“I’m sure she will.” The Cooper charm strikes again, she thought. Having a harmless playboy for a partner and half the female staff panting after him did have some benefits.
Mackenzie ripped open a bag of M&Ms, her typical snack. This morning it was breakfast.
“Someone clean out the pastries in the vending machine again?”
“Yeah.” She rubbed her eyes and tried not to yawn. She’d spent the night canvassing the area around the dump site. “I talked to the manager in Hughes' building as well as every tenant I could find in the buildings on both sides of the alley. No one saw a thing. No one heard a thing.”
“Typical. I got the same from those on the street.”
“Chair not good enough for your butt, Coop?”
He grinned and leaned forward. “Your desk is more comfortable.”
She narrowed her eyes and scooted her candy a few inches to the right. With the press of an arrow key, the list on her computer screen scrolled by. Squinting to keep the words from dividing in two, she tipped her can of cola, hoping the caffeine would reenergize her.
“What have you got there?”
“The victim was mauled before being dumped in that alley. Tancock said a large canine could’ve caused the wounds. A German shepherd or wolf-like dog.” She took a pen from its place above her ear and gestured toward the screen. “Since I doubt there are wolves prowling Chicago alleys, I’m looking at a list of warehouses and other businesses in the area that reportedly use guard dogs.”
“Guard dogs? Good idea. You ought to check with the Lykos Institute. Maybe get them to consult on the case.” Steve’s hand inched toward her bag of M&Ms. “Ouch!”
He drew back sore knuckles, and Mackenzie holstered her pen above her right ear once more. “The Lykos Institute?”
“Yeah. Big nature-loving, protect-the-wildlife type group. If it barks, they know all about it. The organization is Rafael Stone’s pet project.”
“Stone. Any connection to Stone Corporation?” She popped a couple candies and let them melt in her mouth.
“Of course. You know. Rafael Stone? He owns Stone Corp. and who knows what else. The man probably makes a million a minute.” Cooper crossed his arms, flexing muscles encased in a tight, ribbed blue sweater. “You don’t have a clue who I’m talking about, do you?”
She ignored his biceps and sarcasm and scrolled back up the list. Yep, Stone Corp. owned several properties with guard dogs.
“Don't you ever watch TV, read the paper? Grocery store tabloids? The paparazzi love him. If Brad Pitt posed nude on Hollywood Boulevard, he couldn’t get more press than this guy.”
“Stone’s in California?”
“No. Well, he may have offices in L.A., but he lives here. Corporate headquarters are in the Loop.”
The financial heartbeat of Chicago’s business mecca. Billions in commodities changed hands daily in the Loop’s trading pits. Apparently Stone’s company had the might to survive the cacophonic roar of frayed tempers and unmasked greed.
“He maintains a suite in his office building but often flies a helo to that massive estate of his outside the city.”
“And he owns this Lykos Institute?”
“He founded it.”
“Hmm. I think I’ll have a talk with Mr. Stone. See what turns up.” She printed two copies of the property list and handed one to Cooper.
“I’ll be surprised if you get within five miles of the man, but it’d be interesting to see how long it takes you. Should make for a great office pool.”
She scowled and yanked her leather jacket from the chair’s back. “You suggested I contact him.”
“I said check with the Lykos Institute, not Rafael Stone.”
“Well, he founded the Institute and owns several properties on that list, including one fairly close to the crime scene. So he’ll just have to fit me into his schedule.”
He gripped her arm, and she stopped in the doorway. “You’re not suggesting he’s a suspect, are you?”
“Right now, anyone with a dog is a suspect, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Hell, Mac, he probably owns half the city. I wouldn’t be surprised if he owned the buildings on both sides of the alley.”
Annoyed and letting it show, she pulled her arm away. “Give me some credit, will you? For the record, he doesn’t own either building, but even if he did...I’m not going to arrest the guy for owning property and a pet poodle. Last I heard, neither is illegal.”
He frowned. “I’m not questioning your abilities, Mac. I’m just saying I wouldn’t try to strong-arm him. We’re talking about a powerful man. This guy’s connections have connections.”
“I’m following a lead. It’s what detectives do.”
“Fine. But before we try the good cop-bad cop routine on this guy, we better have all our ducks in a row and wearing body armor, or he and his attorneys will be eating duck for dinner.”
“We’re not going to play good cop-bad cop.” She pointed at the list in his hand. “I need you to check out these other businesses. Talk to the owners. Find out about their guard dogs. I’ll take the ones owned by Stone.”
She walked away but turned back with a smile after a few feet. “Oh, Coop? Let me know what the odds are on that pool.”
“Aw, hell.”
Mackenzie found a parking place barely within walking distance of the steel and glass tower that housed the headquarters of Stone Corp.
Near the end of her urban hike, she spotted one of the city’s finest hard at work, and smiled. Paula Martinez scribbled down the license plate number of a car illegally parked in a handicap slot.
“Ticketing the police chief’s car is not going to earn you extra points.”
The officer grinned. “This isn’t the police chief’s car, and for the record, he respected me for doing my job that day.” Paula ripped the ticket from her notebook and slipped it under the windshield wiper. “What’s up, Mac?”
“The murder rate. I’m here to question some rich suit about the latest homicide on the Southside.”
“Question? Or stir up trouble?” Paula asked, her dimple showing.
Mackenzie returned the smile, remembering her colleague’s opinion of her often-unorthodox investigative techniques. Whatever works. “Maybe a little of both.”
“Maybe I should stick around and watch for explosions.”
“Ha ha. See ya ‘round.” She waved and jaywalked through traffic, heading straight for the front doors of Stone Corp.
The lobby was an architectural testament to lavish simplicity. Only money and impeccable taste could create such understated elegance. Huge beams formed an arch overhead, and on her left stood a wall of stone. The floor-to-ceiling water feature offered a peaceful trickling centerpiece between two rich burgundy sofas. A pair of massive granite columns framed a back wall of glass through which Mackenzie could see elevators and office doors. Cut into the center of the wall was a large door, closed and apparently locked. A sign directed guests to check in at the security desk to the right.
Her sneakers squeaked on the polished marble floor as she approached the impressive mahogany counter.
“Rafael Stone’s office, please.”
“Your name?” the security guard asked, and then glanced at a monitor seated in a nook.
Mac slapped her badge on the countertop. “Detective Mackenzie Lyons, Chicago PD.”
“I’m sorry, Detective. I don’t see your name on the list of scheduled appointments.”
“I don’t have an appointment. I’m here to speak to Mr. Stone about a homicide, so if you’ll buzz me through, I’ll try to make this quick and painless.”
The guard’s face changed instantly, from warm cordiality to solid iceberg. “Do you have a warrant, Detective?”
“Not at this time, but—”
“No warrant. No appointment. No entry.”
A beep sounded before Mackenzie could respond, and the guard held up a hand. She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from snapping t
he man’s head off.
“Yes, Ms. Waters?” He released the intercom’s button.
“Have Simon bring the limo around front, Frank. He’ll be leaving for his next meeting at the Sears Tower in ten minutes.”
“Right away. Ms. Waters? We have a police detective here asking to speak to Mr. Stone.”
There was a brief pause before the crisp feminine voice returned. “I don’t see any scheduled appointment with a detective. Give him the main number. He can call, and I’ll see what I can do to pencil him in later this week.”
The guard slid a card with a phone number on it to Mackenzie. She took it, snarled at the guard’s smug smile, and left.
Outside, she searched for Paula. Mackenzie would see the elusive Rafael Stone today, or she’d eat her detective’s badge.
Chapter Two
“The CFO called, sir. A problem in accounting.”
Rafael accepted the briefcase from his efficient assistant as he headed for the elevators. “Thank you, Sylvia. What kind of problem?”
“He didn’t say. He wanted to meet with you directly. I told him you were on your way to the tower.”
“I’ll call him from the car. Those papers for the attorney are on my desk. See that he receives them today.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And I’ll need the final prospectus on that Las Vegas acquisition by tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, sir.” Sylvia Waters hurried to keep up with his longer strides. “One other thing, sir. A police detective was in the lobby asking to speak with you. I had Frank tell him to call for an appointment.”
Rafe stepped into the elevator. “Interesting.”
It took less than a minute for the elevator to descend to the lobby. He spent that time pondering why the police wanted to speak to him. Soliciting for a law enforcement retirement fund most likely. There’d been no rogue Lycan activity in the Chicago area since he'd founded the Lykos Institute and clearly claimed this part of the country as his sole territory.
“Your limousine’s here, Mr. Stone.”
“How’s the family, Frank?”
“Just fine, sir. Suzy’s expecting again.” The security guard stepped around his desk and pushed the door open before Rafe could do it himself.
“Again? What’s this one make? A dozen?”
“No, sir." Frank laughed. “Six, unless it’s twins again.”
“A half dozen, then. You have my sympathies and heartfelt congratulations.” He shook the guard’s hand, bemused by an unexpected sense of envy. “Give Suzy my best.”
“Will do, sir.”
Rafe nodded at Simon when he pulled open the car’s door. He ducked inside, and then froze as the door closed. Seated across from him was a honeyed blonde vision in tanned leather and worn denim. With one arm draped across the back seat, her bomber jacket exposed a gun in a shoulder holster and a shiny badge tucked in at her slim waist.
“Rafael Stone?” The hair at his nape stood alert as the smooth, cultured vibration of her voice resonated through him.
He laid his briefcase aside and eyed the woman who'd so effectively slipped passed his security. He breathed deeply, taking in a pleasant, albeit unique, mix of scents. Leather, coconut, and aloe. Rafe’s gaze lowered over the V-neck of her white, button-up shirt, past enticing breasts to the badge again. His jaw set. The call to his chief financial officer would have to wait.
“Were you expecting someone else, Detective?”
“No.”
Feeling the car pull away from the curb, he watched her ponytail sway and asked, “May I ask how you gained entry to my limousine?”
“Don’t fire the driver over it. He doesn’t know I’m here.”
“But then, part of his job is to know who is in here."
“I had a fellow police officer hassle him about double parking. As far as distractions go, it was enough.”
“Ah. Creative.” He made a mental note to instruct Simon on the importance of keeping the doors locked. “You have me at a disadvantage, Detective. You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”
“Mackenzie Lyons, Chicago PD.”
“Unusual police procedure, Detective Lyons. Should I contact my attorneys?”
Her smile was subtle. Sly. “That depends. Have you committed a crime you’d like to confess to?”
Amused, he cocked an eyebrow. “I confess only to being intrigued by your presence here. To what do I owe for the pleasure of your company?”
“Homicide, Mr. Stone.”
“I beg your pardon?”
As if she sensed a challenge, she planted her sneakers on the floor, leaned forward, and propped both forearms on her thighs. The move hid her gun, but unveiled an alluring bit of cleavage. Annoyed that he’d noticed, Rafe kept his eyes fixed on her watchful blue gaze.
“I’m investigating an apparent homicide. Last night, a man’s body was found in a filthy alley on the Southside.”
“And you wished to speak to me about this unfortunate individual because...?”
“He was dumped there after being a tofu snack for an animal, the four-legged variety.”
Rafe knew his face showed no sign of the sudden anger and surprise he felt. The anger he could deal with, but the surprise was an unusual sensation. Few people ever caught him off guard. But this curious detective seemed to have an uncanny ability for doing just that.
Could a rogue Lycan be hunting his territory without his knowledge? He’d have to call his brother immediately.
“I’m afraid I still don’t understand what that has to do with me. Would I know the man? Do you have his name?”
“I understand you founded the Lykos Institute.”
He noticed how she avoided answering his questions and wondered where she was heading with this interrogation, so he chose his words with caution. “My brother actually oversees the daily operations, but yes, I started L.I. and have an active interest in it.”
“And this organization specializes in knowing anything and everything there is to know about dogs?”
“Ah, I see. Yes, you could say that. Lykos is a nonprofit educational institute that promotes the humane treatment of canines, both wild and domestic.”
“What about the kind that can kill a man?”
“I assume we’re talking about domestic breeds only? Like many of the larger domestic breeds, wolf packs are certainly capable of harming humans, although such attacks are rare. More so, here in Illinois...and in Chicago.” He let his skepticism show in both voice and look.
“Rare or not, at least one animal—maybe more—used a man for a chew toy last night. What about training a dog to kill?”
“That’s possible. There have been unscrupulous men who trained dogs for such brutal ventures as dog fights. Some animals have even been known to turn on their handlers, often with deadly consequences. The goal of most dog training programs, however, is far different.”
She leaned back in her seat again and crossed her arms. “Obedience training?”
Rafe nodded. “Among other things. For instance, we sponsor programs that teach dogs how to attack...to protect...for purposes such as those used by your K-9 officers. They’re taught how to track and subdue, not kill.” He paused, watching for any shift in her expression. “Were you able to collect any physical evidence that could be linked to an animal?”
The change was subtle, but he saw it. The slight narrowing of her eyes, the tiny tilt of her head, the alert tenseness of her body. “Why do you ask?”
He shrugged as if the matter was of minor import. “Like humans, animals have unique DNA. That or hair samples could be used to make a connection between a suspected animal and your victim. L.I. has an extensive database, and our staff has years of experience in tracking and identifying various breeds of canines. If you’d like a professional consult concerning any evidence in the case, I’m quite certain we could assist.” He would make sure of it.
“That’s very generous.”
“Why don’t I have my brother contact y
ou?”
The limousine slowed to a stop.
Mackenzie pulled out a business card. “His name is?”
“Gabriel.” Rafe took the card from her and resisted the urge to touch her hand. Was her skin as soft as it appeared?
“I look forward to speaking with him.”
Yes, he must contact his brother very soon. If another Lycan was around, he doubted a cover-up would easily fool this detective. The door opened, and he reached for his briefcase.
“Mr. Stone, how many properties do you own in the city of Chicago that use guard dogs for security purposes?”
He paused, peering at her. She was good, and dangerous. He’d wager a million at least that she could already name every piece of property in question. Probably had the list in a pocket somewhere. “Quite a few. They are very effective as preventative measures. I’d have to check to be certain of the exact number, but if you like, I could fax you a list.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
Rafe exited the vehicle and ordered a surprised Simon to return the detective to her car, which was most certainly parked somewhere near his offices.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“On the contrary, I insist. Good day, Detective Lyons.”
As he watched the limousine pull away, he flipped open his cell phone.
Courteous and sculpted to perfection, Rafael Stone made a memorable first impression. He also remained a puzzle for Mackenzie after their face-to-face meeting.
He was younger than she’d expected, which added to her perception of vigor. A man needed ambition and discipline, backed by talent and intelligence, to reach such heights at his age. Some men spent years climbing over others’ backs to garner an ounce of the captivating power that rolled off Stone in waves. Strong, smart, and no doubt arrogant.
The latter usually turned her off, but she’d liked his smooth, casual demeanor. That slight curl to his lips. She wondered what would unsettle Stone’s foundations.
Despite his lavish choice of transportation and the tailored suits he wore, which probably cost more than a month of her pay, he was not just a handsome face. Something about those dark, mysterious brown eyes told her there was much more to the wealthy entrepreneur than he presented to the world. Still, with those features combined with that body and commanding presence… No wonder photographers chased him with cameras ready.
Lycan Packs 1: Lycan Instinct Page 2