I sucked on my lips. “Afraid so. It’s how we figured out Malorie was dead.” I lifted a palm. “The whole unburned body thing?”
Rebecca frowned and shook her head. “And what other woman? I haven’t killed anyone else!”
Daisy, still on alert, let out a curt whine. All true.
Peter and I exchanged confused looks.
He cleared his throat. “Walk us through everything again. You say you pushed Malorie and she fell into the phoenix’s cage?”
“Yes—there’s a second-floor viewing platform. She toppled over the railing.”
Peter nodded. “That would explain the head wound—she probably sustained it when she landed. Did you then go get the blow gun from the office and shoot her with a poisoned dart, just to ensure she was truly gone?”
I nodded—good thinking. She must’ve used the blow gun since it was the only weapon nearby that would allow her to hit Malorie from a distance. She couldn’t risk getting close to the phoenix, after all, not when it was about to burst into flames. I frowned—then again, why hadn’t she just used her wand? And come to think of it, she’d said Malorie fell and landed on her back—but the dart was sticking out of the back of her neck.
Rebecca spluttered. “W-wait—what?! I didn’t do any of that. I have no idea what you’re talking about! Someone shot Malorie’s body with a poisoned dart?” She gaped at us.
Daisy glanced back and whined. All true.
I groaned and thunked my head against Peter’s arm. I knew this had been too good to be true.
Peter tensed. “So we have a second killer?”
I raised a finger. “And let’s not forget a second body, plus a missing bird.”
Peter looked down, lips quirked to the side. “No ramen tonight, I’m afraid.”
“Boo.” I understood but was still disappointed.
Peter aimed his wand at Rebecca, and a pair of glowing magical handcuffs appeared in his other hand. “Rebecca Rutherford, we’re taking you into custody—you’re under arrest for the murder of Malorie Rutherford.” He faltered a moment. “And we’ll figure out the other details later.”
17
THE BOYS
The station at the top of Bijou Mer bustled and buzzed with energy. Perps sat with their heads in their magically handcuffed hands, cops shouted at each other from across the jumble of metal desks, and stacks of papers, arrest warrants, and case files whizzed through the air overhead.
Edna, the precinct’s manager, waved wildly, half raised from her stool behind the tall front counter. She sank back into her seat, looking relieved, when I pointed her out to Peter. We headed her way, Rebecca Rutherford sandwiched between Peter and Daisy.
“Oh, doll face, I’ve been tryin’ to reach ya!” She let out an exasperated sigh and flashed her eyes at Peter from behind her purple cat glasses.
“Oh. Snakes.” Peter dug around in his pocket and withdrew the gumball-sized communication device. “Sorry, Edna.”
She winked. “No worries, kid. Hey, girlie and toots.”
I grinned and said hello as she reached over the edge of the desk. Daisy pressed her side up against the wood paneling, and Edna scratched the pup’s head. Daisy closed her eyes and groaned with bliss.
Oh—that’s the spot.
Edna’s bright pink lips pressed tightly together as her gaze landed on Rebecca. “And who’s this?” She looked up at Peter. “We booking her?”
He nodded. “Rebecca Rutherford, for the murder of Malorie Rutherford.”
Edna’s thin brows twitched up. “You may want to pass her off to Russo for all the processing.”
Rebecca, whose shoulders sagged, whimpered. “Processing?” She swayed on her feet, the color gone from her already pale face. No doubt the night and all the murdering she’d done had really taken it out of her.
Edna pointed a long, candy-pink nail to our left. “That one better sit down. Leave her to me. Bon wants to see you about something.” She rolled her eyes. “Insists it’s urgent, but you know him. Everything’s urgent.”
Peter sighed. “Thanks, Edna.”
She winked again. “No sweat.” She winked at me. “He being a good boy to you?”
I nodded. “Definitely.”
She let out a deep, raspy laugh. “Hopefully not too good.” She winked again, then called out for Russo.
The rookie cop jolted up from behind one of the nearby desks and dashed over, taking Rebecca off our hands. Peter, Daisy, and I moved a little way off to the side.
He grinned down at me. “I have to finish up a few things here.” He dug around in the pocket of his blue trousers. “I’ve been meaning to give this to you.” He pulled out a small gold key and held it out to me.
My smirk dropped, and I blinked down at it. “Is this…?” I gaped up at him.
He nodded, a twinkle in his eye. “I figured it was about time you had a key to my place.”
My whole chest and face grew hot, and I couldn’t help but smile. “This is a big step, you know?” I plucked up the key and held it up. “Once you let me in, I’m hard to get rid of.”
“It’s yours… like my heart.” Grinning, he leaned forward and kissed my cheek.
I clicked my tongue—that was too much. But it was also pretty cute.
“I’ll finish up with Bon as quick as I can, then meet you back at my apartment?”
I nodded, grinning.
He started across the busy station floor with Daisy trotting behind him, growling to herself. They’re being gross again.
I watched him go, then looked down at the key in my hand, my whole body flushed with happiness. I stuffed the key in my pocket and turned around, heading back out into the chilly night. I strode out of the ancient medieval keep that was Bijou Mer’s jail/police headquarters, nodding at the guard through the window in the stone wall and ducking my head as I passed under the raised portcullis.
I shoved my hands in my pockets, chilled and eager to get home and warm. I grinned to myself—I’d go by my place to pick up some spare clothes, then head back up to Peter’s. I looked forward to
