Page 11 of The Little Shop of Curiosities, The Music Box Part 2

“Yes! That’s it exactly.”

Danny frowns. “Well, that’s…fairly disturbing.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “I was starting to put together a timeline of when all these abilities started when I ended up having to go back home because of Mam.”

Danny’s expression softens. “How is she?”

“She’s doing okay,” I reply quietly. “We were long overdue for a very long conversation and being at home those few months…I don’t know, it’s like everything was stripped away and we were finally able to be honest with each other. Maybe for the first time ever.”

“I had wondered if you were going to stay up north,” Danny confesses. “Selfishly, I’m glad you didn’t.”

“It’s not my home anymore,” I admit, my heart heavy. “I don’t think I’ll ever feel the same way about it. Just doesn’t fit. I’d intended to pick up my investigations and build back up the PI agency when I got back to London, but then all this stuff with Viv…” I draw in a breath. “If I’m right and this is just the beginning of something supernatural shifting in London, it’s going to need a lot more investigation, and I won’t get paid for it. Not to sound mercenary or anything, but I’ve still got bills to pay.”

Danny glances around the small office, taking in everything from the dented dark green filing cabinets to the saggy brown sofa. His eyes narrow as they catch on the blanket and pillow folded neatly at the end of the sofa and then his gaze tracks across to the measly heap of my personal belongings stacked in the corner.

“Sam?” he says slowly. “You’re not living here, are you?” He turns his attention back to me when I don’t immediately answer. “Seriously?”

I shrug. “I’ve been up north for months without working. I couldn’t afford to keep this place and my flat too. The lease was up for renewal anyway, so I let it go. I needed to hold on to the office for the time being because it was full of all my files. It made more sense to just doss down here for a while until I can get another place. I got a small settlement when my employment with the police came to an abrupt end. I’ve still got enough of that left, but it doesn’t mean I don’t need to be careful until I’ve got more income coming in.”

“For fuck’s sake, Sam. Why didn’t you say something?” He scowls. “You can stay with me and Tristan.”

I chuckle. “As much as I appreciate the offer, I have no desire to listen to you two going at each other every night.”

“We’re not that bad.”

“According to Dusty, you are.”

“She needs to mind her own business. Seriously, you can’t sleep on that shitty sofa.”

“Honestly, it’s fine. Anyway, I’m not always here. It’s a few nights here and there.”

“Oh?” Danny’s brows rise slowly.

“I think we’re getting a little bit off subject.” I roll my eyes. “We need to figure out what’s going on with Viv, and I have a feeling we’re going to be tripping over that dick Byrnes every time we turn around.”

“I’ll deal with him.”

“Good luck with that. According to Maddie, he’s got the DCI eating out of the palm of his hand. The same DCI that really doesn’t like you.”

“Bloody hell,” Danny mutters. “If we can just stay off his radar, I reckon we can handle this murder investigation ourselves. After all, we’ve got resources and information they don’t,” he muses. “Maybe we should talk to Death.”

I laugh loudly. “God, could you imagine if Byrnes heard us now? Yeah, we don’t know what the symbols etched into the murder victim’s body mean. Let’s just ask the Grim Reaper.”

Danny chuckles. “I never thought this is how my life would turn out.”

“You and me both.”

“How the fuck did we get here?”

“I don’t think the question should be how did we get here, but rather, where do we go from here? Like I said, I’m pretty sure Viv’s death is only the beginning. Something weird is happening. I don’t know whether it’s just London or if it’s spreading further, but once we find the killer, I need to go back to my original investigation and see if I can figure out whether all these people with new abilities are just a coincidence or whether it’s something we should be worried about.”

“I’m already worried.” Danny shakes his head. “Maybe we should talk to Harrison about this. I could also speak to Tristan. If there’s something weird and supernatural brewing in London Dusty might know something.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” I reply, I can’t tell Danny Harrison already knows, not without telling him that while I was away in Yorkshire I’d call Harrison almost every single night and we’d talk for hours.

Danny chews his lip in thought. “You should probably stay close to Harrison. I know that you two like to snipe at each other, but right now, it’s more important that we keep him safe.”

If Danny only knew what Harrison and I actually like to do when we’re together... I could tell Danny that Harrison and I have gotten closer, that we don’t bicker, like everyone assumes, because we don’t like each other. In fact, it’s the complete opposite.