Dead Ringers

A Small Light Shown on the Night World

I've barely reached the counter when something grabs my arm and yanks me backwards. Next thing I know, I'm back in the hallway, being pinned against the wall by Detective Miles. He's pinned my arms over my head, so there's no chance of reaching my gun.

I glare at him and growl, "Get your hands off of me."

"Not until you calm down."

"I am perfectly calm."

"Oh really?"

"Really. If you don't believe me, let go of me and I'll let my aim prove it."

"Tha-"

"CHILDREN!" The woman calls. Both of our heads snap towards her. "Elijah, release Miss Fullin. Miss Fullin, I'd appreciate it if you didn't shoot Elijah. Getting rid of a bullet hole can be quite tedious."

Releasing me, Detective Miles steps back. Instinctively, I go to grab my gun, and the woman glares at me. Slowly, my hand slides to my side, and the glare disappears, replaced by a smile.

"That's better. Now, Miss Fullin, might I call you Winter?"

I'm shocked that she knows my first name, and it takes a second for me to respond. "Detective Fullin, please."

She scrunches her nose. "Hm, a bit of a mouth-full, I'll just stick with Miss Fullin. I can only imagine what you're thinking and some of the questions you must have. So, come into the sitting room and we'll all have a nice little chat."

She motions to the room Elijah and she had been sitting in. When I don't move, she motions again. "Come, come, we have not all day."

Reluctantly, I move into the room, the woman follows directly behind me, and Detective Miles comes in last, shutting the door behind him.

The room is a pale yellow, with brightly colored flowers decorating it. In the center of the room is a faded blue three-person sofa, faded red and purple cushioned armchairs, and a glass coffee table.

The woman glides past me to the sofa, and perching on it, she looks at me and she pats the seat next to her. Obediently, I come and sit beside her. Sitting next to her I can now see that Detective Miles is leaning casually against the door. A clear indication that I'm not leaving without permission.

"Well, let's start with introductions, I am Madam LeVou, but you may call me Sofia. You already know Elijah, and you know I know who you are. So, I'll let you ask some questions now."

"Where am I?"

"At my store."

"That's not very specific."

"That was the idea."

A beat passes. "What?"

"That was the idea," Sofia repeats.

"Is that a threat?"

"Perhaps."

"Am I to understand that if I wanted to leave right now, I wouldn't be allowed to?"

"For your own safety, of course."

"I would say you are the biggest threat to my safety right now."

"Nonsense, and I wouldn't advise trying that."

I'm suddenly aware of the fact that I've grabbed my gun. "And why shouldn't I?"

Sofia smiles. "Trust me when I say that you are very much so out of your depth."

"Why?"

"No." It comes as a command, verging on a threat, but not from Sofia. Detective Miles is the one who spoke.