Page 32 of Charmed Forces
I waved a hand over my face. “Picture of calm,” I said and Solomon smiled.
I tried to open the front door but it was locked so I pressed the doorbell. My dad answered quickly and judging from his reddened face, I knew he was hopping mad. “Come in,” he said. “Your mom’s making coffee. No one wants any but she’s making it anyway.”
“How are you?” I asked, hugging my dad.
“I’ve never been more outraged in my life! I was a police officer my entire career and you know what respect those bozos offered me? None, that’s what!” Dad said, ushering us inside and slamming the door shut. “And then this crap about Daniel? Out of all my children, he’s the least likely to murder anyone and that’s even when he’s carrying a gun.”
“Thanks?” I frowned, uncertain what to make of that.
“They looked into our closets, under our beds and practically tore the shower curtain off!” continued Dad. “Why they thought Daniel would be hiding in the shower is so far beyond me.”
“I told them Daniel’s a detective not an idiot,” said Mom, hurrying to hug me as we stepped into the kitchen. “He wouldn’t hide somewhere so obvious if he committed a crime.”
“That didn’t help,” added Dad with a raise of his eyebrows. “They wanted to know if we owned any properties elsewhere and I reminded them I retired on a police pension not a lottery win.”
I was prevented from asking anything by the doorbell ringing before Dad hurried off. He returned with Serena and Victoria. Victoria was in her pajamas and a cute, little robe with bear ears.
“You’re so cute,” I said.
“Thanks. I treated myself to a new sweater,” said Serena. She narrowed her eyes at Solomon. “Where’s my husband? I know he said he’s on a case but he better not be wrapped up in this debacle.”
“He’s working a case,” said Solomon.
“Are you two involved in this?” she asked, looking from Solomon to me.
“We’re not police consultants,” said Solomon.
Serena handed her daughter to my mom and stood there with her hands on her hips. “Are you two okay?” she asked, addressing our parents. “You’re not freaking out about this ridiculous claim that Daniel killed anyone?”
“Of course not,” said Dad. “We know he didn’t. As soon as he turns up, he’ll tell them that.”
“I’m furious,” said Mom, keeping her voice low so she didn’t scare the little girl she now held. “Is this how they treat a family who’s dedicated themselves to serving the public as police officers? What happened to giving people the benefit of the doubt?”
“It’s very strange,” said Serena. “Has Daniel done something to tick someone off? Is someone gunning for him?”
“It seems like the brass are,” said Dad as the doorbell rang again. “Do any of you know this Captain Brandt?”
“We met him earlier,” I said, “but I don’tknowhim. You should ask Garrett.”
Over the next hour, the house steadily filled up with my family members, minus Garrett and Daniel. Jord and Lily arrived with their daughter, Poppy. Lily shot a look at Serena whom she currently — and rightly so — wasn’t speaking to since Serena directed some unpleasant jibes towards her. Lily icily retreated to the living room. Garrett’s wife, Traci, arrived with their three children and informed us that Garrett might not join us this evening and the police had also searched their house. Last to arrive, Daniel’s wife, Alice turned up with their two children whom were promptly sent to enjoy a film in the living room with their cousins.
“Ben and Rachel don’t know anything,” Alice told us as she glanced towards the living room, her face etched with worry. “The police searched our house and confiscated Daniel’s passport and laptop. They even made me give them the address for my parent’s cabin! I told the kids it was a training exercise that I’d forgotten to tell them about. Please don’t let them hear anything. I don’t want them to think their dad is a murderer.”
“He’s not,” said Dad, folding her into a hug. “And you three can stay here, if you like. We’ll help you with the kids.”
“I’m not sending them to school until this is all over. I know some of the other kids have parents on the force. What if they hear something and tell them? I don’t want them to hear any rumors or false allegations,” said Alice.
“This will all be over soon,” said Mom. She picked up her phone as it rang again, then turned the ringer off. “I’m sure of it. Daniel’s been an excellent detective for years. He’s never put a foot down the wrong way. They’ll see the truth. Mark my words!”
I glanced at Solomon but his returned look wasn’t very comforting. I wondered if what Serena said stuck in his head too. Was someone gunning for Daniel? Was someone determined to set him up? From what I’d seen at the crime scene, there was enough evidence to suspect him even if it didn’t make any sense.
Dad’s phone rang and he flashed the screen to my mom, the pair of them withdrawing from the kitchen. While my parents were distracted, Alice drew me to one side. “Do you know anything you’re not telling me?” she asked.
“Why do you ask that?” I asked.
“Because you’re tapped into things that the more regular members of the family aren’t. I figured if anyone had extra information, it would be you.”
“I barely know anything more than anyone here,” I said, which wasn’t far from the truth.