by Vella Day
Elana felt a little sorry for this guy. He was too gullible and needy.
A knock sounded at the door. “That will be Dalton to take you in,” Kalan said.
Wes nodded. “All I ask is that you put me someplace where they won’t know I was a cop.”
Wes was right. A cop in jail wouldn’t survive long. For that matter, neither might a shifter. Kalan said it was why there was a special prison for their kind. Needless to say, the existence of Harden Prison had to be kept very quiet.
“Not a problem,” Kalan said, as he hurried to answer the door and let his partner in.
Dalton nodded at Wes. “Come with me. You’ll have to tender your resignation.”
“I understand,” Wes said.
“We’ll have to take him to Harden Prison,” Kalan said.
“Good thinking. Let’s hope there won’t be any Changelings there.”
Dalton couldn’t know that. Neighboring counties could have sent Changelings there.
While she didn’t want to interrupt, she needed answers. “Can I ask him a question?” Elana asked.
“Sure,” Kalan said.
“How did that man who came into the house know about the red dragon statue?”
Wes glanced to the side. “I kind of mentioned it. Look, it took a while for my body to transition into that of a Changeling, but even I knew how valuable sardonyx was. When I saw it, I thought it was my ticket to maybe leading the men here. I didn’t want them running around without someone to guide them.”
Kalan lowered his chin. “Did you really think you could control them?”
“Maybe.”
Disgust rolled off him in waves. “Take him away,” Kalan said.
Once Dalton left with Wes, she stepped up to her mate. “Did you ask him if he knows where Sean Treacher is being held?”
“I did, but he claims he didn’t know anything about that.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I think so.”
“He kind of sounds like a victim.”
Kalan’s eyes widened. “You’re taking his side?”
“No. Or maybe yes. He never asked for this, you know. And you even said he made a good cop.”
“He did.”
“We should consider asking if he could be cleansed in the lake, like Naliana did with Ainsley.”
“There’s a big difference,” Kalan said. “My brother’s mate was born a half-changeling, and she fought against her heritage her whole life.”
“I know, but Wes was bitten against his will. Perhaps after a little jail time, Wes will be sincere about getting away from them. Then maybe we can ask Ophelia or Naliana to help. It’s not like they haven’t made a few exceptions before.”
Kalan’s whole demeanor softened. “You are truly a forgiving woman. I’ll certainly entertain that option.” He stroked her face and then sighed. “As much as I want to check you out, while it is still light, I need to take care of the Changeling out back.”
She didn’t need to ask what taking care of meant. The wolf had attacked her, and that was enough for Kalan to make sure the man never saw the light of day.
She nodded. “I’m going to take a shower. When you return, you need to talk with Aiden.”
“About?”
“He saw you fight Wes. Thankfully, he didn’t see me with that other man.”
He rubbed her shoulder. “You did great today by the way, but I’m sorry I believed you’d be safe here. I should have known better.”
She forced a smile. “You couldn’t have known. Besides, no harm, no foul. Remember, I was the one who won, not the other guy.”
Kalan leaned over and kissed her. “How about letting me see your wounds first?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s what I always say, and you still want proof.”
She smiled. She did love a caring man. “Fine.” She turned around and lifted her shirt.
Kalan ran gentle fingers across her back and neck. “I bet that hurt.”
“It did, but it’s healing.”
“The redness does appear to be fading. As soon as I take care of this guy, I’ll watch the kids for as long as you need to heal.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Elana couldn’t believe that her mate of old had mentally returned, and she would do anything in her powers to keep him that way.
Chapter Twelve
‡
The next morning, Kalan called Dalton. “Did Wes say anything else during your long drive to the prison?” Dalton had first taken Wes to the station to resign and then drove him two hours to Harden, where the shifter prison was located.
“Nothing other than he kept apologizing. He did say he overheard some of the Changelings talking about needing more sardonyx, and one of them said he’d spotted some at a pawnshop.”
Kalan leaned back in one of the office chairs at McKinnon and Associates. Elana had convinced Kalan to give it another day or two before he returned to active duty. The fewer questions asked about his remarkable recovery, the better, and he’d agreed mostly because he wanted to be available should his mate need him.
“That could mean the man that Elana took care of might have been the pawnshop killer. He admitted to her of having broken into Blooms of Hope.”
“Good to know, but with him dead, we may never know if he actually pulled the trigger at those stores.”
Uncertainty dug a hole in Kalan’s gut. “We need to question Wes again.”
“Why? Even if he knows something, I don’t think he’ll tell us now. He already confessed to being an accessory to a robbery attempt. What would be his motive for coming clean now?”
“Think about it. The Changelings are going to eventually figure out that neither Wes nor the person who broke into my house have returned to town. Some Changeling might think that Wes left Silver Lake, because he told us about the guy he was working with. If I were Wes, I’d be afraid that the Changelings would come after me next. And if there are any Changelings already in Harden Prison, they might be tasked with killing the traitor.”
“What have you been drinking? Wes Sheffield is a Changeling,” Dalton whispered. “They won’t want their kind dead, and he won’t try to kill them.”
“I think you’re wrong about them not wanting to kill him—or at least I hope you are.” Kalan told him how Wes came to be a Changeling. “He tried to avoid becoming one of them, but his body changed against his will. I think we can appeal to his honorable nature to tell us what he knows—assuming any of his former self still exists.”
“I’m not so sure about that, but you’re more than welcome to try. Just so you know, I mentioned a deal, but he didn’t bite,” Dalton said.
“Damn. He’s probably thinking he won’t do a lot of time and is willing to take his chances with the Clan when he gets out.”
“If push comes to shove, Wes will lose that battle,” Dalton said. “He’s kind of naïve.”
“I agree. I don’t think Wes knows what kind of monsters they really are. Shit. The only good thing is that after the Harden Prison judge hears his case, along with the circumstances that drove him to join forces with the Changelings, Wes might not have to do much time.”
“Probably not,” Dalton said. “Not only that, nothing was stolen at your place, and Wes didn’t even enter your house. I bet he only gets a few months for being an accomplice and attacking you.”
“I hope that whatever time he does spend in prison, it forces him to repent.”
“If we’re certain he wants things to go back to the way they were, then I’m all in favor of the cleansing process. Afterward, it’s possible Wes might be willing to be a spy for us.”
Dalton didn’t understand. “The Changelings would know he wasn’t one of them.”
“Probably true,” Dalton said. “But don’t get your hopes up. The guy isn’t a total innocent bystander.”
“I know,” Kalan said. “He was aware that his accomplice went after Elana, and he didn’t do anything to stop
him. Then again, my mate and her attacker were near the lake when their fight occurred. When I came barreling outside to help, Wes attacked me, though the fight was very short lived. What really sucks is that I was actually beginning to like the guy.”
“I was too,” Dalton said. “Since he was working with our neighbors to the north, we’ll have to go over everything he reported about the last two crimes. He might have purposefully misled us.”
Kalan shook his head. “This is so messed up. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. I didn’t either.”
Guilt made him doubt everything. “Did Wes say how the boss reacted when he turned in his resignation?” Kalan asked, wondering if their chief would blame him or Dalton for their new hire’s sudden departure. It wasn’t as if Kalan could tell their chief about Wes being a werewolf.
“Wes just said Phil told him he was sorry to see him go, but that he understood why Wes might want to return to the Memphis area.”
“We can hope that when Wes finishes serving his time, he either never returns to Silver Lake, or he wants to turn his life around. Considering what just happened, Wes might move far away from any Changelings.” Kalan tapped the desk. “What still bugs me is that when Wes was in his wolf form, his eyes were not red.”
“Really? I don’t think he’d lie about being a Changeling.”
“Me neither. Wes said it took a while for his body to even start changing. It’s possible he hasn’t made the full transition yet if the lack of red eyes is any indication.”
Dalton huffed. “Maybe there is hope for him yet.”
“Or he’ll totally turn evil.” Kalan’s mind shot to the man Elana had killed. “As happy as I am that the Changeling who attacked my mate is dead, I wish I could have asked him some questions. Closure, I suppose, might never come.”
Just because one more Changeling was dead though didn’t mean they all were. He just needed to find one alive to question. Now more than ever, Kalan wanted to locate their leader and demand they return Sean.
“I know Wes claims he didn’t know anything about Sean or where he might be, but I’m thinking Wes might be able to provide us with some names. Someone must be temporarily in charge of the Clan, and that same someone probably ordered Sean to be taken.”
“I agree. Wes had to have met with one of the Changelings. Hopefully, that person was someone other than the man who broke into your house.”
Kalan had taken a picture of his face and had given it to Jackson for an ID. If he sent it through the sheriff’s department, there would be too many questions. “I still think we should question Wes once more. You up for a road trip?” Kalan asked.
“Not really. I just dropped him off there yesterday, and with you out of commission, so to speak, the workload at the department is intense.”
His partner had enough on his plate. “I understand. I’ll see if Jackson is free. We’ll head on out there.”
“I think a brother road trip would be good for you two.”
“So do I.” Kalan had been so busy of late that he hadn’t spent any time with his only brother. “If you learn anything about any of the cases, call me,” Kalan said.
“Will do. Good luck.”
Once Kalan disconnected, he headed down the hallway to Jackson’s office. Kalan knocked, opened the door, and stuck his head in. “You up for a road trip?”
His brother’s eyes widened. “Where to?”
Kalan explained about the need to ask Wes a few more questions. “He hasn’t been before the judge yet, so maybe we can convince him to give up a name or two. If he does, I’ll put in a good word for him.”
At some point, Kalan would have to speak to the judge to tell his side of the story. Thankfully, everyone involved at the prison was a shifter, so a lot of explanation wouldn’t be needed.
“I’m game. Do you want to go now?”
“Yes. It’s a two-hour drive. I plan to go back to work tomorrow, and it would be great if Wes could provide us with some information that would help us find Sean before then.”
Jackson pushed back his chair. “Count me in.”
While his brother shut down his computer, Kalan telepathed Elana and told her that he and Jackson would be at the Harden Prison for much of the day. He was pleased she didn’t sound too worried. Of course, not much could happen in a secure facility.
“Ready?” Jackson asked as he buttoned his coat.
“Yup. Let me just grab my jacket.”
Kalan hoped this wouldn’t be a wasted five hours. If nothing else, he and Jackson could spend some quality time together.
*
Kalan, Jackson, and Wes were seated around a table in an interrogation room. Two guards stood in opposite corners, ready in case a fight broke out. While all five were shifters, if there was a tussle, someone was bound to be hurt, especially since he and his brother were bears.
“I’d like to help you,” Wes said, “but when I get out of here—and I will get out of here soon—if any of the Changelings learned that I was responsible for turning them in, they’ll kill me.”
Kalan was glad that Wes understood how dangerous they could be. Plus, the Changelings were many. He was only one.
“How about I promise not to go after the Changeling responsible for Sean’s capture if you help me find him?” Kalan asked. “I’m only interested in freeing our friend.” As well as making sure the Changelings didn’t get enough sardonyx to steal any Wendayan’s powers.
“I told you, I don’t know where this Sean guy is.”
Dalton crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell us what you do know then. Surely, you were approached by some Changeling when you first arrived in Silver Lake. Who was he?”
“I thought you said you wouldn’t go after any of them.”
On the drive over, Kalan and his brother had discussed that Jackson would play the bad cop and Kalan the good cop. It didn’t matter that his brother was not a lawman. Kalan believed he should be the one to appeal to Wes’ honor—what was left of it. “We won’t. All I want to do is follow this guy to see if he can lead us to where Sean is being held.”
“We didn’t exchange a lot of information,” Wes said, clearly caving.
Jackson slammed his hand on the table and both Wes and Kalan jumped. “Damn it, Wes. You know how this works. You were a cop—and from what my brother told me, a damned fine one. Just tell us all of the people you came in contact with, and Kalan will take it from there.”
Wes lifted his hands, but then stopped, possibly because he realized his wrists were chained together. “I only knew them by their first names, and I only ever met three of them.”
“Who?” Kalan asked.
“Brother John, Brother Thomas, and Brother Daryl.”
Kalan had heard of all of them. “Who did you tell about seeing the statue at the station?” Kalan had to work hard not to strangle the guy.
“Brother Daryl.”
“I take it, he was the one you were with when you came to my house?” Kalan asked.
“Yes.”
“Just so you know, he’s dead, so he can’t hurt you now.”
“I thought he might be,” Wes said. Too bad Kalan couldn’t quite tell if Wes was happy or sad about that fact.
“Did you meet your fellow Changelings at their bunker?” Jackson asked.
“Bunker? No. I met them at the Silver Lake Café.”
Kalan would have to scratch that place off his list of places to eat. “I take it you can sense who is a Changeling and who isn’t?”
“Of course.”
“Anything else you can tell us?” Jackson asked, his tone harsh. “Like who might be in charge?”
“Not really. I was told they were leaderless now, which was why they were interested in me.”
“Are you sure they weren’t just interested in a mole in the sheriff’s department?” Kalan asked.
Wes huffed. “I don’t know. Look, I just wanted to be part of a group. I met Brother Th
omas first. He was a nice enough guy. I thought he and his Clan were different from the ones in Memphis, and like I told you, I was searching for a place to belong.”
“You didn’t feel welcome at the sheriff’s department?”
“Sure. Kind of, but I could tell I was changing, and that I might not be welcome after a while. I would have given something away sooner or later. It’s not like I could undo the effects of the bite.”
Kalan was tempted to tell him that there might be a way, but he wasn’t convinced of Wes’ sincerity yet.
“How do you contact your fellow brethren?” Kalan asked. “I mean, if you and Daryl had found the statue at my house, would Daryl have grabbed it and left you behind?”
Wes’ pale skin reddened. “I don’t know, but if these men are anything like the Changelings I met in Memphis, then maybe.” He lowered his head for a moment. “I can’t believe I fell for their lies.”
Kalan couldn’t tell if this was an act or not. That aside, it was possible that if this Brother Thomas contacted Wes, he might be rather high up in the organization. “Did any of them ever call you?”
“What’s in it for me, if I tell you?”
Ah, so the real Wes Sheffield emerges. “How about I don’t let on that you’re a Changeling? Someone of your kind in prison might not be thought well of, if you get my drift.”
His eyes widened. “Fine. My phone has his number in it.”
Bingo. That phone would be in Evidence. Dalton mentioned he had Wes clean out his apartment after he gave his notice, so it would be convincing that he really was leaving town. Otherwise, his cover story wouldn’t hold water.
“I’ll take a look at it.” Having learned everything he could, Kalan pushed back his chair. “If you think of anything else, let us know.”
“You’ll mention to the judge that I was helpful, right?” Wes asked. “Though I’m not certain I want to leave. I need to let things cool down for a bit. The men will surely be looking for me. They’ll think I stole the dragon statue.”
“That could be true. Don’t be too eager to stay either, in case you let it slip you were a cop. If what you say pans out, I will speak to the judge.”