Fae and Felonies - Chapter 4

This will be the last chapter before Fae and Felonies are officially released next week.

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Kirsten threw Mom’s car into gear back out of the parking space as soon as Kaley slammed the passenger door shut. “What’s the rush?” she said as she buckled the seatbelt.

“Got some errands to run.” Kirsten glanced at her sister as she cruised across the lot to the exit. “You want me to drop you at home first?”

“I thought we were picking up parts for the ’69.”

Kirsten could hear the suspicion in Kaley’s voice. She checked traffic both ways before she turned onto State Route 39 and headed into town.

“And I know the auto parts shop isn’t your favorite place.” Kirsten hesitated a second before she added, “I was a jerk last night. I’ll help you with trig when I get back.”

“You’re going to the sheriff’s office, aren’t you?” Kaley accused. “Are you trying to get Julia to run a background check on River?”

“Since when are you on a first name basis with a fairy?” Kirsten checked her speed and eased up on the gas pedal. A speeding ticket wouldn’t make a good impression on her future employers.

“That’s racist, and you know it,” Kaley spat.

“Oh, Goddess.” Kirsten groaned. “Another stray?”

“You know the saying about flies and honey.” Kaley’s phone buzzed. She pulled it from her bag and checked the screen.

“I’m not the one who texted Jo first thing this morning about the fae,” Kirsten grumbled. “Half-fae,” Kaley murmured as her thumbs danced across the glass of her phone.

“So that’s how he was able to cross the county line.” Kirsten tightened her grip on the steering wheel. It figured the Unseelie would find a loophole in the accords to slip an agent of theirs into Holmes County.

Kaley looked up from her phone. “Mom wants us both home.”

Kirsten flipped the turn signal and tapped the brakes to turn into the sheriff’s department parking lot. “Tell her we’re on our way.”

“I’m not lying for you,” Kaley snapped.

“You want that help with trig?” Kirsten parked the car and turned to her sister.

“I’m already grounded.” Kaley scowled at her.

“So you can blame this on me.” Kirsten yanked the car door latch. “Wait here.”

But Kaley was already scrambling out of the car. “Oh, no, you don’t. I’m coming with you.”

“Why?” Kirsten watched her sister across the top of Mom’s sedan.

“Because in the U.S., you’re innocent until proven guilty.” Kaley slammed the door. “And you’re being a racist dick. Someone’s got to defend River.”

For some reason, her accusations sliced deep into Kirsten’s soul. Was she treating River exactly like the Normals treated her ancestors? Burn them at the stake first and not even bother asking any questions?

“All right.” She shrugged as they headed for the front door. “You can make sure we’re doing this by the book.”

Deputy Russ Collins sat at the duty desk. His freckled face lit up when they entered. “Well, if it isn’t the Trouble Twins! What you two doing here?”

Kirsten leaned on the counter. “Is the sheriff or Deputy Wolford here?”

“Sheriff just left on a call, but Julia’s here.” Russ held up his right index finger before he pressed a button on the huge phone set. “Deputy Wolford, you have visitors.” The PA echoed through the building.

The phone set buzzed and a red light blinked. Russ picked up the handset. “Front desk.” After a second, he winked. “Kirsten Wilson and her sister Kaley.” He hung up. “Go on back, ladies. You know the way Kirsten.” He pressed another button and the steel door to the offices buzzed and clicked.

“Thanks, Russ.” She waved, crossed the few steps to the door, and yanked it open. Kaley followed her into the back offices.

Kirsten stopped before the correct door and knocked.

A muffled “Come in” filtered from behind the wooden door. She turned the latch.

Julia Wolford sat at her desk. She paused typing on her keyboard and smiled. “Hey, girls! What’s up?”

Kirsten shot a look at her sister before she said, “Is the joint supernatural taskforce aware a half-fae moved into Holmes County?”

Julia leaned back and folded her arms over her chest. “No.” She cocked her head. “What about the accords? I thought fae were prohibited from coming here.”

“The accords only apply to members of the Courts,” Kirsten said.

Julia’s lower jaw twitched. “So, only folks who are full-blooded fae.”

“Yes.” Kirsten nodded.

The deputy stared at the pile of paperwork on her desk a moment before she looked up again. “Could he be lying about being part-fae?”

“No.” Kaley shook her head vigorously. “The word of a fae is like a Blood Seal for us witches. It’s a magickal guarantee. They will literally be destroyed if they break their word.” “It doesn’t mean he’s not up to something,” Kirsten said.

“His mom’s a Normal,” Kaley bit back.

“A U.S. citizen?” Julia’s attention flicked between Kirsten and Kaley.“I don’t know,” Kirsten said at the same time Kaley said, “Yes.”

Kirsten stared at her sister. “How would you know?”

“His mom was born and grew up here in Holmes County.” Kaley scowled. “I actually talked to him instead of accusing him of shit like you and Donny did.”

Kirsten tossed her hands up. “You’re the one who raised the alarm this morning!”

“Maybe I was wrong.” Kaley’s fists clenched. “His mom took a promotion back here because his grandmother isn’t well.”

Kirsten inhaled deeply and tried to relax the muscles in her own shoulders. “Maybe you’re right and he’s telling you the truth. Or maybe he’s here for another reason.”

“Let me guess.” An amused expression crossed Julia’s face. “You want me to do a background check on them.”

Kirsten nodded. “Maybe find out who his dad is? Can we find out who his mom works for, too?”

“We can try on the father, but Ohio law won’t let a woman put just any random guy’s name on the certificate.” Julia shrugged. “And you’re assuming she knew his real name and face. If he wore a glamour…”

Kirsten hated to admit it, but the deputy was right. “The name he gave the school was River Martin.”

Julia paused in writing down the name. “Wait. Any relation to Cissy Martin? She’s the owner of The Hair and Now. Had a heart attack at the end of summer.”

Kirsten turned to Kaley. “Well?”

She raised her hands. “Hey! I just talked to the guy. I didn’t take a complete family history.”

Kirsten shoved her irritation down with a lot of effort. Her sister could be so frickin’ obtuse at times. “You just said his mom took the position here partly because of his grandmother.”

“But I don’t know for sure if it’s Cissy Martin.” Kaley waved her hands. Her frustration slammed into Kirsten’s psyche. Kirsten inhaled deeply to calm herself. They were feeding off each other’s emotions again. A problem at times while they were growing up. A comfort at others. But with puberty came distance as they each tried to deal with adulthood and the weird mix of emotions that came with the hormonal changes. Understanding the reasons didn’t make the emotions any easier to deal with.

She turn back to Julia. “Can you see what you can find out? We’ll talk with Mom and Jo about the situation tonight, and I’ll call you with an update tomorrow.”

The deputy smiled. “Sounds like a plan, but don’t you two or your mom and aunt do anything in the meantime. Last thing, you guys need is a harassment complaint by the Martins.”

Kirsten and Kaley both nodded.

Once they left the building and were settled in Mom’s sedan, Kaley glared at Kirsten. “What the hell is wrong with you? You’ve bitched about Donny all these years, and now River?”

“You call me racist again, and I’ll hex you with acne so bad you won’t be able to show your face until next year.”

“Then stop acting like one,” Kaley snapped back.

Kirsten jabbed the button to start the car. She wasn’t racist. Was she?

With Donny, it was complicated. He teased her unmercifully when they were little. Nor did she like the way he followed Kaley like a puppy. And Kaley led the poor guy on. It wasn’t right.

But this River Martin? Her witchy sense was tingling. There was something more going on than a promotion and an elderly relative needing help. And darn it, she was going to find out what.