“Do not presume to tell me what I know,” the police chief says, his voice like steel.
I tighten my jaw, forcing myself to remain silent about the presumptions this man has made about me.
“Death likes the big cities,” I say instead. “He’ll be here soon.”
“Based on a bunch of scribbles you made on some map.” Chief Davenport pushes the paper back to me. “Enough of this hogwash. Get out of my—”
“There is one other reason,” I rush to say.
He grimaces with his impatience, but waits.
“Death is coming this way because I am here,” I say grimly. “He’s after me.”
At my words, the chief of police sits back in his chair. He stares at me, and I can practically see the wheels in his mind turning. The moment stretches on, growing uncomfortable.
“Hey, Jones,” he finally calls out, looking at the doorway.
I glance over my shoulder just as Officer Jones, the man stationed outside, pokes his head into the room. The chief of police beckons him in.
Officer Jones steps into the room, looking between the two of us.
Chief Davenport turns his attention back to me. “So, Death is following you?”
I can’t tell whether he finally believes me. His expression is unreadable.
I glance from him to Officer Jones before responding. “Yes,” I say slowly.
“Well, then,” Davenport says, leaning back in his seat. “If it’s you he’s after, then it’s you he’ll get.” His gaze cuts to the other man. “Officer Jones.”
He’s no more than spoken his name when the policeman grabs me.
“What are you—？” I tussle with the officer as he grabs my wrists. I slam my boot down onto his instep.
“Fuck,” he swears as his hold loosens.
Can’t believe this is happening. Any of it.
I manage to slip out of the room. God, am I really running from the authorities now?
Two more officers chat at the end of the hall. The moment they see me breathlessly exit the room, they stiffen, their attention turning to me.
I dart in the opposite direction.
I have lots of experience killing deities, but I have very little experience when it comes to this.
The door behind me bangs open and Officer Jones barrels out. I haven’t made it ten feet when he gains on me. The policeman gives me a hard shove from behind. I stumble, then fall to the linoleum floor. He’s on me in an instant, dragging my wrists together and cuffing me while the two other officers close in.
“This is ridiculous!” I huff. “What are you doing?” I begin to thrash against them.
I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe this is happening.
I hear Chief Davenport’s heavy footfalls. He comes over to where I’m being cuffed. “Men, this one is not to be booked in the county jail.”
The officers hesitate. Whatever protocol they have in place for criminals, it’s clear that the chief of police wants them to deviate from it.
“This little miss seems to think that a horseman is coming our way.” Davenport’s mouth twists, like he’s suppressing a smirk. “Lucky for us, the man is apparently looking for her.”
The officers’ eyes move over me, though I can’t guess what is going through their heads.
“Please,” I beg the chief of police. “However you think this is going to unfold, you’re wrong.”
“I listened to your story,” Davenport snaps, “now it’s time for you to shut up and listen to me, young lady: Maybe you’re lying and want to fuck with my city, maybe you’re telling the truth and the horseman really is on his way here.
“It doesn’t really matter because at the end of the day, we’re going to truss you up like a hog, and let the horseman—if he really is coming—get to you first.”
That’s his plan?
Who had the poor sense to put this man in a leadership role?
“Let—me—go.” I jerk against my restraints. These idiots. “He will kill you all.”
“Seems to me like he might not—not if it’s you he wants. Seems to me like he might find himself distracted.
“And if he’s not coming,” Davenport continues, “then we can escort you to the county jail for a night, so you can think over your life choices.”
I blow out a breath. “It doesn’t work like that! Death might not be here today, or even tomorrow, he might not come at all. But if he does, everyone will die.”
The police chief narrows his eyes on me. Crouching in front of me, he says softly. “I think you’re full of shit, little lady, and I will enjoy seeing you rot in jail for having the audacity to prey upon our citizens.”