13. Round & Round the Mulberry Bush
Round they were far more selfish, hoarding their gifts and immortality.
What was true for both species was that a leader had to approve the Change.
I had never asked Jake how often he did so, but I knew Micah rarely did.
I guess a longer lifespan was far different from living forever.
‘No ties to Jason Rodriguez? Drugs? Girls? Gambling?’ Captain Buchanan had asked with a frown.
‘None. Apart from turning into a Werewolf, Evan sounds like a decent guy. They weren’t lying when they all said he was well-liked,’ I told my boss.
‘And the Devil’s Edge? What did they have to say for themselves?’ Butch asked. I finally sat down, Tim following my lead. So much for a quick meeting.
‘Janus doesn’t seem to be lying or withholding,’ I had told him.
‘And honestly, Cap, I don’t see why he would.
A body killed by one of his in his own territory?
That would be disastrous for him. He may want to consolidate his power base, and he certainly covets Jake’s Pack, but he’s far from stupid.
He wouldn’t win an all-out war. Plus, he had no reason to kill Jason Rodriguez.
Add to that the murders were committed by a Vamp and something else that is not, according to Ruby Blue’s findings, a Were. ’
‘All that to say,’ Tim had taken over, adjusting his shirt sleeves, ‘his Pack was forthcoming, on his orders, and they didn’t see, hear, smell, or sense a Were from another Pack in their territory.’
‘That’s another mystery,’ I’d let some of my frustration into my voice, uncrossing and recrossing my legs. ‘How the hell did he go unnoticed? Did this rogue Vamp mask his Signature as well?’ What kind of power did he or she have to be able to do what Micah had said was almost impossible?
‘What does Saint James have to say?’ Butch had asked then, running his hand through his blond hair, causing it to stick up.
We were all frustrated by this. It felt like going in circles, leaving me constantly disoriented. Lost in a maze where every turn was a dead end.
‘I haven’t talked to him about it yet,’ I told the Captain, huffing out a frustrated breath. ‘It’s on the list.’
‘Tell me what you need,’ Butch had said with a sigh. We all knew this would take time and resources, no matter how much pressure is shoved down our throats from above.
‘We could use some help,’ I’d said, staring my boss down. I may hate admitting it, but I knew when I was in over my head. I clenched my hands at my sides and tried for a smile. Pretty sure it came off as more of a grimace. ‘Murder is outside my expertise.’
‘Permission to bring on homicide,’ Tim asked, seeming much more at ease than I was in asking for extra resources.
Butch had flicked his eyes between the two of us, hands steepled on his desk. ‘Good call. Anyone who isn’t busy can come on board your investigation. I’ll clear it with their Captain.’
As I finish replaying this morning’s meeting, I stop firing, breathing hard. Four empty clips rest on the ledge I’m leaning against. One good thing about firing bullets into a holo is that they can be reused, hitting an invisible barrier without being damaged.
‘What next?’ My partner’s voice startles me. I hadn’t realized he’d cleared away his own debris, gun holstered at his side.
I load a fresh clip into my gun and holster it.
‘Let’s go see homicide. I know you have a team in mind.’ I grin at my partner, and he gives me one in return.