“He didn’t do it,” I told the detectives and then to Dr. Marshall. “Dr. Marshall knows where Clarissa is though, don’t you? Jack was just a diversion to get us off the track.”
O’Connor turned his fierce gaze back to the doctor who was quaking in his shoes now. “I didn’t have anything to do with Jack’s death, I swear. Clarissa doesn’t want her parents to know where she is.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “They aren’t nice people. You should hear some of the things Clarissa told me they did to her. Locking her up, denying her meals if she didn’t go along with their rules.” He shook his head sadly. “Really terrible.”
“Then why didn’t she go to the police?” Mandy asked, closing in on him with O’Connor. “If she was being abused, she should have said something. Hell, she’s an adult. She could have left a long time ago.”
“But they’re paying her tuition,” Dr. Marshall informed us. “They told her if she told anyone or tried to run away, they would cut her off. She’d lose everything. Her inheritance. Her degree. Everything.”
“So, you helped her stage her supposed kidnapping,” I offered, glancing at Gabriel for confirmation. He nodded.
“Yes,” Dr. Marshall said solemnly. “We never wanted to get the police involved. We were surprised her parents even bothered to report it, let alone try to find her.”
“What about her classes?” Mandy asked, brushing her hair away from her face. “You just said if she left, they’d take her money for school away. Why run away now and not after she graduated?”
Dr. Marshall sighed, taking his glasses off and rubbing his face. “I think it’s better if you just talk to Clarissa yourself.”
“Why can’t you just tell us?” I was getting tired of all this game of twenty questions, especially, since Lucifer was staring daggers into my back. I had a feeling the moment we were alone, he’d be starting another round of questions.
Where the heck was Michael with my answers?
Dr. Marshall shook his head. “It’s not something for me to share.”
“This is a police investigation,” O’Connor reminded him with a sneer. “You’re already in a lot of trouble for that wild goose chase you sent us on. I suggest you tell us right now.”
“O’Connor,” Mandy placed her hand on his arm. He glowered down at it, and she promptly removed it. “Let’s just go find Clarissa, and then you can interrogate him back at the precinct until you’re blue in the face.”
The detective seemed to think about it for a moment. I almost thought he was going to argue with her, but then he nodded. “Come on, Dr. Marshall. Let’s take a ride.” O’Connor waved his hand forward, and Dr. Marshall started toward the door.
We all turned to follow, but O’Connor stopped in place. Turning back to me, he asked, “Where’d your assistant go?”
I looked where he pointed and saw Gabriel still standing there with Lucifer. Apparently, the effects of my blood had worn off during our conversation. The mention of Gabriel only made Lucifer scowl. Yep, I’d be getting my own interrogation once we got in the car.
“He’s around,” I said vaguely.
O’Connor frowned. “I don’t want him disturbing the rest of the building. We don’t want the precinct to get a bad reputation. It’s bad enough we’ve got a psychic on the payroll.”
I ignored his little jab and said, “I’ll find him, don’t worry. He’s a free spirit, but he always finds his way back home.” Mandy fought back a smile, and I winked at her. At least, someone thinks I’m funny.
O’Connor snorted but didn’t argue. He led Dr. Marshall out of his office by the elbow. Once he was out of the room, Mandy came over to me.
“Where did Gabriel really go?” She searched the room as if she could find him.
“He’s still here.” I gestured with my head toward where Gabriel stood. “He’s just incorporeal again.”
Mandy’s nose wrinkled. “Well, that’s inconvenient. Maybe you shouldn’t bring him in public if he’s going to disappear? What would you have done if we had seen him disappear like with Michael?”
The lights in the room flickered, and I shot a look at Lucifer. His jaw clenched so tightly I worried he might break his teeth but more importantly, I feared he’d never talk to me again.
I shouldn’t have kept it from him. Any of them. As soon as I knew what happened Michael and I should have told them. Or at least, not did it with anyone else until we knew for sure it was safe.
“What was that?” Mandy asked, her eyes going wide at the electrical malfunction.
I sighed and patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll handle it. Text me the address to wherever we’re going, and I’ll meet you there. I’m afraid I have some explaining to do.”
Mandy frowned, worry etched on her face. I could tell she didn’t want to leave me, but really, she couldn’t help. This was my mistake, so I had to own up to it. No reason to get her in the middle of it.
“It’s fine. I promise. I’ll be right behind you,” I assured her once more, nodding my head toward the door. “I’ll lock up behind us.”
“Oh-kay. If you’re positive, you’ll be safe.” Mandy scanned the room and then crossed her arms over her chest. “Gabriel, wherever you are. You better take care of my girl. If you lay one finger on her head, I will personally make your existence a living hell.”
I stifled a giggle and arched a brow at Gabriel, who only grinned. “Mandy,” I laughed. “It’s not Gabriel I’m worried about. It’s the pissed off Devil whose feeling left out.”
Mandy’s brows rose. “Oh, you mean ‘cause you’ve done it with Michael and Gabriel?”
The need to smack her upside the head was so strong, I had to clench my hands at my sides. Between clenched teeth, I said, “Yes, that’s why. Now leave.”
“Fine, fine. I know when I’m not wanted.” She held her hands up in front of her and then pointed at me. “But no more hanky panky until this job is done. I’m scarred for life as it is.”
“Out!” I jerked a finger at the door.
Mandy shot another look around the room before heading for the door. When she was gone, I hurried to shut it so I wouldn’t have to worry about an audience. With the door shut and Mandy gone, I was finally alone with the angels.
Oh, joy.
Lucifer stalked across the room, pacing back and forth. I waited by Gabriel while he got his thoughts together. I knew I’d screwed up. I’d take my lickings, but I wasn’t about to poke the bear.
“I’m disappointed in you,” Lucifer said finally, his hands on his hips, his nostrils flaring wildly. “Of all of us, I have been trying to seduce you from the start and who gets to you first?” He gestured a hand at Gabriel.
“Actually, Michael did,” Gabriel corrected him.
I glared at him. “Don’t help.” Then turning to Lucifer, I started toward him. “It was an accident. I cut my finger and Michael wanted to heal it. Then” - I held my hands out to the side swaying back and forth - “somehow, he ended up solid and … you know.”
“Of course,” Lucifer scowled. “It’s just like him to be the one to figure it out. He’s always been the lucky one.”
I had a feeling there was more to that statement than Lucifer was letting on, but I let it go. Everyone had family issues, why should angels be any different?
Stepping a bit closer to him, I smiled slightly, “If it makes you feel any better, he tried to walk through the table and ended up flipping over the couch.”
A hint of a smile lifted the corners of Lucifer’s lips. Encouraged by his smile, I added, “And Mandy walked in on us and saw the whole package, and he disappeared without his clothes, which, by the way, will not come with you.” I pointed at the two of them as a warning. “I don’t need a collection of angelically made clothing around my house. I have enough laundry of my own I don’t do.”
Lucifer chuckled. “I would have paid to see that. You should have snapped a picture. The great archangel with his feet over his head.” He shook his head, smiling. “Priceless.”
I waited until Lucifer stopped laughing and then asked, “So, are we good?”
Nodding, Lucifer said, “For now.”