Sound's Familiar (Terra Noctem Book 1)

by Dana Marie Bell

  “Is she a familiar too?” Ian also crawled over to them, but he didn’t touch Jonah.

  That was good. Right now, Jonah smelled wounded. Even Ian wouldn’t be safe if he touched Jonah. “Nope. She’s an earth dimen.”

  “Speaking of dimens, what did you get?” Jonah opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but Carol stopped him by placing her hand on his head and holding him down.

  “Most of it seems like gibberish to me, but we got the snake symbol and some writing that looks like the stuff we sent Dr. Ramsey.” Ian placed the paper he’d scribbled on where Jonah could view it. The bottom of the paper was resting on Carol’s knees. “I’ll fax it to her once you two can stand upright again.”

  “I can—”

  “No,” Ian and Carol yelled at the same time.

  “Okay, okay.” Jonah settled back down. “Sheesh.”

  “You smell hurt, Jonah. Don’t test me right now.” Her wolf was riding her hard. It wanted to shift, to protect its wounded mate from anything that might…

  Wait.

  Mate?

  Mate?

  Holy shit. Her wolf had laid claim to Jonah in the most primal way possible. If anyone tried to take him away from her, she’d kill them without mercy.

  “You two rest.” Ian stood, holding the sketch pad. “I’ll get this out to the professor. Once you two are on your feet, I think it’s time to start questioning people on campus.”

  “Agreed. We’ve got a list of those who’ve been in the botanical class, which our victims shared. We need to talk to that professor as well.” Jonah tapped Carol’s foot. “What was his name?”

  “Elroy Ballenger.” Carol continued to stroke his hair, smiling as she stared down at him. He sounded sleepy. The magic must have taken quite a toll on him. “If you don’t share the burden with me next time, I’ll bite you. And not in a good place.”

  Ian laughed. “On that note, be back in a few.” He left, shutting the door behind him.

  “Hmph.” Jonah closed his eyes and relaxed once more. “Read me a story.”

  “What kind?” She’d even read that horrible pseudo-romance novel that was all the rage a few years ago, the one that had half the romance community in an uproar and the other half in defense mode. She’d gag—she was firmly in the yuck group—but she’d do it if he asked.

  “The kind where I learn everything we have so far on Professor Ballenger.”

  Ah. She should have realized what he was going to ask for, but she’d been so distracted by his scent and his hair and his weight—really, his everything—that she hadn’t been thinking straight.

  “Mm. I have to get up to get my bag. Think you can lie on the floor for a second?”

  “Sure. I’m not a delicate, withering flower.” Jonah snorted in derision. “Just don’t drop my head.”

  “Did you know that the human head weighs roughly eight pounds?” Carol got up, careful to do as he asked.

  “You know the weirdest shit,” he muttered.

  “I’m just explaining why my leg is going to fall asleep by the time we’re done.” She got her tablet computer and settled back on the floor, once again placing Jonah’s head on her lap. “All right. Professor Ballenger, age forty-six, has tenure. He’s been a professor here for twelve years now. His field of specialty is green magic.” Those who preferred to cast spells involving plants and their growth, illnesses, and pests, called themselves green sorcerers. They were much in demand in the agricultural field as well as in pharmaceutical industries and forestry. “I’ll need to check the familiar registry to check if he currently has one.”

  “Good idea. Let’s check all the professors on campus.” Jonah hummed quietly. “I’ve got a feeling that it’s someone onsite doing this, not someone off-campus. Someone familiar with the magic here and how to work it.”

  “Someone familiar with the placement of the cameras?” Carol followed the thought trying to elude her. “Otherwise why have the wither dump the body?”

  “Huh. Interesting thought. We’ll run it by Ian, find out what he thinks. If he can’t poke holes in it, I think we’re on to something.”

  “I hate to say this, but we need to add anyone on the security team to the list as well.” That was what had been bugging her. “They’d be able to access information on where all the cameras are, and some are bound to be sorcerers.”

  Jonah opened his eyes. “You think Chief Rivers is a suspect?”

  Carol shrugged. “He’s as good as any of them. He was there when the wither came, he runs security on campus, and he mostly slept while we were going over the security videos. He’s just too relaxed about all of this.”

  “Okay, then. Add him to the list. I trust your instincts.”

  Carol smiled and began to type. She hoped her partnership with Jonah would never end.

  Chapter 29

  Ian had agreed with them that the odds of the perpetrator being a professor were remarkably high. He hadn’t been as enamored of Carol’s theory that Chief Rivers was somehow involved, but he agreed to check it out anyway.

  They’d split up to question the professors. It would be a long, grueling task, but Jonah trusted that both Ian and Carol would do an excellent job.

  Jonah had decided to question Professor Elroy Ballenger rather than leave it to his partners. He wanted to gather what the professor had to say for himself, despite his lack of knowledge in herbs and plants. Carol was going to speak to a Professor Rodney Ackerman, a specialist in crystals, while Ian talked to one of the magical language professors.

  Jonah hadn’t taken herbology in college. He’d chosen to study planar entities instead, believing he’d find that subject more useful as a cop in the MCU. Therefore, he’d have to make sure to really question the professor about what herbs could have been used in the murders, then research for himself to find out if he was lying. So far, Professor Ballenger was their best suspect, as he had both victims in his class.

  Jonah knocked on the classroom door to get the professor’s attention. He’d been told that the class would be over by the time he’d get to the room, and the front desk had been right. Students swarmed around him as they left, glancing at him curiously on their way out.

  A tall, thin man with brown hair, dressed conservatively, was cleaning up some papers on a desk as Jonah stepped into the classroom. “Professor Ballenger?”

  The man glanced up. His appearance was average, with brown eyes and a radiant smile. “Hello, Detective. I’ve been expecting you.”

  That smile was out of place. “Really? Did someone tell you I was coming?”

  “I thought…” Professor Ballenger shook his head, the smile fading to a frown. “I’m afraid not.” Then his eyes went wide. “Oh, dear. Does it have to do with…” He glanced toward the doorway. “Damn.” He pointed toward the seats. “Let’s sit and talk.”

  Jonah took Ballenger up on his offer. Something weird was going on here.

  When the professor joined him, he began questioning him. Jonah opened his notebook. “I’m here to question you about the murders of Mr. Reeves and Ms. Miller.”

  Ballenger sighed. “I’d hoped you were here for a different reason.”

  Jonah’s brows rose. What was the professor talking about? “And that reason would be?”

  Ballenger’s frown deepened to a scowl. “I filed a report with Chief Rivers about a theft from my on-campus greenhouse.” Ballenger pulled out some papers from his bag. “Here, look at this.”

  Jonah read through the paperwork. “Why would someone want stinking nightshade?”

  “It’s used in a variety of ways,” Dr. Ballenger replied. “It’s a hallucinogenic, leaving one feeling dizzy and drunk as well.”

  “So, it’s a real hit with the frats?”

  Ballenger didn’t smile. “It can be used as a date-rape drug, yes.”

  Shit. Not the answer he wanted. He made a note of the professor’s answer. “What else can it be used for?”

  “It’s been used as a form of painkiller and a s
edative for centuries.” The professor leaned forward, his expression going from upset to calm as he taught Jonah about the plant. “It contains three tropane alkaloids: atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. They block the neurotransmitters that handle the involuntary nervous system.”

  “Which makes one dizzy.”

  “It’s also a muscle relaxant. Insane asylums used it often to calm so-called maniacs. It would cause their muscles to relax and their behavior to calm. The effects could last up to two days. However, if given the wrong dose, it can cause accelerated heart rate, convulsions, vomiting, extremely high fevers, delusions, coma, and even death.”

  In the case of the first victim, it appeared as if the perpetrator had wanted to lessen Reeves’s pain. He would have to find out if there was nightshade in the man’s tox report. “How is it used as a painkiller or sedative?”

  “Let me think.” Dr. Ballenger began drumming his fingers on his thigh. “The leaves of henbane, along with mandrake, opium poppy, and hemlock, could be boiled in water. A sponge soaked in the resulting liquid is then left out to dry. Once it’s needed, you’d soak the sponge in warm water and place it under the patient’s nose, causing it to act as a soporific. However, the amounts used would have to be carefully calculated based on the patient’s weight and the location and time of year. The efficacy of the plants would be determined by these factors.”

  “If you mess up?”

  “Death.” Dr. Ballenger’s fingers stopped moving, and his expression was grim. “You’re talking about four very toxic plants. While this method was used in both the early Arab world and medieval times, it was hit or miss at best.”

  Jonah made another note to ask Paul to research all four plants. “Can you detect its use post-mortem?”

  Dr. Ballenger shook his head. “I doubt it.”

  There went that idea.

  Dr. Ballenger continued. “However, there’s some ways to find the effects of poisoning if you understand what you’re searching for. The intestines will be a bit irritated, there will be less saliva, and both pupils will be dilated. But that’s if it’s used long-term, and the effects are minor. It’s very difficult to detect if it’s only used once or twice.”

  “What about magically?” If he could find it that way, it would make things much easier on him.

  “It depends on whether or not it was used in a magic potion. Of course, potions with nightshade are often used to induce prophecies from oracles. Considering the hallucinogenic properties of henbane, if one were trying for a prophecy, they might combine it with other ingredients to induce a meditative state.” Dr. Ballenger’s fingers were tapping again. “That state could well produce prophecies if combined with nightshade.”

  Interesting. “Could it be used any other way magically?”

  “Hmm. I suppose henbane could also be used to induce a state of meditation similar to sedation. Mixed with certain herbs, it can induce a hypnotic state.” Dr. Ballenger frowned thoughtfully. “That would make the subject susceptible to commands, even taking actions they might not normally perform. The potion would overcome inhibitions on morally objectionable actions.”

  Damn. It was entirely possible henbane was used on at least Reeves. “I have a few more questions for you, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” Dr. Ballenger smiled, but it was strained. “I do have a class in about twenty minutes, so we’ll have to keep it brief.”

  Jonah nodded. “Very well. I need some information on the victims. What can you tell me about Louis Reeves?”

  Dr. Ballenger sighed. “He was a good student, very eager to learn. He was particularly proficient in potions and tinctures.”

  “Tinctures?” He’d been in planar entities classes, not alchemy or herbology.

  Dr. Ballenger gave him a small, somewhat sad smile. “A tincture is an extract of a plant or animal substance mixed with a solvent, usually alcoholic like ethanol, but not always. Tinctures are applied directly to the tongue using droppers, so it enters the bloodstream more quickly.”

  “Ah. Would that show up in a toxicology report?”

  “Only with repeated use, as I said before.” Professor Ballenger sat back and ran his fingers through his hair. His gaze was distant, focused on something only he could see. “I enjoyed having him in class. His poor familiar’s grades have been dropping, but I’m doing everything I can to give him breaks because of his loss.”

  “Thank you for that. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose someone so closely tied to you.” As far as he was concerned, he never would. Jonah would jump into the fire rather than watch Carol singe even a tuft of her fur.

  Professor Ballenger nodded. “I lost one due to cancer. It was…” He glanced away, his expression grave. “It was the worst time of my life.”

  Jonah made a note. “I’m sorry for your loss, professor.”

  “Thank you.” Ballenger cleared his throat and turned back to Jonah, his expression once more vaguely cheerful. “I have to tell you something about Mr. Reeves, some gossip I overheard by accident.”

  “Oh?” Gossip could lead to a dead-end, or it could become something very important to the case. Either way, he’d have to check it out.

  “Yes. It seems Mr. Reeves was something of a ladies’ man. He’d have two or three women he rotated between at any given time.” Ballenger held up his hands. “Now, this was just campus gossip, so I have no idea if it’s true or not. His familiar would be able to give you more information on that.”

  “Thank you.” Jonah would have a chat with the familiar after he was done talking with the professors. “Now, we need to discuss Ms. Miller.”

  “Ah, yes. Ms. Miller.” Ballenger smiled. “Very strong-willed, that one, quite stubborn when she thought she was right. She had no trouble arguing with me about salves, but when proven wrong, she had no trouble apologizing. She was quite the refreshing character.”

  Hmm. Hadn’t Carol mentioned that the flowers represented certain things? He flipped through his notes. Lilies, Rose had said, represented returned innocence, while gladiolus were strength of character and integrity. Shit. The flowers were more important than they’d thought. “Have you ever taught the language of flowers?”

  The professor’s eyebrows rose. “No, I’m afraid it’s not something I believe in. Flowers are flowers.” He chuckled softly. “Besides, I’m quite allergic to them. Just being in the same room is a misery for me. I tend to avoid large events like weddings because they always have fresh flowers everywhere.”

  “I see.” He could be lying, but Jonah doubted it. His gaze had been forthright, his answers quick and sure. He didn’t fidget or play with his fingers, and not once had he clutched his stomach or reacted defensively. None of the signs of a liar were there. Still, he’d check with Dean Hill about the flower allergy. “Anything else you can add about either student?”

  Ballenger’s expression turned thoughtful. “If I recall correctly, Ms. Miller had just ended a contract with a familiar. She appeared somewhat down about it.”

  “Are you sure?” Sorcerers didn’t have tattoos like familiars. There was no tell that gave them away when they had ended a contract.

  “Very. She mentioned it when I asked why her familiar was no longer in class with her.” Professor Ballenger shrugged. “I told her that this sort of thing happens and that she’d find the familiar meant to be hers soon enough.”

  “Sometimes it takes longer than you’d think.” Jonah stood and held out his hand. “May I call you if I think of any other questions?”

  Ballenger took his hand and shook it. “Of course. Anything I can do to help. I don’t want to lose any more of our students to this monster.”

  “Thank you.” Jonah put his notebook away. He had Ballenger’s number from Dean Hill’s list, so there was no need to ask for it.

  “You’re welcome.” Ballenger peeked at the wall clock. “My class will soon be starting.”

  “I’ll get out of your way, then.” Jonah strode toward the door, thi
nking about everything Ballenger had said. Once out in the hallway and a bit of a distance from Ballenger’s classroom, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Dean Hill. After getting through her secretary, he asked his question the moment she picked up. “Can you tell me if Ballenger is allergic to flowers?”

  Dean Hill was silent for a moment. “Detective Sound?”

  Jonah glanced around as the sound of Carol’s voice came from one of the classrooms. “Yes, sorry. I’m a bit distracted right now. Can you tell me if Ballenger’s allergic to flowers?”

  “Yes, he is. He’s infamous for it, actually. He wears a face mask every spring when the flowers bloom on campus, and one time during a fundraising event, he sneezed all over one of our largest donors because he was wearing a boutonniere. His briefcase is full of antihistamines.”

  “Huh. Thanks.” Jonah smiled as Carol came out of one of the classrooms, an irritated frown on her face. “I need to go.”

  “Call me if you have any other questions. I’m happy to help.”

  Jonah said his goodbyes and hung up. “Well?”

  Carol was scowling. “That man’s an asshole.” She wrinkled her nose. “He smells like one too.”

  Jonah shook his head. “What did he say about the students?”

  “Not much, other than Miller had a great ass but a bad personality, and that Reeves was a man-whore.” She shook her head. “We need to talk to Hill about him.”

  Jonah checked the room she’d been in. “Professor Ackerman?”

  “That’s the one. I’ll let you listen in when I transcribe the notes. Then you’ll understand why I thought about biting him.”

  “I can hardly wait.” Jonah glared at the doorway before putting his arm around Carol’s waist. “You’re seeing Dean Anthony next, right? If you need me to, I can go with you.” He could reschedule his next meeting with…Professor Smythe? Smith? He’d have to check his notes, but right now he was focused on Carol and what she needed.

  “Nah, I got this.” Carol leaned against him for a moment, her head on his shoulder. She murmured something so quiet he couldn’t quite catch it, but her shoulders relaxed, and her eyes closed. The tension seemed to seep out of her as they stood quietly together. “Mm. I needed that.”