by Tim Myers
Doc paused, then said, “Without seeing the wound, it’s hard to say, but chances are, it shouldn’t be that difficult. It takes a relatively steady hand, but it can be accomplished by the layman, if he’s motivated enough. The stitches can be done by any seamstress, if he’s not squeamish about sewing skin together. There’s a danger from infection, but it can be combated. I’d say it’s highly possible someone with a strong stomach could do it, but why would Matthew take the risk? He knows I’d help him, just as I’d help you, Jacob.”
“He doesn’t want to get you involved,” I said. “That’s clear enough. Don’t worry, I’ll find him.”
“Be careful,” Doc said as I walked out. “Matthew can be a bit unpredictable.”
“Doc, you have no idea,” I said as I walked out.
Great, another dead end. I didn’t have any more idea where Stephanie Granger was than I had on the day I took the job, or started hunting the rogue werewolf who’d kidnapped her.
As pressing as that was, suddenly it wasn’t my main concern anymore, though.
Bowen was standing in front of me, and there was a scowl on his face that spoke volumes. “Trask, we need to talk.”
At that moment, I would have rather faced Harkins with my bare hands.
Chapter 9
“What’s going on?” I asked, hoping he hadn’t talked to Jasmine yet.
“We need to talk about my sister,” he said.
So much for my hopes. “What about her?”
Bowen stared hard me for a few seconds, then asked, “What happened last night?”
What could I say to him? It was a direct question that deserved an honest answer. I was trying to formulate my reply when he said, “You chickened out, didn’t you? You didn’t talk to her at all. What happened, did you lose your nerve? You’ve got to resolve this, Trask. I mean it. If my sister’s unhappy, then I’m unhappy, and I make whoever’s responsible miserable. I thought we went over this last night.”
“Believe me, we discussed it a lot more than I was comfortable with, and despite your strong-arming tactics, I talked to sister after you left.”
He nodded. “What did she say?”
“Do we really need to have this conversation right now, in front of everybody?”
Bowen and I both looked around the deserted alley. He said, “Nobody’s here but you and me.”
“Not that we can see,” I said. “I found Harkins since I saw you.”
That got his attention. “Is he dead?”
“No, but I shot him with a silver bullet. I hit him in the arm, but he got away.” I took a deep breath, then finished, “He got away, Bowen, did you hear me?”
He shrugged. “We knew he was hopped up. Listen, we need to forget about morals and ethics or we’re going to get killed. Bailey’s got to make more of this potion of us so one of us can take it.”
“I already asked him to do it this morning,” I admitted. “He said he couldn’t.”
“Let me talk to him. I bet I can change his mind.”
He started to go, but I didn’t want Bowen going after Bailey. I put a hand on his chest to stop him. “I didn’t say he wouldn’t, I said he couldn’t. He destroyed the formula. It’s gone forever.”
Bowen stared at me. “Do you really believe him? I know he’s your friend and all, but you’ve got to realize that there’s a chance he could be lying to you.”
“He hasn’t yet, not as long as I’ve known him. If Bailey says it’s gone, then it’s gone.”
Bowen spat on the ground. “What an idiot. He has no idea what he’s destroyed.”
“I think he does,” I said. “I’m going to have to take Harkins on just the way I am.”
“Don’t sweat it. You’ve got something he doesn’t have.”
“What’s that?”
“Me. From now on, you don’t go anywhere or do anything without me. I’ve got your back.”
How long would he feel that way after he found out what had happened between Jasmine and me? I felt terrible not telling him about last night, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, and not just because I needed him now more than I ever had in my life. If I’d managed to destroy our friendship over a woman, any woman, then I was no better than the poor fools I mocked all of the time. But then I realized that I couldn’t keep silent either. There was no way I could let this secret stay between us. He had a right to know, and if it put my life in danger, it was no more than I deserved.
There was no way to soften it, so I said, “There’s something you need to know. I slept with your sister last night. Twice.”
His eyes went dead as I said it. Before he could do anything, I added, “We didn’t plan it, it just happened. I wouldn’t hurt you or Jasmine for the world, you know that. It just happened.”
“You still did it, knowing how I felt.”
I nodded. “That’s the only thing I’m sorry about. I feel like I betrayed you.”
“That’s because you did.”
And then he walked away.
Great. I’d managed to screw things up royally between us, but there was nothing I could do about that at the moment. Bowen would either forgive me, or he wouldn’t, but I felt relieved clearing the air between us.
How he handled the truth was up to him now.
I had a rogue werewolf to track down, and hopefully the young norm girl he’d kidnapped was still alive, waiting for me to rescue her.
I just prayed I was up to the job.
“Hey, Trask, you got a second?”
I looked up from the hallway of my office and saw Willie Kyle hiding in a doorway.
“What’s going on, Willie? I don’t have time to mess with you today.” Willie was more of a weasel than a werewolf, and there wasn’t a single noble thing about him. He survived from hand to mouth, stealing when he could, working when there was no other alternative.
“You paying for tips about Harkins? I heard you were looking for him.”
This guy was a colossal pest, but I couldn’t dismiss him without hearing what he had to say first. “Willie, do you have something, or are you just trying to cadge money out of me? If this isn’t on the level, there’s not a sewer deep enough for you to hide in. I’ll find you, and you know it.”
“It’s real,” he said as he looked up and down the corridor. “How long you think I’m going to live if Harkins finds out I talked to you? Can we go inside? I’m getting jumpy out here.”
I unlocked my office door, and Willie scampered in. His hair was going gray, and if he lost another pound he’d be hard to see. It had to be a rough life he led, but I didn’t waste any pity on him. Willie chose to live the way he did.
“What have you got?”
“How much we talking about?” he said, barely able to keep from rubbing his hands together. “It’s got to be good, or I’m keeping what I know to myself.”
I stood over him, and let some of the beast inside loose. It wasn’t much, but Willie needed a reminder who he was dealing with, either in human form, or wolf.
When I shifted back, he said, “Come on, Trask, it creeps me out when you do that. I wouldn’t stiff you on this. You can trust me.”
“I trust you as far as I can throw you out my window. We’re on the second floor, but I think I can clear the sidewalk and put you in the middle of traffic. If the fall doesn’t get you, I’m betting a car will.”
“Why do you have to get all nasty like that?” he said, pulling himself back away from my immediate grasp. “I came to you, remember?”
“I remember. How much do you want?”
“A grand,” he said, then he saw the look in my eyes, “but for you, I’ll take five hundred, and a favor.”
“What’s the favor?”
Willie smiled, and he looked more like a ferret than ever. “I don’t know yet, but I’ll think of something.”
I opened the window, studied Willie for a second, then said, “The wind’s in my favor. I might be able to get you to the other side of the street if I put my back int
o it. At least you’d have a chance surviving that.” I looked at him and said, “Five hundred, but no favors. It’s the best offer you’re going to get out of me, and in two minutes, it starts going down.”
Willie was mad, but then so was I. He said, “What’s to keep me from taking what I know to the police? I’m sure they’d like to know where Harkins is too.”
“Enough to pay you? I doubt it, but why don’t you try? There’s the door, or would you rather take the express way down?”
He shook his head. “Fine, you win. Five hundred.”
“Agreed. Two fifty now, and two fifty after I find him.”
Willie got up. “No way. All up front, or it’s no deal.”
That surprised me. “Why the change? We’ve always broken your payment in two before.”
He looked at me, then said, “You want the truth? I’m not so sure you’ll live through this, and then where am I? I’ll tell you where, I’m out half my money.”
I had to laugh. It had taken guts to say that to my face. I reached into my wallet and pulled out five bills, all hundreds. I was glad I’d found to go by the bank. Cash spoke around Dogtown, and folks tended to listen to what it had to say.
He reached for the money, but I pulled it away.
“First you tell me where he is.”
Willie frowned, then nodded. “He’s in the basement of the Claremont, and he’s got some girl with him. I’m not sure she’s there because she wants to be, you know? What did I tell you, is that worth five hundred or not?”
“It is if he’s still there,” I said as I handed him the money. “If you warn him I’m coming for him, you’re dead.”
He made the bills disappear, then said, “You kidding me? If he thinks I told you anything, you are the least of my worries. See you around, Trask. Maybe.”
“I’ll outlive you,” I said.
“I’d take that bet, but how would I collect?”
After he was gone, I thought about calling Bowen or Jim for backup, but I couldn’t bring myself to make either call. Jim had come too close to dying the last time I’d dragged him into my mess, and I wasn’t sure if Bowen would help me or not. The way he felt about me right now, I might have to worry about him too, and that was one werewolf too many for my taste.
As I reloaded my gun and put extra silver bullets in my pocket, I realized that one problem might take care of itself. If I didn’t make it out of my confrontation with Harkins, I wouldn’t have to worry about Bowen or Jasmine again.
I was reaching for the door handle when it opened.
It was Dalton, one of the last people I wanted to talk to at the moment.
“Got a second?” he asked.
I tried to hide my impatience. “For you? I’ve got all day. What’s up?”
He pulled out a notebook. “Do you happen to know anything about a homicide at 125 Belmont?” It was the address where I’d found Sue Ellen and Harkins.
“Man, it’s getting so Dogtown’s not safe to walk around in anymore. Who got killed this time?”
Dalton frowned. “You’re getting better at lying to me, I’ll give you that. Talk to me, Trask.”
“I don’t know what you want to hear,” I said. “I haven’t killed anybody in days.”
I delivered it as a joke, but it was true, though just barely.
“Why should I believe you?” Dalton asked.
“Here’s a thought. Maybe it’s because I’m telling the truth. Who died?”
“Sue Ellen Logan. She worked for Marty the Face. You know her?”
“We went to school together,” I said.
“Seen her lately?”
“Yeah, as a matter of fact, I did. She used to date Matthew Harkins, and I asked her where I might find him a few days ago.”
Dalton sat behind my desk and put his feet up. “And did she give you any ideas?”
I shook my head. “No, unfortunately, Sue Ellen wasn’t very helpful.”
He stared at me, then finally said, “Now I can’t tell when you’re lying or not. You’re involved in this up to your chin, Trask, I can feel it in my bones. Why won’t you come clean with me?”
“What happens in Dogtown stays in Dogtown,” I said.
“Except when it doesn’t. Did you know the FBI put a tail on you?”
“I figured they might.” As a matter of fact, I didn’t. Had someone been following me around Dogtown? How much had they seen? Was Dalton here to talk, as he claimed, or was he going to arrest me?
I said, “Since I didn’t do anything, I don’t have to worry, do I?”
Dalton laughed. “No, the feds are gone. They lasted ten minutes in Dogtown before they were asked to leave by some of your rowdier citizens. When the junior agents tried to show their IDs, one of your buddies started to eat it. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about the FBI, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about me. I’m not afraid of a dog bite or two.”
“Maybe you should be,” I said.
“Is that a threat, Jacob? Has it come to that?”
I bit my lip, then said, “Not me, I actually like you most of the time, but there are some bad wolves roaming the streets these days, and I’m trying to cage one of them up.”
He slapped a hand down hard on the desk. “What do you think I’m doing? Where is Harkins? Is the girl dead?”
“I don’t know anything,” I said.
“Wow, the Grangers are getting their money’s worth with you, aren’t they? I’m surprised they didn’t fire you when you blew the drop-off.”
I shrugged. “He wanted to, she didn’t. Since it’s all her money, she won,” I said. “I’ve got till midnight to find Jennifer Granger, and then I’m fired. Nothing like a little pressure, is there?”
“You must not be feeling any of it.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked as I looked out my window.
“You’re in here, instead of out there somewhere looking for the girl.”
“Sometimes you find something by not looking for it.”
“You should be a master at that, then,” Dalton said.
He stood, then closed his notebook. “It appears I won’t be getting any assistance from you on this case, so I’m leaving.”
“Aw, don’t go away mad,” I said.
“Just go away, right?” Dalton shook his head. “Are you sure you can handle this by yourself?”
“No, but I don’t have much choice. It’s got to be wolf to wolf, you know?”
He frowned. “No, I don’t have a clue. Then again, my blood’s pure.”
“It’s just your heart that’s muddy,” I said.
The cop shrugged. “Maybe it is. For what it’s worth, I personally don’t care if you bury this guy on Main Street, okay? If there’s any way I can do it, I’ll look the other way, so you won’t get jammed up because of me.”
“Thanks. That’s something, anyway.”
“It’s the best I can do,” he said.
I waited until he was gone, then looked out my window. As Dalton got into a waiting squad car, he saluted me with two fingers.
I saluted back, then locked up my place and headed for the Claremont. It was time to put this bad wolf down, or die trying.
Belle was sitting on the passenger side of my car when I walked outside.
“Can I help you with something?” I asked as I slid onto the driver’s seat.
“Let’s go for a ride,” she said.
“There’s somewhere I kind of need to be right now,” I said.
“This can’t wait,” she said. I knew better than to argue with Belle, even with Harkins waiting. Besides, what were the odds he’d be there during the day? Then again, I might be able to free Jennifer if her captor was gone.
“It’s going to have to,” I said. “I can give you two minutes, but then I’ve got to go.”
“Fine,” she said. “You are a complete and total idiot. It’s amazing you manage to get yourself dressed every day. If you were any dumber, you’d be dangerous to societ
y and yourself.”
I nodded. “Got it. See, I was right. That didn’t take long, did it?”
She scowled. “Trask, don’t you want to know why I’m mad at you?”
“I’m sure I deserve it, whatever it is, but I’m in a hurry, so you need to get out.”
Belle shook her head. “I could live to be a thousand and never understand you.”
“Right back at you, babe.”
She started to get out, then said, “No, I won’t do it. I won’t stand by and watch you throw everything away.”
This was getting old fast. “What exactly am I supposed to be throwing away?”
“Your friendship with Bowen is worth a thousand Jasmines,” she said. “I honestly can’t believe you’re too stupid to realize it.”
“Maybe I made a mistake last night, and maybe I didn’t, but our friendship doesn’t make it your business. Belle, you mean a lot to me, but if you don’t get out of this car in the next ten seconds, I’m going to shoot you with a silver bullet right between the eyes.”
She started to say something, then looked into my steady gaze. “You would, wouldn’t you?”
“Five seconds left,” I said. We both knew I was bluffing, but her words had stung, and I wasn’t in the mood to hear anything else, especially when I had a dragon to slay.
With a second to spare, Belle got out of my car and slammed the door. “This isn’t finished, Trask.”
“It is for now,” I said and drove toward the Claremont.
It was an old building that had once been a fine hotel, before the werewolves had taken over this section of the city. Now it was a boarding house for our kind, run down until barely a glimmer remained of its one time glory. Nobody lived in the basement, as far as I knew, and I’d been in there dozens of times over the years. It was for storage, dark and damp, not a place even a werewolf would choose to live if there were any other options.
I parked down the block, checked my gun for the tenth time, then grabbed a heavy-duty flashlight from under the seat.
My hands were sweating as I walked inside, and I hesitated a few moments until I could get my focus. Harkins was wounded, but that didn’t mean he still wasn’t dangerous. He was probably more treacherous now than he had been before. He knew he was going to be put down if he was caught; there was no hope of a sentence to New Pitcairn for him.