Communicating with him, though, with Fitz right there…
“Is this man giving you any trouble, Jane?”

“No. We were just talking.” The truth, really, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to break off the conversation.

Will slipped his arm around me in a platonic matter and whispered, “Not possessed,” in my ear.

That was helpful. I wondered if he could do something about what had happened.

“Is this man…”

“He’s a friend,” I turned back to Fitz. “He thought I needed rescuing, ya know.”

Fitz shook his head. “The only person you need rescuing from…”

I lifted my hand. “It’s more complicated than you think. Mike was set up by somebody who…who he got into trouble in the past.”

“You’re saying the cop who shot that kid…”

“…wasn’t even a cop. I think it was an actor.” I let out a breath. “You know, desperate unemployed actor, offered a ton of money.”

Fitz shook his head. “You want me to believe this, you’ll need…”

“You were approached to take the case not by the family, but by a handsome younger man with black hair.” It was a guess, and a desperate one.

His eyes widened. “Uh…”

I continued the lie smoothly, “Mike put his father away for a long time. He’s after vengeance.”

Finally, Fitz frowned. “No. He’s…”

I glanced at William. He was murmuring very quietly under his breath in Latin.

“Manipulating you, like I said.” I hated having to lie, but I was fairly sure if I told him the truth his mind would go into defense mode and he wouldn’t remember any of it. That was how it worked, after all.

“And you are too.” He glanced at William, then blinked. “The truth. I want the truth.”

I studied him. “Alright. It’s a demon.”

“…” He fell silent. Then he looked at William again, his eyes focused firmly on the man’s collar.

“A demon that’s trying to ruin our lives, because he’s pissed with me. He shot the kid – disguised as Mike.”

“I…”

I took a deep breath and focused hard on shifting my appearance. “Like this.”

“You’re a demon.”

“No…or I wouldn’t be able to hug William here.” I grinned at him. “No…I’m one of the good guys. Mostly.”

“I…need to sit down.”

I could imagine that he did, but William moved to support him and guide him back into his office.