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Interrogation room number two looked just like all the other rooms. The room was white with no ornamentation. A table with chairs on either side allowed those inside to sit while talking, but other than that, the space was filled with...nothing.
It was made especially stark as Daemon took up his place by the door, his eyes going black, indicating that he had his powers at the ready in case Mr. Killoran decided to get defensive.
“What’s she doing here?” Mr. Killoran grumbled, his brown eyes attempting to melt Wynona into a puddle.
Using her years of experience at feigning confidence, Wynona threw back her shoulders and flicked her hair the same way her mother did. “Hello, Mr. Killoran. It’s been a long time.”
He leaned forward, his fists resting on the table. “I said, what are you doing here?”
“She’s working with us on a consulting basis,” Chief Ligurio inserted. “You will treat her with the same respect as the other officers.”
Wynona bit back the retort she wanted to say at that remark. It wasn’t that she wasn’t grateful for Chief Ligurio’s comment, but Mr. Killoran didn’t treat anyone with respect, so the command wouldn’t go very far.
Violet’s snort in Wynona’s mind told her that her familiar felt the same way.
“Thank you,” Wynona murmured as Rascal held a chair for her.
Mr. Killoran was leaning back in his seat, his eyes still on Wynona. “Does your father know about your activities?” One side of his lip curled. “Somehow, I don’t think he’d approve.”
“My choice of activities are my own, Mr. Killoran,” Wynona said easily. “Now.” She folded her hands in her lap. “My condolences on the loss of your ex-wife.”
He huffed and looked away. “We haven’t been together in many years.”
“Maybe not, but we have a witness saying you visited her just last week.”
His head snapped around and Wynona felt the snap of magic in the air. Unlike his children and former wife, green sparks floated through the air.
“Control yourself, or we will do it for you,” Chief Ligurio said with a pointed look at Daemon.
Mr. Killoran looked over and grumbled, but his magic dissipated. “I suppose it wouldn’t be sporting to use magic against someone who doesn’t know how to use theirs.”
He’s trying to bait you, Violet declared. It means he’s scared.
Wynona gave a subtle nod. She knew. The only reason he wouldn’t like having her there was if he was worried she would do something that could hurt him. “Why were you there, Mr. Killoran?” she asked, raising her eyebrows expectantly.
He sneered. “You tell me, since you’re so observant.”
Chief Ligurio slid a paper in her direction.
Wynona took it and read the first few lines. “I see that you owe a few people some money.” The paper the chief had given her held nothing of the sort, but the chief had given her a paper with gibberish on it. She followed a hunch that he wanted her to use it to fake out the warlock.
Mr. Killoran’s face paled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, his voice softer than before.
“No?” Wynona pressed. “You haven’t found yourself digging a deeper hole down in the underworld? Maybe a little gambling?”
Mr. Killoran jerked forward, his pale face turning alarmingly red as he hit the table with his fist. “Half of that money is mine! I was married to her for almost twenty years!”
Wynona swallowed hard, hiding the fear at his reaction. Her fingers tingled, and she forced herself to calm down. Her magic wasn’t needed either. “I don’t believe that’s how our laws work, Mr. Killoran. Ms. Roseburg’s family inheritance was hers and hers alone.” Wynona tilted her head to the side. “What did you do when she wouldn’t give you any? You were asking for help with your loans, correct? And since she’s been killed, I’m assuming Ms. Roseburg said no.”
“I didn’t kill her,” he ground out.
“Okay. Then what did you do?”
Mr. Killoran’s nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath. “I walked away.” He shrugged. “What could I do?”
Wynona pursed her lips. “Did Ms. Roseburg ever share with you what her will said?”
He snorted. “No. Not even when we were married. It’s always been a secret.” That lip curled again. “Zander, spoiled punk that he is, probably gets it all. Harmony always did favor him. Him and those cursed cats.”
“You think she’d leave out her daughter?” Wynona pressed.
Mr. Killoran shrugged again. “More than likely.” He looked Wynona in the eye. “Harmony knew how to hold a grudge.” His smile held no humor. “Even toxic plants can be beautiful.”
Unfortunately, Wynona knew that all too well. She nodded. “Where were you when she was killed?”
“Home.”
“By yourself?”
He smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” His eyes roved her, sending a shiver down Wynona’s spine. “I always did think it would be good to join our families.”
Rascal’s growl came so fast that Wynona jumped in her seat. She reached out and put a hand on his arm.
“Strongclaw,” Chief Ligurio warned. He turned his red glare to Mr. Killoran. “Keep it relevant or I’ll let you cool your ardor somewhere less favorable.”
Mr. Killoran rolled his eyes.
“Why did you ask her for money if she wasn’t known for being charitable?” Wynona asked.
“Who else was I going to ask?” Mr. Killoran demanded. “My family ran out of money ages ago.”
“Ran out, or you spent it all?” Rascal offered.
Mr. Killoran clearly didn’t appreciate the commentary, but he also didn’t deny it. “Look. On the night Harmony was killed, I was down in the underworld, playing Black Jack.”
“What den?” Chief Ligurio asked.
“Like I’m telling you that,” Mr. Killoran scoffed. “I don’t have a death wish.”
“Sounds like you do,” Chief Ligurio said lightly. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be so desperate to get all that money.”
“It’s because I don’t have a death wish that I need the money,” Mr. Killoran spat. “I’m trying to save my life.”
“By killing your wife.”
Mr. Killoran shook his head and groaned. “Okay, I can’t give you an alibi, but there is no way you can pin this murder on me. There’s no evidence. Asking for a loan means nothing and killing Harmony is actually the worst thing that could have happened to help my case.”
“Unless you assumed one of your children would give you the money instead,” Wynona offered.
“Zander hates me,” Mr. Killoran snapped. “Silvaria might have considered it, but she couldn’t keep her mouth shut long enough for Harmony to even consider keeping her in the will. If she had only bitten her tongue a little, she’d be swimming in it by now.”
Pity rose up in Wynona’s chest. What a sad existence. His children didn’t like him, his ex-wife wouldn’t help him. Wayde Killoran was nothing but a washed up warlock who had power, but nothing else. And that power wasn’t enough to help get him out of the pit he’d dug himself into. He was leading a miserable, lonely existence, which led Wynona to another moment of gratitude that Granny had pulled her out of that lifestyle. Wynona might not have appreciated how it was done, but she couldn’t deny the results.
You might start with that when we talk to her, Violet offered.
“What do you know about pool chemicals, Mr. Killoran?” Wynona asked, ignoring Violet.
He scowled at the sudden change in subject. “Pool chemicals? What do you mean? I thought Harmony drowned.” His eyes widened. “Did someone poison her?”
Wynona stood. “Thank you, Mr. Killoran. When we have more questions, we’ll let you know.”
“No, no, no,” he hurried to say. “You have to tell me. Was Harmony poisoned?”
“Why would it matter if she was poisoned?” Wynona asked, not correcting his assumption.
He chuckled darkly, sending a shiver down Wynona’s spine. “Would serve her right. She always said those cats could protect her from anything, but if someone managed to get something into her food or drink, then it only goes to show how stupid she was.”
Wynona was disgusted. This man was a parasite to society. “Thank you for your time,” she said quickly, marching toward the door. She couldn’t stand being in the room with him for one moment longer.
Rascal was behind her, but Wynona wasn’t sure if the chief had followed. She didn’t care, heading straight to his office and bursting inside. She gulped in deep lungfuls of air, feeling as if she was finally able to breathe properly.
“Sorry,” Rascal said, rubbing her back. “That got a little more intense than I planned.”
Wynona held up a hand and shook her head. “No. It’s alright.” She straightened, leaning into his side. “It just hit a little too close to home,” she whispered.
“I know.” Rascal kissed her temple, then stepped back when Chief Ligurio came into the office.
“Skymaw will be here in a minute,” he grumbled before sitting in his chair. He huffed through his nose. “Thoughts?”
“Has the date for the will reading been announced yet?” Wynona asked. She had a feeling they would learn much more at that appointment.
“It’s tomorrow.”
The voice came from behind Wynona and she had no idea who it was. Spinning quickly, she stopped. A handsome man, who appeared just old enough to be her father, stood in the doorway. His tie was perfectly straight, his shoes shiny and the briefcase he held looked to be genuine leather.
What shifter did he kill for that? Violet sneered.
Wynona sighed.
“Mr. Melion,” Chief Ligurio said, standing up and offering his hand.
Wynona watched the newcomer approach. His sleek way of walking said he was a shifter himself, likely of the feline variety.
Leopard, Rascal provided.
That’s right. She’d forgotten Rascal had told her that before.
“Chief Ligurio,” Mr. Melion said easily. He looked comfortable and confident in his place at the police station. “I thought it would be best to come offer the news in person,” he said, explaining his presence.
“I appreciate it,” Chief Ligurio said. He turned to Wynona. “This is Ms. Roseburg’s lawyer, Romulus Melion. He’s been fighting the legal wall to get the will read as soon as possible.”
Wynona nodded and shook his offered hand. “Will the police be allowed to sit in on the reading?” she asked.
“Probably not,” Mr. Melion said apologetically. “The family has to all agree and the odds of that are...” He made a face.
Wynona nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. Apparently, the lawyer was well aware of the family dynamics. “Do you mind asking?”
“Of course not. Consider it done.” He tilted his head and studied her. “You look very much like your mother.”
Wynona stilled. “Thank you,” she replied, though she wasn’t sure it was a compliment...at least not to her. Her mother was a beautiful woman, but Wynona wanted there to be as few connections between them as possible.
“But I hear your magic is something else entirely.”
“My magic is my own,” Wynona said, her voice tight.
“Of course,” he said, ducking his head. “Pardon my curiosity.”
Rascal’s hand on her lower back had Wynona relaxing. “It’s fine,” she assured him. It was clear he wasn’t trying to offend. It made sense that a lawyer would be the type to poke and figure things out. It was what they did, after all. Wynona blinked several times as a thought occurred to her. “Do you mind telling me how long you’ve been in Hex Haven? I’m pretty familiar with the lawyers who serve the upper class and I’ve never heard of you.”
Mr. Melion chuckled. He turned to Chief Ligurio. “I can see why she’s been recruited,” he said with a smile. “I’ve been here for close to ten years, but I don’t practice full time. Hex Haven was supposed to be my retirement area.” He shrugged. “I ended up taking on just a few clients. Ms. Roseburg was one of only three that I still share my knowledge with.” His eyes twinkled. “Your parents are already well settled, so they weren’t interested when I opened my small office.”
Wynona nodded. Her parents’ lawyer practically lived at the palace. He wouldn’t give up his position easily. “It was nice to meet you. If things change about tomorrow, please let me know.”
Mr. Melion nodded. “I will. It was nice to meet you as well.”
Rascal’s hand guided Wynona out to the hall. “I have some things to take care of here,” he said softly. “Skymaw can take you home and I’ll stop by later.”
“You really need to just let me take my Vespa,” Wynona teased.
Rascal kissed the tip of her nose. “Not if I can help it. Will you be okay for a bit by yourself? Can you put up a ward around the cabin?”
Violet squeaked and poked her head out of Rascal’s pocket. I can help with that.
Wynona reached out and pulled her friend out, putting the tiny creature on her shoulder. “Sounds like we’ll handle it.”
“Good. See you soon.” Another quick peck, and he disappeared down the hall.
“Ready?” Daemon asked.
Wynona nodded. “Lead the way, Officer.” She touched his arm. “And thank you.”
Daemon smirked. “Deputy Chief would have my head...literally...so...” He shrugged, then winked. “But it’s my pleasure.”
Good friends and a soulmate who loved her. This was what made her life worth fighting for. Gratitude filled Wynona while they drove to her house and she realized she just might be ready to speak to Granny.
And maybe, just maybe...forgive and move on.