Page 103 of Charmed Forces

“I didn’t get the impression they even saw us at the last safe house,” I said.

“Shit,” said Solomon as he dropped to his knees. “Take the other side,” he said and Delgado jogged around the other side of the car, leaving me to watch them as they got low to the ground, running their hands around the bumper, then the wheel rims. After a few seconds, Solomon got to his feet, holding a small, black device, no larger than a matchbox. “A bug,” he said.

“When?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Hard to say, but it does explain how they showed up twice when we didn’t expect them, and not at all while we were in the other vehicle.”

“We need to throw them off,” said Delgado, “and in a way that won’t confirm we found the device.”

“We also need to give them a plausible reason why we’re here,” I said. “They’re following us because they think we’ll lead them to Daniel. We need to make it obvious we’re here for a whole different reason and prove to them that they wasted their time. Who wants a snack?”

“Pardon?” asked Solomon, frowning.

I pointed to the rear of the mini-mart. A pile of boxes were collapsed outside but the door stood ajar. “I’m going to buy snacks. It’s totally plausible to come in for snacks. I’ll purposefully bump into the detectives and keep them occupied while Delgado plants the bug elsewhere. Then I’ll meet you and we can leave while they go on a wild goose chase.”

“It will keep them occupied and out of our hair,” agreed Delgado.

“Peanuts,” said Solomon and gave me a kiss. “We’ll pick you up at the end of the block.”

“Nothing for me,” said Delgado.

I headed through the rear door, finding myself in the store room. Several wheeled carts, piled with boxes of goods, were in front of me with more pallets ahead. A couple of the employees were loading boxes onto carts and they glanced over at me, frowning at my dress that was obviously not store issue. That was their hard luck. Since no one challenged me, I just said, “What’s up?” as I hurried past without waiting for a reply. Stepping through the swinging door onto the shop floor, I looked around, gauging my surroundings under the harsh, bright lights. The chips aisle was off to the right so I scooted over, my heels clattering on the tile, and grabbed a bag of chips and a bag of peanuts for Solomon. Then I hurried to the cash register where the cashier gave me a short, disinterested look before scanning the items. I paid and carried my bag outside, almost colliding with the detectives as they hovered by the store exit, apparently uncertain where to go.

“Hey, Detectives,” I said, trying not to grin as they whipped around, scowling when they saw me. The doors slid closed behind me. “Nice evening.”

“Mrs. Graves-Solomon,” said Detective Crump. “What’re you doing here?”

“Had to stop and get some snacks,” I said, holding up my bag. “I went to a party and thought I ate enough at the buffet but turns out I’m hungry again.”

“You went to a party?” said Crump, his eyebrows rising.

“It’s a thing where people go to socialize and drink and eat good food. You should try one some time,” I suggested, like he’d never heard of a party before. Although now I thought about it, I couldn’t think of anyone who would invite him. Instead of rebutting me, he just gave me a blank stare.

“This isn’t anywhere near your home,” said Detective Hertford.

“Right? I should have gotten a soda for the ride.” I glanced at my heels and back to the store. “I just can’t face walking anymore than I have to in these shoes. Oh, well. Never mind. Take care.” I kicked up one heel coquettishly and turned to walk away.

“Wait!”

I stopped, turned, and wondered what the heck they were going to ask me. If it was to share Solomon’s peanuts, well, that was a no-go. I wouldn’t share with anyone.

“You’re not going to ask about the case?” inquired Detective Hertford. He circled around me so he was in front and Detective Crump was behind. If they thought that intimidated me, they were so wrong. This was a highly trafficked street and they could hardly do anything with so many witnesses around.

I feigned surprise. “I thought I, as well as the rest of my family, were persona non grata in this case.” It wasn’t a question so much as a statement.

“You don’t want to know if Daniel’s okay?” Hertford persisted.

I paused. It felt like a trap I couldn’t avoid. I knew Daniel was okay. They probably knew that too since they suspected we had him. There was no other reason to follow us around. Yet no one would dare admit to anything. “Is Daniel okay?” I asked.

“Why don’t you tell us?” sniped Detective Crump. He rolled his shoulders, slightly stretching his suit, and narrowed his eyes. Instead of looking scary, he just looked like he was stretching the seams of his suit. I’d faced down far worse than this detective and in much higher heels.

“I wish I could but I look forward to you telling me soon. Right after you tell the whole world he’s okay and had nothing to do with any of those murders,” I told him.

“You really believe that?” asked Detective Hertford. I waited for the accompanying derisive snort but it never came.

“How can I not? He’s my brother.”

“Do you always answer a question with another question?”

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