“Oh, is that right?” I asked, acting like Dimples hadn’t told me. “How exactly does she help you?” I wasn’t about to let the chief off that easily, and I wanted him to squirm. He flushed a deep red and couldn’t quite look me in the eyes.
Before he could answer, Willow spoke up. “I’m a psychic.” The perkiness in her voice sounded forced, and she smiled like it was a joke. “I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true, and I’m glad I’ve been able to help. Did you hear about the little girl who went missing? I’m the reason we found her.”
“Oh,” I said. “Well… then Brian was lucky you showed up.” I used the chief’s name to let her know we were on a first-name basis. She didn’t seem to know who I was talking about, so I continued. “I mean… Chief Winder.”
“Oh… right,” she said, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Anyway, he…” she glanced at the chief. “Brian… asked me to come back in and help with another case. So… here I am. We were just coming out to tell Drew about the body. In fact… we should get going, right Drew?” She said his name like they were a couple, and I nearly gagged. “It was so nice to meet you, Shelby.” To Dimples, she said, “Ready to go?”
Dimples had that deer-in-the-headlights look, and I could totally see how much he disliked her. He didn’t want to go with her, but he was stuck. He looked at me and thought what should I do? I don’t want to go with her. Can you come too? Please?
The chief was thinking that he’d like me in on this, but he couldn’t send two psychics. “Uh… Shelby, do you have a minute to talk?”
I looked between them and shrugged. “Sure.” To Dimples, I said, “Call me when you have a minute. I’d be happy to help.”
Willow wanted to tell me that they didn’t need my help, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. She’d speak up if she needed to, but it wasn’t necessary now. This was her investigation, and she’d worked too hard to be replaced. She’d have to pepper Drew about me once they’d left. The more she knew about me, the better prepared she’d be. Still, she’d hoped to have more time before I showed up.
Dimples sighed with defeat and nodded. Then he ushered Willow to the stairs. She sent me a wary smile before turning away. That smile, along with the intent behind it, told me more than I got from her thoughts. She wanted my job. It was that plain and simple. But why go the psychic route?
That was about the hardest way to get a job as a consultant for the police, especially if she had no skills. Of course, because of me, more people, including the chief of police, believed in that sort of thing. But, if that was her reasoning, that just made her seem even more manipulative and downright evil.
Chief Winder led the way to his office, and I sat down in front of his desk. “I’m glad you’re back,” he began. “But I have to say that I was surprised to see you so soon. I thought you might need some time off after everything that happened in New York.”
“Oh… well, I came in today because I had an appointment with Bob Spicer. After we were done, I thought I’d come by and say hello.”
The chief’s face brightened. “That’s great. So what did Bob say? Did he clear you to come back to work?”
“He said I was good to go, but not to take on too much, you know?” I hoped that was enough to keep me on the sidelines. “I could probably help Detective Harris if you need me, but it looks like you’ve already got someone else on the case.” At his pained expression, I continued. “I have to admit that it was a shock to find out you’d replaced me.”
His eyes widened. “Replaced? Oh no… not at all. You could never be replaced.”
“Well, that’s nice to know.” I stood, suddenly too angry to stay. “If that’s all, I’ve got to go.”
“Uh… sure.” He knew he was in hot water, but he didn’t know how to fix it. “I’m glad you’re seeing Bob.”
“Yeah, me too. He’s great.”
“Good. Hey… uh… take as much time as you need. When you’re up to working again, let me know.”
He thought that would be the ticket to smooth things over between us, but that was the last thing I wanted to hear. He should be telling me how much they needed me, and that Willow was a fake and nowhere near as good as me. Geez.
I nodded, but I couldn’t keep the icy smile off my lips. As far as I was concerned, he was in the dog house, and I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to come back. Willow could just help him out from now on. Then he’d find out how much he really needed me.
After a curt goodbye to the chief, I left the precinct with a heavy heart. It was discouraging to know I was replaceable, even though I knew it wasn’t completely true. What I needed was a friendly face and maybe a ride on a motorcycle to help me feel better. With that in mind, I drove to Thrasher Development.
I pulled into the parking garage and headed to the elevator, taking a quick peek around the cement column where Ramos kept his motorcycle. Yup, there it was. Just looking at all that magnificent chrome and leather unfurled something in my heart.
The song, “Devil Rider,” by Jodie McAllister, started up in my head and brought a smile to my lips. She’d written that hit song about Ramos and his motorcycle. With it on my mind, I sang the chorus out loud in the elevator
