Hexed

you’ve heard about Perry. «
    » Yeah. It’s horrible. You’re going to get them back, though, right? «
    » Yes, tonight. But right now I have to talk to the cops. «
    » Okay, but before you do, can I just tell you one of the many reasons I love you? «
    » Sure, « I said, recognizing her code for an incoming alibi.
    » While we were watching Kill Bill: Two so that you could try to learn the Five-Point Palm Exploding-Heart Technique, your fly was open the entire time. It was adorable. «
    » That’s right, ninjas don’t hold back, baby, « I said, trying and failing to impart some levity into my tone. I regretted the decision now to masquerade as a wannabe martial artist. It had been amusing at the time, but I didn’t feel like playing a part while trying to deal with Perry’s death.
    » Thanks, « I said. » Some guys are coming over tonight for a Lord of the Rings festival. «
    » Oh? «
    » Yeah, it’s going to be great. You’d better get steaks out of the freezer, though. Big meat-eaters, those guys are. « We rang off and then I nodded to Hal. » Okay, I’m ready. Let’s get this over with. «
    Hal and I emerged from the alley next to my shop in time to see crime-scene photographers taking pictures of Perry’s body, sprawled faceup with one hand on his chest, a small pool of blood underneath his head where he’d cracked it on the cement.
    I’ve seen a lot of dead people in my time. Looking at them gets easier when you’ve had as much practice as I’ve had. Kids still get to me, though—the innocent who never get a chance to choose whether they will take up swords or plowshares.
    Perry had never been a swords kind of fella. The most violence he’d ever done was to his own earlobes, with those ridiculous silver gauges. But he’d never been a plowshares fella either; he never could remember the difference between chamomile and creosote, no matter how many times I explained that they were completely different plants.
    She must have lured him outside somehow; she couldn’t have thrown that killing curse, whatever it was, inside my shop. Probably had no trouble either. Perry would have looked at the black leather and the bonanza of her bosom and stepped right out to ask how he could help.
    I didn’t have to pretend to be upset when Detective Geffert spotted me. I should have seen this coming. The divination had even warned me that death approached one of my male friends, but I had interpreted that as Oberon rather than Perry.
    » Mr. O’Sullivan, « Detective Geffert said, walking briskly over to where Hal and I were standing. I didn’t make any sign that I’d heard him, because I couldn’t take my eyes off Perry.
    » Mr. O’Sullivan, « Geffert tried again, » God knows how you must feel right now, but I need to ask you a couple of questions. «
    It was a surprisingly considerate approach. I’d half-expected him to be belligerent and suspicious.
    » Go ahead, « I said woodenly.
    » Begging your pardon, Detective, « Hal interrupted, » but you’re with homicide, aren’t you? On what basis have you decided that this is a homicide? «
    » We won’t be able to make that determination until we get the coroner’s report, « Geffert admitted, » but we’re collecting evidence and taking statements just in case. Due diligence, you know. « Hal nodded curtly and subsided, and the detective turned back to me. » Mr. O’Sullivan, where were you this morning before you arrived here? «
    » I was at home, « I said. » With my girlfriend. Watching Kill Bill: Two. «
    » Is she still there, at your house? «
    » Yes. «
    » Did you get your home phone number changed? We’ve been calling there using the number in our files for some time now, and no one’s answered. «
    » I never answer. It’s always telemarketers on the other end. « My voice had all the richness of expression of a cement block.
    » Don’t you normally work on days like this? «
    » Normally, yes. But I was planning on going out to the Superstitions today, so Perry was going to open the store. «
    » How’d you hear about what happened here? «
    » Hal dropped by. « I jerked my head.
    » And how’d you hear about it, Mr. Hauk—did I remember correctly? «
    » Yes, that’s right, « Hal replied, then explained, » We have a police radio in the office. When I heard my client’s address mentioned, I naturally came to investigate. «
    » I see. « Geffert took a moment to catch up with his notes in a small handheld pad,