by CC Dragon
“I can help find the source of this crime ring,” I insisted.
“No, you’re suspended. You will be contacted if your input or testimony is required. You’ll receive pay, nothing will change,” Green said.
“Suspended pending an investigation?” I asked.
“No, as a key witness to the source of the case. You’re a target for Indigo and anyone else he may enlist to take you out.” Green smiled.
I exhaled slowly. It was a smart move. I wasn’t in trouble, but I couldn’t make trouble with the case either.
“I can take care of myself. I’m not in danger,” I replied.
Green scoffed. “We’re all in constant danger. I’m convinced someone went into Mitch’s hospital room and gave him that infection.”
“Seriously?” I asked.
“Hospitals are breeding grounds for infection, but he was isolated. None of his visitors have come down with any infections. It makes no sense unless a hospital staff member cross-contaminated, but they tested and checked the people who looked after Mitch. Nothing links up to how he was exposed,” Green explained.
I shook my head. “Infections happen, but this one seems to be getting worse.”
“Exactly, it’s resistant to most of the antibiotics that they’ve tried. This is bigger than you and Mason going rogue for a bit. I could overlook that. But with Mitch’s situation, you might have targets on your back. I’m not losing good agents this way. Not if I can help it,” he said.
Was it an excuse or the truth? I waved a hand with a little truth spell.
“That’s kind of you to care. Dead FBI agents would be more bad press,” I said casually.
“Bingo. We don’t need more bad press. We need to go back to keeping some things private until we know everything. Then we can inform the public,” he said.
“But you really believe someone infected Mitch?” I asked.
Green nodded. “Absolutely. The hospital did its own internal check, and it’s investigating from within. You need to sit on the sidelines for a bit and get Mason to go home.”
“You can’t control where Mason decides to stay. He’s a free person who can live wherever he wants. Why should I send Mason away? You might need him to testify too,” I replied.
“I know, but he has some bad blood with other agents here. He’s annoyed the task force. We’ll call him in if he needs to testify. We’ve got his statement. The reality is, this is stretching our budget, and we can’t afford consultants right now.” Green frowned.
“Am I under any restrictions?” I asked.
“You can leave the state, if you have family to visit or whatever. But you can be called back at any time to be in court. Going back to the Native village with Mason?” he teased.
I shook my head even though the idea warmed me from the inside. “Mason and I aren’t like that.”
“If you say so. Keep it that way until after any court proceedings.” Green took a deep breath.
I was ready to pry more while he was under my spell, but there was a knock at the door, and it opened immediately.
“I’m sorry, but this can’t wait.” Zel shut the door behind her.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Better be good,” Green muttered.
“Mitch is dead.” Zel sat in the seat next to mine.
“What? He was improving yesterday,” I argued. My heart fell, and my breakfast threatened to come up.
It couldn’t be real.
“Is Mason still here?” I asked.
“Yeah, in your office. He’s still stunned and pissed off about Indigo,” Zel added.
“Indigo?” I asked.
Green glared at Zel.
“What about Indigo?” I pressed.
“He offered to flip on some higher-ups, but it involves many states and Canada. We’re getting added staff from DC, and the CIA is tapping in.” Green nodded.
It made even more sense now. “You’re trying to shove Mason and I in a closet so the big wigs don’t see us? Are we that bad?”
“Not bad. You’re just very Native,” Green said.
My first clenched up ready to punch Green out because he meant it as an insult. I looked down at my appropriate pants suit that was very like the others female agents wore. Hiking around Alaska or chasing a criminal in a skirt and heels was not exactly effective. “I’m not Native, but I’ll take that as a compliment. I never thought you were this much of a prejudiced ass.”
“Careful, Foster,” Green warned.
“I’m serious. If you have an issue with Natives, go somewhere else, because they were here first. I’m not Native, and you want to get me off the case, so I’m not fully buying this,” I replied. Had my truth spell worn off already?
“I don’t mean Native as in Native Alaskan or Inuit. I mean you’re both natives. You’re both Alaskan to the core. You charge into the bush or out into villages with no fear or thought about what’s out there. You think these outsiders will do that? They’ll think you’re nuts and wasting FBI funds. All the bush planes and transport costs,” Green said.
“This is about accounting? It costs money to get around a state this size. That is not news. If you’re only worried about Anchorage and Juno, maybe Fairbanks—fine. Warn people the rest of the state’s residents that everywhere else is living in the wild west. They’re all on their own. Troopers are spread too thin as well.” I shrugged. “We can take care of ourselves.”
Zel put her hand on my arm. “Dot, this isn’t going to help. Mitch’s wife is making funeral plans. I think Mason is going to stick around for that. Right now, you need to go home and rest. We’re all shocked and upset about Mitch.”
Suddenly, I was so relieved to be suspended—not just because of Mitch either.
“You’re right, Zel. I’m sorry.” I looked at Green. “Anything else. Sir?”
“I’m doing the best I can. Red tape, government rules, and politics. You play none of those games well,” Green said.
I nodded. “I know. I only ever wanted to protect people and get the bad guys. It’s never been about promotions or credit. I guess that’s why I never fit in. I’d rather be Native than whatever the hell you are.”
“Agent Foster.” Green’s stern voice did nothing to me this time.
“I’m going.” I tossed my badge and ID on his desk. Carefully, I removed my government sidearm and set it down. I had plenty of guns at home, like most agents. “I’ll be at the funeral. You can’t stop me.”
“I wouldn’t try. I’ll be in touch,” Green said.
I left with Zel walking right behind me. “You’ll be okay. It’ll all blow over. Just worry about Mitch.”
I saw Mason sitting at Zel’s desk. I looked past him, and my office was already occupied by another pair of agents.
I went over to Mason. “Guess we’re out of here. Let’s see what we have to wear for a funeral.”
Mason nodded. “I’m sorry about Mitch. He was one of the really good ones.”
I held up my hand before he said anything about trying to do more. “Be careful, Zel. This place is about to get crazy.”
“I can handle myself. You two, behave. Be safe. See you at the funeral and for breakfast at the diner, when we can.” She hugged me.
I followed Mason to the elevators. “We’re just in the way.”
Mason nodded. “I heard them talking about more FBI and CIA help.”
“More paper pushers and Feds who don’t understand what they’re in for.” I closed my eyes. “Mitch. It’s all my fault.”
Mason put his arm around me. “It’s not, and you know it.”
I tensed and tried to shrug his arm off.
“Don’t. Let them think we’re a couple. It’ll explain things better,” Mason whispered in my ear.
I nodded and leaned into his warmth. It helped.
At home, we picked out funeral outfits, and I’d left a message for Mitch’s wife. I knew she’d never take my call, but it was a curtesy.
Sitting in the living
room, I curled up on the sofa and stared at daytime TV. I couldn’t do much else until Mason was done with the spells on my house.
“No bugs or other surveillance spying on us.” Mason sat down next to me. He’d changed into jeans and a T-shirt just like I had. It felt so weird.
“Good.” I hugged a sofa pillow while I flipped channels.
“Protection spells are up,” Mason said.
“Thanks,” I said.
He took the remote and shut off the TV.
“No, I need the white noise. The distraction,” I grabbed for the remote.
“Stop. I’m sorry about Mitch. I don’t know what happened,” Mason said.
“Indigo or someone infected him with some superbug. Green even thinks it was deliberate. He has the hospital investigating, but a warlock could easily have done it using someone who works there. Maybe they sensed he was recovering and sent another setback or new infection,” I said.
“That’s playing awfully dirty with human lives,” Mason said.
“But human trafficking is humane? How do you expect anything less from these people?” I screamed into the pillow and took slow deep breaths. “I don’t know what to do. They just want me out of the way.”
“We’ll get through the funeral, and then we’ll be out of the way. Nothing says we can’t conduct our own investigation. You’ve been playing by human rules too long, and this is where it’s gotten you. Time to start operating in the magical circles.” Mason smiled.
I shook my head. “I don’t belong there either. Maybe I will just move to the village and hide out?”
“Are you stalking me?” he teased.
“Please, life just feels a lot simpler there. Magic is out in the open. People are nice and take care of each other. I can’t play politics or bureaucracy. I can help protect the village and take on things that come up without human nonsense.”
“True, you are not good at the politics at all. But you’ve got magical powers, and that gets magical respect. With a little development, you’ll command attention, and no one will mess with you.” Mason nudged me.
“Right. A half Fae who steals magic,” I reminded him.
“Exactly! You shouldn’t be able to do that. You’re a mystery, or you’re crazy powerful when you stop overthinking things. You might glitch because you’re trying to be Fae, and you’re quirkier than that. Either way, you just need to get a handle on it. Then people like Green won’t matter a bit. Let’s try those spells to track Indigo or groups using human/magical children.” Mason snapped his fingers and produced a paper map of Alaska.
“I should really order funeral flowers, but Mitch hated the waste.” I studied the map. “You have a lot more magic than you let people think.”
He smiled and set the map on my coffee table. “You wanted me to play in the human world and the FBI. Come stay in the village, and I’ll show you all of my powers. I prefer to play it safe around government types.”
“Is that why you really left?” I asked.
Mason nodded. “I couldn’t use my powers fully. I couldn’t really help people, magical or not, within the FBI any better than a non-magical agent. I felt suffocated, and when the biggest thing I did was protect you—I knew I’d be more useful to my people at home.”
“But it must get boring.” I shifted to sit on the floor next to the coffee table.
Mason sat on the other side. “Maybe, but I don’t have to hide who I am or who my friends are, even non-Natives. It’s freeing. If there were bigger crimes around Bethel, and there occasionally are, I can investigate on my own. There is a magical trooper or two out there, and I can give them the information.”
I rubbed my eyes and nodded. “Makes sense. Is that what you want to do? Keep investigating the case? Because I think we’ll get noticed and called on it.”
“If we use our full combined magical powers, they won’t know what hit them. Now let’s see what lights up.” He reached his hands over the map.
I extended my hands as well. Spots lit up.
“Good start,” Mason said.
“Start, looks like plenty of leads,” I said.
Mason took my hands in his, and the magical link changed the map. Some spots glowed brighter, some changed color, and some new ones blinked.
“What’s all that for?” I asked.
“Options. We’ll go after whatever and wherever the FBI and CIA aren’t.” Mason released my hands.
“Cool.” I studied the glowing map until my phone beeped.
Mason’s phone chimed as well. “Funeral is in two days,” he read off.
“I can’t go anywhere before that. I’m sorry. I want to get the bad guys, but I won’t be any use until I see that through,” I admitted.
“It’s okay. I get it. None of this is your fault,” Mason said.
“Don’t tell Mitch’s widow that. It’s going to be hell.” I leaned back on the sofa.
Mason stood up. “Okay. Look, you’ve got very little food in the house. I have no car thanks to the FBI firing me. I’m going to take your car and get some food to hold us for a bit. Anything else you need?”
I shook my head.
“Come in the kitchen and help me make a grocery list,” he said.
I shook my head.
“Dot.” Mason held out his hand.
“I don’t care what I eat. Do we even need to eat?” I asked. “Just magically fill the fridge.”
“I do. If you are half human, or even a little human, you must eat as well. Hell, witches and warlocks must eat. You’re not that special. I’ll just get the basics we need. Do you have a meat freezer in the garage?” he asked.
I nodded and took his hand. “Stocked with moose and caribou. We’ll be fine. You don’t have to go out. Unless you want to escape me.”
Masson chuckled. “I think you could use some ice cream or something.”
“I’m fine. No reason to go out.” I snapped my fingers. “Check the fridge.”
Mason walked over and opened the fridge doors. “Dot.”
“What? I paid for it. They just don’t remember the transaction. Busy day.” I smiled.
“Magical shopping.” Mason shook his head.
“I got some potatoes and carrots too. There are beans in the pantry for making chili. Everything we need to make a stew and a chili. I have the stuff for homemade sourdough or cornbread.”
“A secret chef?” he teased.
I shook my head. “My adopted mom hated to pay for food. She hunted, grew stuff, bought only necessary ingredients and cooked. It sucks to cook for just one person though. I end up with freezers full of food I’ll never get through. But if you’ll be around for a few days, we might as well.”
“I understand that. I like having my own place, but I eat at my mom’s house a lot because it’s just more efficient to cook for more than one. You’d do well in the village. Cooking extra for the elders who can’t cook is part of the tradition. Now, you can get started on those veggies—since those will go bad first. I’ll grab some stew meat from the freezer, and then chop some wood. I want to think about those dots on the map. I know some of the areas, but I’m trying to decide how we investigate these magicals.” Mason headed for the garage.
“Mason,” I called.
“Yeah,” he said.
“Thanks. If I was alone right now...thanks.” I headed for the fridge. The map was on my mind, too, and I could mull it over while I cooked.
I dug out the cutting board and a good knife, but when I turned to set them on the kitchen table, I found Lily sitting there smiling.
“Crap! What are you doing here?” An icy grip surrounded me. Mason would not be happy.
She gave me a big smile and a little wave. “Hi, Dot.”
“Mason!” I called.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“What’s wrong?” Mason rushed in with a package of stew meat. “Lily!”
“Mason!” She rushed over and hugged her brother. “I heard about Dot’s partner dying, and I thought I’d ch
eck on you.”
“Mom is going to freak.” Mason handed me the meat. “How did you get here?”
“She used magic,” I stated the obvious.
“How did you find out where we were?” Mason asked.
Lily rolled her eyes. “It’s not that hard to figure things out. A little magic and a little time on the Internet. I thought I’d visit. Can I help with dinner?”
“Does your mother know you’re here?” I asked.
Lily shrugged. “She thinks I’m staying at a friend’s house tonight. I’ll pop back by morning.”
“I thought you said her magic wasn’t that advanced,” I shot at Mason.
“You’re not spending the night here. It’s too dangerous. You need to go home,” Mason ordered.
“It’s Dot’s house,” Lily reminded him.
“We can call your mother.” I rinsed and inspected the lean stew meat before adding a bit of flour and putting it into the pan for browning.
“Come on. This case is so interesting. I’ve been following the news and all the drama. They’re calling in the CIA.” Lily held up her phone.
“Are you magically spying on us?” I asked.
“She’s not that strong,” Mason replied.
I shook my head but let that slide. “The FBI suspended us from the case because I got the initial tip. They want fresh eyes. Sorry, but that’s it. We’ll be going to the funeral. Who knows, your brother and I might testify or bring the new teams up to speed, but we’re no longer in the field.”
“That sucks.” Lily frowned.
“That’s government red tape and crap. You want your brother back?” I asked.
Lily shrugged. “It’s a little more boring without him. I was improving my magic with him around.”
“You should be focused on school.” Mason got on his phone.
“Don’t text Mom,” Lily said.
“Go home. You’re not part of this. Dot said you’ve been texting her. Don’t. This is dangerous stuff. It’s not a game. Magic doesn’t make you safe from these sorts of people,” Mason explained.
