by E A Price
“And now he needs to pay,” supplied Madam calmly.
“Exactly!”
“Before he does it to another innocent woman,” she said encouragingly.
“Yes!” he cried, pumped and ready to get started.
“On wrongs swift vengeance waits - happy vengeance,” she cooed as he virtually burst out of the car. She smiled. Howard was her kind of person.
*
Gerry grunted as the coroner waved hello at him. Damn, this was grisly. Even his python felt a bit sick at this.
A weasel shifter had been run over by a truck – repeatedly. There wasn’t much of him left. Being run over once by the truck probably would have killed him. Being run over time and time again destroyed him. The truck itself had been set on fire. It was still standing, and parts of the weasel’s body could still be found on the truck. But any hopes of evidence were gone.
They were at an abandoned go-kart track. It had shut down about a year ago after it was discovered that the owner was dealing drugs to kids. So far no one had been interested in either reopening it or converting it to condos.
“What about the truck?” he asked Gunner.
“It was reported stolen a few days ago from a lot across town. But, the owner has reported four stolen in the past year – he’s been accused of insurance fraud. Cutter’s paying him a little visit right now.”
“Have we any idea who the victim is?”
“Yeah, we managed to find one of his arms pretty much intact. He had a tattoo and Jessie looked it up. It’s a weasel gang tattoo - they all get them. The gang leader’s over there.” Gunner inclined his head toward a thin, middle-aged weasel with a grim expression. “He says it’s a guy called Jase McKenzie – recognizes the scent.”
“Hmmm, any priors?”
“Well, Jessie found out that a couple of months ago Jase knocked a woman down in his truck and killed her. But, it was an accident – a kid ran into the road, the woman ran after the kid and pushed him out the way. Jase tried to brake, but he couldn’t do it in time - he was even driving under the speed limit. It went to trial and Jase was given community service because his insurance on his truck had expired by a day, but that was it. The wife’s husband apparently sent threats to Jase – the Theta Team were dealing with it.”
The Theta Team dealt with threat management – usually a very thankless task.
“His leader is pretty cut up about it,” said Gunner in a tight voice. “Apparently Jase had a mate and four kids.”
“The woman’s death sounds like a tragic accident.”
“Yeah, but there’s nothing accidental about this,” growled Gunner. “Avery and Wayne are on their way over to talk to the husband, but I, uh, wanted to talk to you about Zane…”
Gerry sighed. “I’m sorry, Gunner. I just heard before I arrived, Zane has been dismissed from the SEA.”
Gunner sucked in a breath. “But Sir…”
He shook his head. He knew Gunner had a soft spot for the younger bear – perhaps empathizing with the rage he felt. But enough was enough. “Gunner, there’s nothing I can do. He attacked a human.”
“Yeah, but it was that lawyer who…”
“Who hadn’t done anything wrong. As far as we can tell he never even jaywalked for heaven’s sake. Zane went after him for no good reason, and now he has to pay the price. He’s gone too far. He needs to learn to deal with his anger like the rest of us.”
Gerry wasn’t kidding. He had a lot of anger inside him at that moment. He would love just to pulverize that little shit Robbie, who Jessie spent far too much time with. But did he? No, even though his python wanted it more than anything – with the exception of how much he wanted Jessie – he wasn’t going to do it. Because he had too much fucking control. Sometimes he really hated being in control.
“But… but we’ll be short staffed,” tried Gunner lamely.
“Don’t worry, I already have an applicant in mind.”
“Who?” demanded the polar bear with just a little belligerence.
“An applicant from Playa Lunar. I’m meeting with her in a couple of days.” Gunner opened his mouth to object, but Gerry glowered until he lumbered away, muttering.
At least, that was one problem down. And he was sure the candidate he had lined up to replace Zane wouldn’t go whack job crazy on anyone she felt like. He figured a psychic human might be a little more restrained than a rampaging bear.
His brother-in-law was still running wild and seemed to have the cops out to his house every other week. And he had a bad feeling that this was going to be another murder to add to their recent failures. His python slithered uneasily. They were about revenge – he was sure. But they just couldn’t get proof. There must be someone behind the scenes orchestrating these murders, but no one seemed to be co-operating.
He needed a little relaxation. He needed something to calm him. Maybe he should get a massage, or perhaps a steam. A good workout sometimes helped. No option appealed to him.
No, he knew what he needed. He was going to the cafeteria.
Chapter Twelve
Gerry strode into the cafeteria. The chatter immediately stopped. Everyone seemed surprised to see him. His python sneered. What? What was the big deal? He’d been in there before. Although, it was probably a while ago.
He approached the food, all in varying shades of brown, and tried not to wince. Yes, this was why he didn’t come in here more often. Legally this was foodstuff rather than just food.
A slightly jaded looking hippo shifter with a nametag that proclaimed ‘Hi, my name is Tamara’ waited, patiently for him to order something.
Ah decisions, decisions. “I see you redecorated,” he commented while trying to decide on the most edible looking item. “The walls used to be green.”
Tamara snorted. “Yeah, twelve years ago.”
“Ah.” It really was a while ago.
“What’ll it be?”
“What do you recommend?”
“Chilly’s Bar and Grill – ten-minute drive from here. But if your heart’s set on eating here, the soup’s pretty innocuous – we get that out of a can.”
Gerry gave her a small smile. “What flavor?”
“Tomato.”
“Done.”
Tamara sloshed some oddly brown soup into a bowl and handed him a tray laden with lots of mini packs of cracks. “Have some extra crackers on me.” She winked at him, and she smiled before moving onto the other customers, who were all muttering and grumbling about Gerry’s slowness. Tamara took her sweet time in serving them.
Gerry clutched at his tray. Now, where to sit? As if he didn’t already know where he was headed. Instinctively, his python had him moving in her direction before he even spotted her. Before he knew it, he had already dropped into the seat next to her. She had pretended that she wasn't looking at him as he approached, but now that he was right next to her, she had to acknowledge him.
“Mind if I sit here?”
Jessie smiled. It was a little shaky, but she wasn’t running in the opposite direction. “Of course not.”
He narrowed his eyes as visions of an asshat young bobcat shifter floated through his mind. “You’re not saving it for anyone?”
“Nope.”
He cast surreptitious glances her way. She looked very fetching in a dress covered with squirrels, and her hair was dyed dark brown. The dress was tight cut and highlighted the generous swell of her breasts. His python also liked the dress.
He tried to think of something to say, but he came up a little blank. He didn’t really want to talk about work, but that was all he had. Small talk eluded him, and usually, that was okay. People only generally sought him out because of work. He stirred his soup a few times before giving in to the smallest of small talk – and if that didn’t work, he’d try the weather.
“What are you having?”
“A sandwich from home.”
“Very wise,” he said while breaking some crackers into it.
Gerry could fee
l her thaw a little. “So you’re risking the soup – very brave.”
He tried not to grimace. “Tamara told me it comes from a can.”
Jessie arched an eyebrow. “Hmmm, yes, I saw that she gave you extra crackers. She hasn’t even given me a smile in all the time I’ve been coming here. She likes you.” Her lips puckered, slightly, as if she was about to pout, but she quickly took a bite of her sandwich instead.
Was that jealousy? The thought thrilled his beast. It meant that she cared. “Probably because you bring your own sandwich.”
Jessie flushed prettily. “Yeah, probably.”
“What’s in the sandwich?”
“Peanut butter and chips. It’s my favorite and yeah I know, I eat like I’m still five years old.”
Gerry tried to recall if he had ever eaten anything like that. Probably not. His mother didn’t approve of things like peanut butter or jelly or chocolate or soda. When he grew up, he hadn’t really thought about food. “Is it good?” he asked in frank honesty.
“Yeah, you want to try some?”
He considered it for a moment and thought ‘why not’. “If it’s not an imposition.”
Jessie’s eyes twinkled. “It’s a bite of my sandwich; I’m not co-signing a loan with you.” She pulled a hunk off and handed it to him.
He quickly gobbled it and then licked his fingertips for good measure, happily enjoying her giggling. “Mmmm, that is good.”
“Really? Kind of thought you’d be more into caviar or lobster or something so fancy I haven’t even heard of it.”
Gerry snorted. “I’m more of a burger kind of guy?”
“You? A burger?”
“What’s so funny?”
She giggled, and he felt his arousal stirring. No, he had to control himself. He needed to distract himself with small talk. Boring chatter was always a turn-off. Except, he found anything coming out of her mouth to be absolutely fascinating.
Jessie smirked. “I just can’t imagine you dropping ketchup down your tie.”
She pointed to the emerald green tie. A present from his parents for his thirtieth birthday and chosen for him by his mother’s assistant. She left the price tag on to make sure he realized just how expensive it was. They say it’s the thought that counts.
“Well, I usually wear a bib. I generally eat on the go and burgers are fast and do not taste particularly bad.”
She looked at him in disbelief. “Particularly bad? That means they don’t taste particularly good either. Why do you eat them?”
He shrugged. “Convenience, nourishment.” He’d never given it much thought. He needed to eat to live. That was that. He hadn’t given food much thought in years. Judging by the amazement on Jessie’s face, she wouldn’t say the same.
“First no chocolate and now this? What’s your favorite food?” she demanded.
“Well…” He thought long and hard about that. “When I was younger at boarding school I used to like spaghetti and meatballs. They used to serve it every Tuesday.” His snake actually let out a gentle chuckle at the fond memories he had for those few years of his life. He didn’t think about them much, but he had been happier then. Actually, he preferred being at school to being at home with his parents.
“You went to boarding school?”
“My parents were busy people. What about you?”
“I guess mine are busy, too. My mom’s a dog walker and my dad’s a mailman. When I was little I used to help my mom with the dogs – still do when I’m on vacation, it’s loads of fun.”
Gerry smiled. “Your parents sound charming, but I meant your favorite food.”
“Oh!” The giggle returned, and he surreptitiously pressed his palm against a growing erection. His python writhed, frustrated by Gerry’s reticence.
“My favorite is my mom’s signature nut roast. Yeah, I’m a squirrel through and through. It’s awesome - you should try it.”
“Yes,” he agreed, almost making it sound like a dinner invitation.
Jessie flushed, but she didn’t seem unhappy with his acquiescence.
He worked up the courage and actually tried the soup. He considered it for a moment. “It’s not bad.”
“I’m sure Tamara will be thrilled to hear it,” said Jessie, dryly.
He chuckled and then stirred a few more crackers in for good measure.
“Everything okay?” she asked with concern. “Although, if it’s marital I’d rather not…”
His snake snarled. “No,” he said quickly, banishing the thought of Edith before it was fully formed. “It’s just these open cases we have. I believe they’re all linked.”
“Someone acting out random revenge fantasies?”
“Exactly and that troubles me. It’s easier to find someone with a real motive. Those who do it for money or just for fun, they’re more difficult. And these cases remind me of another from when I first started at the SEA.”
He hesitated, but she gave him such an interested and sympathetic look that the words just tumbled out of him. He wasn’t accustomed to sharing, but it felt as easy as breathing with her.
“A human was mauled by a wild animal. The cops suspected it was a shifter, so they passed it to us. A few months before, the human had shot and killed a young shifter who had broken into his house. The shifter was so young that he couldn’t heal himself properly, and he was shot mid change. Given that the shifter attacked him, it was considered self-defense.
“At the time, my partner was Jake ‘snapper’ Bell, a croc and a legend of the SEA. He just didn’t take the case seriously. He reckoned that the man deserved it for hurting a shifter. Our main suspect was the shifter’s father and his pack, but they all had alibis. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t do more. I was just too naïve and too stupid to go against Bell. Still bothers me. And it reminds me of these cases.”
“Gerry,” she murmured as she placed her hand over his, and the weight of his fifteen-year guilt seemed easier.
“I’m not sure what else I could have done – we didn’t have evidence or any other suspects, but I should have tried.”
Jessie looked at him and squeezed his hand. The world seemed infinitely better, and for those few moments, before she snatched it away, he managed to forget all his worries.
But she did snatch it away. His snake grumbled, and Gerry felt the sharp twinge of regret. It must have shown on his face before she whispered, “I’m sorry, Director Sayles is watching us.”
Gerry growled but didn’t look around. He didn’t have to. He knew Barry would be there. No longer distracted by his own lust – which hadn’t completely gone but had somewhat retreated – he could feel Barry’s eyes trying to drill a hole through his head by willpower alone.
“I just don’t want him thinking the wrong thing, he already…”
“Already what?” asked Gerry sharply.
Jessie looked away. “It’s not important.”
“Jessica,” he said in warning.
“He just insinuated about how I got my job, you know, through… sex,” she breathed the last word, and it took him a moment to process what she actually said. Having a beautiful woman pant the word sex was a bit distracting. But thanks to his python, he soon pulled himself together.
“Bastard!”
“It doesn’t matter; just forget I told you. If you make a big deal about it, he’ll assume he’s right. I don’t want anyone to think we’re, you know…”
“Yes, we wouldn’t want that,” he added, grumpily.
Jessie’s eyes narrowed. “You certainly wouldn’t, given that you’re married. And hey look your girlfriend is watching, too and she does not look happy.” Gerry caught sight of Tamara, who was indeed scowling at Jessie.
“Funny.”
“I have to go anyway.”
“If Sayles says anything else, let me know.” His instinct was just to throttle the rhino shifter outright, but, against his snake’s wishes, he was just going to let this go for the moment. If he did it again, however…
&n
bsp; She was about to argue but then thought better of it and nodded.
“I’m sure I’ll see you later,” he said as she left. It was a fact that he would, because be was pretty much stalking her around the building.
Chapter Thirteen
April
Gunner finished his report. The only person they could find who had a motive for killing the weasel had a great alibi and wasn’t inclined to confess to paying anyone to do the deed. Another dead end case. This was getting to be a nasty way of life.
His snake hissed at him to pay attention. The polar bear was hovering, and Gerry could scent a trace of uncharacteristic nervousness about him.
“What is it?” said Gerry with a weariness that came from many sleepless nights obsessing over a squirrel.
Gunner cleared his throat loudly. “You know the new girl, Erin – Zane’s replacement.”
Gerry cocked an eyebrow. Gunner had missed nonchalant a few exits ago. He was about to tell Gerry something he didn’t want to – probably because he wasn’t sure how Gerry would react. “I am familiar with her, yes.”
The bear rubbed the back of his head. “Well, it’s just…”
“We’re keeping her - I have no intention of getting rid of her.”
Gunner nodded fervently. “Oh yes, I am keeping her.” His cheeks flushed pink. “I mean, we are keeping her.”
Gerry’s brow creased. “What about her?”
The huge polar bear sucked in a breath before blurting, “We mated and we’re getting married.”
“You’ve only known her a few weeks,” he said, evenly. He couldn’t deny this was such a surprise. He just thought that it was happening more quickly than expected, particularly as Erin was human. He’d seen the way the bear looked at her, and the way she blushed in return. He kind of hoped he didn’t look like that when he looked at Jessie – goofy beyond belief.
“The beast wants what he wants.” Gunner treated Gerry to a dreamy smile. His snake had the urge to hurl.
“And Erin’s sure about this?”
