The walk to Stellar Bucks was brisk, the city alive with Saturday noise. By the time I pushed open the glass doors, the familiar aroma of espresso and cinnamon smacked me in the face like a warm hug. I spotted Professor Orion almost immediately. He was tucked away in the corner, wearing that same I-know-something-you-don't smirk that made me want to both respect him and throw a croissant at his head.
"Remillia," he greeted, raising his cup like we were just two old friends having a lazy afternoon.
"Professor." I slid into the seat across from him. "You've got bodies tied to Arkus. Spill."
His eyes gleamed like he'd been waiting for me to say that. "You always go straight to the heart of it, don't you?" he said, taking a sip of his drink before leaning forward. "The autopsies weren't just deaths—they were silenced mouths. Every victim had connections to the Maguire family's… less-than-legal dealings. All threads lead back to Arkus."
