High Moon (A F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation Book 4)

by Jennifer Harlow

  My cell buzzes again, and I retrieve it. “Oh,” I coo. Two texts, both from Will.

  “Luv U more.” Then, “Counting the mins til Im xxxing u again.”

  I grin from cheek to cheek. At least now at the end of an aggravating day at the office his arms are waiting to embrace the ickyness away. I’m counting the darn minutes.

  *

  “So you never heard any howling? Never found any wolf tracks?”

  On my computer screen Ranger Taylor does a double take. Skype is a miraculous invention, no question, but I prefer the personal touch. Mostly because I can’t feel emotions through a computer screen. The ranger is a robust man with tan skin, graying brown hair, and a wide face. The outdoors agree with at least two of the rangers, save for poor Winsted. “Wolves? There are no wolves for hundreds of miles. People bring their dogs to the park a lot. As far as I can recall, no one’s reported any attacks. This is actually the first death in over a year, and the last poor soul died from exposure, God rest him.”

  I’m not really paying attention. He knows nothing. None of them know a thing. A broken record played from three separate mouths. Bo-ring. I’ve spent the last minute planning Will’s and my dream house. Near Nana and April definitely. And the beach. Not on it, but within a few minutes. Minimum four bedrooms and a big backyard. We’ll have to build a panic room for full mo—

  “Agent Alexander?” Mills asks.

  “Huh?” I ask, head whipping up to the screen. “Oh. So, nothing out of the ordinary?”

  “Um, as I said before, no.”

  “What about your co-workers? Either of them acting oddly?”

  “We don’t see much of each other. When one shift’s over, another begins.”

  Yep, waste of time. “Okay, well, thank you for speaking with me.”

  “That’s it?”

  “For now. Enjoy the rest of the conference. Bye.” I end the video chat.

  Useless. Heard nothing, saw nothing, knows nothing. It is a big park. Or someone’s lying. Just can’t tell yet. Really, judging from our preliminary findings, there’s nothing out of the ordinary about any of the men. No criminal records, no citations, no complaints. We’re still waiting on their financials just in case the wolves were bribing them to look the other way. I just can’t focus. Maybe I need to step away for a moment. Or a week.

  Dr. Neill and Carl don’t have the luxury of focus problems. They already have a body, or what’s left of it, with nine more on the way. When I stroll into medical, they’re hard at work on the first, which is little more than bones they’re assembling like a puzzle. “The neck bone’s connected to the shoulder bone,” I offer with a smile.

  “It’s called a clavicle,” Carl says.

  “I was kidding.” Neither cracks a smile behind their blue surgical masks. Tough room. “Find anything useful yet?”

  “Can’t tell much from this one,” Dr. Neill says. “Per the field report she was buried in pieces. See these indentations in the femur?” She points to the leg bone. They’re faint but I do see what look like pores. “Probably bite marks. So far I’ve found them on the tibia, radius, and cervical vertebrae. Rib cage has been cracked as well.”

  “How long has she been dead?” I ask.

  “Best guess is two to three years. We do know she was in her late teens, early twenties and most likely Caucasian with platinum blonde hair. Nancy is analyzing her personal objects from the scene. They found a bracelet and pieces of clothing. And this girl had a rough time before she met our wolves. Multiple healed fractures, bad teeth, and she’s had at least one child. We’re just about to do the dental impressions.”

  “What about the most recent vic? The leg? Anything to run down there?”

  “There was one odd thing,” Neill says. “The claw mark on his calf showed signs of healing, as if it had been made a day or so before death, but not where the leg was severed. That was perimordum.”

  “Which means what?” I ask. “They chased him the day before too?”

  “It’s just a theory but…I think our latest victim had a rapid restorative capability consistent with a lycanthrope.”

  It takes a second to wade through the medical jargon. “You’re saying he was a werewolf.”

  “Give the lady a prize,” Carl quips.

  Well, that’s a horse of a different color. “They turned on their own pack mate. Could explain why there’s been no missing person’s report, and why he wasn’t wearing clothes when he died. But why would they do that?”

  “I’ll let you run with that one,” Neill says.

  “Can do. Thanks guys. Keep up the good work. If you need help, let me know.”

  I walk out and toward the lab to check on Nancy. She’s hard at work with her iPod on and magnifying glass running over the scrap of red cloth on the table. She looks up when I step in and yanks out her ear buds. “Oh. Hey.”

  “Did you hear? That our vic may be a werewolf?”

  “Yeah. Toates weird, huh?”

  “What about you? Got anything for me to run down?”

  “Just that this chick had like totally horrible taste in clothes and jewelry. It’s like all cheap and plastic. And who throws together red vinyl and leopard print? I don’t know. Maybe we can like ID her from the jewelry or something but I totally doubt it. That stuff is so from Claire’s.”

  “Who is on missing persons cases besides Will?” I ask.

  “I was before I like got pulled again for lab work. Rush and Chandler are on the bodies and Wolfe is taking Andrew around the park again to see if he can find any ghosts to talk to before we get totally swamped here.”

  “Then I guess it’s me. Unless you need me in here.”

  “Later totally. I’m good now.”

  “Okay, e-mail any pics of the clothes and jewelry to the meeting room terminal. I’ll update and call Will. Get me when you need me.”

  When I reach the terminal, I access my e-mail first. Mona McGregor works fast. There’s a list of twenty names and addresses. I’ll work down the list, checking for criminal records after I phone Will. I forward the list to George and Jason Dahl as well in case a name raises a red flag. Getting names for our first John and Jane Does is top priority though. Will picks up on the second ring.

  “Hi, beautiful,” he says chipperly.

  “Hey,” I say, matching his tone. “How’s Charlotte?”

  “Dull. Culling through hundreds of missing persons cases. Missing you.”

  “I miss you too. I can barely concentrate on anything.”

  “I know the feeling. How’d it go with the rangers?” he asks.

  “Dead ends. Know nothing, saw nothing. And I probably caught the plague from Winsted. He is for sure not a werewolf. Did you hear our male victim might be?”

  “No. He was?”

  “Yeah. But why would they turn on their own?” I ask.

  “He could have invaded their territory. Insulted one of the pack. Wanted to leave. My guess is as good as yours. There is a reason I’m a rogue.”

  “Well, the semi-good news is that the first body they dug up seems to have been another of our victims.” I give him her general description and send Nancy’s photos.

  “Give me a second,” Will says. I hear him typing away. “Jackpot. Lindsey Amber Gerber, reported missing two years ago by her friend Naomi Ash in Boone, North Carolina. Last seen wearing a red vinyl skirt and leopard print top getting into a red four-door Sedan. She was a working girl. Witness didn’t get the plate or see the driver. No leads, no suspects.”

  “When we have them, I’ll send the dentals for verification,” I say. “And I’ll go interview Naomi. Talk to some of the other girls on Lindsey’s corner. Maybe other girls are missing too. At least we know this pack’s been here for at least two years, and they pull people off the street to hunt. I’ll bet all our vics end up being pros or drug addicts. Less chance that their disappearances will draw attention.”

  “They are smart, I’ll give them that,” Will says.

 
“That they are.” I pause. “So, how’s your friend? Just like you remember?”

  “Balder but yeah. Ray’s good. He invited me to dinner over at his house tonight. Don’t know if I’ll go though.”

  “Why not? Can’t bear to be away from me a moment longer than necessary?”

  “You read my mind, sweetheart. I keep staring off into space thinking of your birthday, the truck, the movie theater…I can’t stand up without getting embarrassed,” he whispers that last part.

  “Get your mind out of the gutter, Agent Price or I’ll have to give you a good spanking,” I say seductively. “Multiple times.”

  “I thought teachers weren’t allowed to administer corporal punishment.”

  “I’ll make an exception for you, Agent Price. You’ve been very, very naughty after all. I may even have to pull down your pants, exposing you, and—”

  “Ahem.”

  Oh, crap. I was so into my fantasy I didn’t notice Nancy step in. She’s barely controlling her giggles. And…there’s the mortification right on schedule. “Sorry to interrupt, but I found fur on the clothes. Just thought you’d like to know. Carry on with your phone sex.” She releases the giggles and walks out again.

  “We weren’t…” I call but stop myself. We so were. “I, uh—”

  “Yeah, me too,” Will says. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Yeah. Bye.” I hang up and thump my head on the keyboard.

  Okay, I’ve been a slave to my hormones and unfulfilled sexual tension almost non-stop for close to a year. I should have developed an immunity to it by now. But no, the madness has grown way way worse in the past few days. This itch of ours needs to be scratched post haste or pretty soon it’ll become all consuming. There are monsters to fight. I need to get laid to find them, end of story.

  Oh, what a wonderful problem to have.

  Chapter Nine

  Alpha Males

  The dead will still be dead in the morning, but if I have to examine one more piece of disintegrated clothing, I’ll be joining them. We often work twelve to twenty hours when on a case, but I’m usually on the move, interviewing people or chasing down leads out in the field. Seven hours in the lab testing and combing the objects of the dead, sometimes literally with a fine tooth comb, seems like an eternity. Wish I was out interviewing hookers again. Strange how a year ago I wouldn’t know a prostitute if she was standing under a neon sign with “Hookers For Rent” on it, now I’ve made the acquetiance of a dozen. Today’s weren’t as helpful as others have been. No one could tell me anything new about Lindsey or the SUV that picked her up. If the wolves picked up any others from a red light district, the girls didn’t know or wouldn’t say. “Hos come, hos go,” I was informed, including Naomi Ash. Poor girl. OD’d six months ago. Bye bye lead.

  When I returned to mobile command from my ho run, Nancy was swamped in the lab with the arrival of bodies two and three, later four, so I jumped in. For forensics work an investigator needs an eye for miniscule details and the patience of Job, which is why I absolutely hate doing it, now more than ever. I examine the same piece of clothing three times without even realizing it. There could be DNA coating everything, and I’d miss it all. Okay, I’m not that bad. The ripped clothes have tons of canine DNA from three, sometimes four different wolves. No visible fingerprints though. By hour seven my eyes are so gummy you could make bears out of them. Time to call it a day.

  Nancy, who shockingly said nothing about my earlier inappropriateness, gathers our things as I power down the machines. There’ll be no more bodies tonight. The searchers at the park left at sundown but will continue tomorrow. Like Nancy, Carl and Dr. Neill jump at the chance to finish for the day. While I wait for them, I retrieve my cell phone from the meeting room. I know me. If it was nearby I’d be checking it every ten seconds for one of Will’s texts. I missed three. “Thinking of U.” “On my way back.” “Luv u.” I coo as I read each of them. He is so thoughtful. I text back, “Coming home. Counting secs until—”

  “Ahem.”

  Once again I’m so into my thoughts, I fail to realize there’s someone behind me. Not a good trait for an officer of the law. Especially when I spin around and find it’s a vampire who gotten the drop on me. Well, he’s already done the damage back there. I can still sense the knife he planted between my shoulder blades. Oliver’s gone causal tonight with black cargo pants, black sweater, and hair pulled back in a small ponytail. I’m not sure what I should be feeling after last night, anger and sadness I guess, but the usual lust peeks out instead. If I have one addiction besides Turner Classic Movies it’s to eye candy, and this man is instant diabetes. “Oh. Hello.”

  “Are you leaving for the evening?” he asks, stiff as a board. “I came to see if you required assistance before I ventured to the park in search of more victims.”

  “Oh. That was thoughtful of you.”

  “How kind of you to notice, Beatrice.”

  Oh, he used my full name. I used to hate when he called me “Trixie,” now my full name seems unnatural coming from those red lips. He only uses it when we’re about to stare down death or I’ve insulted him so harshly he wishes death had won. Our recent divide is his fault, yet I want to throw my arms around him and beg forgiveness. I won’t though. He gets no reward for bad behavior from this girl.

  “Well, we’re swamped in the lab. Any analyzing you can do would be appreciated.” I slip my phone into my purse and start walking. “Have a good night, Oliver,” I say as I pass.

  “He attempted to rape you,” stops me dead in my tracks. “To rape you. He knocked you into the dirt, held you down, ripped off your pants, and tried to force himself upon you. Forgive me if I…saw red. But I will not apologize for caring for you. For wanting to protect you. I have earned that right.”

  I literally turn on my heel and fold my arms across my chest. “And the night before? Trying to make me werewolf chow? Did you earn the right to do that too?”

  “I was angry. I committed a foolish act, one foolish act, and I am sorry for that. From the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry, Trixie. But after all we have been through, it takes only one idiotic mistake for you to terminate our relationship? Do I truly mean so little to you that you will not forgive one minor indiscretion committed whilst I was facing my greatest fear? Losing you? Are you really so cruel?”

  Fudge. Fudge. Fudge. How does he do that? How does he always know the exact right thing to say to make me so weak in the knees? To blow away all the anger I have every reason to feel with a few choice words? I should have an immunity to him by now. Yet I succumb every time. Don’t give in. Don’t give in… “I accept your apology,” I say emotionless. Okay, I’m such a softie. But not a pushover. “As will my boyfriend when you apologize to him.”

  He sneers. “Never. I would rather—”

  “We’re a package deal, Oliver. You want me, you take him too. Either accept it or…” I shrug. “Night, Oliver.”

  When I step into the hallway I find Nancy pretending to examine her cuticles. She needs to work on her eavesdropping skills. They’re slipping. I pull her out to the car and wait for the others. Before Nancy works up the nerve for her trillion questions, Carl and Dr. Neill come out so we can leave. Hallelujah.

  I don’t go to my hotel room with Nancy when we arrive. She chuckles as I continue two doors down to knock on Will’s door. The moment he opens it, I launch myself at him lips first. Swathing me in his arms, he kisses me back with equal vigor. Oh that is a million times better. But not good enough. Still kissing, I back him inside his room. I’ve waited all day for this. I—

  “Ahem.”

  Again? Frigging again? We break the kiss to turn to the source of the snooty noise. Chandler, in his pajama bottoms and white shirt rests in his bed, remote in hand. Guess it’s true: when in love you only have eyes for one man. I take a step back with a nervous chuckle. “Sorry. Hi. Chandler.”

  “Alexander. Don’t mind me, continue with what you were doing. It’ll save me money on por
n.”

  Will shoots his friend a fierce glare to which Chandler responds with one of his own. Yeah, one friendship’s already been destroyed by our relationship, don’t want a second. I take my boyfriend’s hand. “Let’s talk in the hall.” I flash Chandler an apologetic smile, garnering an eye roll for my effort. Jesus, it was just a kiss.

  “He really doesn’t like me, does he?” I ask when the door’s shut.

  “Who cares? I like you,” Will says with a seductive grin. Smile still affixed, he leans down to kiss me again. A slow, lingering kiss that makes my toes curl. God, this man can kiss. “I missed you today.”

  “I missed you too. I could barely get anything done. All I could think of was…”

  “This?” And he goes in for round three. K.O. on impact. I’m lost in all these glorious sensations this man inspires in me. Tingles, warmth, raw lust. Heroin has nothing on Will Price’s lips. I instantly go through withdrawal when he breaks away. “I was thinking of using the hot tub downstairs. Join me?”

  “Heck yeah. Meet you down there.” I give him a little peck before practically skipping to my room. Nancy’s already claimed the TV, The Real Housewives of Wherever per usual. Thank God for my boyfriend. I couldn’t stand another catfight. I change into my bathing suit in the bathroom as the insults fly. Oh, I do wish I had a body for a bikini but the red one-piece with tummy control will have to do. My roommate is so engrossed in her program she doesn’t even ask where I’m off to.

  Our first luck of the day, nobody’s downstairs in the pool area. Will’s already relaxing in the bubbling water with a serene smile on his face. It grows when I walk in. “How’s the water?”

  “Perfect.”

  I remove my towel, setting it next to his on the white tile floor. I wade into the water, and he is right, it is darn perfect. With a contented sigh, I slip into my nook against his almost nude body, resting my head on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around me. Okay, now this is perfect.