Page 33 of Fortune's Ashes
‘Save it for another time.’
‘I need more advice first! Should I call him this morning for our next date? Or should I play hard to get and wait until after lunch?’
I was saved from responding by another ring at the doorbell. ‘I’m going to get that,’ I said. I pointed at her. ‘Don’t touch anything.’
Shaking my head, I returned to the front door. This time it was Fred’s anxious face that greeted me. Unbelievable.
‘Hi, boss.’
‘Hi, Fred.’
He didn’t smile. ‘I heard about what happened. I can’t believe the bastards have suspended you. I just wanted to come around first thing and let you know that I’ve got your back.’
‘It’s fine, Fred. They have to suspend me until everything has been properly investigated. You know that.’
‘It’s not right! You didn’t kill him.’
‘I might have.’
He blinked, then he managed a smile. ‘No, you didn’t.’ He pulled back his shoulders. ‘Anyway, if you need anything all you have to do is call me. And I’m going to do everything I can to look into that missing gremlin case while you’re away – both Grace and I will. We won’t leave any stone unturned. In fact, he’s already on it. He called me half an hour ago and thinks he’s found something in Tony’s notes that might be useful. I’m on my way to Supe Squad and we’re going to work on it together. We’ll finish what you started.’
His enthusiasm was touching. I bit back my desire to find out exactly what Grace had discovered. I was suspended. This was no longer my case, but I knew I could trust the two of them to investigate it properly. ‘Thanks, Fred.’
‘You’re welcome.’ He suddenly looked awkward. ‘There’s something else.’
There usually was. ‘Go on.’
‘I had that date last night with Buffy.’
‘Mmm.’
He lowered his voice and leaned towards me. ‘I really like her, boss.’ He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. ‘I mean,reallylike her. I want to spend more time with her and I will, no matter what anyone says. I know it might be inappropriate because she’s a werewolf but—’
Buffy’s voice rang out from behind me. ‘There’s nothing inappropriate about werewolves.’
Fred stiffened then he blushed. ‘Hi, Buffy.’
She moved next to me. ‘Hi, Fred.’
I looked from her to him and back again. They were grinning at each other like lovestruck idiots. Heaven help us all.
‘Thanks for coming around, Fred,’ I said loudly. ‘I appreciate your help and support more than you know.’
He didn’t look at me. I gave Buffy a nudge and she stepped outside next to him. I yielded to the inevitable. ‘Why don’t the two of you arrange your next date?’ I suggested. ‘You could go out tonight.’
‘Or we could stay in,’ Buffy breathed.
Fred started to nod. ‘I like staying in.’
‘Me too.’
They grinned at each other some more. Buffy delved into her pocket, pulled out the little handheld recording device and gave it to me. ‘I won’t be needing this any longer,’ she said to me, although her eyes remained on Fred. I huffed quietly but neither of them paid me any attention.
I watched them for another moment then shoved the stupid recorder into my pocket, closed the door and left them to it. If I’d stayed much longer, I suspected I’d witness Fred drooling. They were as bad as each other.
In the kitchen, I checked the time again. If Alan Cobain was going to resurrect, he’d have done it already, but I needed to wait until Laura called me. That would be sensible. I picked up the landline and called the morgue anyway.
I’d expected it would take her a few minutes to come to the phone, but it was passed to her almost immediately. I tried not to jump to any conclusions as I waited to hear the news.
