Page 88 of Surviving in Everton

“What?! Why would they do that?”

“Well, we’re all soulmates and apparently the soulmate bond I share with Declan has decided it wants everyone included! I don’t know, Q. We just found out it was real at the doctor’s office when I was able to send calming feelings to Ayden. Of course, it didn’t calm him in the least, but what can ya do?” I offer a self-deprecating shrug. I didn’tmeanto freak him out even more.

“Damn. You’ve had an eventful day. Now what’s this about West?”

“You mean during all that talking y’all did, it never came up that he’s a MIA agent?”

“Shut the fuck up! No way! Nerdy West is not a freakingagent! I mean… hedidgrow up nicely, but an agent?”

“Wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes. But no doubt about it, he was the one dragging Britney out of her house in cuffs.”

“Well, shit! Turn the news on, let’s see if they’re showing it. I gotta see that! I can’t believe I missed it!”

The guys walk in just as I’m turning on the tv. They start to talk but I quickly shush them and turn up the volume.

“Breaking news out of Everton! Britney Anderson, daughter of Senator Crane, has been arrested on multiple charges. MIA raided her house this afternoon. Michelle Miller is live at City Hall. Michelle? Anything new to report?”

“Thanks, Tom. They’re setting up for the press conference now and we’ll get all of the details for you in a few minutes. What I can tell you now is the coroner was just seen arriving at Mrs. Anderson’s house.”

The screen cuts to Britney’s house, showing the yard roped off with police tape. The scene is worse than when we were there. There are people everywhere. Both neighbors out to gawk and agents streaming from the house carrying various boxes filled with evidence. Then there’s the coroner pushing the gurney up the lawn with his magic and lifting it through the door, where he disappears into the house.

“With the arrival of the coroner, there is speculation that Mrs. Anderson’s husband, who we hear from neighbors, hasn’t been seen out of the house in quite some time, could be the deceased.”

“Oh my god! I can’t believe this is really happening!” Quinn bounces in her seat, eyes nearly as wide as the smile on her face.

“Looks like they’re ready to start, Tom. Let’s see what’s going on.”

The camera pans to the podium set up in front of City Hall and the silver fox standing behind it.

“Thank you everyone for coming. I know you’re all chomping at the bit to find out what’s happening, so if you’ll just give me a minute, I’ll explain everything as best as I can. At around twelve pm the Magical Investigative Agency executed a search warrant at a private residence in the twenty-one hundred block of Hamlet Avenue North in Everton. Agents also served an arrest warrant for Britney Anderson. Mrs. Anderson is being charged with multiple counts of misuse of magic, coercion, and conspiracy. As well as attempted murder and murder. We won’t be taking any questions at this time as the investigation is ongoing. Thank you.” He turns and walks away from the assembled press, heading for the building.

“Well, that was short and sweet,” Ayden grumbles. “Oh! Look! They’re showing her getting carried out of the house! Oh my god! Highlight of my life right there!” He slaps his leg, laughing as he watches Britney get shoved into the car again.

The screen shifts back to the reporter as she adjusts her ear piece. “Well, there you have it, Tom. I’m being told Child Services is taking custody of the suspect’s daughter at this time.”

“Oooh, poor Emma! God, I’ve been so worried about me and this damn magical tumor I completely forgot about her!” I cry, whipping my head around in search of Declan. “Do you think she’ll be okay? What are they gonna do with her?” Oh god! How could I have forgotten about her?

“I don’t know,A Stor, but we’ll find out.”

“So... I don’t know what time you wanted to start this shindig, but Mom says she’ll be here in an hour.” Hudson cringes. “Apparently, she’s been impatiently waiting to be invited over.”

“Mom said the same thing! ‘Well! She’s been back in town for a month now! Why am I just now being asked over?’” Ayden mimics his mom so well, it’s a little creepy.

“Oh, great! The moms are mad at me! This is going to be such a fun night,” I groan.

“It’ll be fine,A Stor. I’ll protect you.” Declan winks at me.

“You sure you wanna do that? They’ll all be here, and they could easily turn their ire on you,” I warn him.

“Oh,A Stor. Those womenloveme. Trust me. We’ve got this.”

“Okay, whatever you say, dear. Ah crap! I still have to call my mom. And I’m sure one of yours has already talked to her and now she’s gonna be mad that she was the last to know. Ugh. Is it too late to cancel?” I whine.

“Yes, it is. And I’m sure you have averygood excuse for not calling me while the boys called their mothers,” a sugary sweet voice calls from behind me.

I jump and spin around to find the devil herself. “Mom! What are you doing here?!”

“Well, I heard through the grapevine that there was a party here today. Imagine my surprise! I argued with poor Louise. I said ‘No way would my daughter host a get together and not tell me about it!’ I just had to see for myself. It appears I owe dear Louise an apology. My daughteristhat heartless.”

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