Page 19 of House of Ruin
It would have been smart if Blaze had come prepared with a story, a full, solid story in mind. A story that Andro would confirm.
Letting the detective know that Blaze had been hammered and didn’t even remember calling the Dean would definitely not look good right now.
Slowly, Blaze cleared his throat and said, “I was at the Sparkling Hoof with Andro and Gael, another member of our House, since the morning.” Blaze glanced at Andro, willing his face to stay neutral. “We played a few rounds of pool, had drinks and some food. Later, I found myself some company.”
Detective Vin’s eyebrows shot up to his bald hairline. “Company?”
Blaze tilted his head backwards, trailing a finger over his jaw. It was tempting to look at Alecto, to see her face as he said the next words, to search for some sort of reaction.
I don’t need to know about your business outside our arrangement.
Blaze found himself desperate to find out the truth behind those words, whether they were a sweet lie coming of her pretty lips or if she really didn’t care.
“Well, I tried being subtle, but if that doesn’t fly, then let me elaborate, Detective,” Blaze said with a sigh. “I took a girl to the bathroom and fucked her there. Fallon Star from the House of Monkeys, if you must know.”
Andro’s sharp inhale was the only sound in the Dean’s office.
Detective Vin nodded. “And after that you went home?” he asked. “Why would you choose to walk towards the campus when the House of Snakes is on Seventh Avenue, which is in the completely opposite direction?”
For a moment, just a brief moment, Blaze stayed silent, his mind completely devoid of any excuses.
There were none.
It was a mistake, and Blaze realized it a moment too late. Vin’s eyes narrowed as he waited for Blaze to speak.
Great, now he’ll want to keep an eye on me.
“I’m sorry, Detective,” Val chimed in then, “why does it matter where the members of my House go? Maybe they were headed for some more fun before heading home. It shouldn’t concern you.”
If Detective Vin was surprised at how patronizing Val was, he didn’t show it. “Miss Lang, that’s just a routine question I have to ask, as Mister Leveau was the one to find the body. Nothing out of ordinary.”
Lazily, Blaze dropped one ankle over his knee, resting his arms over the back of his chair as he stared at the detective.
“Mr. Leveau, are you going to tell me where you were headed that night?” the detective asked again. From his back jeans pocket, he fished out a small notebook. He flicked through it, read something, and then added, “There were witnesses who saw you leave before Mr. Weir and Mr. Wildes. But when Dean arrived, all three of you were there. What were you doing in the time between you left Sparkling Hoof alone until you reported the body to the Dean?”
And that right there was Blaze’s cue to shut the fuck up and call his father’s lawyer.
Blaze knew better than to say anything else. So he just stared at the detective, hoping his face didn’t reveal how hard his heart was hammering in his chest.
“Mr. Leveau?” the detective prompted.
“Let’s talk with our lawyers present, shall we?” Blaze asked, glancing at Val, Andro, and the rest. “This really feels as if you’re accusing us of something rather than just having a friendly chat, Detective.”
“Not all of you,” Detective Vin said with a smirk, “just you, Mr. Leveau.”
The silence was so tense, you could cut through it with a knife.
“Okay,” Dean Gondalez said with a sharp inhale. “Thank you for coming in today. I’m sure Detective Vin will be able to organize the…meeting with council present at a later date. Is that right, Detective Vin?”
The detective didn’t look one ounce happy when he said, “Sure, Mr. Gondalez. Thank you for your time.”
The Snakes rose to their feet without another word, then strutted outside one by one in silence.
Only when they left the Dean’s building, walking into the chilly air did Val said, “This is getting out of hand. How the fuck did you find yourself at the scene of murder?”
Val glared at Blaze. He stayed silent.
From the inner pocket of his leather jacket, he fished out his cigarettes before lighting one.
