“I don’t suppose you’d happen to have any idea where we might look?” I asked, making a mental note to find out how many fae lived in the area. Not that they had to be from around here, but it was a start.
Rys scoffed. “Want us to do your job for you now?”
I could’ve cheerfully reached over the table and strangled him. Yes, he had every right to be angry with me, hate me even, but this was a police investigation. Couldn’t he put our personal differences aside and be professional?
“Come on, Rys,” Max chided. “Sounds like we’re all on the same side here.”
“So you agree that Axel has nothing to do with any of this?”
Seemed that way. His alibi was ironclad. But did he know more than he was letting on? Did he have an idea who could get in and out of the Fae Realm without drawing attention? That we couldn’t be sure of.
I glanced at Max, trying to convey all of that with a look. He gave a slight nod, which hopefully meant I’d succeeded.
“At the moment we have no further questions for Mr Molhieth. But that could change.” Max addressed Axel. “Please don’t leave the area without informing us first. That includes going through the gateway.”
Axel rolled his eyes but gave a grudging nod.
“And if you can think of anyone who might have the means and opportunity to bring Blue Alhuirn through the gateway, we’d appreciate you letting us know.”
“Of course,” Axel said, but I didn’t need shifter instincts to know that he’d do no such thing.
If he had any clue as to who might be involved, he wouldn’t be telling us.
Rys closed his briefcase with a snap. “Are we done here?”
“For now.” Max stood, so I did the same. “Still on for the weekend?” Max asked.
Rys grinned, apparently back to being Max’s cousin now the interview was over. “As long as there’s no shop talk.”
Max pointed a finger at him. “That goes for you too. No trying to get information out of me.”
“As if.”
“No hard feelings, Axel? We’re just doing our job.” He held out a hand and Axel didn’t hesitate in shaking it.
Yeah, the paranormal police were a whole lot different than their human counterparts.
“I know. I sincerely hope you catch whoever’s doing this.” Axel sounded like he meant it. He turned and shook my hand too, taking me a little by surprise. Without thinking, my gaze drifted automatically to Rys.
His muttered, “I don’t fucking think so,” loud enough for me to hear. He patted Max on the shoulder and stalked out of the room, Axel hurrying to catch up with him.
“Motherfucker.” I didn’t care if he heard me. I hadn’t been treated like that in a long time and it set my teeth on edge, anger at his frankly childish behaviour burning away some of the guilt I usually felt when I thought of Rys.
My hands curled into fists at my side and I was taking a step towards the door before I even realised.
“Mase.” Max caught my arm as I brushed by him. “Let it go.”
“Nope.” I danced out of his way and slid through the door. “Don’t think I will,” I called over my shoulder. I had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time we had to interact with Rys or one of his pack on this case, and there was no way I was putting up with him treating me like shit every time we were in the same space.
Rys and Axel were almost at the end of the corridor.
“Rys,” I yelled, stopping him in his tracks. “Can I have a word?”
I could feel his eye-roll, even if I couldn’t see it. He leant in and said something to Axel, handed him his briefcase, then turned and headed back my way. Axel disappeared around the corner out of sight.
He walked at a leisurely pace, like he was taking an afternoon stroll. Each slow, measured step fuelled the anger building inside me. By the time he came to a stop in front of me, I could have cheerfully stabbed him in the eye with my pen.
“What?” He drew himself to his full height. All six foot three inches. Clearly trying to intimidate me, but he could fuck right off with that.
