Lost Souls (Cainsville 3.6)

A records search followed. It took some digging, but he finally found an address for the charity. What he did not find was anything suggesting it was a registered charity.

And what did that mean? He had no idea, but he did have an address.

SEVENTEEN

PATRICK

Patrick climbed the steps of the three-story walkup, the only multiresidence building in Cainsville. On the stoop, he found the usual suspects: a cat and a boggart, actively ignoring one another. The boggart was Grace, the building owner, wearing her cranky old lady glamour. Well, the "old lady" part was a glamour. The "cranky" part was just Grace.

"Is the lady at home today?" Patrick asked as he crested the steps.

"You'll have to be more specific, bocan. Which lady?"

"The only one who counts."

Grace sniffed and grumbled under her breath. Whether that grumble was directed at Liv or him, Patrick couldn't tell. Both probably.

He turned to the cat. "Hello, TC. Would you tell your master I've come to call?"

TC fixed him with a stare only slightly less baleful than Grace's.

"You expect that'll work?" Grace said.

"He's a matagot. Which means he understands me just fine."

"He's also a cat. Which means he doesn't care."

"I just want to talk to Liv. May I cross your threshold and call on her? Or would you like to fetch her for me?"

"I'd like you to leave her alone. She doesn't have time for your game."

"What game?"

"Whichever one you're playing. Now go, bocan, before I--"

The front door opened. Liv walked out. "Hey, TC. You keeping Grace company? That's so sweet." She turned to Grace. "Don't worry--I'll bring him in when I get back. I'm grabbing coffee at the diner. And a scone for you, naturally."

"Tea, too."

"Yes, ma'am."

Liv walked right past Patrick and headed for the walkway between the buildings.

"Take a hint, bocan," Grace said.

"Never," he said and hurried off.

When he caught up to Liv, he said, "That's terribly rude, you know. Ignoring me when I came to talk to you."

"I thought you came to talk to Grace. I didn't want to interrupt."

"No one comes to talk to Grace." He matched Liv's strides. "I know you and Gabriel aren't taking my advice about dropping this case. So I'm offering my help."

She said nothing. Just kept walking.

"Free help," he said. "Whatever you need. No strings attached."

"There are always strings attached."