Page 24 of Investigation of a Quest

“I agree,” Olivia mumbled. Bumbling aside, the man certainly knew how to leave a lasting impression.

“Did Dr. Calon have a private practice, or did he work with other doctors?” Bel asked.

“He worked in the hospital,” Griffin answered.

“Really? I’ve never met him.”

“Not in Bajka. The big hospital off the highway.”

“I was going to say.” Bel smirked. “I’ve been in our hospital enough times to know everyone.”

“Your stays there have me knowing everyone.” Griffin rolled his eyes. “Do you want to stop by his hospital before you meet Dorothy?”

“Has anyone notified the family?” Bel asked.

“No.”

“Then we’ll speak to them first. They should hear it from us before the morning news learns his name.”

“I was thinking,” Olivia said once they were inside Bel’s SUV. “You should remain on the haunted house judging committee. Our killer seems to be using the contest as his cover, so having you on the inside will help. Not everyone knows you’re back on the force yet, so you might catch someone unaware.”

“I can certainly stay and keep an eye open, but I doubt I’ll catch anyone by surprise,” Bel said. “I have a dhampir’s scent all over me. Witches might be daring enough to start a war under his nose, but they’re smart enough not to flaunt it in front of me. If they reveal themselves, it’ll put a target on their head, and an angry Eamon is not someone they want to cross.”

“Do you ever worry that he’ll get angry with you?” Olivia asked. “You claim he’s dangerous, but then you go home and climb into bed with him. Aren’t you afraid?”

“No,” Bel said honestly. “I was after his New York attack, but once killing Alcina broke the curse, the fear left. To be honest, he’s more afraid of me than I am of him.”

“I don’t buy that,” Olivia said.

“Because I hold the power,” Bel said. “I’m the only person he’s ever loved, so I’m the only person who can break his heart… or leave him because he doesn’t want kids.”

“He doesn’t want kids?” Olivia asked. “Actually, that doesn’t surprise me. Why? Did it surprise you?”

“Maybe? Not really. I don’t know. It’s more about the finality of it. It’s not that he doesn’t want them so much as that he won’t have them. He refuses to create another dhampir, and he has no interest in adoption. It’s bad enough he’ll outlive me. He doesn’t wish to outlive our children too.”

“I get it,” Olivia said. “I would feel the same in his shoes. The question is, do you feel the same?”

“Would I be bringing it up if I did?”

“Fair. For me, no kids is a dealbreaker. It’s partially why I broke up with Ewan. I couldn’t get past the lying, but I want children. And bear pups?” She shuddered. “I can’t do that, but you and Eamon aren’t us. Are kids a dealbreaker for you?”

“I don’t know.”

“A lot of that coming out of your mouth.”

“You’re telling me.”

“You never struck me as a marriage and babies person, though. I can see you married to Eamon, but I don’t see you as the marrying type, if that makes sense. Like if Eamon wasn’t in your life, I could picture you dating but never marrying. I only see you as a wife if it’s Eamon’s wife. So, yeah, I don’t really envision you running around with a brood of kids. You’re more the hot aunt to mine.”

“My sister said almost the same thing.”

“Smart women think alike. Maybe try spending time apart from Eamon. Don’t break up, but ask him for a few weeks alone with no contact.”

“Why would I do that?” Bel asked as she parked in front of the tiny station to pick up Dorothy.

“Because it would tell you if you could live without him. If you can’t see him, will it kill you or will you only mildly miss him? Then you can decide how important finding a partner to have children with is.”

“I will never mildly miss Eamon,” Bel said.