High Moor 2: Moonstruck

by Graeme Reynolds

  “Well?”

  “Look, Marie. I’m really sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean it. You just got me mad and then the words came out. It was a shitty thing to say, and I wish that I could take it all back. I’d be dead without you, and if you leave, then I’ll either be dead or back in police custody within a week. I need you.”

  Marie took a sip of her tea, fixing John with a glare that could strip paint. “Do you have any idea how much you hurt me? I risked everything to save you. I gave up everything and everyone that I love, so that I could save your life, and you repay me by acting like an arsehole, and then throwing it all back in my face. How do you think that makes me feel?”

  John’s face flushed scarlet and, despite the snow falling outside and the chill in the air, he felt uncomfortably warm. He struggled to come up with some answer that would placate the angry woman, but the best he could manage was, “erm…I…I mean…”

  Marie didn’t wait for him to finish his reply. “And then, after acting like a first class prick, you think that bringing me a cup of tea will somehow make it all better? Did you really think that was going to help?”

  “Look, I know that I’ve been acting a bit off, but the last month hasn’t exactly been easy on me either. My head is all over the place. I mean, this whole thing is just insane and, if I’m honest, you scare the shit out of me sometimes.”

  Marie couldn’t help but laugh at this. “I scare you? I’m not the one who turns into a seven foot tall monster. I’m just a normal, boring woman.”

  “Are you kidding me? You know all this James Bond crap, and you carry a box full of guns and ammo around in the back of your car. You’re a trained killer, and I honestly don’t know how you’re going to react in any given situation. What part of that isn’t frightening?”

  She shook her head. “That’s not everything I am, though. Yes, I’ve been trained, but really, how different is that to someone who’s been in the army or something? That’s what I used to do. It’s not who I am. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  The guilt that had been building within John threatened to drown him. “I don’t know what else to say, Marie. I’m so, so sorry.”

  She took another sip from her tea. “Yeah, well, it didn’t help that you were right. I know that I fucked up, John. I should have just come up to you the second you arrived back in High Moor and explained things. I was just worried that you might not react well, given your last encounter with the pack, and I wanted to talk to you like a normal person before I brought all of that other stuff up. Maybe I just wanted to feel like a regular girl, having a drink with a boy she liked, for a while. Everything that happened was my fault.”

  John risked getting up and placed a tentative hand on Marie’s shoulder. “No, that’s crap. Malcolm got infected before I ran into you, and even if you hadn’t tried to flush me out of hiding, it was only going to be a matter of time before I had another episode. That night when you were eating Malcolm’s dog, my wolf almost got free. I only just managed to lock myself up in time. I don’t blame you for any of this. You’ve only tried to do what you thought was best for me. Well, apart from that time where you snapped my neck and left me twitching on the basement floor.”

  “I was wondering how long it was going to take you to bring that up.”

  “Well, you did break my neck, while I was trying to rescue you. Do you have any idea how much that hurts?”

  The corner of Marie’s mouth twitched into a half−smile. “What are you moaning about? You got better, didn’t you?”

  John couldn’t help but chuckle. “I suppose I did. Are we okay?”

  “Yeah, we’re okay. I couldn’t leave you out here to fend for yourself, could I. Without my ‘James Bond crap’, you wouldn’t last five minutes. Now come here and give me a fucking hug.”

  John sat next to her, and gathered her into his arms, ignoring the pain that flared across his wounds as she pushed against him. The warmth of her body against him was pleasant, and unexpected. He didn’t think he’d been this close to another human being in twenty years, and he was beginning to realise what he’d been missing. Then he felt something stir beneath the fabric of his jeans, and he broke the embrace, feeling a vague embarrassment. “So, what’s our next move? As lovely as this place is, I don’t think we can hide out here forever.”

  “No, we need to get the hell out of the country, but if I’m honest, I haven’t decided where yet. We can’t stay in Europe, or go to Russia, because it would only be a matter of time before the pack tracked us down. Unfortunately, most of the other continents are risky as well. America is a possibility, as long as we can keep away from their werewolves. Africa and Asia are complete non−starters.”

  “How come?”

  “Do you really think that werewolves are the only things out there? Every culture on the planet has its own shape changer myths, and that’s before you get started on the demons, vampires and God knows what else. Supernatural beasties don’t tend to play well with others, and are territorial as hell. One sniff of a werewolf and they’d come down on us like a ton of shit.”

  John exhaled and felt a hard knot of worry form in his stomach. “That doesn’t leave us with much. Antarctica, maybe?”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of Australia, but we can leave Antarctica on the table if you like the snow that much.”

  “Australia does sound like a better option. So, they don’t have any were−kangaroos or were−koalas that we need to worry about?”

  Marie smiled. “Not as far as I know, but we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves. Before we go anywhere, we need to get you sorted out.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Her smile twisted into an evil grin. “Basic training. It’s time you learned how to be a proper werewolf.”

  ***

  14th December 2008. Edinburgh Airport. 16.05.

  Gregorz took a sip of his coffee and picked at the croissant he’d been persuaded to buy. He didn’t have much of an appetite, and he was still a little shocked at the price. In Moscow, he could have eaten a three course meal for what the drink and pastry had just cost him. Daniel had not said much since they’d arrived, seemingly content to read his newspaper. His friend’s silence was making him uncomfortable.

  “Anything interesting happening?”

  Daniel looked up and shook his head. “The news is filled with Simpson’s escape and Connie’s little escapade. They don’t have any real leads so far, but that’s not stopped the journalists from forming their own assumptions. Most of it is rubbish, but there are one or two articles that are a little too close to the truth for comfort.”

  “Let them speculate all they want. Once Michael and the others arrive, we can deal with Simpson and get out of here.”

  “You really think that it’s going to be that easy? We’ve underestimated Simpson before, and now that Marie is with him there’s no telling what little surprises we’ll encounter. I don’t like this, Gregorz. It feels like we’re losing control of things. Michael shouldn’t be coming here. He’s too emotionally involved to think clearly. And I’m not sure about whether leaving Oskar up there on his own was the best idea either. He’s not been the same since Troy and Gabriela’s death. I think he’s lost his nerve.”

  Gregorz shook his head. “I agree with you, but Michael’s orders were explicit. I have my suspicions that Oskar left the others to die, but there’s no way to prove it. Michael should have ordered him back to Russia as soon as the hit went wrong.”

  “I imagine that the Council had something to say about his inclusion. They want him to keep an eye on things, especially on Michael. Krysztof would love an excuse to depose him as alpha.”

  “Then let us pray that Michael doesn’t do anything to give him a reason.”

  Daniel got to his feet and nodded over Gregorz’ shoulder. “They’re here.”

  Gregorz drained the last dregs of his coffee and followed Daniel out of the crowded coffee shop to the arrivals gate, where Michael had ju
st emerged. Two other pack members, Anya and Leonid, followed their alpha at a discrete distance. Michael made a subtle gesture with his hand and the two assassins strode away towards the car rental desks, while Michael continued on alone.

  The pack leader seemed to radiate stress. His face was a creased mask of worry, and his shoulders were hunched. Nevertheless, he smiled at Gregorz and shook both his and Daniel’s hands with a firm grip.

  “Gregorz, Daniel. Thank you for meeting me here. It’s good to see you both again. Has anything happened while I’ve been in the air?”

  “No. Marie and Simpson are hiding out in a holiday cottage, north of Inverness. Oskar is maintaining surveillance at a discreet distance, and he’ll let me know if anything happens. For the moment, at least, they seem to be settled.”

  “What’s the location like? Any neighbours or other problems that I need to be aware of?”

  “The nearest house is a couple of miles away, and the closest village more than ten. The property is in its own grounds, with woodland to the north, but not much cover otherwise. The cottage does have several blind spots that could be used in an assault, but I’m sure that Marie has considered this.” He glanced across the airport, to Anya and Leonid. “I’m still not sure why you brought additional resources. Daniel, Oskar and I could have dealt with this situation. All it would take is a single shot from a high−powered rifle and…”

  Michael shook his head. “I have my reasons, and I have another assignment for you and Daniel.”

  Daniel frowned. “Would that other assignment involve Connie, by any chance?”

  “Yes. She didn’t show up to her rendezvous, so I have to assume that she’s gone after Wilkinson. We can’t have her running around, causing any more damage.”

  “So, how do you want us to proceed?”

  “She’ll most likely go after the rest of those police officers, until she gets a lead on Wilkinson. Track her down, and when you find her, take her out. Quietly.”

  Daniel shuffled his feet and looked at the floor. Gregorz knew what was going through his mind. Connie had been a loyal member of the pack for more than two decades, and despite her unpredictable behaviour, had proven herself a worthy asset on many occasions. “Is there no other way? I know that Connie’s behaviour has been inexcusable, but her thirst for revenge has blinded her. If we could contain her?”

  Michael shook his head. “No, I’m sorry, but you were on that call. I was more than clear about what would happen to her if she ignored my orders. I can’t let that go, Gregorz. She brought this on herself.”

  Gregorz sighed. He felt sick. Hunting moonstruck was one thing, but the thought of going after a fellow pack member left a sour taste in his mouth. “What of Wilkinson, and the police?”

  “Don’t kill the police unless you have to. If you get a clear shot at Wilkinson then you have my permission to gut the bastard. I don’t want you going after him, though. Connie is your target. Once you deal with her, then I want you both out of the country.”

  “Understood. And what will you do, Michael?”

  “I’ll take Anya and Leonid, join up with Oskar and put this matter to rest, once and for all.”

  “I would tell you that I don’t like this, but I doubt that you would listen, so I will simply tell you to be careful. You will be up there, alone with three moonborn, and they will be reporting back to the Council. They are looking for a reason to depose you, Michael. Please don’t give them one.”

  Michael put his hand on Gregorz shoulder. “I know what I’m doing, but thank you.”

  Gregorz gave his alpha a grim smile. “I hope so, Michael. I really do.”

  Chapter 14

  14th December 2008. Aykley Heads Police HQ, Durham. 18.30.

  The Range Rover turned off the main road into the grounds of the police headquarters. Most of the unsightly, concrete building lay shrouded in darkness, with only a few isolated office lights shining out into the night. Phil knew that there would be officers inside, of course. The police HQ was never truly empty. However at this time on a Sunday evening, when the shifts were changing, the huge building was as quiet as it was likely to get. A few cars were dotted around the car park, most of them stationed close to the main entrance, so that their owners would not have to brave the freezing conditions any longer than was necessary.

  Mark pulled into a vacant space as far away from the main building as he could and stopped the engine. He turned around to face the other occupants of the vehicle. “Here we are, lads. Last stop.”

  An uneasy silence fell. Phil and Rick exchanged nervous glances, while Paul looked down at his feet. None of them were comfortable with what they were about to do. Paul had been agitated ever since the sun had gone down and wanted to make sure that his family were safe. They only had the one car, however. None of them had wanted to return to Rick’s house to retrieve their own vehicles.

  Phil arched his back, feeling his spine pop. “Alright, is everyone clear on what we’re doing? Rick and I will go inside. I’ll get the case−notes while Rick goes down to evidence and grabs the ammo. Then we’ll meet up back here.”

  Paul shuffled in the back seat. “Phil, you don’t really need me here. Not right now. I’m going to take a squad car from the pool and make sure that Emma and Sam are alright.”

  Mark shook his head. “Mate, we really shouldn’t be going anywhere by ourselves. I know that you’re worried, but once we get the ammo we can go over there together. At least then, if that bitch does show up, we’ll be able to do something about it.”

  “And what if she’s there now? Or on the way? I need to get them both out of that house and somewhere safe. Once you finish up here, you can meet me at my place, but I’m not arguing about this. My family’s safety comes first. Once they’re out of harm’s way, then I’m in, but not until.”

  Rick put his hand on Mark’s shoulder. “Paul’s right. We don’t need him here right now. But, mate, be careful. If something looks off, then you get the fuck out of there and call us, okay?”

  Mark let out an exasperated sigh. “Don’t you lot ever watch bloody horror films? You never go off alone. Ever.”

  “Mark, I’ll be okay. I won’t do anything stupid. If things don’t seem right then I’ll back off and call in the cavalry.”

  “Can you at least try to call Emma again?”

  Paul pulled his phone out and dialled his wife’s number, but the call went straight to answer phone. “Still no reply. She never remembers to charge the fucking thing. Okay, I’m off. I’ll see you all soon.”

  Paul got out of the car without another word and strode across the tarmac towards the main headquarters building. Phil turned around to face Rick. “Okay, are you ready? Let’s get this over with.”

  Rick and Phil exited the car and hurried across the frost−covered parking area to the looming building. A welcome rush of heat washed over them as they stepped through the glass doors into the reception. The guard on reception glanced at them, and then, with a nod of recognition, returned his attention to the newspaper he’d been reading. Rick turned left, to where the evidence storage rooms were, while Phil continued past the reception desk to a flight of stairs which he took two at a time. The intention was to be out as quickly as they could, but Phil needed to be sure that he’d retrieved as many of the case−files as possible. Now that they knew what they were dealing with, there was a chance that he’d overlooked or disregarded some piece of evidence.

  He pushed open the door to the open plan office and groaned when he realised that the room was already occupied. Brian Smith, a long−time colleague and Inspector Frank’s chief arse−kisser, looked up from his PC as Phil entered the room. He got to his feet and intercepted Phil before he could make it to his desk. He extended a sweaty hand and grasped Phil’s in a warm, flaccid grip. “Phil, I just wanted to say that I’m so sorry about Olivia. We all are. Didn’t the inspector send you home for a few days?”

  Phil forced a smile and extracted his hand from the other man’s, res
isting the urge to wipe it on his trousers. “You know how it is, Brian. I can’t concentrate on anything at home. I just wanted to go over the case−files again, to keep my mind occupied.”

  Brian gave Phil a conspiratorial wink. “Don’t worry, Phil. I hear what you’re saying. I’ll keep this between us. Our little secret.”

  Phil felt his smile starting to slip and forced it back with what felt like a superhuman effort of will. Brian would be straight on the phone to Franks as soon as he left the office. That complicated matters. “Thanks, Brian. I really appreciate it.”

  “No problemo. If there’s anything you need, anything at all…”

  “I know. Thank you.”

  Phil eased past Brian, and made his way along the office to his own desk. Olivia’s was right next to his, and he felt his throat constrict as his eyes played across the disorganized mess of paperwork, the row of characters from South Park lined up on the top of her monitor and the photograph of her and Matt. He forced his eyes away. He didn’t have time to get upset or to dwell on the ragged hole within him that her death had left. He needed to get what he came for and get out of the building before Brian tipped off the Chief Inspector.

  He sat down at his desk and turned on his computer. The ancient machine wheezed into life and began the torturous process of booting up. Phil glanced up and discovered that Brian was no longer in the room. Brian could have gone for a coffee, but he doubted it. He had less time than he thought.

  He removed a USB drive from his pocket and slotted it into the front of the machine. Then he noticed the manila folder, tucked under the keyboard. He pulled the folder free and flicked it open, only to feel his heart lurch again. It was Olivia’s report from the night that Simpson escaped. The day that she died. He pushed the feelings down and scanned through the neatly handwritten text. It dealt with her visit to the hotel where she’d tracked Connie Hamilton and he already knew most of the details. Then he stopped as something caught his eye. A name. Gregorz Pawlac. Pawlac had been one of the names given to the assistant pathologist by the bogus police officers, when Marie Williams had gone missing. They’d assumed that it had been an alias, but if it wasn’t…