He cut me off, his mouth capturing mine. “You taste better,” he growled.
My stomach flipped, and I leaned into him, letting him press his thumbs against my jaw to hold me in place as he savored my lips. I was going to have a hard time looking at breakfast items from now on. Derrick’s mouth dropped to my collarbone.
“If you kiss me every time I say your name, I might end up wearing it out.”
“That’s my plan.” He pressed our foreheads together. “Wait for me here. I’ll speak with the director, and then we’ll interview Helen.”
I teased the hair at the nape of his neck. “Can I sit behind your desk while I wait?”
He tapped his knuckle under my chin. “Don’t push it.”
“Yes, Detective.”
Derrick eyes narrowed dangerously but dragged himself away to grab a stack of files from his desk. The door closed firmly behind him, and I covered my face with my hands, determined not to let him hear my squeal of happiness. A witch didn’t squeal. Ever. But if she did, it would sound a lot like the noise I tried to hide.
Today was a new beginning. It was time to say goodbye to past insecurities. My magic might never be perfect, but it didn’t have to be. It was enough.
Iwas enough.
All morning, I’d been thinking of new ways to adapt my spells to better fit the agency’s goals. The possibilities were endless. I sat in the chair across from Derrick’s desk and searched for his notebook, wanting to jot down a few ideas. It was buried beneath a stack of unopened letters. The top envelope caught my eye, and I picked it up, noticing it had been forwarded by the Ever Gazette. Was this a response to our ad?
Removing the letter, I scanned its contents. My nerve endings tingled to life. The ad had worked! We had a lead on the rose. A man named Theo Beckett wanted to meet with us to discuss the plant’s origin. I glanced at the address and wrinkled my brow. It wasn’t too far from the palace, but the area was remote.
The office door opened, and I looked up to find Derrick. His features were drawn, and there was tension in every step as he entered the room. He dropped his files onto the desk and sank in his chair. His hand scrubbed roughly over his face.
A moment passed before he slammed a fist onto the desk. “Damn it!”
“What happened?” Dread coiled in my stomach when he didn’t answer right away. “Derrick, talk to me.”
His eyes met mine. “Helen’s dead.”
“What? How? She was locked up, under guard.”
“Someone didn’t search her well enough. They found her in the cell before dawn. There were poisonous berries in her hand.” His eyes closed, and he took a harsh breath. “It’s over, Tessa. The king spoke with my superior. He’s closing the case. They’re putting the blame for Ella’s death at Helen’s feet and walking away.”
I shoved out of the chair. “They can’t do that! What about the other murders?”
“They’re turning a blind eye. Helen’s connection to the murder of her stepsister is enough to remove suspicion from the prince. It’s the only move the king has, unless he’s willing to exile his son if this continues and he’s found guilty.”
I scoffed and turned on my heel, pacing the floor. “Are we sure Helen killed herself? The whole thing sounds suspect.”
“I agree, but there are no witnesses and no proof. Helen was our only lead. Without her, and without the backing from the agency, my hands are tied. I’ll be reassigned.” Derrick’s voice was tight with fury. “Sophie’s killer is out there. I thought we were getting closer. I thought—”
“Hey, it’s not over.” I rounded the desk and took his face in my hands. “We’re not giving up. We’re going to find Sophie’s killer and bring justice to Jane and Ella. I’m not stopping until we do, and neither are you.”
“Tessa, it’s not that simple. I’d have to go behind the agency’s back.”
“Okay, let me know when there’s a problem.”
His mouth hitched. “I’ll lose my job.”
“Then I’ll hire you at the magic shop, and if I have to sell it, we’ll peddle potions out of a caravan. Besides, I know you. When you care about something, nothing stands in your way. The same goes for me, so let’s do this together. Partners till the end. Always.”
He pulled me onto his lap, settling his hands on my hips. “I love you, Tessa.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “You say that now, but you’ll love me even more when I show you this.” Reaching across the desk, I grabbed the letter from Theo Beckett. “We had a response from the ad in the Gazette. It came in this morning. There’s someone who knows where the roses came from, and all we have to do is meet with him. What do you say, Detective? Want to keep hunting killers with me?”
He grinned. “Always.”
