She muttered a curse under her breath. ‘Will it be resolved?’
I stared into the distance. It would be if I had anything to say about it.
I mumbled a pained farewell and hung up just as I reached Tallulah. Despite my determination and the support I was receiving from the supe community, there was an ache in the centre of my chest that was doing me no favours.
I wrenched open the driver’s door, plonked myself down inside and took a moment to compose myself. Then I pulled on the seatbelt and started Tallulah’s engine. The little car coughed and her engine gave a mild splutter, but she certainly didn’t roar into life. I gritted my teeth and tried again. This time, I wasn’t even rewarded with a cough.
‘This is not the time,’ I growled. ‘We’re on a clock. We can’t fuck around, Tallulah.’
Still nothing.
I gripped the steering wheel. ‘Tallulah, this isn’t just about me. Fred and Owen are at death’s door and Supe Squad is being rammed out of existence. Both of us will end up in the knacker’s yard if we can’t fix this.’
I sucked in a desperate breath, turned the key, and again nothing happened. Then, without warning, there was a click and my seatbelt released itself apparently of its own accord. I looked down at the useless length of fabric and my blood chilled. I extricated myself, opened the door and got out.
I popped the hood on Tallulah’s bonnet and peered at the engine. Nothing looked amiss, so I closed it again and walked around checking each of the wheels. The wheel nuts were still firmly in place. I wet my lips. A moment later, I lowered myself until my belly was almost to the ground and glanced at Tallulah’s undercarriage.
It took me three seconds to spot it.
The slim black box looked innocuous enough, apart from its red blinking light and the fact that it had no place hiding beneath my car. I stretched out my hand before thinking better of it and pulling back. I rolled away, stood up and dusted myself down.
This was a very real – and very dangerous – problem. Fortunately, I knew just the person who could help me with it.
ChapterTwenty-Four
There were very few phone numbers I knew off by heart – that’s not how the world works any more – but I didn’t need to use my memory. Stuffed into my pocket was an invitation to the wedding of the year and I knew Scarlett had included her phone number.
As I stepped away from Tallulah, I scanned the car park and wondered if I was being watched from one of the darkened windows that overlooked it. Many of them were tinted, obscuring the view from any snoopers outside like me. I frowned.
There were only three other parked cars and they were all empty. I wasn’t certain but, from what I remembered, they had been there when I’d arrived an hour or so earlier. I pursed my lips then I opened the wedding invitation, located the number and dialled it.
Scarlett’s liquid voice filled the line. ‘Good afternoon. I don’t recognise this number and if this is a scam call, I will hunt you down and slide my single fang into your throat before I drink you dry. However,’ she continued in an eerily pleasant tone, ‘if I know you and this is a genuine call, then I’m thrilled to chat.’
‘Hi Scarlett,’ I said. ‘It’s Emma.’
‘Detective!’ She sounded genuinely happy to hear my voice. ‘How lovely of you to call and how fabulous that things between you and my Lord are getting back to normal.’
Normal wasn’t how I’d have described my life right at that moment, but I appreciated the sentiment. ‘I’ve been suspended, Scarlett. I’m not currently working as a detective.’
‘I had heard. You have my sincere apologies.’ I could still hear the smile in her voice. ‘If you would like me to threaten the police commissioner on your behalf, just say the word.’
‘That wouldn’t be a good idea.’
‘You never know until you try,’ she chirped.
I was suddenly very glad that Scarlett was on my side instead of against me. ‘Everything is under control,’ I told her, lying through my teeth but knowing she would get the message to stay out of my business.
‘If you say so. Are you phoning to confirm your attendance at my wedding? Or is there something I can do to help with Quincy Carmichael? I know Lord Horvath has us all on the case, but if there’s something extra you’d like me to do I’d be very happy to help.’
‘Actually,’ I said, ‘it’s not you I’m after. I’m phoning because I’d like to speak to your fiancé.’
‘You want to talk to Devereau?’
‘Please.’
Her tone altered. ‘Why?’
‘I could use his expertise.’
