3
Charles Forrester listened to Beth Fahey’s report, surprised—and a little uneasy—that she’d been told so much, shown so much.
He’d expected her to meet the Ladies Three, since that was the only way she would have received any answers.
He wasn’t surprised that she’d met Ethan Sharpe, but to be allowed into the armory, allowed to see all the weapons that could come into someone’s hand if that person was willing to pay the price?
His other detectives had been shown a weapon brought to the Ladies’ room, but they hadn’t been allowed to handle it.
Couldn’t have handled it once it left Sharpe’s hand.
And yet this young woman had done exactly that.
The Lady who sketched out the potential life paths that were used to decide on the price for the Arcana’s assistance had shown her the drawing.
Palowski’s three victims. Not their fate to die that day.
He hoped his expression didn’t reveal his surprise or uneasiness. She’d been shown too much on her first visit, and he didn’t know what that meant. But he did know what question to ask when she finished her report.
“What was the price?” He smiled tightly when she looked startled—and a little guilty. “The Arcana don’t give away that much information without getting something in return. What did you have to pay?”
Beth hesitated. “I owe them three favors.”
Charles sucked in a breath.
“Nothing that would compromise my oath as a police officer or break any of our laws,” she added hurriedly.
None of his men had been asked for anything more than a couple of gold coins. “Anything else?”
Another hesitation. Then she told him about the two young men and how they might have harassed her if something hadn’t spooked them. Something that was in the shadows watching them—or watching her.
More likely watching her. Why so much interest in Beth Fahey? Because she was the first female he’d sent to Wyrd? Or was it something more?
“I’ll add this information to the report,” Forrester said. He unlocked his desk drawer and returned her service weapon. “Good work, Detective. Go home. Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Beth pushed up from the chair but didn’t move away from his desk.
“I asked Frost why someone couldn’t purchase the use of a gun from Wyrd but use regular ammunition to get around the per-bullet payment.
He said if someone tried that, the gun would turn on him.
It sounded like one of the cases I was given to review. ”
Too much information given to a first timer. “If you still have that file out, give it to me in the morning. I’ll take a look at it.”
“Yes, sir. Good night.”
He waited until she was at the office door before saying, “Detective? One last question.”