Page 47 of Veiled Justice
Right about the time when Alice was being stabbed. ‘Did you hear anything?’
‘Like what?’ Squiggins asked.
‘Screaming,’ I replied flatly.
Montagueshuddered and looked away. Was he a delicate little flower or did he have a guilty conscience?
‘Nope,’ Katz said cheerfully, ‘The music was quite loud even outside, and we didn’t go far from the marquee. We were just stepping outside to be polite to the non-smokers.’
‘Right.’ Squiggins giggled. ‘Super-polite.’
Quintos shot him a quelling glance then turned back to me. ‘We went outside, had a smoke and came back in. We heard nothing, saw nothing. We were inside when your brother staggered in covered in blood. I hate to tell you how to do your job, Inspector, but that’s two for two bodies he’s “found”.’
He did air quotes with his fingers as he said “found”, then continued with a faux-sympathetic smile. ‘I dare say you’re not really the Inspector for this case. Conflict of interest and all that.’
‘My brother is innocent and I will prove it.’
Quintos’s smile was condescending. ‘I’m sure you will, darling. Now if that’s all, we’d like to return to our drinking.’
‘A girl is dead,’ I said darkly.
Quintos waved a hand dismissively. ‘A dryad. Her body will soon be removed. No need to spoil a good get-together. Though this event would have been far more successful with some fireworks.’ He sniffed.
The disrespect was beyond insufferable but I would get nothing more from them for now. Tomorrow I would separate them and I would break them into itty-bitty little pieces. I was looking forward to it.
I took the time to look each of them in the eye and let them sense my power. ‘I’m not your darling,’ I said softly to Quintos.
‘Are you his?’ Squiggins slurred, pointing to Krieg, who was adding his own brand of gravitas and intimidation to Channing’s interviews.
‘That’s really none of your damned business, is it?’ I snarled.
Squiggins nudged Katz. ‘She is – she’s totally fucking him.’
Katz grimaced. ‘I’m sorry, Inspector. He’s had a few too many drinks.’
‘Clearly,’ I said. ‘You’d think with his father owning the Nocturne Circle, he’d hold it better.’
‘It’s not just drink we indulge in there,’ Squiggins said. ‘It’s sex, secrets and—’
Katz kicked his friend's feet. ‘Stop being an arsehole and get your feet off the table.’ His voice was low and his eyes were flashing with anger.
‘Sex, secrets and …?’ I stared at Squiggins, inviting him to complete the list.
‘Drugs,’ he blurted. ‘A little whacky baccy.’
A flash of relief darted across Katz’s face before he artfully dropped his head into his hands and groaned.
‘I’m not concerned about a little cannabis,’ I said evenly. ‘My job is murder and justice.’
‘And sometimes you murder in the name of justice,’ Squiggins quipped.
I looked at the four men. ‘Yes.’ I smiled unpleasantly. ‘Sometimes I do.’ With that threat, I turned and walked away from the three stooges and their little king.
My radar was pinging loudly.
What was the third thing Squiggins had been going to add to his list? Sex, secrets and … what? Because it sure as hell wasn’t drugs.
Chapter 26
