Lupi 08 - Death Magic

doesn’t know about the ghosts or Ruben’s visions. Ruben emphasized that he does not have a hunch that Croft is less than trustworthy, or he’d take steps to remove him. Foreknowledge can alter the way someone responds. Ruben believes that’s the case with Croft.”
    “He believes that, or he had a hunch about it?”
    “I’ve given you his words.”
    “I don’t want it to be Croft. I like him. But we have to keep it in mind.”
    Rule gave a single nod. The kettle started whistling. He turned to deal with it.
    “I wish I knew who was working the bombing.” She opened her spiral, frowning at the notes she’d made. “There’s a lot of strings to tug on there, but they’re the sort that need a lot of manpower. A badge helps, too.”
    Rule poured the steaming water into the French press. “That I can’t provide. Not directly. But I believe one of your resources has arrived.”
    The doorbell rang.
    She shoved her chair back. “How do you do that? We’re all the way at the back of the house. You couldn’t hear anyone walking up to the door from back here.”
    “José told me.”
    “You aren’t wearing your earbud.”
    “He spoke from the backyard.”
    She shook her head and headed for the door.
    The man standing on her front stoop wore a wrinkled shirt, a mud-brown suit, and a bright orange tie. His hairline was receding, his waistline increasing, and she was really glad to see him. Also surprised. “Uh . . . are you my resource?”
    “That’s not how you do it,” Abel Karonski told her disapprovingly. He dug one hand into his pocket and pulled out a small black rock. It glowed for two seconds, then quit.
    “Am I supposed to show you mine?” She stood aside so he could come in.
    “Nah. Rule told me. Well, technically it was Mika, but the message came from Rule. Took you long enough to make up your mind.”
    So he’d known Ruben had asked her to join the ghosts. And that she hadn’t agreed ... not until her career was toast. “You found it an easy decision?”
    He snorted. “Not easy, maybe, but simple. If the country’s survival hangs in the balance, it makes things pretty damn simple.”
    “I didn’t find it either easy or simple.”
    “I guess you’re at that in-between age. Too old to jump off just any old cliff. Not old enough to spot the one cliff in a hundred that’s worth the leap.”
    Jumping off cliffs was not a reassuring metaphor for joining the ghosts. Accurate, maybe, but not reassuring. So why did she feel better? “With your people skills, you should have been a therapist.”
    “That’s me, Mr. Sensitive. Want to tell me all about your feelings?”
    “Now there’s a cliff you want to steer clear of.”
    Karonski stopped when they were halfway through the dining room. He sighed. “Lily.”
    She stopped, too. The parlor, dining room, and kitchen of the row house were shot-gunned, so there were no windows in this dim, interior room. But she could see Karonski’s expression well enough. Her stomach went tight. “Yes?”
    “I’m here for two reasons. Two units, two different duties. I need to deal with the official duties first. You have to turn in your badge and service weapon, pending the results of the administrative hearing. Croft thought it would be easier this way—me picking them up instead of you coming to HQ to do it.”
    She swallowed. Swallowed again. Her mouth tasted foul. “My service-issue weapon’s back in San Diego. I never carry it. It’s too big for my hand. I . . .” Her voice wobbled. She forced it steady. “I can get someone to bring it to the Bureau’s office there.”
    “That should work. Have them do it pretty quick, though.”
    She nodded jerkily. “My badge. That’s in my purse. It’s in the kitchen.” She turned, moving on automatic. She wouldn’t think about this. She’d do it and wouldn’t think.
    When Karonski’s hand fell on her shoulder, she jolted.
    His voice was low and rough. “You got Ruben out. Even before you decided to join us, you got Ruben out. You did the right thing, and it cost you a helluva lot.”
    She swallowed again. Dammit, she was not going to be sick. “I warned him. Rule got him out.”
    “And I’d sure like to know how he did that.”
    “I’m not sure I can tell you.”
    “I can,” Rule said from the doorway to the kitchen. He had her purse in one hand. “And will, but it’s need-to-know, Abel, and I get to pick who needs to know. Not you.” He looked at her. “I can do this. You