by Shae Bryant
"Shake my hand and pretend like we're having a conversation. Do you understand me?" I still kept my voice low since I wasn't sure who had seen me.
"No?"
I gripped his hand tight. "There's an Iron Oath investigator downstairs. At least, he was the last I checked."
Vince's eyes flashed with anger the moment he heard the name. "Oh no..."
"I'm warning you now and then Isaac." I said.
"If I don't kill Isaac first." Vince grumbled.
I grabbed his hand a little tighter and stared at him. "No you won't. Not while they are here. This guy is here to look into your son and this case. You have to stop whatever you're planning. We've got the guy who attacked Leo, and he's a lone wolf."
"Then I'll kill the lone wolf." Vince smiled at me.
"No you won't! He was illegally turned. He didn't know what happened to him. We need the someone who turned him — and fast. Before our new 'friend' gets to them."
Vince was very unhappy with me. He glanced over at Leo who was sedated by pain medicine. The surgeries took hours to complete. Every one of the wounds caused by a Werewolf. The one who caused this was downstairs in the Emergency Room and Vince could not touch him. In a way, I understood his anger.
He clenched his jaw, trying not to lose his temper. "What do you know about it?"
"She is a woman who runs around restaurants and clubs on South Beach. Flirty, pretty and probably quick to go home."
Vince rolled his eyes, "That's most of my customers on any given night."
I nodded, "This is going to take some time to figure out. Right now, warn your people. I'm going to warn mine."
"I appreciate this, Raina." Vince gave me a warm smile, hanging on to my hand a moment longer.
I let his hand go and started out the door, "I'm going to Issac now. Promise me. No attacks until the Iron Oath is gone."
Vince nodded, "You have my word."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Manipulation
Isaac's dealership was in a state of eerie quiet. There wasn't a single customer inside the shop. No one manned the service desk and the sales floor was empty. A lone man stood near the doorway with a pair of brass knuckles fixed over his right hand. He guarded the door, making sure anyone who walked in was supposed to be there.
When I opened the door, he narrowed his eyes at me. We both took a moment to size each other up. The man was a bit older than Isaac and a good five inches shorter than him. He carried himself with an air of intimidation that seemed to fit his overall look — an old Bike Week tee shirt under a leather vest, a gun prominently displayed in his waistband and scuffed riding boots hidden under a pair of beat up jeans.
He stood an inch from my face and sneered, speaking in a voice that smelled and sounded like he smoked one too many cigarettes.
"I don't recognize you."
"I don't recognize you either." I could tell my lack of fear wasn't making him happy.
"You're not one of us." He growled.
"No. I'm not. Raina Escobar. You?"
The two of us stood there in a silent face off. He refused to take my hand and refused to let me pass. My eyes drifted over to the office where Isaac had emerged from the doorway. The man glanced back at Isaac who gave him a nod of approval. I was in the clear.
His expression softened, "Brian Neason. We're closed."
"Did I walk into a meeting here, Brian?" I forced him to shake my hand.
"She's cool, Brian." Isaac chuckled, "Raina, it's not a good time."
"I think I came at a pretty good time."
The office windows showed me a crowd of Werewolves gathered in the back. No wonder Isaac had someone watching the door. Pretty much every Werewolf in Dade and Broward County had squished themselves into those back rooms.
Whenever an entire community was called together like this, it meant one of four things were happening — someone died, someone was having a baby, someone was getting married, or there was an emergency. No one had passed away, and the faces were too solemn for a wedding or a baby. Obviously, they were meeting about the issue at hand.
A woman followed behind Isaac. She stood next to Brian while sizing me up. The wedding band on her finger matched the one Brian wore. She looked like she was ten years younger than her husband. And, she chose a less "biker" look in favor of facial piercings, dyed black hair and a fitted shirt poking fun at Vampires. Now was probably an awful time to be wearing that shirt, lady.
"What's going on?" She questioned Isaac and Brian both, "Who is this?"
Isaac made the introductions, "Erin Neason. Raina Escobar. Raina's my close friend. The Detective I talk about a lot."
Unlike her husband, Erin offered me a warm smile right away, "Good to meet you Raina. I'm sorry to cut this short, but we're having a sit down."
"Good." I said, "Then you can pass along a message. There's an Iron Oath investigator in town. He's investigating the lone wolf."
They all took a moment to stare at me. Once the impact of my words reached them, they all came to a standstill. None of them could say a word, so I continued.
"No attacks, Isaac. None. I got Vince to agree to hold off. I'm doing everything I can to get the guy out of town as quickly as possible."
"You have to be joking!" Erin yelled it so loud that a few heads turned to look through the window.
"I wish I was." I answered, "I'll leave you all alone. Just, please, pass this along for me. And keep everyone calm until I tell you that he's gone."
"You did us a solid, Raina. Thanks." Erin smiled at me. I think I liked her. I wasn't too sure about her husband yet.
"I like to keep an eye on everyone here on my end." I grinned at them, "I'll leave you guys to it."
"Gracias, hermana." Isaac gave me a quick hug before I left.
When I returned to the department, Darius approached my desk. We got into an argument that caused the entire office to watch us. Money was changing hands as Officers and employees were taking bets on which of us would win. Once Darius threatened to suspend me, a groan came from the group who had bet on me. They knew he had won.
I grabbed my keys amidst a stream of obscenities and protests and stormed back to my car. For a few minutes, I turned on some very loud music and stewed behind the steering wheel. I could not believe Darius was forcing me to meet with Jacob and Catherine.
I found myself at Desperado's Taproom on a bike night. Every Werewolf in South Florida was throwing nasty looks my way. The looks weren't directed at me. Rather, they were directed at the Iron Oath investigator standing with me and my partner.
Jacob was apathetic to the glares and jeers directed towards him. He had that ridiculous notepad in his hands again, and pretended to make notes. "Jose said he met the woman called 'Mila' here at Desperado's Taproom. Catherine tells me this is a popular spot for Werewolves."
"It is a good place to ask questions about her." Catherine gave me a hopeful smile.
I didn't say a word. I just looked around hoping to find Isaac in the crowd of bikers. He was near the doors. Someone was whispering to him, motioning towards us. Isaac's face turned to stone when he looked my way.
The two of us locked eyes and I hoped he understood how sorry I was about all of this. I had no choice.
"Do you see anyone you are familiar with, Detective Escobar?" Jacob asked me.
"Nope."
Please don't come over to us, Isaac. Please. My silent pleas did nothing to stop Isaac from deliberately walking right up to me.
"Raina? You need something?" He looked right at me.
"Yeah..." I ignored Catherine's glares, "I've got some questions about a woman named Mila?"
Jacob stepped forward, extending a hand to Isaac. "We won't impose Mister Carillo. We'll ask what we need to, and be done with it. Ah...excuse me. I should introduce myself. Jacob Stuart, Iron Oath Investigator."
It took everything inside of Isaac to keep him from killing Jacob right there. Instead, he kept his eyes fixed on me, refusing to acknowledge Jacob. "Wha
t do you need Raina?"
"Do you know a lady named Mila?"
"Nope."
"I don't have anymore questions."
"Nonsense." Jacob rolled his eyes, holding a paper out to Isaac, "Here's a description of the woman. Maybe I can describe her for you?"
Isaac glanced at the paper and looked away, pretending like the man holding the paper didn't exist. He pushed his way between Jacob and I. Jacob had no choice but to step back. I may not be a Werewolf, but Isaac saw me as family. He was protecting me. Hiding me from the Iron Oath investigator who was trying not to cower at Isaac towering over him.
"I understand." Jacob nodded, "I won't be getting any answers from you tonight."
I tapped on Isaac's shoulder, "Blonde hair, dark eyes, tattoo on the lower back?"
"I don't know her." He shrugged, "Sorry Raina. Make sure your 'buddy' here knows none of us will be talking to him."
"Isaac, this is not cool." Catherine admonished.
"Sorry you think that way." Isaac gave Catherine a rather dismal look. He was not at all happy about this situation.
Poor Catherine. Always the peacemaker. She stepped towards Isaac, holding her hands out to him. "If you would give him a chance, maybe we can all try to solve this together? He is trying to help."
"No thanks. I'll see you all later." Isaac stopped and turned on his heels, pointing directly at Jacob, "Don't bother my people. They're here to have a good time."
For the first time, Isaac made direct contact with Jacbo Stuart. His look was enough to make Jacob back away a few inches. Jacob cleared his throat and began to scribble in his notepad, avoiding further contact with any Werewolves. I couldn't help but giggle at the way Jacob reacted.
Jacob sighed. "Detective Escobar, I understand how you feel about me, but we do need to find this woman before she does something to anyone else. The Werewolf community is going to be the best start to finding her."
"No they won't be." I narrowed my eyes at Jacob, walking away from the crowded area, "You of all people should know they won't give up one of their own. She could be right here, and they'll hide her. We're in the wrong place."
Catherine followed me, "Raina does have a point. Jose named off two other places he saw her before they got together that night. They're Human spots. We'll go there instead."
"Probably best. No one here is going to say a word to us anymore." I motioned to the surrounding people.
The raucous crowd of bikers had quieted to a hushed whisper. People were darting back and forth between groups, speaking in low tones so that we could not hear them. Every so often, someone would glance or glare in our direction. No one was going to speak to us or Jacob anymore.
"Why not come back without us later on?" Jacob suggested to me.
"No." That was a complete sentence. Jacob got the message.
I was thankful that Catherine decided to ride back to the department with Jacob. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to anyone right now. I started to think of different ways to push him out of South Florida. My mind even went to ideas on how I could conjure up a suspect that would send him on a wild goose chase. Little did I know, my salvation was coming very soon — thanks to a blue haired Werewolf who was brave enough to talk to Vince Moretti.
Chloe opened the door, peering around the room. Leo was sitting up in bed, staring at his phone. His head lulled back towards the pillow and the tossed the phone aside with a loud sigh. Chloe gulped down her fears of Leo's Dad and gently tapped on the door frame.
"Leo...?" She said quietly.
Leo's face brightened. He waved frantically and sat up. "Chloe. Hey. I'm glad you're here."
Chloe walked into the room, holding out some flowers for Leo. He looked as happy as a child getting a birthday present when he took them from her. Leo made a show of putting them in a vase near his bed after he offered Chloe one of two chairs in the room. They sat for a bit and chatted, making sure to avoid the subject of what put Leo in the hospital in the first place. Then, both of their faces fell when they heard heavy footsteps outside of his room.
"I'm not happy about this." Vince glared at Chloe, slamming the door shut behind him.
"Vince don't..." Leo pleaded.
Vince stood over Chloe's chair, staring down at her with a scowl. He even went so far as to let his fangs show. Everything about his demeanor was meant to intimidate the young woman into leaving.
Fortunately for Chloe, she had spent her entire life surrounded by rough and tumble types, including both of her parents. She gulped again, looking at Leo's face. He was hurt and upset with his Dad. Leo didn't want her to leave and Chloe was there to see Leo. Not Vince.
Chloe mustered a friendly smile, "You must be his Dad. Nice to meet you Mister Moretti."
Vince tilted his head in confusion. She was standing up to him. Most people weren't so quick to do that. Especially not when they were in close quarters where he stood between them and the door. The young woman was indeed afraid of him, but she was going to stand her ground for Leo's sake. This was enough to make Vince relax a little.
He gave Chloe a halfhearted wave, "You must be Chloe. Why are you here?"
Leo groaned, "Vince stop...!"
"Do you want me to leave?" Chloe jerked her thumb towards the door.
"No!" Leo grabbed the rail on his bed, leaning over to look for something to throw at Vince, "If Vince is so mad then he can leave. You can stay!"
"After you were attacked by a Werewolf? I think not!" Vince spoke to Leo, but directed his accusatory gaze at Chloe.
"Then sit down and stop it! I want to talk to her." Leo threw a comic book at Vince as a warning for him to behave.
"Look, Mister Moretti..." Chloe opened her hands to Vince, "I had nothing to do with this. I wanted to make sure Leo is OK. What if I gave you a peace offering?"
Vince snorted, "I doubt you'll have anything for me, Miss Neason."
Chloe smiled, "I think I might."
"Make it quick then." Vince crossed his arms over his chest.
Chloe was unmoved. Vince was trying to scare her, and it wasn't working anymore. His bark was far worse than his bite.
"Mister Moretti, Werewolves find each other by scent. When we're not shifted, we still know another Werewolf just by the smell."
"This is rather typical of..."
Chloe interrupted Vince's oncoming insult, "My bike's in the shop, so I took a bus here. At the bus station, there was a lady that I have never seen before, but she was one of us. She was trying to find out which one to take to the Greyhound station. I tried to talk with her, and she ran to the bathrooms. When I went after her, she ran."
"Why are you telling me this?" Vince asked.
"Maybe she caused this, and the Iron Oath wants to find her now. None of us want her to go through that. You have better eyes and ears than we do."
Vince gawked at Chloe, "You are asking me for help?"
She shook her head, "No. I'm just telling you something. Nothing more. Something that might help us all out."
Leo coughed, "Can we talk now? I didn't look at the flowers yet."
"Aren't you allergic to them, Leo?" Vince looked at the flowers, certain those gave him hay fever.
"Really!?" Leo protested.
Vince pursed his lips, looking back and forth between Chloe and Leo. He was defeated. Chloe had stood her ground and given him vital information. Leo was angry with him for good reason. They were there to have a pleasant visit -- not to have him bawl Chloe out for being a Werewolf.
He sulked to the door and placed his hand on the doorknob, "Excuse me. I have some calls to make. Enjoy your visit, Chloe."
Vince moved to a quiet hallway. Chloe may not have asked for his help, but she was smart. She was handing him the person who may be responsible for all of this. He got on the phone with Sophie, giving her the job to check bus stations and train stations all around Dade County. Perhaps this lone wolf was still looking to get out of the area. If she was, they could find her.
I wish V
ince would have called me about this. It would have saved me from the rest of my day with Jacob Stuart. He waltzed into the department with a folder in his hand and slapped it on my desk.
"Detectives!" He announced, "I think we are on the wrong path. I've done my research and pulled some records. I believe we need to look inside the Werewolf community. I have someone we can begin with."
"Who?" Catherine asked.
Jacob pulled some papers from the file, handing one to each of us, "Erin Neason. She was divorced once before and her ex-husband cited infidelity. Her husband Brian has been arrested three times in the last year alone. All three were assault charges. Fights that began with his wife flirting. She was arrested along with her husband two of those times."
I rolled my eyes, throwing the paper at him "That doesn't mean a thing. She doesn't even fit the description of Mila."
"Yes she does." Jacob looked it over, "Blonde hair and dark eyes. Do you know if Erin Neason has a tattoo on her back?"
No I hadn't. "Hrmph. That doesn't make Erin our suspect."
"It means we may have a lead, Detective. Nothing more." Jacob took the paper and placed it back on my desk.
"I don't agree with any of this." I stood up, getting ready to leave again.
"Raina!" Catherine called out to me, "We aren't arresting her. We have to look into every possible lead. If this continues, we won't be there to stop the next attack. There'll be bodies next time."
Jacob nodded, "I don't want to arrest Mrs. Neason. I do want to find the right suspect and get them help. They only go into custody if it's required."
"Help?" I folded my arms over my chest, leaning against the wall.
He sighed, "If someone has turned recently, they may not know to find their pack. They may be just as confused as Jose. It may be a matter for Mister Carillo to handle and not us."
"That is fair to say." Catherine gave me a hopeful look.
Ugh. Why did she have to be so good at this peace keeping thing!? She was right. Jacob was being fair about that. But, Erin Neason illegally turning people who were going on hunting sprees? It made no sense. There was no reason for it. It didn't fit someone who was so involved in their community. Erin and Brian helped Isaac prevent this sort of thing.
