Page 2 of The Devil's Mercy

Insanity.

“You like long walks on the beach, pretending to be nice, and murdering people?” Cal shrugged when that finally earned him a glance from the director. “What? I took a shot in the dark. Can’t blame me if I was accurate.”

Being alone in his presence made Calix uncomfortable in a unique way he could never quite put his finger on. It alwayshad. Underneath that ardent gaze, Calix wanted to squirm. It was worse this time, because it didn’t seem like the director was holding anything back now. Before, there’d always been a mysterious edge to him, a cold aloofness that helped create this false sense of distance and, therefore, safety.

It was gone now.

Titus turned to face him and then tilted his head. “What exactly do you think is going on here, Calix?”

“It’s kind of obvious.” He used his chin to motion at the blank room. “You’re going to kill me.”

“For?”

“What?” Cal frowned.

“Exactly my point. What’s the reason I would want to kill you?”

“Because I found out what you are?” Why did he sound unsure of himself? “I witnessed you shoot Amory.”

“Kind of hypocritical,” Titus said. “Just a few days ago, you were the one holding a gun on me. Tell me, honestly, you were strongly considering shooting me that day, weren’t you?”

He was referring to the incident at the hospital when Rhett, their main suspect in the serial murders, threatened Titus with a stolen blaster. The weapon had later been linked back to Amory.

“Is that why you did it?” Calix ignored his question, offering one of his own instead. Mostly because it probably wasn’t wise to confess to the man currently holding him against his will that yes, yes he had considered shooting him.

Cal didn’t like acknowledging that truth either, for what it was worth. Had hoped to bury the whole ordeal as deep as possible and never have to bring it up again. If he’d made it off the planet as intended, he would have been successful. Instead, he’d made the stupid decision to visit Aodhan one last time.

To say goodbye.

Like a sentimental fool.

Or, perhaps, a hopeful one.

“It would have been a great cover,” Titus mused. “If you’d shot, you could have pinned the blame on Rhett. Almost everyone would have believed you.”

Calix frowned. “Almost?”

“Our doctor would know the truth. He wouldn’t let you off easily if you’d gone through with it. Let’s just say, you wouldn’t be here, under these pleasant circumstances, that’s for certain.”

“Pleasant.” He tugged at his bound wrists pointedly and glared.

“You did try to kill me, Detective.”

“You—” Calix had almost slipped and played into the director's hand, but he caught himself, changing his sentence and pretending like it was what he’d intended to say all along. “You’re still breathing, aren’t you?”

“Only because your partner walked in on us.”

Cal scowled. “I wouldn’t have actually gone through with it.”

Titus eyed him closely. “You truly believe that.”

“Because it’s the truth. I’m an I.P.F. agent. Not a murderer.”

“Only because Nero Quinten didn’t die and I helped you get away with hitting him with your car.”

“Stop.” Calix shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about the past.”

“That’s your problem,” he stated. “You’re always running away. It’s not cute anymore. Or perhaps it never was. I’ll get a confession out of you eventually, you have my word on that, but since you aren’t ready, let’s continue our other chat. Amory. Do you feel bad for her?”

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