A Vigil in the Mourning (Soulbound #4) - Hailey Turner Page 0,50
guessing?”
“In certain eyes, yes. We believe the Dominion Sect may be targeting you.”
Westberg didn’t even blink. “Then I must be leading in the polls if they believe I’m a threat. Unlike that group, I’m for everyone to have a right to freely access their magic.”
Patrick didn’t comment on that. “Can you think of anyone who might have a grudge against you?”
Westberg laughed as he got to his feet. “Special Agent Collins, I’m running for mayor of Chicago. There will always be people who will hold a grudge against me.”
“Ones who work for you specifically?”
“I’m sorry, if you want any more information, you’ll need to speak to my lawyer.”
Patrick wasn’t surprised by that comeback. “We’re just having a friendly chat, Mr. Westberg.”
“Nothing that comes out of your agency is friendly.”
“If that’s how you feel, I’ll take your lawyer’s number.”
“DeLucca & Associates. Ask for Marcello.”
Before Patrick could respond, the office door opened and a statuesque woman wearing a fur coat came inside. She blinked large blue eyes at them, her light brown hair swept back in a loose chignon. Her face lacked wrinkles and expression lines, probably from an overabundance of Botox. The square-cut emerald ring on her left hand was large enough it almost reached her second knuckle. Patrick’s magic remained quiet at her arrival, no recognition searing through his soul.
“Darling, we’ll be late for our reservations,” the woman said.
“Of course, Phoebe.” Westberg smiled politely at Patrick as he came around the desk, invading his personal space. “I hope that will be all, Special Agent Collins?”
Patrick tilted his head back to look the other man in the eye. “Aksel Sigfodr says hello.”
The only sign of Westberg’s discomfort was the faintest tightening of his jaw. Patrick only saw it because he was looking. “Did he? And how is Mr. Sigfodr?”
“Happy you’ve paid his tithes. I’m sure your fundraiser dinner this weekend will do well.”
Patrick didn’t wait for a response, merely turned on his feet and left the office. Phoebe looked down her nose at him as he left, ever the loyal politician’s wife in the face of a threat to her husband. Patrick walked through the campaign work room, waving at Kelly and Benjamin, who were still engaged in a war of words with Kristen. The pair peeled away from her, the campaign manager seemingly glad to be rid of them.
“That was quick,” Kelly said in a low voice as they waited for the elevator.
“He lawyered up,” Patrick said.
“We could’ve told you that instead of wasting a trip down here and tipping our hand more than strictly necessary that he’s being targeted. Politicians of any party never like the optics of a federal visit.”
Patrick didn’t say anything to that accusation. The three of them rode the elevator back down to the lobby in silence. Kelly and Benjamin headed for their unmarked car without a goodbye. Patrick headed for his SUV, ducking his head against the wind. The air was sharp and cold when he breathed, burning the inside of his nose with every breath. The weather had been strange ever since his lunch meeting with Odin, and Patrick didn’t know what to make of that.
Unlike New York City, Chicago didn’t have a nexus buried far beneath the city’s foundation. The closest one was found beneath the waters of Lake Michigan, a possible contributing factor to all the legends about the monsters that dwelled within the fresh water.
Most people forgot that the lake was the monster. Sometimes nature was stranger and more terrifying than any story humans could tell.
Patrick drove away from the campaign headquarters. He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel before pulling out his phone and calling Jono. He hadn’t set the rental for hands-free, and so kept the phone pressed to his ear while keeping both eyes on the road.
“Hey,” Jono said through a yawn when he picked up.
“Hey,” Patrick replied. “Did I wake you?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“I can let you go back to sleep.”
“I like listening to your voice more. What’s going on?”
“Still working the case. Hitting some dead ends, but the place I’m going to tonight might give me more information.”
“Yeah? That’s good, innit?”
“Maybe.” Patrick sighed tiredly. “How’s everything in New York?”
“You know, the usual.”
“I tried calling you last night, but you never picked up. Busy night at the bar?”
Jono yawned again, the sound crackling through the speaker. “It was late when I finally saw your missed calls. I didn’t want to wake you, so I never rang back.”
“I wouldn’t have minded if you had. Have I mentioned lately