The Pawn of the Phoenix (The Memory Collector Series Book 2) by Jamie McLachlan Page A

“We can’t have everyone knowing there’s an empath involved. It’s the seventh today and, so far, there hasn’t been a murder.” He finally looks up at us, his expression wary. “I think it’s safe to say the Phoenix has changed the rules of the game.”
    The Chief straightens in his seat. “There’s something else. A blocker has just finished interrogating Daniel, and he’s not the one who used persuasion on Andrew.”
    “I was afraid of that,” says Keenan.
    I lift my head in determination. “I still think Jonathan is involved.”
    The detective’s gaze falls on me and there’s a challenge in his eyes. “And did your visit provide any useful information to that theory?”
    “What visit?” interjects the Chief, bewildered.
    Now both men are staring at me expectantly. “Mr. Hayes invited me over for drinks a few days ago. I had planned to see if I could acquire any information about Jonathan, but I was unaware the blocker has his own residence near Mr. Hayes. So he wasn’t there when I had visited.”
    The Chief glances between me and the detective, his curiosity piqued. He’s wondering if my visit included other activities other than drinking and why the detective is regarding me with such an intense gaze. Then he starts to wonder if the detective and I have become physical. The idea seems to make him uncomfortable, and he quickly clears his throat and adjusts his weight on the chair.
    “I see,” he says finally. “Well, I don’t know if I like the idea of you going out on your own, Moira. And no it’s not because I believe you’ll try to escape—though, to be honest, that thought has crossed my mind. I just don’t want you in any danger. We wouldn’t want another Bradford situation.”
    “I promise to be careful from now on.”
    “Good, now get out of here and solve the damn case.”
    The Chief shoos us out of his office, though he’s secretly amused. When we exit, Keenan informs me he first has to grab something from his office before we leave, so I decide to take the opportunity to speak with Constable Jamieson. I feel bad for not speaking with him and his fiancée again after I had spoken with Josephine at Mr. Harrison’s private event, especially since they had been polite.
    Rick smiles when he sees me approach, informing me that he doesn’t harbour any resentment toward me. “You made quite the impression on Christine. She’s been talking about you ever since.”
    “Really?” I say, slightly surprised. “Well, I liked her as well. She seems sweet and caring. The two of you make quite the match.”
    He fidgets with the papers before him, suddenly nervous. “I hope you don’t mind I told her you were Mr. Edwards’s blocker.”
    I sit on the edge of his desk, my lips curving up in mirth. “Not at all, but I was wondering why. I mean most people just assume I’m his concubine, not his blocker.” I lean forward and give him a secretive wink. “It’s more believable, you see.”
    He shrugs, his cheeks reddening. “It just didn’t seem right to say that.”
    I sigh. “I suppose you’re right.”
    Rick stops fidgeting, and his face widens into an inviting grin. “She wants you two to come over for tea sometime. Do you think you can convince the detective?”
    “That sounds lovely. But as for the detective, I don’t possess that amount of persuasion over him. So, unfortunately, you’re on your own. But the good news is, he seems to like you two, which means he most likely won’t avoid you like he does with the Chief’s wife.”
    Rick laughs. “I’m not surprised. She practically shoves every young, single woman on him every chance she gets.”
    “Someone needs to inform her that Keenan is more than capable of doing that on his own. Besides, I may not have known him long, but it seems to me the detective isn’t exactly eager to settle down, get married, and have children.”
    Rick’s face twists into a thoughtful expression before he shrugs. “Some people just