Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(24)

“Good night, and we’ll start a fresh case tomorrow.”

Simone waved at him.

Instead of waving back, Clive bowed his head low in respect. Her conduct that night rivaled the knights he once commanded. Contrary to his original thoughts when he walked into Witches for Hire, he had no undesirables in his employ. Different, yes, but valuable in their own ways. He drummed his fingers on his knee while he waited for Edarra. When she returned, Clive said nothing until her buckle clicked properly. “I have a proposition to make.”

“About Gulley and Perry?” Edarra smoothly reversed out of the driveway, barely pausing long enough for the car to slow as she straightened out on the road.

“Yes. I’m willing to pay you out of pocket to investigate the murders connected to them. Discreetly,” Clive pointed out. “I don’t want Simone or Jeremy linked to our activities, especially if Levi is tied in to this.”

“Why?”

“Their reactions, and our last conversation about it. I couldn’t make out any falsehoods, but—”

“Jeremy hedged quite a bit.”

That indicated Jeremy knew more than he was letting on, and Clive didn’t want to find out that he’d hired someone who contributed to a murder. “Do you think he was directly involved?”

“All I could tell was that he’s really angry when he talks about it.” Edarra sniffed loudly. “The tension around him becomes palpable, and he works harder to control his voice.”

Clive adjusted his coat. It wasn’t chainmail, but it added enough extra weight to make him feel comfortable. “Hopefully we’ll reach a place where we all trust each other.”

Edarra’s white teeth gleamed in the dark. “Are you sure you can trust me?”

My old instincts haven’t failed me yet. “Without hesitation.” Clive took out his cell phone and dialed Mia’s number.

“You’re lucky,” Mia said when they connected. “I was turning my phone off for the night.”

“Sorry for calling so late, but do you know anything about a witch Simone and Jeremy used to work for named Levi Pepper?”

“The former cop?”

“Did you know him?”

“Not well. Everyone became interested in him after his death.”

“Do you remember any rumors from that time?” Clive asked.

“Not much, but I heard the Council shut down all investigations into it.”

“Did anyone say why?”

“No, and they made it clear they didn’t want people to ask. This may not be something you want to look into with your immigration status pending.”

Clive grinned because he could imagine the exasperated look on her face. “Why should I make things easy on myself now?”

“Who knows.” Mia went quiet, and Clive could hear a male voice in the background, just as authoritative as hers. “Raj wants to know if you have a replacement for Goldie yet.”

“I haven’t had the time to browse anywhere.”

Mia went quiet again, and the male voice went on for a full minute. “He says go to a place called the Ragged Shoe. They have great arms, but it’s in a crappy part of town.”

Clive chewed on the inside of his cheek. “He also said something about me being dumb for breaking it, didn’t he?”

“You can ask him yourself over the weekend,” Mia said. “We have a DVD about to play, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good night, and try to have fun for a change.”

The car had grown unbearably hot since they’d been moving again. An Amazon’s body-temperature needs were never convenient to poor humans. Clive clicked off his phone. “What do you do for fun when you get off work?”

“Clubs, drinking with Simone’s werewolf friends because they have the best booze, and hunting.”

“I think Jeremy is right. You belong here.”

Edarra shrugged as she headed toward Clive’s house. “You’re doing well for a newbie.”

Clive stared at the bright street lamps cluttered with gangs of moths and the occasional fluttering bat. “I hope so.”





Chapter 8


EDARRA CLOSED her eyes in the dark office. Running errands all day left her pooped, and resting her eyes for a short nap before heading out was the highlight of her day. Clive’s chair, which was covered in really good leather, felt like rubbing her back on butter. Hell, she could sleep there all night.

A loud pop and then a metallic object hitting the floor sounded from the lobby.

Ugh. Since she was alone, she’d forgotten to set Jeremy’s security. Edarra cracked her knuckles. So much for sleeping. She crept out of Clive’s office, sticking to the shadows. Edarra hid behind a corner, watching the intruder walk past each door after putting their hand on it. What does this person want?

The intruder stopped outside Jeremy’s office. He or she spread their hands down the door from top to bottom.

Edarra shook her head. If they try breaking in, Jeremy’s booby traps will probably kill them, and I’m the only one here, dammit. “Hey!”

The intruder’s hands dropped to reach inside their thick coat.

Sprinting at her full speed, Edarra reached the intruder before they could raise their arm, and snapped it at the elbow. A male scream filled her ears, but Edarra ignored it to search the intruder. Inside his coat was a gun, and his tote bag was filled with small Ziploc bags and jars. The crying became too grating, so she smashed the intruder’s head into the door. He stopped moving but kept breathing. Edarra let him drop and took out her phone to call Clive. “I really hope this isn’t my third strike.”