Body Swappers 9
Maya and her boss discuss the future of the Crisis Management Agency.
The next day, Bethany sent Maya a message. Come in an hour early tomorrow, would you? That way you, me, and Ruth can have a meeting while Elaina covers the floor.
Maya showed up five minutes early on top of that, but Bethany was already there, chatting with Donna.
She smiled at Maya as she entered. “Good day, Maya. Ready to get started?” Bethany never did say “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” because of her odd hours. She worked the night shift between Jeff and Ruth, when the crises tended to be the most urgent.
“Good day, Bethany. Of course I am.”
They walked back to the office, picking up Ruth along the way. Bethany gestured to the client side of the table, and Maya sat down. Bethany and Ruth settled on the other side. The last time the three of them had been seated around this table this way was during Maya’s interview.
Bethany leaned back, her moonstone and blue goldstone necklace sparkling in the light. Most sensitives, and those who listened to them, used gemstones that supplemented their natural deficiencies. Bethany seemed to choose gemstones that further enhanced her strengths. Moonstone and blue goldstone, especially in concert, would help Bethany be an insightful and confident leader.
“As I understand it, Robert Sullivan, a lawyer, wants our help interviewing several murder suspects in order to gather evidence that there’s a magic serial killer in Spokane, who is using other people’s bodies to commit murder. Is that about right?”
“Yes,” Maya said.
“I find it interesting that the police aren’t making this request. They’re the ones who typically handle murder investigations.” Bethany shifted in her seat, and rolled her eyes a little. “But I suppose they can’t have any whiff that they looked into magic before it was officially recognized. Bureaucratic risk management.”
“It sounds like you have no doubt the bill will go through,” Maya said.
Ruth said, “It seems unlikely to fail, given the current polls.”
Bethany waved her hand. “People can only be willfully ignorant for so long. If it doesn’t go through this time, it will next election cycle. And you know what’s going to happen as soon as it does?”
“What?”
“The police will suddenly be expected to consider magic in their investigations, and they’ll have no experience dealing with it. There’s no magical investigation unit in place.” Bethany leaned forward, smirking a little. “As they work to get one up and running, they’ll have to rely on more experienced private contractors.”
Maya looked at Ruth, who was watching Maya and not Bethany, as if she’d heard all this before. Maya returned her gaze to Bethany, who was giving her an appraising look.
“This is an interview of sorts, isn’t it?” Maya asked.
Ruth smiled.
Bethany said, “I’m looking to grow this business. I think in the coming years, we could expand our niche. Gain a more diverse clientele. And I’m thinking: of our current employees, you would be best suited to spearhead our new function as magic investigators. It suits your personal interests, as I understand them.”
“It does.” Maya cocked her head. “So are you not worried about Jeff’s objections?”
“His chief complaints are,” Bethany said, raising a finger, “that magic isn’t recognized now.” She added another finger. “That the public might come after all of us sensitives.” She held up a third finger. “And that the serial killer might go after whoever is onto them. Right?” She put her hand down. “Well, the election is in two weeks. That’s no time at all. If we’re already on top of this by then, all the quicker that we can prove our aptitude as contractors. Second, our investigating magic murders is not the thing that is going to make their occurrence public knowledge. Perhaps when Robert argues it in court, that will make it public. But it sounds like he’s going to do that whether or not we help him. Maybe something else will give it away. It will come out, whatever we do. How much worse will it be for sensitives if we’re seen as trying to cover it up? No, much better that we self-police, and help bring justice to the few who are acting outside societal bounds.”
Bethany leaned forward even further. “Third, it will be you who is onto them. So tell me, honestly. Does the possibility of the murderer coming for you make you not want to try to catch them?”
“No,” Maya said automatically.
Bethany leaned back, spreading her hands. “Then no, I’m not worried about Jeff’s objections. In my eyes, the only real question here is: do you want the job?”
Maya grinned. “I assume this new position comes with a raise?”
*
Camille checked her phone.
Maya: Wine down Saturday? I have big news!
Camille bit her lip. Normally she didn’t outright lie to Maya. Normally she just left much unsaid.
Sorry, I’m not really feeling well.
Oh no! Want me to bring you soup?
Camille felt a thrill of panic realizing her excuse might not keep Maya away.
No, thanks, just made some. Enough for the next week. Stay away! I’m a biohazard.
Okay…check in with me every day or I will come break into your house to check on you.
Will do.
Camille sighed, looking at her computer.
Lutheran Community Services Northwest: Thanks for volunteering for an extra shift! We really appreciate…
“I guess I could have told her I’d just started volunteering,” she said out loud, closing the page. “But,” she contradicted herself, “wouldn’t she think it weird for me to volunteer exactly during the window we can hang out? Maybe I shouldn’t have taken this extra shift.” The thing was, Camille had mainly been taking calls from people who had committed to getting out and staying out, or who were involving the police. She had wondered if maybe the ones who called on the weekend would be in more desperate circumstances.
Her phone chirped again.
Well, get better soon.
Camille stared at the screen, wondering how to get the conversation off her fake illness. What’s the news?
Long story short: I’m getting a promotion! Maybe a schedule change? Maybe we can hang on week nights! Lmk as soon as you’re better! :)
“Well,” Camille said to herself, “I’ll definitely need to tell her about the volunteering now. Later. I’ll figure it out later.”
Congrats! Looking forward to hearing all about it.