IX
Lucan plopped on his bed as the detective entered the hospital room.
“Mr. Grimoire, I’m Demetrius Shalewood,” the detective said. He was human. He wore a black suit and had black eyes and dark skin like cocoa. If Lucan wouldn’t have known, he could have passed for a soldier off-duty. He was rather short, with a round face, mustache, nappy hair, and a quiet but stern disposition.
“Shalewood?” Lucan asked, shaking the detective’s hand, “Are you Amal Shalewood’s husband?”
“Yes, but this has nothing to do with the election,” Demetrius said. “You’ll get no political opposition from me.”
“Tell your wife to drop out and I’ll believe you.”
Demetrius frowned. He pointed to a chair by the window.
“May I?”
Lucan nodded.
The man pulled out a notepad and pencil and he sat in the chair, cros
