Synopsis - detective story of ministry employee. Late stage magic contamination limited time to live working most corrupt beat in Helen.
Ideas
* boss is embezzling
* rival gangs (pure bloods, undying kings, hellen rising)
* much of the station is corrupt
* informers have habit of turning up dead
* meglomaniac hunter witch who can shift taint onto others. Catch witch killing someone. Witch then goes after partner frames main character and then kills auditor when character sets up a meeting. The megalomaniac is openly working for the mafia picking off inconvenient people through his talent.
* Big story drops in his lap. People are dropping like flies left and right. Lots of government involvement form the very top. Publishers drop the story smear campaign about the leaker. Money seized. Salary stops. The pressure comes down on cop as well and that is where he gets determines (what is there to lose? His job barely pays, his partner is dead and now his woman is "in questioning" That just made him mad. (obvious wikileaks tie in)
* Story is that gov't knows of the illegal dumping of magic waste. It is very profitable and only done in indigenous neighborhoods. People who ask about the illegal warehouse often dissappear and there is clearly government support.
Cameos
* Theo as drunk Albienne who helps stop a runner
* Llewellyn as scary little girl.
Partner is also far gone wistful dreamer barely connected with reality getting more and more carried away in magic visions. Treat like junky forgets to eat forgets what is important. Devon spends most of his time trying to keep his partner alive and functioning as he is given purpose by partner living.
Love interest - not initially but after partner death main character falls into a very dark place. Friend helps him out and becomes love interest. He doesn't want to burden her and she asks something very insightful of him that turns his life around. "Even if you die tomorrow, isn't it worth it for today? o you really think that I gt nothing at all from this? Do you really think that I sleep with you out of pity?"