Don't Feed the Mermaids (The Mermaid Files Book 1) Read online

  Don’t Feed the Mermaids

  Tiana LaGrone

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 by Tiana LaGrone

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  My only love sprung from my only hate!

  Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

  Prodigious birth of love it is to me

  That I must love a loathèd enemy.

  William Shakespeare

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  My name is Willow Dubois, and I work for the Supernatural Waters Law Enforcement Bureau, or SWLEB, precinct 9, Venice Beach, California.

  I kick my boots up on my desk, to stretch out after a long day’s work. I’m just about ready to go home, when someone shoves my feet out of their comfort zone. I look up. The precinct Chief, Fabula Goldman, slams her hand on my desk. “Dubois, you’re up. Your brother, Balthazar, is in trouble. We have him here in the interrogation room.”

  I don’t talk to my brother much because he thinks he’s better than me since he’s all mermaid as opposed to my half. He also holds a post as house prince of the venerable House of Mermaids.

  Now, understand this, full-blooded mermaids have to get legs by making a deal with a sea witch. Sometimes the spell doesn’t work well and then a mermaid dies. We’re not concerned with the deaths only the turning, the gateway for other offenses.

  So now, look who’s wearing the egg. If Balthazar’s got legs, that means that he’s broken some laws, namely, consorting with a sea witch to get said legs, illegal magical procurement of limbs, and illegal immigration. There are borders here. The borders being land and sea.

  “I hardly know my brother, so what do I care?” I ask. “I’m not one to get in the way of the law.”

  “Whatever, Dubois,” Chief Goldman says rolling her eyes. Chief Goldman’s a five-foot ten vampire with big preternatural blue eyes and long blond hair. She used to be a supermodel, but quit because she said that she got tired of the industry fetishizing the shit out of her fangs. Whatever that means. “Come on, chop chop. Let’s get going. You’re needed in the interrogation room stat. Finally, your mermaid heritage provides us with something more than the privilege of admiring that lovely mane of hair you have there.”

  “You want me to interrogate Balthazar, why? Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?”

  “Forget conflict of interest. You’re his sister. He’s more likely to be candid with you than with anyone else in this station.”

  I’m assuming Chief Goldman wants the sea witch who gave my brother the legs more than she wants my brother. Catching an illegal person with legs is one of the easiest ways to catch a sea witch.

  The Supernatural Waters Law Enforcement Bureau likes to think that they’ve made massive strides in ending the mayhem caused by sea witches. Who am I to burst their bubble? But it has been my experience that there are still plenty of sea witches out there causing problems.

  “Fine. Whatever you say ma’am,” I say.

  “I’d rather have him spill his guts to you, his little sister, without the pissy posturing of a lawyer getting in the way.”

  “I get it.” My shoulders feel like lead.

  “Aren’t you going to ask what he’s in for?”

  “Legs, right?”

  “That’s the least of his worries and ours too. His fiancé turned up dead. We think he killed her.”

  “His fiancé? Killed her? Wait, wait, wait,” I say shaking my head. “What fiancé?”

  “Apparently your brother was engaged to the Mayor’s daughter, April Villa, but now she’s dead.”

  I jump up out of my chair. “Wait what?”

  “Sheesh. Are mermaids just born stupid or do they work they way up to it?”

  I smirk. “And what makes you so sure that it was my brother who killed the mayor’s daughter? It could have been anyone.”

  “We have him at the scene of the crime around the time of the murder. We have the victim’s skin under his fingernails which could indicate a struggle before the death. We have the text messages your brother sent the victim within twenty-four hours of her death. These text messages were basically threats on her life. Your brother had the access and the means to kill said victim. We think it’s magic that did her in, and your brother used magic to get those legs. Should I go on?” Chief Goldman doesn’t wait for my answer. “Have Wolfie hand you the file. It’s obvious your brother’s guilty. Anybody with half a brain can see that. Let’s save the system lots of money, give the mayor peace of mind, and make me look like a hero by getting him to confess. No need for a trial.”

  I hang my head. “Got it. But wait. I just saw on the news this morning that April Villa’s brother is missing. Do you think the two ordeals are connected? I mean maybe he killed her.”

  “I realize this is a strange situation to put you in, but shit’s gotta get done. I know you’re looking for a way for a way out for your brother. It know it’s hard for you to believe that he did just because he’s your brother, but I need you put family matters aside and do your job. Now whether the absence of North Villa and the death of his sister is connected, I don’t know. We’re looking into it. But you need to go interrogate your brother. You do this okay. Don’t screw it up. I swear Dubois, if you screw this up I’ll see to it that the only law enforcement job you’ll be able to get is a post at Alcatraz. And for the rest of your natural life. Being that you’re half mermaid, you’ll at least live to be 200 years old, and that’s if one of your catches doesn’t kill your first. That’s a long time being out there on that rusty island with a bunch of mermaids and sea witches who hate your guts.”

  “I got it, I got it,” I say, raising my hands.

  I dismiss myself, and I swear I feel Chief Goldman’s eyes burrowing into my back as I walk down to Wolfie’s desk and ask him for the file on my brother.

  Wolfie grunts. Wolfie has fists almost as big as my face. He’s a wolfman. When he makes the switch, he’s twice his size, ugly as funk, and scary as hell.

  “Your brother is a dick,” Wolfie says as he hands the file over.

  “Thanks for the heads up,” I say with a stupid grin. “But I already know it.”

  When I enter the interrogation room, I’m more than stunned to see that my brother is not only on land, but he has legs and feet to boot. I sit down at the table and try to smile.

  My brother is handsome, like Disney prince handsome. He has a strong square jaw, perfect teeth, and chiseled cheekbones. He so handsome it makes me sick. Seems like he got all the good stuff from our mother.

  I adjust in
my chair. I stare at Balthazar tight lipped..

  “Hello, Willow.”

  “Hello, Willow,” I say, mocking him. “Damn, bro! Legs, murder, and mayhem? Bless your heart. Looks like Wolfie worked you good.”

  My brother’s clothes are disheveled, ripped and torn in places, which tells me he and Wolfie scuffled. Wolfie might have knocked out a few of Balthazar’s teeth or gave him a black eye. But, because my brother can regenerate, such things aren’t visible now.

  “You landers treat us mermaids like second class citizens. This world is just as much ours as it is yours. Soon you’ll see.”

  “Whoa, whoa brother. I know you’re not talking to me about being a second class citizen. I’m a half breed. Life hasn’t been a cake walk for me either. But listen, I’m not here to talk politics. Save that for your fiancé, okay?Oh wait, you can’t because she’s dead.”

  I notice my brothers eyes are bloodshot.

  “I didn’t kill her!”

  “You didn’t kill her? Well then who did?”

  “I don’t know fucking know, but I didn’t do it.”

  “We’ve got evidence saying the contrary.”

  “I don’t care about your evidence. I’m telling you I didn't do it.”

  I open my brother’s file. “So, you’re telling me that you didn’t send Ms. Villa a text message threatening to kill her?”

  “No. Why would I do that?”

  “Because you planned to kill her, duh.”

  “Come on, Cherie. You know me better than that.”

  I hate it when anyone calls me Cherie. Cherie my father calls me. Anytime anyone calls me that it opens up wounds. I lean forward. “If you’re trying to get on my good side, it’s not working, Bal.”

  “Listen, I’m trying to tell you that I didn’t kill April.”

  I scan my brother’s face. He looks both earnest and frantic. “So if you didn’t kill April, who did?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Mermaids don’t swear.”

  “I have legs, so does that still make me a mermaid?”

  “I don’t know. You tell me.”

  Balthazar shrugs. “I guess not.”

  “About those legs.”

  “Don’t even ask,” my brother says.

  “Some brother you are. Thanks for the help.”

  Balthazar laughs. His shoulders shake, but his laughter is low now. He snorts. I realize that he’s crying.

  “Why do you have legs, Balthazar?”

  My brother tightens his jaw and leans back in his chair. He sighs.

  “It’s a long story.”

  “I have all the time in the world,” I say, crossing my arms.

  “I really think I ought to get a lawyer.”

  “Why? I’m your sister, so you can tell me anything. Besides, you say you’re not guilty so what do you have to hide?”

  “Things that have nothing to do with the death of April Villa, that’s what,” Balthazar says.

  Goosebumps erupt all over me. I scrunch my toes up inside of my boots. “Let me be nice. Can I offer you something to drink brother.”

  Balthazar shakes his head no.

  “So, the things that have to nothing to do with April Villa’s death have to do with why you have legs.”

  “Precisely.”

  “Okay, when was the last time you saw April?”

  “Two days ago.”

  “For what reason?”

  “She was my fiancée.”

  “Be more specific.”

  “We were making plans for our wedding.”

  I snicker. “You, making wedding plans. I can’t believe this.”

  “Why can’t you?”

  “Because you’re a jerk.”

  “That’s what you think.”

  “That’s what I know,” I say under my breath.

  Balthazar clears his throat. His eyes shift. His jaw tightens again.

  I hear a sound and glance under the table. Balthazar bounces his leg. “What are you looking at?”

  “You. You seem nervous.”

  “Are you going to find the real killer or what? This is bullshit.”

  “I plan to find the killer. It better not be you.” I say. “And I have more questions to ask so chill the fuck down. You got somewhere else to be?”

  “Yeah, I do actually.”

  “Not being prince of the House obviously. What made you leave that post?”

  “I’d like to have a lawyer present for the rest of this conversation.”

  “Calm down. You don’t need a lawyer right now. Now tell me, where was the last place you saw Miss Villa?”

  “I already gave the other agent the answer. Her house, okay.”

  “And where’s that?”

  “Westwood. Why are you asking me questions you already know the answer to?”

  It’s a stalling tactic. It allows me to think of my next question. Of course I’m not going to tell Balthazar that.

  “What time did you leave April’s house?”

  “I don’t know,” Balthazar says. “It was probably about three in the afternoon.”

  “Okay, seriously, how did you end up hooking up with April Villa? I mean marriage, Balthazar? To a human? Makes no fucking sense.”

  “It’s simple. April and I had a plan to try to improve human mermaid relations.”

  “So the two of you weren’t in love?”

  Balthazar rolls his eyes. “We liked each other.”

  “Did you sleep with her.”

  “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

  “I’m just trying to establish to what extent you related to the victim, that’s all.”

  Balthazar slams his hand down on the table.

  I raise my hands. “Okay fine, so you don’t want to me whether you smashed or not. Fine. What’s up with the text messages then? The ones you sent threatening to kill Miss Villa.”

  My brother frowns. “No clue. Like I said before, I never sent her any threatening text messages. That would be stupid. Hey, I’m going to kill you,” Balthazar says, pretending like he’s texting. “Who would be dumb enough to do that Willow. If I was going to kill someone, I wouldn’t send them a text message letting them know ahead of time.”

  “What if it wasn’t planned. What if it was a crime of passion?”

  “A what?”

  I shake my head. I rub my arms. Man, I’m cold. I need my dip in the ocean or things will get worse. But the bureau also needs to turn the air down. I mean, instead of giving us raises, the bureau must be taking all of the funds and sinking them into the air conditioning system.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Balthazar asks me.

  “Cold. You?”

  “No. I’m heated right now. Mad as hell.”

  “Did you and April get into a scuffle of any kind, when you saw her last?

  “No.”

  “Did you have a sea witch off her with magic?”

  My brother’s face wrinkles up and his shoulder jolts. “What? No. Why would I do that. I looked at her as a partner. I liked her. I had absolutely no reason to kill April Villa.”

  “Did she have any enemies that you know of?”

  “No, but her father hates mermaids, you know that. April didn’t tell him we were getting married or that we were even together. She wasn’t going to tell him until it was too late.”

  “And you won’t tell me the name of the sea witch who gave you the legs?”

  “Fuck no,” Balthazar says.

  “And you didn’t kill her? Look me in the eyes, Balthazar and tell me the truth.”

  He leans forward and stares me dead in the eyes. “I did not kill April Villa. I swear it. I put that on our mother. Hell, I put that on the whole entire House of Mermaids and you know how I feel about both.”

  My ears hurt.

  “What the fuck were you thinking? You got nothing. You let him off easy.”

  “I did my best. You know as I well as I do, that you can’t really get a suspect to sa
y more than they’re willing to say.”

  Chief Goldman covers her ears. “That’s bullshit, Willow, and you know it. You’re off this. Stay far away from this case. I mean. You come near this case and your ass won’t be at Alcatraz, you’ll be fired.”

  “What? You want me to stay off my own brother’s case. I can’t just let him go down for something he did not do.”

  Chief Goldman kicks over the trashcan. The metal hits the tile floor with a ping. A half-eaten apple, a soda bottle, and a bunch of balled up pieces of paper roll out of the can.

  “Damnit, don’t any of you have the decency to recycle!” Chief Goldman screams.

  “So what am I supposed to do? Just go home and pretend like my brother is not being accused of murdering the mayor’s daughter? You know how the mayor feels about mermaids. He wants the portal sealed. He doesn’t want mermaids to be able to swim out in the open on this side of the glass.”

  “I don’t care about that political bullshit.”

  “It’s not political bullshit. We’re talking about people lives.”

  “Look, Dubois, just make sure you stay away from this case. I won’t have you fucking it up.”

  Chief Goldman bends down, scoops all of the recyclable materials back into the trashcan and stomps off. The half eaten apple sits rotting on the floor.

  When Chief Goldman is out of sight, I hiss, then whisper, “Hey, Wolfie?”

  Wolfie keeps his back to me. “What?”

  “Wanna have a drink?”

  “Sure, meet me at O’Donnel’s.”

  “How about we ride together?”

  Wolfie turns around. His eyebrows go up. “Let me run to the bathroom and then we can head out,” Wolfie says.

  I shrug. I can’t take my car because I think someone put a hex on it.

  Chapter Two