Arrest, Search and Séance : Book 1 of the Fringe Society R.D. Hunter (pride and prejudice read .TXT) 📖

had enough money and influence to flush my career down the tubes with only a couple of words, and that was a more powerful magic than I’d ever have.

The bullpen was unusually quiet when I exited the interview. Only a few other detectives were at their desks. Bill was still on medical leave, recovering, and Gunter had decided to opt for gastric bypass surgery so his heart wouldn’t give out in the next couple of years. All except three others were either in the field or had made themselves scarce on other business as soon as Mason walked in. I couldn’t say I blamed them.

There were three men waiting for me in the Captain’s office. One was Captain Barker himself, an older man, physically fit with a square jaw and blue eyes. His expression was tough to read, as always, but he nodded his head politely as I came in and motioned to the empty chair across from his desk.

The other was his second in command, Lieutenant Rick Calloway. He was of similar age to the captain, but sported a thick beer belly and a mustache that was so meticulously combed you’d think it was a natural treasure.

He gave me a look of intense disdain when I came through the doorway, which I ignored in turn. The Lieutenant and I had issues to work out.

Finally, there was Harold Mason. Mid-thirties, tall with broad shoulders and a trim physique hidden under a thousand-dollar suit, the man was put together better than most jigsaw puzzles.

The only thing out of place on him was the long cut on the left side of his forehead. It’d obviously been professionally tended to, but it still looked ugly. What had happened there, I wondered before reminding myself I didn’t care. He was the only one to smile as I came in, a perfectly placed mask to hide what his true thoughts and intentions.

I nodded stoically at him, not wanting him to see I was rattled.

“Thanks for coming, Detective,” Captain Barker said as soon as I’d sat down. “We’re here to discuss your performance during your last investigation when you interacted with Mr. Mason.”

“I can explain,” I said quickly, wanting to get a jump on the conversation before the accusations started flying. But the Captain was having none of it and continued on like I hadn’t even spoken.

“Mr. Mason said that you were a consummate professional, thorough in every regard and he has the highest opinion of you.” I had to stop my mouth from falling open at the hinge.

“I…uh…what?” I looked around the room, but didn’t get any help. Lt. Calloway just kept glaring at me and Mason’s maddening smile was so fixed in place you’d think it was Halloween mask.

“That’s right,” Captain Barker continued. “He was very impressed with your attention to detail and the competency with which you conducted your investigation.”

“Oh, well, Mr. Mason’s cooperation was instrumental in helping me complete my investigation,” I said carefully.

That was true enough. I sensed a trap closing around me but wasn’t sure from which direction it was coming from. Those were always the most dangerous.

“That’s why, in light of certain events that have placed Mr. Mason’s safety in jeopardy, you’ve been temporary reassigned as his head of security.” And there it was.

“Come again?”

“That’s right,” Mason spoke up for the first time, his voice smooth as butter on bread. “When I found myself in need of some extra protection, I couldn’t think of anyone more qualified than the detective who had exhibited such a…zest for her duty.”

So, that was his angle. I’d messed up during our last encounter and, in exchange for his silence, I now had to babysit him for the foreseeable future and make sure he didn’t so much as stub a toe. I almost wished they’d just fired me.

“But, Captain, I just caught that murder down near Five Points,” I protested as politely as I could. “Surely, one of our veteran officers would be more fitted to a role this…important.” I almost said trivial, but caught myself.

“I couldn’t agree more,” the Lieutenant said nastily. “However, Mr. Mason requested you by name and considering the generous support he has contributed to the department over the years, we were only too happy to oblige his request.”

“Your current caseload will be redistributed while you are on this assignment,” Captain Barker said, obviously not much happier about the situation than I was. “And we have Mr. Mason’s personal assurance that you’ll be returned to us in a matter of days.”

And that was it. My first day back on the job and I’d gone from police detective, investigating the murder of an unidentified man, to nanny for a spoiled, rich socialite who had me by the short and curley’s. My grandpa would say that the universe has a sense of humor. I’d just say that karma was a bitch.

I took a deep breath and even managed to force a smile.

“Of course, I’d be delighted to assist in this matter,” I said, not quite gritting my teeth as I did so.

“Excellent,” Mason said, getting to his feet and shaking hands with my supervisors. “Shall we be off then? I have a meeting downtown in fifteen minutes.”

He walked out of the office and I shot Captain a look. He shrugged his shoulders helplessly and mouthed “Just go with it.”

I followed my new charge, catching up to him at the elevator. It was only one floor down to the lobby, but apparently His Highness couldn’t be bothered with taking the stairs. That suited me. We needed some alone time.

As soon as the elevator started moving, I hit the STOP button and whirled to face him.

“Okay, what gives?” I asked, giving him the glare I’d been holding back all this time. He blinked innocently like he had no idea what I was talking about.

“I’m