“I don’t know how much help we’ll be,” Neely started, “but Cruz and I will do whatever we can.”
An indulgent smile from Cruz confirmed he would do whatever it took to keep Neely’s faith in him.
“Whatever you need.” Lethe shared a predatory glance with her mate. “We’ve got your backs.”
“Nothing leaves this room.” Hood singled out the driver. “Understood?”
The driver paled, swallowed audibly, and nodded quick agreement.
“He’s been with Mother for decades,” Linus said, pardoning him. “Her maid has too.”
“That doesn’t mean we can afford not to look at them,” Grier said softly. “We have to be certain.”
“Oh.” Neely snapped his fingers. “You can do that truth thingie on him, right?”
“I can.” She glanced at Marco. “Do you consent?”
Consent wasn’t required, but she preferred it. Permission kept her on the right side of a line she had drawn for herself, one she hated crossing when left with no other choice.
“I do, ma’am.” He crossed to Grier. “Whatever is required to find Madam, I give hearty consent.”
“All right.” She reached into her dress pocket and removed the pocketknife she had stolen from Linus years ago. Several wrapped peppermints left over from her morning sickness phase tumbled out with it. “Let’s mark our first suspect off the list, shall we?”
The sight of Grier cutting herself for blood to use as ink in her workings was old hat by now, an accepted part of necromantic life, but that didn’t stop Linus from wishing he could bleed for her, hurt for her.
As if she picked up on the drift of his thoughts, she flicked a glance his way then blew him a kiss.
The simple truth was plain for him to see.
He didn’t deserve her.
But he was smart enough not to say so out loud twice in one night.
Three
Poor Linus.
Without his mask concealing his thoughts, I read them clearly, and I accepted that my work here was not yet done. He still thought life without him was possible for me, when he had spoiled me to being loved, cherished, and respected. A combination more addictive than brownie batter ice cream with peanut butter cookie dough pieces. And ribbons of caramel and fudge.
Mmm.
“You’re not hungry.” Lethe made it a statement. “Why is your stomach growling?”
“You’re not the boss of me or my son.” Mature as always, I stuck out my tongue. “We can growl if we want to, and also does anyone have more of that Fudgy Cookie Dreams ice cream because whoa does that sound fabulous right now.”
The grim expectation in the room cut through the snackish haze long enough for me to remember I was supposed to be truth-testing the driver before we included him in any more of our plans, not daydreaming about frozen delights.
Pregnancy brain was a thing, and I had it bad.
The sigil was a familiar one, thanks to frequent use in my new line of work, and it took seconds to swipe it on and begin the interrogation. The man was squeaky clean, his loyalty to the Grande Dame absolute. I didn’t get any new details from him, proving his recall was excellent, and he was cooperating fully.
“Return to the Lawson manor,” I told him. “We’ll be right behind you.”
“Stay in the car until we arrive,” Linus added. “We need to search the area before it’s disturbed more than it already has been.”
Chastised, the driver tucked his chin. “I apologize, sir.”
“You did what you thought was right,” I assured him. “What any of us would have done in the moment.”
The relief that washed through Linus splashed onto me. Usually, he was the considerate one, but this had left him frazzled. It was nice to step in and smooth his rough edges for once. Nicer still that he was allowing himself to show his nerves rather than tucking them away where not even his friends could see.
“She’s right.” Linus exhaled. “I meant no disrespect, Marco.”
“Of course not, sir.”
Based on the brief interview process, I got the feeling any Lawson could kick Marco in the mouth, and he would thank them while he collected his teeth off the ground. I had no clue what about the Grande Dame could have inspired such loyalty, but it was commendable.
“Neely and Cruz.” I scooched to the edge of my seat. “Check the local hospitals for anyone matching the Grande Dame’s description.”
For Linus’s sake, I would handle the morgues, para and human, personally.
“I’ll drop Eva and Kaleigh at home with a sitter,” Hood volunteered. “Back in a minute.”
He collected his kids, allowed us all quick goodbye hugs, and then he was gone.
Or so I thought, until Eva stuck her head back in the door.
“Forgot to mention Oscar drained his battery,” she said. “I took him to his room and put him to bed.”
The energy required for him to touch or hold items, even tiny game pieces or cards, took its toll on him. Exhaustion always sent him back wherever it was ghost boys went to recharge. Maybe he would return in a better mood.
“Thanks for letting me know.” I waved, and she ducked out again. “That’s one less worry.”
The patience required to deal with a miffed poltergeist would cost us time we didn’t have just now.
“I’m your huckleberry while we’re in the field,” Lethe informed me, getting back down to business. “Fight me on this, and I will drink all the milk and force you to choke down any leftover cake dry.”
“I was going to ask you to stick close.” I scowled at her. “But then you had to go and threaten me.”
“I’ll stay with Grier.” Linus eased me onto my feet. “Lethe, if you and Hood could secure the grounds once we arrive, I would appreciate it. You’re not overly familiar with the property, but perhaps you can pick out scents that don’t belong.”
“That I can do.” She winked at me. “I was teasing about the milk anyway. The girls already drank it all.”
Evil cackles followed her out the door, and I considered asking Woolly to zap her furry butt with the wards when she shifted out there to get a head start on us.
“I’ll put in a grocery order.” Neely chuckled. “I’ll add some chocolate milk too, so you won’t get cleaned out next time.”
“Thanks.” I shuffled toward the bathroom. “Give me a second, and I’ll be ready to go.”
“These days,” he teased, “you’re always ready to go.”
Narrowing my eyes on him, I noticed Cruz watching with bemusement, and my curiosity bubbled over without consulting my brain.
“Why are you in such a good mood?” I rubbed the small of my back. “You’re being…” I rolled my hand, “…nice.” No, that wasn’t it exactly. “To me.”
Neely chortled at his husband’s rapid descent into his grumpy with Grier default setting.
“What?” I glanced between them. “It’s weird. I can’t tell if I like it.”
The story he shared with me earlier, about his mother, must have come up his throat like broken glass.
“We have news,” Neely confessed. “We didn’t want to share it yet. This is your day. Not ours.”
“Are you serious right now?” I beamed at him. “Your happiness is my happiness.”
Plus, the way this day was going, I could take all the good news I could get.
Teeth sawing his bottom lip, he wavered. “Are you sure?”
“Tell her.” Cruz slid his arm around Neely. “You’ve been dying to for weeks.”
Ready for him to spill, I urged, “Listen to the man.”
“We’re having a baby,” Neely squealed. “We’re going to be fathers.”
“Are you serious?” I swayed on my feet. “When? How? When?”
“Three months.” He hopped up and down. “We’re adopting a little girl.”
“She’s two years old,” Cruz added, “and potty trained.”
I starched my spine to keep from melting over his obvious pride. “That’s amazing.”
“I wanted a baby,” Neely confessed, “but this girl…” He placed a hand over his heart. “She invited me to play Barbies with her, and she didn’t care that they were second- or third- or fourth-hand donations, but she was insulted the other kids had mismatched their clothes.” He squeezed Cruz. “She’s a brilliant fashionista at two. Can you imagine when she gets older? Our baby girl will rule the school.”
“I’m so happy for you guys.” I toddled over and wrapped Neely in a hug. “You’ve mentioned adoption, but I didn’t realize you were ready for that step.” Cruz being Cruz shook my hand and considered it done. “Really, this is fantastic. Do you have pictures?”
“Not yet.” Neely sighed. “We’re not allowed to share until it’s finalized.”
“They won’t let us take pictures with her or of her in case…” Cruz didn’t finish when Neely deflated. “We can visit her every week until then. That helps.”
“They won’t let us bring her a new doll or doll clothes.” Neely leaned against Cruz. “I get why, but I hate it. She has the most beautiful natural hair, just this halo around her head, and her skin is a few shades darker than Cruz’s. All the dolls are white with blonde hair, which I understand. They can’t be picky about donations, but I just want to—”
“—give her the world,” Cruz finished for him. “That’s why you’re going to be great at this.”
“You’re my husband. It’s in the husband handbook that you have to say that.” He glanced from Cruz to Linus and then to me. “You guys inspired us. Lethe and Hood have just adopted Kaleigh, and you’re about to pop. There will never be a better time in our lives to have a kid.” He smiled at Cruz. “Or two.”