“Correct. You make sure of that.”
“And you won’t be intimidated into dropping the case.”
“Also correct.” Ant picked up his coffee mug, realized it was getting cold, and set it back down again. “I don’t understand why you’re objecting to the case. This is precisely the sort of situationI used to deal with when I was working with the police. It’s just in this case, we know the criminals are paranormal, so they come under the Justiciary. Regardless of who, what, where, or how, I’m well-suited to read the crime scene, given my specific skill set.”
“Your specific skill set,” Bridget repeated slowly, “which involves touching a murder scene and experiencing the victim’s trauma firsthand while a bunch of stuffy vampires watch you and decide whether or not you’re a threat to whatever illegal operations they might be hiding behind their wards.”
Ant wasn’t sure how to answer that. “I imagine so, yes. But having an audience doesn’t change the details I pick up from any vision I may have.”
She closed her eyes and pressed two fingers to the bridge of her nose. “You’re going to give me an ulcer.”
“That’s physiologically unlikely unless you’ve dramatically increased your stress-hormone production or developed aHelicobacter pyloriinfection.” Ant tilted his head. “Have you been experiencing persistent abdominal pain?”
“I’m experiencing a persistentbrotherpain.”
“That’s not a medical condition.”
Bridget’s eyes snapped open. “Ant.Ant.Listen to me. The Raven Estate coven has been operating in legally gray areas for over a century. They have connections to half the state’s political infrastructure. If they’re involved in this murder…”
“Then they need to be held accountable regardless of their political connections,” Ant finished. “That’s how the law works.”
“We both know that’s how the law issupposedto work.” She straightened, her shoulders rigid. “In practice, people with enough money and power find ways around it.”
“Not if I provide irrefutable evidence, and you know I’m good at that.”
Able stood and pressed his nose against Ant’s hand, a gentle reminder that his heart rate had elevated slightly. Ant scratched behind the dog’s ears and focused on the familiar texture of Able’s fur, the solid warmth of his presence.
Bridget watched the gesture, and some of the tension leaked from her posture.
“Fine,” she said quietly. “But Viktor goes with you.”
“Obviously. I wouldn’t conduct a scene reading in a hostile environment without him. That was the whole point of working with the Justiciary - so Viktor could accompany me on cases.” Ant pulled the folder closer and began reviewing the supplementary documentation. “When does the Justiciary want me on site?”
“Tomorrow morning. Ten a.m.” Bridget’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “They’ve already contacted the coven’s legal representative to arrange access. Apparently, Claudius himself will be present to ‘oversee’ your investigation.”
“Claudius.” Ant searched his mental archive of vampire political structures. “The coven leader. He’s about the same age as Viktor, I believe. There’s not a lot known about him except that he is very stringent on how vampires should be treated differently because of their laws. I’ve seen arguments about it that divide the guests of many an Academy dinner.”
“You and your colleagues have been known to argue for two hours about sky color, and don’t tell me they don’t, because Robert told me he was there. But yes, that Claudius.” Bridget pulled out the chair across from him. Even Ant could tell she was worried about him, and he was often accused of missing common cues like that. “Please tell me you’ll be careful.”
“I’m always careful during scene readings. That’s why I bring Able.” Ant glanced at his dog, who had settled back into a sphinx position at his feet. “And Viktor.”
“Viktor can’t help you if Claudius decides to activate the estate’s lockdown wards and trap you both inside.”
“Then I’ll simply have to ensure Claudius doesn’t perceive me as a threat.”
Ant returned his attention to the file, scanning the property schematics with interest. The ward structure related to the estate that he’d learned about at the Academy had always fascinated him. According to written accounts, it was based on layers and layers of defensive magic, some of it dating back centuries. Although no one had ever been given the chance to study them, meaning any information was purely speculative.Perhaps I would have time to take a look while I’m there.
Realizing Bridget was still looking at him, he added,“Not many people consider me threatening under normal circumstances, so I should be fine. I’ll conduct the reading, document my findings for the Justiciary, and leave. It’s standard procedure.”
“There is nothingstandardabout reading a murder scene in a paranoid vampire’s heavily fortified mansion.”
“Perhaps not standard for most people.” Ant looked up and offered her the slight smile he reserved for moments when he needed to reassure her, even though he wasn’t entirely certain why she needed reassurance. “But it’s standard for me.”
Bridget stared at him for a long moment, then sighed and stood. “I’m putting hazard pay in the contract.”
“That seems reasonable.” Bridget always knew more about his fees and expenses than he did. Ant preferred it that way.
“And Viktor doesn’t leave your side. Not for a second.”
