Silver Fox, for all that he was older, spun around in a way that was almost graceful before crashing onto his side and rolling across the dirty ground. His silver costume got stained, but he was up on his feet in an instant.

Glamazon wasn’t nearly so graceful.

She tripped with a squeak, legs spinning and arms flailing as she tried to turn the spill into a roll. She succeeded, partially, and ended her tumble by kicking Silver Fox’s legs out from under him.

Emily stared, arms still outstretched to hold on to a bucket that was rolling away. Her mind kicked back into gear with a squeal, and she turned around to run back inside. Not only was it the smart thing to do when people in masks started to throw down, she also had a very good reason not to be stopped.

Which is why she had a full-body cringe when Jezebelle called out. “Hey, you! Stop!”

Emily stood rigid, eyes staring longingly toward the back door of the soup kitchen.

“Damn,” Silver Fox said. He had a deep baritone of a voice, one that had probably helped convince Emily’s mom to buy his shampoos for her dad. “He’s a slippery one, I’ll give him that.”

“Ugh, was that a pun, old man?”

Silver Fox snorted. “I’m meant to teach you all the parts of the trade. Banter’s important too.” A hand landed on Emily’s shoulder. “Now, miss, would you mind if we asked a few questions?”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

An Interrogation or Two

Emily didn’t know what to do.

There was a hand on her shoulder, a hand belonging to an actual, bona fide Hero, and he was telling her to stop.

What if he knew?

She dismissed the thought. If Silver Fox knew she was a Villain, then he wouldn’t be asking so nicely. He’d wait until she was in a holding cell or something before asking her anything. No, Silver Fox and Glamazon didn’t know. All she had to do was play it cool, and she would be fine.

It was with a sinking realization that she recalled that she had never played anything cool in her entire life.

Emily turned around. There might have been something on her face because the Hero stared at her before carefully pulling his arm back and letting out a sigh. “Sorry, miss,” he said. “Just have a few questions, nothing big.”

“Oh—okay,” she said right back. It sounded like the right thing to say.

He nodded, the fox mask he wore shifting a little with the motion. It was only a half mask, allowing her to see his eyes through a clear visor above it. “Did you get a good look at the Villain that ran past?”

Emily waffled. “Not . . . really?” she said. “Um. A bit?”

Glamazon stretched behind Silver Fox, then sighed. “Do we really need to question her?” she asked.