The Witch Weekly Part 16

I leaned close to look over his shoulder, not missing the fact that the side of my arm brushed against his chest. The man wasnt an Armani high fas.h.i.+on model. He was better. His hands rugged, his hair ruffled from hard work and not styling gel, his muscles built from those morning runs I saw him doing three days a week from my office windows.

How had I forgotten to actually look at the man in so long? All of our cat-fighting had distracted me from a few important facts: he was handsome, he was nice, and he was a good man.

What is that chamber for? I asked, focusing on the tiny little pocket between the pipe drawings.

Thats the thing. I cant figure out what it is. Its not necessary from what I can tell, and I helped remodel my dads bathroom. My own house had a bathroom redesign last year, and I approved the blueprints. This wasnt there.

Maybe its a secret cave, I said with a goofy grin. You know. Where better to hide precious materials and money than underneath the toilet? I certainly wouldnt go digging around there.

The Chief straightened up so fast I took a step backwards. You might be right.

That was a joke. Ive never heard of a secret toilet chamber.

A few years ago, back before I was Chief, I worked a case of a money launderer. They always had these huge sums of cash on hand, but no matter how long and how hard we searched, and no matter how many warrants we secured, we could never find their stash.

It was in a secret toilet chamber?

Well, not a secret toilet chamber, but theyd built something into the wall and disguised it behind a bunch of plumbing work. We only found it because one of the guys in the ring flipped on the others and spilled the beans. We found over a million dollars stashed around the house, all of it stolen and stashed in the walls.

Do you think Hank knew what he was building?

Hard to say, the Chief said. But theres one way to find out.

Is it too late to go over to Reynolds house? We dont really know that hes done anything wrong. We dont even really know this is for his house.

The Chief walked over to the desk, dug around a bit, and pulled out a file with the name Reynolds on it. He flashed it in my direction. This is enough proof for me. Also, with Trisha being gone, Dan being gone, and you being run over by a car, I dont mind dragging a few people out of bed in order to get to the bottom of all this.

Everything could just be a misunderstanding, I said hesitantly. It could be some sort of plumbing thing were not aware of.

Or it couldnt. Maybe Dan discovered the plan somehow and came over here.

You think he heard about the plan, I said, taking over. And he kidnapped Trisha. Thats why she wouldve been in his car. He was trying to find whatever is hidden in these pipes, and he wanted the blue prints.

Maybe he stopped by and saw them. He couldve taken Trisha with him over to Reynolds to use as a hostage.

But what about the car? I blinked, still not quite connecting the dots. Dans car was at his place.

Maybe he has another. Maybe Trisha has a second car, I dont know. We can find out all that information on the way over. Can you drive? I have a few calls to make.

I was born for high speed car chases.

This is not a high speed car chase, I just need you to drive across town.

At very high speeds.

At normal speeds.

Lets go, I said with a sigh, taking my keys back from him. You are no fun.

Chapter 25.

That was not normal speed. The Chiefs fingers gripped the door handle so hard I thought he might just snap it right off before he could get out of the car. His feet hit the ground almost before the wheels stopped spinning.

It wasnt so bad, I said. Im a good driver.

Yeah, if youre trying to hit every one of the lines on the street. Youre all over the place.

Shh, no time to talk about my driving habits, weve gotta get a move on. I hid a smile as we crept towards Reynolds house. It was fun bantering with the Chief, even if the circ.u.mstances were a bit unusual. It reminded me of old times. Back when we were kids and teased each other like best friends do.

The neighborhood was quiet tonight, as one might expect from a residential neighborhood well into the night. Wed parked a block away, just in case something was up at Reynolds house. On the way, the Chief had called the other cops and let them know what was happening and where we were headed, just in case. Then he said hed call in thirty minutes. If he didnt call, that was their cue to get over to Reynolds ASAP.

In the meantime, they were tasked with pulling all of the information they could on Trisha, Dan, Reynolds and Hank"anything that might have been missed in the investigation already.

This time with a special focus on additional vehicles under any of their names, or any blueprints they could find in Hanks inbox or computer programs. If all was well here, then the Chief would call them back in thirty minutes for a report on the information the other cops had found.

The Chiefs hand snuck up to his waist, where I knew a gun sat just above his hip.

Im glad I have you to carry the gun, I said. I dont have a gun.

Youre not supposed to have a gun, youre a reporter.

Thats right. My pen is my weapon.

Are you nervous? Is that why you wont stop talking?

I fell silent as we neared the front lawn. Whats the plan?

We dont know that anything is wrong. Its the middle of the night, so we are going to walk up to the door and knock. If theres no answer, or if something seems off, well Youll let me see if the door is unlocked?

You didnt hear that from me. The Chief shot me a knowing gaze. Are you ready?

I nodded.

Stepping up to the front door, the Chief raised a hand. He paused for a moment, moving between me and the entrance. Then, he knocked.

There was no answer for a long moment. So long, we both leaned in to listen. My hand was itching to work some magic on the doork.n.o.b, but the Chief held up a finger as if listening to something I couldnt hear.

He poised his fist to knock again, but before he could do so, the door swung open.

My mouth almost hit the floor as Trisha smiled, said h.e.l.lo, then pointed a gun in the Chiefs face.

Welcome to the party, you two, she said. Sorry I forgot your invitations. Come on in. If either of you try something dumb, the other one will be missing a face. Thats not very romantic now, is it?

Were not on a date, I said, trying to slide sideways. Out of the corner of my eye, Id spotted a rake leaned up against the side of Reynolds house"probably from the other day when Id walked in on him mowing the lawn. Thank goodness he kept up with the yard work. If I could get a few more inches to the right, I might be able to grab the handle We are on a date. The Chief turned to face me. His voice sounded angry, but his eyes had a calm and calculating expression in them.

No, I said, playing along. I turned you down, Chief. Ive been turning you down for years. Dont you dare call this a date.

Ill call it what I want. He stepped closer to me, giving me no choice but to take a step back towards the rake.

The man was brilliant. No wonder hed risen so quickly through the ranks in his job. The Chief not only maintained an expression as readable as a rock, but he had good instinctive reflexes. I considered myself quick on my feet, but his little role play game was beyond good.

Im not yours for the taking. I stood my ground this time, waiting for his move.

Stop it, love birds, Trisha said, waving a gun in our general direction. Get inside.

Not until she admits this is a date. The Chiefs eyes flashed with something resembling apology before he raised his hands to my shoulders and gave me a push backwards.

The push was light as a feather, and hardly enough to make me sway. However, he made it look real, so I did, too. Stumbling backwards, I toppled off the stairs and landed in a crouch on the ground. Only one more step before the rake was within my grasp.

Oh, I see what youre doing. Get your a.s.s up here before I shoot a hole in you and that rake, Trisha said. Nice try. For a second, you had me fooled into thinking this was a real fight. You two have enough s.e.xual tension between you both that I can hardly stand it.

What gave it away? I growled, raising my hands and taking a step closer to the front door.

The shove. She shook her head. I know of the Chief. Ive heard stories about him"hed never push a lady, especially one he loves.

He doesnt love me, I said. Weve been on one date.

Have you asked him? Trisha raised an eyebrow. Its love.

My heart pumped faster than its ever pumped before as I let my gaze fall onto the Chiefs face. Is that true?

Im afraid it might be. He reached a hand out, gently helping me onto the stairs beside him. Thats what I was hoping to find out over the next seven dates. To see if you feel the same way.

I blinked, my gaze drawn to the ground. I didnt know.

I didnt either. But its surprising what happens when someone shoves a gun in your face and threatens to shoot you.

We shared a wry smile.

Rosie, this doesnt mean anything, he said, taking my hands in his. I still want to take things slow. I want to date you and get to know you. Maybe I always had feelings for you, and they never left. I dont know.

I dont know either, I said. But Id like that. The dates, I mean. Ive never had such an interesting first or second date.

These dont count, he said. I get a fresh slate.

n.o.bodys going on any dates if you dont step inside the house in the next ten seconds. This is making me woozy, Trisha said. Im going to count to three.

Before she started counting, the Chief grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the entryway. For a brief second, I contemplated using magic. We were in a sticky situation here for a few reasons. Magic was not allowed in the presence of others unless absolutely necessary for self-defense.

I could probably make the argument that having a gun shoved into my face was enough of a threat to need magic. On the other hand, I was doubtful that Trisha had plans to shoot the Chief of police. Theres no way she would get away with it.

Also, if I used magic now, theres no telling what would happen. Both her memory and the Chiefs would have to be wiped"a.s.suming they werent magic"and that could be troublesome.

All things considered, itd be best to wait until after Trisha had divulged her plans so we knew what she was hiding, and hopefully where she was hiding it. If we were extra lucky, we might even find out whod killed Hank. Chances looked high she had a hand in things, whether or not shed done the actual murdering, it was too difficult to say.

Lastly, if the Chief wasnt magic, his memory of this moment would have to be wiped. A small part of me wanted that to happen. The same part of me that was scared and full of self-doubt. But another part of me wanted him to remember this moment, to remember the promises he made to take me out on dates. To remember saying the word love.

Upstairs. Trisha poked me in the back with the gun, and I lurched forward.

The Chief reached out to steady me. Watch it, he growled to Trisha. If you want to threaten someone, make sure its me. Not her. She doesnt have a part in any of this.

Oh really? Trisha asked, a sugary sweetness to her voice. I thought she was writing about Hank for the Construction Times.

My face flamed red. You knew that wasnt real from the start.

I know exactly who you are honey. You write them motivational posts for The Witch Weekly.

Its not my idea to write those, I grumbled. Im known for my investigative reporting.

The Chief shot me an I cant believe this expression, and I fell silent.

Did you like the show I put on for you two? Trisha bobbed her shoulders up and down. Thats what you get when you try and spy on my house. Rosie, if you thought that was sneaky hiding under the picnic table while I talked to the Chief try again.

You sounded so sad, I said, my voice trailing off. I believed you. That you were in mourning.

Yeah, maybe I shouldve been an actress. Im pretty good, if I say so myself. A fact that Hank couldnt appreciate.

Hank? A shudder ran through my spine at the way she threw out her exs name without any sign of remorse whatsoever. What does Hank have to do with your acting abilities?

We were going to be a team. The perfect team. But he didnt want to cooperate.

With what?

Move in there. Rosie, sit against the wall. Chief, handcuff her. If you do a bad job, Ill just have to shoot her instead, so make it good. Trisha led us up the last few steps and past the open door to the bathroom, which was a complete and utter mess.

Tiles everywhere, piping poking out every random direction, holes on every surface; the place was dangerous.

Did you take a sledgehammer to the bathroom or what? I asked, as she yelled at us to keep walking. I was here the other day, and it didnt look like that. Where is Reynolds by the way?

Hes in his room. The way Trishas voice lilted into almost a happy laugh churned my stomach. It was becoming apparent quite rapidly that Trisha was off her rocker, which made me wary of anything that made her sound excited. Dont worry, he wont be going anywhere at all. Not anytime soon, at least. Dont bother to yell"hes currently indisposed to chat back.

The Chiefs eyes flashed dark for a moment, and I worried he might talk back. Or worse, lash out. In fact, I was a little surprised that he hadnt tried to overtake Trisha yet, however that could probably be explained by the fact that she kept the gun pointed at my back. Knowing the Chief, he wouldnt risk an innocent persons life if at all possible, and I didnt doubt that Trisha would pull the trigger if either of us made a move.

Handcuffs, she said. Now.

Moving close behind me, the Chief left enough distance between us so Trisha wouldnt have a reason to be suspicious. He was near enough that his presence was comforting, the tickle of his breath on the back of my neck reminding me that he was a professional. If I had to choose a buddy to be handcuffed with in this sort of situation, he wasnt a bad option.

Im sorry, he murmured. Try to relax.

Inhaling deeply, I tried my best to let my shoulders relax, but it was hard. Especially with Trisha watching so closely. Hes handcuffing me, okay? Are you going to tell us whats going on?

You walked in at the wrong time. Trishas eyes never left the Chiefs hands as he snapped the cuffs around my wrists. Good, now sit.