Gray Witch (Black Hat Bureau 5)

“You met her,” I realized. “Did you work the case?”

“Yes and yes.” His gaze grew distant. “I might have asked her to marry me if she hadn’t been killed by the wife of one of her former costars between police interviews. The wife was a literal goddess. She was convinced Frankie was having an affair with her husband. She believed Frankie killed her man when he refused to leave her. Frankie denied the allegations, but the guy was already dead. He couldn’t say either way. Bean sidhe are tough, but a minor goddess is a major player.”

Earth-walking goddesses, minor or not, were famous for their tempers. “How was she killed?”

“Arietta gutted her. Neck to navel.” He turned solemn. “Waste of a beautiful woman.”

“When you implied you two were in a relationship,” Asa pried, “do you mean in your head or in reality?”

To hide my smile, I turned my head, but Clay knew me too well.

“This is your influence.” Clay pointed a damning finger at me. “He used to be such a nice dae.”

Swallowing my amusement, I prodded, “Answer the question.”

“I never said we were in a relationship.” He sniffed. “I said I might have asked her to marry me.”

“So, the starlet was killed by a goddess, and now she’s reenacting her death in Natchez.”

“Does that mean the Boos are doing the same?” Asa frowned. “Acting out their deaths?”

“No one knows how they died,” I admitted. “We’d have to solve that crime to know for sure.”

The serpentine nature of their kills reminded me of a naga or another creature with snakelike qualities. They swallowed prey whole, then, after a period of time, bones were the end product. How was the flesh digested if the Boos weren’t revenant-like? And if they weren’t undead, did it mean that ghosts poop?

“I’ll cross-reference what we know about their recent crimes against similar events occurring around the time of their disappearances.” The tiny voice barely registered as Colby, but it grew stronger. “See if we can narrow the scope on a potential cause of death for them.”

Are you sure? Are you okay? Are you ready for this?

Those were the things I longed to ask, but I didn’t want to undermine her attempt to regain her footing.

“Clay?”

“You don’t even have to ask.” He sank onto the bed beside Colby. “Me and my best girl will wait here.”

“Thank you.” I jerked my chin at Asa then double-checked my kit. “We’ll be back the second we can.”

“Be safe,” Colby whispered. “Promise me.”

For so long, I had been her anchor. I hated to admit how good it felt when she said or did things that proved she might not have chosen me that dark night when she died, but she would choose me now.

“I promise.” I leaned over the bed and kissed her soft forehead. “Don’t let Clay get in trouble.”

“Don’t assign her impossible tasks,” Clay chided. “Ace, take care of my second-best girl.”

“I will.” Asa followed in my footsteps and pressed his lips to Colby’s cheek. “Be brave.”

“I’ve got this,” she told him. “I can do this.”

“I know you can.” He withdrew and took my hand. “We’ll text as soon as we arrive.”

Leaving Clay and Colby, Asa and I climbed into the SUV and set out for Natchez.