by Jeff D Ellis
“Understood.”
***
“Chief Knight.”
“It’s Mercer. The killer has struck again and this time, it's Cora Prescott. I need your help and I need it right now. This can’t leak out to the press or anybody else. We need this taken care of fast before the shit really hits the fan.”
“I thought we caught the killer a few days ago. You’re in luck. I have two agents that are uniquely qualified for sensitive work. Send me the address and I will get them right over.”
“The scene will need to be cleaned up once you gather what you need. Detective Frank Hammer will be on scene and is your SPD liaison. He will report directly to me.”
“How far can we trust him? Is he ready to know the truth?”
“He has been in the SPD for more than twenty years and I trust him. He has seen a lot of strange shit over the years and I think he can handle it, but you be the judge. As before, only the Chief and I know about this and she is pissed off that you haven’t found the killer yet. Another body is going to be bad for everyone.”
“It's okay, I have experts again and we’re open for business. We’ll get this guy!”
“You better or we’ll both be looking for new jobs.”
The Chief hung up the phone and walked into the bullpen.
“I need all hands on deck! This is time critical. Gwen, get everybody into the office.”
Gwen grabbed a phone and started making calls.
“David and Abby will be here in fifteen. Perry and Jeff will be here soon after. Anything else I can do?”
“Gather the files on the missing homeless in Seattle. He struck again.”
Thirty minutes later everybody was in the conference room.
“First off: David, how are you feeling? Are you up to fighting what may be another Windigo? If not, I would rather keep you at your desk directing things from here.”
“Chief, I want to be here. I will give you everything I have, and it might help Ash find a cure.”
“Okay. Everybody, I need your best work. This is a time-sensitive mission and everything else is now on hold. No one outside of this room can know anything about this operation. Someone or something is eating people in Seattle. I thought the creature you killed was behind this, but we have a new body. The description lines up with Abby’s vision. The body was cut open. You’re going to be working with SPD Homicide Detective Frank Hammer on this one. No one else in SPD is to be involved in any way. Use your best judgement on how much to share with him. He doesn’t know anything about the Veiled, but maybe it’s time someone in SPD did. There is way too much Veiled activity to not have someone on the front lines know about it. Only his boss Captain Mercer and the Chief of Police know about the Veiled in SPD. He has given the approval to read him in, if you judge that he can handle it. Go in with fresh eyes and form your own opinions. After you have finished at the crime scene, come back and Gwen will brief you on the old case files. David, Jeff has something to use on this case. Don’t keep the detective waiting. He is sitting on the body all by himself right now. Any questions? That is all.”
***
Abby and David followed Jeff to his lab to see this new piece of equipment.
Jeff pulled a box off the shelf and removed a black vest. “David, how are you feeling?
“I’ll be fine.”
“Here, try this.”
Abby shook her head. “That looks a bit too small to fit David.”
Jeff turned the vest to the other side where it read K-9 in big silver letters.
“David, this is for when you’re in coyote form. We can’t have coyotes seen running around in the city, or for that matter any place where someone might take a shot at you. I hope it fits. It was designed for German Shepard K-9 Units. It’s even got kevlar to help give you a little protection.”
Abby smiled. “Be a good doggie and let Mommy dress you funny.”
David scowled. “Abby, what did I say about all the doggie talk?”
“Change and let me see if the vest fits.”
Abby took the vest from Jeff and tapped her foot. David let out a sigh and after a minute changed into his coyote form.
Abby tried to keep the worry off her face. Normally he could change mid-stride, and now it was clearly taking a lot out of him. It could only be a matter of days before he lost the ability all together. She adjusted the straps and put the vest put on David. One side read U.S. Marshals with a badge logo, and the other K-9 Unit.
“Now don’t you look all official. Jeff, do you have a leash to go with that?”
“Sorry, we didn’t think to order one. Experienced K-9’s handlers don’t normally need one.”
“Thanks, Jeff. We’ll put this to good use. Did you come up with something we can use against a Windigo?”
“I have some new guns on order along with some tracer ammo. I’ll call in a rush on it. The soonest I’ll have them will be tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Jeff.”
Abby waked to the door “David, follow!”
Like I need to be told.
Are you sure you’re okay with this?
I’m sure. Better to do this now, than later. Please no more dog jokes.
Sorry, I’m only trying to lighten the mood. I think it's a good idea for you to stay in coyote form until we know more about this Detective Hammer. After you’re done sniffing things out, I can take you back to the car and have my partner show up.
Okay, Abby, I’ll play along. Let’s not keep him waiting.
***
Abby got to the address and tried to call the Detective, but it went right into voice mail. She parked and let David out of the back seat.
“Follow.”
I know what to do, Abby!
I wasn’t trying to make a joke. I have to keep up appearances. Now we need to find our Detective.
Abby found the steps leading down. At the bottom, the door had a business card for the Hammer. On the back it read: the door’s unlocked. Find me inside. She opened the door and let David go first.
I smell a body and what must be the detective. They’re up ahead.
Abby nodded. “U.S. Marshals! Coming in.”
“Back here.”
Abby turned away after seeing the body.
David looked over his shoulder at her.
You ok?
I wasn’t expecting something like that. It’s so clinical and out of place.
Abby found her calm and put out her hand to the man waiting. The detective was six feet tall, blond hair, and was wearing a cheap gray suit. The bulge in his suit coat revealed that he carried a revolver in a shoulder holster.
Abby held out her hand. “Deputy U.S. Marshal Abby Brooks, and this is David.”
He reached out and shook Abby’s hand. “Detective Frank Hammer. People on the job call me Hammer. When did they start using strays for the K-9 unit?”
“While he may not look like much, he is highly trained.”
David sat and extended a paw to the detective.
Hammer bent down and shook David’s paw. “Okay, buddy, sorry for the crack. I actually like dogs. What breed is he?”
“Coyote, so don’t tell anybody.”
“He does look like a coyote. You shitting me?”
Abby shook her head. “No shit. He is a special case. What can you tell me?”
“You don’t recognize her?”
Abby shook her head. “No, should I?”
“She is on the news all the time. This is Cora Prescott; she sits on the Seattle City Council.”
Abby shook her head. “We don’t watch much TV.”
“Okay, this is going to be hard for us. She made a lot of enemies in her time. There were rumors going around that she was corrupt.”
Abby shook her head. “Sorry for taking so long to get here; I’d hate to be stuck waiting in this place. We have a crew coming to take care of the body. What did you find out here while you were waiting?”
Hammer gave Abby a look to measure her. “I have
some ideas, but I want to hear what you have first.”
Abby looked at David and waved a finger in the air.
David, give the area a good sniff and let me know what you sense.
Abby knelt down and took a close look at the body as David gave the bones a big sniff.
This is disgusting. She’s been cooked! I do get a slight feeling of magic in the air. I’m scenting the same sort of creature as the Windigo. I’m going to spiral out.
Abby pointed at the bones. “Looks like she was cooked, and the bones gnawed on. From the lack of blood and cooking equipment, she must have been killed and eaten somewhere else and then dumped here.”
“I agree about the body dump. How can you tell the bones were cooked?”
“After working with my K-9, I can tell by his reaction.”
David had moved around the room. He stopped at the passageway on the other side and let out a little bark.
Abby looked over at David. “Did you check where that goes?”
“I wanted to, but with no one to secure the scene, I couldn’t risk going down there.”
“Smart thinking. Let David and I give it a quick look. I will yell at the first sign of trouble. Be right back!”
Abby joined David and pulled out a flashlight.
What do you got?
The body masked the energy, but as I head this direction, I’m sensing old magic. Give me some room and stay behind me.
David and Abby went down the dark hallway.
CHAPTER FIVE
Second Circle
THE LONG PASSAGE got darker the farther they went. Abby shivered.
David, what are you sensing?
The scent of old magic is here, but it's fading away. I need to speed up and focus on the magic. Hang back and look closer for anything else. I will shout if I find anything.
Abby slowed down and used her flashlight to look closer as she proceeded. She hoped to see some drag marks or anything to show the body was brought in this way. In the darkness, she lost sight of David quickly. This was all new to her and she really didn’t know what she was doing. The Detective would be a big help. Until then, she was on her own.
Abby, we have a dead end here. It winds around but no exit. I’m going back to check out a strange area. The magic was strongest there, but it was in the middle of a wall, so I kept going. I will meet you there.
Abby kept going and finally came across David just sitting there looking at a wall.
Something is here, but I just can’t see anything more as a coyote. I might have to change shape again if you can’t tell what it is.
Let me look.
Abby shined the light on that section of the passage wall. There was a network of fine cracks in the face of the wall. She noticed a small square hole about the size of a wooden matchstick about shoulder high. Abby shined the light through the hole and noticed the color of rusted metal at the back of it. Abby looked through her pockets, but didn’t have anything she could push through the hole.
Guess we should go back.
David followed Abby back to the room with the body in it. The clean-up crew had arrived.
Detective Hammer nodded at Abby. “You find anything?”
“The passage hits a dead end after a bunch of winding around. There was a strange area though with a square hole hidden in the wall. Ever hear about something like that?”
“Let me think… Yes, I heard of a secret room in the Underground in the international district that was said to be opened with a matchstick, but no one ever found the room. Maybe you discovered something like that.”
“Hey guys, do you have anything in your toolbox about the size of a matchstick we can use?”
One of the men went over and opened a toolbox. “Will a dental probe work?”
Abby went over to give it a look. “It’s worth a try. Thanks. Detective, let me show you the area we found.”
David went first, with Abby and Hammer following behind him. David pointed at the spot he found.
Hammer’s eyes widened. “You found a small hole here? There’s no way anybody could notice something that small, just walking down this passage.”
“David noticed something different here. I just searched the spot with the flashlight. Let’s see if the dental probe fits.”
It was a bit like putting a round peg in a square hole, but with pressure and wiggling, it touched the back. A faint click came from the wall.
Hammer pushed on the wall and it opened with a small puff of dust. He pushed harder. He stumbled into a hallway as the door slammed open with a bang.
Abby was startled by the sound. “They must have heard that all the way back to the body.”
David took the lead into the hall which ended at a velvet curtain. David parted the curtain with his head and entered. It was a big room with a bar along one side, and some red-trimmed bar stools. A red leather sofa, and a reception desk at one end. The receptionist was wearing a black dress and had the look of a super model. She had dark hair, pale skin, with ruby red lipstick, and green eyes.
“Welcome to The Second Circle. We aren’t normally open right now. How can I help you?”
Abby, the woman is Veiled. She has a strong glow of magic about her.
Abby pulled out her badge wallet and showed her I.D. “Hello, I’m Deputy U.S. Marshal Abby Brooks and this is SPD Detective Hammer. Exactly what is this place?”
“I should have guessed you’re new when you came in the back door. Most of our patrons come down the elevator from our nightclub. This is a VIP area, but we make exceptions for government officials. If you don’t know what we do, then you’re in the wrong place. We serve all kinds here, but our guests normally don’t bring their pets.” She pointed at David.
“We should talk to the owner. Is he here?”
“You are in luck. She’s in her office and would like to have a word with you.”
The receptionist walked around the desk and opened a door to the right of the desk and gestured for them to enter, with a smile.
David went in first. Hammer staggered as if he was drunk. He reached out and caught himself on the back of one of the guest chairs. The room was maybe fifteen feet square and a large ebony desk filling one side. The room had two red leather guest chairs. Behind the desk was a woman that seemed to be in her mid-thirties. She looked like an aging supermodel with an air of command about her.
The woman stood and gestured at the guest chairs. “Welcome, Detective Hammer and Deputy Brooks. Please take a seat. Don’t worry, Detective. Many have stumbled in my presence.”
David’s fur bristled from the strong magic that filled the room. Abby nodded her head to acknowledge the fact.
The woman continued. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Greta Burke. I own The Second Circle and Greta’s Place up above.”
Abby nodded. “What do you do here, Ms. Burke?”
“We’re all friends here. Please call me Greta.”
“Greta, what services do you offer here?”
“We fill the deepest desires of our guests. If you would like to make an appointment at the front desk, I would be happy to let you have a taste of what we have to offer.”
“This is a brothel?”
“We provide a service to exclusive guests that need the special care that only we can provide. Like I said, I’m willing to give you all a sample if you want to make an appointment for normal business hours. We serve many government officials with complete discretion.”
“Is Cora Prescott one of your guests?”
Greta’s face took on a momentary flush. “I’m sorry, I don’t know Cora Prescott, and I know all of our guests.”
Abby shook her head. “Greta, I know you’re not being honest with us.”
The room felt like it was heating up. Greta pointed at David. “Honest! You bring that into my house and call me dishonest! Show yourself!”
David changed back into his human form. Hammer stumbled back against his chair as he fumbled for his gun. “What the fuck!”
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Abby reached over and put her hand on the Detective’s arm. “It's okay, Detective. It’s only David. Sit down.”
“What did you do to me? This is fucking crazy.”
Greta gestured with her hand. Smiling, Hammer slumped into the chair. “You must be David Seymour. You look just like your dad.”
“I’m sorry about before. I didn’t mean to be rude. You knew my parents?”
“I had an understanding with them. I made sure we didn’t give lasting harm to our guests and they left us alone. I was sad to hear of your parents’ death. I didn’t know you took over their job. I must add you to the VIP guest list.” Greta gestured at Abby. “Is she yours?”
“Abby and I are engaged, and I think I’m as much hers as she’s mine.”
“Congratulations. If you need a place for the bachelor party, let me know.”
Abby squinted. “Can we get back to business? What is your relationship with Cora Prescott?”
“As you say, back to business. I would have said none of yours, but I will honor the relationship I had with David’s parents and give you this. I know Ms. Prescott; she’s a guest here and I pay her what she called protection money. It has worked out well for us. She actually has an appointment for tomorrow. Why are you asking about her? I know you won’t be able to blackmail her with this information.”