As I dove into the dim fog, a shadowy figure emerged up ahead. The hairs rose on the back of my neck as I recognized the outline of a police cap. I looked around but found all the nearby tents closed up and so tightly packed that I couldn’t squeeze between them. The dark figure advanced, and I considered chucking my cassette to avoid being caught with illicit goods.
I pulled it from my pocket, ready to throw it away, when the figure emerged from the swirling fog and I recognized Peter and, of course, his canine partner, Daisy. My shoulders slumped with relief.
“Hey, Jolene!” he called brightly, oblivious to the panic he was causing the people in the canal. “I was looking for you!”
I grimaced and stepped closer, my voice low. “Hey, Peter. Maybe keep it down in here?” And maybe not use my name—I didn’t need a reputation for being friendly with the cops.
He frowned and looked around. “Oops. Yeah, I figured it’d still be going strong here in the Darkmoon, but I guess these guys decided to close up shop early tonight, huh?”
I sucked on my lips to keep from smirking. Oh, sweet, innocent Peter. “Something like that.”
Daisy barked. Liar!
I shot her a simpering smile. Oh, how I’d missed Peter’s magically lie detecting dog and her brutal honesty.
Peter, who could understand her tells, if not her actual words, shot me a puzzled look.
I ignored it and grabbed his arm—I couldn’t help appreciating the firm muscles under his navy uniform sleeve—and spun him around. “Let’s get out of here.” And stop tormenting the poor people who thought he was here to raid their businesses.
He fell into step beside me with Daisy leading the way up ahead. The alleyway too narrow for us all to walk shoulder to—well—haunches.
I shot Peter a puzzled look. “Wait. How’d you know I’d be here?”
He shot me a sheepish grin. “I, uh, went by your place first, then swung by Will’s clinic, which was closed, but by chance, I ran into Heidi. She told me I might either find you at those food pods on the corner or down here.” He grimaced. “Hope that’s okay?”
I sucked on my lips. Heidi knew me too well—either that, or I was way too predictable. I shot Peter a grin. “Yeah, that’s fine. What’s up?”
He glanced around, a line creasing the space between his thick brows. “You know, Jolene… this isn’t a great area. It’s dark and hardly anyone is around.” He lowered his voice. “And with your… condition… you can’t really defend yourself.” Concern filled his blue eyes. “You shouldn’t be down here alone.”
I took a deep breath, warring emotions filling my chest. On one hand, I appreciated his concern for me. It was true, I didn’t have powers, and the more people who knew that, the more dangerous it would be for me. Which was why he shouldn’t go around talking about it.
On the other hand, the place had been plenty lively and fairly well lit before he and Daisy waltzed down here. Besides, this was my home. I’d grown up in this district and knew how to take care of myself.
I sighed and shoved down my feelings of annoyance. I knew his heart was in the right place.
“Thank you for your concern.” I winked. “But I’m guessing that’s not what you came down here to say—so what’s going on? You just miss me?”
I was teasing, but in truth I’d missed him. It’d been a couple of weeks since the last case we’d worked together… and since I’d told him some hard truths about myself. Including the fact that I didn’t have magic anymore.
I thought we’d taken some big steps, personal steps, but Peter had kept his distance since then. Maybe he just wanted this to be a professional, working relationship and I was the only one feeling like it could be more? Or maybe I’d been listening to too much of my Peter Gabriel cassette and was primed for romantic angst.
Peter’s cheeks flushed pink, and he shot me an earnest glance, then quickly looked straight ahead. “I, uh—there’s been a murder actually, at the Magical Artifacts Museum, and I’d like your help with it.”
I perked up, already interested. Maybe it should concern me that murders actually got me excited now, but I’d found that it felt good to help people get justice again. I’d done that as a lawyer—this was just a different avenue to it. Then again, my heart sank, just a little. That was more evidence that Peter wanted to keep things professional.
I nodded, willing my dumb heart to accept this. “Cool.” Cool, Jolene? Really? He just told you someone was murdered, and you say cool? I regrouped as our footsteps clicked along the cobblestones. “Is there an animal you need me to interview?”
We climbed the stone steps up and out from under the tarps. I glanced back as the alarm bells stopped tinkling and red lamps flickered back on. I fought a grin as I glanced up at the tall Boy Scout of a man. Peter had no idea the panic he’d just caused down there.
I hiked up my hood as rain once again pattered my head. Peter stepped closer and drew his wand. Blue light flashed, and the rain stopped pelting me. I smiled up at him. He’d included me in his protective bubble spell.
I tugged my hood back down, careful to keep the headphones around my neck still covered. I didn’t feel like explaining where I’d gotten them.
“No animals… yet.” Peter leaned closer and lowered his voice. “But I thought the exhibit the victim was working on might interest you.”
I was torn between a grin and a doubtful frown. “Really? What was it?”
His throat bobbed and his earnest eyes found mine. “It had to do with curses.”
MAGICAL ARTIFACTS MUSEUM
“There it is.”
We passed through the low arched tunnel
