“Wow, I want one.”
Jamison didn’t detect any disrespect. The words were so quiet she doubted Hex knew she’d been overheard. Lee stood and waved, offering a bright smile and Jamison forgot about Hex. Jamison smiled back at her partner and started across the parking lot. Pine needles littered the old, cracked cement and the pungent smell wafted into the air as she crushed them underfoot.
“Have a good day?”
“Yes, thanks. I got some great shots using a remote camera and tripod. Thanks for loaning me the pickup. All that stuff wouldn’t possibly have fit into the Mercedes.”
“No problem. Lee, this is Detective Patricia Hex. She’s with the U.S. Park Police and is helping us on this case.”
Jamison heard another vehicle pulling into the lot. She recognized the engine’s sound and didn’t bother to look around. From the teasing glint in Lee’s eyes, Jamison knew she was in for it later. For some reason, Ranger Thomas had developed a bit of a boss-crush on Jamison and Lee never missed an opportunity to kid her about it.
“I guess I should let you get to whatever remains of your day off,” Hex said. “I think I’m going to track down Sheriff Macke and Detective Seaver, see if they need any help.”
“It was very nice to meet you,” Lee said.
Hex waved and strode across the parking lot toward the dark blue sedan. Leave it to a federal agent to pick out a car that screamed “government vehicle.” She moved with purpose in her steps and Jamison thought she already had a plan of attack in mind. She found it heartening that regardless of any prior misgivings, Hex seemed open and willing to work with local law enforcement. Now if only Macke proved as receptive. Jamison knew firsthand that the sheriff could be rather hardheaded when the mood struck. After all, Sam hadn’t warmed up to the Panthera since she found out about them, and that had been eight years ago.
Hex drove away and as Jamison turned back to her partner, she absently noticed that Ranger Thomas still hadn’t exited the Jeep. She was probably filling out paperwork. Jamison turned to Lee and offered her another smile before leaning down to kiss her properly.
Chapter Four
STEPPING INTO THE knee-high brush, Lee selected a large tree and dodged behind it. This area was perfect for concealment. The canopy of branches and leaves overhead helped to cast more shadows that Lee happily took advantage of. She felt a little embarrassed and couldn’t refrain from glancing around before pulling the shirt off. She stripped down, folded her clothes and left them tucked between the tree’s exposed roots.
“You don’t have to hide you know.”
Lee started slightly when the girl spoke and squatted down farther without thinking. She forced herself to relax. They went through this every time their lessons took place in their more natural forms. “Sorry, Lindsay. I wasn’t raised being a shape changer like you were. Some taboos are hard to overcome.”
Stripping naked in front of a sixteen-year-old was definitely one of them.
“I understand, Kadin. When the elders named me to apprentice with you, Mother explained.”
Her tone was so serious Lee found it amusing. She could picture Lindsay standing calmly on the trail already prepared to shift but patiently waiting for her mentor before she changed. Maybe Lindsay should be teaching her. Their people considered Lee a spiritual leader, just as her late aunt before her. Part of her newfound abilities included being able to see future events as they related directly to the Panthera. That gift wasn’t always reliable, and Lee couldn’t tap into it anytime she wanted. She doubted anyone ever had that much control, but she suspected it was harder for her since she hadn’t even been aware of such powers a year ago.
Lindsay was another story. The girl had shown signs of exceptional insight since she learned to speak. Lee thought she would grow to become a strong medicine woman, and it fell to her to instruct Lindsay as much as she could. One day, the girl would replace Lee as the community’s Kadin. These jaunts to the woods where they converted to pelt allowed them both to tap deeply into their animal psyche.
“What did she explain?”
“That you lived as a human and didn’t know you could become something else. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“Lindsay, it wasn’t a hardship. A person can’t miss something they don’t know exists.”
“I guess so, but would you miss it now if you had to go back?”
Lee didn’t hesitate to respond. “There’s no way I could ever go back. Finding out about the Panthera and that I am one is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll be right out.”
“Okay.”
It wouldn’t take Lindsay but a moment to transform into a jaguar adolescent, but Lee needed a minute. Unless it was a life or death situation, she couldn’t change very fast. She closed her eyes and slowly the tension drained from her body. Lee stood, feeling the muscles in her thighs flex as she concentrated on the feel of crisp air against her skin. Nipples hardened in the cool breeze. Goosebumps broke out over her arms and a thin line of snow-white fur traced down between her breasts and over her abdomen. She felt the blood singing in her veins as endorphins surged. Bones lengthened, tendons slid over thickening muscle.
She relished every sensation as her body seemed to shrink in and simultaneously grow denser. Lee’s chin shrank as her cheeks and nose rounded. She panted at the excruciating pleasure when her spine compacted and she dropped to her newly formed front paws, unable to remain standing on two legs. Slightly darker rosettes decorated her white pelt and she sank her claws into the damp earth. The life of the forest suddenly rushed in and she felt more aware of the world around her, more there than she ever felt as a woman. She sensed the rabbit hiding in the den beneath the great tree where she had shed her human trappings, heard its heart beat in terror from the predator’s presence.
Lee flung her head back and roared from the simple joy of being alive and then turned toward the lanky cub. While she was more in tune with the environment, Lee didn’t lose all sense of upper reasoning when she shifted. Sharing her soul with the jaguar inside allowed her to draw perspective and she realized that being naked in front of Lindsay before the change had no significance. The Panthera were a part of nature and each of them were family. There was no shame. She knew this each time she assumed pelt form, but somehow she always forgot that truth when she became human again.
Come.
Loping off the trail and into the wilderness, Lee heard Lindsay crash along behind her. The cub was young and foolish. She would draw attention to herself by not minding her surroundings. Hunters stalked the Adirondacks and would happily take a trophy with Lindsay’s gold and black pelt. If shot and killed as a feline, her body would retain that form. Today Lee would teach the youngster the art of stealth. She had barely finished the thought when the cub swatted at Lee’s swishing tail. Then Lindsay leapt playfully onto her back. Lindsay’s jaws wrapped around the back of her neck and teeth bit into her flesh, though not hard. Lee easily tossed the cub off and cuffed her across the head.
Play later. Learn now.
Lindsay’s eyes danced merrily, but she dipped her head in acknowledgment. Communicating telepathically allowed the transmission of ideas more than words, but Lee felt sure that the girl took her lessons seriously. An idea occurred to her and Lee struck off through the woods headed for the lake. People were always fishing from the banks and Lee could show the cub how to conceal herself, to hide in plain sight. It could be a dangerous exercise if anyone spotted them, but they were Panthera and would not shy away from a task because of fear. Without the incentive of a real situation, Lindsay would not be properly motivated. Lee considered the best way to implement her plan and then set about teaching the young cub her next lesson.
“WHAT ARE YOUR plans for the day?”
Lee nodded toward the stuffed manila envelope sitting on the edge of the dining room table. “I need to run into Harmon and mail that to Jasmine.”
“Are those the pictures y
ou showed me last night?”
They sat sipping coffee in preparation of starting the day. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow throughout the room. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and Lee thought it was going to be a gorgeous day. It was just too bad she couldn’t spend the time with Jamison. Nothing out of the ordinary had occurred in the last week, but with every day that passed Lee could feel her partner’s tension level elevate as though she awaited an emotional or physical blow. Lee felt like she was walking on eggshells lately with Jamison and longed for some time to reconnect. It wasn’t that Jamison was cold, just distant.
“Yes, I want to send them overnight. Plus I want to add delivery confirmation.”
“Smart.” Jamison didn’t really sound all that enthusiastic.
“Lindsay did really well yesterday. I’m always so impressed with how well she catches onto things. It’s almost intuitive with her.” When Jamison didn’t respond, Lee added. “We practiced the art of concealment near Meacham Lake but things really got interesting when she pounced in among a group of campers and ate one of their kids.”
“Hmm.”
“Then I shaved her head before sending her home.”
“That’s nice.”
“Jamison, you’re not listening to me.” Lee hesitated briefly, not wanting to push. Finally, she asked, “Jami, are you all right?”
Jamison blinked and looked up from the spot on the table she’d been staring at for the last five minutes. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s just that with all that’s happened lately, I haven’t seen a lot of you. Then, when we do spend time together, it doesn’t feel like you’re really there.”
“I guess I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Have you been able to find anything that might help you find whoever killed those women?”
Jamison frowned and Lee realized how close to the surface her emotions were. She could feel the anger rising up in Jamison like a storm surge. “Don’t you think I’d have told you if we had? I’m sorry if I haven’t been spending enough time with you, but I thought you’d understand that some things take priority.”
“That wasn’t what I meant.” Stung by the unexpected attack, Lee defended herself. “I’m just worried about you. I wish there was something I could do to help.”
Jamison started to speak and then closed her mouth. She glanced down into her cooling coffee and took a moment before she met Lee’s gaze. Lee still sensed the barely contained gall, but at least Jamison tried to contain her temper. “I know. Trust me, I wish you could. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like anyone can. Hex and her crew are less than useful and Macke didn’t like any of the Panthera before all of this started. The people who are supposed to be solving this thing can hardly stand to be in the same room.”
Lee clasped Jamison’s wrist and squeezed reassuringly. She couldn’t take her hand since Jamison clutched the mug so tightly. “And it doesn’t help that you’re coming up on the two week mark and there could be another victim any day.”
“Exactly.” Jamison took a deep breath and pulled away from Lee’s grasp. “So forgive me if I’m not the best company.”
The comment hurt and Lee wasn’t the type to sit idly by while someone deliberately attempted to bruise her feelings. Slowly she stood and looked down at her partner.
“I love you, Jamison, and I’m here for you. But you have no right to speak to me that way. When you can be civil again, let me know.”
Leaning across the table, Lee snatched up the envelope and stalked out of the room. She left the house, refraining from slamming the door, unaccountably even more pissed that Jamison didn’t make an effort to stop her.
Lee stomped across the yard wondering where Cleo had gotten off to. Had even the dog abandoned her? She decided she didn’t care and strode to her gold Mercedes SLK. She lowered the convertible top and roared away from Mafdet Manor headed down Blue Mountain Road. With the wind blowing her blonde hair back from her face, Lee started to relax and consider that maybe she’d overreacted. Jamison had a right to be distracted, all things considered. Lee took a deep breath and decided she would apologize tonight at dinner.
Trying to get her mind off the disagreement with Jamison, Lee thought again about Lindsay. She really had caught on to what Lee tried to get across with their exercise in cover and concealment. In her mind, Lee could still see the tawny cat stretched out so low to the ground that she was almost completely hidden in the high grass near the lake. At one point Lee grew concerned that someone would spot Lindsay because she had moved to within twenty feet of the people fishing from the pier. Lee had remained watching from the shadows of the tree line, aware that her white coat would stand out like a searchlight at midnight. It was only at her mental insistence that Lindsay returned to her side. Lee felt the girl’s desire to close the distance to the tourists even more than she had, but that was pushing things too far. There was a difference between teaching a lesson and tinkering with folly. One moment of panic from a frightened park visitor could bring down devastating repercussion for all of the Panthera.
Lee frowned, thinking that her next session with the gifted young apprentice should entail the true definition of discretion. She still needed to introduce Lindsay to Benny, too. Lindsay understood that an icon provided balance for a Kadin, an emotional tether when visions became stormy. The raccoon was Lee’s icon and provided a balm when her jaguar threatened to react physically to a situation rather than consider the consequences. Lindsay would someday have to find her own counterpart.
Spotting the road sign that announced the Harmon city limit, Lee concentrated on her driving. She rounded the bend on the roadway and began to slow for the red streetlight. The brakes felt a little mushy and she made a mental note to have the vehicle serviced. She was about due for an oil change anyway. Lee made the planned stop at the post office and then decided to stop by Andy’s Café for another coffee before heading home.
The aroma of fresh coffee, homemade pastries and bacon made her mouth water before she ever stepped inside. Lee noticed the café’s namesake standing behind the counter and sauntered over with a smile. Flour smudged one chubby cheek and a few wisps of hair had escaped from Andy’s ponytail, but her friendly grin was firmly in place. Andy wiped her hands on the apron around her waist before offering one to Lee over the top of the counter.
“Lee, what brings you around so early in the morning? I figured you’d be off somewhere in the forest with a camera and your canine companion. How is the old girl, anyway?”
“Old is right,” Lee bantered back. “It’s all I can do to talk her into a long walk these days.”
Andy’s grin faded and a look of concern darkened her brown eyes. “Is she sick or something?”
“Oh no, just getting up there. She’s nine this year. Sometimes I still can’t believe she’s that old. I’ve had Cleo since she was a little thing.”
“I’ve got just the thing to perk her right up.”
Without awaiting a response, Andy turned and headed into the kitchen. She returned less than a minute later with a bulging brown paper bag.
“Andy, you’re going to make her fat.” Lee reached for the parcel even as she protested. The gift was hardly unusual and fast becoming a ritual. Almost every time Lee stopped in, Andy sent something home for the beagle.
“Nonsense, what canine doesn’t like a good bone now and then? Now, what can I get for you?”
“The biggest mocha you have.”
“Ah, one of those mornings. I’ll fix you right up.”
Lee checked out the display cases while Andy brewed her drink. They appeared recently stocked and her empty stomach made itself known. She couldn’t decide between fresh bear claws, apple fritters, chocolate caramel cheesecake with walnuts, or tiramisu. There were also éclairs, assorted cookies and even caramel apples in deference to the season, but Lee was more interested in something she could eat in the car without making too much of a mess.
“He
y, Andy, how about one of those apple fritters and a slice of caramel cheesecake to go?”
“Got a sweet tooth?” Andy asked, setting the paper coffee cup on the counter.
“I missed breakfast.” The fritter was for her, but Lee thought the cheesecake might serve as an apology to Jamison for their earlier squabble.
Andy slipped on a pair of sterile gloves and reached into the backside of the display case. Lee noticed that she selected the largest of the fritters and an ample slice of the cheesecake. While she packaged up the items, Andy said, “Dinah has a sweet tooth, too. A little unusual for our folk, if you know what I mean. Our tastes tend to lean toward the savory.”
Lee did know what she meant and it concerned her that Andy spoke about the Panthera so casually. She glanced around and realized there wasn’t anyone close enough to overhear. She relaxed marginally. “It must be a Kessler family trait. I’m not much on sweets myself, but I get a craving sometimes. However Jamison, just like her sister, loves sweets. Speaking of your lovely partner and my sister-in-law, where is Dinah today?”
Andy shrugged and Lee saw lines of tension around her mouth for the first time since walking into the café. “Flying some newlyweds around the area in that death machine she calls a helicopter. I guess they thought it would be romantic or something.”
“Right, well, a girl has to earn a living.” Lee didn’t really know what else to say and felt somewhat awkward. She’d gotten to know Andy since moving to Harmon, especially since the woman dated Jamison’s sister, but she wasn’t comfortable discussing personal matters in a crowded restaurant.
Lee paid Andy and left the café, trying not to mention anything else that might be delicate. She placed Jamison’s cheesecake carefully onto the passenger seat, set the coffee in the cup holder and pulled the fritter halfway out of the paper bag before starting the car. Using the sack as a napkin, Lee gripped the fritter and took a healthy bite before backing out of the parking space.
Under Devil's Snare (Under Series Book 2) Page 4
