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Gwen turned off the recorder, slipped it into her pocket. Then rose, straightened her jacket. “Thank you, Ms. Mitchell, for your time. Rest assured, we take these allegations very seriously.”
“Will you tell me when you catch him?”
“We’ll absolutely advise you of the results of our investigation. I know you’ll feel better when it’s complete.” She turned, looked at me, gaze narrowed. “Ms. Sullivan, let’s step outside.”
Her tone was harsh, the words an obvious order—and a threat. Behind her, Miranda’s smile was deep, victory in her eyes.
“Why?” I asked, feigning suspicion.
“Because your... colleagues... have been implicated in theattack on Ms. Mitchell. We’ll need to discuss that.” She stared at me until I relented, cast Connor a look of betrayal, and stalked to the door, magic in my wake.
***
I took a moment to shake off the heavy shifter magic, and when I emerged into fresh air, found Gwen standing beside her vehicle. She gave instructions to uniformed officers and a crime scene technician, who began the process of inspecting the crime scene.
Then she turned to me.
“I’m going to do a lot of pointing and accusing,” she said mildly. “And you’re going to look sheepish.”
I looked at the ground, as if chagrined. “Why am I doing this?”
“We’re keeping up appearances while we’re still in their view, because she definitely doesn’t like you.” Gwen pointed at the car, as if demanding I get in it.
I shook my head, glared at her. “You’re pretty smart for a cop.”
“I guess you owed me that.”
“I guess I did. Why does how she feels about me matter to you?”
“Because it provides her a motive to lie.”
Iknewit. “You didn’t buy it?”
“Not even with a coupon. Now I’m going to chastise you. Do that sheepish thing again.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“It’s made those two years of community theater worthwhile,” she said, and pinned me with a glance.
I waited for a moment, then took a step back, lifted my hands as if in peace. My face was a model of contrition.
“You aren’t bad yourself,” she said. “Vampire thing?”
“Constantly playing a role,” I agreed. “Why don’t you buy it?”
Gwen looked back at the door. “Because I’m a skilled and experienced investigator. She shows none of the typical characteristics of a person who’s been assaulted—no fear, no concern. She seemed very eager to put the blame on vampires without any hardevidence a vampire was involved. The attacker might have been familiar, except she couldn’t actually see his face. And there’s nothing near the corner of the bar that indicates a fight took place. None of her blood, none of his. Given the size of her cut, she should have left something behind.”
“So what will you do now?”
“I took her statement, and I’ll file a report, and I’ll continue to investigate. Because my suspicions are just suspicions until I have more evidence.”
I nodded. “Thanks for handling this carefully.”
She moved to the door of her vehicle, opened it. “You don’t know me, so I’ll excuse that. But I handle everything carefully. It’s kind of my thing.”
***
Gwen left, and I waited outside for Connor and Theo to emerge, but ten minutes passed in relative silence, but for the thump of raucous music from the bar.
