Page 32 of All My Witches
“I can mime being a diamond,” Twila offered. “I’m really good atit.”
Landon opened his mouth to comment, but snapped his mouth shut, instead flashing an enthusiastic thumbs-up toTwila.
“Let’s just get this over with,” I suggested. “What does Dr. Wharton need to do to keep his medicallicense?”
“He needs to tell us exactly what happened in that surgery,” Mom replied. “Then we’ll vote on the outcome. That’sit.”
“That sounds easy,” Sam said, exhalingheavily.
Yeah, it sounded a little too easy. “Dr. Wharton isn’t going to face any other repercussions besides losing his medical license if he’s found guilty,right?”
Landon slid me a sidelong look. “Why did you askthat?”
I lifted a finger to still him. “Justwait.”
“Of course not,” Mom scoffed. “We handle his medical license. She handles the rest of it.” Mom jerked her thumb to the door over her shoulder, which opened to allow Eden entrance. Thankfully she wasn’t rubbing Landon’s shirt against her face any longer, but that didn’t make her look any saner. “Eden will decide if Dr. Wharton is being brought up on criminalcharges.”
“Of course she will.” I looked to Landon. “This one is on you, bigguy.”
“You’re going to owe me an entire weekend of naked bacon wrestling when this is over,” Landon grumbled, taking a step forward. “I’m going to make you sign a contract andeverything.”
“Do I even want to know what naked bacon wrestling is?” Thistleasked.
“I’m kind of intrigued,” Marcussaid.
“I’m grossed out,” Cloveadded.
“We’re not talking about this,” I argued. “Focus on the problem in front of us. We need to keep Sam out of … whatever crazy web that nutbag is going toweave.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Eden adopted an innocent façade. “I’m simply here to do my job. I’m a diligent employee. Jericho knows that better thananyone.”
“You’re up, Jericho,” I prodded, bowing a bit as I held out myhand.
Landon ignored my tone and forced a smile. “It’s good to see you, Eden. I’ve been worried about you after our …breakup.”
“Oh, don’t play coy with me,” Eden hissed as she strode forward, not stopping until she was directly in front of Landon. “I know what kind of game you’replaying.”
“I simply want to make sure that an innocent doctor isn’t punished for something that wasn’t hisfault.”
“Why? What’s in it foryou?”
“Nothing.”
“What’s in it for her?” Eden inclined her chin toward me. “I know you’re only doing this to protecther.”
I thought Landon might argue – he had that sort of look on his face – but instead he changed tactics. “I’m not trying to protect her,” Landon whispered. I could hear him, but just barely. “I’m undercover and I have to use her for information. I can’t talk about this in front ofher.”
Eden’s eyes widened. “But yousaid… .”
“I have to maintain cover in front of her at all costs. The fate of the entire investigation rests onit.”
I did my best to maintain a neutral expression, but it wasn’teasy.
“So you’re still in love with me?” Eden askedhopefully.
“I’m … very fond of you and hopeful you’ll do the right thing,” Landon gritted out, being careful not to make eye contact with me. I think he was afraid what he would find, but I knew he was simply doing his best to speed thingsalong.
Eden studied Landon’s face for what felt like forever. Finally, she offered a curt nod and turned to Mom, Winnie and Twila. “I’ve heard enough. There will be no criminal charges filed against Dr.Wharton.”
