Page 14 of Charmed Forces

“You’re still there?”

“I am currently employed serving.”

I blinked. “You’re what?”

“Lily’s new bartender quit so I stepped in. Did I tell you I worked as a bartender after college? I’m very good at it. I already made seven bucks in tips.”

“Good for you,” I said. “Do you know where Daniel was working?”

“Montgomery Police Department,” Maddox said slowly as if I weren’t firing on all cylinders.

“I meant his current case. He wasn’t at the police department. He was out on assignment somewhere.”

“I didn’t ask and he didn’t tell.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to know certain stuff.”

“You’re in the wrong career.”

“The Feds or bartending?” wondered Maddox.

“Both.”

“Regardless, if Dan was out of the police station on assignment then I don’t know where he is or was.”

“Did he tell you what the case was about?”

“Nope.”

“Do you know but don’t want to tell me?”

“Nope.”

I paused, unsure whether I believed that or not.

“Is Dan okay?” asked Maddox.

I looked down at Daniel. “He’s fine,” I said. “Couldn’t be better!” I frowned at my phone, wondering why I’d panicked and embellished Dan’s status with a squeaky lie.

“Why all the weird questions?” asked Maddox slowly and cautiously.

“No reason. Enjoy the bartending gig!” I hung up before I had to consider my reason for lying to Maddox. Not that I had a huge problem with that, but I didn’t want to say anything untoward… not just yet. I might not know what was going on but I did smell a rat. Whatever was behind this situation, it wasn’t good. “Is Daniel unconscious?” I asked.

Solomon pushed up one eyelid. “Conscious but dopey.”

I knelt next to my brother and took him by the shoulders. “Daniel, you need to wake up and tell us where you were.”

“Huh?” slurred Daniel.

“Tell me what you saw on the way over here.”

“Del, del... deli,” he slurred.

“What else?”

“Church,” he said softly. “Sun.”

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