Free Burned (A Magic Bullet Novel Book 1) by A. Blythe Page A

it wasn't here, we examined the weapons with Lieutenant Adams in mind. Despite my failure to win over Captain Reed in the warehouse, I still thought it was a good idea to garner favors whenever possible. If I could make a meaningful contribution to the investigation, it could get me one step closer to clearing my name.
    Farah didn't have a kukri in stock, so I focused on the other curved blades that she did have. I stood in front of a kilij, admiring the slight curve of the shining metal blade. "This isn't it. The length is wrong and so is the curve."
    "Ha, I think I've used that line before," Farah said. She wore a yellow T-shirt with the words Beaver Fever in furry letters. We were, and always had been, fashion opposites. Even in my desperate state, I strived to keep myself presentable. For Farah, as long as it drew attention to her boobs, she added it to her wardrobe.
    Farah pointed to another possibility further down the wall. A wakizashi. "I've sold a number of those earlier this year, mostly to a dealer in another colony."
    I gave the weapon a passing glance. "Too long."
    My phone buzzed and I pulled it from my pocket. A text from Mix.
    "He wants us to meet him at The Night Owl tonight," I told Farah.
    "So you can meet his girlfriend?"
    "Seems so. I did offer."
    "It'll be fun," Farah assured me. "We haven't been out together in years."
    She was right. I owed her a night of debauchery. "I'll text him back."
    "You might need to send it from the store," Farah said. "I don't get the best reception back here. The walls are too thick."
    "You should really hire a mage to put a protection spell on the armory," I said as we stepped through the hole in the dressing room. "Your secret door is nice, but it's not going to keep out the supernaturals."
    "It hasn't been a problem so far," she replied.
    "I'm sure that's what Todd thought right before he died."
    "Fair point. I'll consider it."
    We reentered the front of the store and I replied to Mix with a yes. He responded with a smiley emoji. Oh boy.
    "So who else might deal in curved blades?" I asked, putting the phone away. "You mentioned a Shaitan and one of the guys in O'Leary's gang."
    "Why are you interested in which weapon killed the Protector?" Farah asked. "Last time I checked, you thought Protectors were overachieving Boy Scouts with great abs, patrolling the wasteland you hate. You call it Filthadelphia, remember? Had to run off and become a supernatural spy to get away from the grime."
    "It's the means to an end," I replied, picking up a jar of caramel body paint. "Now I would actually consider this. Have you tried it?"
    Farah shook her head. "Too sticky. I prefer the milk chocolate."
    I set down the jar. "Anyway, if I help with the investigation, then the Boy Scout might feel obligated to help me. A win-win."
    "And here I thought I was special," a deep voice said.
    I recognized that low rumble.
    Farah froze, her attention fixed on the person behind me.
    I whipped around to face Captain Reed.
    "Your eye healed nicely," he said.
    "Not really. It's under two coats of concealer."
    "I tried not to hit you too hard."
    "Next time try harder," I shot back. "How did you find me here?" And why are you looking?
    "I didn't," he said. "Well, I did, but I'm not looking for you. I'm looking for Farah."
    "I'm Farah," she said and fluttered her long eyelashes at him. I was glad she'd been in fox form at the warehouse. As far as I knew, she'd never banged a Naphil. One human look at Captain Manly and I thought she decided it was an oversight she'd like to remedy.
    His brow lifted. "Sorry, I didn't recognize you without the fur." He displayed the hand that she'd bitten in the warehouse. "You'll be glad to know I'm rabies free."
    Farah smiled. "Still think I'm cute? I can shift, if you'd prefer my fox form. You wouldn't be the only one." She winked.
    Captain Reed cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable.
    "I understand you might be able to locate a certain type of weapon." He looked around