It was almost a nice day, if not a little chilly. The bite of the incoming winter hung in the air even this late in the day and a gentle breeze was all it took to make everyone feel it. Kass recognised Sirius’s ship easily. The wood was dark in colour, almost a grey black. The sails too, had been dyed black, but the colour was faded and weather worn. It was distinctive and yet much like Sirius himself, it somehow seemed to blend in among all the white sails. It wasn’t the only ship with odd coloured sails though. Down near the other end of the dock, nestled between much larger ships, was a single-masted yacht with bright pink sails. Whoever owned it must be a good sailor to be taking a ship that small out into these waters. Even the bays could get quite rough.

  The land curved around an area of water large enough to boast several smaller and predominately uninhabited islands. There had been more than a few drownings by people trying to get to them in small dinghies on the wrong day.

  To the north, the land rose up slightly as it reached outward toward the ocean. Fancier and newer houses, like Indi’s, were situated atop the hill as it curved around the bay, though they were mostly hidden among dense low-lying bush.

  If you kept going north the land quickly became covered in pine forest. Houses had been built around some of the next bay over too but they were more sparsely spread and situated further back from the water’s edge, where they were completely concealed by pine trees.

  To the south, the land was also raised but it was lower than to the north and covered in bare farmland. Sheep dotted the hillside. At the very end of the headland sat a lighthouse and large old manor.

  The pier itself was bustling. Kass couldn’t remember a time when it hadn’t been. The docks were the heart and soul of Little Rock. Several cafes lined the waterfront before you got to the proper docks, further down and in among a large collection of warehouses.

  Kass found Sirius directing cargo into one of the warehouses. As she passed by another crew unloading boxes from their own smaller and lighter coloured ship, one or two of them gave her an appreciatory whistle. She wasn’t dressed in her usual office attire but she was nicer dressed than most of those on the docks who wore a mix of canvas, jeans, and scruffy t-shirts or singlets. A couple of men were hauling boxes bare-chested, despite the slight chill. That morning she’d opted for clothes that could pass in an office but wouldn’t be unsuitable for running, a pair of dark stretchy skinny jeans, boots, and a simple beige cap-sleeve blouse. She’d gotten soaked that morning in the rain but everything had mostly dried during the ride back.

  Sirius glanced up at the sound of the whistles and did a double take when he saw her. He straightened up and frowned.

  “Kass?”

  She gave him a brief smile and was pleased when he returned it, although it was equally as brief. “Hey, I have some rather unfortunate news.”

  His frown returned.

  “Cat’s been arrested.”

  His frown deepened. “What for?”

  Kass explained almost all she knew. When she was done Sirius was silent.

  After some amount of time in thought he asked, “So what do we do?”

  “Well, she’s got a good lawyer but it would really help her if she cooperates with them and I don’t know how likely she is to do that. Maybe it would help if you talked to her?”

  Sirius shook his head. “She doesn’t listen to me.”

  “There’s another thing.”

  “What?”

  “They found Katrina’s prints at the scene. I believe they’ve already sent someone around to your house to interview her.”

  “Does Amanda know?”

  Kass shook her head. “I came straight here. I’d just heard you were back and the port was closer.” Kass nearly tripped over her words to explain. She didn’t want him to think she’d come to him first because she’d wanted to see him, even though there was some truth in that.

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  Sirius gave a worried nod. “I need to get home.”

  Kass knew he was right, as much as she would have liked to keep talking to him, even in spite of all the circumstances. After the few days she’d had she found his presence calming. Even when he was obviously worried, he had a sense of peace about him.

  The peace was disrupted by a sudden scream from down the docks. They each turned to look, along with several other dock workers who paused in their work. Down near where the pink-sailed boat was berthed a lady was being supported by two companions, a man and a woman. She was fallen half-way to the ground, her knees folded in underneath her and she was wailing.

  “It’s the end! It’s coming! I can see it so clearly! Can’t you see it?”

  Another man joined the group and all four of them made their way down the docks in the direction of Kass and Sirius. They half dragged, half supported the woman the entire way down, all the while she moaned and proclaimed all sorts of dark predictions.

  As she passed by Sirius and Kass she suddenly pointed at them with a shaky finger. “Y-y-you have to close the splice! You have to close it!” Then she folded in on her self. “Oh! The ghosts! So many! So alone! Oh! They are coming! And the dead will walk like they never have before.”

  Her companion who wasn’t currently supporting her called out as they passed on by. “I’m sorry, please pay her no attention. She’s out of her mind. We’re taking her to a doctor.”

  “Out of her mind huh?” Sirius mumbled softly as if he didn’t quite believe it.

  Kass kept watching as the pulled the woman down the dock and eventually around the corner. She was so busy watching after the screaming woman that she didn’t notice Sirius studying her own face, until he asked, “Are you alright?”

  “Huh?” She glanced up to meet his eyes and for a second she felt like he could read her soul.

  “You look tired.”

  “Oh, uh, yeah, maybe I am I suppose.” She dropped her eyes away, reminding herself that he wasn’t hers, and that she definitely didn’t deserve someone like him. But the memory of those emeralds stuck in her mind and she couldn’t help herself. She was drawn back up to look at him.

  He looked worried. How tired did she look?

  She shook her head and tried to brush off his concern. The fact he was concerned at all just made her like him more and she half wished he wasn’t so caring. “It’s been a long day.”

  “You should go home, get some rest.”

  “I’ve got too much work to do.” That was the truth too. There was a lot for her to catch up on, not to mention Cat’s situation.

  “You can’t do much if you’re tired,” Sirius replied matter-of-factly. “I’m gonna head home, talk to Amanda. You said Cat had a lawyer?”

  “Yeah, just court appointed but she’s decent. I’ll send you her name and number.” Kass pulled out her phone to get on that straight away.

  “Thank you. Are you sure you’re alright?”

  She met his eyes again and felt her knees go weak at the concern in his eyes. “Me? Yeah. I’m fine.” She really did feel like just going home and hitting the sack though. It was late enough in the day and he was right. She’d be more productive if she was well-rested. There was no way they were letting Cat out tonight. Everything else could wait until tomorrow. “I’ll probably knock off early though. Call me if you need any help?”

  He nodded. “Will do.”

  With that, they parted ways. Kass didn’t go back to the office. Instead she went home to her apartment, figuring maybe a short nap would do the trick and then she could pull some hours in the late evening. When she got home, she set her overnight bag aside to be unpacked later. Then she lay down on the bed, still in her clothes. She fell asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

  Earlier...

  Amanda tied her horse up out the front of The Rusty Nail, just around the corner from the docks. She spared a brief glance at the bar. Then, resisting the urge to break into a run, she made her way in the direction of Sirius’s ship.

  Her heart lifted at the sight of those familiar sails flapping in the cool breeze. Even though he’d only been gone several days, it felt like weeks. With all that had been going on lately she wanted nothing more than to drag him back home, seat the kids all around, and curl up on the couch with Sirius, while they all watched a movie together.

  That wasn’t going to happen. Not tonight. There was too much else to deal with first, Cat, Lily, Katrina. But Amanda would settle for a hug. Just knowing he was back bolstered her mood greatly.

  She saw him first, his tall form towering over others. She smiled.

  But she stopped short half way toward him and her smile fell away as she realised who he was talking to... Kass.

  Amanda froze. A sick feeling rose in her stomach and she felt like the floor had fallen out from underneath her.

  She couldn't face them like this. She didn't want that encounter. She spun on her heels and walked away.

  In the back of her mind she knew it made sense. Cat had been arrested. Kass was a lawyer. She probably knew and she was telling Sirius.

  Amanda hesitated. She paused and looked back at them. They were still talking. She didn't miss the way Kass was looking at him. Even from this far away Amanda could plainly see how undivided Kass’s attention was.

  Sure, some things made sense but why hadn't Kass come to Amanda first? Why hadn't she warned her the cops were coming to interrogate Katrina? How had she even known Sirius was back? Even before Amanda had?

  Amanda kept walking and she didn't really think about where her feet were taking her until she found herself standing inside The Rusty Nail.

  The barman leaned over the counter with a welcoming smile. "Amanda! What'll it be?"

  Oh what the hell. After the day she’d had. One beer wouldn't hurt.