Page 52 of Oohs, Ahhhs, and Orbs

I looked at the Captain and gave a jerk of my head, acknowledging his words. I stepped back, ready to turn and exit the office, knowing I had files that needed to be handed over to Mac, along with any notes that I hadn’t filled in yet.

“One more thing, Detective.” The words had me halting my retreat, wondering if I’d ever hear that title come attached to my name again. “This case… it won’t ever be solved, will it.”

I stared at the man that I admired before giving him the only answer I could. With a slow shake of my head, I gave him the truth. “This case, sir, is supernatural. It’s impossible to solve it with human means. Will the killer be brought to justice? Yes. But they will never make it into a jail cell or into a judge’s court to pay for their crimes. What you need is a special department that can investigate the paranormal. I don’t know how that would work, but that’s the only way a detective can do their due diligence without being fired for it.”

The Captain stared at me from his reclined position, and I could see the wheels spinning in his head. With a sharp nod of his own, he finally dismissed me, and I stalked out of the office to head to my own.

When I stepped into my office, I came to a stop, seeing Mac standing there with his hands in his pockets, already chewing on a piece of gum.

“So he did it,” he said gruffly.

I grunted, then stepped around to the desk, where I began gathering files.

“It’s bullshit.”

I grunted again. “It is what it is.”

“Look, I will talk to him. There has to be some way out of this. He can’t just pull you off the case when you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“But I have,” I said. I thought of Bridgette and what I was doing to protect her. What I wouldn’t hesitate to do over and over again. She would always come first. “It’s the only way.”

Mac looked at me, his intelligent brown eyes searing into me knowingly. “Alright, Storm. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

I straightened the stack of folders and held them out, waiting for him to take them hesitantly. “I do.”

He brought the folders under his arm.

“I’ll call you once I get any new information on our cases.”

I shook my head. “Don’t do anything that will get yourself in trouble. There are a few notes that I needed to add to a couple of the files. I’ll send you an email. We’ll keep everything above board. I need you on this, Mac. I need you to make sure that our cases can’t be brought under scrutiny by the DA.”

I watched as his face fell and he nodded reluctantly. “Alright, man. I’ll do what you say. But I refuse to be given a new partner. You’ll be back soon.”

I nodded, not knowing if what he said was the truth. “Okay. Take care, Mac.”

I started to head for the door, not needing anything further from my desk that held nothing more than department issued supplies, but he stopped me with a hand on my arm. “Stop that. Fuck,” he growled and I smiled. I couldn’t remember Mac ever losing his temper in all the years I’d worked with him. “You don’t do that shit. We are friends, and this fuckery doesn’t end that. I expect you to call me so we can hang out like usual. Bring your girl, we’ll crack some beers. But do not act like our friendship is over.”

I reached out a hand, and when he grabbed it, I was the one to pull him into me. With a couple of hard slaps on the back,I told him that we were good. He was right, this situation was tough on me, but the man had been there for me since I’d walked into my position, too eager, and barely under control. I had been ready to run instead of walk, wanting to find every bad guy to throw behind bars until he’d pulled on my reins and taught me the fine art of patience. With him as my mentor, I’d learned how to meticulously comb through evidence until a solid case had been built without cutting corners. Our cases were known for being ironclad, and the murderers we put behind bars stayed there.

“I’ll see you soon,” I said as I pulled back. “Tell the old lady I said hello, and I look forward to some apple cobbler soon.”

“She’ll hold you to that,” he called out as I headed through the door. I crossed the floor, ignoring the stares from the onlookers, and walked straight to the elevator. After pushing the button, I slipped my hands into my pockets and waited for the doors to slide open.

When I stepped onto the elevator, I allowed myself to turn around and take one last look at the department I’d worked my entire career to make it to. I vowed that I would return one day. After my woman was safe and the witch killer was dead, I would return. I just hoped the Captain took my words to heart. The department needed a special investigations team to work on the supernatural crimes that happened around town. It had been ignored for too long, but now that eyes had been opened, perhaps they would finally build that team.

When the doors closed, I closed my eyes and dropped my head. It was bittersweet. I’d lost my job, hopefully only temporarily, but I still had my woman. We were stronger than ever, and I knew that nothing could tear us apart.

As soon as the doors opened, I strode out with my head held high. I wouldn’t allow any of the fuckers to look at me as if I were defeated. It was a dog eat dog world in the Police Departmentwith every Tom, Dick, and Harry vying for the jobs that rarely came open. There were many who would love to see me crash and burn. Fuck them all. I would return.

I walked to my motorcycle and started it with a roar. Placing my helmet on my head, I revved the engine before tearing out of the precinct parking lot in a cloud of dust and the stench of burning rubber. I only had one place I felt like going, one face I wanted to see. Turning down Main Street, I made my way to Oohs, Ahhhs, and Orbs.

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

BRIDGETTE

Iwas humming as I looked out the window and smiled at the brilliant sunlight streaming through the trees across the way. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. I stepped into the closet and chose a pretty dress that was one of my favorites. It was a flowy fabric with short ruffled sleeves and large red flowers on a white background. It had a wide, matching red belt that accentuated my slim waist. I couldn’t help but smile as I ran my hands over my flat abdomen and turned sideways in the mirror. It wouldn’t stay flat for long.

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