciate it.”
“No problem.”He’d have to cash in some favors, maybe trade some capture orbs for information, but it would be worth it to help his friend.
“Did you run diagnostics on the door?”
Quentin nodded.“Unfortunately, I couldn’t detect any foreign magic on it, and I was afraid to cast too many spells around the damage.Even though your demon was freed right away, it still affected the area around your house.I don’t know how long you were out, but it had enough time to leak brimstone and demon fog.”
“I wonder what the delay was.If there was a weakness, they should’ve been able to retrieve the demon right away.”
“I don’t know.”The words tasted like ash on his tongue.He liked solving problems, but this one seemed to be beyond his ability.It was a blow to his ego.He’d always thought he could figure anything out with enough magic on his side.
Grevin offered a faint smile.“Thank you for trying at least.”
“You’re welcome.Sorry, I couldn’t be more help.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Grevin called out.
Jaks opened the door and ducked his head in.“The detectives are here to talk to Grevin.”
Grevin sighed.“Great, my day is now complete.The one time the cops are on time for something.Might as well send them in and get this over with.”
The pair of detectives who entered the room were vaguely familiar.It took Quentin a few seconds to realize they were the same ones who answered his emergency call when Glenn was attacked.They offered Quentin a polite nod, gave Jaks suspicious glances, then asked if Grevin minded Quentin’s presence during his interview.
“No, I’d like him to stay until my Necromantic Guild representative arrives.Quentin can be my counsel until then.The doctor gave me some strong medication for my injuries.”
It was news to him that a representative would be showing up, but Quentin just nodded as if that was the plan all along.He didn’t miss the grateful glance Grevin sent his way.That Grevin didn’t trust the police to treat him fairly was left unsaid, but highly implied.
“That’ll be fine,” Detective Forrester pulled a notepad from his inner pocket and began a gentle interrogation over the events that led to Grevin’s injuries.They went over everything twice before they were satisfied with his answers.Quentin had to explain his part in rescuing Grevin and bringing him to the manor.He also decided to mention that he’d gone back to the scene in case they found traces of his magic.
“Did you disturb the evidence?”Detective Forrester’s handsome face took on a hard edge.
“No.I will admit that I looked at the ritual circle, but I didn’t touch anything or move anything from where it was after we found Grevin.There is a mark breaking the protection, but I didn’t sense anything from it.I did cast detection spells at the front door, but I came up with nothing.”
“Why didn’t you take him to a hospital?”Detective Hansen asked.
“He’s a necromancer,” Detective Forrester answered before Grevin or Quentin could.“There are morgues in hospitals.”He continued when Hansen showed no signs of understanding.
“Oh, right.”The detective blushed.
As Grevin predicted, they fined him and said they would hold him responsible for any additional damages unless he could prove his innocence of negligence.
They finally left after giving Grevin a ticket that would leave him several thousand dollars lighter in his bank account.“It’s a good thing my grandfather left me a bit of savings.”Grevin sighed.“Unfortunately, this might take the last of it.”
“Won’t your insurance cover it?”he pointed at the bright yellow ticket that Grevin had tossed on the side table.
“Partly, but my deductible is high.Fortunately, it includes lawyers if they try to charge me for a crime greater than negligence.”
“That’s good and bad news.”Quentin patted Grevin’s arm.“Maybe the detectives will spot the problem and capture the creature before it can do too much damage.”
“We can only hope.”
Quentin could tell from Grevin’s expression that neither of them had much of that hope.
The door opened again.“Don’t you have to get to your class?”Jaks asked, peeking his head inside.
Quentin checked his watch.“Damn it.”The time had vanished between his injured friend, his failed investigation, and his conversation with the detectives.Now he had a class to teach, despite having too little sleep.He couldn’t exactly cancel when he was only on the second session.If he missed a class, Rendell would make sure to tell the dean that Quentin wasn’t taking his job seriously.“How long do you think you’ll need to remain here?”
