Peter blinked and shook himself. “Oh, duh.” He scratched the back of his neck and stared down at his shoes. “Sorry, I didn’t even think about the pay aspect. Since this hasn’t officially been deemed a crime, I suppose I can’t officially hire you.” He lifted his eyes back to me and grinned. “But maybe there’s a seagull or a crab who saw something?” His eyes softened. “I’d appreciate your help on this one… and your company.”
Oh for sand’s sake, just stab me in the heart already. If he knew what a street rat I was, he’d never be looking at me with such kindness and… I bit my lip. And there was something else in that look, too… a wanting. I gulped and reminded myself that I had nothing to give.
“Heh.” I tried for a light chuckle. “Good one, yeah a seagull or—” My breath caught as the intimidating Chief Taylor, flanked by officers on either shoulder, moved toward us, his narrowed gaze sweeping the crowd. I had to get out of here before he forced me to take my mask off.
An idea suddenly occurred to me, and I snapped my gaze back to Peter, grinning. “You’re right!”
He straightened and smiled. “I am?”
“Yep.” I pointed toward the cabin. “There was a giant fish tank in there. Maybe one of them saw something.”
Chief Taylor stepped closer, right behind Peter. I gasped in a breath. “I’m going to go check it out—now! Catch you later!”
“Oh. Okay.”
Peter’s face fell, but I didn’t have time to mentally berate myself just then. I gathered up my skirt in both hands and spun away, then dashed through the crowd, back into the ballroom.
11
FISH TANK
I cast one last glance over my shoulder. I’d lost Peter and Chief Taylor in the dense crowd that gathered on deck. Men and women stood in small groups, while magical quills jotted down notes beside officers’ heads as they questioned them. A thick fog hung over the surface of the sea and obscured the full moon. The heavy canvas sails snapped with more force than I’d expected given the fairly gentle sea breeze. I shivered—spooky. I could definitely picture a pirate captain ghost flitting about.
I ducked inside the cabin and let the heavy wooden door swing shut behind me. The chatter and noise from the deck immediately dampened, the large ballroom weirdly quiet and empty now. I touched my feathered mask again, just to double check it was still in place, and hurried forward, weaving through round tables and chairs to the far side of the room.
The enormous fish tank glowed an electric blue and took up nearly the entire wall. Both sides were transparent, so I could see the wood paneled wall behind it. I grabbed handfuls of my long skirt and shuffled past the waving anemones and darting fish until I reached the end of it, then rounded the corner and hid behind.
I crouched low, barely balancing on the toes of my high heels, my heaving chest rising almost to my chin with each gasp. Then, I let myself fall back onto my seat, my back against the wall, and pulled the tight corset top away from my ribs as best I could.
I pressed my eyes shut and worked to slow my breathing, trying my best to lengthen out my exhales. It was a technique I’d had to use a few times in my former career as a lawyer. I wasn’t easily rattled or nervous, but there’d been a few times my heart had raced like this--my first time speaking in a courtroom, and the first time I’d gone to the prison to interrogate a criminal. And even before all that, I’d experienced it the time I’d gone in for my interview, with Emerson Watts and the other partners sitting across that long table from me.
I’d nearly passed out from nerves, trying to answer their questions and at the same time murmuring calming spells to keep from shifting out of anxiety. It happened more than you’d think. Will had lost his career by spontaneously shifting into his bear form out of anger—heightened emotions could bring it out of you.
I huffed as I thought of Will. He’d have a lot to say about tonight. A lot of I told you so’s and definitely some eye rolls.
I looked around. I was hidden for now, but it was only a matter of time before someone found me. Maybe I could just ask these fish some questions, report back to Peter, and slide out of here before anyone noticed I was the only one still wearing my mask. I tucked my legs under me and hauled myself to my feet.
Nothing and no one stirred in the empty ballroom, so I got to the business of interrogating fish. Oh, how super on track was my life?
I tapped the glass and a nearby eel darted back into its hole. A big purple fish with glowing blue spots swam by and cast me a side-eye. Bubbles poured from its mouth. Rude.
I rolled my eyes and tried again. I crouched a little lower, my hands on my thighs, and cleared my throat. Oh fish language. So glamorous.
“Glob bobble glob bob.” Hey, did any of you guys see anything fishy earlier? I rolled my eyes at my accidental pun.
A red lobster, its antenna waving, lifted a spindly leg and swiveled its eyes toward me. It clicked its pinchers, one quite larger than the other. Suspicious? You mean more so than my usual entertainment of watching my fellow lobsters be cracked open by you people?!
Yowzer! This just got awkward. I looked around the enormous tank for someone else to talk to, but the fish seemed to be avoiding my little corner. I turned back to the lobster and shrugged, then formed little
