Catching a Coyote

by Serenity Snow

  “There was a rap on her door and Cordelia slipped her feet into a pair of white sneakers and exited the room to find Mallory already at the door.

  “Hey, alpha,” Rowel said.

  “What are you doing here, Rowel?” Mallory asked.

  “I was leaving the station when the desk sergeant told me about the call. I decided to come by and check it out.”

  “Good man,” she said. “Why is Jenner being such a hard-ass on this?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. Probably because she works for you guys.” Rowel looked over Mallory’s shoulder then and gave Cordelia a nod. “Hi.”

  “Detective Rowel,” she said. “What are you doing here? I thought the boys in blue took care of things like this.”

  “Beat cops?” He gave her a dazzling smile as he stepped around Mallory. “If the town was a few thousand people bigger, you’d be talking to someone else, but here the force is small. You get who you get.”

  “Oh.”

  “Larue attacked her,” Mallory said. “She’s got a bruise on her neck.”

  He held up a black case. “Let me get the camera,” he said. Rowel put the case on an end table next to a lamp and opened it. “Did she force her way in or did you let her in?”

  Cordelia told him what happened.

  “Forced entry,” he said. “Put up your hair.”

  She did, and he took several pictures.

  “I’ll take the bracelet for evidence,” Rowel told her.

  “Larue tried to rape her on their date in Mystic,” Mallory said.

  He sighed. “You really should have reported that to show a pattern of behavior,” Rowel said as he put away the camera. “We can’t do much about that here, but I can put it in my report. Do you have any witnesses?”

  “The bouncer saw her grab me and slam me into the wall. He overheard us arguing about her trying to rape me. He got her off me.”

  “I’ll talk to him and add that to my report, too,” he said. “What club was it?”

  She told him, and he gave her a curious look.

  “I wanted to go dancing. I thought that would be fun and safe.” Cordelia shrugged. “And pretty public.”

  He nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll go over there and then head home. Be careful. Get yourself a taser or pepper spray in case she attacks you while she’s off duty. Or better yet, get a dog or one of those loud warning things you can use if you’re attacked.”

  “Okay,” Cordelia said. She didn’t need a taser. She could use magick to create a spell. She hadn’t thought of it, but she would get on it now.

  “Later,” he said giving them a nod. “Mallory, can I talk to you a minute?” He picked up the bracelet and slipped it into a plastic bag and dropped that into his case.

  “Be right back,” Mallory said.

  Cordelia sighed and followed them to the door once they’d stepped out and pulled it partially closed.

  “What is it?” Mallory asked.

  “I want to ask her out, but I’m getting the feeling I’d be trespassing. No? Yes?”

  “What?”

  “I don’t know if she’s bi-sexual or not, but I get the feeling you’re looking. Am I wrong?” Rowel asked.

  Chapter Eight

  Cordelia smiled. She’d go out with him, but he couldn’t do a thing about her being in heat because she wasn’t bi. Right about now she wished she was, because the man was hot.

  “I’m just checking up on her,” Mallory said. “Go for it.”

  “Thanks.”

  Cordelia stepped away from the door when it opened, and Mallory gave her a brief look.

  “Are you going to be okay alone?”

  “You’re leaving?” Cordelia asked crestfallen.

  “I should,” she said. “I have a few things to do before I turn in.”

  Cordelia nodded. “Rowel seems nice.” She kept her tone conversational, but her goal was to feel Mallory out to see if she should just forget about making a move on her.

  “He is,” she said. “The ladies seem to like him.”

  “He looked like he wanted to ask me out. Do you think he will? I’m not straight by any means.”

  “You can let him down easy then,” Mallory suggested. “I’ll see you at work in a few days.”

  “It seems like you guys are having problems with Jenner over that girl’s death,” Cordelia said. “I know you were training her.”

  “What?” Mallory asked.

  “Jenner never asked me any questions, but I suspect he’ll push on with his investigation until he gets answers,” Cordelia commented. “Do you guys have any ideas? I heard Kamari saw something.”

  “No ideas,” she said coolly as she tracked Cordelia’s movement to the sofa. “What else have you heard?”

  Cordelia faced her, her expression closed. “I saw something.”

  “What were you doing on the play floor?” Mallory asked carefully. “You never said you were interested in being a sub.”

  “I wasn’t up there. This was down in the lounge.”

  “What exactly did you see?” Mallory demanded. “And why haven’t you come forward? You know the problems we’re having with this.”

  “I didn’t really want to get involved.” She sat down. “I still don’t, and I don’t think Jenner would believe anything I’d have to say.”

  Mallory sighed in agreement. “Not after today,” she said. “But it might help us prove our innocence.”

  “I’m tired. Can we talk about this in a few days?” Cordelia asked.

  “What?”

  Cordelia got to her feet. “I’ve had enough excitement for one evening.”

  “Right. Now, you want to play games,” Mallory said. “That’s why I don’t get involved with the dancers.”

  The frost in her tone could have frozen Cordelia, but she was suddenly already cold inside at the prospect of putting herself right in the middle of a problem that could make her a focus for the police.

  “I’ll survive.” It’s what she did best. “Good night.”

  Mallory’s eyes flashed with anger, the coyote glaring at her, but the cat merely watched with unconcerned disregard. She’d killed a tiger. She damn sure could kill a coyote if it came down to it.

  Mallory left without another word, and Cordelia locked up. She really did like Mallory, but she didn’t know if she was worth dredging up the past.

  ****

  “Mica,” Mallory said when the other woman answered.

  “Yeah?”

  “Tell Delaney to look into Treasure’s background. I want to know who she really is and why she’s really here.”

  “What? Syd checked her out.”

  “Tell her to look again,” she snapped as she made her way to her car. “She knows something about Isa’s death, and she’s not talking. I think she’s dodging the police on serious matters, too. I want to know what she’s hiding from.”

  “I’ll let her know,” she said. “But what if there isn’t anything to know? What if she’s exactly who she seems?”

  “Who ever is these days?” She ended the call. Cordelia with her beautiful barely sun-kissed skin and pretty eyes intrigued her coyote, but Mallory wasn’t about to let a piece of ass lead her astray.

  ****

  In the barely lit abandoned parking lot in Mystic, Bradley studied the man who’d called the meeting. His black eyes were flat and his body a little tense tonight. He’d hadn’t liked the fact Jerry had brought him into this, but they did have a few common goals.

  “How are things going with getting the project moving?”

  “They aren’t,” he said tightly. “I have to get rid of Mystic Snow’s alpha, but I’m putting pressure on the others in the Coalition. However, the plans Jerry and I had are still in force.”

  The man sighed. “Bradley, we had a deal. Don’t keep dragging your feet or my money just might go away,” he said.

  Bradley doubted that. Jerry had told him the jackal needed the legitimate business the resort would provide to r
un his dirty money through.

  “I was going to put the next ball in play in the morning,” Bradley said with a smile. “I’m just lucky Jerry put so much thought into this plan to get rid of them.”

  “Make it happen fast. The longer Summerfield breathes the longer it’s going to take to make this happen. Blacklaw will be an easier target on her own.”

  “Jenner’s sister is working on a story that could expose us. Make sure it doesn’t happen.”

  “You take care of her,” Bradley retorted. “I’m not worried about her.” He doubted she’d find anything that would be a problem for him, but she might find out about his companion’s drug trade and Jerry’s part in it.

  “You should be, since Jerry’s games might well lead her to your door.”

  He and Jerry had played together, but there was nothing that connected them as killers. He had nothing to worry about on that score. His companion, on the other hand, might have some fears of his own, but that wasn’t his problem.

  Bradley shook his head. “I’m taking all the risks for the biggest part of the plan—you take care of the girl if she gets too close.”

  She might.

  Carleigh could be pretty tenacious when she got the scent of blood.

  “I might have an idea,” Bradley said. “If it becomes necessary, I’ll put it into motion. In the meantime, good night.” He headed for his car, the wheels of his mind turning as he began putting together a plan that would solve the problem.

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning, Cordelia was up by 10:00 AM and dressed. She still needed to get into the city to buy a new moped. She considered getting a car, but thought that would be more than she engaged for financially.

  Of course, a car would come in handy when she had to leave. And she would have to leave, she knew that and accepted it.

  She had money saved—she always saved. She’d left so many places, she’d become an expert at it and the preparation for it.

  With a sigh, Cordelia took a last sip of her tea and set the cup in the sink. She went to the living area where she’d put her jacket. She didn’t feel the cold the same as humans, despite the frigidness of it, so all she needed was a light jacket to keep up the illusion of being human.

  She’d walk to a shop and buy a bike and take that into Mystic. As she pulled on her jacket, there was a rap on the door.

  “Coming,” Cordelia called with a frown. No one visited her. She had only one sort of friend and that was Black Velvet from work.

  She looked out of the peephole to find Mallory on her doorstep. Pulling open the door, Cordelia stared at her questioningly.

  “Morning,” Mallory said. “Are you ready?”

  “Huh?”

  “You wanted to go into the city, remember? I said I’d take you. I figured you’d be up and ready or you’d tell me when a better time would be.”

  Cordelia nodded slowly. She knew what Mallory wanted, but she wasn’t sure she’d give it to her today. In fact, if she could avoid it, Cordelia would continue to keep her silence.

  “Are you sure?” Cordelia asked. “I can get there on my own.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” Mallory replied. “Are you ready?”

  “Let me grab my purse.” She left Mallory standing there and went to get her purse from the sofa.

  They headed out to Mallory’s car, and Mallory opened the door for her. Cordelia gave her a smile. She was a sucker for a gentlewoman, but she wasn’t going to forget wasn’t dealing with a mere human. Coyotes were cunning animals, and she might well find herself spilling her guts if Mallory was intent on getting answers.

  They were on the road in a matter of minutes, and Mallory threw her a glance after turning down the radio.

  “Why don’t you want to talk about your family?” Mallory asked.

  “There’s nothing to talk about Mallory,” she said. “What about your family?”

  “I lost them in an invasion,” she answered. “My pack was attacked when I was in my late teens. Many were slaughtered by the invading hyenas.”

  “Damned troublesome creatures,” Cordelia murmured without thinking. “None of your family survived?”

  “A few cousins. A half-sister.”

  “Where are they?”

  “Work,” she said with a smile and Cordelia snorted.

  “Okay, I asked for that one,” Cordelia said. “Are you close to them? Something like that must leave an imprint, make you want to hold on tighter to those you have.”

  Mallory shrugged. “My sister and I were kind of close, but she was having a hard time dealing with my being gay. She moved away not long ago. Just up and left without a word. I guess that tells you how close we were.”

  “She hasn’t contacted you?” Cordelia asked softly.

  “No.” Emotion made her voice thick. “What about you? Siblings?”

  “I wish.” So many times, she had wished for someone she shared something in common with. Someone she could connect with without fear of being exposed.

  On the other hand, Cordelia knew the lady had known what she was doing when her mother had lost the baby boy she’d been carrying just before Cordelia’s father had been killed. A second child would have made it easy for them to be found, especially one so young.

  And for her, two on the run together drew more notice than a single woman alone.

  Blessings, but a doubled-edged sword all the same.

  “So, it’s just you and your parents?” Mallory asked. “Are you in touch with them? Are you a runaway?”

  “No.”

  “No to which one?” Mallory pressed.

  “No, I’m not in touch with them.”

  “How old were you when you ran away or were you in foster care?”

  “I wasn’t,” Cordelia said. Her parents had loved her fiercely, and she couldn’t hate her father for the choices he’d made to take care of his family.

  She hated no one, not anymore. She just wanted to live in peace.

  “So, you ran away because you were a headstrong brat, and you’re afraid to talk to them?” Mallory asked.

  “Things happen, you know, and you can’t always go home. Even if you did, nothing would be the same, not even you.”

  “I’m sure your parents would love you no matter what you did, Cordelia,” she insisted. “Most parents have a capacity for love and forgiveness that can move you beyond the past to a new relationship with them.”

  “Maybe.” She grimaced, wishing that was all that was wrong with her life. She’d go home as fast as her feet would carry her. “Your pack is coyote?” Cordelia quizzed.

  “Yes. What do you know about shifters?”

  “Enough.” She smiled.

  “Are you one?” Mallory asked.

  She nodded. “I am and that’s one reason I stay here,” she admitted. “I’ve never been around so many shifters in my life.” Cordelia grinned.

  “What are you?”

  “According to my parents I’m a…” Her father had been from a coyote breed. The coyote of his ancestors had been rumored to have preference for colder climes. In animal or human form, the bite carried a cold virus that could infect and kill.

  It was a snow coyote who smelled of nothing, though occasionally ice. It hunted by night and killed lost and unsuspecting humans, especially at the crossroads in winter.

  It had the power to crush bones and the same tenacious spirit as a hyena without its weakness of being the most dangerous in a pack.

  Her mother was from lynx ancestry with the ability to freeze its prey with its bite.

  While she considered herself neither black nor white but both, she was only one animal not a mix.

  “You’re what?”

  “A mountain lion.” A snow lynx was closer to the truth. And she was deadly in both her animal and human forms, thanks to the affinity with ice.

  “Where are you from?”

  “Nowhere.”

  Mallory let the matter drop, and they finished the drive in silence.

&
nbsp; Mallory found the small dealership in Stonington and pulled in. They were looking for all of five minutes when an attractive man in an expensive suit came over to help them.

  Cordelia got lost in the search for the perfect moped and in the end settled for a black one. While she was finishing up her paperwork, Mallory wandered away with her phone in her hand.

  ****

  “What’s going on?” Mallory asked, answering her phone as she cast a look back to Cordelia.

  “I looked for you in the den,” Brynn said. “Where are you? Sam said you weren’t at the club.”

  “I’m not,” she said. “Just tell me what’s up.”

  “Rowel called. He said Jenner took a statement from someone who places you with Isa the night of the murder. Jenner got a tip to search the playrooms again.”

  “What?” She kept her voice low. “Why? What’s he looking for?”

  “Rowel doesn’t know, but he said the conversation was incriminating enough for Jen to want to get a warrant to search your playroom.”

  “I don’t have anything to hide,” Mallory retorted. “I haven’t even been in there in a while.”

  “Just letting you know in case you needed Sam to get up there and remove anything. He’s also searching her playroom and wants to search the entire club, but Sam’s planning to get your lawyer to block that.”

  “Thanks for the heads up,” she said. “I’ll talk to you later. By the way, did Rowel say anything else?”

  “Oh, yeah. He said the story checked, and he’s going to go through law enforcement channels to see what else he could find out. Anything I need to know?”

  She sighed. “We’ll talk later.”

  “Okay. Out.”

  She ended the call as Cordelia came toward her.

  “Are we not buying the funny looking motorcycle?” Mallory teased.

  “No. I changed my mind,” she said with a shrug. “I might have to leave if Larue keeps messing with me, and I’m not driving that out of town. I think I’ll just get a bike to ride around town on.”

  Mallory laughed. “I think Kamari still has hers. She might lend it to you since she’s driving Mica’s car.”