Page 30 of Vallaverse: Noir
“Do you want me to fire them?”
“God, no,” she laughs. “Ican, cook, but I hate it. I do a lot of take-out.” She takes another drink. “Damn it. I forgot my bagels.”
“What kind of bagels do you like? I can do a grocery order.”
“Oh, um, the kind covered in poppy seeds, from the bakery. It's alright. I can get them the next time I'm in the city. I have a sack in the freezer.”
Freezer bagels. I think not. “Which bakery do you like?” There are only three in the city that are worth buying from.
“Thebakery. I go every Friday. They're the only ones in the city that I'll eat. If I don't go in, one of the Alphas who works there will notice. I'll go pick some up on Friday morning. I don't really want anyone to have a reason to notice anything. And I'll need to get the wharf boys lunch.”
I've just learned many things, including the fact that my ego knows no bounds. Knowing that Dana will only eat bagels from my bakery fills me with pride, even if it's a small thing. I love that she feeds the wharf boys. I've been feeding those brats donuts and cookies since they were born. They are one of my main sources of information about the city; and they are one of my favorite ways to distribute information. They send it in the right direction without even meaning to.
I've also learned that my sister-in-law is a stone cold liar. She gave the impression that she didn't know a thing about thedetective who came into the bakery to ask about the Selection Omegas; but as it turns out, she's been keeping up with Dana's schedule.
“I'll have fresh bagels for you by morning.”
“You don't have to go to that trouble. I can just pick them up. I won't wither away without them.” She finishes her coffee and looks forlornly into the empty cup. “I don't suppose you have any more in the pot?”
“I'll make a fresh pot. Coffee and bagels.”
“You make bagels?” She scoffs as politely as possible.
“I makethebagels.”
She just looks at me.
And keeps looking.
I tilt my head and wait for her to come to terms with the information.
“Not really.”
“Really.”
She stares at me for another drawn out moment then sighs. “I shouldn't even be surprised. Now I have to question you.”
“Question him about what?” Beckett says, coming into the kitchen.
“My case,” she answers. “Pierce is making fresh coffee. Would you like some?”
Beckett wrinkles his nose. “Not this late. Why are you questioning him about your case? Does he have something to do with it?”
Dana narrows her eyes at me. “Probably.”
I don't respond. I get to work making the necessary fresh coffee.
“How involved are you in the Scarlet Selection?”
She's going to get right to it. Great. I can't wait to start our relationship with this information. I'm tempted to lie. I won't. Ijust think it might be a little easier if I did. “I've been involved with the Selections for years. I'm a heavy sponsor.”
Dana sits down at the table and laces her fingers together in front of her. “Why?”
“About which part? The involvement, or the sponsorship?”
“Both.”
I sigh and start measuring grounds. “It might be better to start with the CCOE. Is that alright?”
