The Caledonian Inheritance (The Athena Effect) by Derrolyn Anderson Page A

of town and told her what happened. She marched right over and demanded that I do something about it.”
    “It was nothing,” Layla said. “Really.”
    “Not according to Millie. She says that someone was shooting at you.”
    “It’s no big deal… Just some kids playing… Or a mistaken hunter.”
    His face was emotionless, stoic. “Firearms were involved, and I’m going to have to file a report.”
    She sighed, conceding defeat. “Fine. Cali and I will come down to the station tomorrow.”
    “I’m sorry ma’am, but I’m going to need to take your statement tonight. It’s department policy.”
    “Ma’am?”
    “Miss Reed? It’s Reed, right?”
    “No! I mean… I– I’m… I’m going by Mackenzie from now on,” she said haltingly, increasingly unnerved. “I’m planning to get it changed legally.”
    “Alright, Miss Mackenzie it is. I’m still going to need you to come to the station with me.”
    “Right now?!” she gasped.
    He stood up a little straighter, “I need to have that report filed tonight.”
    She bit her lip, looking down at the jeans she had worn for the hike. She tried to smooth back her wild, windblown hair. “Okay, but give me a minute. I’m not dressed properly.”
    “You look fine to me,” he said sincerely.
    “Just give me a minute.”
    “I’ll wait right here,” he said.
    She looked down at the little dog sitting at Ramon’s feet and staring up at him adoringly. “C’mon Poddy. Get in the house.”
    He was chuckling at the dog’s name when she shut the door on him. She raced up the stairs, stopping to splash some water on her face in the bathroom.
    “Just calm down,” she told the girl in the mirror. “You can do this.”
    ~
    When she reappeared at the door she had donned her armor, and she looked like another person entirely. Her jeans and sweater had been replaced with a modest skirt, bow necked blouse, and a tailored jacket. Her long, loose hair had been hastily pinned back into a severe bun with only a few unruly tendrils threatening to escape at the nape of her neck. She greeted Ramon with exaggerated formality.
    “I’m ready officer.”
    Ramon insisted on taking her in his police cruiser, promising to bring her back as soon as possible. She snuck a few glances at his profile on the drive, trying to decipher his intense and constantly shifting colors. He was blazing with bright yellow curiosity, lime green suspicion, shot through with excitement and anxiety. Underneath his potent mix of emotions ran a current of deep blue concern.
    He didn’t trust her, but she got the feeling that he wanted to.
    She started speculating on the best way to deal with his questions. It shouldn’t be too hard to throw him off their trail, she thought, preparing herself for her performance. It was probably best that she handle this, because she had much more experience than her cousin did in manipulating human beings. Cali’s synesthesia was powerful, but years of experience had taught Layla how to administer hers with much more precision.
    After some deliberation she finally settled on confusion.  Fear was a much more powerful motivator, but it might backfire, making him more suspicious afterwards than he already was. Besides, he didn’t seem like someone that would scare too easily.
    They pulled up in front of the police station and climbed out into the cool evening air.
    “Right this way,” Ramon said, leading her in the door and past a lone receptionist sitting at the desk. The woman looked up with a nod. “Sherriff Brown went home for the day.”
    “I’m here to take a witness statement,” he explained.
    “Hey Ramon... Would you mind locking up for me?” the girl called after him, “I have a date.”
    “Sure thing,” he said, snatching the keys that she slid across the counter towards him.
    She grabbed her purse and headed for the door, turning back with a grateful smile, “Thanks. I owe you one.” He followed her to the door, locking it behind her.
    And