Again there were muttered comments and opinions.
“Think. Think about who the victims were, the kind of people they were and how they would most likely have acted in any situation. Then think about what Lindy and Ross said. Psychosis, hypnosis, lunacy might have a part to play in the killings. But as Lindy said, everyone is a suspect. Think about the people you see and pass on the street. You think you know them? You think they're like you and me?” He paused, letting the words sink in. “Think again. You'll see that Lindy is right. The killer is out there, or maybe, right here. And he looks just like you and me.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
The four Black Bears regrouped in front of Skyflame Casino. Baxter paced to and fro and scowled at the busy traffic and endless pedestrians. There were cars, cabs, buses, people, shifters everywhere.
He muttered an oath. “So many scents, and none of them demon.”
“He's not going to be wandering around openly, waiting to get caught,” Dylan said. “He'll mask his scent and appearance. Cunning little shit.”
“We have to work faster, cover more ground,” Baxter said. “Let's flush the shit out and send him back to hell by dinnertime.” His mouth rounded and he slapped his palm to his forehead. “Dinner! Damn! I almost forgot. I have a dinner date!”
Dylan rounded on him. “The world is in jeopardy and you're thinking of a dinner date?”
“Yeah. I am thinking of her,” Baxter said unapologetically.
“Her?”
Baxter deflected the question by turning the attention to Thor. “Can you say that you're not thinking of Aubrey? In times of deadly peril, when everything that is dear to you is at stake...” Baxter clutched at his heart dramatically. “Who is foremost in your mind, Thor?”
Thor gamely answered with a smile, “Of course I'll think of Aubrey. She is my mate.”
“Well, Lindy is my...”
Dylan, Luke and Thor gasped and said in unison, “Your mate?”
“My...friend,” Baxter finished very carefully.
“Your friend? Ha! You've never been so anxious and angsty about a dinner date with a friend before. If she's really just a friend, I'll eat my boot!” Dylan scoffed.
Baxter puffed out his cheeks. Much as he would like to see Dylan swallow his words together with his big, smelly boot, he couldn't bring himself to lie and say that Lindy was just a friend. She was much, much more to him.
“What's with all this gossiping? Let's get to work,” Baxter growled. “Stop looking at me like that. Wipe those inane smiles off your faces, or I'll wipe them off for you. With my fists.”
The three Black Bears guffawed and slapped his back. “Never thought it'd happen to you,” Thor chuckled. “This Lindy must be a real special lady.”
“She is,” Baxter blurted out before he could stop himself.
Those infuriating bears laughed harder.
“Let's go,” Baxter barked, marching off and flipping them the finger. “I'll cover the whole central area. Are you guys done laughing? Get a move on!”
“Right. Luke and I will do a sweep of the northern and eastern parts of the city,” Dylan announced. “We'll keep in touch.”
“I'll head west, towards the industrial district. Will check in soon,” Thor said, tapping his watch.
“Keep your daggers close, and your heads on your shoulders,” Baxter said. He turned and scowled at them. “If I hear any more sniggering, I swear I will...”
Dylan and Luke laughed and headed to their car. Thor stood at a distance, staring at him with a strange light in his mismatched eyes. At Thor's amused, knowing smile, Baxter threw up his hands and huffed.
“What?” Baxter demanded. “What is it now? You're looking at me real funny, Thor.”
Thor's smiled warmed. “Having someone, not just something, to fight for. Feels different, doesn't it?” Thor said as he began to turn away.
Baxter stood and watched Thor's departing back for a moment. Giving himself a hard shake, he blinked, growled and snapped on his shades. “Yes,” he mumbled, glad that none of those smart asses were present to hear his sappy confession. “It does.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Lindy looked up at the knock on her office door. “Dr. Manolo would like a minute of your time,” Siti popped in and announced.
“Oh, of course,” Lindy said hurriedly. She stood up and tried to move some of the files out of the way.
“Hi, Ross, please have a seat,” Lindy said when Ross stepped into her office. “I'll ask Siti to get you a cup of coffee.”
Dr. Ross Manolo smiled as he closed the door to her office. “Don't bother with the coffee,” he said. “I'd just like to bounce some ideas off you.”
“Ah, okay.” She felt both flattered and flustered. Dr. Manolo was way more experienced and accomplished than her. He had a great many letters after his name. It was a great honor if Ross wanted to discuss his ideas with her.
Lindy went back behind her desk as Ross sat in the visitor chair. He was a tall, good-looking man in his late fifties. He always wore a bow tie and with his mane of silver hair, he looked every inch the distinguished professor. Ross was a widower and his only daughter had recently gotten married and relocated to Hong Kong with her new husband. He had joked to Lindy that his burning ambition now was to be a doting grandfather. “Unfortunately, my daughter and son-in-law are in no hurry to start a family,” he'd sighed.
“I think what you said at the briefing earlier made a lot of sense,” Ross began encouragingly.
“I don't know,” she said, blowing out a breath. “When I thought over what I said, I'm not sure I made sense to anyone. I mean, what are they going to do with the profile I'd given them? Who exactly should they be looking for? That's what they want to know. But I'm afraid I haven't...”
“You've given them a lot of information, Lindy,” Ross said, pressing his fingertips together. He leaned forward and said slowly, “Very important, pertinent and accurate information.”
“Accurate?”
“Yes. In fact, you're spot on in your analysis. Information is power, but you have to know how to use that information in order to wield real power.”
Lindy tapped her foot. “Do you think those officers will be able to use this information to catch the killer?”
“It depends.”
“On what?”
Ross didn't answer. Instead, he sat back in his chair and looked around her office. Lindy's brows furrowed as she regarded him in silence. There was something different about Ross but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
“Um, Ross,” she said gently. “Is there something you want to talk to me about?”
He turned his eyes back to her. “Yes,” he said simply. “I do need to talk to you. It's about...my daughter, Monica. You and Monica are about the same age, so...” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug.
“Oh. I'm happy to help in any way I can. But I'm not sure if I...”
“Thank you, Lindy. I'm so relieved to hear you say that. I've been so worried.” He paused. “I'd like you to take a look at some of the letters that Monica sent me. I don't know if I'm reading too much into it, but it sounds to me like she's trying to tell me something.” He grimaced and wrung his hands. “I haven't shown her letters to anyone. This can affect my daughter's reputation, and mine. But...I trust you, Lindy. You won't blab about this and spread malicious rumors and gossip...”
“No, of course not,” she said quickly. “I will never breathe a word about this to anyone.”
“Thank you.” Ross stood up. “I have some of her letters in my car. Would you take a drive with me? You can read the letters in the car and discuss the contents with me discreetly.” He rubbed a hand across his eyes. “I don't know who else to turn to. I'm sick with worry.”
Lindy grabbed her handbag and jacket. “Come. We can drive to a nearby cafe for a quick cup of coffee. I need a break anyway. Don't worry, we'll figure everything out and your daughter will be fine. If sh
e needs any help, we'll make sure she gets it.” She linked her arm through his and steered him out the door.
“Siti, I'm going for a coffee break with Dr. Manolo. Will you hold the fort until I get back?” Lindy called over her shoulder to her secretary.
Siti nodded and smiled. “You take your time. You've been working your eyeballs out the whole day.”
Lindy shivered suddenly as the vivid images of the three eyeless victims flashed through her mind. She forced out a strained laugh as she made her way to the car park with Ross.
She shook away her misgivings. If Ross wasn't quite himself, it was because he was worried for his only daughter. She shouldn't dismiss a father's worry. Her parents had been the worrying type, and now that they were gone, she missed their fussing, fretting and nagging. Being a parent was a special, sacred role and responsibility. She would love to be a mother one day, and have the chance to fuss over her precious little one.
She smiled up at Ross as they rode the lift down to the car park. She shouldn't be so suspicious of Ross. Overly suspicious, in fact.
Again, she stifled a grimace as she recalled her briefing to the officers and investigators. She had told them to be overly suspicious when keeping a lookout for the killer. Those were her words.
Did she use the wrong words?
Did she make a mistake? Was she...making a mistake right now?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Baxter followed his nose and his instincts. His bear was an impatient, impulsive creature, but his beast possessed razor sharp instincts and superior tracking abilities. His acute sense of smell made him one of the best trackers in the clan. But demons were difficult, nasty, tricky targets. They could change their appearance, and mask their demon scent. They were vicious and savage, and if they were cornered, they would stop at nothing to get away.
The city was teeming with people. Baxter knew he had to move very quickly and carefully. One wrong move, one mistake and the streets would be slicked with blood.
Quietly, he urged his bear to the surface. He didn't shift fully into bear form, but he let his animal senses take over. His bear peered out of his eyes and he growled softly as his senses heightened. The heady mix of city scents swirled around him. The smell of vehicle fumes mingled with the scent of human sweat and expensive perfumes. The rush of feet and the cacophony of voices droned insistently in his ears. As passers-by jostled past him, he could scent their underlying beasts and emotions. He could make out human and shifter scents. There were wolves and lions, cheetahs and even a crocodile under some of those human skins. The air shimmered with the rise and ebb of their emotions. Worry, frustration, excitement, anger and the occasional spark of joy. Nothing out of the ordinary. These were all the usual scents, sounds and sights of the city.
Baxter continued prowling the streets, determined to find the blasted demon and destroy the fiend before he caused more mayhem and destruction. The Black Bears had assisted the dragons in their fight against the demons before, and Baxter had seen firsthand how devious and brutal the demons were.
He had seen some of his comrades die in battle, and he didn't want to think about what the demons could do to the humans. If they could rip a hardened, well-trained Black Bear to pieces, they would no doubt be able to gut an adult human single-handedly in less than thirty seconds.
Baxter let his bear out a little more and felt his claws push out from his fingertips. His bear vibrated with impatience and frustration under his skin. His bear didn't want to be boxed in and hindered. His bear wanted to go all out and hunt down that cunning demon.
“Soon,” Baxter snarled to his bear. “Just a while more.”
He would keep his human form and mind for a while more. He trusted his bear, but a good tracker needed to think and plan as well. His human brain was more agile than his single-minded animal brain. He needed to outthink and outsmart the demon, and predict and anticipate his movements.
Outside of the demon realms, the demons could increase their power by spilling innocent blood. It wasn't the blood per se that empowered them. It was the destruction of innocent life and goodness.
Baxter stopped in the middle of the street and let the scents and sounds pummel him. He had to think. What did the demon want and what would he be looking for? The demon wanted power, and he was looking for blood. Blood of the innocent and the righteous.
The escaped demon was both hunter and prey. He was being hunted, but he was also hunting. The demon was hunting for victims, and these victims had to embody the goodness and courage of the city. They would be good people who fought against evil and terror.
Baxter opened his eyes with a gasp.
He knew where he had to go.
His bear growled but not in protest. His beast backed him up a hundred per cent this time. Every instinct kicked in as he took off at a dead run. His killer and predatory instinct was out in full force. Kill and destroy, protect and defend.
Even as he bulldozed through the crowd, fear clutched at his heart. Why didn't he think of this sooner?
He punched at his watch as he charged ahead. The Black Bears would pick up on his signal and they would be able to home in on his location.
At this moment, he didn't care if he had backup or not. He just had to get there first.
He couldn't be too late. His heart and gut tightened as he hurtled through the never-ending wave of busy, oblivious people.
Having someone, not just something, to fight for. Yeah, it did feel different. It felt fucking terrifying.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Lindy snapped on her seat belt as Dr. Ross Manolo started the car engine. Ross turned to smile at her before revving the engine and peeling out of the car park.
Lindy felt her skin prickle. That smile didn't look warm and friendly. It wasn't the smile from a trusted, respected colleague. The smile was taunting, leering and so very cold.
Lindy gulped and fought to keep her voice steady. “R-Ross, um, maybe we should do this another time. You can show me your daughter's letters in my office. I...I really have to get back. T-there's just so much to do...”
“There's always so much to do,” Ross said smoothly. “So much to do, so little time.”
“Yeah.” She let out a nervous laugh. “If it's okay, I think I'll take a rain check on that coffee. I'll like to go back and work on that profile. Y-you did make some very good points, Ross...”
“You've changed your mind. You're not going to help me,” Ross said accusingly, gripping the steering wheel.
“No, I...of course I'll help you. It's just that...”
“Good.” Ross smiled. “I knew I could count on you. You have a good, kind heart, Lindy.” His face twisted suddenly. “So much goodness and kindness in you.”
Lindy shrank back when Ross turned to face her.
“Ross, you...” she stammered. Choking back a scream, she turned and tried to open the door but she was a second too slow. The locks engaged with a click, and the tinted windows darkened to pitch black.
Lindy was flung back in her seat as Ross stomped on the accelerator and the car shot forward like a bullet.
“Ross...” She shook her head and swallowed repeatedly. “You're not Ross,” she said slowly. “W-who are you?”
Ross turned his head and Lindy shrank back with a scream. His eyes were changing. His soft, brown eyes were turning full black. The whites of his eyes were slowly being swallowed up by that ominous, drowning darkness.
Lindy yanked desperately at the door handle again, but she knew she was trapped. The glass was shatterproof and soundproof. She couldn't escape. She couldn't even throw herself out of the speeding car. And no one could hear her scream.
“Who are you?” she whispered. “W-where is Ross? What have you done to Dr. Ross Manolo?”
“Ross Manolo is dead.” The voice was still Ross's mellow voice, but the face had changed completely.
It was no longer Ross in the car with her.
With a stab of pu
re horror, Lindy realized that it had never been Ross in the car.
Ross was dead. And he had probably been dead for some time. Ross had been more than just her colleague. He had been her friend and her mentor.
Lindy blinked back her tears and howled in fury and fear. “You killed Ross!” she screeched. “You murderer! Just who are you?” She curled her fingers into claws and launched herself at him.
A large hand snared both her wrists, and she cried out when she felt claws digging into her flesh. “W-what are you?” she wheezed.
The mouth curved in an ugly smile. The face rippled so that she saw what was truly beneath the mask of Ross's benign face.
“You...you are...” Her voice sounded faint.
“A demon.”
Lindy struggled to free herself from that crushing, vice-like grip.
“Don't make it harder for yourself, Lindy.” The demon held her with one hand, and expertly steered the car with the other. He allowed his human skin to rip apart so that she could see his full demon form.
Lindy swallowed her horror and tried to remember her training. It didn't matter what he looked like. What mattered was his thoughts and intentions. She had to find out more. She had to keep him talking.
“I can see you're a demon,” she stuttered. “W-what's your name?”
“Palli.” She heard his pride as he said his name. He layered his voice with his demon power so that it hissed and echoed in her mind.
“Okay, Palli,” she said, letting herself go limp. “I won't struggle.”
The demon released his grip a little. Immediately, she wrenched her hands free and lurched for the steering wheel.
“You killed Ross! You're going to kill me too. Fine, we'll die together!” she screamed, trying to force the car off the road. She would rather die in a car crash than at the hands of a demon. She didn't know if the crash would kill the demon as well, but it was worth a shot.
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