by T S Paul
Blake looked up from the monitor in front of him and turned. “Yes, boss?”
I smiled. “Grab your gear and head over to City Hall. It looks like things are about to get out of hand. If possible enlist the locals. Don’t forget your phone or your badge. I don’t want to have to bail YOU out.”
Seeing what I was looking at he nodded and grabbed a small backpack near the door. One nice thing about transfers, they were already trained in the basics.
“You think he can handle it?” Cat asked.
“Up until they strip him and toss him into jail for being a stranger. He’ll survive. I’m more worried about Chuck over there.” I nodded in Chuck’s direction.
“Dudes, I’m fine,” Chuck called without looking. He was trying to watch more than thirty screens all at once. His eyes were like little marbles going round and round. If we didn’t find this guy soon, Chuck was going to pass right out.
I looked back at Cat. “I need you to follow after Blake and try to assume some sort of control over this situation. Before you ask, I am aware you are one person against a thousand of hyped up Werewolves.”
“Good because I was worried about you for a moment there. Are you sure you can’t just...,” Cat wiggled her fingers pointedly at me.
“You know I can’t. If I concentrate on it and maybe ask Defender or Pathfinder for help, I could do it. But it would cost me my job, your job, and bring down the wrath of both the Witches Council and the World Council. I sure don’t want that, and neither do you. We have so much to give still. If I’m going to sacrifice myself on the altar of good deeds, let it be for something that really means something to the world. Not a rogue serial killer,” I explained.
“Hey, boss?” Chuck broke up our conversation at the exactly right moment.
“Did you find something, Chuck?” I asked.
“No, but I did find us some help.” Chuck pointed at the main screen which suddenly switched to a view of outside.
A long black car just pulled up, and an elegant black haired woman got out.
I barely noticed the door or the stairs as I flew outside. Running up to Anastasia, I gave her a big hug. “Thank the Gods you made it back to us!”
Ana squeezed me and gave me one of her looks. “There and back again. I did tell you that I’d come back home. And it looks like I’m just in time. Is there a reason several hundred Werewolves tried to turn my car into scrap metal?”
“Come inside, and I’ll explain.” I let go of the Vampire and peeked inside the car. “Do you have a bag?”
“Ivan can get it,” Ana replied.
The man in question came around the side of the car. To me, Ivan looked worse than he did when I saw him in Florida. Black leather pants and a jacket covered much of his body, but I could tell he’d lost a lot of weight. What skin I could see looked like it was just stretched over his bones. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear he was a zombie. “Hello, Ivan, nice to see you again.”
Ivan stopped and gave me a strange look. He was wearing a chauffeur's cap, and all I could see were beady red eyes staring at me. No words came out when he opened his mouth, only grunts.
“Ivan, transfer the bags to the bus under-compartments. I’ll retrieve them later. When you’re done, take a nap for a while. If I need you, I’ll call,” Anastasia ordered.
I glanced at Ana with a question on my lips. She shook her head and pointed toward the bus. “I’ll explain inside. It’s so nice to see you again, Agatha.”
I looked back more than once at Ivan as we walked toward the bus. He really did look like a TV zombie. He even moved like one as he teetered back and forth. Waving my left hand, I dropped the Ward on this side of the bus. No need to damage him any further.
Cat gave Anastasia an even bigger hug than I did. For her, she had less chance of breaking her ribs. “We’ve missed you!”
“All of you were in my thoughts the entire time we were away. Agatha, I’m so sorry to hear about Bill. He will be sorely missed,” Anastasia nodded toward me.
“I told the Director we’d help hunt down his killers. But for now, we have a big-ass mess. Did she fill you in on the investigation?” I asked.
“Beatrice did. I’ve been reading your reports as I traveled home. How on earth did you convince the local pack to help you? Didn’t you try to burn his house down?” Ana asked me.
“His restaurant, but yeah. We came to an arrangement. Let’s get you settled, and I’ll explain.” I showed Ana to her room. My stuff still graced the bed and floor. Fergus’s barn sat on top of the desk. A tiny light in the top window.
“I see you put it to good use.” She pointed toward the barn. “Do I want to know?”
“I don’t want to know.” Walking across the small room, I stopped in front of the desk and looked down into Fergus’s barn.
My ever annoying unicorn was curled up around a stuffed toy dragon sound asleep. His phone was on, and I could see he was watching a kids show called ‘Puppet’s Gone Wild’ on it. I let out a giggle. I never giggle.
“Is it bad?” Ana asked.
“No, it’s actually kind of cute.” I motioned her over.
“Where’d he get a dragon that small?” Ana asked me as she stared at Fergus.
“No idea. Where did the couch and recliner come from? The bigger question is who makes furniture for tiny Unicorns? Stuff just appears with no explanation all the time. I’ve given up trying to understand the little dude.” I sat down on the bed and patted a place next to me.
Ana looked at me with a raised eyebrow, but sat down, anyway. “What’s wrong, my friend?”
I felt a tear roll down my cheek. “I lost him, Ana, Bill shouldn’t have died. My Magick couldn’t save him!”
Ana put her arm around me. “I read the report and even spoke to Beatrice about the incident. Your spell saved him from the bus. You told me at the very beginning of all this that the spell you put on us was supposed to give us time to run for it. That it wouldn’t protect us. You cannot be everywhere at once, Agatha. What we do is like going to war. People die in war. It’s a fact a life. For those of us with long lives, it’s a curse as much as a blessing. I’ve had friends come and go. Many died chasing one lost cause after the other. Do not blame yourself for this. Celebrate his life like you know he would want you to. Your Gods and mine wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Raising my head up, I looked her in the eye. There was a… presence… I could feel it right on the edge of my Magickal perception. I blinked, and it was gone. Plain old Anastasia was staring at me. I patted her on the arm. “Thank you for that.”
“It’s what I’m here for. Now dry those tears. What do you need from me?” Ana asked me.
“Help Chuck first. He’s trying to watch thirty or more screens at once. We had no idea the pack would help us this much. Cat and I need to be out there helping. I can get Blake back if you need extra help,” I offered.
Anastasia shook her head. “I’ve got Ivan. He can help some if I’m really specific with the instructions.”
“What the deal with him? He used to be a pretty good Magick user. The potential was there at least,” I looked questioningly at Ana.
“It’s my fault. When I first met him, I made an impression on him. Before you jump on my case about it, I didn’t persuade him or anything. Everything was his, and only his, choice. What you have to remember is Ivan’s Russian. He knows about the special relationships that Vampire servants have with their Masters. Ivan is the one that asked to be made into a servant. But I forgot the one basic rule. My Master told me to always pick the smartest human possible before changing them.” Ana sighed and leaned back on the bed.
I hesitated afraid to ask. “Why the smartest?”
“It’s an energy exchange between the Master and the servant. He is able to feed me needed energy in situations of stress and in return he gets extended life and healing.” Ana winced as she explained.
“And his appearance?” I asked.
“Ivan wasn’t the s
harpest tack in the box, to begin with. The initial drain took almost all of his Magick, transferring it to me. It’s not the Vampire that controls the exchange. He was the one at the controls and got confused. The taps opened up, and what made Ivan, Ivan left him. That thing outside is literally a shadow of what was. He’s much like a robot now. I asked every Elder I could about him. It’s not reversible.”
“How long does he have?” I asked.
“As long as he wants. Remember he controls the exchange. His death is in his own hands. I can count on one hand the number of bound servants I’ve had over the years. I’ve discussed this with him. He knows. Or at least I think he knows. Let me get to work, times wasting away here.” Ana told me.
I nodded. Ivan could wait. We had a search to organize and watch over.
<<<>>>
Jack watched as Red and some of the other newbies trashed the big rig filled with beer. It was the Memphis delivery guy’s bad luck to be in town during what was being called the Stranger Danger Search. He’d heard a couple of the enforcers discussing how the higher-ups didn’t expect to find anything or anyone. But it was a good excuse to roust the drug-dealers and other criminal groups that were coming into the area. And they even got to do it legally with government oversight. Adam Moon didn’t like working with the Witch, but he liked the side benefits.
“Dude, we should’ve done stuff like this in the biker packs!” Red yelled as he levered cases of specialty beer out of the rig.
“We would’ve spent at least the night in jail if we did!” Jack yelled back. Out of habit, he was keeping watch for cops.
“All you can drink? I would risk it. Do you want any of this?” Red pointed at the piles of bottles and cans.
“Not right now.” His mother’s voice had been quieter since he found her again. All he could think of was keeping a clear head for the upcoming hunt. LJ had it all planned out and messing up HIS plans was never a good idea.
“Hey, guys! Did you catch the killer in there?”
Red stuck his head out of the back of the truck. “Who’re you?”
Jack could only stare at the young-looking man in the suit. “I don’t recognize you, stranger. You’re not from around here are you?”
Blake looked at the two men in their blue jeans and motorcycle cuts. He took a step backward unconsciously. “I’m part of the FBI team. My boss sent me here to make sure you didn’t hurt anyone.”
“I don’t remember seeing you at the meeting. You could be the guy. Does he look like a killer to you Red?” Inwardly Jack laughed. This guy wasn’t the killer, but he would make a good patsy to take any heat off himself. The plan was set. Nothing or nobody was going to screw with it now.
Red jumped down from the truck, a beer in his hand. He got close to Blake and peered at him. “He smells like a Fed. But you’re right he could be in disguise. Like that Jonas feller. Let’s take him in.”
Blake reached into his jacket, and both men froze.
“Mister if you shoot at us, we’re gonna mess you up. I’m warning you right now.” Red yelled and got ready to jump him.
Using two fingers, Blake pulled out his badge and flipped it open. “See, this says I’m with the FBI!”
Red peered at the card with his picture on it. Not having finished the fourth grade or anything beyond that was a problem. “What’s a merciful diversion? Sounds like you’re trying to get away!”
“No no no, this says Magical Division. It’s who I work for.” Blake looked over his shoulder. The street was clear, and he thought about running for it.
“I’ve only got your word for that. Hold still this won’t hurt a bit.” Red reached for the length of rope attached to his belt.
Blake, thinking he was about to die, ran for it.
“Get him!” Jack yelled at Red.
Blake ran down the street as fast as he could. The dress shoes he wore weren’t designed for track and field style events and caused him to slip and slide on the concrete as he changed direction. Instead of ducking into one of the buildings or running into the park, Blake ran straight down the main street with the two bikers in hot pursuit.
Blake would have been smarter to run toward his government issue vehicle, but he had the unfortunate luck of running past one of Jackson’s most popular drinking establishments and the next stop for the now empty beer truck.
“Stop that guy!” Red had almost caught up to Blake but only grabbed the edge of his coat. Feeling himself being pulled sideways, Blake slipped out of the thousand dollar coat and tried to run faster.
A half dozen human townspeople were sitting on the bar’s outdoor porch watching the Weres tear the town apart. When Red yelled, they figured chasing Blake was more interesting than waiting for the beer truck.
Some of them were much faster than Blake.
<<<>>>
Cat and I got the call from the sheriff just as we entered the downtown part of Jackson. The Stranger Danger Search was starting to wind down. We could see several groups of humans and Weres just standing around.
“What can I do for you Sheriff Bowen?” I asked.
“The Alpha wants to put an end to this mess. We didn’t find anyone that resembles a serial killer. My boys did apprehend four drug dealers and a cat burglar we’ve been after for a month. Chief Jonas and his men cleaned out a homeless encampment too. No one that meets your description has been found in Jackson. You’re wrong, agent,” Sheriff Bowen concluded.
“It’s your town. Unfortunately, we have to keep looking. I still think he’s hiding among you. Is there anything else?” I asked him.
Cat turned at the first intersection and headed back toward our command center.
“We’ve got one guy that claims he’s part of your team, but none of my boys remember seeing him before. He might be your killer, but I doubt this boy has ever worked a day in his life. He’s in my office if you want to take a look.” Sheriff Bowen hung up the phone.
Both Cat and I knew who it had to be. “Blake!”
I had my fingers crossed for much of the ride back. Madeline had made me promise to not kill the man, and here I let him get ‘captured’ by the locals. I really hoped that nothing bad happened to him.
“Do you think Adam Moon was messing with us?” Cat asked as we pulled into the station’s parking lot.
“How so?” I asked.
Cat wobbled her hand. “By letting his people lose in town and helping us out. He could have said no.”
Pursing my lips, I answered, “He didn’t exactly help us. He had his people essentially turn the town on end and flush out anyone who didn’t belong there. Those drug dealers that Bowen mentioned. He’s using us to do his dirty work and still look good. If our killer is here, he’s already inside Moon’s organization. I’ll bet money on it.”
“But why help us in the first place, I don’t understand that part?” Cat asked again.
“Public relations. This is his town. The humans here like to believe that they run things, but he is the true power here. Remember, he’s been keeping his head down out here for a very long time. I’m sure they’re watching us. Let’s go save Blake.” I climbed out of our SUV and walked around to the front door.
We walked into the lobby and immediately started laughing.
Blake glared at us and said something that might have been “it’s not funny.”
It was hard to tell because someone had wrapped his entire body up in pallet plastic wrap. The kind that comes in the big rolls. Only his head could be seen, but they had a rag or a bandanna shoved into it.
“Didn’t he show you his badge?” I asked.
“We don’t rightly know. He was running from a couple of Adam’s men and when he didn’t stop a group of concerned citizens jumped him and wrapped him up for his own safety. This town is dangerous at night.” Sheriff Bowen and his staff started laughing.
I motioned to Cat. She grabbed Blake’s plastic-wrapped body like he weighed nothing and carried him out of the office. The sight of a tiny little girl pic
king up a full-sized man silenced everyone there. “Thanks.”
As soon as we passed the Wards, Cat set the agent down and pulled out the rag.
“Get me out of here! Can you believe these hicks in this town! I was only trying to do my job!” Blake started cussing. Some of what was coming out of his mouth was new to me, and I grew up in a town full of fishermen! Even Cat smiled at his use of the vernacular.
I gave him a few minutes as we cut the plastic from him. “Are you done?”
Blake muttered a couple of really good ones and nodded. “Yes. How do I go about pressing charges?”
“Against?” I asked.
He waved his hands in front of my face. “That bunch of hicks in there and those drunken idiots that wrapped me up! That’s who.”
“From what the sheriff said they were humans that did the wrapping part. We could attempt to arrest the entire town, but the first judge we approach with that will laugh at you. It won’t help our current case to bring charges against the sheriff. You aren’t hurt. Forget about it. If you really want to make an issue of it, write it up and I’ll send it to Director Mills.” I shook my head at Blakes unwrapped state.
Neither Chuck nor Ana commented on Blake’s disheveled appearance. But I could almost bet Chuck had copies of the tapes. He was tricky that way.
“Blake, this is Anastasia. She’s in charge of our forensic lab.” I introduced him to Ana.
Our newest agent knew who she was and started talking to her, trying to pick her brain right there. Ana gave me a look that would melt steel, and I had all I could do to just smile. Tough.
Motioning to Chuck, I brought him over to Cat and me. “What did you find?”
“It was what you thought. They used city hall resources to run background checks on fourteen people in the last week. Deep background checks at that,” Chuck informed me.
“Any hits or interesting subjects?” I asked him.
“Three that caught my interest. Two bikers and one former retail manager jumped out at me. The first one is this guy,” Chuck pulled up a picture of a heavyset man in biker leathers. “His name is Red or Big Red. Real name is Robert Wall, he’s wanted in California for grand larceny and if you can believe this, bigamy. He’s from one of the Pacific Northwest packs.”
