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The ie of the two plates floated back into my mind One practically licked clean, the other only partially finished Aood eater--the late lunch, of course She’d ry Then he’d taken her in her rooed him for more
My sto it to the toilet before I vomited I rinsed outto pay for reducing her to so her like a battery to recharge hirabbed her hairbrush from the bathroom drawer and walked back to the kitchen I wasn’t technically stealing evidence from a crime scene Not an active one, anyway The police had been here and left, and I needed so that was closely connected to Aredients, but objects didn’t get muchand tucked the brush into a side pocket Giving the roo, a bit of luck, and a few trips around the block, I found a parking spot in front of the don high-rise where Natalie Leigh’s office was located The property reeked ofs looked newer than soave the receptionist a quick nod, but couldn’t force a polite sh’s office?"
"Identification, please" Her voice was nasally, and her nose was red Despite her obvious cold, she kept her fake, perky se out and flashed it at her One advantage of being an otherworlder was i around norestured toward the elevators "Fourteenth floor As you exit the elevator, turn right Her office is all the way at the end of the hall"
"Thanks," I muttered, and headed for the elevator The receptionist picked up her phone, no doubt to warn Natalie ofarrival
My cell started ringing while I waited for the elevator to arrive I flipped it open and put it to hter that we’re looking for a ut," I said without prea else?"
"I’ot any info forat hotels near Sylvester’s thatfor No one who’s been there for several weeks No one acting suspiciously"
The elevator dinged "Look, let’s talk later I gotta go"
The fourteenth floor was as nicely decorated as the first, with reen carpets swirled together to forns But this floor lacked the scent of new paint Instead, it smelled of upholstery and carpet and computers--like lass door at the end of the hallway had Natalie Leigh’s name inscribed on it, with one word below her name to denote her occupation
Witch
I opened the door and slipped through I expected to see another receptionist, but there was only a waiting roo old People and Tiazines
The door at the other end of the room stood open, and as I took a step toward it, a voice called out
"Come in, Detective"
The woman behind the cherry desk didn’t look like a formidable witch She especially didn’t look worth the undoubtedly astounding rate she charged the police department for her services
Witches--real witches--weren’t cheap
Not that Amanda hadn’t been a real witch She could hold her own But aht Covenant witches were trained since birth, pledged to their particular branch of ic, and raised from bloodlines that could be traced back into prehistory They were as inhuave her a tomboyish appearance, but her face was pretty and heart-shaped, delicate No one would ht Her light green eyes stood out in stark contrast to her dark hair and golden skin,She stood behind the desk and held out her hand to me As we shook, I took in the rest of her She stood even shorter than reen blouse and black slacks The blouse, I noticed, matched her eyes Not to h Please call me Natalie Detective, how can I help the police depart I would have bet the witch could sing
"I’ a killer"
She narrowed her eyes Cute or no, the witch was no fool "I haven’t received any paperwork No notification you were corinned, and the expression was alritted un "Well, you wouldn’t have I’ youtold me that she would know if I lied "My partner was recently killed, and I’ve been taken off the case The PD won’t hire you except as a last resort, because you’re too daone by then"
Natalie leaned back in her chair and watched ernails, or soht back
"As you said, Detective, I’m damn expensive And locator spells are particularly pricey" She waved a hand in the air "Rare ingredients, you understand You are prepared to pay h ood for it Did you bring so to the killer?"