Page 37 of Investigation of a Quest

“Since you’re here with her, I can leave,” Eamon said.

“You sure?” Griffin asked. “It’s late, and it’s been quiet. I don’t think our killer plans to show his face tonight.”

“It’s better if my presence isn’t strong just in case,” Eamon said. “Although coming after this one might have ruined that.”

“If you think it’s best,” Griffin said. “You were in the neighborhoods with both the scarecrow and tin man, though.”

“The bodies were already in position when I arrived,” Eamon said. “If we’re dealing with a human, it won’t matter, but if we’re dealing with something else, it’s best I’m not close when they show up. Don’t worry. I move fast.”

“Ewan moved faster,” Bel teased. “He got to me first just now.”

“That’s because he was patrolling closer to you.” Eamon rolled his eyes. “And who knows? Our killer might not care if I’m close by, but if we’re going to draw him out, we have the best shot at success if the Impaler isn’t in the neighborhood.”

“Impaler?” Griffin asked.

“Long story you don’t want to hear,” Eamon answered with a wink. “All right, I’m off. Hopefully, walking these streets hasn’t spooked our killer.” He kissed Bel one last time and took off down the sidewalk, his imposing size blending into the crowd with eerie ease. “And sheriff,” he called over his shoulder. “Do me a favor. Don’t let that one out of your sight.”

And then he was gone, as if he’d never existed.

“Freaks me out when he does that,” Griffin said. “How does someone so massive just poof?” He mimed an explosion.

“You should try walking through a dark house and realizing he’s in the shadows. He vanishes inside the darkness. Scary as hell,” Bel said with a wink, knowing full well how loudly her boss had screamed when he’d experienced this phenomenon a few days ago. “Even after all this time, my heart completely stops for a second if he catches me by surprise.”

“Yet you tell me all the time how safe that man makes you feel.”

“Right?” Bel smirked.

“So, I’m keeping an eye on you?” he asked. “What did you do this time?”

“Went into a backyard I shouldn’t have.” Bel looped her arm through her boss’. “But at least there were no bodies.”

And that was the case for the rest of the evening. The party ended, the haunted houses closed their doors, but the only corpses to be found were the decorations strewn through people’s yards. It was both a disappointment and a relief. Bel didn’t want to face the dead, but she wanted to catch their killer in the act. She wanted to look him in the eyes when she hit her panic button and watch fear flood them as the Impaler attacked, but perhaps Eamon had been too close. He and Ewan had stood guard since setup began, but maybe their encounter with the witch had scared the killer off. Maybe their magic hadn’t demanded another organ yet. Maybe they were done killing. Maybe that was wishful thinking… No, it was wishful thinking. Bel could feel it. He wasn’t done. This neighborhood was merely the wrong hunting grounds for him.

“Hey,” Eamon said when she answered her phone on the drive home. “Since Cerberus is at your place, I assume you’re going home.”

“It’s late, and my feet hurt from standing all day, so yeah, I’m going to stay at my cabin.” Bel had showered and dressed at her place in the hopes of minimizing Eamon’s scent on her. It was probably pointless since his claim on her life was larger than the comforting smell of his skin on hers, but if it helped taunt the killer into making a mistake, she’d try just about anything, which was also why they’d driven separate cars.

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then?” Eamon asked, and she didn’t miss the disappointment. They were pathetic. When had spending the night apart become such a miserable event?

“See you tomorrow?” Bel asked. “What? You don’t want to slum it at my cabin anymore?”

“I would make an elitist joke, but I’ve slept in places during my life that would spread infection through your skin. Any home you inhabit could never be a slum.”

Bel rolled her eyes.

“Did you just roll your eyes?” Eamon asked.

“No,” she lied.

“I’ll be at your place in fifteen minutes,” he chuckled.

“I’ll be there in twenty, so that means you have to walk Cerberus.”

“More like you slowed down because your feet hurt, and you don’t feel like hiking in the cold.”

“I have no idea what you mean… hold on, I’m getting another call.” Bel cursed when she saw the name.

“What’s wrong?” Eamon asked.