Two years ago, almost to the day, he’d been asked to look for someone lost. It was an older gentleman that had supposedly walked out of a nursing home. He didn’t have any family around—most of his children and grandchildren had stopped visiting him long ago. Fisher had felt sorry for the old man.
A nurse, one that had taken care of Mr. Johnson for a few years, was beside herself with worry. When Fisher had shown up at the nursing home to help out, he found the nurse in Mr. Johnson’s room sitting on the big bed. He asked her if there had been any word.
“No, not yet, but I have a feeling you’re not going to find him alive and kicking. His grandson called just before you got here and asked if they could have a refund on his room. It’s not even been around yet that he’s missing.” Fisher picked up the man’s shirt that was still lying on the floor. “He’s a good man. Cranky at times, but I think it’s just from being lonely.”
As soon as he touched the shirt, he knew not only where the man was but that he’d been murdered. It wasn’t his family that had done it either. It was the woman staring at him from the bed.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” She shook her head and laid back down on the pillow that was on the unmade bed. “I’ve contacted the police to let them know, as I was asked to do. They’re on their way here.”
“He could be really cranky when he had his mind set on something. I didn’t mean to overdose him, but he was getting on my last nerve yesterday. Demanding things and calling me stupid. He’s never done that before.” Fisher had contacted his brother as soon as he knew the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Johnson. Kylan had contacted the police and told them what he’d been able to share with him. “I just wanted him to be quiet for five minutes. But he wanted to be read to, and I just didn’t have it in me. So I just gave him a little more of his sleep meds to put him out. I didn’t know he’d been not taking them. He didn’t like being drugged up when the sun went down, he told me. So when I gave him just a little too much, to keep him quiet, it was too much for his system all at one time. He should have been taking his medication, and he’d not be dead.”
“I’ve called the police, as I told you. You’re going to have to go downtown with them to explain what happened.” She shook her head at him. “I’m sorry about this. I truly am. Why did you call me to find him if you didn’t want to go to jail?”
“I wanted someone to tell the police what I’d done.” He’d been confused about her answer until she pulled a gun from under the pillow. “Tell his family I’m sorry.”
Fisher didn’t reach her in time to stop her. As soon as the gun was at her chin, she pulled the trigger. He was still sitting there when the police arrived, blood and other things he didn’t want to think about all over the wall behind the bed. It was one of the worst jobs he’d ever helped with. Since then and well before.
The police arrived at his home just as the front clock was chiming the hour. When they sat in the chairs in front of his desk, Franklin, a cop from way back, put a baggie on his desk. He didn’t say anything, but his partner had plenty to say.
“We think the child is in the septic tank in the back of their property. They said they don’t know where he is, but I think they’re lying.” Fisher asked him why he thought that. “Just my gut feelings. I’m new to being a cop, but I know a lot about human nature.”
Fisher glanced at his partner, who was still quiet. Not wanting any more information from newbie, Fisher touched the little dolly and looked at the cop. Fisher was ready to hand the kid his ass when the older man spoke.
“I have a feeling he’s still out there. That someone took the little tyke and is loving him to pieces right about now. I don’t know if that’s what I want you to tell me, but I think my version is a great deal less horrific than the story the man sitting here next to me has painted.” The kid snorted. Fisher put the doll back in the bag and handed it to the older man. “He alive?”
“Yes. He was with his grandma, who took him out of his crib earlier this morning and wandered off with him. She has been living with her son and his family since it was apparent that she wasn’t able to care for herself.” The older cop asked him where he was now. The grandma wasn’t missing. “No. I’d say she made her way back to the house on her own but had forgotten where she stashed the little boy. She’s hidden him away from the Germans. You’ll find that she was a child during the holocaust and still remembers hiding from them.”
Nodding, he thanked him for his help. Fisher looked at the younger man, who was saying she should have been put in a place where she was safe. Behind locked doors, so she’d not be wasting their time with shit like this, not able to roam around like everyone else. He told Fisher that anyone over the age of seventy should have monitors put in their heads so they could be tracked easier too.
Fisher shook his head and looked at the boy. “You have no idea what that woman, as a child, went through trying to survive what was done to her. The things that she had to do to survive. How she found food when there wasn’t anything around.” Fisher stood up. “You know shit about human nature. That woman had only one thought in her head about keeping her grandson safe, and she did it. Now, if you don’t mind getting your fucking ass out of my house, I’d be grateful.”
“Sheesh, who shit in your oatmeal?” Fisher took a step toward the kid, and he put his hand on the gun. “Touch me, and I’ll kill you. I’m not some snot-nosed kid to be fucking with, mister.”
Sitting back at his desk, Fisher picked up his phone and called the station house where these two were from. It was nothing for him to ask to speak to the commanding officer of the place by name. Fisher, after all, had been around a very long time.
After telling him how he’d been spoken to and what the younger man had said to him, the CO, Butch Ardell, said he’d be there in ten minutes. Cory Wayne, the younger cop, was told to sit still and to not leave before his boss arrived. Officer Sherman left to go and get the little boy.
“You didn’t have to call my boss, you know. If you didn’t like what I was saying, then you should have said something.” Fisher told him he had done something. He’d called for his boss. “I’m going to get into trouble over this. I hope you’re happy about that.”
“Actually, I’m thrilled to death knowing that. It would please me even more if you were to lose your job. I can’t imagine the things you might have said to the parents of this boy or his grandma.” Cory said he was vocal when he saw something wrong. “Yes, but in this case, you couldn’t have been more wrong about what happened. Leaping to judgments without all the information is not the way to be a good cop. As I said, I hope you lose your job.”
When Butch arrived, he asked to speak to Cory alone. Leaving them in his office, Fisher went to find his wife and dad. Right at that moment, he needed to be around good people, and nothing like the one he’d just left. When Cory and Butch left, Cory was in cuffs and his gun, Fisher was told, was in his office. The stupid kid had pulled his gun on his CO. What a strange world they lived in, Fisher thought.
Hugging his dad first, he sat down next to Piper while she made decisions on what sort of boxes they needed to make their prison care packages. Dad was on the phone, talking to someone about how to get the boxes inspected before they were sent in. This was one of the better projects he was going to get to be a part of. He’d bet that before it was all done, his entire family would be looking into a way to help out.
Chapter 9
Kylan woke from a deep sleep. While he didn’t know what was going on, he knew someone needed him, or what he could do for them. Waiting just long enough for the creature to reach out to him again, he spoke to the tiger as he pulled himself from bed and headed to the shower.
Do you know where you are? The cat, a tiger, said it was always warm. She thought she was in a place called California. I know where that is. Are you in a zoo? A place with other animals?
Yes. He co
uld almost taste her pain. I’m to have cubs soon. Tomorrow, I think. They told me you could help me. To make it so I’d be safe.
Who? He paused in brushing this teeth and waited for her answer. When it came, he was both relieved and happy that she had someone she could trust. The faeries all know us. If she recommended us to you, then you’ll be all right.
I was held captive in a human home, to be brought out to show other humans that I was his prize. They bred me, then took away my children before I could even suckle them. If this place takes them away too, I shall die. He told her he was on his way. You are the black tigers that have spread your magic around, are you not?
I’m one of them, yes. He was racing down the stairs when he had a thought. What makes you think you’re going to lose your children? Have you heard them say something?
Nay, my lord. I have heard them talking about my babes, but nothing more than that I am too old to breed again. I know not what that means, but I could have babes so long as they need me to. Kylan made his way to the airport, so happy that as a family, they had the means for him to just go when it was necessary. By the time he got to the airport, the flight manifest was already finished up, and he was on the way. I’ll be there very soon. I’m going to have someone fix it so I can see you as soon as I arrive. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you get to keep your babes.
He understood why she thought they’d take her babies from her. Past experience, he knew, could really sour a person or animal to all sorts of things. He himself hated to be in closed rooms. It would make him have a panic attack faster than anything else. Kylan knew why too.
Once, when he’d been about five or six years old, he’d gone into an abandoned house. It hadn’t been far from their home, but he was alone, something they’d been warned not to do by not only their parents but by the queen herself. But he’d gone into it, trying, he knew now, to prove he wasn’t afraid, when all along, he was shaking so badly that his knees hurt for days after.
The house had no roof to speak of. It had long since been removed for the slate to repair some other home, he was sure. There was enough of it left that the one room off the kitchen was dark with shadows and spider webs. It was the smell that drew him in. It wasn’t pleasant by any means, but it was something he’d never smelled before, so he went into it to investigate.
The door to the room was missing. If it had been still hanging there, he might not have felt so safe about entering the room. But almost as soon as he was within the room, the wall behind him collapsed, and the room he was in was shut completely off. Kylan was left in darkness so black he couldn’t see his own hand, even holding it up to touch his nose.
Kylan didn’t want to panic. Breathing in his nose and out his mouth, as he’d been told to do when he’d had a splinter removed by his mom, wasn’t helping like it had before. Even moving to stand close to the wall didn’t help. The thing was slick with something oozing, and his mind, already on high alert, went off the wire, and he couldn’t catch his breath.
Stop breathing like that. He swallowed in a mouth full of air when he heard from his brother Fisher. You’re going to pass out, and I won’t be able to find you. Where are you, anyway?
In the old house at the back of the property. Fisher asked him if he was stupid. Not that I know of. But coming in here, I sure do feel like it. Are you coming?
I am. What made you think you could be brave enough to go into that thing anyway? Isn’t the floor like nothing but dust? It occurred to him later, much later, that Fisher was talking to him to keep him calm. I’d think the no trespassing signs would have been a first giveaway on how you’re not supposed to enter. You sure can be dumb when you want to be, can’t you, Kylan?
He talked to him, making fun of him and teasing him about his choices. Bad ones anyway. By the time he saw a little light coming from above, Kylan was more upset at Fisher than he was scared. As soon as Fisher had an opening for him to get out of, he leapt at his brother and tussled with him until they were both laughing so hard they had to rest.
To this day, he knew Fisher had never told any of the others, especially their parents. When they arrived home, dirty and dusty, Mom only made them clean up outside instead of messing up her clean floor. Kylan knew for that reason alone, and so many other times Fisher had come to his aid on one thing or another, that Fisher was his best friend as well as brother. He’d saved him. Not his life perhaps, but he’d saved him all the same.
The plane landed at a little after four in the morning. There was an envelope for him at the ticket counter that held his badge, telling anyone who read it he was a veterinarian—one who specialized in tigers. He also had an appointment at eight with the head of the feline department of the zoo, as well as hotel reservations and a car to rent. Having people in place for this sort of thing, faeries in the human world, made this sort of job much easier than it was before travel was so easy.
The zoo, of course, wasn’t open to the public, but he was let in by showing them his badge. According to the paperwork he had been given, he was there to look over the cages of the tiger display, as well as to check on one or two of the big cats. Normal procedure. He was taken to the birthing suite almost as soon as he was taken to the cat area.
“She’s been in labor for a couple of days. I don’t think she wants to birth them.” Kylan asked the man, Arnold, why he thought that. “We’ve only had her here for a few weeks. The people that owned her before were keeping her in a cage and breeding her for the cash. It took the police about six months to close this case. The cat was already breeding when we got her. She’s older than most cats we have, but almost feral when it comes to having exams and stuff.”
“You said she was bred, correct?” Arnold said they’d sell off her cubs for the money without her even getting to be around them. “Well, I’m not sure, but I’m betting she’s terrified you’re going to be doing the same thing to her. She might just be protecting her babies before they’re taken from her.”
“You think so?” He knew so but didn’t tell him how he knew. She’d told him that. “We all have been calling her Ginger. If she had a name with the other folks, we didn’t get it. I’m betting you’re right about her being afraid. Ginger never acted out like she is now until we brought her in for an exam this time. Yes, sir, I think you’re right on the nose with that.”
He moved slowly toward the cat and let her smell that he was one as well. Kylan was worried that him being a male might upset her, so he spoke to her through their link and told her who he was. She not only accepted him right away, but Ginger also purred.
Examining her was easy. He knew more about her through their link than any of the equipment he was free to use would have told him. While no one was looking at him, he gave her magic to make one of her cubs into a black tiger. Kylan gave her an extra boost and hoped that two of the four she was having would be black tigers. It was the least he could do for a tiger that had suffered so much at the hand of humans.
Almost as if she sensed she was going to be all right, Ginger went into hard labor. The first cub born was a golden one. It was beautiful to look at, and Ginger cleaned her up as soon as she was put back to her body.
The second cub, also a female, was born golden. Kylan was so happy he wanted to take them all home with him and raise them with Ginger. The momma was doing just fine too. Her natural instincts kicked in right away, and she made sure they were both warm and snuggled close to her.
When the third cub came out, the fourth one was right behind him. The two black tigers drew a lot of attention from the people around Ginger. She thanked Kylan several times as he helped with the clean up around her. Her paw on his arm was comforting to him, but he also knew it might well alarm the others around him.
You’ve given me such a great gift, my lord. He said it was his pleasure to do so. Will they take them from me now? I cannot bear being parted from them after having them so close to me.
I’m to understand you’ll remain in this room with them for the next few days. After that, you and your cubs will be put in a holding area so you can show off your children to the public. There will be a great many humans here to see such a rare thing as the blacks. Ginger thanked him several times as the cubs were weighed and measured for the records. They’re trying to figure out names for them. Is there anything you’d like to have one of them called? Because I was here, they’re allowing me to name one of them.
Sultan. He loved the name and asked if they could call one of the black tigers the name. They, too, thought it was a perfect name for one of them. You have done so much for me, my lord—more than I ever expected when I was told to reach out to you. I have my babies here with me. My black tigers too. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Kylan spent the day at the zoo. It was a lovely place. The animals seemed to be well cared for. He spent some time with Arnold and was glad for that. He was a good man and would do just about anything for the cats he was in charge of. When it was time for him to leave, Kylan did something he rarely did. He gave the other man not only his email address so that he could send him pictures of the cats, but also his cell number in the event there was a problem.
Staying at the hotel for the night, he treated himself to a nice dinner before going to bed. Even with the time difference, he was ready to go to bed on his hours. Lying on the bed, thinking about the times he’d done this very thing, helped out tigers by making them somewhat famous, he wondered if it would be a job for him to do for the rest of his days. It was something he enjoyed over any other job he’d done over the years. He told Fisher what he’d been up to.
We’ve never had two black cubs born at the same time. Why this time? He explained to his brother what had happened to Ginger before being taken to the zoo. You did right then. She needed something to make her special. And that was perfect. The fact that they might never know who the father was or his lineage will make it all the more special. They’ll be looking for years on how this happened. Not to mention the zoo getting more visitors.
Fisher: Prince of Tigers – Paranormal Tiger Shifter Romance Page 12