Chapter 17 — Wizarding Cred

I stumbled down the steps to a few locals who were looking for whatever the commotion had been. As far as I was aware I was the only one living in one of the storefronts on the main road. “Call the police!” I stammered, stumbling out to the nearest person who obligingly pulled out his cell phone.

“We were attacked,” Lana said, adding to the cover up as she stepped down the stairs.

In minutes two patrol cars pulled up. We were grateful to find out they were different from the officers before. Lana and I were separated, and our stories taken. Others collaborated the loud bang that might have been a gunshot. A few officers were sent out to search for any evidence as the assailants had entered the back of the store and ran out in the same direction. I knew firsthand it was hard to see anything in that alley and there were no cameras. The officers were surprised we’d bandaged ourselves up before calling for help, but I told them we’d been concerned about how serious my wounds were and had the supplies on hand.

An EMT arrived who wanted to address our wounds further. I had to decline several times and tell them I got beat up as badly at my local gym up the road. I played up being upset I’d lost to whoever the assailants had been and that my trainer, Rex, would have been ashamed of me.

The EMT and police bought our stories. None realized or connected that I was loosely a suspect for murder, but I knew eventually that information would materialize and place more scrutiny on everything I said tonight. Unfortunately, as the evening progressed things went from bad to worse.

Officer Vance arrived back on scene. His Rookie helpfully folded in with the rest of the force, but Darron Vance went straight to me like a dog on the scent.

“What did you do?” He growled, his jowls shaking as a little spittle appeared on his lips.

“Nothing. Didn’t you hear, I got attacked?”

“We were just here—something else must have happened.”

“Yeah, I got attacked. Fat lot of help you were, couldn’t even scare away burglars properly.”

Vance clenched a fist, eyes boring into mine. I knew he wasn’t the type of man who took someone standing up to his authority well. He was probably on a power trip most of the time and I was one of the infuriating blades of grass that wouldn’t bend down before him. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

“You’re going to hang for this—and for the murders.” Vance whispered, his eyes darting around the shop looking for any clue that might feed his version of events.

“Are you threatening me?” I asked loudly enough to draw the attention of other officers, officer Lansing included. “Just because you were trying to coerce me into an unlawful search earlier doesn’t mean I can’t be attacked on the same night. Now you’re threatening me with hanging!” I said the last with a measure of distress, looking at the others for help.

“Cal, I’m gonna…” Officer Vance started before realizing what I’d done. He swore, spit on the floor of my store and walked away, fists squeezing tight and relaxing in a furious back and forth.

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Just to be exceptionally annoying I called out, “Hey, I pay your salary!”

Lana came over and nudged my side with an elbow, “You're being kind of a jerk.”

“I know,” I said. “But only to those who truly deserve it. I’m like the distributor of karma. You saw what he thought about women earlier. You can’t tell me he’s a good cop?”

“Someone’s got to do the work they do. I’m sure he’s seen some terrible things.”

I grunted. I knew in a small way he was like me. He was trying to make the world a better place. At least if I was very generous with what I thought about his internal motivations.

“Fine. I’ll try to play nice.”

When we were assured, we were no longer needed and the officers had photographed everything they needed from the scene, things started to wind down. I closed the door and we both took a deep breath as I locked it. I turned resting my back against the chill glass. Lying and keeping up a front was more taxing than it looked.

“Look. I’m sorry about everything. “I said, “You got injured, hurt, and had to lie to the police because you simply met me. I wish we could rewind this day and start over.” Except for us meeting, or the smile I saw she had after the fight, or being able to confide in someone. I found those parts of the day more than agreeable.

“You just want to go back and try to win our fight at Rex’s.”

“Well yeah, of course. Getting beat by a girl makes me feel all emasculated,” I said in a winy voice.

“Weren’t you mad at Officer Vance for doing that same thing earlier—and you better not have held back at practice?” Lana said, a dangerous gleam of something threatening in her eyes.

“True, and no. You beat me fair and square, though I normally don’t rely on only my vast fighting skills.”

She chortled, then looked at my place, “I’m sorry about your store—And despite everything, the past few hours have been the best I’ve had in years.”

“Really?” I said, turning to face her. Her eyes were downcast for a moment, but she had a small grin. She seemed lighter, like a weight had been lifted which had been present when we met at Rex’s.

“Yeah, being terrified and attacked can pull you out of your own despair and thoughts. Also, the world is a lot bigger than me and my problems. Knowing that helps.”

“So, attacked, afraid, and learning about a terrifyingly bigger world… and that’s the best day you’ve had in years?”

“Yeah,” she said with a sad grin. “Why else train hard if you’re not going to get to use it every now and then?”

“Health, definitely health and… confidence maybe?” I said, voice growing unsure as I thought about it. “That’s why you should train.” But I understood, my training had always been for a purpose. As bad as these pixies had been, they were small fish in the world of the supernatural. I always knew training mattered, that I would need my powers and skills in order to survive. My life would depend on them. Even with that knowledge, it’d been easy to skip training at Rex’s, or to go eat out, or do something else in the evenings rather than training with Fren or working on spells and equipment beyond what I’d made­—at great expense—to protect my store. I had more reasons to practice than anyone… yet I’d been casual about it. Lana clearly hadn’t, which said a lot about her. Even though she also knew she might not ever need her skills. That took resolve and determination. That was honorable. She was a park ranger and might occasionally have to arrest someone or be prepared for an animal encounter or something. I really didn’t know, but still, she was overtrained for anything she might encounter short of a bear attack. I resolved to do better. What if the pixies had killed her? I needed to be more.

“Don’t get all stoic and introspective,” she said, some of the mirth leaving as she thought about deeper things “This was a good night, you answered questions I’ve had for years,”

“I’m glad we met. That last pixie might have killed me had you not taken care of it. That would have really hurt my wizarding cred.”

Lana shook her head, “I’m sure Fren would have handled things.”

“That might be true, but it wouldn’t be a sure thing.” I looked around the shop and sighed, “I’ll take care of this later, let’s go downstairs and get your wound healed up.”

Lana raised an eyebrow but seemed enthusiastic about seeing more magic, she’d watched Fren disappear into the basement and was likely curious about it. It was late, really late. With the deposition to the officers, the attack, and our time taking care of wounds, it was well into the night.

“This might take a while,” I said. “Do you have anything going on in the morning?”

“No. I have Saturdays off.”

“Good,” I said.