Page 52 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

“Knowing that you see ghosts was one thing, but all the rest of it? The things Sam can do, what happened to Viv? Witchcraft?” He shakes his head. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep you safe and it’s scaring me, Tris. Losing you absolutely terrifies me.”

“Danny,” I say softly. “Do you think it isn’t the same for me? I can’t imagine my life without you. I don’t want to.”

“My future used to be so clear. Working at the Yard, partnering with Maddie. Maybe even making it to DCI myself one day, or even higher. But it’s like a pair of sweatpants that have gone through the dryer. The fit’s not right, it all feels tight and uncomfortable. I feel like I don’t belong there anymore.”

“Danny, sometimes it’s okay to move on and choose a different career path if the one you’re on is no longer right for you.”

“I don’t even know what I’d do.” He lifts his hand and rubs his face in defeat. “I’m a police officer, that’s all I’ve ever been.”

“Hey.” I catch his hand and pull it away from his face. “You don’t have to have all the answers right now. We’ll figure it out.” I lean in and kiss him. “Together.”

He goes quiet again and I wait, knowing he’s still processing.

“What if something happens to you, Tris? I don’t know what’s coming. What if I can’t protect you?”

“We’ll keep each other safe,” I whisper, stroking his skin. “It’s you and me Danny.” I smile even though he probably can’t see it. “You and me against the world.”

12

“Dusty!” I stand in the middle of my living room feeling slightly stupid as I yell. Hopefully, I’m loud enough that she can hear me on whatever metaphysical plane she’s on, but not so loud that I’m pissing off the neighbours in the other flats.

“DUSTY!”

“What are you doing?” Danny asks as he walks into the living room, pulling a navy sweater over his head.

“Trying to summon Dusty.”

He grins. “Doesn’t that require a pentagram made of glitter, a disco ball, and a pair of sacrificial platform stilettos?”

“If only it were that easy.” I sigh. “Usually I don’t have to summon her at all. She just shows up.”

“Then I’m sure she will, sooner or later. Do you need her for something urgent?”

“No. I’ve just got a weird feeling.” I frown. “I’m at about a two on the Everett Scale right now, but that could change.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, nothing exactly,” I reply. “It’s just that she disappeared from the mortuary yesterday to follow Byrnes and I haven’t seen her since. If you had a run-in with Byrnes not long after I called you, then he must’ve headed straight back toScotland Yard. If Dusty had been following him like she said she was, she would’ve seen what went down between you two, and trust me, she’d have been straight around here to give me all the dirty details.”

“True,” Danny murmurs. “Unfortunately, I can’t tell you if she was there or not.”

“It’s not like her.” I frown again. “I don’t even know if she ended up really following Byrnes. What if something else happened to her? I mean, there’s a maniac on the loose who’s dropping dark magic left, right, and centre. You saw what happened to Viv. I’m just worried.”

“Have you tried Bruce?”

“That was my next port of call.”

Usually, if Dusty isn’t attached to me or being recalled to Heaven by the suits, it’s a given that you’ll find her with her deceased boyfriend or hanging out at the bookshop with the other ghosts.

“You’re not going on your own, are you?” Danny asks in concern. “I can call Sam and?—”

“No, it’s fine,” I soothe him. “You and Sam go and chase down whatever lead it is you’re following. I’ll call Harrison. I’m sure he’ll keep me company. We can also go through some more of Viv’s stuff and see if we can find anything useful.”

“Okay.” He nods. “The file Maddie gave me is on the side. It’s got copies of the symbols in it. Can you pass them on to Harrison for me? I’d email him, but I don’t want a digital trail. I’m in enough trouble at work without them finding out that I’ve shared crime scene photos with unauthorised personnel, especially crime scene photos I’m not supposed to have in the first place.”

“I’ll take care of it.” I reach up and kiss him. “I’ll see you later.”

“Be careful,” Danny says as he slides his arms into his jacket.