The Law Of Three: A Rowan Gant Investigation by M. R. Sellars Page B

I know.”
    Lieutenant Barbara Albright reminded me of
someone’s mother. She didn’t resemble anyone in particular,
actually. She just fit the appearance of a generic, prim and
proper, sixties sitcom mom who had been strategically updated to
fit the style of the decade—but only where absolutely necessary.
She was slight of figure and wore her white hair in a
shoulder-length coif that was just traditional enough not to be out
of vogue but wasn’t exactly riding the cutting edge either. She
looked to be in her mid-fifties, but that, in and of itself, could
have been an illusion. She was very simply just that
nondescript.
    The one thing that stood out about her
appearance was the thin-lipped expression she now wore. According
to Ben, it was how she always looked. At any rate, it was the kind
of mask a card player would kill for, and I was betting she knew
exactly how to use it.
    “Mister Gant, we need to get some things
straight right now.” She started talking three steps before she
reached us. “I am not exactly sure what went on during my
predecessor’s time in charge, but I know for a fact that I do not
like the things that I have read.”
    She came to a halt directly before us and
took a firm stance before thrusting her gloved hands into her
pockets. She stared at me with glacier blue eyes, unblinking and
unwavering, never taking a moments attention away from my face nor
acknowledging the presence of Ben or Felicity. At the V where the
lapels of her dark grey trench coat overlapped, a yellow-gold,
cross pendant stood out against her sweater in a blatant
display.
    “I also do not like you or what you
represent,” she continued her speech. “Your involvements in
previous investigations were a travesty and an embarrassment to the
Major Case Squad. It is only by the grace of God Almighty that no
officers were injured or killed because of your antics. You should
also know that I am of the opinion that had you stayed out of it
and allowed us to do our jobs, there would have been far fewer
victims. Not to mention that Eldon Porter would now be
incarcerated.”
    “Exc…” I started to make an objection, but
the first word was cut off by Felicity’s instantly tightening grip
on my arm. Even in the midst of her apprehension, she was remaining
logical and level headed, something at which she was very
practiced, until you pressed the correct button, of course. If that
occurred, well, let’s just say that your only hope would be if your
deity of choice happened to be listening.
    “Yes, Mister Gant?” Lieutenant Albright
cocked her head and frowned even more, which is something I hadn’t
thought possible.
    “Nothing,” I answered flatly.
    “Now then,” she started again. “You need to
understand that you are here only because Porter left a message
specifically for you. Otherwise, I would have you arrested if you
came within a mile of a crime scene. The truth is that I want you
to see what you have caused through your interference, and I am not
the only one who sincerely hopes that it haunts you for the rest of
your days.”
    “Lieutenant, you don’t even begin to know,” I
returned with a cold edge in my voice.
    She ignored my comment. “Be aware that any
further involvement you have in this case will be at my discretion,
and you can rest assured that I will exercise it to the fullest
extent. I intend to keep you on a very short leash, Mister Gant.
VERY short. Am I making myself clear?”
    I stared back at her for a long moment,
remaining mute. The temperature atop the building seemed even
colder than it had down on the street, but that was most likely an
effect of the company rather than the climate. The expectant lull
was filled with forlorn sighing noises as the wind weaved its way
through broken windows on the floor below us then gushed up the
stairwell and out through the open door.
    In my head, I flipped through several
responses for her question, but unfortunately, not one of them was
particularly