Page 17 of The Grand Duel
“You want to go home, Dais?”
Her tail starts.
I smooth my hand over her head, knowing that if I go home, I’ll only sit and fawn over the case for hours more, and with my friends all married off or absent, it’s just me and the dogs.
I work my jaw as I think about them—my friends, their lives, and their kids. The things they have and the things they don’t.
I’d give everything I own down to the shoes on my feet to change that last fact.
Reaching for my phone, I fire off a text to my friend Scarlet, knowing she’s been working overtime at the hospital this week.
A good day?
I scroll up to the pictures she sent to me just yesterday of Ave toddling through the long grass out on the estate.
A new message comes through from Edna.
Edna
The security system hasn’t been set. I presume you didn’t forget?
I huff a humourless laugh, and Luna’s head lifts.
Leaning in, I switch off my computer.
Heading out now.
Edna
You won’t have any candle left to burn in a minute.
I have plenty. I’ll see you in the morning.
Scarlet
A day. We miss you.
I ease back in the chair as I read the message from Scarlet, guilt eating at me. It’s only been a couple of days since I last saw them, but I promised Lance. I swore to my best friend that I’d be there. The court case I’ve been tied up in has wrecked me this month, and I’ve dropped the ball.
I pull up Scarlet’s shifts and see that she’s not working tomorrow. I have meetings at eleven forty-five and two o’clockat our HQ and planned to drive down to the prison after, but I could head out to the estate for a late lunch in between. I should make it back in time.
I’ll be out tomorrow. I went shopping for Ave.
You don’t have to.
I do.
I want to.
I wasn’t expecting you to reply tonight. It’s late.
A few minutes later a picture of Ave appears on my phone, Scarlet heavy-eyed in the background and Nina smiling wide at her side with a mug held in her cupped hands.
We have more teefs coming Uncle Charles = no sleep.
Tell me it hurts her, and I’ll tear the entire world apart.
You’re as bad as Mase. Are you at home?