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?