High Moon (A F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation Book 4)

by Jennifer Harlow

  “Oh, this was a good idea. The stress is just soaking out,” I say. “It has been a long, long frustrating day with nothing to show for it.”

  “Same here. I hate this part of the case. Questions only leading to more questions, the entire world a suspect. And God knows how long this has been going on under all our noses.”

  I kiss his bare shoulder. “You are not responsible for all the ills of the world, lover. We’ll find the beasts. We always do. Not many can claim they lead a team with such a high clearance rate. You’re like super-cop.”

  “Well, I have been on the job for over thirty years. Longer than you’ve been alive.”

  “Thinking of retirement, Agent Price? Taking up golf? Gardening?”

  “Never really gave it much thought. Always…kind of assumed this job would kill me.” I stare up at him in confusion. “What? I did. I’ve been beaten, shot, maimed, burned, and blown up. I’ve fought trolls, vampires, giant snakes, ex-boyfriends,” he says with a smirk. I don’t return it. “After Mary, I wouldn’t say I was chasing death, but I sure as hell wasn’t chasing life.”

  “And now?”

  “Does San Diego have nice golf courses?” he asks, smile growing.

  “Best in the world,” I say, returning the gesture.

  “Good to know.” Will lowers his head again for a quick kiss. Then another. Then a longer one. Deeper. Oh, I love to kiss this man. I really, really do. I like it even more when he rounds second base, rolling my sensitive nipple in his fingers in time to his kiss. Oh, God. “We need to get our own room,” he whispers between the kisses.

  “Hell yes.”

  Will unfastens my straps before taking my free breasts into his hands, rolling my nipples, pinching them as the kisses down my neck. I wrap my legs around his hips. Not surprising he’s hard as a rock, almost bursting out of his swimsuit. I reach into his trunks, hopefully giving him the same pleasure he’s providing me. Okay, we need to get a room NOW! Before I forget all propriety, and…oh come on.

  Come on!

  When I open my eyes, two men are walking into the aquatics center. Five minutes. We can’t have five fraking damn minutes alone? Really? “Will,” I gasp as I push him away. His eyes narrow in confusion before I signal behind him. He stands and turns around as I press myself to his back to hide my still bare breasts. Not that it does much good. The men locked their gazes on us the moment they entered, the one on the left staring with sniper like precision on us. Even with Will here I’m uneasy with that man in the room. Sharp cheekbones and nose, blonde hair slicked back, ice blue eyes, and muscles for miles. Would not want to meet him in a dark alley. Don’t want to meet him here. His companion is a head shorter with buggy blue eyes, floppy light brown hair, and a nice smile he’s trying to contain.

  “Jason? Adam?” Will says in shock. “What…?”

  Oh God. I’ve just flashed the king of the werewolves and his number two. Perfect. Great. Kill me now.

  “We thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow,” Will continues. I pull up my top and fumble with the straps. How can two strips of fabric be so complicated?

  “We wanted to get here before the trail went cold,” Jason, the scary one, says. Even his tone is sharp and mean. “We would have been here earlier but we had a contract to complete. Not to mention we weren’t informed of the attack until last night.”

  “We were handling things,” Will replies.

  “Yeah, that was, uh, quite apparent when we walked in,” Adam retorts, not even bothering to reign in his smile. “Sorry to interrupt. Agent Chandler told us where you were.”

  Oh, I’ll bet he did. Thank God, I’ve got the straps done. “It’s fine. Um, may-may I present, um,” Will says, scooting away from me to wade out of the tub, “Special Agent Beatrice Alexander. Bea, this is Jason Dahl and Adam Blue.”

  “Hi,” I say with a little wave as I get out of the water too. “Nice to, uh, finally meet you both. Heard great things.” I quickly wrap the towel around myself.

  “Us too,” Adam says.

  “You never said she was psychic,” Jason says with disdain as if I were a stripper or something.

  “Didn’t think it mattered,” Will says.

  “Only if you’re pack,” Jason says. “Or ever want to be.”

  “Think you know my views on that already,” Will responds.

  Okay, I don’t like where this is going. Manners to the rescue. “It’s wonderful you’ve come to help us. We can certainly use it. Right, Will?”

  Will’s glare never moves from Jason as he says, “Yes.”

  I take Will’s hand to draw him out of the visual pissing contest I’m witnessing.

  “And we’re glad to be of assistance,” Adam says, touching his friend’s arm to do the same. “So, what can you tell us?”

  “We’ve found several more bodies we suspect are also victims of this pack, but—”

  “They are not a pack,” Jason snaps, “don’t call them that. They are rogues and a hybrid abomination.”

  “Don’t speak to her in that tone,” Will warns.

  “It’s fine,” I say, squeezing Will’s hand. Lord save me from another Alpha male blowout. I haven’t recovered from the last one. “Look, whatever they’re called, at the end of the day they’re killers. They’re the enemy, can we all agree on that?” Only Adam nods. Ugh. “Have you two checked in yet?”

  “No,” Jason says.

  “Why don’t you do that while we get dressed? Go from there? Is that alright?” I ask.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Adam says.

  “Fine,” Jason says.

  The men all nod before our new friends skulk off. When they’re out of earshot, I let out a sigh. Chandler so sent them down here to ruin our night. I want one person, just one person who is happy for us. Who isn’t trying to sabotage us. One. Even strangers like Jason Dahl seem pissed we’re in love, and I just met the man. “That guy’s a jerk.”

  “You don’t keep dozens of werewolves in line by being Mr. Congeniality. He is in rare form tonight, though. I had half a mind to punch him in the nose for being rude to you.”

  “We need him, right? I for one am still glad they’re here. We now have three werewolves to their four. So no punching.” I lean up and peck his cheek. “Kill him with kindness, love.”

  “Don’t know if I can tonight. I’m beat.”

  “Then send them to the park to search for more bodies. Let Oliver deal with them.” Serve him right.

  “Maybe.”

  “Up to you. Just make sure they avoid that spot. I, for one, am going to take a shower and crawl into bed.”

  “Wish I could join you. God do I wish I could join you. I wish…everyone would just go away. Leave us alone for one damn night.”

  “I know. It’ll happen.” I peck him again. “Just not tonight.” Another peck. “You want me to help you with the welcoming committee?”

  “Probably not a good idea, but I appreciate it.” This time he kisses me. Deep. I have to pull away or we’ll end up shaming ourselves again. We both chuckle. “One for the road. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  With one final grin, Will follows his friends out. Alone again. Damn. Not even the killjoys lowered the buzzing in my body from our hot tub session. I drop my towel and leap into the pool, letting the cold water crystallize my lust to be thawed later. Whenever later is. I let myself sink underwater with my eyes shut as tight as my lungs. It’s peaceful down here. As if I’m alone in the universe. I fight the pressure, the pain, the panic as my lungs ache to expel the sour air filling them. I hold it in as long as I can before screaming out all my frustration, sexual and otherwise, so no one can hear me. Spent, I launch myself to the surface, huffing and puffing until I feel fit for society again. Just get through the case, Bea. Get through the case. Ignore the snotty vampires, werewolves, and federal agents. Concentrate on finding the big bad wolves because then our lives together can finally begin. I’m not giving up. Do you hear me, universe? Keep throwing me
those hurdles. I’ll leap every one until I reach the finish line where my Prince Charming awaits with open arms.

  Look out, wolves. I’m about to huff and puff and blow your damn houses down.

  Chapter Ten

  Tight Ships

  Nana always said life’s small problems can be wiped away with a good night’s sleep. As with most things, she was right about that. Nine hours of slumber does a wonder. I wake rested, get dressed in my smartest beige wool suit, rouse a grumpy teenager, and drag our butts to mobile command. Per the night’s report, Oliver found two more bodies. We’re up to an even dozen now. The others woke at the crack of dawn to continue excavating the park and examining the bodies. With two extra sets of hands, us lab and medical monkeys get extra help with Rushmore in medical with Neill and the bodies, and Wolfe on analysis with us. In the space of two hours we find traces of fur on three more victims.

  With three cooks in the kitchen, the lab is cramped. So since I loathe lab work almost as much as I loathe running, I put myself back on missing persons. Those potentials Will and I found in our research are mostly transients and hookers from around the area. I input the descriptions of what’s left of the five, then six people we’ve excavated already and their personal belongings into NCIC and CODIS. Nada. When their DNA gets processed they should hopefully be ID’d.

  Since I’ve found myself at yet another dead end and really hate that lab, I decide to collect my thoughts. The whiteboard has helped me crack many a case before, don’t fail me now. Okay, four werewolves, including our witch and possibly the victim. With the two new bodies we dug up today, we now know the “pack’s” been active for at least six years, but only half the bodies have been dug up, so it’s possible they could have been active for decades. Judging from their clothes and the condition of their teeth, all but our recent victim were on the fringes of society. No one to love them, no one to notice they’re missing. Our werewolf vic could be a hobo or something too, but we won’t know until we discover the rest of him.

  Next comes motive. Why kill at all? Duh, they’re evil. The Greatest Game and all. They obviously don’t hunt humans every full moon or we’d have a mountain of bodies. So what happens when they’re not treating themselves the nights of the full moon? I write, “check amt animal carcasses reported at park.” Maybe not just that park. Is it their only killing grounds? They’re smart, maybe they rotate parks. It might explain why the rangers never heard wolves. I scribble, “check records every park w/in 50mi radius for maulings/wolf sightings.”

  Now onto the big bad wolves. If I had to guess by Will’s reaction, I’d say the female is in charge, using lust potions to keep the others under her literal spell. She’s the Alpha. If she wasn’t homicidal and basically raping the other wolves, I’d be impressed by this accomplishment. I scribble, “witch/wolf mix?” Since the head witch and werewolf were unaware of a chimera like her, maybe she’s just buying the potion. It’d be costly but possible. I write, “e-mail Mona and Anna to ask around witch communities re: black witches.” I also scribble, “Mona covering for witch/self?” Doubt it but possible. For all we know it could be her sister. Or her. Staring at the board, I frown. That’s it? I thought I’d come up with more potential avenues. The park and vics should be our main focus. In my gut I know the last victim will bust this thing wide open. Find out his identity, find our wolves. We just have to find him first.

  As I stare at my handiwork, the door slides open and our new ally, the nice one, steps in. He’s not as put together now as he was last night with armpit stains and dirt covering his white shirt. “Hey. You’re tracing the bodies, right?” Adam asks before handing me an evidence baggie. “This should make your job easier. Found an ID with the corpse I just brought in.”

  “Thank you,” I say, taking the baggie. Victim # 7, come on down. I examine the dirty ID. From Crawford College, student ID of Imelda Solis Villa. Awesome. “No problems at the park?”

  “No. We stayed away from…that area.”

  “Good.”

  I move to the computer and punch in Imelda’s data as Adam fixes himself some coffee behind me. Her file pops up immediately in NCIC. Reported missing almost a year ago by her roommate Anika Rister. Last seen leaving her poetry class at 6:15 PM and was meant to be at work across town at seven. Car found on campus so whoever grabbed her did it between 6:15-6:45 at the college. No one saw the abduction. Like she vanished into thin air. Ex-boyfriend Timothy Acker was lead suspect despite a verified alibi. Anika, co-workers, other friends also investigated and discounted. Anika did receive a text from Imelda’s cell a week later claiming she was on the road with a band and not to worry. Nothing since.

  “Mona McGregor isn’t covering for anyone.”

  “I’m sorry?” I ask, spinning in the chair to face Adam and the whiteboard.

  “I can personally vouch for Mona McGregor. Jason and your supervisor Dr. Black will too,” he says with a hard edge.

  I think I’ve offended him. “I was just brainstorming. I mean, from what I understand, the witch and werewolf communities are kind of small and tight knit. The fact that neither head of those factions ever heard of this woman is strange.”

  “We thought of that. Jason e-mailed every pack head in the world asking if any know of a female hybrid. Any hybrid is extremely rare.”

  “Mona McGregor sent a list of names of known witches. You or Mr. Dahl should review it. See if anyone strikes your memory bell. Maybe we’ll luck out.” I turn back to the computer to jot down names and telephone numbers of the lead detective and important witnesses. I need the full case file though. My Spidey sense is tingling. This still seems like a random grab, but compared to the others, it was a heck of a lot more brazen. “The clothes with the body, were they blue jeans, fucia sweater, gold cross with a diamond in the center, and a white puffy jacket?”

  “Sounds about right,” Adam responds. Good enough for me. I collect my things and skedaddle from the room. “Good hunting!” Adam calls.

  “You too.”

  We have a lead! About damn time.

  I stop by the lab for my purse, coat, and Imelda’s cross to verify with Anika before commandeering an SUV. Before I start the car, I phone the lead detective Hill Cleve who agrees to meet with me straight away. I put the car into gear, and to the police station I go.

  Seven minutes later I’m shaking Det. Cleve’s hand in the small Crawford P.D. lobby. He’s a detective out of central casting with a huge belly, rumpled suit, jowls, and shock of white hair. He ushers me into the back of the station. We’ve taken about half their personnel for our forest project so most desks are deserted.

  “I worked this case for a full month,” Det. Cleve says as he passes me the box and file across the conference table. “In my gut I knew the ex had a hand in it. The kid was nervous as hell. Even brought a lawyer with him during questioning. We couldn’t break his alibi though. He was in a study group until nine. The five students and TA verified it, not to mention we have him on video surveillance. He didn’t even leave to go to the bathroom.”

  “Even with that, you still think it was him? Why?”

  “They’d been fighting. He’d gotten distant then broke up with her a week before she vanished. The roommate said Imelda thought he’d been cheating.”

  “Who with?” I ask.

  “She didn’t know, and I never found anyone. The kid had no life outside of school and the girlfriend. And I’ve kept tabs on him off and on. He goes from home to school to back home, though the roommate Anika could answer that better. She probably sees him every day. But if Imelda was found with all the other corpses, hell maybe I was barking up the wrong tree. I heard you’ve pulled half a dozen bodies already. Dismembered and all chewed up. Can’t believe this was going on under our noses all this time,” he says, shaking his head. “Y’all sure Imelda, hell all of them, were killed by the same man?”

  “Looks that way. We are going to hold off on family notifications until the DNA and dental reports. Should be a day or two
longer.”

  “We won’t say a word until you tell us to. I just got assigned a robbery. If you need me…”

  “Thank you.”

  As I open the file, the detective leaves me in peace. Thank God. Some detectives become like helicopter parents, hovering over my shoulder and second guessing my every move. So annoying. In solitude I skim the file and examine what little evidence there is in record time. No forensics, no witnesses, no wonder they never found her. Random grabs are like that. Still, due diligence is required. I whip out my cell phone and call the roommate Anika, who agrees to meet me at the Crawford College food court in half an hour. I also leave a message for the ex-boyfriend Tim Acker before heading out again.

  Crawford College is just five miles down the road but it takes twenty minutes to find parking, and even then I may as well have walked straight from the station. After checking the map in the quad, I stroll toward the food court. I do miss college. The carefree days, the parties, the community, the…oh, who am I kidding? I went to class, I went to the library to study and work part-time, I went home. I was never invited to a single party, was offered zero drugs, and only had sex three times, and that was with my student health counselor before he ended our sessions. Still. As I amble through the campus past co-eds texting or joking with their equally cheery friends, I can’t help but grin too. They have their whole lives ahead of them. They have no idea what’s around the corner and the feeling of invincibility youth provides makes them not care. I do remember that. Jeez, I’ve been out of college almost five years and it’s as if it’s been quadruple that. Facing life and death situations sure has aged me.

  The campus is minimalist, maybe three city blocks, with brown and white buildings close together, the tallest no more than four stories. There are a few grassy knolls with the odd tree where students sit in groups talking or eating. I locate the student union building hiding behind another. The food court inside is about half the size of my old elementary school cafeteria, though it didn’t have a Pizza Hut or Chick-Fil-A like here. Since I don’t have a clue what Anika looks like, I call her cell and as asked she rises from her table by the window. Pretty girl. Medium brown skin, full lips, curly hair piled atop her head with an actual bow that matches her dress. She reminds me of Irie, may she rest in peace.