“Well, as they say, with friends like him, who needs enemies?” Max said.

“And is that the way you see me now? I’m your enemy?” Simeon said, folding his arms. “Max, I know how much you love to read, but I think it’s time for you to step away from the mystery novels. Just because Napoleon and I chatted doesn’t mean I knew something about the events leading up to Lisa’s murder. Your notion is ludicrous, and I, for one, am done with this conversation.”

Simeon moved to stand, and Polly and another sentry were standing behind Simeon’s chair instantly. Placing their swords on the man’s shoulders, they kept their eyes on Max for further orders.

“This is fucking ridiculous,” Simeon squawked, his face returning to scarlet as he sat back down. “Max, I’m telling you right now if you don’t—”

“I think you’ve told me quite enough, you son-of-a-bitch. I never mentioned who was murdered, and you just did. How did you know it was Lisa Jensen—eh?”

Simeon’s scarlet complexion withered to ghostly white in a matter of seconds. “You…you must have said her name.”

“No, Simeon, I didn’t. I suspect when Napoleon called you, he did, and then he told you he was sending his thugs to other homes to do the same thing. Homes with children, Simeon. Innocent children you knew he was going to murder, and you didn’t do one bloody thing to stop him.”

“You don’t have any proof of that.”

“I have all the proof I need,” Max said, waving the other two sentries closer. “And now, these very adept people are going to take you downstairs to one of the cells in my basement. We haven’t had cause to use them in well over a century, so expect some dust.”

“Max—”

“Don’t you dare say another goddamned word.” Max sprang to his feet, and his eyes blazed blue. “A woman was murdered tonight, Simeon. She was a trusted Jensen guardian in a long line of trusted Jensen guardians, and they gutted her like a fucking fish. And instead of stopping it, instead of drawing on one bloody molecule of decency, you let it happen.” Max looked at his sentries. “Get him out of here, and if he tries anything, take his head. You have my blessing.”

***

Bennett stood under the hot spray in the shower, and on the floor outside the door were her clothes, all indelibly stained with Lisa’s blood. She kept her head tilted back, for at her feet, swirls of red were circling down the drain, forever removing what remained of Lisa’s death and the beating Bennett had given Ruby. It took almost thirty minutes before Bennett finally turned off the taps and grabbed a towel.