Page 26 of Charmed Forces
I strolled to the doorway, the spoons in hand. “Everything okay?” I asked, coming to a stop next to my husband.
“Is there a reason why everything shouldn’t be okay, ma’am?” asked the plain-clothed officer at the door. His hair was short, thick and a rich brown. Piercing blue eyes were set deep in a shrewd face. He pulled back his jacket to reveal a badge pinned to his belt. Behind him stood two uniformed men.
“Is this about the blackout?” I asked as innocently as I could muster. “I heard so many alarms go off. Are our neighbors okay?”
“Can we come inside?” asked the officer. “I’m Captain Brandt.”
“Come on in,” said Solomon and Captain Brandt walked in, looking up and around our entryway. The two officers followed him, their hands hovering above their weapons, ready for trouble.
“Have you had any visitors tonight?” asked Captain Brandt.
“No, just us two,” said Solomon.
“Have you been home all night?”
“No. My wife went out for a jog,” said Solomon.
“And ice cream,” I said, as I held up the spoons. “I just got back a few minutes ago. Did something happen? Was there a burglary?”
“And you, sir?” Behind Captain Brandt, the two officers paused in the doorways leading to the living and dining rooms.
“I wasn’t going to admit it but I took a ride on my motorcycle while my wife was getting the ice cream,” said Solomon. One of the officers crossed the entry and opened the coat closet, prompting Solomon to say, “Excuse me, but what are you doing?”
“There was an incident nearby,” said Captain Brandt.
“What kind of incident?” I asked.
“I’m not at liberty to say.” Captain Brandt zeroed in on me. “You’re Lieutenant Graves’ sister, right?”
“That’s right. And Detective Daniel Graves’, and Detective Jordan Graves’. Have we met?”
Captain Brandt ignored the question, asking instead, “Have you spoken to any of your brothers tonight, Ms. Graves?”
“No. And it’s Graves-Solomon. John is my husband.”
“Have any of them tried to make contact with you?”
I made a show of handing the spoons to Solomon before walking over to my purse, pulling out my phone and checking the display. “My brothers? No.”
“Perhaps one came by?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Mind if we take a look around?”
“Do you have a warrant?” asked Solomon.
“Do I need one?” Captain Brandt took a long, assessing look at Solomon, and I had to wonder if he were hoping for trouble.
“Knock yourself out,” said Solomon with a shrug.
Captain Brandt turned and nodded to the officers. One headed for the kitchen, brushing past me. I followed him, watching as he opened cupboard doors and jangled the handle on the rear door. The second officer jogged up the stairs, drawing his weapon part way, then I lost him from view. I turned back to the kitchen.
“There’s a garage at the end of the yard,” said the officer.
“Do you use the garage?” asked Captain Brandt.
“Sure. I keep my motorcycle in it, plus garden accessories, and a few tools,” said Solomon.