Under the Midnight Cloak

by S. Y. Thompson

  "I doubt it." Jamison shrugged. "We all know Chris' niece was killed in a car accident when Lee was a little girl. Chris had wanted Marina to come live with her and raise the child since she didn't believe they belonged among humans. Instead, her niece chose the man over her own family. When she died, Lee was raised by her father."

  "Yeah, and from what I understand, he didn't like Chris."

  "He probably sensed that something was different about his wife's family and was afraid of it."

  "You give him too much credit," Dinah said. "Humans aren't that sensitive. Evolution has seen to it that they lost whatever animal instincts they used to have."

  "Maybe some of them, but probably not all. What about you?" Jamison asked, changing the subject. "I thought you had a hot new flame of your own. Why are you hanging out at Andy's?"

  Dinah grew uncomfortable and glanced away, but not before Jamison caught the smoky look she directed toward the café owner.

  "Andy?" she asked in astonishment.

  "What's wrong with Andy?"

  "Nothing," Jamison said, holding up both hands in a gesture of surrender at the fiery look in Dinah's eyes. "I'm just surprised, that's all. We've known her all our lives and you never said anything about liking her before."

  "Yeah, well. Sometimes it takes a while before you see what's been staring you right in the face the whole time."

  Dinah looked across the room and Jamison saw her gaze connect with Andy's. The two weren't the most obvious couple. Dinah was small and light, with an overactive lifestyle and very definite opinions on right and wrong. She didn't back down from a fight. Andy, in contrast, had a bellowing laugh she didn't try to rein in and a pudgy middle that showed her love of food. Given a choice, she'd rather be in the kitchen than walking a trail and she didn't care a whit for politics. Still, Jamison couldn't deny the smoldering looks passing between the women.

  "As long as you're happy." Jamison clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Come on. I'll introduce you to Lee."

  Chapter Eight

  LEE SAT UP straighter when Jamison and the redhead walked toward her. She put her fork aside and pasted on what she hoped was a sincere looking smile. The tightness in her chest made it difficult for her to really be polite to anyone Jamison might be involved with.

  "Lee," Jamison waved toward her companion, "I'd like you to meet my twin sister, Dinah."

  She blinked in surprise. Of all things, this was the last she had expected to hear. To cover her reaction and give herself time to adjust to the new information, she stood and held out her hand.

  "Lee Grayson. It's so nice to meet you."

  Dinah grinned and shook her hand. "The pleasure is mine, but if you don't mind me saying, you look a little surprised."

  "You got me," Lee laughed, releasing her grasp. "It's just that you--"

  "We don't look alike? It's okay, we're fraternal twins."

  Neither seemed offended by the observation. In fact, Jamison nudged Dinah a bit with her shoulder. "Yeah, she was supposed to be a boy."

  "No, I wasn't!"

  They all laughed and then Dinah said, "I'd love to stay and talk, but I've interrupted your lunch long enough."

  Jamison didn't encourage her to join them and Lee surmised it was because they were finished anyway. Instead Jamison asked, "Did you get a chance to talk with Mom yet?"

  "Yeah, she's taking care of things as we speak. She wants you to call her tonight and she'll fill you in."

  "Is everything okay?" Lee asked, feeling a little like an intruder.

  "Not to worry," Jamison said with a smile. "Just a small family matter."

  "Right. Small," Dinah muttered. "I've gotta go, Jami. Call me later."

  "I will."

  They hugged briefly and Dinah walked toward the counter. Jamison laid some money on the table to pay for their lunch, catching Lee off guard. Because of her family's status, people usually assumed she would pick up the check. She wasn't accustomed to this kind of consideration and had to object.

  "Let me get that."

  Jamison stunned her by winking quickly and saying, "Next time. You ready to go?"

  "All right, but I'll hold you to that."

  They walked out into the bright sunshine and Lee pulled on her sunglasses before she slid into the passenger seat of a blue Chevy Silverado. As Jamison climbed behind the steering wheel, Lee said, "I'm glad you insisted on driving today. My truck's been acting up a little lately, not wanting to start."

  "What's the story with that thing, anyway?" Jamison asked, pulling out onto the road.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I don't mean to be insulting, but it doesn't really seem to fit you."

  Lee chuckled. "Because it's an old piece of junk that passed its prime ten years ago?"

  "Something like that," Jamison admitted, grinning back.

  "It's a long story, but basically I bought it used because I didn't know what kind of terrain to expect."

  "If it gives you that much trouble, maybe you should think about getting a new one."

  "Oh, I don't know. There's life in the old girl, yet."

  Lee looked out the windshield. How could she tell Jamison that she could go out and pay cash for just about any vehicle she wanted? She'd be opening herself up to being taken advantage of yet again.

  She was coming to trust Jamison very quickly, but life had taught her some painful lessons. How many times had Lee thought, 'this time, I can believe in this one'? And how many times had she paid the price, literally? It always boiled down to one thing...money. People found out she had it and they wanted it. She'd like to think Jamison was different, but that wish was motivated by attraction. The desire to tell her the truth was overwhelming, but thoughts of her ex-girlfriend kept her silent.

  They pulled onto Blue Mountain Road and Lee asked, "Do you mind if we stop at the manor and pick up Cleo?"

  "Not at all. We're going right by there anyway."

  Lee had been in the area for a few weeks and had yet to be to the top of the St. Regis Mountain because she'd been checking out the rest of the Park. She looked forward to climbing to the summit, but she didn't want to leave Cleo at home. There was something wonderful about watching Cleo's delighted interaction with nature.

  A few minutes later they pulled down the drive and around to the front of the house. Cleo must have scrambled out the newly installed dog door because she came running from the side. Lee was pleased to note that she stayed a careful distance away until the vehicle came to a stop.

  "Hey, girl." Lee squatted on the ground and Cleo came running. "Were you good today?"

  She scratched behind the dog's ears as she panted happily. Then

  Jamison came around the pickup. The change was abrupt and unexpected. Cleo spun around and backed up against Lee. She braced her front legs in front of her and shifted her weight back toward her rump.

  "Sorry, she's normally not like this."

  "It's all right. She doesn't know me and I'm sure she's been through a lot lately, with the move and everything."

  Jamison knelt down far enough away that her outstretched hand wouldn't intimidate the animal. At first Cleo pulled back, but Lee spoke softly to her. Gradually she relaxed and sniffed the fingers extended toward her. Cleo perked her ears up and took a tentative step in her direction. Then she took another. Jamison moved very slowly and stroked her head.

  "Do you want to go with us, Cleo?"

  The beagle reacted to the word 'go'. She jumped up straight and spun around in a circle. Lee laughed and said, "I guess that means yes."

  They spent the rest of the afternoon at the top of the mountain. Jamison parked the truck at the trailhead on Keese Mills Road and the trio hiked the rest of the way. The summit itself was bare rock because of a fire started by a party of surveyors many years before, but the view from the top included thirty lakes and several other mountains in the distance. An abandoned fire tower stood nearby.

  Cleo chased squirrels and when Lee wasn't snapping pictures she wa
s throwing a Frisbee for the dog. Jamison seemed content to wander around the area and watch the other two. She entertained Lee with stories about the park and some of the tourists she'd encountered over the years. She also told her about Michael Wallace and his mythological bear. By the end of the afternoon they had both laughed and talked a lot as they got to know each other, the mutual attraction growing steadily, but the day soon was drawing to a close and Jamison had work to do as soon as the sun set.

  DRIVING THE PAIR back to Mafdet Manor, Jamison realized how much she'd enjoyed herself. Lee had slowly opened up with her and Jamison was no longer oblivious to what was brewing between them. There were several instances of long, lingering looks. Then one of them would become aware of it and look carefully away. But even if there was some chemistry there, it wasn't anything Jamison could afford to act on. The current investigation took priority over anything personal.

  "I had a really good time," Lee said as they pulled in front of the house. "Maybe we can do it again sometime?"

  "I'd like that. And I think Cleo enjoyed herself, too." She reached over to pet the dog, who wagged her tail furiously in response. Jamison smiled, pleased that she had won the animal over.

  "Oh, yeah. She always loves it when she gets to go anywhere with me."

  Lee smiled and opened the door. Cleo jumped out ahead of her, but Lee suddenly got back in. "I forgot to give you my number--in case you want to get together again."

  "You don't need to explain why. I want to see you again, too."

  "You do?"

  Jamison didn't know why she said that, but found she couldn't stand the idea of making Lee's brilliant smile fade. She pulled out her cell phone, ready to program the details in and looked up expectantly. "Yes, I do. What's your number?"

  Lee read off the digits and then got out.

  Jamison remembered the tripod and all of the other equipment and stepped out of the truck to help. They hauled the gear across the yard, but Lee stopped abruptly. She peered toward the back of the house as the wind gusted and an unpleasant look crossed her features. Jamison's eyebrows went up when Lee parted her lips slightly and her nostrils flared.

  She was scenting the wind.

  Excitement rippled through her veins when she saw evidence of Panthera behavior, but Jamison forced herself to concentrate on what Lee smelled. Surreptitiously, she moved to do the same. But, the wind shifted before she could hone in on what had disturbed her companion.

  "Something wrong?"

  "No," Lee answered slowly. "I'm sure it's nothing. Come on."

  They carried the equipment up to the house and sat everything on the front porch.

  "I'll carry it in later," Lee said. She started to hold out her hand, then seemed to think better of it and stepped closer, hesitantly embracing. Jamison's breath caught and she slowly returned the awkward hug, breathing in the other woman's clean, fresh scent.

  She could sense the blood rushing just beneath the surface. She felt the slight trembling in Lee's frame and closed her eyes, relishing the warm body in her arms. All she wanted was to hold on, to let the darkness fall around them and see where the night might lead.

  Gradually, reluctantly she drew away. "I should go."

  "Sure," Lee said huskily. "I need to feed Cleo anyway."

  Jamison nodded and dropped her arms. She started walking back to the truck, but Lee stopped her again.

  "Hey, by the way. There are some barrels down in the root cellar and they smell really bad. Do you know of anyone around here that can get rid of that kind of thing for me?"

  "What's in them?"

  "I couldn't tell you." Lee shrugged. "All I know is they reek and

  they're starting to smell up the rest of the basement."

  "I might know someone," Jamison teased.

  "Oh, I see. And just what would I have to offer as an enticement?"

  Jamison was letting the flirting get out of control, but couldn't seem to help it. "I'll think of something. Good night."

  "Good night."

  She got into the truck and waved to Lee before driving back out onto the roadway. As soon as Mafdet Manor faded from view so did Jamison's smile. She really liked Lee, but now it was time to get her head back in the game. Tonight she wanted to investigate the areas where the killer had struck. It would be easier to do in the dark since most of the tourists would have returned to the campgrounds. The thunderstorm the night before had interfered with her checking the areas so this would be the first opportunity she had to form her own opinions about what had happened.

  She drove west through the park's firebreak trails. In twenty minutes she arrived near Lilypad Point. Jamison closed the vehicle door with a soft click and walked through the woods. Leaves crunched under her boots as she easily navigated shrubbery, trees and fallen logs. She could see as easily as the rest of the animals in the woods around her. When she arrived at the scene, Jamison squatted down and touched the ground. The blood had dried long ago and the recent storm had scattered the rest of the spoor. The hog had died in this location, but there was nothing more she could learn here.

  Reluctantly, Jamison walked back to the truck and drove toward her own home. The site where the bull had been killed was just south of Meacham Lake. Logically she should have gone to that location first since she was essentially backtracking, but she had done so on purpose. The second destination was only eight miles from her house. She planned to make the trip on foot.

  Her home was located down a long gravel road. Nestled back in the trees, it was less than half the size of Mafdet, but she preferred it over the towering manor house. The log structure blended into the forest that surrounded it, part of the natural world that Jamison loved.

  She drove into the garage and took the connecting door into the kitchen. There was no need to turn on lights so she stripped her shirt off as she walked down the hall to her bedroom. She neatly folded all of her clothes and placed them on the bed before she padded toward the rear deck off the living room and stepped outside naked.

  It had been a while since she had run free and Jamison needed this. Her skin had been tingling since she met Lee the day before and transforming often helped her find her center. She'd also unearth more with her true senses than her human counterpart ever could.

  Jamison stepped out into the moonlight and closed her eyes. The cool air felt good on her bare skin and for a moment she stood in all her naked glory before she allowed the alteration to begin. She relished what was about to happen and shivered in anticipation. Goose flesh broke out on her skin even as a bead of sweat trickled down her temple. An ecstatic feeling coursed through her veins and her nipples hardened in the cold breeze.

  It had been so long since she had allowed it that Jamison controlled the change, drawing it out as long as possible. Her spine began to lengthen and thicken, tapering into a long tail while her fingers lengthened. Her pelvis shifted abruptly and Jamison dropped to all fours to accommodate the new posture. Claws erupted from the ends of her fingers and thick, dark hair broke out of her pores. Her jaw elongated and her teeth grew wickedly pointed, while the pupils of her eyes contracted to mere slits. There was no pain during the metamorphosis, only the feeling of unmitigated joy, freedom and anticipation of what was about to occur.

  In mere seconds, far too quickly as far as she was concerned, a slick, muscled black jaguar stood where she had been. Her pelt was the color of midnight, inky shadowed movement beneath the treetops. Her senses exploded with the scents and sounds of life all around her.

  Even in her human state Jamison's senses were enhanced, but in this form she was completely in tune with the world around her. The air spoke to her, the earth touched her soul. It was in this state that she was most free.

  She set off through the woods at a steady lope. The animals in the darkness bolted from the predator, but Jamison didn't allow herself to be distracted. Eventually, she had to cross Meacham Lake to reach her destination. Without pause she leaped into the water with a happy rumble, swimming
eagerly to the other side. Jaguars loved the water and she was no exception.

  Once she had crossed, Jamison took a moment to shake out the moisture. Droplets flew through the air and, like any domesticated house cat, she took simple pleasure in chasing them for a few seconds. Then she was off again. Soon she arrived near Red Dot Trail and slowed to a walk. Her shoulders shifted sensuously with every step, heavy paws barely disturbing the ground beneath her.

  Jamison could smell the hunter that had been there long before she reached her final destination. Had it confined its killing only to wild animals no one would have cared. When it began to attack livestock was when the community got involved. The threat of it moving on to other targets, such as humans, was becoming too great.

  Slowly, she circled the clearing. Near the base of the tree where the carcass had been discovered, she found a print. The storm had wiped away almost everything, but because it was between two protruding roots, the mark was somewhat protected from the worst of the rain. Although it was only a partial, there was no doubt Jamison had located a paw print. She bent close, carefully sniffed the impression then sneezed in disgust. She smelled lion, but this animal was not natural. The track was the right size and rough shape, yet the claw impressions were wrong. They dug much deeper into the ground than normal and Jamison would have bet the beast lacked the ability to retract them.

  With only one partial impression, Jamison couldn't really determine the size of the beast or if there was anything else abnormal about it. Nor did she care to, in her animal form. She had learned as much as she could from the trampled area and now her jaguar was demanding its own needs be fulfilled. She wanted to run in the moonlight. She wanted to feel flesh rend between her fangs and taste blood. She wanted to hunt.

  Jamison spun around and disappeared in the shadows, the spoor of rabbit and fox filling her nostrils.

  Chapter Nine

  THE TUNNEL WALLS were rough and damp under his fingertips, but it was only habit that made him touch them. Even in the near pitch-blackness, he had no trouble finding his way. As long as there was ambient light, his vision could easily compensate. In addition, he had navigated this access to the manor so many times over the last few months he had it memorized. After the old woman died he had come and gone without fear of discovery, but now someone else had moved in. Fortunately, she didn't seem to know about the hidden entrance into the storage room on the basement level. It allowed him to sneak undetected into the house and into the quiet place no one explored. The root cellar was dark and cool; the dirt floor was soft and comforted his body when the fevers came. If he hadn't discovered the little-used room when he did, there would have been no safe haven.