“Me neither. There’s someone else out there, but we’ll find him.”
“Do you think she’ll talk?”
“I don’t know. If not to me, maybe she’ll talk to her mother. We’ll bring Olivia to the agency. We need to question her anyway, find out if she knew what her daughter was up to.”
I sank against the pillow. “That whole family has been shattered. What a waste. How do you handle the devastation this job uncovers?”
“It’s not easy. I’d say you get used to it, but I don’t want that for you. I’ve been numb for so long. It’s no way to live.”
I suppressed a grin. “I guess it’s a good thing I came along andobliteratedall that.”
He laughed and tucked me closer to his side. “Get some sleep.”
“Will you stay?”
“Depends on whether your friend curses me with a spirit if she finds us together in the morning.”
My silence made him squirm.
“Tessa, tell me that won’t happen.”
“Get some sleep.” I kissed his cheek and pulled the blanket up to my ears. The weight of his arm draped over my middle mixed with the heat from his body made sleep an easy target.
Derrick nudged my shoulder. One of my eyes snapped open.
“What?”
“I forgot to ask you something.”
“Is it important?”
He nodded, nuzzling his forehead against my hair. “I think so.”
“Okay, ask.”
“Did you really start the plague?”
Damn.I shouldn’t have mentioned that.
“Yes, and I’ll do it again if you tell anyone my secret. You’ll be patient zero.” I rolled over in a huff, but he dragged me back, anchoring me to his side.
“That’s my witch.”
Chapter 28
Vivian did not sic a spirit on him in the morning, but that might have had more to do with Derrick complimenting her baking skills than any affront to finding him with me.
She eyed us over the rim of her teacup. “Can I offer anyone another scone?”
He plucked a cranberry biscuit from the plate and dug in, his eyes half-mast as he devoured the pastry. “This is delicious. The best scones I’ve ever tasted. You’re a wizard in the kitchen.”
Vivian preened, smoothing a hand over her glossy locks.
I rolled my eyes. “It’s a mix. She buys it from the market. Don’t get so excited.”
Viv kicked my shin under the table at the same time Derrick bumped my knee. “Hush,” he whispered. “I want your friend to like me.”
“She likes you fine, and will both of you stop hitting me? I’m still in recovery from my harrowing ordeal.”
