Page 31 of Rascal

“I’m on administrative leave pending investigation,” I replied. I’d been hauled over the coals by the chief, who’d suspended me himself.

IA was going back through every interaction I’d had with Hallie, and shit wasn’t looking great. It was in their hands now, but it didn’t stop me worrying. If it came to that, I could join my cousin’s company, but I wasn’t willing to quit the police force. This had been my goal, and I loved my job. To lose it at this point because of some fucked up shit would be untenable.

“What are your odds?”

“Fifty-fifty. Even if I can prove I wasn’t harassing Hallie, we know IA likes to stick it to us.” I shook my head.

“Do you think Rascal is dirty?” Phil asked.

“No. But I don’t believe Hallie is guilty either. There’s definitely another woman out there who looks identical to her, but who she’s working for, I’m not sure.”

“Does the suspect have to be partnering with somebody?” Phil drawled thoughtfully. “What if she’s working alone?”

“For what result?”

“To keep them apart,” Phil suggested.

“Could be, but neither of them has dated anyone else. Nope, I’ve no idea what’s going on here, but it’s taking names. Hell, six of Hellfire got dragged in and charged. They made a total rookie mistake confronting and threatening Hallie like that.”

“Hellfire have always been hotheads.”

“But a slip-up that bad, Phil? That’s frustration; Chance Michaelson never fucks up. Shit’s unravelling, and nobody has any answers. Not even Artemis.”

“Which speaks volumes in itself.”

Harlequin

Sailor smirked as he brought in a package. “Addressed to April, might wanna open this one in private.”

“Fuck off,” I retorted, and he laughed. “I’m not aware of April ordering anything this time.”

I lifted the box and frowned. “Got a knife?”

“Yeah.” Dollar handed me a flick-blade, and I placed the parcel down and opened it.

The smell hit the air as soon as I cut it.

“Fuck!” I stepped back as Dollar did. Both of us gagged.

“Now fuckin’ what?” Chance demanded.

“April’s fuckin’ stalker,” I snarled. I shoved my nose under my tee and finished opening the box.

“Aw, Christ,” Chance ground out.

“Why is it always rats?” Dollar asked. “Ain’t they got an original thought in their head?”

“Clearly fuckin’ not,” Chance snapped. “I won’t ask if there’s anything else gonna happen. That’s tempting fate too much. Call Phil Gold. Lio’s been suspended.”

“Fuckin’ hell. This bitch of Rascal’s is gunning for everyone,” I hissed.

“You see her, walk away. Don’t engage; she’s looking for any excuse,” Chance responded.

“No probs, I’ve enough crazy to deal with. I bet there’re no leads on this parcel either,” I replied.

Chance shook his head. “Weren’t everything meant to get easier after the war? Seems to me it all got a shit ton harder.”

With that, he walked away.