Page 78 of Last Witch Attempt
“Who else is going to handle it?” I challenged, my tone harsher than I intended. I immediately offered an apologetic shoulder shrug. “I just mean … it’s my responsibility. If not mine, then who is supposed to handle this?”
“You could leave it to the Feds.”
“They wouldn’t even know what to do with a naiad.”
“They could cut it up and experiment on it.”
I froze. Was she serious? When I looked at her, she was smirking.
“That’s what you’re worried about, isn’t it?” she prodded. “You’re afraid this is all some big cover, and just like some bad science fiction movie, the government is going to build supersoldiers from parts of dismembered paranormals and we’re all somehow going to pay for it.”
My mouth fell open. “I was not thinking that.” Now I wasn’t so sure.
“I think that was an episode ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer,” Clove volunteered from the back seat. She’d been quiet for the ride back to town. “Or maybe it was the majority of the fourth season. The government was fighting paranormals, but there was a scientist who was taking the parts and creating a super soldier.”
“Yes, because our lives are just like an episode ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer,” I said.
“They kind of are,” Thistle said. “Just for the record, I don’t think Steve has that on his agenda.”
“Steve isn’t the problem,” I argued. “I think he’s sincere, but I don’t know his bosses. I don’t know what their plan is.”
She nodded in understanding. “You can’t go into this being afraid, Bay. You have to take control. That’s the only way this is going to work.”
“It’s not just the fear of what his bosses will do,” I admitted. “I’m also afraid of what I might do to protect them if they get in too deep. What if they decide I’ve gone too far and try to prosecute me?”
“That’s not going to happen.” Thistle shook her head.
“How can you be sure?”
“If they try to prosecute you, a whole army of paranormals will rescue you. On top of that, the court documents would have to include all the paranormal stuff. I guarantee they don’t want records of that.”
I pursed my lips. “That’s a fairly logical take,” I said. “I’m still afraid.”
“Don’t be afraid, be cautious. I agree that telling the Feds about the naiad is a mistake. We need more information first.”
“We need information on the construction site.” I pulled out my phone. “I’ll see if we can get Landon alone for lunch. I would prefer having this conversation without Steve listening in.”
“What about Spencer? Do you trust him?”
“I do. I’m not too worried about him. He’s being careful to only tell Steve certain things right now. We should probably follow his lead.”
Landon texted back right away.
“He and Chief Terry will meet us at the diner,” I said. “Without Steve and Spencer. Apparently, they’re having lunch in Bellaire with Cam, Hodgins, and Patrice.”
“That’s good for us.” Thistle nodded. “Have you seen any of them this go-around?”
“Only Cam. I still don’t trust her.”
“Well, we don’t have to deal with her today. Let’s fill in Chief Terry and Landon. Then we’ll decide how to handle things.”
“It’s kind of like old times,” Clove noted. “We’re all involved in another life-or-death situation, Aunt Tillie is off the rails, and we have to keep everything secret. I missed it.”
“Yeah, say that again when we’re face to face with a vengeful naiad,” Thistle said. “Something tells me you won’t feel the same way.”
“You always have to ruin my fun,” Clove groused. “Why can’t you ever just let me be happy?”
“Because that ruins my fun.”
