Chapter 4

Sylvia may or may not have had a migraine on the spot because she wasn't responding to my questions at all for a moment. When she finally came back to the real world, she asked, "Do you like Dirk? As a boss, of course. I'm not implying any romantic relationships."

I laughed, "I'm only interested in women, don't worry." Then, answering her question, "The two of you seem to remember each other when you were younger. Rewolf fears him too because of the way he ran the academy then."

Sylvia nodded, "Right."

"He's different now. He's strict, but fair. Also very dependable. He worked with me once and it was the smoothest operation I've had since my employment."

"What was the operation?" Sylvia asked. I mimicked zipping my mouth. She got the message. She asked, "Are you sure it isn't because his assassins did all the work for him?"

"They did the fighting. Dirk conducted the surveillance with me."

"You guys got into trouble?"

"Not exactly. A third-party was going to intervene, but the Gold Cats neutralized them and reported the unknown to him. We continued our operation until it was done."

"Okay, but that's on the field. What about as a boss?"

"Great. Because he has eyes and ears everywhere, I can arrive at crime scenes quickly. He also gives me a lot of freedom to do my job. Which is why I'm talking to you now"

Sylvia gave me that long stare again. "So you're a fixer, essentially."

"No," I said, "I'm not allowed to silence anyone. He just needs someone to poke around local crime and gather information for his Silver and Gold Cats. Once they have enough evidence to operate, then they move. Of course, if I need to defend myself, I can."

Sylvia turned away, her hand on her chin, "I see."

"Is that what you do at the Benetnasch?"

"No. Far from it. You know, after that whole scandal with me being employed, I don't see much of anything, honestly." She shrugged, "I literally get paid to do nothing because W&W refuse to let me go and they won't give me anything to do."

"You don't like it?"

"I can't be an idol forever and I want a career when that happens," Sylvia said. "I've always fancied being a private eye."

I could see it happening. Considering Sylvia had no formal training and wasn't given any work at the Benetnasch, she would make a great detective for the Grimalkin. The past twenty-four hours proved that.

"If not a PI, then maybe an engineer," she said with a smile, "but math isn't my strong suit. I never had a grasp on limits or derivatives or integrals."

She shuddered, shaking away the thoughts. Sylvia said, "Don't get me wrong, I love the work that comes with being an idol. Just . . . not the lifestyle."

I wasn't sure what to say or do. I just nodded and listened. "The best part is my Strega ability uses my singing to empower me. It's hitting two birds with one stone. I publish singles-or albums-and also create new ways to improve my physical abilities."

She poked at her salad which she hadn't eaten, "I just wish people would stop treating me like glass. I like honest people like you. Heck, Dirk was more tolerable than some people I work with."

"What about your fans?"

"I won't talk badly about them. They're my fans. They love the idol, just . . ." she shrugged, "just not the girl behind the idol, I guess. I love vegetables and fruits. Meat, not so much. But my fans don't understand that it's because I care about animals. They think it's because 'Sylvia Lyyneheym is an idol who must watch her diet.'"

She said that last part in a goofy voice to mock the explanation. Then, "Or if I am seen with a specific brand, it's because I'm sponsored. Not because I like the quality of Greta's Handbags. It makes my private life difficult."

Sylvia rolled her eyes, "Oh don't get me started on paparazzi either. My fans are amazing. Stalkers, paparazzi, or obsessed weirdos are not. It was so much worse before I graduated. I had to bring a group to court because they actually managed to get an upskirt photo of me and were going to publish it on the internet."

She shut her eyes before opening them again, "I'm comfortable with selfies, fan signing, and stuff like that. But you would not believe how many disgusting and vile people there are."

Sylvia realized she had derailed the conversation and looked embarrassed, "I'm so sorry. I don't know what's gotten over me. I shouldn't be talking about this at all."

"That's fine," I said. "We all have our own struggles."

Sylvia placed a hand on my thigh, "Thanks for understanding. It means a lot."

Something about her touch excited me, but I quickly got my hormones under control and smiled, putting my hand on hers. "Glad to help."

Sylvia smiled, her eyes looking deep into mine. Our gaze lingered for a moment too long, but Sylvia managed to break the gaze. She looked at the table and grabbed everything I gave her, stuffing it into her purse. Sylvia cleared her throat, "So! Shall we question Craig?"

"You want public transportation or you want me to drive?"

"You can drive?"

"Is that a surprise?"

"Not really," Sylvia smiled. "You don't have a whole PR and security team stopping you from getting a license."

"This is a nice car," she said, feeling the seat and the interior of the car before getting comfortable. "How long have you owned this?"

"After I was employed by the Grimalkin," I said. "Basically said, 'Pick a car not too expensive and it's yours.'"

"Wow," she said, "wish the Benetnasch would do that."

"Not too late to join the Grimalkin. They'd love to have you onboard."

Sylvia grinned, "I'm considering it. Tell me when Dirk isn't the director and I'll hand in my resignation to the Benetnasch."

We drove down the streets of Asterisk, guided by the voice of the GPS, until we arrived at a plain, white multi-story facility.

We were greeted by security and I said, "I'm here on behalf of the Grimalkin. I want to speak with Craig."

The guard behind the desk spoke into a radio and said, "Captain Jackson and Detective Masamune will be with you shortly. First, ID?"

I handed mine to him and he entered something onto his computer before giving me a "Visitor" tag. He said, "Sign in and walk through."

He nodded to Sylvia, "May I have the lady's identification?"

I looked at her to see if she needed my intervention. I was ready if she did. She reached into her purse and pulled out an ID and handed it over. He followed the same procedure then said, "Purse on the tray and walk through."

She followed his instructions and he passed the purse through the metal detector. The guard studied the monitor for a moment before pulling out the tray with Sylvia's purse. "Wait here."

We waited. Despite the air-conditioning, Sylvia didn't seem cold at all. She had her hands at her side, seemingly more patient than I am.

The detective eventually came out alone. He said, "You two."

"Us," Sylvia said, not trying to hide her contempt for the detective.

"I know he's working with the Grimalkin to assist with our investigation of the murder," Detective Masamune said. "I didn't hear about the Benetnasch sending anyone. Don't you girls focus on financial crime? Why do they care about some Dante with his throat split open in some back alley?"

"She's helping me," I said. "Joint operation between Benetnasch and Grimalkin."

"I don't believe that. That pompous group doesn't bend over for anyone," the detective said, narrowing his eyes. We didn't respond. The detective looked at me. "Unless she bent over ass-first for you last night. Did she kneel down to present her mouth instead? How'd she convince you to let her work with you?"

"Shut up," I said.

Not even my intrusive thoughts projected the images in my mind. It wasn't the time for that and the detective was becoming annoying. He clearly didn't want to be part of the investigation. Masamune said, "I always heard that Queenvale girls get real freaky for the Rewolf boys. More than any academy. Don't blame them. Who doesn't like bad boys?"

Neither Sylvia didn't entertained him while he chuckled. I said, "How about you get your ass moving to the interrogation room before I present my boot to your ass?"

He read the room then said, "They weren't kidding when they said Rewolf has no humor now. I liked Rewolf when their kids committed crimes. They at least knew when to lighten up."

He turned around, "Follow me."

Sylvia rolled her eyes in disgust behind his back. I somehow read her mind which said, I want to crack his skull open with my purse.

Okay, I think any woman would be thinking that after listening to the detective's comments, not just Sylvia. Sylvia continued imagining how she would paint the walls with Masamune's blood while I walked beside her saying nothing.

We were led to the room behind a one-way mirror. The captain from yesterday, I assume Captain Jackson, nodded a greeting. I nodded back. Masamune said, "You're not interrogating the suspect. I will."

He saw the expression on my face because he said, "You're here because you're here as a courtesy. If you want to help with the investigation, stay out of the way and you work for us."

He whistled and gestured. A buzz sounded and Masamune walked through the door. He sat down across from Craig and took his time dusting himself off and getting comfortable.

Jackson walked up to Sylvia, "Sylvia, right?"

"I am."

"Would it bother you for me to get a selfie with you and an autograph? My daughter is a big fan of yours."

Sylvia relaxed and she smiled. I wasn't sure if this was Sylvia's idol persona, but I did remember that she didn't hate her fans. I watched Jackson snag a couple pictures and Sylvia signed a plastic card with a permanent marker.

"Thank you," Jackson said, putting the card in his wallet before putting everything away. "I hope Masamune didn't say anything out of pocket."

Sylvia grunted. Jackson said, "I won't excuse his behavior. He's never been friendly with Genestella. I was hoping for a different detective, but he's the only one available at the time. Now he refuses to pass the case to someone else."

Probably so he can botch the case and let the killer go, I thought. I knew Sylvia was thinking the same thing.

Finally, I heard Masamune speak, "So, why don't we start from the top? Yesterday, what did you do?"

"You want me to start from the beginning of my day?"

"Sure," Masamune said, "we'd love to know everything you did yesterday."

Craig was quiet. I looked at Sylvia and she was focused on the man, looking like she was trying to peer into his soul. "Well, I woke up and went to school. Summer school, you know? To make up for failed classes."

"Uh-huh," Masamune said, "so how long did you stay there?"

"Until lunch, then I just went to my dorm and chilled out."

"So you didn't do anything at all after your class ended?"

"It's summer, what'd you expect me to do? Run around and sweat my ass off like those idiots I see on campus?"

"That doesn't answer my question," Masamune said.

"Ah fuck yourself. I didn't do shit until I went out to drink with my buddies at the Redevelopment District."

"Ah," Masamune said sagely while ignoring the last statement, "when was this?"

Craig shook his head, "I dunno . . . maybe like seven?"

"When would you say you got home?"

"Dunno, one?" Craig was beginning to be worried. I would too.

Masamune smirked at us through the mirror, completely ignoring Craig, which clearly bothered the man. "The fuck you smiling about?"

"Well, we went to Rewolf, spoke to security, and even went to the Redevelopment District to verify your alibi."

"What?"

"You started talking when we arrested you in the morning before we put you in a room. You told us you were drinking at the Entertainment District and got home at one."

Masamune said, "Well, turns out you lied the first time. Dunno why'd you lie to us-"

"You pigs broke into my room screaming and everything, man," Craig whined.

"-and CCTV around Rewolf recorded you coming home at three this morning. Not one."

Masamune said, "By the way, the Redevelopment District is within walking distance of the body. You lied about the Entertainment District so it wouldn't put you in the area of the murder."

Craig was speechless. Masamune leaned back in his chair, grinning at us through the mirror, as he waited for a response.