Page 16 of A Seer and Present Danger

Jean squared her shoulders and faced her sister. “I didn’t kill him.”

Delaney hesitated a split second before answering. “I know. But you need to have your head wound looked at. Then we’re going to be asking you questions. A lot of questions. You don’t have to say anything. Not yet. Not to me.”

“I came to the diner after the fire. I drank some water. I was feeling bad, doom-twinging, so I walked outside for some air. I don’t remember coming back here. I don’t remember touching him. I don’t know how I got blood on my hands. Someone took my memory.”

“First we’ll get that gash on your head taken care of,” Delaney said. “I don’t want to hear anything else yet, all right? Are you okay to walk?”

Jean stood. “Yes.” Her gaze cut to Hatter setting up the yellow tape and somehow, she went even more pale. “Who is he? The victim?”

“That’s not something you’re going to deal with.” Delaney was guiding her toward the EMTs.

Sage and Page, Ordinary’s EMTs (who were also vampires) rolled a gurney into position next to the body. They both had silvery blonde hair that shone like moonlight in the shadows.

Sage was one of my book club friends. She had big opinions on every book we’d read so far (don’t get her started on Raymond Chandler) but her sanguine attitude was dampened, her expression serious as she took in the scene.

She shot a look my way and I shook my head. No, I didn’t know what had happened. No, I didn’t know what was going to happen next.

“Sage, can you help me with Jean?” Delaney asked. “Head wound.”

“Absolutely.” She stepped over to them. “Let’s get you to the ambulance.”

“I’ll be right back, Hatter,” Delaney said, walking beside Jean.

“Say, boss?” Hatter said.

“Yes?”

“You really think you should be alone with her? Your sister?”

Delaney stopped. The emotion that flickered across her face made me want to give her a hug.

“Why can’t she be with me?” Jean asked. Then: “Oh, yeah. Right. Conflict of interest. Hatter should sit with me in the ambulance and after that interrogate me, Del.”

“You don’t have to say anything without a lawyer present.” Delaney held out her hand for Hatter’s camera.

“I know. But I didn’t do this. I’ll answer questions.”

“Hatter if you…” Delaney started.

“Fair and by the book. I got this, boss.”

Delaney looked like she wanted to say something, do something, but the moment passed. Hatter pressed his camera into her hand, then followed Jean and Sage.

Futures flickered:

Coffee for Delaney

Water for Jean

And a long dang night of questioning

“Let me put on a fresh pot of coffee,” I said. “I’ll get Jean some water. Page, do you need anything?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“Delaney?”

She took a deep breath, looking like she was ready to shove mountains off their foundations. “Just coffee. Thanks, Piper. Thanks for staying with her until we got here.”