Page 8 of Chosen Spirits (The Bartender Mage #4)

Tucker sighed, then shook his head. "No.

Leif wasn't even born while she was active, and we'd know by now if he were harboring some kind of bound spirit that she would want to set free.

Maybe if we research some of the other cases in the state?

I could start checking them out one at a time, if you don't have any other assignments for me. "

Deimos lowered his head, regarding him placidly. "Johnson, how many arbiter operations have taken place in the last century? Just in Minnesota, let's not include surrounding regions."

"Hundreds, sir."

"And if we do include the surrounding states and, let's say, just the first hundred or so miles into Canada."

"Probably about a thousand, give or take."

Deimos nodded, then stood up after a long pause. Swallowing his disappointment, Tucker stood up as well, reaching down for his empty satchel.

"Hmm? No, sit back down, Johnson. I'm just stretching.

" Leaning back into his hands, Deimos grunted and Tucker heard the sound of his back popping.

"The kids wore me out over the weekend, and it's been sore ever since.

Anyways, checking out the sites of former arbiter operations is a good idea, it just needs some refinement if we're going to try to catch her in the act, or at least find out if there are any sleeper threats we should be aware of. "

Deimos tapped the stack of papers on his desk, then moved to his computer.

"A thousand places is too many, I need you to narrow it down.

You can start by focusing on just the operations that required sealing subjects away, then you can compare it to our own records, see what kind of overlap there's been over the last couple of decades.

No point checking out a site if she'd already unbound the thing, right?

She's probably unbound plenty that we didn't even recognize, and categorized as just bad luck. "

"Yes sir, that sounds great. I'll make a shortlist, and then schedule myself to go check them out—"

"Not you," Deimos said. "Not yet, anyways.

Mythic events are picking up, and a lot of our operatives are well into overtime.

You're one of our heavy hitters in case of serious trouble, and I can't afford to send you out on a two-day operation to some distant part of the state just to maybe gather intel.

There's some detached DOMA assets and consultants we can tap, usually tied to local first responder units.

It also sounds like something our newest certified mage might be able to help handle, right?

Wu was telling me I should see about using his talents in the non-combat domain. "

Tucker frowned. "Sending him out by himself? I love my boyfriend, and he has a few divining abilities, but he's not trained for serious investigations."

"He's not, no," Deimos said agreeably. "So it's a good thing we both know a private investigator that'd be willing to find out more about this sorceress, right?

Hell, his rates are cheap enough that hiring him as a consultant would be a better way to keep the team's hours down than requesting a temp agent.

Find out if he and Leif are both agreeable, and get back to me by the end of the day so we can discuss contracts. "

"Yes sir! I'll get right on it."

◆◆◆

Tucker spent the remainder of the morning bouncing between reading through digital records on his computer and digging deep in the Records Room stacks, comparing incident reports.

Later, he had himself a nice lunch with Leif and Julia, where he made it a point to admire his boyfriend's new work badge.

As the day neared the end, he started consolidating his findings and was about to head to the director's office when Rahul was finally able to return the phone call.

"So what do you think, babe?" Tucker asked, after explaining Deimos' plan.

"It sounds lucrative," Rahul said over the phone. "And our cub already agreed? "

"He did, yeah. He smelled a bit wary at first, but once I pointed out that he'd be in your company he did a complete turnaround."

" Then count me in. I've got a couple of jobs queued up, but I could get them done quick enough. What kind of time frame are we talking about? "

"I have to run it by Deimos, but based on how long it's taking me just to pin down plausible locations, you can probably expect an initial contract of five days worth of services, starting this weekend or early next week.

Doesn't have to be consecutive days, either, the operation isn't flagged as a priority. "

" Maybe not for DOMA, but it doesn't feel good to have someone with Lady I'ari's power running free without confirming what she's up to.

Alright, next week sounds optimal, since then it won't interfere with Leif's schooling or bartending, but if you get a real juicy nibble, we could move out sooner . "

"Thanks. I'll let Deimos know, then do my afternoon workout. Anything else on your mind?"

" I missed you, " he said simply. " It's good to have you home where you belong ."

"That's real sweet of ya' to say, Roo. And I definitely missed you too. And Leif. Every time I saw something neat in the Glades, I kept turning around to point it out, but neither of you were there."

" Sounds like next time, the two of us will just have to go with you. In the fall, like you suggested. I think holiday tickets to the shifter convention go on sale in a few weeks, I'll make sure to snag a few and reserve a hotel ."

"I'll start counting down the days. Alright, I love you!"

" Love you too, puppy ."

Tucker hung up his phone, then went to give Deimos the good news and discuss upcoming operations.

After getting everything sorted with the bull man—and officially receiving three invitations to his promotion party—he went back to shut down his computer for the day and start an afternoon exercise session.

He was just heading upstairs when he saw Rickert Sumerset returning back from a day's mission

"Rickert, good to see you."

"Puppy bro! You're back!"

His gargoyle friend and gym partner bounded over, wrapping him in a tight hug.

Grinning, Tucker hugged him back, squeezing tightly just below his wings.

They had a brief tussle while they each tried to see who could squeeze harder, probably going a bit too far by tapping into their respective weredog and stoneform strengths, then eventually settled back down as they regained their lost breath.

"How was the aerial surveillance mission?" Tucker asked, helping to pick up a few knocked-over nameplates and office supplies.

"Dull and uneventful. Bro, were you planning to work out? I only need another ten minutes to finish my report before I can join you, if that's cool."

"Yeah, I'd like that!" Tucker checked his phone for any new messages from Leif and Rahul, then nodded. "I'll just get me some extra stretching in. See you in a bit."

In better spirits, Tucker gathered his belongings back up and took to the stairs.A workout partner was just the distraction he needed to avoid letting the nagging worries over Leif's new assignment consume him.