Page 14 of The Lost Empress

That was a lie, Gen knew. However, she also sensed that Lee was good, although in a weird way.

“Right, so this problem with the police,” Gen began. “What’s going on?”

Lee gave her a look of uncertainty, seeming to try to decide whether to answer her. She sighed and nodded after a moment. “I don’t know exactly. All I know is that the city is suddenly overwhelmed with sketchy self-serving cops, making it a worse place, increasing crime, making my job busier.”

“As a baker?” Gen questioned.

Lee nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. As a baker.”

Gen ignored the bold-faced lie. “Why do you think there’s an influx of bad police?”

“I don’t know,” Lee said, shaking her head, looking particularly put off by the confusion. “I mean, just like with every profession, there’s the good, the bad and the medium. Just like any city, Los Angeles has had bad cops. But suddenly, like overnight, there are only corrupt cops. I don’t know where the good ones went. Hell, I can’t even find one of the middle-of-the-road cops, eating donuts and napping in their cruisers. It just doesn’t make sense.”

“And why does that make you busier?” Gen asked, no accusation in her tone.

Lee considered her, maybe wondering if she could pass another lie off on her. Then apparently, deciding that she couldn’t, the baker gave her a look of surrender. “Because I clean up the trash. Usually that’s the guy who gets away from the good cops. I ensure that they don’t escape. But a lot more are slipping through since a lot more cops aren’t doing their jobs.”

“And how do you do this?” Gen asked, glancing at the sword lying in the metal mixing bowl.

Lee’s gaze darted to it too. “Would you believe with sweets?”

Gen laughed. “Sure.”

“Let me be straight with you,” Lee said, brushing her hands back and forth, flour dusting into the air. “I like the Beaufonts. All of them, with no exceptions. I suspect I’ll like you. But I won’t act it. And we have a deal, me and the Beaufonts. They don’t get in my way, interfering with my business and I will return the favor for them.”

“How’s that?” Gen asked. “How do you return a favor of turning a blind eye to taking matters into your own dusty hands?”

Lee grinned slightly. “I’ll have your back no matter what, no questions asked any time. If a Beaufont needs me, I will lay down my life gladly to save yours.”

“Why would you do that?” Gen asked.

“Because the only people who care more about justice than me are the Beaufonts.”

Gen held out her hand, offering it to Lee. “Well, then I think we’re going to get along.”

Lee glanced at the extended hand and shook her head. “My hands are dirty. I’m going to have to decline a handshake.”

“Oh, I don’t mind a bit of flour,” Gen replied.

Lee gave her a mischievous look. “It’s a bit more than just flour.”

“Right,” Gen said, pointing to the bakery case. “Mama Jamba sent me in here for a chocolate chip cookie. Could I have one, please?”

“Oh, did she?” Lee laughed, striding over to the case. “I should have known that crafty woman arranged this. She probably had some ulterior motive besides just getting you a sweet treat.”

“Like what?” Gen asked when Lee handed her a large cookie filled with huge morsels of chocolate.

“Who knows,” Lee stated. “Just think about all you’ve learned since entering that door. There will be some lesson that she intended for you to have. That’s how she works. If she sends you somewhere then you go without question and pay close attention because it’s for a damn good reason.”

Gen nodded, turning for the door, wondering what she’d find at the Spellbound Pages Bookshop. She guessed it would be a lot more than books on moral philosophy.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE BICKERING BOOKSHOP BRIGADE

Spellbound Pages Bookshop, Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States

As Gen stepped into the magical bookshop that Mama Jamba had sent her to, she was immediately enveloped by the warm, inviting atmosphere that seemed to transport her back to a past era. The Spellbound Pages Bookshop, according to the placard out front, was built in the 1920s.

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