“I just need a moment of your time. Do you know anything about a drug called Glitter?”
She shook her head and lifted her now-full tray of drinks. I didn’t move out of her way and the vines lifted slightly, like a mass of angry snakes.
“How about any hobgoblins who frequent this side of the bar?”
“Mortals, hobgoblins, or other minor fae, they are all the same to me. I simply wish to finish my shift and return to my trees.”
Right. I let her go. I couldn’t force her to talk to me. Her smile reappeared as she approached the tables. She never so much as glanced back my way.
I watched the bar a little longer, but no one suspicious entered. People laughed and drank. One couple was clearly arguing, her body language closed off and his face flushed with anger. Another couple was obviously on the opposite end of their relationship, just starting to feel each other out, maybe they’d even met tonight in the bar. It all looked so normal. Like any other bar in Nekros, except with a few more souvenir shirts. I had no idea what I was doing or should be looking for. Maybe Falin would have info for me by the time I got home? Or I’d call up John tomorrow. Either way, I wasn’t accomplishing much here.
I checked the time on my phone. Holly and Caleb would be looking for me. It was time to go. I’d learned all I could. I dug out my charm, though it likely wouldn’t work on the dryad, satyr, or anyone else who’d seen me in the bar—it showed people what they expected and now they’d all seen me glow. But it would disguise my nature from those who didn’t yet know better, so I slipped it over my head.
I had a potential lead if the satyr followed through and called when the hobgoblin made his next appearance. It was the best I could do on the mortal side of the bar. On the VIP side? Asking questions would likely be a lot more dangerous. For today I’d just send Rianna a message letting her know about the fading and have some dinner with my housemates. I was starving.
Chapter 14
Falin didn’t return that night. I should have been happier about that fact; after all, that meant I had my small overhouse apartment all to myself for the first time in nearly a month, but really it just made me anxious as I kept expecting the door to open. It also meant I didn’t get any answers about what else he may have discovered at the crime scene.
I considered checking in at the office the next morning, but it was Sunday so we had no posted hours for the day, plus Ms. B and Rianna were holding up in Faerie to conserve energy. The response Rianna had sent me last night hadn’t been encouraging, mostly because it had consisted of only one word. Hurry. I had to get my link to Faerie, and fast.
I had other reasons to find the alchemist as well. If he was really behind the creation and distribution of Glitter, he had to be stopped before more vials of the drug hit the streets or more fae died under his phlebotomy tools. I had only a handful of hours before I needed to meet Holly and start getting ready for Tamara’s wedding, but I couldn’t waste them. It would help if I could track down the distributors in the mortal realm and then follow that line back to the alchemist. But I couldn’t just sit around hoping the satyr from the Bloom called. The hobgoblin he’d mentioned was my only lead, but it was also possible he wasn’t involved. Even if he was, who knew when he’d show up at the bar next, especially with Glitter being all over the news. How much time did I have before I faded so far I wouldn’t be able to stay in the mortal realm? I needed to be proactive. The problem was, I had no idea how to investigate a drug ring. But I knew someone who did.
Grabbing my phone, I called the front desk at Central Precinct. I confirmed John was in today, but declined to be transferred to his private line. He probably wasn’t too happy with me right now, and hanging up a phone was easy. I’d be way harder to dismiss in person.
? ? ?
John frowned at me from across his desk. I hadn’t even said anything yet—just sat down.
“Alex, if you’re here about yesterday’s murder scene, there isn’t anything I can tell you. We handed over everything we had on it to the FIB already.”
I smiled, trying to look innocent and disarming. John’s expression didn’t change and he closed the file he’d been scanning when I walked in.
“It’s connected, but not directly. I need guidance. You worked narcotics before homicide, right?”
John cocked one bushy eyebrow before giving me a single curt nod. That was apparently as good as I was getting from him. I rushed on.
“Well, I need to track down who is making Glitter, but I’m not sure where to start. I know the kids from yesterday got their hands on it, and I know it’s being manufactured in Faerie—”