Page 20 of Herbs & Hex-breaking

“Were you aware that Dex had done time in rehab?” Nash asked me next.

“Yes,” I said. “He’d told me that he’d been sober for a couple of years now. And I saw nothing to indicate otherwise. He went to meetings and a support group once a week.”

“Were you also aware that the Poindexters cut him off financially when he left rehab the last time?” Nash asked carefully.

“He never spoke about his relatives,” I said honestly. “I had no idea.”

“From what Lorna told me, after rehab, Dex lived rough, on the street or couch surfing with friends. He picked up odd jobs for cash and that’s how—”

“She met him,” I finished.

When Nash asked me again for the note, I nodded.

“Let me go and fetch that for you,” I said. “If you’ll wait here, I’ll be back in a few moments.”

“All right,” he said.

With a nod I walked straight to the rear delivery door and opened it. I went down the concrete step and spotted Circe outside, stacking broken down cardboard boxes over at her building’s delivery door.

She took one look at me and frowned. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Later.” I waved her off and raced up the metal stairs to my apartment. A few minutes later, I returned with the note tucked in my dress pocket.

“Here,” I said, shoving the note at Nash. “I don’t know how this will help but take it.”

His fingers closed around the paper. “Kate, it wasn’t my intention to embarrass you—”

“I was already embarrassed before you started asking questions,” I said with a sad laugh.

“You know that I’ll be sharing this information with the police if asked.”

“And Lorna,” I said.

“Yes, definitely with Lorna.”

“Of course.” I smiled but didn’t mean it. “She’s the one paying for your services, isn’t she?”

He shot me a look for my phrasing, but instead of replying he simply inclined his head and let himself out of the back room. I escorted him to the front door, unlocked it, and held it open.

“Thank you for your time—” he began.

I closed the door in his face before he could finish speaking. After securing it, I spun away from the door and managed about three steps before Circe appeared out of thin air, right in front of me.

With no time to react, I bounced right off her.

“Why was the PI back?” she demanded as she gripped my elbows to steady me. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I said far too quickly.

“I know your face, cousin,” Circe said. “You’re upset. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m an idiot, Circe,” I said in a wobbly voice, as the lights above us began to flicker.

“Who hurt you?” she demanded, ignoring the flashing lights.

“I got played,” I said and my voice cracked with emotion.

Circe pulled me in for a hug. “What happened? Talk to me, damn it.”