White Witch, Black Curse

I sighed as I settled in to wait. I'd found the new bottle of citrusy scent on the kitchen table this morning. I'd known what it meant and had immediately dabbed on a splash. Apparently, after yesterday, Ivy thought it prudent to reinstate our practice of trying to muddle the mixing of our natural scents. We hadn't had to resort to chemical warfare on her instincts for a while, but we'd been trapped in the church with the windows closed for months.

The Santa broke from the officers and bolted for the door. I jerked upright, then relaxed as the two officers fell on him. All three slid into the doors with a thump. The guy was cuffed. How far was he going to get? "Damn," I swore softly, wincing. "That's going to leave a mark."

A presence of old coffee tickled my nose, and I wasn't surprised when Edden appeared at my elbow. "The one on the bottom is Chad. He's new. I think he's trying to impress you."

My irritation at having to wait returned, and I looked up at the squat FIB captain. He was in his usual khakis and dress shirt. No tie, but his brown dress shoes were polished and he held himself with his familiar uprightness. His eyes, too, looked more determined. Tired, but the fear was gone. Glenn must be doing better.

"I'm impressed," I said, catching the drama out of the corner of my eye as Chad dragged Santa into the back. "Can't you bring the loonies in the rear door?"

Edden shrugged. "It's too icy, and we'd get sued."

From my scarf, Jenks said, "And crashing into the door like that is soo-o-o much safer."

"Resisting arrest with lots of witnesses," he said. "I'd say that's safer." Then he tilted his head and peered at my scarf. "Hi, Jenks. I didn't see you. Kind of cold, isn't it?"

"Enough to freeze my balls together, yeah," Jenks said, peeking out at the sound of Edden's louder voice. "You got anyplace warmer? Between the cold and Rachel's perfume, I'd be more comfortable at a fairy's bris."

The short man smiled, and he extended a hand to take the banshee essay that I'd written for him in my copious spare time. "Come on back. Sorry to make you wait here. New rules."

New rules, I thought sourly as I stood. New rules or new mistrust? Old mistrust, maybe given new life. At least Chad liked me. "No problem," I said sourly, not wanting to let him know how much it bothered me. He knew it was there, I knew it was there. Why rub my nose in it? "How's Glenn doing? Has he regained consciousness yet?"

Edden had a hand on the small of my back, and where I'd usually take offense, he could get away with it. Edden was cool. "No," he said, his eyes down with a thought. "But he's doing better. More brain activity."

Once away from the cold draft, Jenks left my scarf, and I nodded, thinking I should go out and see Glenn tonight after dinner. I'd be ready for some silent company by then. Maybe tickle his feet until he woke up or peed his sheets or something. I smiled at the thought, almost missing it when Edden made an unexpected left away from the interrogation rooms.

"Aren't we going to the interrogation rooms?" I said, and Edden led me to his office.

"No. We can't find Mia Harbor."

My pace didn't slow, but me cooling my heels in the lobby was making a lot more sense. So much for the truth amulet stuffed in my bag.

Jenks was starting to slip a thin trail of dust, telling me he was warm and in good form. "She went AWOL?" the small pixy said, flying backward to create a small commotion among the watching officers.

Edden wasn't impressed with Jenks's aerial display, and he held the door to his office open and gestured for me to enter. "Yup," he said, but he didn't follow me in. "She moved without filing her new address. We've a warrant out for her arrest, so if you want her, she's all yours, Rachel."

"A banshee?" I said, laughing. "Me? How much money you got, Edden? I don't do suicide runs."

Edden tossed my essay on his desk, hesitating as if trying to decide whether I was kidding. "You want some coffee?" he finally said. "How about you, Jenks? I think I saw a honey packet from someone's biscuits in the fridge."

"Hell yes!" he exclaimed before I could protest, and Edden nodded, leaving the door open as he went in search of it.

I gave Jenks a wry look as he buzzed over Edden's office to check out the new bowling trophy. Spinning the chair around, I plunked into it and set my bag at my feet. "I was really hoping you'd be sober for this," I said, and Jenks landed on Edden's cluttered desk with his hands on his hips.

"Why?" he said, unusually belligerent. "You don't need me if the banshee isn't here. Give me a break. Like I've been honey drunk any longer than five minutes."

I looked away in disapproval, and he buzzed a harsh flight to Edden's pencil cup to sulk. Crossing my knees, I bobbed my foot. I was waiting again, but it was warmer, quieter, and I had the promise of coffee.