“Dammit,” she muttered. Returning her attention to Pat, she said, “Okay, I’m sorry. I’m a little out of myself right now.”
“Understandably so,” Pat replied.
“So, what do you want me to say?”
“I haven’t figured that out yet. I thought maybe you could help me with it.”
“You’re the cop.”
Aelissm wanted to slap herself for baiting him like that. He was only trying to help her, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
“Technically, I’m the cop on an extended leave of absence,” he replied. There was a note of exasperation—or was it aggravation—in his voice that caught her off guard. Apparently, his patience was a little short at the moment as well. Which made her feel absurdly better. “An important point we’d both be smart to remember. I have no power to do anything, Aelissm.”
“Ain’t that j
