I thump his back with a little more enthusiasm than is probably medically recommended. “Easy there, man. Don’t die on me. Then I really will get blamed.”
“You okay there, son?” Detective Rosen doesn’t even look back.
“I’m fine,” Ivan wheezes, shooting me a glare. He knows exactly what I’m doing.He knows I know.
I smile sweetly and lean forward, wedging myself between the seats. “Shame, really. What kind of dog was it again?”
“Yappy little thing,” Rosen grunts.
“A terrier, sir,” Ivan mutters, staring at his own hands.
“So, pretty small?” I say, tapping my fingers on the edge of the seat. “Easy to… slip into a backpack?”
Ivan shifts so hard he damn near puts his knee through the door panel. I sink back into my seat, still drumming.
Rosen’s eyes flick up to the rearview mirror, landing right on me. “You got something to say, St. Clair?”
I shrug, all casual-like. “Kind of weird though, right? Losing a dog the same night you decide to, I don’t know… break into the school lab?”
My elbowaccidentallybumps Ivan’s. He jolts like I’ve hit him with a taser.
The steering wheel jerks. “What the hell did you just say?” Rosen snaps.
“Nothing,” I say quickly, holding up both hands. “Forget it. Dumb joke.”
Ivan kicks my foot. “Shut up,” he hisses.
I kick back, putting my weight into it. He makes a satisfying little grunt of pain.
“Perhaps, it’s time we look for a real dog to take in. A shepherd. A Doberman. Hell, even a mutt with some goddamn spine. What you think son?”
Ivan flinches.
Rosen grunts and takes the next turn hard enough to throw me against the door.
I lean forward again, resting my elbows on the front seat like we’re all old friends. “Oh—I forgot to congratulate you Ivan. Sisk said yes, right? To the Formal? You must be absolutely thrilled.”
Ivan goes rigid again.
Rosen raises an eyebrow, actually looking back now. “You?” He actually lets out a short laugh. “You got a date?”
Ivan nods.
“Huh,” Rosen mutters. “Don’t tell me it’s the dancer.”
“You got it,” I answer. “You must’ve done something right, sir. Ivan here’s the real champ. I’m pretty jealous myself.”
Rosen snorts. “What’d you do, offer to do her homework or something?” He shakes his head. “Must be a hell of a favor.”
Ivan’s face hardens. His eyes flick to mine, full of promises he’s too much of a coward to keep.
I should feel bad for him. I do. For half a second. Then I remember—what kind of person ditches their dog for a favor from The Pit?
“You keep talking like you’re not heading straight to the station,” Ivan spits. ”Aren’t you eighteen already? They could actually lock you up this time.”
I let out a real laugh. “Your dad knows how it works, right Sir? Take me in, make a little show of it—then I walk right back out. It’s a dance we both know.”
I glance at Rosen in the mirror, catching his eye. “Pretty sure my grandfather covers half the city budget, maybe even your salary, sir.”
