Page 51 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two

“For sure.”

I knew Lochlan’s attention was divided between the cases we were discussing and the fact that his dogs weren’t back yet. How? Because he looked at his pocket watch every two minutes.

“I know the, um, incident has cut into the time we might usually give,” I said. “But I’d already been firmly decided on these two,” I tapped a short stack of files, “before I checked out.”

He glanced at the tabs that had been titled by my hand in marks-a-lot. “Good choices.”

“Of course, we’d left extra time for trying Medusa, but now…” He scribbled something in the little book he kept in a breast pocket, but didn’t indicate what he was noting. “And this one.”

I handed him another thicker file I’d set off to my left.

“Ah,” he responded. “There will be some who are glad you’re agreeing to hear this one.”

“You think it’s a hot topic? Controversial?”

“Don’t play with me, Magistrate. It’s clear from the brief that some powerful people are interested in the outcome.”

“Do you think I should shy away?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think. I knew the moment I saw that case that it would be coming up at Samhain Court.”

“You did?” He nodded and stuck his unlit pipe between his teeth. “Do you always know which ones I’ll take?”

Lochlan didn’t smile, but his eyes twinkled and gave his private amusement away. “I carry on a private bet with myself.”

“Are you ever wrong?”

That got an actual smile. “Not since you’ve been magistrate.”

“I don’t think I like being so predictable.”

“It’s more that I’m a fine judge of character, I think.”

“I see.”

“Well, in any case, let Cinderella’s people know we’re hearing her case. Who’s her counsel?”

Lochlan leaned forward and flipped the file open. “Now this is interesting. She recruited among her own people and had them go through your training program so that she’d have what humans call in-house counsel to handle any legalities that arise going forward.”

“That… is impressive.”

“It’s also a first.”

“She sounds smart.”

“Word is that she is often underestimated.”

“Now that we’re agreed on what I’m hearing, do you want to recommend an order.”

“I’ll defer to your preferences, naturally, but I think the Black Annis, the Shadhavar’s Horn then Grand Property Owners vs. Cinder House.”

“Exactly what I was thinking. That must mean you’re on your game today, Lochlan.”

“Only you could self-congratulate and hand me a compliment at the same time.” He looked at his watch again. “The main thing is that I don’t want us to lose sight of what’s important.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s the elephant in the room, as you like to say.”