I’ve been part of only a few sting operations, and I find myself wishing I’d had more undercover experience to slide into this headspace. IamCatriona. Iama housemaid. I was hired to serve Gray’s meals, and I’m damn lucky he’s letting me join their lunchtime conversation.
He doesn’t make me sit in the corner with my servant’s lunch either. I am given a seat at the table and expected to fully share in their more sumptuous meal. I don’t miss Alice’s shocked face when she pops her head in, and I hate to eventhinkwhat Mrs. Wallace will say.
As for the lunch conversation, while Gray might say his only interest in the case is forensic, that’s obviously not true. Nor does McCreadie treat him like a crime-scene tech. Lacking a detective partner, McCreadie bounces ideas and theories off his old friend.
I also get the impression Gray isn’t the only one who helps. When McCreadie walks in to lunch, his first question is “Where’s Isla?,” and when Gray says she is away, McCreadie can’t hide his disappointment.
The two men discuss the case. Isla has analyzed the water and believes it is from a tap. It’s definitely fresh water rather than salt, and the lack of foreign particles suggests it’s not from a body of standing water, like a puddle. They still aren’t sure what that means—my waterboarding hypothesis has obviously been dismissed.
Next McCreadie brings Gray up to speed on the day’s work. They’ve canvassed people living near the park where Evans was found. One person reported seeing a masked man in a black cape. Then there’s the guy who insists he saw a huge raven land and grow to human form.
“The young men Evans was living with still refuse to speak to me,” McCreadie says. “I am, apparently, the enemy.” He rolls his eyes. “It’s a household of young radicals, all convinced the police only exist to deprive them of their rights.”
“Kids these days,” I mutter, too low for them to make out the words, but McCreadie glances over at the sound of my voice. “You agree with them, Catriona?”
“I agree that some people have sound reasons to fear the police, not only those who engage in criminal activity, but those who have been unjustly persecuted in the past. There are bullies in any organization, but police do have the ability to ruin a life, and some do.”
“Perhaps, but to tarnish me with that brush is unwarranted.”
I shrug. “Uncomfortable more than unwarranted. They don’t know you, but you don’t know their situation and their experiences with the law. If they are radicals, those experiences have likely been negative. Police are the enemy of protesters becausetheyare often seen as enemybypolice.”
“It sounds as if you have some experience with this.”
“I have never been what you would call a radical. I know some who are, though. Getting them to speak to you is going to take time you can ill afford when you only wish to question them. I would suggest you send in someone they will speak to. Perhaps me.”
Gray frowns. “Why would they speak to you?” He pauses. “Ah, yes. You alluded to knowing radicals.”
McCreadie gives him a look. “They will speak to her because she’s a fetching young lady and they are a household of rowdy young men. That would be obvious to anyone but you, Duncan.”
“No,” Gray says coolly. “I did not mention it because it might suggest we expect her to employ her feminine charms.”
“I’m fine with flirting,” I say. “Help me come up with a cover story and tell me what you want to know.”