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"Of course Obviously that’s er said
"Aren’t you worried about bringing the city’s suspicions down on us?" Grenard asked
"I’e, I assure you My top priority is finding the killer, not the corpse"
"What about Billy Harrington?" Jennie deer asked
"First, why isn’t he here?"
"Because he’s doing what I told hi in his rooer who’s depressed over losing a friend," Jagger said
August Gaudin stood, clearing his throat apologetically "Jagger, I believe that Jennie is hedging around so that must be said We’re suspicious It’s evident that Billy was very fond of this young woman I believe that the natural question--question, not accusation--is whether the youngworeed or not"
The roo for him to deny the possibility He didn’t
"We have certainly considered that theory," he said
There was a er lifted a hand and waited for the noise to die down "However, in my position, I’ve learned to consider all the facts Have we forgotten Tina Lawrence already? Billy was at the frat house, itnesses, when Tina was murdered"
"He could have moved quickly, could have left and returned before anyone noticed he was gone," Mateas Grenard said quietly
"Yes, he could have," Jagger conceded "But he has no history of frequenting strip clubs, and he did--does--feel a fondness for Abigail It’s doubtful that atime in a strip club Additionally, as you all knoe found a witness who gave us a good description of a h we have yet to find thatthat he was a shapeshifter?"
Jagger spoke quickly and loudly before her words could sow dissension "No, Jennie, I’ that all the evidence isn’t in yet And in fact, I expect help from this community that no one else can provide, because the rest of the world doesn’t even know that we exist,enough to know that e see is not alhat it seeht, I’ suspicion in any specific direction We know the killer wasn’t a hu the killer had to be either a vampire or a shapeshifter An individual shapeshifter or vampire And we all want that person apprehended--don’t we, Jennie?"
Jennie opened her iven a speech about doing exactly what he was asking--and after a moment of hesitation, she finally did
Sean O’Casey suddenly stood
"Sean?" Jagger said
"I just want to add that peace is thein the world I come from a land that spent hundreds of years in battle To this day we still fight prejudice--and the hatreds of the past It’s ugly Innocents get hurt, and the good die with the bad I pledge er And so will everyone who’s seeking the truth and wants to see this ht"
Sean spoke softly, but the Old Country lilt in his voice commanded attention When he finished, spontaneous applause broke out
Beside him, Granny Caldwell stood She was a tall woic To this day it bears traces of both the shame and the beauty of the past, and life here is a mix of the old ith the new But we love our city and hold it dear in our hearts We come from different places, and different histories run in our veins I have prayed at the altar of my beliefs, and I’m here to say that I believe in the ood man, a man ill seek the truth The father of lies is at work ah the forest of his deceptions In your hearts, don’t be angry Be strong, and look for the truth and goodness that surround you"
She fell silent and looked around at the crowd, as if to emphasize her point
"Thank you, as always, Granny Caldwell, for your support," Jagger said He wanted to run over and kiss the old wo as an oak
She nodded and pointed a finger at him "There areto know is that God exists And in this, as in so s while in a trance, and I know that the day will coht"
The roo us, in this rooht
He could feel it Feel the truth as if it were a palpable thing He wished that he could see ith the sa, nodding, speaking to his neighbors, watching Laughing
And htest hint of trepidation after Granny Caldwell’s words
It was time to end the assembly, he decided, but before he could speak, that option was taken away fro lady who’s the newest addition to vaer was surprised when David Du Lac rose froroo her for her new role in life"
"How can we be sure that she will understand and obey the laws of our coust Gaudin asked quietly