“It’s not your fault,” Kaylin replied, with some heat.

“As I’ve gotten older,” Mrs. Erickson said, “I’ve come to realize that fault doesn’t really matter.”

Kaylin exhaled, wondering if she’d ever reach that frame of mind. She was a Hawk because she believed in justice, in the laws—and fault featured very much in her job. “What are these?”

“Brownies. I haven’t made them in a long time because cocoa is mostly too far out of my price range—but I had some I’d been saving for a special occasion.” She smiled. “I’m not getting any younger, and I know from personal experience that I can’t eat it when I’m dead. You should share it with the rest of the Hawks.”

Kaylin nodded, but took a seat behind the desk and the basket she’d placed on it. “How are the kids?”

“They’re perfectly fine this morning.”

“They don’t remember anything?”

Mrs. Erickson shook her head. “They never do. But it’s better that way, for them—I think they’d live in terror for eternity if they couldn’t forget.” She hesitated. “You were concerned about the painting.”

“Teela was concerned about the painting, but...when Teela’s worried, it’s never a good sign.”

“Can you tell me what you fear?”

“Not yet—we’re looking into it. Serralyn is a student at the Academia, and she headed out last night to begin research in earnest.”

“About what?”

“About magic, painting, ceremony, plant life—anything that might give us answers, or at least better questions. I’ll walk you home after work. Or Teela and I will walk you home. I have a meeting Teela considers important after that, so I won’t be able to stay. Was the neighbor out this morning?”

“No. I’m a bit worried about him.”

“He won’t do anything—” At Mrs. Erickson’s expression, Kaylin said, “You’re worried for him?”

“A little.”

Kaylin wanted to hit the desk with her head a couple of times to clear it.

Mrs. Erickson smiled. “Very good, dear. You should have heard Jamal when I let that slip.”

“I’m afraid I’m in agreement with Jamal. If you’d like, you can pull up a chair and join me.”

“I don’t think Bridget would care for that.”

“She certainly wouldn’t.” Sergeant Keele was looking into the room from the door behind the desk. “Our job at the desk is to take down reports and get yelled at by people who are panicking or upset. I do not want any of them to shout at a civilian when a perfectly respectable officer is here.” To Kaylin she said, “Don’t get up, I’ll take that basket.”

Teela joined Kaylin, as Kaylin had expected she would. Kaylin had removed her tabard before leaving the office, but Teela bypassed the lockers, and still wore hers.