Page 66 of Innocent Until Proven Witch

"You won't."

She gestures toward a chair. "Sit down and tell me what terrible idea you've come up with."

I settle into the chair. "It's not terrible."

She immediately narrows her eyes. "Oh, it's definitely terrible."

I grin. Iris points at me. "That face right there."

"What face?"

"The one that says you've already done something stupid."

I consider arguing. Unfortunately, she knows me too well. "I need a favor."

"There it is." Iris leans back. "What kind of favor?”

"A quiet one."

"Those are always the worst." Probably.

I rest my elbows on the table. "I need financial records."

Iris stares. "That's your opening line?"

"It's an honest one."

Her eyes narrow further. "Whose records?"

I don't answer immediately. The hesitation tells her enough.

"Aldric."

Iris slowly closes the ledger in front of her. The humor leaves her expression.

"Finn."

"I know."

"No, I don't think you do."

I lean back. "Try me."

Iris studies me carefully, long enough that I begin wondering whether she's about to throw me out. Instead she asks quietly, "Are you sure?"

I already know what she means. Not the records. Reina. The accusations. The town. Everything.

I hold her gaze. "Yes." The answer comes easily, because it isn't a question anymore.

Iris watches me for another moment. Then something softens in her expression. Not agreement. Acceptance.

"You're serious."

I laugh. "That's what worries everyone."

"It should." A corner of her mouth lifts. Then she reaches beneath the desk.

My eyebrows rise. "Iris."