“Of course it doesn’t. There is never a good reason to break and enter!”
“I was trying to catch a murderous shifter. Shouldn’t that count?”
“Let me guess, you didn’t catch him.”
“Only because the Enforcers got in the way.”
Jack let out a snort. “Yeah, and he didn’t show up. We can only hope he didn’t hear the commotion you caused and get scared off permanently.”
“I would argue that you were the one who caused the commotion. I was invisible, and it wasn’t until Sebastian attacked me that there was any kind of noise.”
“I don’t think I want to know any more about this story,” Leda said, shaking her head. “Thanks again, Jack. I’ll go take her home and try to beat some sense into her.”
“Good luck,” Jack said with an amused smile. “Ali, if you find out anything, let me know.”
I flipped him off in response – seriously, he’d just locked me up in jail for the night, and now he still wanted my help – but I knew that whatever I did find out, I would tell the Enforcers. After all, as much as I thought it was unfair for me to have been arrested, I didn’t want Raoul Lupo in town for any longer than he had to be. Someone had killed an elf who was actually pretty nice, and I was going to find out who did it.
Chapter 18
My next stop was just downstairs at Rudoldir’s office, but I wanted to get the office staff some goods to sweeten them up, first. Plus, I owed my sister a coffee as a thank you.
“Can I get you something from The Magic Brewmstick?” I asked, but Leda shook her head.
“Thanks, but I have to get back to work. I said I’d only be gone twenty minutes.”
I took her by the arm, and stopped. Leda looked at me curiously.
“Thank you for coming. I mean it. I really appreciate that you were here for me.”
My sister smiled. “Are you joking? You’re my sister. I mean sure, I was a bit surprised to find out what had happened, but I would have never left you there. I was always going to come and get you, and don’t worry, Mom won’t find out about any of this from me.”
I leaned over and took her in a huge hug. “You’re the best sister ever.”
Even though Leda was younger than me, sometimes it really did feel like our roles were reversed and she was the older sister. She had always been more mature than me.
“Just try and stay out of jail in the future, ok? I want you to catch that shifter.”
“Me too,” I said with a grin. “Ok, I’ll let you get back to work. Thanks again!”
“I’d say ‘anytime,’ but I’d really rather not have to bail you out of jail again,” Leda said with a wink.
“Fair enough,” I laughed. “Alright, I’ll talk to you later. Say thanks to Sandromiraa for me.” The elf was Leda’s boss at Spells and Smells, and I liked her.
“Will do. Talk later,” Leda said, and with a wave she rushed back off in the direction of her work while I headed over to The Magic Brewmstick to grab that coffee.
Starr was the fairy working at the counter, and as soon as she saw me, she gave me an enthusiastic wave.
“Hello, Ali. How are you?”
“I’m ok, thanks,” I replied. “You?”
“The days are getting longer, which makes me very happy. What can I get for you today?”
“A box of assorted donuts and two lattes, please,” I replied.
“Of course. Got a big day planned?”
“I sure do,” I replied. “I can’t talk about it, though. You know, Enforcer business and all.”
“I completely get it,” Starr said. “Pyxis said you were in here the other day asking about Beatrix.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I hope she’s not the one who killed that poor elf. Her upbringing was so rough, and it was lovely to see her move past it and grow into a young fairy who had her life together.”
“Do you think she could have done it?”
“If you asked me five years ago, I would have said yes, absolutely. After all, she almost killed an entire family by setting their home on fire. But now? She really does seem to have changed. Besides, why would she have killed Rudoldir?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I agree. I hope you’re right.”
I took the coffees and the box of donuts and headed right back to where I had come from. Only this time, rather than climbing the stairs, I walked to the rear of the building where Rudoldir’s office had been.
As soon as Beatrix saw me coming in with the coffee and the donuts, her eyes lit up. “Oh, are those for us?”
“They are. Here,” I said, handing her a coffee.
“Oh, you’re a lifesaver,” she replied, coming around from behind the desk and helping me organize everything. “Leave my coffee here and I’ll take these to the break room.”
She returned a moment later carrying a Boston cream on a napkin and I handed her the cup, which she took gratefully.
“Thanks. It’s been hard sleeping lately, and this isn’t exactly the most exciting job.” Bellatrix laughed, and I smiled. I couldn’t imagine this kind and polite fairy being a total monster. “So what can I help you with today?”
“Actually, I know this is a sensitive topic, but I was hoping I could talk to you about your past.”
Bellatrix sighed. “I suppose that was always going to come up eventually. I’ve seen my therapist three times this week.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “If you’d like, I could interview you with her there if you’d like to have someone who knows your story with you.”
Bellatrix shook her head. “Thank you, but no. I have to be strong, and I have to face this head-on. Please, ask away. Although if you wouldn’t mind, could you cast a spell so that no one else can eavesdrop on what we’re about to say?”
“Oh yeah, of course,” I replied, pulling out my wand and muttering a quick
