The Samantha Rain Mysteries

Chapter 22

22

A few more days passed in which Samantha barely left her the house. Lazily, she changed the channel on the tv, searching for a movie or a program she could binge-watch while eating copious amounts of ice cream.

“Arf!”

“No, you’ll ruin the couch,” Sam said to the hellhound, trying to sound stern.

“Arf…” the puppy lowered her ears and stared up at her with big, begging eyes.

Sam’s heart melted. “Ah, fine. But only this once.”

The hellhound barked happily and curled into a small ball on her lap, a comfort in lonely times. Softly, Sam stroked the dog’s head, following the grey hairs down the path of the blue markings. They were invisible now and if anyone saw the pup, she’d be able to convince them this was a regular dog. She seemed regular enough, Sam thought. The pup liked food, running around the house, and following her wherever she went.

“Good girl,” she muttered, scratching her behind her ears. While she wanted the name the pup, she wasn’t too sure Lilith would let her keep her. She didn’t want to get too attached when the hellhound could still be taken away, even though that thought made her ache. She didn’t want to part ways with the pup.

Just when she found a fun baking show, the bell rang.

“Arf!”

“Stay.” Sam groaned as she got up from the couch. With a hand on her lower back, she supported herself as she made her way to the door. The hallway was still eerily empty, but she hadn’t had the chance to redecorate.

She pulled the door open, already annoyed. “Lilith, I told you, I don’t want to talk to—”

“Hello.” A charming man tipped his hat and shot her a smile. “Long time no see.”

“Rick.” She stared at her old friend, a little embarrassed he’d caught her wearing her comfy clothes. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s nice to see you too,” he laughed. “Can I come in?”

She hesitated for a moment.

“It’s about a case,” he sang.

“Those are the magic words.” She swung the door open, allowing Rick to enter.

He took off his jacket and frowned. “Wow, were you robbed?”

Sam clicked her tongue, an image of Lilith flashing through her head. “You know, you’re not the first person to ask.”

“So what happened?”

“Melissa and I split up.”

“Ah, man.” Rick shot her an apologetic look. “That sucks. If you were still at the precinct, you could join the club.”

“I don’t want to join your sad divorce club.”

“Hey, it’s pretty fun. Rex’ casserole has really improved over time.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he’s finally accepted there are different heats on his oven.”

“Wow. Now that’s progress.” Sam gestured to high chairs at the kitchen island. “So, what brings you here?”

Rick rummaged through his briefcase and placed a picture down. “Molly Harrington.”

“Harrington… Harrington… Harring, sounds like herring and herrings like the ocean,” Sam muttered, running through the many names she had in her mind. “Molly Harrington, teenage girl found on the beach, hands severed post-mortem, correct?”

“Man, your memory is still the best,” Rick complimented. “Some new evidence has come to light.”

“Really? I always knew the boyfriend did it. What did you find?”

“I can’t disclose that, you know the rules.”

“Fine… What do you want from me?”

“Well, I read the report you made at the time, but some of the copies of your notes are terrible quality. I was wondering if you still had the originals.”

Sam scratched her head. “Sure, give me a second. I can dig up some of my old notes, they’re in my office.”

“Great, thanks.”

“Follow me.” She led Rick back into the hallway and into her office. There weren’t many people she welcomed here, but she worked with him for many years.

She rummaged through the many binders and files she had stacked away in the cabinet, searching for the notes for this particular case.

Rick chuckled. “Hey, you finally got a dog.”

“Huh?” Sam followed his gaze to the little head peeking around the corner. “Oh, yes.”

“Aw, he’s cute.”

“She,” she corrected.

He crouched down, luring the pup to him. “She’s following you like a shadow. What breed is that?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” She pulled a file from a cardboard box. “Aha! Got my notes.”

“Found them already?”

“If you keep things organised—”

“It’s easy to find them again. Yeah, yeah, I know.” He accepted the file and flipped through the notes. “That’s perfect, thanks. I’ll return them when I’m done.”

Disappointment lashed through Sam. “That’s all?”

“Yup, just wanted to make sure the case is airtight.” He shot her another charming smile. “You’re the best.”

“Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do?” She followed him to the front door. “I’m sure if I reread the case, it’ll come back crystal clear to me. Maybe I’ll remember some details or anything that could help—“

“Your notes were perfectly detailed, so I’m sure it’s fine.”

“Still, I could help you brainstorm. Make sure everyone’s alibi still checks out, run through some statements—”

“This is no longer your case.”

“I know. I’m sure Molly’s mother would remember me, I could—”

“Sam!” Rick shook his head, his expression wry. “I know this is hard, but you’re not authorised to help. I’m sorry.”

Sam’s mouth turned bitter and her smile fell away. “Right.”

“I promise I’ll find justice for Molly, but you’ve got to let it go.” He grabbed his jacket, tapped his hat again, and stepped out of the house. “Thanks again for the notes. I’ll bring them back when I’m done.”

“Keep them,” Sam muttered.

Before Rick could say anything else, she swung the front door shut. The loud thud echoed through the house, vibrating the floor.

She turned around and found the hellhound pup staring up at her, tail wagging and ears wobbling playfully. “Arf?”

“No.” Ignoring the dog, she walked back to the living room and sat down on the couch.

The pup scratched at the leather, whining to get up.

Sam swung her legs along the length of the sofa to block the dog. “No.”

The pup whined softly.

“Whatever.” Sam lifted her glass, only to find it empty. With a sigh, she got back up and made her way over to the liquor cabinet. It was a little early to drink, but she didn’t care.

She made her way up the stairs, chased by an eager pup. The hellhound raced through her legs, almost making her trip.

“Careful,” Sam scolded.

“Arf?”

She ignored the puppy and poured herself a generous glass of whisky. With the familiar aroma wafting up, she returned to the couch but her seat was stolen by the grey puppy.

“Down,” Sam commanded. “Down.”

“Arf?” The hellhound didn’t understand.

“Down!”

Her raised voice startled both herself and the puppy, who cowered into the couch. Guilt lashed through Sam’s stomach and she sat down next to the hellhound, desperate to apologise.

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t nice of me.”

The pup whined.

“I’m sorry. I’m not angry at you, I’m just… angry. I thought Rick was here for my help, but I’ve been kidding myself. They’re never going to take me back.”

“Arf?”

“I really thought that maybe…” She sighed. “That this would all clear up one day and I’d get reinstated.”

She held out her hand, inviting the puppy for scratches. It took a second before the hellhound left the protection of the door and rolled down on her back, eager for attention.

“If only everyone forgave as easily as you.” Sam tickled her belly, smiling as the blue markings appeared. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Arf.”

“I miss working on cases and figuring out mysteries. Finding Ian, tracking him down, bargaining with Catalina, it’s the best feeling I’ve had in a long time. But I don’t know if I can trust Lilith. I want to, but she lied to me. How can I sign up for a lifetime with her clan?”

Sam didn’t know how long she sat there, but when she finally got up, the sun had set. Her stomach growled with hunger and with a groan, she stretched the strain out of her body.

“I’m getting old,” she grumbled, rubbing the sore muscles in her lower back. She yawned and rotated her neck, wincing when it actually cracked.

“I guess you don’t have that problem,” she said to the sleeping pup.

She chuckled softly and tip-toed to the hallway. After a lot of contemplating and day-dreaming about a world of magic and danger, Sam had more questions than answers. And that was the one thing she couldn’t stand.