Page 79 of The Tracker's Secret

“There’s something else.”

“Lay it on me.”

“It’s about rhabo.”

Tom made a sound in the back of his throat. “What doyouknow about that?”

“Do you know who Damien Ward is?”

Rosalina met my gaze across the desk, then lowered her eyes with regret. It was obvious she genuinely liked the mage, and she was brokenhearted to have to do this.

“Isn’t he that extravagant Copper Mage?”

“That’s the one.”

“What about him?”

Are you sure about this?I mouthed at Rosalina. She nodded, though not without looking sick to her stomach.

“Rosalina went on a few dates with him,” I said. “She was at his house last night and found a huge stash of rhabo. It was packaged in these small bags with a bleeding heart symbol stamped on them. She took one of them. I’m sending you a picture now.” I quickly clicked through my photos and sent the image to Tom’s email address. “You should get it in a few seconds.”

“Let me pull it up.” I heard a few keyboard taps and mouse clicks. “I got it. It’s just what we’ve been seeing on the streets. And you say that mage had a stash in his place?”

“Yes. Hundreds, if not thousands of them.”

“Thanks for the tip.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Get a warrant and go check it out. Everyone agrees rhabo had to be created by a mage. Damien Ward would fit the profile perfectly.”

“Would we... have to be involved if he gets arrested?” The last thing Rosalina and I needed was a mage for an enemy.

“Don’t worry, I’ll put it down as an anonymous tip.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Tom.”

“No worries. Stay safe.”

“You, too.”

I set the phone down. “It’s done.”

“Why did he have to be a drug lord?” Rosalina said, crossing her arms and sinking deeper into her chair.

“I’m sorry. It really sucks. I can tell you like him.”

“Oh, well. Maybe I’ll take you up on your offer to find me a mate.”

“Really?!” I sat straighter, getting excited at the prospect.

She shook her head. “No, not really.”

I deflated. “That’s mean. Why would you tease me like that?”

“Call it payback for all the worry I went through last night.”

“Meanie.” I stuck my tongue out at her. “I just want you to be happy.”