Page 19 of No Merciful Corruption

I look over and find Gael hovering just within ear range of our conversation. His knuckles are white, face unreadable.

“Dahlia’s awake,” I say, translating what the doctor said. “The surgery went well and she’s in recovery. Why don’t you go see her?”

He shakes his head so quickly I fear it might roll off his neck. “No, no, no, I…I shouldn’t…”

“But—”

“She can have visitors but only one at a time.” Dr. Kosan warns us.

“I want to go.” Lyss is practically trembling. “Is it only family first or can we see her too?”

“Actually, that’s why I’m here.” The doctor says.

“Gael.” He shrinks away from me the second I take a step near him. “You can’t just⁠—”

Dr. Kosan asks, “Remind me, which one of you is Alejandro?”

My head whips around. “What?”

“When she woke up, she was asking to see Alejandro. I assume it’s one of—” He passes a broad hand across the waiting room to gesture at the other men waiting but I cut him off.

“She asked for me? Can I go see her?”

“Yes, of course. Just take it easy she’s still recover⁠—”

Ignoring his warning, I sprint past him down the hall, Gael and his complicated history with his daughter forgotten.

ARMISTICE

Dahlia

February

Ice covers the parlor room windows.

When the light shines through it shatters and breaks into colorful prisms that reflect on the hardwood floor and marble fireplace mantle. Detective Carson stares outside with an inquisitive look and arched brow as if the answer to the question floating around his mind might suddenly appear on my front stoop. He’s younger than I feel a detective should be; maybe three or four years older than Alejandro, if that. It’s impossible to tell when a smooth brown complexion makes him appear ageless. With hair cropped short on the sides and perfectly styled curls on top, he reminds me a little of Diego.

“We’re glad to see you’re recovering.” Says Detective Wilson. “How long have you been home?”

I lower my teacup. “I was released from the hospital about a week ago.”

“We’d have appreciated a phone call,” Detective Carson glowers at me with suspicion. “We would’ve visited sooner.”

I plaster a smile on my face. “I’d hate to inconvenience a pair of New York City’s finest. I’m sure you have better things to do than pay me a house call.”

Detective Carson doesn’t smile in return and instead continues to glare outside my window.

Detective Wilson clears his throat and shifts uncomfortably on the love seat across from me. I watch him loosen his tie and move to the edge of the chair.

He’s older than his young partner by at least fifteen years. Tall, broad, and attractive, his dark hair is silvering and deep lines have formed around his blue eyes. He’s white and the rough edge of his raspy voice tells me he’s a true New Yorker, born and bred. The other detective, not so much.

“We were hoping you could answer a few questions.” Detective Wilson produces a small notepad and pencil. “What was your relationship with Li Huang like before the incident?”

“Cordial.”

“We’ve interviewed a few former employees of The Empress.” Detective Carson jumps in. “They say the two of you were hostile toward each other. And that just a week prior, engaged in an altercation at his club.”

“Whomever you spoke to was mistaken. A man assaulted me at the bar and I defended myself. Li stepped in to calm things down.”