Dirty Work by Devon Monk

Author:Devon Monk
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781939853400
Publisher: Odd House Press

CHAPTER 9

Nola, Allie’s best friend, was a smart woman. She knew something was going on. She knew it was probably trouble. But she didn’t ask for details.

And that is because she is also a reasonable woman.

She bundled a very sleepy Ramona into her car and promised Allie and Zay they could pick her up after breakfast. There was a bargaining moment that involved coffee and donuts, then she was gone, Ramona asleep before they were out of the drive.

Stone, sitting next to Allie, whined as the car drove away.

“She’s going to be okay,” Allie said. “Nola’s going to look after her. You’ll get to see her soon.”

Stone’s ears lifted, then pivoted back and forward again. He grumbled, but leaned so she could rub behind his ears.

“It’s a storage unit?” Cody asked, again.

“Looks like it,” Terric replied. “Rent by the month. Which means either the painting is there, or someone is using that address because they didn’t want their location known.”

“Can’t live in a storage unit,” I noted. “Not legally. And anyone who can afford to buy one of your paintings, can afford indoor plumbing.”

“All sorts of people buy art,” Cody said.

“Two cars?” Zay asked.

“Let’s take one,” Allie said. “I’ll drive.”

“Shot—”

“Nope,” Zay said to me. “You’re sitting in the back with the gargoyle.”

“Fine,” I said. “Stone’s better company, anyway. C’mon, Stoney.”

We piled into Zay’s SUV, Allie and Zay up front, Terric and Cody in the center seats, and me and the glowing beast in the back.

The address was south, near Milwaukie, but something about this whole thing wasn’t sitting right with me.

“Why herbs?” I asked, leaning up into Cody and Terric’s space.

“For the pigments?” Cody said. “I told you already.”

“Why only these paintings?”

“I like to experiment.” His eyes cut to the side, and the tilt of his lips said he was biting the inside of his mouth.

There was more he wanted to say, but he was trying to stay silent.

“Miller, if you are leading us into a trap...” I started.

“How can you even say something like that? I’m on your side. You know I’ve always been on your side.”

“Always? Really, mate?”

“Shame,” Terric warned, the lack of sleep finally showing in his tone. “Stop trying to make trouble out of nothing.”

I sat back, shut my mouth, and tried to stick my thumb on what felt wrong.

It wasn’t that Zay and Allie knew about our magical secrets. That was bound to happen eventually.

But there was something off about all this.

What were the chances we’d find the painting still burning tonight when we never had seen one when closing hot spots before?

What were the chances Stone would “happen” to have stowed away, so he could eat the painting?

What were the chances Cody Miller had suddenly realized his paintings were causing the hot spots and shown up at my house?

Nothing, nil, and nada.

Someone was playing us.

I knew it wasn’t Zayvion or Allie. Pretty sure it wasn’t Terric, since the last thing either he or I wanted was to loop them in on this stuff.

Which left Cody.

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