Page 29 of A Seer and Present Danger

There was a part of me that didn’t want to agree. It felt like if I agreed, if I promised to find this killer in his dream, that I might be using enough free will to make it happen. I might accidentally lock in that future and in a small way, make his death real.

“I will do everything I can to make sure you don’t die,” I said. “But I give you my word that if you do die, I will do everything I can to find your killer and bring them to justice.”

The tension in his shoulders dropped and his smile was brighter. “Thank you. I just…I can accept my own end. But if it’s by foul means, I want to know they’ll get their comeuppance.”

“Have you told Delaney? The police?”

“About a dream? I suppose I could. But it was a dream. Not sure they’ll believe me. I am going to visit Jean later today. Have you seen her?”

“I saw her, well, I guess it was last night. It’s been sort of a blur.”

“So, you don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“She’s under house arrest.”

The whole world seemed to go underwater for a moment and the memory of the dead body outside the diner flashed in front of my eyes. Jean was there, covered in blood.

“Delaney put her under house arrest?”

“Delaney doesn’t have a say in it. She can’t investigate a crime her own sister might be involved in.”

“You don’t think she did it, do you, Yancy?”

“What? Kill that man? No, of course not. But the law has to be followed, and Delaney and the rest of the force are following the law.”

I reached over and touched his arm. “I’m not going to let you die.”

“I appreciate that. But sometimes no matter what we do, no matter what we choose, our futures are set in stone.”

“Even stone crumbles,” I said.

He grunted in agreement. “Let’s hope so this time.” He went back to sorting.

I hesitated. I did want to help sort, but I wanted to check in with Jean too.

“Friends first. Jean first,” I said quietly. I headed to Bertie’s office and leaned in the open door.

Bertie sat behind her desk, Jules across from her.

“Yes?” Bertie asked.

“I don’t mean to interrupt, but Jules, I’m wondering if you’d mind leaving now? There’s an…errand…I need to run before work.”

“Sure, hon,” she said. “Bertie. I’ll get those donations to you by tomorrow.”

Bertie gave me a look that reminded me of a hawk with a fish in its talons who very much did not want to share its lunch.

I waved and smiled. “The sorting is going great! So great! See you soon!”

She flicked her fingers in a dismissive wave, and we skedaddled out of there.

* * *

“Do you think Yancy is overreacting?” Jules asked. On the way to Jean and Hogan’s house, I’d filled her in on everything he’d said.

“I think he’s stressed about not being able to see into the future,” I said. “I think it’s bothering him more than he’ll admit. But dreams aren’t my expertise.”