Roy handed me a bottle of Powerade. He’d seen me wobble, and he knew the toll of casting around this much iron too. I took a big swig. It might be incongruent with the character I was playing, but it was better than passing out. Maybe I should get a flask or something to use. The officers took charge of the jogger and led her away. “Things were a bit blurry at the end, beginning, whatever,” Sam complained. He was in charge of the forensics team. He’d seen me work a few times. “The car had a lot of iron,” I explained, relaxing my accent. “Are you done? Can my team start?” “All yours.” I bowed. Sam rolled his eyes. He appreciated my help, but to him, I was just another coworker. “Are you okay?” Roy asked. “That was a rough one.” “I’m conscious and standing. I’ll be fine.” I continued with my Powerade. “Do we need to stick around?” “Want to get back to your dolls?” I ignored the barb this time. Roy was too old to be tech-savvy, or so he says. “I want to get away from the iron. I can at least finish the last re-creation. Maybe get a start on this one.” I glanced at my sketches on the way back. “Can I see your notes?” I requested. Roy tossed me his notebook. I compared his notes to what I’d drawn. “An SUV?” “That’s what it looked like to me. One of the small ones that is barely more than a car. “Really?” I hadn’t gotten that. “Check the video.” “Video?” There was no video. The magic didn’t show up on recording or film. Roy shrugged. “Three guys had cameras and were trying to record.” I shook my head. I closed my eyes, leaning back on the headrest. “Are you okay? Do you need more than just a drink?” “No harm done. That was gruesome. I need some brain bleach.” “What?” “An expression I picked up online. It means something to wipe an image from your mind.” “That wine you drink?” I chuckled. “That works for you because you’re human. I’m an elf. Elven wine only gets me drunk. Besides, I need to make a re-creation.” There was a tap on the window while we were stopped for a light. I groaned as I realized I’d forgotten to put on my hat and glasses. They weren’t a fashion statement. They were to help keep people from recognizing me by hiding my two most unique features. Of course, my alabaster skin was a close third, but some assumed I just needed to get out more. I rolled down the window, hoping they weren’t going to cause trouble. Not everyone thinks I can be trusted. “Are you Sean Reilly?” One girl asked. “That’s what people call me.” “Can we get your autograph?” One asked. “Ladies, we’re in the middle of traffic,” Roy protested. I tried to look apologetic. “He’s right. The light’s going to change at any moment. I’d hate for you to get hurt. Some other time perhaps.” Both girls looked disappointed. “How about a quick blessing?” I offered. Both girls nodded. I said a few words in my native tongue and touched their foreheads. “Now, get back to the sidewalk.” “What was that you said?” Roy asked. “May the goddess bless you with the sense to stay out of traffic.” I slipped on my glasses and hat. Roy chuckled. “Really?” “Yes. I should have added something about approaching strange cars.” The light finally turned, and we were on our way again. Back at the station, I returned to the little desk they gave me when I was sent there. They hadn’t been too happy to have me at first. Then I cast the first re-creation spell, and they were able to use it to find the evidence they needed to solve the case. Magic isn’t admissible in court. I’m not even allowed to cast in the courtroom. But they lump me in with psychics, so what I help them find can be used. And so can my digital re-creations. Not all magical re-creations are clear, especially to someone outside the spell’s radius, so I re-create the scene. At first, I used mannequins. Once, I had to use cadavers. No one appreciated that. Now I have software I can use. It’s a CG program that has digital models I can position and animate. I can change how they look and what they wear. That’s why Roy calls them dolls. I returned to the last crime scene I had been working on, finished it, and sent it to forensics. Then I started on today’s scene using my sketches and Roy’s notes. I wouldn’t be able to finish it until I had the photos and measurements from the team. It was just a start, collecting props and figures I would need. It was past quitting time when I finished with that. I hadn’t realized how late it was. I saved my work and headed home. As I approached my building, I saw someone grab one of my neighbors.