by Mark Tufo
“We know, Genie, but we feel the need to save the world from bad guys. Besides there’s a really nasty guy out there right now, and I personally feel like I need to take care of him before I can sleep soundly at night.” Grisly had become somewhat of a vendetta to me the second we learned it was shifters he was targeting.
“Careful dear. When you make things personal, they tend to get personal.” She winked at me and left us with that little riddle.
“Huh. Wonder what the hell that means.” I took a swig of my Pepsi.
“It means that when you bring your work home with you, don’t be surprised to see it in your kitchen.” Chad said cryptically.
“Uh-huh.” I was still lost, of course that was probably because I was a little busy checking out a guy across the diner. He smelled like shifter, but like cat, not wolf. I wondered if he was another kitty like me. He was small, around 5’8 but he was well muscled, like most shifters. He had black hair, down to his shoulders and bright golden eyes. I was very attracted to him and when he looked at me and grinned I could tell the attraction was mutual. Somehow without meaning to, I stood and walked over to him. I was so completely lost in those magnificent amber orbs that I didn't notice anything else until my hand was in his and I was telling him my name.
“Hi, I’m Sam Reece.”
“Hello, Agent Reece. It’s lovely to see you again. I’m Shaun Fitzpatrick. We've met before. Give me a call at this number and we’ll talk.” He stood up, handed me a business card, then he put money down on the table. He grabbed my hand like he was going to shake it but he kissed it instead, grinned devilishly at me, then turned around and left. I was pretty sure based on the way my jaguar was feeling, that I had just met my maker. I walked back to our table and sat down, shocked. I had to wonder why he waited so long to come back, why he changed me, and why he didn’t stick around to help me learn what I was and what I could do.
“What’s going on Sam?”
“Yeah, what’s up with that guy, Reece? I’ve never seen you look so awestruck before, except when you’re looking at me of course.” Chad's attempt at humor fell flat.
“I believe that was my maker. Or at least he's another black panther shifter that might know who my maker is. I am supposed to call him, but Jesus what do I say to the guy?” I was feeling like all the breath had been sucked right from my body.
“Try ‘Why the hell did you bite me and leave me with no knowledge or help at all?’ or my favorite ‘Go to hell dirt bag.’ It’s up to you, kiddo.”
“Thanks Quinn.” I rolled my eyes.
Genie showed up with our food and I tried to pull myself together. It wasn’t hard to focus on lunch when the burgers Genie set in front of me looked and smelled so good. I scarfed the first down quickly and began working on the fries and second burger.
“I am still amazed at how much a little thing like you can pack away. You eat more I do; it’s kind of a turn on, Reece.” Chad leered at me.
“Remind me to start dieting.” I joked as I really tucked into that second burger.
“You kids want some dessert?”
“None for me, thanks, Genie.” Chad shook his head.
“Nah, thanks though, Genie.” Quinn smiled at her.
“Can I get a peach cobbler to go, Genie?”
“An entire cobbler?" she asked, and at my nod she grinned. "Sure thing Samantha.” She winked at me and left to get my cobbler.
“What?” I asked when the guys rolled their eyes at me.
“Most people stop after two burgers and a large order of fries.”
“Yeah, well most people don’t change into a jaguar and back again in less than an hour. It tends to make a girl hungry, Quinn.”
“I wouldn’t know. Hey, Genie, can you also get us two sweet teas and a Pepsi to go, darling?”
“Sure thing.” Genie smiled as she left the clear plastic pie tin with my poor cobbler trapped inside and went back into the kitchen to get our drinks. She reappeared a few minutes later holding all three cups and came to meet us at the register. I attempted to pay for lunch and was told my friend had taken care of it. Unbidden, a smile teased up the corners of my mouth. I started thinking just a bit more kindly about this Fitzpatrick fellow. In a daze, I walked back to our table and left a large tip for Genie. I collected the O'Reilly brothers and we headed out to our cars. Quinn and I said our see-ya-laters with Chad, then he took his Saturn back to the office leaving me and Quinn with the Crown Vic.
"So, before we get back to our desks and start calling around, do you want to spill about your maker and what's going on? I've never asked you what happened and I don't want to overstep my bounds, but I love you like a sister and would love to hear your story."
"Well, several years ago I was out for a stroll in a park after a really horrible blind date. I had run out of the restaurant in tears because the guy had ruined a painting I bought for a friend's birthday. Add to that the fact he got drunk at the birthday party and started singing 'Layla' at the top of his lungs. Horribly. In front of all my friends. Now, I had accepted this blind date because a coworker of mine told me this guy was perfect for me and...well... my ex was going to be at this party and I would rather be there with anyone than show up alone, you know?" At Quinn's confused look I stopped, smiled, and simplified "Horrible blind date. Worst ever."
"Okay. I got that."
"So I was taking a walk to vent when this rustle in the bushes snapped me out of it. I looked around and realized I was alone in the park. It made me a bit nervous, but mostly I was grateful for the solitude to cry and lick my metaphorical wounds. I saw the bushes sway slightly and was sure there must be a dog or something in there. I'd heard something about deer in the park but this seemed a bit more threatening. I heard a low grunt and this black panther jumped in front of me, stared at me a moment and then it nipped very lightly at my hand. He bowed his head at me, hopped back into the hedge, and disappeared. I walked to the road and sat down stunned. Someone called 911 and an ambulance came. They dressed the bite wound with care, knowing it had been a lycan who'd bitten me. However in those days you still had to have the test come back abnormal to be classed a shifter. So it wasn't until I was at the hospital that I learned I'd never be 'human' again. Which I find to be bullshit by the way; I'm just as human as anyone else. I happen to have a mutated strand of DNA, no different than an albino, or someone with a genetic illness, pardon my digression. In short, that's how it happened."
"And if he is your maker? Sure sounds like it because the handkiss thing from The Diner is pretty similar to your infection bite."
"If he is my maker, then I have some questions for him. Why? What was the point of making me a jaguar and then taking off? I also want to know if there are more of us. I get so damned lonely, Quinn. Sometimes it feels like I will never be happy, that I'll be alone no matter who I have around me. This is why I don't date Chad, you understand?"
"Reece, what happens between you and my brother is your business, not mine. Would I love having you as a sister? Hell yeah! But I know you aren't in love with Chad. We all know it, even him, so don't get too down about it."
"I'm tired of being alone, Quinn. I'm tired of running, playing, and hunting by myself. I need someone who truly understands what it is to change. I don't want to just kiss and hold, I want to nuzzle and lick you know?"
"Um...not exactly but I think I get the gist of things."
"Thanks for understanding pal."
"Anytime, pard." He said and I chuckled. At his raised eyebrow I explained.
"There are two cats called a black panther, black jaguars, like me, and black leopards which are known as panthera pardus." I grinned.
"Ok, now I get the chuckle at pard. So you're a jaguar sometimes and an FBI agent sometimes but who are you really?"
I grinned at him "Sam Reece. That's the long and the short of it. If this man is my maker and he has a nefarious purpose to biting me I will arrest his ass and toss him in a jail cell for assaulting a federal agent. If he is my
maker and had some higher purpose, I suppose I will have to give him a chance."
"Sure you're not looking just to...uh...mate?"
"Hey now! My beast doesn't have that much control over me, O'Reilly. Give me some credit."
"Shouldn't have asked." He looked relieved to have the awkward conversation over with.
"I just want someone to run with right now. I want to learn a bit about what I might be able to expect with this virus."
"You want a mentor."
"You make it sound so simple Quinn."
"Well, when you get down to the brass tacks on things, it usually is simple, Sam."
"I guess. Hey look, here we are back at the office. Gosh, sorry this completely uncomfortable but really sweet chat has come to an end." I grinned at him and was out the door before he'd put the car in park. Sometimes it was nice being a predator and being able to move so quickly. It was even nicer when it helped me bring in other, less scrupulous monsters.
I hunted bunnies, sure. In my defense, those little delectable creatures were born to be eaten. My real favorite prey however, was evil. It comes in many forms and hides behind many guises. Finding people who hurt others isn't just something I do for a paycheck. I do it because I am good at it, it's a calling for me. Sure, I wasn't getting all kinds of field time or standing across from the nutjob who'd killed eighteen girls, but I was putting them in front of those who would make sure they never saw the real world again. That is it's own high.
I headed to the ladies room and got stuck speaking with Linda from Accounting. Linda wasn't a bad person. She was just so...well...think that cat poster tagged 'Hang in there'. That was, in fact, the very essence of Linda. She could be fun to talk to when she was in a good mood, but when she was pissed you didn't want to be within twelve miles of her. Today was a bad day for her. I got to hear all about her cat heaving a furball up on the hallway carpet. We all have had pets and know stuff like that happens and so I was sympathetic to it. However, it was when she started on about some guy she'd picked up at a club that I had to put the brakes on the conversation. I told her I had to run and then I took off for my office, because an awkward face to face with Quinn was well worth the escape. I don't think I could manage listening to the details of Linda's dating life.
Hell, I didn't even have a dating life of my own. I sighed, cringing inwards at the knowledge that the crazy cat lady was seeing more action than I was. I hopped on the elevator, grateful for the thought interrupting Muzak, until I realized it was CCR's 'Born on the Bayou'. I felt a trifle sad for the tune and its demise at the hands of those who create Muzak. By the twenty fourth floor however, I was singing the words that had been cut out. When the car stopped on twenty five and Shaun Fitzpatrick got in I stopped singing and my face flooded red.
"You." Yes, I know, you're stunned because I'm probably the most eloquent person you've ever heard.
"Hello there, beauty." I flushed all over at the purr in his voice and hated myself for it.
"Why? I have to know why." I tried to gather strength and be the cop, but there was something about him that I felt the need to submit to. I hated that and instinctively my jaguar growled.
"Calm down, gorgeous. It's simple, you needed something to change in your life and I needed a companion."
"A companion? You changed my life forever because you wanted someone to hang out with? Seriously? You could have bought a fucking cat!" My growl deepened.
"Easy." He growled back. Those hypnotic yellow eyes of his flashed something. My beast felt the need to back down and did so. I, however, felt no such need or desire. I reminded my beast that I was the one in charge.
"You don't get to tell me 'easy'. You turned me and fucking ran, like a coward. I didn't know what would happen or how. The first time the fever hit me I turned by myself. I was scared and alone and I didn't know I could control the change. No one was around to tell me that. So, if you think this spell you cast over my animal has any effect on my human side, you're more wrong than you can imagine, bub!" I had him pinned against the back of the car and was essentially hissing in his face. He grabbed me, smiled broadly at me, and kissed me.
I saw fireworks for a moment and then reality intruded. The ding of the doors opening washed over me like icy water reminding me of who I was and where I was at. I stepped back, hauled off, and bitch slapped him. "No." I hissed and left the elevator car. Barry from IT stepped aside for me with a mixture of shock and respect on his face. I wasn't sure whether he respected me for hitting Shaun Fitzpatrick or Shaun for the last words out of his luscious mouth.
"I'll see you soon, my beauty. You're mine regardless of what you think right now. Your beast knows it even if you don't." I just held my middle finger up behind me in response and kept walking. I was afraid of what I would say or do.
I didn't even make it to the end of the hall before the news had hit everyone inside in the form of texts and email. Chad and Quinn were at my desk when I walked in.
"What the hell, Sam?" Chad snarled.
"Never do anything in front of an IT guy...noted." I snarled myself and Chad backed off, suddenly afraid of me.
"Your eyes."
"What about my eyes Chad?" I was starting to feel a boiling rage building.
"They're cat's eyes Sam. You're starting to change." He said quietly.
"I'm not changing Chad, I'm just pissed. That guy brings out my beast."
"In a way I never will. I get it." He then turned and left my office in a cloud of melancholy.
"Why me?" I sighed angrily.
"Because you were tired of being alone," Quinn said quietly.
"Doesn't mean I want a man who will run my life. I am not looking to be mollycoddled."
"Did your maker do that in the elevator?"
"No, he made the assumption that my beast runs me. I don't give a rat's ass what my beast says. He bit me for his own amusement! He wanted a companion, thought I seemed lonely and needed a change. What sort of asshole does that?"
"A cat." He raised his eyebrow pointedly at me. I gaped trying to find some sort of comeback but I had none.
"Let's forget my maker and talk about Grisly. That's a guy I can actually do something about. Let's go over what the techs have found."
"Well, so far they've discovered that the liver in the backpack was indeed human. They were able to type on scene, but DNA is being tested and as you know, that's two weeks out. There are a few teeth marks in the liver that are not human and although they appear canid the techs aren't sure yet. They have to make molds of them. The backpack is a dead end, hundreds of millions sold to big box discount stores. The coat, however, might have given us something. We found a few tan strands caught in the backpack's zipper. These appear to be the same sort you'd find in a trench coat. There was staining of a reddish color, we are assuming blood but again we're waiting on results from the GS:MS."
"I thought we got a new Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer all in one thingy. You know one of those toys that is like some crazy kitchen gadget?"
"Been awhile since you did a CSI tour huh?"
"Few years yeah."
"You need a refresher, Sam. Times they are changing."
"I know they are. Once upon a time, nobody shredded prostitutes like junk mail."
"Touché. There was also a time when girls felt comfortable taking the helm and talking to guys they found attractive." He grinned slyly at me.
"Let's just concentrate on finding this prick then I'll worry about Shaun Fitzpatrick."
"We've pretty much done what we can. Cops are hitting the streets interviewing people that live and work around the church and the Wal-Mart. Forensically speaking, we have nothing. The only one with any information was your preacher man. Hey, something just hit me, why was your maker here? What floor did you pick him up on?"
"Twenty-Four, I think, I don't remember. Why?"
"Yates." My partner and best pal said cryptically.
"Uh, a little clue here?"
"Andrew Yates is our
HR guru. Perhaps your feline friend is trying to learn more about you."
"What could Yates do that no one else can?"
"Yates would copy your file for a price."
"That bastard! Why is he still working here?" I fumed.
"Because he'll get you a copy of a file you need for a small fee," Quinn restated calmly. I grimaced and nodded. I'd been there before. The higher ups put cases aside all the time. You can always find and work on an old case if you feel the urge, but usually you need to let proper channels know. If a case is shut tight because of say, poorly done work by the head agent, the guys in charge can deny you access. In these cases having a friend willing to look left while you read the case on the right is helpful, even if it takes a few bucks.
"So you think Shaun is..." I trailed off because the thought gave me goosebumps and I didn't want it to.
"I think he's learning about you. I'd bet he watched you for some time before changing you."
"Like stalking?"
"Maybe he fell in love with you before trying anything. Do you hate being a jaguar? Don't you love and embrace your 'pantherness'? Your words not mine." He said quickly as he smiled at me.
"I do, and I needed a change. I am grateful for it, for the most part. However, it doesn't change the fact that he should have asked."
"What would you have said Reece?"
"I would have said 'Get the hell away from me,' but at least I'd have had a choice, Quinn."
"Dearest, do you really think you'd have been happy if you'd gone on as a plain old human?"
"Jesus, Quinn, you sound like you're trying to talk me into having feelings for the guy."
"Maybe he loves you Reece."
"Get your head out of the movies and into reality here Quinn, that guy gave me a fucking virus that has changed my life, then he took off and left me to deal with it all by myself. Do you really think that would endear him to me?"
