Page 49 of The Dark Hiss of Magic
‘Or I could charge you both with murder.’ Montgomery bared his teeth. ‘It’d be cleaner and easier. Less paperwork.’
I dropped my head and affected my meek cat-lady routine. ‘All we’ve done is try to be good citizens. We’re only trying to help you.’ I sneaked a look at him. ‘But of course, we should have realised that you’re capable enough without our help. You’re a busy man but we thought we could be of service. Why don’t you check the timeline, then you’ll see that we couldn’t possibly have killed Mr Thunderstick.’ I shuddered delicately and placed my hands on my cheeks as if I were horrified. ‘The idea is abhorrent.’
Unfortunately Captain Montgomery still looked sceptical; very sceptical.
I sucked in a shaky breath. ‘We went to check on Knox Thunderstick. He’s a lovely young man and we wanted to make sure he was alright. We arrived at his door fifteen minutes after we left Pork Pies café – lots of witnesses saw us leave and Knox’s neighbour saw us arrive at his house. We only broke in when we heard a gunshot. We found Knox dead and set off in pursuit of the killer.’
‘I’m a werewolf,’ Thane offered, though it was obvious to anyone with eyes that he possessed lupine powers. ‘I followed his scent. It led us to a Turkish bath where we believe the killer cleaned himself up and stole a fresh set of clothes. More witnesses saw us at the baths. There is nothing to suggest we’re responsible for what happened to Knox. We didn’t do this.’
Montgomery flicked his eyes between us.
‘Don’t you want to solve the murder, captain, instead of running around Coldstream investigating petty crime? Don’t you want to be proud of yourself for once?’ My prim, cat-lady voice held a hint of admonishment.
‘Don’t try and manipulate me, Ms McCafferty.’
He was getting smarter. I met his gaze. ‘Then please,’ I wheedled with what I hoped combined innocent haughtiness and well-meaning desperation, ‘do your job.’
Tiddles miaowed from behind Thane. I appreciated her support but this wasn’t a good time for her to make her presence known.
Montgomery stared. ‘Is that a cat?’
There wasn’t much point in denying it. ‘Emotional support cat,’ Thane said smoothly.
I nudged him. ‘Kitten, really. She’s barely five months’ old.’
He nodded. ‘Kitten. I hate being confined in small spaces and I needed some help to stay calm.’
Montgomery sighed heavily. ‘How did she get in here?’ Neither of us said anything. ‘I suppose,’ he continued sarcastically, ‘that she’s the one who found the glove.’ He was closer to the truth than he realised.
The captain looked exasperated. ‘Since when did werewolves like cats?’
‘Oh, I love cats,’ Thane responded. ‘Always have. Always will.’
There was a deep answering warmth in my belly. ‘Please, captain,’ I said, ‘speak to Fetch Jackson. See what he has to say for himself.’
He shook his head, but it was in resignation rather than refusal. He jabbed his finger at us. ‘Don’t go anywhere.’
‘How could we?’ I asked, my eyes wide. ‘We’re locked in.’
Montgomery harrumphed – then he ordered one of the other officers to stand in front of our cell and watch our every movement.
Chapter
Eighteen
Ididn’t expect Daniel Jackson to agree to be questioned. A MET officer couldn’t stroll into the witches’ council and demand a formal interview without a very good reason; the council would easily block such an approach. Despite there being only circumstantial evidence, it wouldn’t have surprised me if Montgomery had returned and charged Thane and me with Knox Thunderstick’s murder.
Consequently, two hours later when I was gazing gloomily at the congealed breakfast that I couldn’t imagine a starving feral moggy trying to eat, I was shocked that he reappeared and opened the cell door. ‘The two of you are free to go,’ he said.
‘You’ve arrested Fetch Jackson?’
‘Don’t be silly. I’ve checked the timeline you gave me and confirmed your stories. There is nothing to suggest you had anything to do with Mr Thunderstick’s death.’
He must have spoken to Harriet at the café and Alara at the hammam. While I was glad to have my name cleared, I wasn’t yet ready to leave. ‘What are you doing about Jackson?’
‘That is not your concern, Ms McCafferty.’ Montgomery gestured to the empty corridor. ‘Please leave.’
I stayed where I was and folded my arms. Thane moved next to me and did the same. Montgomery stared at us. ‘This isn’t helping,’ he sighed.
