“Fuck the arrangement.Why is it so hard to let someone help you?Clover would love my place.”
“Are we going to stay with Asher?”
Both turned to see Clover clutching a drawing.Excitement lighting up her eyes.
“No,” Juni replied and hated that her sister’s smile disappeared.“Asher is a busy man and he doesn’t have any of your toys or games at his place.And don’t forget, Ms.Circe will be teaching school by video.”
Clover’s little shoulders slumped.“That’s not fair.I haven’t spent any time with Asher and you got a whole night.”
His laugh turned into a cough when Juni glared at him.“How about I spend the night here?”
Juni blinked, shocked, while Clover squealed and ran over to hug him.So much for being shy around people.
“Can you bring pizza?”Clover asked, looking up at him with adoration.
He grinned.“I sure will.I gotta go back to work, but I’ll see you at dinner time.”
“Okay!”
He winked at Juni and then hightailed it out of there before she could raise a ruckus, knowing full well she wouldn’t disappoint her little sister.
“Sneaky bastard,” she muttered under breath.
“You didn’t tell me how hot he was,” Clover scolded.
“Clover!”she scolded, but she couldn’t contain her mirth.“Where’d you learn that phrase?”
“At recess.All the girls call boys hot.It means he’s cute.”
“Thank you for informing me of that.
“You’re welcome.I can’t wait till dinner.He’s bringing pizza!”
With a squeal of excitement, Clover ran back to her room to play.
****
Jericho didn’t needto guess what the warlock Niall thought as he studied the body of Mrs.Smyth.Disbelief was etched on his face.He stood on the other side of a window at the morgue, making sure to stay away from the contaminated body.Niall wore a surgical gown, a mask, and gloves.
“You said this isn’t the only victim?”Niall asked.
“Second, that we know of.The first was a man named Ezra Parsons.”
“How did the two know each other?”
Jericho shrugged.“I have no idea.Ezra was very anti-social.”
“Well, somewhere they crossed paths.”Niall looked at him.“Was Ezra patient zero?”
“I think so,” Jericho replied.“We’ve not had any other victims.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way.”He walked over to the door and peeled out of his PPG to toss them into the trash, then he stepped out of the morgue.“I’ll need to interview the girl.”
“Kadie Dandridge,” Jericho said with a nod.“Doc tells me she’s still unconscious from her ordeal.He’s going to call me when she wakes up.”
“Okay,” Niall said.“Would you call me as well, so I can go with you to interview her?”
“Sure.”
