Page 88 of Devil May Lie
“Leave Ani out of this.”
“Why? You’re the one who brought lovers into things.”
“I—”
“What lover?” Baikal’s voice came through the dark hallway a second before he appeared in the wide stone doorway. He was dressed in his school uniform, the black sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up to his elbows. The leather bag he’d been carrying was tossed onto the empty table nearest him before he strolled over and stopped next to the cadaver. “His?”
Berga opened his mouth to explain, but Flix beat him to it.
“Maybe,” Flix said. “We’re still trying to find out.” He ignored Berga when he gave him a confused look.
“What do we know so far?” Baikal asked.
Berga cleared his throat and went with it, trusting Flix’s judgment over his own. “Single gunshot wound to the back of the head, probably at point-blank range. Whoever did this most likely ended up with brain matter all over them.”
“I’ve already told the guys to ask around nearby businesses to check their CCTV,” Flix said. “The attack came from behind, but we can’t conclude whether or not he knew his killer.”
“There are no defensive wounds or marks. Either he knew the shooter, or he was completely caught off guard. Considering he was in a relatively busy part of downtown at the time, it really could be either option. We need more, and we aren’t going to find it through his body.”
Baikal nodded and crossed his arms. “Did either of you know him?”
They both shook their heads.
Berga picked up his chart. “Parker Vanity. Interesting name.”
“Saint recruited him,” Baikal said. “He’s already off planet though, and it’s too soon for him to return, so keep this between us if he contacts either of you.”
“You want us to lie?” That seemed to be the running theme of the day. Berga tilted his head. “Shouldn’t you always tell the truth to your friends?” Lying to others was one thing, but they were meant to be a team.
At least…That’s what Flix and Bay had always beat into his head.
“I want you to omit a few details,” Baikal corrected. “But, while we’re on the topic of details, I heard you were injured at the Docks. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m much better now.”
“Do you need to take some time off?” Baikal clearly didn’t want to make the offer, but since he knew all about Berga’s past and his condition, made himself.
“No, there’s lots of work to do. I’m already behind.” Which reminded him… “You two can leave now. I’ve got to catch up, and there’s nothing more to be done about Mr. Vanity. His body can be transported to the legitimate morgue for his family to collect.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. I didn’t miss anything.”
“I’ll call it in,” Flix offered, already typing away on his multi-slate.
“You spent the night with Madden after, right?” Baikal asked then. “At the Docks?”
“He gave me somewhere to stay while I was unconscious.” How much should Berga admit and how much should he omit? He wasn’t very good at this, too used to speaking his mind and letting the chips fall where they may. “And then I helped him out when he was attacked later.”
“I heard about that too. That’s good. It’s better when the Satellite and the Retinue get along.” His cobalt eyes made it seem like there was more meaning behind what he was saying. “You’ve never shown an interest in Madden before. Well, aside from when we were kids.”
He frowned.
“Did you really think no one noticed how you’d stare at him at events?” Baikal grunted. “You never even bothered to be discrete about it. That was the closest you ever got, however. Has that changed?”
Baikal had definitely heard the rumors.
Berga lifted a brow and sent a look toward Flix, but his best friend merely finished sending off the message on his device and then gave a slight shake of his head before turning to Baikal.