"I could use the money when I go to college," Cori said. "But dad promised to give me a little money to fix up my dorm room."
Sali and Ashe had given their best to the essay because both wanted a cell phone. Ashe figured they would be forced to wait the extra year to get one. The five hundred in first-place prize money was the amount specified by their parents or a cell phone wouldn't be allowed before the boys' fifteenth birthdays.
"Dude, we're just not destined to communicate outside mindspeech until we turn fifteen," Sali muttered dejectedly after Cori broke away from them to walk toward her home. "And that's a little one-sided at the moment."
"Hey, Ashe. Sali," Edward was waiting outside Ashe's garage when he and Sali arrived.
"Edward, what's up?" Sali grinned.
"Not much. I had to promise Mr. Landers that I wouldn't be any trouble before he'd let me out of his sight," Edward said.
"Come on in, I think Mom replenished the supply of microwave popcorn," Ashe said, inviting Edward inside.
"Luanne and Macy can't stop talking about Wynn and Dori," Edward said as they waited the prescribed time and listened to popcorn thump against the inside of the bag as it popped. "But Lizzie is back to her grumpy old self. Philip caught it from her, so now we can't stand either one of them. Again."
"I think Wynn and Dori wouldn't mind if Luanne and Macy came to visit," Ashe said, portioning out the hot popcorn into three bowls. Sali would take the lion's share if he didn't.
"Let me call Macy. Luanne is with her right now," Edward pulled his small walkie-talkie from a jacket pocket and pressed the button.
"Edward, what is it?" Macy asked.
"Ashe says that Wynn and Dori might not mind if you went to visit," Edward said.
"That would be cool, where do they live?"
"Hang on while I get Wynn on the phone; they're at the O'Neill's this afternoon," Ashe said and lifted the cordless to dial Wynn's number. Soon Wynn had her mother's permission for the girls to visit.
"We'll be there in a minute to take you," Edward said. He, Ashe and Sali raced out of the house; Edward and Sali waited impatiently while Ashe set the alarm and then they all ran toward Macy Hill's mobile home.
"Be back by six, I'll have dinner ready around then," Ramona Hill called after Macy and Luanne. Luanne's parents were visiting again—they didn't like being cut off from the others.
"You guys walk everywhere, don't you?" Macy asked as they walked across a grassy field toward the O'Neill's farm.
"Just about. People don't drive much inside the community," Ashe agreed. "Sali runs to my house as wolf, sometimes. I have a couple changes of clothes for him when he gets there."
"What does it feel like—to change?" Luanne asked Sali, who nearly blushed at the attention.
"It doesn't hurt—it just is," Sali replied. "The first time I changed, I was ten. Marco—that's my older brother—was teasing me, telling me I wouldn't ever be a wolf. It was self-defense," he shrugged.
"The first time for me, I didn't even realize it," Ashe said. "I was sleeping and woke buried under the covers. At first, I thought I was dreaming. It took forever just to wriggle out of bed."
"You changed while you were asleep?" Macy stared at Ashe.
"The first time, yeah. Scared the dickens out of me."
"You had dickens in you? Must be awful coming out," Sali teased.
"Yeah, it's slimy and green," Ashe said, poking Sali in the ribs and running away.
"You can run but you can't hide," Sali shouted. "Get back here. We have guests."
"Yes, Mom," Ashe contritely trotted back. Edward snickered.
* * *
"This is cool," Macy and Luanne, hair blowing in the wind, stood on the lower rung of the white board fence and watched the sheep in one of the O'Neill's pastures, while Wynn and Dori talked about the farm the O'Neill's ran.
"You can't really have livestock if you turn into a predator," Dori sneered at Sali, who patently ignored her. "That's why the Pack always avoids this place and the Thompson's—they raise chickens and turkeys and shapeshift into a buffalo and a swan."
"So, not many pets, either?" Luanne asked.
"No. Dogs and cats would be curious when all the shapeshifters and wolves went out on the full Moon. Not a good combination," Wynn sighed. "And I always wanted a dog."
"We can send Sali over next month," Ashe offered.
"Ashe Evans, don't make me chase you," Wynn flipped white hair back and glared at Ashe. Ashe grinned at Wynn, who couldn't help but smile back.
"This is how it's supposed to be—friends having fun," Luanne breathed in the Oklahoma air and tilted her head back to revel in the afternoon sun.
"It hasn't been fun for a long time, has it?" Dori asked.
"No. Not for a while," Macy agreed.
* * *
"They've found a single fingerprint from the second murder site," Director Jennings informed Winkler over the phone. "I've also had someone investigating the department. Right now, there's no conclusive evidence—no ID on the fingerprint and the investigation has failed to turn up anything."
"Trajan thinks information was handed over to the Mayor by the second victim regarding the mobile homes—we trucked them in at the same time," Winkler said.
"You mentioned that before. But mobile homes move around in Oklahoma all the time. Why would it raise a lot of curiosity?"
"Because they all disappeared. Nobody can say one way or the other just where they ended up, and that's usually not the case, Director."
"So, if they were all dumped in a field somewhere so everybody could see, then the mystery would be solved?"
"Maybe. But we can't move another six in, just to cover for the first six. And we're down to five now, thanks to those two delinquents from Cloud Chief."
"I'm glad there was a vacant house for them to take," Bill observed. "Else we would have moved another one in."
"And potentially alerted the murderer. The jury's still out on that theory," Winkler said.
"I agree. We have next to no evidence, so we'll have to keep digging. Lawford and North have hit a dead end."
"If it's a serial killer, he'll strike again," Winkler said.
"That's what worries me," the Director sighed.
* * *
"Where is Philip's dad?" Sali asked as he, Ashe and Edward walked Macy and Luanne back to Macy's house.
"He's dead," Luanne replied. "I think Philip was ten when that happened. His father was killed in an accident at work."
"According to Philip, anyway," Macy said. "He doesn't talk much about that."
"So, no explanation about how he died?" Ashe was curious. He still hadn't talked to Edward about Edward's mother's accident, which likely wasn't an accident at all.
"None. We don't know and we didn't want to pry. You've seen how prickly Philip can be."
"Yeah."
"Poor Philip, I don't think he knows where he is, most of the time," Luanne said. "He doesn't bother me, but I understand I'm in a minority."
"Of one," Macy agreed.
"Ashe," Edward began.
"What?"
"Some of us saw you get into a car with two agents, Trace and somebody else a couple of days ago," Edward said uncomfortably. He'd been selected to ask questions about the incident.
"Oh. Well, I can't talk about that," Ashe scuffed his athletic shoe on a prickly pear that had sprung up during the warmer weather.
"Really? You can't?" Edward was pleading for information.
"Edward, don't ask. I can't talk about it," Ashe repeated.
"Macy, how was your visit?" Ramona Hill smiled at all the teens as they walked inside the Hill's home.
"Mom, it was really cool. We watched sheep and cows grazing. You should see the new lambs—they are so cute."
"It was great," Luanne agreed. "And they invited us back. Mrs. O'Neill said we could feed the calves next time."
"Excuse me," Trace stood at the door, tapping on the doorframe softly.
"What
is it?" Rocky Hill went to let Trace in.
"I have to see Ashe," Trace said.
Ashe, who'd been listening while Macy and Luanne described their visit to the O'Neill's farm, turned to follow Trace out the door. "Ashe, they found a third victim in Cordell," Trace said. "A woman who works for the grocery store. When she didn't show up for her shift this morning, somebody went to check on her. They found her body inside the house. We need to get inside that house, Ashe. We'll be by after dinner tonight and drive you to Cordell."
Ashe stared at Trace for a moment. "Trace, do you know her name—what she looked like?"
"I don't have the particulars—those agents called Jason a few minutes ago, asking for you to come along and get us past the police that are guarding the crime scene. We'll get more information when they show up, I figure."
"All right. I'll tell Mom when she gets home," Ashe said.
"Go on back," Trace nodded toward Macy's house. "Don't let this bother you, kid."
"I'll try," Ashe said, but he already felt ill over the whole thing.
* * *
"Mom, Trace didn't know anything," Ashe said, pushing lasagna around on his plate. Normally he loved lasagna, but the queasiness he'd felt after talking with Trace had only increased. Ashe left the Hill's home shortly after his conversation with the tall werewolf, Sali following closely behind and asking questions. Ashe had to promise to tell Sali later. Disappointed, Sali trotted toward his home.
"Ready, kiddo?" Jason came in to collect Ashe half an hour later.
"Yeah." Ashe slid off the barstool he'd occupied after helping his mother with the dishes.
"He didn't eat much dinner, Jason," Adele pointed out as Ashe followed the werewolf out the door.
"Understood," Jason nodded. "This doesn't bother you, taking us inside like you do?" Jason asked as he slid the side door back so Ashe could climb into the van. Marcus was already inside the vehicle, sitting in the second row behind Agents Lawford and North.
"No. I'm upset because I know most of the people who work at the grocery store," Ashe said. "So I might know this person."
"I understand," Jason said, sliding in beside Marcus and slamming the door, once Ashe was inside and buckled in. "Let's go."
* * *
"Here is where the house is and what it looks like," Nick Lawford pointed out the home near the center of a narrow street. Ashe stared at the photograph—they'd downloaded the satellite image, he could tell. Like before, they'd parked in the church parking lot to allow Ashe to take them as mist to the location.
"It'll be the one with all the yellow crime scene tape around it," Derik North patted Ashe's shoulder. "Just get us inside, like last time. Any problems, let us know."
"Okay." Ashe took one last look at the photograph before turning to mist and then turning everyone else.
Agent North was correct—Ashe could see the crime scene tape from a distance. Worried that local authorities might still be inside, he misted through the entire house before dropping his passengers in the living room.
"Here's where she died," Nick Lawford knelt to examine the worn carpet. Ashe was no longer listening; he stared instead at the photographs on a shelf just inside the door. Smiling back at him was the image of Amy Long, cashier from Jerry's Super Saver Market and Bakery.
"Mr. DeLuca," Ashe's voice was barely a whisper.
"What is it, Ashe?" Marcus and Jason both came to stand next to Ashe.
"I know this person," Ashe pointed to the photograph. "When did she die?"
"Monday night, shortly after she got off work," Agent Lawford replied.
Ashe gulped. "Uh, Mr. DeLuca, I have a confession to make."
Chapter 8
"You sneaked into Cordell to buy snacks." Aedan growled as Ashe hunched miserably on the sofa inside their belowground living room.
"The cashier said she recognized me—from Cordell Feed and Seed," Ashe muttered unhappily. "She knew Mom's name, too. I didn't give her mine—I don't do that," Ashe hurried to say.
"And this happens just before she's killed," Marcus said, pacing behind Aedan. Ashe was forced to admit that he and Sali had gone to Cordell at Ashe's suggestion—he made sure they knew that—to get snacks.
"A man was in the line ahead of us, buying a few things," Ashe said. "He wore a leather jacket, with those sharp studs on the shoulders," Ashe tapped his arm. "One of those could have caused a gouge in the doorframe at the Mayor's house."
"Son, why didn't you tell me this before?" Aedan frowned at Ashe. Ashe knew he was in enough trouble as it was.
"Because Sali and I were talking and I wasn't paying attention. I only thought of it now, while you were asking questions."
"Did he pay with a credit card?" Agent Lawford asked.
"No—he paid cash, just like we did."
"See if the grocery store has a security camera," Nick Lawford told Agent North. "Kid, do you still have your receipt or remember the time you were there?"
"I think I have the receipt. Let me check my pants pockets," Ashe said. Adele, who'd stood quietly in a corner while her son was questioned, followed him silently down the hall toward his bedroom. Searching through his hamper, Ashe pulled out the jeans he'd worn Monday afternoon and stuffed his hand inside both front pockets.
"Here it is," Ashe handed the crumpled receipt to Agent Lawford a few minutes later.
"The time is stamped on it; ask them to pull up the images around that time," Nick Lawford handed the paper to Derik North, who walked toward the stairs and the upper portion of the house.
"Dad, how would anyone connect me to anything?" Ashe thought to ask. "I think that man might have realized that Amy knew just about everybody in town. He may have tried to get information from her."
"That's true," Agent Lawford agreed. "Do you think she knew that you don't attend any of the schools in Cordell?"
"I don't know," Ashe shrugged. "Would that man be asking about me or about the others?"
"Good question," Agent Lawford nodded. "If he asked about the mobile homes from the other two victims, it stands to reason that he'd do the same, or ask about those children," he added. "And this is all speculation on our part. It could be completely unrelated."
"Do we know for certain that all three victims knew one another?" Marcus asked.
"Pretty sure—like Ashe pointed out, Amy knew just about everybody in the area, because of her job."
"Yeah. She said she recognized me from Cordell Feed and Seed," Ashe repeated. "So maybe they were hoping she'd recognize and remember somebody else, or would have heard something. They must really like killing, because she would have told them anything they wanted to know in the checkout line."
"Kid, you scare me sometimes," Marcus muttered.
* * *
Director Bill Jennings watched the entire scene play out before him. He'd asked Agent Lawford to attach a button camera to his shirt and he'd seen everything Nick witnessed and experienced, even while Ashe had everyone turned to mist. Going right through the front door of the latest victim's house had been disorienting but more than impressive. Vince, Bill's assistant, had watched with the Director during the course of the evening, shocked that a thirteen-year-old could accomplish such amazing feats.
"You know to keep your mouth shut," Bill reminded Vince before Vince went back to his duties.
"Of course I do, Director," Vince replied and walked out of Bill's office, closing the door softly behind him.
* * *
"I don't recognize him, but the image is so blurry," Jerry Southard, owner and manager of Jerry's Super Saver muttered as Agent Derik North pointed out the image of the man in the checkout line.
"You should upgrade your system and clean the lenses on your cameras," Derik grumbled. He could see—barely—the images of two teens behind the man in question, but it would have been difficult to use those images to identify Ashe and Salidar.
"And you say the two boys saw the man's leather jacket, decorated with studs?" Jerry asked. Jerry, a bit overweight
with thinning brown hair, had owned his business for twenty years, taking the supermarket over when the previous owner had retired and put it up for sale.
"That's what they say. I can sort of see the black jacket, but I can't make out any details," Derik squinted at the screen.
"I'm sorry. If I'd known that this could have led to the arrest of Amy's killer," Jerry sighed regretfully, pointing to the images on the small monitor. Amy was a popular cashier at his store. Everybody knew and liked her and now she was dead.
"We don't know that; he's just a suspect at this point. But if he comes in again," Derik said.
"I'll call right away. I'll have the staff on the lookout as well."
"Tell them not to give themselves away—this is a murder suspect," Derik pointed out.
"Then I'll only tell my assistant manager; he's here if I'm not," Jerry said.
* * *
"Grounded," Aedan said as soon as Marcus and the others left. "You will come straight home every day and study, read or do homework. For two weeks." Ashe hung his head as his father pronounced doom. "Salidar and the others may not visit and you may not call them. And they may not call you." Aedan was so angry his eyes were blood red. Ashe was glad his father was tight-lipped when he spoke—the fangs were likely showing.
"Sorry, dad," Ashe muttered regretfully, lowering his eyes.
"Son, we can't protect you if you leave the confines of Cloud Chief without an adult. You know that," Aedan snapped and left the room so swiftly Ashe almost didn't see it.
"The older ones get to go all the time," Ashe mumbled.
"Ashe, don't force me to add another week to your grounding," Adele stood nearby, staring angrily at her son. "Those creatures aren't hunting the other children from Cloud Chief. They're hunting you."
"Mom?"
"What, son?" Adele's voice was clipped.
"Ask Sali if that man smelled human or not."
* * *
Marcus called Sali into the kitchen so Aedan could question him about the scent. "I was talking to Ashe when we were in the checkout line, but I think I'd notice if somebody didn't smell human," Sali muttered. He'd gotten the same treatment from his parents that Ashe had received; he was grounded for two weeks. Aedan listened carefully to Sali's words—he'd gone to the DeLuca home after getting a call from Adele on his cell phone. Ashe had thought to ask a good question.
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