Logan Chapter 145

-Emory-

Logan and I are dressed very deliberately this morning. We’re going for respectable and innocent, but in a way that makes it look like we dress this way as a habit. I know that the cops will be up to date on all of our public appearances, so modest is probably a lost cause, but I can still be respectable, damnit. Logan’s in his usual suit- navy this time rather than black, with a pewter gray tie. I go for a casual maxi dress with sandals that just have a low heel on them. I toss a cardigan over the dress as a nod to the still-chilly springtime weather outside, and pull my hair half back in a soft, romantic style. With my light makeup I look younger, fresh and clean, and absolutely not guilty of anything.

We walk down the stairs together, heading to breakfast just like always. The cooks were a little offended at the bounty of food I brought home yesterday, but calmed down once I explained that I picked up most of it to poke fun at Logan and Hammer. I know all is forgiven this morning by the cleverly doctored frozen waffles on my plate. They’ve been somehow injected with peanut butter, and they’re smothered in banana slices and protein-infused whipped cream. I’m not sure how they make whipped cream out of a protein shake, but clearly Logan has been talking to them about my eating habits. I could be annoyed about it, but it’s actually kind of endearing that he’s willing to get innovative to keep me healthy. Mama is a great cook, but I’ve always been a really picky eater. I wish I wasn’t, but I just don’t like most foods.

We’re halfway through breakfast when the doorbell rings. Logan takes one last bite of his omelet and sets his fork down, motioning me to stay seated. I hear his shoes tapping on the floor of the entryway, an uncomfortable echo of the last time he was walking with deliberate leisure through the space. Instead of stalking me, he’s working on his persona for the cops. He opens the door to the same detective that was already working on our case against Cora. Valentine, I think. He’s got a much younger detective with him, with a sharp face. He looks almost like an otter compared to Valentine’s rounder, more approachable features.

“Good morning gentlemen. Valentine, right? How can I help you today?” Logan reaches out to shake the hands of the men before him, all smiles and charm.

“That’s right, and this here is my new partner, O’Connell. I dunno if you’d heard, but we’re investigating a missin’ persons case tangential to your current one.” O’Connell nods tightly to Logan, clearly disapproving of Valentine’s informal style.

“Nice to meet you, O’Connell. I’m Logan, and I’m sure you’ll meet my wife Emory as well. She’s in the kitchen- we were just wrapping up breakfast. I can go fetch her if you two would like to meet us in the sitting room? It’s on the way back, so I won’t be gone long.” Logan starts ushering the detectives through our home into the sitting room, and I finish the last couple of bites of my breakfast, give the cooks my compliments, and stand at the end of the table to wait for my summons. I’m not sure if I would have been able to hear the men’s conversation had I been human, so I just wait for Logan to come get me rather than meeting the three in the sitting room. He flashes an encouraging smile at me as we walk hand in hand back to the sitting room. O’Connell is in the middle of complaining to Valentine in whispers about how we should’ve been split up so we can’t match our stories. I’m sure he thinks we can’t hear him, but he stops when he sees us, anyway.

“Good morning, Valentine! It’s been a whole month of Sundays since I saw you last! How have you and your wife been? Your daughter?” Valentine beams at me as he tells me about his daughter’s college classes while O’Connell rolls his eyes and scoffs in the background. I guess he’s not much for socializing.

“Suffice to say, we’s doin’ real good, Miss Davis. Or, no. I hear you’re Mrs. Úlfur now- congrats to you!” I can’t help but grin. It still feels surreal sometimes that Logan and I met and married in the span of a few months, but other times it feels like we’ve been together forever.

“Thank you! We just couldn’t wait any longer. It made things a little more complicated, to be sure, but you know how Southern mamas can be- I couldn’t be shacking up and Logan wanted me nice and safe from all the paparazzi and brand new fans I’ve got, now. I’m pretty agreeable about the results, I have to say.” We both laugh, and Logan shakes his head indulgently at me like I’m just the sweetest. O’Connell is having none of it, but he hasn’t voiced any suspicions yet.

“We don’t want to waste any of your time.” O’Connell breaks in, a tad formally for the tone that Valentine and I had been establishing. “We came to ask you a few questions pertaining to the recent disappearance of Ms. Cora Ilyin. Can you both tell me where you were three nights ago? Walk me through that whole day.”

We look at each other, remembering back. Logan provides the context I need to get started. “That was Deek’s birthday, remember? We were out to dinner with him that evening. Half of New York could verify that for you.”

I nod along. “Yes, that’s right. And before that… I spent that entire day around the house here. I’ve been working on logistics for our little community here. I think we could do with some celebrating around here. Logan just recently hired me a bodyguard who’s been learning me some self-defense as well. He’s probably in the kitchen flirting with the cooks right this instant.” I know for a fact that Hammer is in the kitchen, because I can hear him getting the scoop from the cooks about everything that happened before he came in from his morning run. The policemen wouldn’t be able to hear that, though.

O’Connell tries not to look disappointed in my obvious innocence as he turns to Logan. “And what were you up to that day?” Valentine nudges O’Connell, probably to try and coax him into being more polite. I’d bet they’re going to have a long conversation on the way back into the city after this.

Logan smiles affably, like he wasn’t just basically accused. “I was at work all day, of course. I have the number of my assistant if you’d like to check back on that. After the dinner, we came straight home and stayed in for the rest of the night. I’m sure you understand what it’s like to be newlyweds.” I feel my face flush at the implication. *Logan!*

*Relax, little rose. O’Connell just needs some loosening up. You’re doing so well.* I try to will the color out of my face, but O’Connell and Valentine both chuckle at our antics. O’Connell tries to pull his stern demeanor back around himself. “Well, I’m sure we can ask your staff any other questions we might have, and we have your numbers if we need any other information about your movements this past week. Please stay in town and available.” He flips his notebook shut and stands to leave.

Valentine reluctantly stands as well. “By the way, Mr. Úlfur, don’t you have a brother? How’s he doing? Is he around?” I can feel my smile freeze on my face.