At First Sight (Persephonii Waters Book 1)

by Melanie Brown

  For she was sure that Mr. Lawrence was a victim, perhaps not of murder but something serious was going on. She would have to do some research to see how the two men were connected, there would definitely be an official call to the local packs.

  Taking a few more passes around the body, she slowly moved outward making sure not to step in any foot prints, or disturb anything around him as she bent down closer to get a better look. She rested her notepad on one knee, writing with one hand as the other held the glow-stone. She noted the time, date, frigid but dry weather, what he was wearing, even the fact that Mr. Lawrence liked to drink light beer. Carson had merely asked them out for an opinion on the cause of death, which meant they weren't assigned as full acting consultants...yet...so she couldn’t take any pictures of her own. Everything she saw, smelled, felt, went into her notebook while she directed a distracted officer to take pictures while he watched the chaos around him.

  Other local officers questioned and re-questioned those loitering around the area, with one man in particular standing out. A Mason Donovan looked like an interesting character and seemed to be well known in those parts, but as far as Persephonii was concerned he was a questionable source. Several men congregated around him, she could tell by his aura alone that he had something in the works, and that the men were Enforcers, making him the likely Alpha of the local pack. Something wasn’t sitting right with her, she felt something off about Mr. Donovan, and wasn’t quite sure what, until she came closer to hear his explanation of the events. Though further away from Mr. Lawrence than many of those being interviewed, in fact over closer to the main bonfire, Mr. Donovan was sure that the incident centered around his cousin, a Harker Donovan. Mason hinted at some sort of feud between the two cousins, allegations were thrown and Carson reluctantly sent out a B.O.L.O for Mr. Harker Donovan to be brought in for questioning.

  Though the officers had no reason to doubt Mason’s testimony, it was clear Carson didn’t like Mr. Donovan, whether for personal or professional reasons it appeared the two had some issues between them. It didn’t help that no one else could see what she saw. Mason’s aura was filled with the purples of disgust and disdain while talking about his cousin, while containing the more Kelly greens of excitement, almost overjoyed that his cousin was now in trouble with the law. The ripples in his aura every time he spoke about his cousin was a sure sign of his lying. It was times like these that she wished at least a few other people could see and read aura’s the way she did. At least if the officers had been Wyr or another Para they could smell the lies on him. Though she could tell Chase that the man was obviously lying and possessed what could very well be dangerous ulterior motives, she could do nothing more than watch and wait. Eventually Carson came back around to talk over her findings, looking glad to see Mr. Donovan and his entourage leave.

  “Got anything for me?” Carson walked over with Chase close behind him. He had been making circuits around the premises listening to witness statements and gathering information from the officers. Though the police and sheriff’s department would handle the official investigation, they had learned it literally paid to have all the information about the crime scene and cases for themselves. Nothing like being on the witness stand and telling prosecution that you were there, but couldn’t give any specifics. Plus, if this turned out to be as big as Persephonii’s gut was telling her it was, then they could very well catch some vital clues by putting in a little more work early in the investigation, something the officers might have missed.

  “Well, without the coroner present I can’t physically examine the body, but then I doubt what they find will say something different than what my observations have found. Natural cause of death, no signs of foul play, just a strange case of a Wyr having a fast, severe and deadly onset of anaphylaxis.” Shaking her head in bewilderment and worry she continued.

  “This is the second case in a little over two days.” Chase and Carson looked at her with similar expressions of confusion, but she could guess not for the same reasons.

  “Basically, he died from a severe allergy attack, note the hives and swelling around his neck. I’d say asphyxiation and possible cardiac arrest.” Bending down she glided the glow-stone just above Mr. Lawrence's head while moving closer, pointing to the areas in question.

  “And that’s unusual?” Carson was no doctor, but he knew allergies, having dealt with them his entire life.

  “Well in the average Joe... no. Our immune systems can only handle so much, allergies are a common enough occurrence. Even cases of anaphylaxis, though usually mild, severe, even deadly cases, are not unheard of. This however...” gesturing to the whole of Mr. Lawrence, “should be... biologically speaking, nearly impossible. If its related to the first case, highly improbable.” Again she received slightly confused looks. Explaining the findings from the first victim in relation to Mr. Lawrence.

  “Wyr physiology and biology being what it is, should annihilate any sort of allergen, virus, or infection other than the Wyr virus strain, almost as soon as it enters the body. Making allergic attacks like this theoretically impossible. In the last fifty years till today there has been thorough studies of Wyr physiology, more so than any other Para-species known. No Wyr has showed any signs of being even slightly susceptible to allergens let alone an attack of this level. Now we have two cases within a few days of each other...the odds that the two are unrelated, let alone both purely accidental are highly unlikely.”

  “Yeah..but silver..” Wright started, his assumption was reasonable, but not relevant to the symptoms the two Wyr's were showing.

  “Believe me, Dr. Underwood and I were discussing this not two days ago, when an almost identical case came into the M.E. lab. If a Wyr were to ingest liquid silver nitrate, even trace amounts, it would manifest more like a burn, like trying to drink bleach or another harsh chemical, not like an allergen.” Standing back up to look the two in the face, she made a decision.

  “I’d like to stay and talk with Dr. Leads and his team.” At her statement Chase appeared to almost deflate at the thought of having to spend more time out in the cold so far from civilization. Turning to him she decided to give him a break. The coroner had yet to show up, but Carson mentioned them calling ahead to say they’d be there in around an hour or so.

  “You can head back to the office to do your notes if you like. I’ll catch a ride in the Coroner's van. I’d like Madison to take a look at Mr. Lawrence here. Maybe with two bodies we can get a better idea of what is going on.” She pulled out her phone to text Maddie.

  “....Speaking of which, I need to make sure she holds the other body for testing and comparison.” She hoped it was early enough that the body hadn't been released.

  Carson thanked them, writing down his own notes in a small notebook and went to help the other officers get the remainder of the thinning crowds to go home. He was called away for a possible B&E in progress, so Persephonii was left with two officers standing guard as the night wore on.

  The Coroner van and crew, which consisted of the local Dr. Leads and Mrs. Baker his assistant, arrived some forty five minutes later. After beginning to catalogue the body, the doctor, who was less familiar with the intricacies of Wyr physiology was equally as stumped, though he came to the same conclusion as Persephonii and Madison. Per protocol he had to take the body back to the coroner’s office before putting in the transfer to the M.E. While Mrs. Baker was busy doing a thorough job of cataloging both the body and its environment, Persephonii noticed a small group, hidden in the shadows at the edge of the tree line.

  The officers seemed unaware of the group, seven people in all. She could make out the shapes among the shadows; her night vision was almost as good as a Wyrs. Deciding to step over and talk with the late comers, Persephonii saw that a few of them were startled that she was heading their way, though none of them turned to flee. Coming to a stop within ten feet of the group she spoke up, well aware they could have heard her from beside the body.

  “I’m af
raid this is a crime scene, and you will have to leave. The officers have already cleared the area,” she gestured to the large area sectioned off by the yellow tape.

  At this a few seemed to shake their heads, one stepped forward, clearly the leader, as two men flanked him, an additional two stood farther back stances firm. Persephonii had expected some of the enforcers to linger in the area while the police were still there, but these four were not any of the men she had seen around Mr. Mason Donovan.

  “I was hoping to get some information on Neal. He didn’t have any blood relatives... but he was family.” By the tone and weight of the way the leader said ‘family’ Persephonii knew he meant Pack. Which left her to wonder why he would be so interested in representing the deceased's family when the supposed Alpha had shown little personal interest in Mr. Lawrence.

  “I’m sorry for your loss. But, unfortunately, all I can say at this time is that he will be transferred to the M.E’s office, where this case will be thoroughly investigated.” Startled looks were quickly smoothed over, apparently a few of them had thought it would be a simple open and shut case.

  “If you have any information or concerns, I can give you the number of a line you can call to give statements or ask about your friend?” His hazel-green eyes showed deep concern and no small amount of wariness. Sporting a week's worth of scruff, not quite a full beard but give it a few more days, his dark brown, almost black hair was illuminated by her glow-stone. The light hit his tall six-four maybe six-six muscular frame in odd angles, mostly due to the differences between their heights and distance between them, making him seem menacing though his aura said otherwise.

  “Mr.?” Persephonii thought that he could very well be the Alpha of another of the local packs. Perhaps concerned with the death of one of the locals and how it would affect his own? Or perhaps Mr. Lawrence hadn't been part of Donovan's pack?

  “Harker. Harker Donovan,” it was said in a soft, low growl with almost a challenge to it. Persephonii could tell he was waiting for condemnation or her to turn to the officers yelling for him to be arrested. In fact, by the tense bodies surrounding him, she could tell the others expected the same.

  “He didn’t do anything...whatever Mason said he didn’t...” A young woman in the middle of the group broke free, coming to stand behind Mr. Donovan. Her voice and expression held protectiveness, though her body was nearly plastered to him, almost hidden behind his larger frame. Stepping to the side to get a better look at his young champion, Persephonii took a quick glance over her glasses.

  “And you would be?” The girl]s aura showed no small amount of fear and concern. Persephonii was slightly impressed that she had come forward despite her emotional state.

  “Autumn Donovan.” Ahh... Mr. Mason Donovan had mentioned a younger sister. Brown hair, bordering more on the auburn side with a few darker streaks in the tresses, the two had similar coloring. Though the brother appeared to have seen more sun. Though Wyr aged differently than humans, she guessed Ms. Donovan to have been no more than eighteen or nineteen.

  Persephonii listened to her instincts and stepped closer and glanced back over her shoulder, smiling at the officers who were looking at her with some concern. Waving them away, she turned back to the group, unsure of her next move, running on half formed ideas and little more than a gut feeling. She knew what would happen to Mr. Harker Donovan if he was ‘caught’ by the wrong people. A lot of questions asked, little answers given, followed by a quick sentence and shipped off to one of the Facilities, where none of his family or friends ever heard from him again.

  Wyrs tended to patrol themselves, which meant that their other option likely featured Mason’s dastardly plans. From what she had seen of his aura earlier, she could guess that they didn't include understanding and a happy family reunion. Mr. Harker Donovan’s appearance so close to pack territory, meant that despite his cousin throwing him under the bus, there were likely some friends left in the pack. Enough to see him here, trying to look after a friend and with the even greater potential to get him in a whole lot of trouble.

  The myriad expressions and feelings flittering across their faces were very familiar to her. She could well remember the feeling of helplessness, of not knowing, of wondering if the authorities who were supposed to keep you safe, would turn and hunt you down instead.

  “I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your notice that this unfortunate event is highly questionable and thus will result in a thorough investigation by the P.P.D.” Confusion crossed his face, as he registered her words as the statement, rather than question they seemed.

  “Nor the fact that there are certain... procedures that such an investigation would call for. Things... questions, that if there were any hint at criminal activity and ill intent would... unfortunately, paint those involved in an unfavorable light.” Being vague enough that the warning was felt but not too overt; it looked like she was really going to do this, whatever this was.

  “Though the system states otherwise it is, sadly, still a ‘guilty until proven innocent’ mentality against Paras,” she glanced back over her shoulder at the officers farther out in the clearing, well outside of hearing distance. Stepping closer within their personal space she continued.

  “After certain statements given tonight, I would not suggest open involvement with the case.” Her gaze traveled across the faces now turned toward her.

  “In fact... I would also take great care to stay clear from all but your steadfast family, and try to remain in the shadows.” Turning away to head back toward the Coroner van, she had a strange feeling that she had somehow thrown in her lot with these wolves, even after so small a warning. Still she had a nagging sense that she should do more.

  “You haven’t given me your name.” Mr. Donovan’s baritone voice traveled to her. Turning back around she hoped they couldn’t see the blush, or would mistake it for rosy cheeks due to the cold outside.

  “Oh... excuse my rudeness. Persephonii Waters.” Boldly, placing her hand out, she met him half way, giving him a firm, strong handshake 'hello'.

  Not sure if she saw recognition in their faces or mild concern at the last name, she looked towards the others, who one by one gave their names with little more than a nod. Maxwell Darrow stood next to Harker, they could have been related, another cousin perhaps as their features held the same sharp angles and close cut dark brown hair. To his left leaned a younger man, Cain Rutherford, slighter of build with a square jaw, hair a few shades lighter and several inches longer than his companions. His relaxed demeanor was deceptively laid back as he studied her studying him. He must have been somewhat calmed by whatever he saw in her expression, as he straightened to his full height winking at her as he stood.

  Autumn had moved back to the center of the group with another woman who could again, be anywhere from twenty-five to fifty. Blonde hair cascaded past her shoulders in large curls, she was dressed for a night out all black and leather, not the ever lowering temperatures of a winter night in Washington. She stood with a protective arm around Autumn, head held high. She gave her name, Blake Taggert.

  Deeper, at the back edges of the group stood a shadow in the night, whose large, heavy muscular build belayed the soft spoken name, a simple North. Nearer to the women, but deeper in the shadows stood a tall rather skinny young man who looked both nervous to be close to so many others and yet so far away from his alpha. Sliding closer to Autumn, a small, quiet voice gave his name, Lindsey Payne. If she hadn’t had her superior hearing she would have missed it. Nodding at the group she turned to finish one last circle around the site watching the group fade unto the night, auras heading toward the outline of a buildings in the distance.

  Waiting until the Coroner van was ready to go, she made a final decision, one she was sure would cause her trouble, but might do a whole lot of good. She made excuses without telling the officers or Dr. Leeds exactly how she was going to get home, vaguely gesturing at the cars still parked farther out. Chase was gone and the others were pulling out
as she waved goodbye. Walking toward the building, she couldn't help but think that she just might be as crazy as Chase often said she was.

  Heading to the large barn-like structures, Persephonii once again questioned her ‘soft heart’ as her brothers liked to call her predilection for protecting the underdog and going along with seemingly crazy lost causes.

  Arriving in the middle of a heated argument, the group paused as they noticed her standing under one of the few lights of the large warehouse filled with lumber. From the surprised looks on the men’s faces she could tell they had been too caught up in the discussion to have heard her entrance. Let alone winding her way throughout the stacks to their hiding place in a side corner.

  Commenting on the last statement, that 'they didn’t know who was friend or foe', Persephonii threw the last of her caution to the wind.

  “There seems to be more unknowns than known's at this point and it occurs to me you will need all the help you can get.” She began by stating the obvious, while offering her olive branch.

  “Isn’t it against the law for an officer to help someone wanted for questioning?” Mr. Rutherford seemed equal parts amused and wary at her appearance.

  “Yes it is... so it’s a good thing I am not an officer.” It was the truth, despite whatever future involvement she might have with the Wyr's case. The decision to help was still questionable in the ethics department, but so was letting an innocent man take the fall for a crime he didn't commit.

  “But you are on the case.” Maxwell rightly questioned her alliances, offering to help could quickly turn into an offer to hand them over to the authorities, as far as he was concerned.