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“Wrong?” My heart sank, and I pulled my hand away. “Why do you think that? I’ve already thought really long and hard about this, and Ms. Carmine definitely did it.”
“I don’t merely think you’re wrong. I know it.” He sat up and puffed his furry chest with pride. “I just paid a visit to our old friend Harold, and I can say with absolute certainty that he was poisoned by a magical potion. Not… what was it you said? Antifreeze?” He chuckled quietly and shook his head.
“But Officer Dash said—”
“Officer Dash lied,” he said flatly.
No, this didn’t make sense, and I’d tell him that if he would just let me finish a sentence. “Why would a police officer lie?”
Merlin hung his head, his ears thrust back in consternation. “That’s a good question. You can’t exactly ask her. She’ll just lie again.”
“I’m going to the station,” I said, shifting back toward the door. “Something’s not right here.”
“I’m coming with you,” he insisted.
“Are we going to teleport? Because the station is on a pretty busy street. Someone will see.”
Merlin jumped off the couch and then turned to face me. “You drive. I’ll meet you there. First I have some business with my cauldron.”
“What are you going to do? Can’t we just drive together? I’d feel safer if I had you with me.” I was in a sad state considering I felt that I needed my cat’s company in order to stay safe.
He didn’t budge despite my pleas. “I’m a cat, Gracie. Cats don’t do cars. Besides, I’ll already be at the station and waiting by the time you get there. I just need a few minutes to mix a truth potion. Since I’m a sky witch, I can deliver it by air. All your officer… what was it? Nash?”
“Dash,” I corrected. “She’s the one with the bad attitude and permanent scowl, remember?”
He grimaced then, showing off one pearly white fang. “Dash, okay. But how could I remember when I have yet to meet her?”
“She’s already been here two times in less than twenty-four hours. How is it you haven’t been here for any of her little visits?”
“Dunno, but don’t worry about it too much. My truth potion will be a gas rather than a liquid. I only need to breathe it out and she to breathe it in for her to fall und
er its spell. We’ll know everything within a matter of minutes.”
“Great, because I am already so sick of this investigation.”
Merlin shook his head. “We still need to toughen you up. You’ll deal with much worse than this serving your role as my familiar.”
I rolled my eyes hard. “Oh, goody. I can hardly wait.”
Merlin clearly didn’t appreciate my attitude, but that didn’t stop me from feeling exhausted, afraid, and in a foul mood.
“Stop with the sarcasm. It’s not very becoming for a familiar,” he hissed.
“I’m more than just a familiar. I’m a person, too,” I reminded him, not exactly sure where this was coming from. I guess I just had things to say, questions that had gone unanswered for too long, even though it hadn’t been long at all.
“Why did you choose me?” I blurted out.
Merlin turned to stare at me head on. He blinked slowly, then stopped. “I didn’t choose you, Gracie. I chose your grandmother. Remember, I was already here when you showed up.”
“So you wanted her but got me. Right, I’m just one big mistake,” I pouted. His confession hurt far more than I’d have expected it to.
“An accident, yes. Mistake, no. I watched you for months before revealing myself. I had to make absolutely sure,” he confessed softly. “I hadn’t planned for it to be you, but I’m glad it is.”
I chanced a smile. “Really?”
“Really. Now enough with the mushy stuff.” He moved toward the door and stopped in front of the pet flap. “We need to focus on the task ahead. I want you to drive straight to the police station. No pit stops or detours. Straight there, and I’ll be waiting with the truth potion ready to go. We’ll go in together.”
“Yes, boss,” I said with a nod. Our short chat just now had given me a renewed sense of purpose. Merlin hadn’t chosen me initially, but he chose me now.
