Peter shifted on his feet, arms crossed over his broad chest. “How did he seem?”
I grinned—I loved when Peter went into cop mode and looked all serious. Normally he was such a sweet, mild-mannered guy that seeing his tough side was both kind of sexy and also a little amusing. He caught me staring and shot me a quizzical look. I winked at him, then bit back my goofy grin.
“Uh.” Russo dipped his chin and scratched the back of his neck. “I’d say he was distraught.” He nodded at Peter. “His eyes were big, and he looked upset. He was shaking.”
I shrugged. “I mean, Mark did find the dart in the back of his wife’s neck. Quincy probably put two and two together and was horrified to find his wife’s murder weapon.” I flipped a palm. “Or, you know, he was the one who used it.”
We all looked down at the wooden blow dart gun.
Peter nodded. “Can you bag this up? Take it to the lab and have it checked for fingerprints and any saliva on the blowing end….” Peter tilted his head to the side as he looked at the weapon. “Whichever end that is.”
Russo grinned. “Sure thing, Flint.”
Peter looked up and down the curving corridor. The suspended walkway was nearly enveloped by tropical plants. “And where’s Quincy Rutherford now?”
Russo pointed left. “Jones is with him.”
“Thanks!” I gave Russo a little wave, and Peter, the dog, and I headed in the direction he’d indicated. The wooden boards thunked and swayed under our feet.
“How did Quincy seem when he discovered his wife’s body?”
I glanced up at Peter and shrugged. “Panicked. He started calling for help and— Gah!”
I grabbed Peter’s arm, and we both lurched away as two fast-moving blurs lunged at us. We slammed into the rope that served as a railing, and Peter drew his wand as Daisy, hackles raised, barked at the intruders.
Stay back! I’ll bite you! Hard!
Two pairs of eerie orange-gold eyes stared back at us from among the leaves. I clutched my chest as I realized it was just a couple of lemurs that had leapt from their hiding places to land right next to our heads. My heart pounded in my chest and Peter and I exchanged wide-eyed looks.
Daisy continued to growl, her teeth bared and ears pricked. Back, I say! I’ll chomp you!
I let out a woof. Stand down, Days, stand down.
She turned long enough to shoot me a simpering look, then returned to growling at the lemurs. What are these things? Raccoons? Monkeys?
I quietly barked. Lemurs.
The German shepherd’s brow furrowed. What does that mean?
I grinned and stepped closer with Peter at my side. “Hey, little guys.” I turned to my beau. “Guess these are our first animal witnesses. Maybe they saw what Quincy was up to.”
“Or maybe they saw the murders take place.” Peter nodded slightly, eyes fixed on our unblinking friends and their piercing black pupils.
I curled my lip. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen a lemur up close before. They hovered, just a couple feet away, with only an invisible force field between us. The magic shimmered, iridescent, for a moment, reminding me there was some protection there.
I shuddered as the lemurs’ piercing gazes bored into me. While kinda cute, they also scored very high on the creep factor. I cleared my throat and willed myself to inch a little closer.
I opened my mouth and a grating, high-pitched screech came out. Hey, guys—
I stopped short and exchanged wide-eyed looks with Peter.
Even Daisy curled her lip and huffed. Didn’t know you could make that noise.
I swallowed and frowned. Me neither.
I tried again with the screeching. Hey, guys. I wanted to ask you a few questions, if that’s okay? I got no response—not even a blink—so I kept going. Did you see anyone pass by here earlier this evening? Maybe a man in an alligator print tuxedo or two women or someone wielding a blow dart gun? I licked my lips. Kinda looks like a wooden stick?
I raised my brows, hopeful, as the two looked at each other.
The bigger one cocked its head and raised its fluffy black-and-white ringed tail. It chirped. You… talk?
I frowned and howled back, startled at the noises coming out of my own mouth. I know—pretty crazy, but yeah, I speak lemur. I shot Peter a look. More like I howled and screeched lemur. I cleared my throat and started again. Can you tell me if you saw anyone pass through here tonight?
The lemur’s round eyes narrowed, and it leaned forward, pressing its black, leathery palms against the magical barrier. It let out a low howl. Want… help…
I leaned closer. Did it want to help? Or was it in need of help itself? I opened my mouth to ask, but both lemurs jerked their heads up and looked to my left. The sound of quiet sobbing reached us from up ahead, and as one, the lemurs jumped away and scampered deeper into the lush foliage until they disappeared.
I watched after them, the branch they’d been perched on bobbing, and pressed one hand against the cool, tingly barrier.
Peter rubbed the small of my back and made me jump. He shot me an apologetic look. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”
I gave him a quick smile, then looked back after the lemurs, hoping they’d decide to come back.
“What’d they say?”
“I—” I heaved a sigh. Something about the interaction had seemed really… off. “I don’t know, it was strange. I couldn’t tell if they were having trouble understanding me, or maybe having trouble speaking?” I frowned and shook my head. That didn’t make sense.
Daisy barked and startled me. What’s the matter? They couldn’t understand your accent?
I shot her a flat look, then turned to Peter. “Daisy says she wants to be put on a diet?” I shrugged. “She wants less treats.”
The dog charged forward and edged between Peter and me, growling. Lies! What are you saying to him? Peter, she’s
