Ghost & Gambler (Keeley & Associates Book 5) by Layla Lawlor

Author:Layla Lawlor [Lawlor, Layla]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Icefall Press
Published: 2022-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

"Iron poisoning," Chaz said, letting Merit's limp hand fall back to the bier.

"We already know that," Wendy said impatiently. With all of them crowded into the vault, including most of Pennyroyal, the humans were forced to scramble for positions among Pennyroyal's hoard. Wendy was standing with one foot planted on the seat of an antique chair and her cane propping her up, while James discreetly tried not to slide down a pile of antique coins

Chaz glanced around at the onlookers. "May I examine the body?"

"That's what you're here for," Pennyroyal growled.

"I understand that some find this a little disturbing, that's all."

He bowed his head and extended his horn until it was the length of a rapier, and just as slender and sharp-looking. The tip dimpled the waxy flesh of Merit's throat and then pierced it. No blood flowed.

There were a few quiet moments. Tank coughed a little. James almost lost his balance on the money pile and caught himself on the horns of the taxidermied buffalo in a faint jingle of dislodged coins. Wendy glared at him.

Chaz opened his eyes, and the horn withdrew a foot or so. His eyes were pure silver in the first instant; then the black whorled in to fill the iris.

"A very particular drug," he said. "I've never encountered its like. Not just iron, but an iron cocktail precisely tailored for—I was going to say for fae, but it's more specific even than that. It was designed for Merit's exact body chemistry. I dare say it would have sickened another fae, perhaps quite badly, but it would only have killed Merit."

"That's pretty darn specific," Paulie said.

"I didn't even know that was possible," Wendy put in, reminding James unpleasantly that she, too, knew a little about poisons. "Magically formulated?"

"There's no magic in the casino," Pennyroyal growled.

Chaz drew a pocket square that matched his purple shirt and wiped the end of his horn fastidiously before collapsing it back into his forehead. "It wouldn't need to be made here. Just delivered here. May I assume, then, that he was poisoned in the casino?" His polite gaze swept the room.

"You know, the last person to have a drink with him before he died was you," Paulie said. "And you're also immune to poison, or so I hear."

"Not all poison," Chaz said, glancing down at his arm. "I realize you don't believe me, nor do I expect you to, but I don't know how to make poisons any more than the rest of you do. I detoxify them." He looked at the body, and there was something on his face that was, perhaps not sympathetic, but faintly pitying. "If you'd brought him to me while he lived, I could have cleared it from his system."

"Shame he was found dead, then," Wendy said.

"Indeed." Chaz neatly folded the pocket square and replaced it. "If we're quite done with the accusations and if you don't plan to kill me, may I leave now?"

Pennyroyal heaved a sulfurous sigh. "I regret that I don't have cause to bite you in half, unicorn.

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