At First Sight (Persephonii Waters Book 1)

by Melanie Brown

  Chapter 19: Theory:

  A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.

  The Warehouse: Study. Lakewood, WA. 10:39pm PST.

  The group left with clear missions. Madison and Persephonii were set on figuring out the science. They were to try and narrow down the multiple variables to help the others focus on their own investigations, like dealing with any new Rogue Chyldren, should the need arise. This would include narrowing down suspects. And as soon as Mr. Blake's paperwork was done processing, going through the files to search for connections.

  Once Persephonii could eliminate a good deal of the extraneous information, the Detectives would start by taking the finger print from the key, list of buildings and Doctors in the area, hitting the street to do some literal door to door investigating.

  Sebastian and his Kiss would take over the vampyre side of things; hunting down possible leads, including Dr. Edwards' original Maker. It was far from the standard protocol for Vampyres to allow anyone to examine the Turning process, perhaps Dr. Edwards had left some imprint on the local Makers. At the very least, the Rogue Maker had to have a Maker of their own. Finding both Dr. X and the Rogue's Maker would give them two solid leads; back to identifying the culprit and stopping these experiments from continuing.

  Finally, Colton Fox would take fielding the F.B.I. task force, diverting resources their way and keeping an eye on ‘the Rivals’. Colton agreed with Studwick that if things were to progress quickly and effectively, there had to be no media leaks to ensure the their quarry was not tipped off before things came to a head.

  Chase would be on the business side of Argent Waters, continuing his cases, but kept in the loop. He was also continuing to keep an eye on Dr. Carver. As far as Persephonii was concerned a somewhat lascivious eye was still an eye. If they stirred up too much trouble, Dr. Carver could be put in danger. Whoever was interested in Dr. Edwards was also now interested in Dr. Carver. It was yet another pair of eyes the team would have to be wary of.

  With the investigative team out doing their best, Persephonii could turn her sights on her house guests. While they had all been busy, Persephonii especially, they had only short spurts of discussion between Harker, his enforcers and her. It was time to try and find out what the wolves knew... or rather what they knew that they didn’t know they knew.

  Once again assembled around the long study table, tea and assorted beverages nearby, Persephonii looked at the group, now seven in all with the inclusion of Mr. Rutherford. Sebastian and his Kiss were out hunting. The office was empty for the rest of the night, her lecture group having left an hour or so before. She had let the information set in before asking for this current ‘talk’.

  It had occurred to Persephonii that she had another spring of information in the pack. Perhaps not directly involved, they might know a number of prominent doctors in the Wyr community, enough to reduce her list by a few names at least. If Dr. Edwards was a Vampyre researcher, it might be equally possible that Dr. X was a Wyr virus researcher. And what better way to look into the Wyr virus than to work with the Wyr community. She had created a list of names, including those in the nearby areas who had posted at least one article on the Lycanthrope Virus. Understanding that this was possibly a long shot, she thought that at this point there was no reason not to try.

  “Can you take a look at this list of names and see if any stick out at you?” She passed out copies of the list of names, nearly a whole sheet and was rewarded with a few minutes of intense scrutiny.

  "Dr. Robert Hanson retired a few years ago, from what I remember he passed away recently." Maxwell, was the first to speak up. She thanked him, making a note to double check the files. She had already checked for any deaths amongst the list, but obviously she would need to check again.

  Cain took a name off the list, a Dr. Keen who had been working up near Seattle, apparently he had family up there that he visited. The Wyr clinic doctor had created quite the scandal when she moved to brazil to be with a man she met on the internet.

  “Dr. Vance.” Harker’s gaze held a hesitancy and wariness that spoke volumes. As if one more betrayal might very well break him. Persephonii could imagine the type of pain he must be going through at so fierce an attack by his cousin and the doubt of those he considered, though they weren’t blood,... family.

  “Dr. Vance Pike?” She had placed Pike up near the top of the list, as a more than likely subject. He had written a few papers and articles about the Wyr virus and worked part time at a Wyr Clinic out by the pack's area.

  “...Sure. He’s the main doctor at the Para Clinic, volunteers a lot within the Para community for a Norm.” This was added by Cain, whose recent trips into, she could only guess where, had left him dirty, lean and tired. He’d come back this morning, now he sat at the end of the table washed and dried. He looked better, tired, but better. From the slump of his shoulders, she could guess that he had either not found what he was looking for, or worse, found little help and less reasons behind this family feud.

  “How does Dr. Pike seem to you? Can you tell me anything about him?” Persephonii started asking general questions, hoping to get a feel for the pack's opinion on Dr. Vance Pike. Perhaps something they said could expose relevant information, enough to move him up on the list. She hadn't expected them to know too many of the doctors on the list, but in-depth information on just one of them could either clear his name or mark him for further investigation.

  “He’s about five-six, five-seven, salt and pepper hair, mid forties, has a slight limp. His left leg was injured in an accident of some sort. He’s kind, if a little abrupt,” this was from Autumn, who spoke up first.

  “Good. Physical attributes is a good place to start. What about anything you’ve seen or heard while in his office? Anything that stuck you as odd? A smell, a sound?” Wyr had superior senses, perhaps relying on those could prove useful.

  “Takes a lot of blood samples.” Lindsey’s voice was questioning, as if not sure it would help.

  “A lot? How many is a lot?” The others were nodding at him, in agreement and to continue.

  “Maybe a pint or so. Sometimes less, some times more.” Lindsey was shrugging as if the blood samples were no big deal. For Persephonii, Dr. Pike had just sky rocketed to the front of the list. Perhaps their good fortune was holding.

  “Did he tell you what the blood was for? Blood tests? Donations?” It wasn’t unheard of for doctors to take Wyr blood and sell or donate it to the Vampyre Banks who would then distribute it out to Vampyres in need.

  “From what I’ve heard, it was mostly for testing. Something about wanting a better understanding of the Wyr virus and physiology. He was monitoring amino... prep-tides and white blood cell counts?" Maxwell added to the conversation, obviously having paid more attention to the doctors explanation than the others.

  “Amino acids and peptides? It sounds like Dr. Pike is looking at gene therapy and doing some antibody testing, like those to detect autoimmune responses for disorders.” Several questioning expressions turned her way.

  “I can’t say if he is, in fact looking into the genetics of the Wyr virus, but he would be far from the first doctor to do so. However, combined with looking at Wyr antibodies is enough to have the Detectives move him up on the list." The group seemed to be somewhat worried at her show of concern, as well as confused at what the testing meant for them.

  "Autoimmune disorders are diseases that occur when the body produces an inappropriate immune response against its own cells or tissues, such as Celiac or Graves disease. Like I mentioned in the meeting earlier, the Wyr virus is similar to other Norm viruses, but it functions on a much higher level. Autoimmune disorders should be nearly impossible for Wyr. Has he ever gone over any of the results or anything with you?” Against all odds, it appeared that Dr. Pike might be a suspect for the strange Wyr deaths as well. His involvement could as they say 'kill two birds wit
h one stone.' However, at this point, witness statements were low on the evidence totem pole, they would have to find some real world confirmation in order for Dr. Pike to stay up on the list.

  “No, we just assumed everything was alright since he never mentioned it.” Maxwell looked concerned, like they should have asked more questions, and Persephonii thought that they really should have.

  “I’m not sure when the last time any of you went to the doctor’s office, before becoming Wyr. But for norms, a blood sample would be sent to a laboratory and analyzed for the presence of auto antibodies. As part of a review, the patient and doctor would go over the test results in conjunction with your symptoms, medical history, and physical exam for evidence of an autoimmune disorder.”

  “Should we be worried?” Harker seemed to come to a similar conclusion, that Dr. Pike might be using their blood for other, shadier, reasons.

  “Not yet. Though I suspect the doctor could be doing his own research on the Wyr virus and merely been using the clinic as an extra resource, helping Wyr and doing research at the same time. I will look into this some more. Let’s hope he was merely looking to write a new paper for one of the Para-Science journals.” Persephonii didn't want to start a panic before the investigation had even begun. She hadn't expected them to point out any one doctor, so this information while suspect, was still based on testimony.

  “For now, we’ll keep an eye out. Cain it looked like you wanted to add something?” Her question was cut off by another phone call. She looked remorsefully at the group, who merely smiled back at her. Harker and Maxwell had been discussing earlier how hard she worked. The early mornings and late nights, the calls coming in at all hours of the day and night. And Persephonii, never flat out refusing anyone. Harker had heard her say she was unavailable due to the large cases she was working, but she always directed those she let go to other people she trusted, others who could help those in need when she could not. With such large cases, it looked like she would be needing the help now.

  Apologizing for having to leave on yet another issue, she asked the group to try and recall both conversations with Dr. Pike, with Mason and those closest to the two men. Giving them paper, she had them write down their recollections, and promised to meet with them to go over what they had remembered. She had a strong suspicion that Harker had seen or heard something that he wasn’t supposed to, something that had been important to Mason. Although he didn’t know its importance, Mason did, and was hunting down his cousin to ensure it never came to light.

  Though she was called away again, Persephonii made some phone calls in the car, as Chase drove. One to Colton to have him run a background check on Dr. Vance Pike of the Twin Pines Clinic. The other was to Montgomery, whom she asked to focus their efforts on the 'Good Doctor.' Even suggesting they place a tail on him. It seemed that both men agreed that Dr. Vance Pike had officially moved to the top of their suspects list.

  Chapter 20: Wyr Clinic:

  Refers to specially appointed clinics, designed to help Wyr and their special 'ailments'. Larger Wyr communities often consolidate funds to open and run a Wyr clinic, that in turn support a wide range of Wyr species.

  P.P.D Lakewood, WA. 1:20pm PST.

  In light of the more recent lengths Persephonii and her 'team' were having to go through to not only prove themselves, but ensure that the resources and needs for their investigations were covered, was taking a toll after only a few days. Though the blame for the long wait on the paper work was finally assigned to the algorithm itself, and the thousands of papers that were being processed, the extra search terms seemed to be a sore spot with Savage as if Fox were trying to take the case out from under him. Persephonii thought this was ridiculous as he shunned the media light nearly as much as she did.

  In the end, it was Parker who announced the House Council's Investigator had joined the case, 'opening new avenues for the investigation'. It wasn't lost on all those from the botched meeting that Ms. Vaughn was quoting quite a few of her rival's lines, verbatim. But it meant little to Persephonii as she was now balancing increased Liaison duties with her already large work load. Which meant that for the fourth day in a row, she was in the P.P.D running paper work, signing wavers and being lead along a merry case. She had keenly thought such tactics were beneath Agent Savage; apparently she was wrong.

  The up side was that she could talk to Colton, Montgomery and Fitz about their lead suspect, Dr. Pike and gained official permissions to open up Dr. Edwards' case. The detectives were anxious to get over to the deceased doctor's home and legitimately begin to look into his death and dealings. While Chase had been speaking to Dr. Carver, the probate and will were still in transition. Dr. Edwards having no family had left his estate to Dr. Carver. Though they had her permission to enter the house, they now needed the paperwork to back it up.

  Which left Dr. Pike, who had been an exemplary citizen, despite his moving up on the suspects list. Though Montgomery and Fitz had been taking turns watching the physician, he had yet to show signs of being involved or criminal behavior, expect getting close to his female patients. Montgomery was ready to take him in on sexual harassment charges, having watched him get a little too 'up close and personal,' with both his patients and his female staff outside the office. The doctor was sleazy, but as of yet there were no signs connecting him to the Rogue Maker.

  Fitz did mention that Mr. Mason Donovan had dropped by the Wyr clinic when Dr. Pike was there more than a few times. Staying up wind and unnoticed in the area was hard surrounded by paranoid Wyr, where Montgomery drew attention even doing nothing more than grabbing a coffee at the local dinner or sitting in his car, Fitz went by overlooked.

  Watching from afar was getting them nowhere. If they didn't get 'up close and personal' with the grabby doctor they could very well lose any chance at catching a lead. Montgomery warned both Persephonii and Colton that the area wasn't the friendliest. The locals had seen too much of the detectives and Colton screamed F.B.I, so that left Persephonii, and maybe Chase, if he was willing to be the distraction yet again. She decided to talk with Colton and run some ideas by him. Perhaps it was time to shift gears while they were waiting and see if she could move ahead in the Wyr case, at least where Dr. Vance Pike was concerned.

  Agent Colton Fox's make-shift office: P.P.D Lakewood, WA. 2:20pm PST.

  "They literally have you shoved into a closet." Persephonii handed over the black coffee she had nabbed from the F.B.I break room. They had commandeered a small meeting room as their own, the coffee was far superior to that of the P.P.D.s, which Fitz said could clean grease of an engine block, and yet he still preferred it to the recent F.B.I upgrade. Montgomery appeared to be enjoying it while it lasted, taking extra pleasure in using even a small part of their resources.

  Making a fast trip inside the deserted area she'd grabbed Colton and Montgomery a fresh cup, went back to the detective's cubby for a quick exchange and then asked if anyone had seen Agent Fox. Fitz had pointed her to the opposite side of the precinct from the Task Force troops and close to Studwick's office. In fact, she found him holed up in a small supply closet not two doors down, mostly full of reams of paper.

  "Captain Studwick was kind enough to find me a space to work... one where Savage wouldn't be looking over my shoulder." The small, make-shift desk held his laptop, a few files and note pads. He had rearranged a few cases of paper, using the shelf space to house some odds and ends, a cup of pens, his cell phone was charging plugged into the outlet that had been hidden behind the stacks of paper.

  "Have we heard anything new? Seems like it's been a whole lot of hurry up and wait." She was less inclined to tease him about his little hidey hole after the morning she had just had. The F.B.I team was not outright hostile, but Agent Savage ran the show and they didn't seem to want to be held under his hard stare any longer than they had to. In fact, they seemed more than fine with her taking the brunt of his frustrations. She would have laughed in his face. That and told him it didn't matter how much
paperwork or case relate 'errands' he threw at her, as long as the resources were hers when and where she requested them. She could use the simpler tasks to keep her busy, and close to her 'team'. However, it was distressing to know that Colton had been facing similar repercussions for having her back.

  "Tech's have come back and given us a forty-eight hour end time on the paperwork. Scanning was officially completed yesterday. They ended up having to run some handwriting software through the matrix in order to read a good deal of Mr. Blake's notes." It was a relief to hear, finally having a solid time on getting the sought after information. On the other hand a lot could happen in forty-eight hours. Persephonii was feeling rather intensely the fact that they hadn't had another Chylde incident in a while. Rather than being relieved, she felt on edge, waiting; they were due for one and soon.

  "Did you just come here to bring me coffee? Not that I don't mind.." as he took a drink she caught a sigh. He raised an eyebrow at her cheeky grin. Colton had obviously expected something out the P.P.D break room.

  "I might have run an errand or two and thought my 'team' might need some caffeinated fortification.... That and I had a quick talk with the detectives about their stakeouts." While the two had been officially assigned over to the investigative team for the Rogue Maker's outlying cases. They still had quite a bit of work on their hands and had been running in shifts watching the doctor during the day while trying to hunt down leads when they could. So far they'd talked with Ms. Kunhe's family about her life before the reception. But it seemed that the family knew little of their daughter or her recent success, only the tragic, violent, end of it. Persephonii could only think that the Rogue was collecting outcasts, those separated from family, friends, in the world but not exactly part of it.