Fur Fox's Sake (Shifters Undercover Book 2)

by Milly Taiden

  The creatures were to make sure the planet was safe from those who would do it harm or cause a downfall in natural resources. She thought that was noble, but shifters had done much more than that throughout history. Their contributions had helped shape the way the world was today, socially and technologically.

  She learned how shifters were bred with trial and error, infusing traits and characteristics directly into the DNA, then letting nature take over to smooth out the rough edges of the combinations.

  The first few generations of creatures came out very “raw.” The human side and the animal side didn’t fuse together well. They were more like two entities in one body, always fighting between which would dominate. If the human won, the creature lived. If the creature was more powerful, the person would be killed. Logic had to overrule animal instinct.

  Everything had made sense to her—the processes, the ideals, the technology—until she pulled items from the last three boxes. The work documented there seemed . . . off. Previous data had been presented in a logical, concise manner. Easy to read and follow. The last items were more scrawled fragments of thought. Preparations were listed with no results, and results with no prep. Instead of neat horizontal rows, bits and pieces were all over the page. Some had lines connecting things, some things were crossed or scribbled out.

  The data also seemed newer. In fact, English had found its way into a lot of the notes. Words easier to say and spell in English were used instead of the alien language. She was guessing the time gap between boxes six and seven amounted to hundreds of years. Where box six left off, box seven didn’t pick up. It was as if in box seven the data was trying to recreate things already done. But maybe not actualized.

  If she had to guess, she’d say the last few boxes were created by a madman.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Klamin stood behind his desk, hands squeezed into fists. So much anger built inside him, he wanted to shred the man before him into pieces, rip his fucking head off, beat him until he was flattened. Instead Klamin looked at him.

  “Nex, you had one task—to kill the senator and get out—yet you managed to fuck it up. And now the bastards have one of my creations. Do you understand what this means?”

  Since Perry, his bear shifter and second-in-command, had shacked up with the curvy veterinarian, he’d been out of his hands for a week. Klamin was forced to promote another shifter to do the dirty work. A fucking, goddamn stupid fuck who couldn’t do anything right. Why was everyone around him so incompetent? No, that wasn’t right as much as why were the other people so competent?

  The fucking fellowship had a burned-out investigator from LA, ready to kill himself because of things out of his control; a dipshit cop who could only focus on his newly discovered mate; and a human female animal doctor. What kind of screwed-up crew was that? Yet the past week, they’d fucked him up the ass, ruining years of planning.

  Klamin leaned over his desk, let out a roar, and with one arm swept everything onto the floor. He remained bent over, huffing. He felt a little better after the tantrum, but still wanted to wring the wolf’s neck.

  At least the senator was dead. Fucking dickhead should’ve never tried to pull a fast one. Had the man really thought Klamin wouldn’t find out? Thanks to centuries of research and development, he knew everything he needed to know instantly.

  He turned back to Nex. “How did the old man manage to kill the other wolf?” Obviously, there was a flaw he had neglected to find. This field test had been a good idea, but the enemy having his weapon was damning.

  Nex said, “I don’t know. I was too busy ripping the man’s throat out to notice.”

  “Hmmm.” Klamin paced. He figured the senator more than likely got off a lucky shot. Fortunately, this idiot was able to finish off the bastard. “Did anyone see you?”

  “Not directly,” Nex replied. “Afterward, I drove around to the park side and joined others watching the police work. They were all human, except for one. He was with the fellowship, the blond male. When he came out of the forest, I left. I believe he knew there were two shifters at the killing.”

  “Of course he does, dipshit. He’s a shifter and can smell you. Don’t leave this bunker unless I tell you to. If he smells you now, you’re as good as dead. Now get out of my sight.” The shifter stood and left the room.

  Klamin continued to pace; he imagined the proverbial angry steam rolling off him. Relax. He had to relax before he did something irrational. This plan would not be destroyed because a greedy human asshole thought he was smarter and had more power. He was so close to seeing years of painstaking work come to fruition. He would have his full revenge, and those who denied him would suffer.

  Thanks to the bank and armored truck heists, he now had enough American money to sustain his projects until launch. If only the last task at the water facility had been accomplished, life would’ve been perfect.

  Now he needed to come up with a different way to hide such high water consumption. The last thing he needed was someone to notice and come out to investigate who was using enough water to supply an army.

  It was a shame he had to waste his cat woman. She was so good at getting in and out of places. He’d have to make another one. That would be something his scientist, Sloan, could get on right away. Shit, he’d have to find Sloan on his own.

  Going a week without Perry, his real second-in-command, really put a crimp on things. Klamin never realized how much the bear shifter had taken care of. Thank the gods he had the foresight to “preprogram” the bear with instructions for the armored truck heist. If he hadn’t, Perry would’ve never intercepted the vehicle, and his funds would be short.

  What he couldn’t understand was how the woman vet continuously broke his mind control over the bear. What power did she have over him? Granted, she was delicious-looking with her abundant curves and quite fuckable ass, but Perry could have any female he wanted in the compound. What made her so damn special?

  Even after Klamin had sent another minion to run the vet and Perry off the road, the bear again protected the woman. That fiasco had been close to a total fuckup. But it had worked out well, seeing everyone thought the shifter killed in the accident was the person shooting at the couple earlier. Again, that was something Perry would’ve handled; instead, he’d had to do it on his own. And failed.

  Klamin wondered if the amnesia was the cause or simply another side effect of brain damage from forcing the bear into Perry? One thing was certain. As soon as Perry’s memories came back, he would kill the veterinarian, no matter how many times he’d fucked her. The only question was whether Perry would go rogue or return to being a serial killer.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Devin hurried up the front steps to the fellowship’s office building and pulled open one of the double glass entry doors. He greeted the receptionist with his normal smile and wave on his way to the hall door.

  “Oh, Detective Sonder,” Sally called from her desk, “Director Milkan is home sick today and asked that you conference-call him when the group is ready to meet.”

  He paused at the door for her to buzz him through. “Thanks, Sally. We’ll do that.” Hearing the sound signaling the release of the security latch, Devin opened the door and left the lobby before Sally could say anything else.

  He held nothing personal against her, but he smelled her interest in him when she was close. That rubbed his animal the wrong way. She wasn’t his mate, so the panther wanted nothing to do with her. Which was fine with him. Sally was cute and all, but he didn’t want to get anything started that he’d have to put a stop to. As it was, he hadn’t had any female interaction in so long, his cock was sending out SOS messages for him to remember it was there.

  Inside the office, he stopped at his cubicle, hung his sports coat on a hanger, and laid his notebook on the completely organized desk, next to a new ivy-like plant. He wondered where it had come from. He liked plants and the fresh oxygen they provided. His cat loved to roam the woods, so being in an uncrowded a
rea filled with forests was a perfect match for them.

  He logged in to his computer to go through his e-mail for important messages. Finding nothing that couldn’t wait, he stood and saw Russel and Barry standing together at a cubicle.

  He wondered about Barry, the bear with amnesia. The man seemed nice and was a true mate to Charli, so he had to be a good guy, right? Not like Devin got a bad vibe from the guy. Even though Barry had lost his memory, Devin knew that when it came to Charli, Barry didn’t lie and he loved her. The scent of his feelings filled their office and came off the bear in waves.

  After his and Russel’s visit to the hospital when Charli was run off the road, Devin didn’t know what to think. Neither did his panther. Usually the animal was quick and spot-on when he came to judging others. And with uncertainty came uneasiness.

  Clearly nice and love had nothing to do with not being a thief. Fact was Barry had something to do with stolen items, but the bear claimed to not remember anything beyond a week ago when he woke in Charli’s animal clinic.

  When they were in the hospital room, he’d smelled no lies from the bear, so he gave him the benefit of the doubt. But there was still a mystery surrounding Charli’s mate and how he fit in with the bad guys. Not to mention the fact that none of the stolen loot, money or jewels, had been found yet. And his paws had supposedly been on both at one time or another.

  Charli’s head popped above her cubicle. “You guys ready to meet?”

  “Milkan’s sick,” Devin said. “We’ll call him when we get started. We can use the conference phone in his office.” The group filed into the director’s space and gathered around the table opposite the desk in the room. Devin dialed their boss.

  The first thing they heard after the phone’s ringing stopped was a series of sneezes, deep and growly.

  “Milkan,” Russel started, “you okay, man?”

  Another growl came over the line. “Don’t ask. Fucking flu.” The man sniffled and blew his nose. Charli cringed. Devin was sure she was very conscientious about germs, being a doctor. Which made him wonder why a veterinarian would be included on a policing force. She had some of the basic detective training the local area provided, but had yet to go to Quantico for the real stuff.

  He’d heard her say it would be hard to leave her clinic for the duration needed to train. Seemed she was the only farm-animal vet in the area. Anyone who cared enough to stick their entire arm into the backside of a pregnant cow, may the gods bless them. He sure as hell wouldn’t be doing that. A slight shudder rippled through him.

  He also wanted to see how she used her “whispering” ability. The fact that a human could effectively communicate with animals blew his mind.

  “Sorry ’bout that, everyone,” Milkan said. “Let’s get started. You’re all aware of Senator Hayseed’s death?” Devin knew Charli was aware since he’d called her, but Russel knowing came as a surprise.

  Russel said, “Sally informed me when she heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who—”

  “Got it,” Milkan said. “Thank you, Mayer.”

  This would be a good time to fill everyone in on his discoveries. “Sir, the crime scene this morning was close to my apartment and I checked it out before coming into work.” He paused for the director to make any comment. He didn’t. Did that indicate he was angry?

  That was the problem conducting business over the phone or e-mail—his animal couldn’t smell the emotions coming off the other person. Without that sensory input, he felt at quite a disadvantage. He continued, not knowing what else to do.

  “I scented shifters, wolves.” Nobody said a word, but all eyes in the room were on him. “There was a deformed creature that was dead. I trailed the other to the far side of the park where I found footprints that ended at a car parking area.”

  Charli shifted in her chair. He scented and saw her unease. “Did Gibbons take the dead animal to the morgue?”

  “Yes, along with the senator’s body,” Devin replied. The director still hadn’t said anything. Since their group was formed a short time ago, Devin hadn’t been able to fully study his coworkers to discover their idiosyncrasies. Maybe this was normal for his boss. “Milkan, you still there?”

  “Yes,” the boss almost barked. There were nice drunks and mean drunks. Obviously, the director wasn’t a nice sick person. Memo to self, Never get the boss drunk. “Sorry, Sonder. I’m miserable right now.”

  “No need to apologize, sir,” Devin said. He couldn’t remember the last time he was sick. Well, sick sick. From a virus, and not his self-inflicted pain. He pushed that line of thought away. “How do you want to handle the case?”

  “Sonder, since your cases are mostly closed, you take it. Try to wrap up the robberies so we can move on.”

  “I’d like to visit the woman in the hospital,” Devin said. “You know, from the jewelry heist.”

  “Chief Charter said she was still out of it. I doubt she could tell us why she was in the water company’s database, but go ahead. See what you can find out,” Milkan directed. “Let me know if you get anything new.”

  “I’d really like to know where the money and jewelry are,” Devin said. He’d probably keep the files partially open until everything was solved. He hated not having everything closed in a nice, neat package.

  “Which brings up the armored truck robbery,” Milkan said. “Mayer”—the director sneezed twice, then blew his nose again—“Mayer, I want you to talk with Gibbons at the PD this afternoon about what she’s got on it.”

  Russel nearly popped out of his seat with joy, then gathered himself. “You can count on me, sir.” The shifter’s voice was deep, and fake, causing Charli to laugh.

  The director came back. “I’d give you a warning, Mayer, but I’m fully confident the woman can keep you in line.” The others at the table laughed while Russel rolled his eyes.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Charli, I hear you. Good to have you back. Hope your few days off were relaxing.” Her face blushed and the scent of her embarrassment, tinged with sex, filled the air.

  “They were. Thank you, sir. Oh, and one thing. You said for me to tell you when I might have a conflict with working,” she said.

  “I did. What’ve you got?” the boss asked.

  “I have a cow about to go into labor any day. She miscarried previously, and I want to make sure this one goes well.”

  “Not a problem, Avers. We should limit the amount of responsibility you carry until we get you fully trained in procedures, anyway. Do what you can, and when you have to leave, let me know. How’s your shifter’s memory? Anything come back yet?”

  “No, sir. I—I—” Worry scented from the woman.

  “No need to be concerned, Avers. I was just getting caught up with you.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” She breathed easier. And was truthful in her answer. Maybe Devin should ask her if she had any ideas how Barry was related to the robberies. He’d trust her answers, and trust wasn’t something he gave out anymore.

  “Anyone got anything else that can’t wait until I get back? If I come back. I may shoot myself if this gets worse.” Everybody shook their heads.

  Devin responded, “I think that’s it, sir. Stay in bed and drink noodle soup—”

  “With stars,” Russel tossed in. “They’re easier to get down than noodles. Plus the feel of noodles sliding down your throat is like swallowing a sna—”

  “Got it, Mayer.” The conference phone clicked and silenced. Devin pushed the disconnect button.

  Devin ran through the conversation in his head, recalling the things they needed to discuss, if any. “Ah, the cat woman,” he started. “Either of you want to see her too?”

  Russel replied, “I would. I’d like to see if she can tell us anything about the armored truck before I visit my mate at her office.”

  Devin grunted. “Better take flowers with you.”

  “Why?” Russel looked baffled.

  “To apologize in advance f
or all the idiotic things you’re going to say while there.” Charli snorted a laugh, and he smiled. But Russel remained dead serious.

  “Shit, man. You’re right. What time at the hospital?”

  Devin’s plate was definitely full with the new murder investigation on it. But he still wanted to close those two cases from last week. “How about two o’clock? That work?” The others agreed and scattered for their desks.

  Once again he saw the plant on his desk. “Who brought the plant in? How’d you know I like ivy?” Charli and Russel looked at each other, then at him.

  “Each of us got one too. We thought you brought them in earlier. Neither of us did.”

  “Wasn’t me. This is my first time in the office this morning.” He shrugged and set the pot on a neatly organized shelf to catch more light. “Charli, you have time to go to the ME’s office with me to look at this wolf thing?”

  Charli looked at her phone, then said, “Yeah, now would be a good time.”

  Devin grabbed his coat. “Mayer, you coming?”

  “Sure, man,” Russel said. “You got my curiosity piqued. I want to see what a deformed shifter looks like.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Devin led his partner and Charli down the hall to the autopsy chamber. Barry came along too. He’d shown up with Charli. Suddenly Charli stopped. “Barry, I think you might want to wait up front for us.”

  The shifter lowered his brows, apparently not liking the idea of being away from his mate. Which is how it should be, not that Devin would know.

  “Why?” Barry asked.

  Charli stared at him, making small, strange movements with her head and eyes. “Because it’s the autopsy room. Remember Marika and the samples?”