“I know.”

“But she doesn’t generally require an escort to her home; the streets there are considered safe by our standards.” There was a tonal rise in the last few words although on the face of it, Caitlin hadn’t asked a question.

“She came in with an odd report. Yes, I know she always does that, but this one was less about lost shoes, lost puppies, and lost bits of sentimental jewelry.”

“You have crumbs on your clothing, dear.”

Kaylin reddened. “I want to actually do a tiny bit of investigating, and when I suggested it, she seemed really happy.”

Caitlin nodded. “Don’t get her involved in trouble.” The fact that Mrs. Erickson had come to the Halls of Law, and not the other way around, wasn’t lost on Caitlin.

“I know. I’ll try.” Kaylin turned on her heel, and then turned back. “She’s waiting for me, but—I need to ask an Imperial Mage a question or two as well.”

The gentle look of approval vanished from Caitlin’s face. “I mean it, Corporal. Don’t involve her in trouble she cannot handle.”

“That’s why I want to talk to an Imperial Mage. I’m not certain she’s not already in something that could be trouble she can’t handle.”

“I look forward to seeing your report.”

“It’ll be on Sergeant Keele’s desk by the end of the week.” Sergeant Keele didn’t like paperwork any more than Marcus did, but she understood the necessity of it and wanted it out of the way as soon as humanly possible. For the Hawks that was “end of week.”

Kaylin retrieved Mrs. Erickson from the waiting room adjacent to the front office. She noted, with a pang, that the basket the older woman was carrying was a lot lighter than it had been when she’d first set eyes on it. She knew this because she offered to carry it, and Mrs. Erickson agreed, thanking her.

Mrs. Erickson smiled. “I couldn’t fit everything I baked into one small basket,” she said. “And if you’re walking me home, I have a few more goodies you could take with you to share with your friends.”

Mrs. Erickson was dotty in the minds of most Hawks, but it was an affectionate term. It was certainly more affectionate than psychotic or delusional. Or drunk. While Hawks could, and did, get plastered while off duty, they generally tended to trust themselves not to allow drunken fury to lead to murder, attempted murder, or in one case, arson. At least, not for fellow Hawks or, in the latter case, the Halls of Law itself.

Home, however, wasn’t going to be the first stop. Kaylin walked Mrs. Erickson out of the building; she paused to say hello to the on duty guards, and then quietly led the way.