First Bite: Sweet & Sour Mystery, Book 1

by Mac Flynn

  “What? Oh, sure.”

  Orion set me down, but grasped my shoulders and leaned down to press a hot, sensual kiss on my lips. We parted with panting breaths, and I had a cursed blush on my cheeks.

  He chuckled. “You look good in red.”

  I wiped the blush from my cheeks and glared at him. “Har-har. Now could you tell me why I’m a genius, besides for the obvious reasons?”

  “The police can use Mab’s help to find where that werewolf is located,” he told me.

  “Is she a hunter, too?” I asked him.

  He grinned and grabbed my hand to tug me towards the door. “Not exactly, but she’s the next best thing. That is, if we can get a hold of that fur. Come on.”

  15

  We were soon back at the police station in front of the counter. The officer looked up as we entered and smiled at us. “What can I do for you?”

  Orion and I leaned our elbows on the counter. “We’d like to see the evidence we brought in this morning,” Orion told him.

  The officer blinked at us. “Evidence? For what crime?”

  Orion frowned. “The piece of fur the chief brought in. He said he’d put it in the evidence locker.”

  The officer looked at his computer screen and typed a few buttons. He leaned back and shook his head. “I’m sorry, but there isn’t any record of anything being put into the evidence locker today.”

  Orion straightened and looked past the man at the door marked ‘Chief.’ “Well, maybe the chief hasn’t put it in yet. Where is he?”

  “He’s meeting with the mayor, and I’m not sure when he’ll be back,” the officer replied.

  Orion slammed his palm on the counter. “Damn it. . .”

  The officer frowned. “If that’s all you wanted I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

  I grabbed Orion’s arm and scooted him to the side. “Actually, I was wanting to take a look at one of the reports I filed this morning. I think I forgot to sign it.”

  The officer clacked his fingers across the keyboard and shook his head. “I only see one report from this morning.”

  Orion started forward. I pressed my hand against his chest and smiled at the officer. His eyes were on Orion and his hand had edged toward his gun. “Is that the one about the attack last night?”

  He nodded without moving his eyes off Orion. “It is.”

  “Thanks. That’s all we wanted to know.”

  I turned Orion to face the doors and pushed him toward them. “Now be a good boy, Orion. We don’t want to be on the bad side of the chief and his men.”

  I pushed him outside, but Orion dug his heels in right before the first step and spun around. “Do you ever forget anything anybody says?”

  I folded my arms and shook my head. “Nope.”

  He gestured to the doors behind me. “Then mind telling me why you made us leave before we learned anything in there?”

  I held up a finger. “On the contrary. We learned that the chief is either not very good with his paperwork, or he’s intentionally hiding that we found out that the population signpost needs to tick up by one.”

  Orion pursed his lips and looked past me at the doors. “I’m starting to think you have something there.”

  “Great. So are you ready to go?” I asked him.

  He turned to me and blinked. “Go where?”

  I grabbed his hand and dragged him down the stairs. “Back to the highway so we can find that scent again. Maybe we’ll even find another piece of fur. Well, unless your nose remembers scents.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t think to memorize this smell, but we’ll go see if we can’t find a sample for me to follow.”

  We got into the car and drove out to the highway. At least, we tried to drive to the highway, but there was a slight problem at the signpost. A patrol car sat on the side of the road. The officer stepped out and held up his hand. Orion coasted to a stop and the officer leaned down to window-height to look at us.

  “Sorry, Orion, you can’t go past here.”

  Orion frowned. “Why not?”

  The officer jerked his head in the direction of the highway. “Road’s a little muddy, so the chief thought it’d be a good idea to close the road until we get a gravel truck out here.”

  “It was fine this morning,” Orion pointed out.

  The officer shrugged. “I don’t know about that, but orders are orders. I’m going to have to ask you two to turn around and head back.”

  “When will the truck be by?” Orion asked him.

  The officer shook his head. “Don’t know. Jerry’s got his work cut out for him after that snow last night, and this is always the last road he does. He might be here today, or he might get around to it tomorrow. Either way, you two need to turn around.”

  Orion saluted the officer. “All right. Thanks for the info.”

  Orion turned the car around and we headed back to town. I leaned forward to catch his attention. “Now do you believe me?”

  He pursed his lips, but nodded. “Yeah, I believe you, but what do we do now, Miss Reporter?”

  I folded my arms and slid down my seat. “I wish I knew. If we had some scent from that fur I’d say we could use that nose of yours, but without it-” I ran my hand through my hair and shook my head. “I don’t know what to-” I paused. A foul odor hit my nostrils. It smelled like a dead wet chicken. I sat up and wrinkled my nose. “What the hell is that smell?”

  Orion arched his eyebrow. “I don’t smell anything.”

  I sniffed the air and followed the scent down to my hand. I lifted my hand and took a whiff. The smell hit me with more force. I stretched my arm out in front of me and coughed. “It smells like I rubbed my fingers in rotten bird.”

  Orion pulled over to the side of the road and held out his hand. “Let me smell.” I gave him my hand and he took a whiff. His eyes lit up and a smile slid onto his lips. “You rubbed your fingers on the tuft of fur and your sensitive nose picked up on the scent.”

  I stuck my tongue out. “If this is the only perk to being a werewolf than I want a refund.”

  Orion sniffed his own fingers and furrowed his brow. “The scent isn’t on my fingers.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “Then what is?”

  He took another sniff and recoiled. His lips curled back in disgust. “Wolf’s bane.”

  “Like the stuff you gave me last night?” I guessed.

  Orion clutched his head and grimaced. “Unfortunately, yes. I-” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I think-” He slumped over the wheel of the car.

  “Orion!” I yelped. I clutched his shoulders and shook him. He didn’t open his eyes. “Huntley? Sour? Come on!” I gave him another shake, but he was out. I sat back in my seat and threw up my hands. “Well, shit.”

  I stepped out and around the car to the driver’s side. It wasn’t easy dragging his limp body out of the driver’s seat and around the car to my former place.

  “You need to. . .lose some weight,” I gasped as I shoved my shoulder against him and pushed him back into the car.

  I hopped into the driver’s seat. A bitter scent floated across my nose. My head swam. I shook my head and pulled the car back onto the road. “Come on, Trixie, you gotta snap out of it. . .” I whispered to myself as I drove down the main street.

  My pep-talk didn’t disperse the lingering odor of the wolf’s bane. I reached the motel parking lot and coasted into the space in front of the office. My mind was hazy as I slipped out and stumbled toward the door. The door opened and Troy hurried toward me. I tripped over the pavement and he caught me in his arms.

  “Come on. Let’s get you inside,” he told me as he half-dragged me towards the door.

  He hefted me inside and lay me against the front wall. I pushed away his arms and pointed a shaking finger at the door. “Orion. He’s-”

  Troy nodded. “I know. I’ll get to him in a moment. Just let me make you comfortable.”

  There were two mugs on the counter. He took one an
d knelt beside me. He tilted my head back and tipped some of the concoction into my mouth. I choked and sputtered on the bitter flavor. He set the mug down and stood.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  He slipped out the door. I coughed a few more times, but I felt better. The haze cleared a little and I felt my strength returning. The bell above the door rang and Troy came in dragging Orion behind him. The motel manager seated Orion beside me, and the contents of the second mug was given to my compatriot.

  Orion coughed and turned his face away. His eyes fluttered open and fell on our friend. He weakly grinned up at Troy. “A sore sight for eyes. . .”

  Troy smiled and set the mug down beside Orion. “And a close call for you both.”

  “What-” Orion tried to sit up, but he swayed and clutched his head.

  Troy put his hands on Orion’s shoulders. “Your lovely companion drove you here after you lost consciousness.” He lifted Orion’s right hand in both of his and studied the fingers. “It smells like a mild dose of wolf’s bane was rubbed into your palm. Not a deadly amount, to be sure, but enough that even with your immunity you would have been out for quite a while if you hadn’t gotten to me.” He pulled out a rag from his back pocket, dipped one corner in Orion’s mug, and rubbed the liquid over his palm. “There. That should take away the scent.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “His immunity?”

  Troy smiled and nodded. “Orion carries with him a dose of wolf’s bane in his back pocket. The constant dose of lingering bane scent has made Orion more immune than most werewolves.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Then how come I didn’t drop like him?”

  “Your body is still changing, and only at the last stage do you develop the weaknesses of a werewolf,” he explained.

  Orion set his hand against his chest and furrowed his brow. “I don’t understand how that got on there.”

  Troy’s eyes flickered up to his face. “Don’t you?”

  My eyes widened and I whipped my head to the men. “The chief! He shook your hand!”

  Orion frowned. “But why would he do that?”

  Troy smiled and stood. “I believe that is what you must find out.” He grabbed Orion’s hands and pulled him to his feet. “Now up and out. A short nap and you should be fine.”

  Orion swayed from side-to-side and shook his head. “Y-yeah, thanks, Troy.”

  Troy shook his head. “Don’t mention it. I wouldn’t want all the town drunks coming here when they want a wall to lean on.” He helped me to my feet and winked at me. “For you, however, I wouldn’t mind a bit of thanks.”

  I patted him on the shoulder. “Thanks.”

  He sighed and shrugged. “An old man can dream.”

  I grasped Orion’s left arm and helped him outside. The midday sun peaked out from behind the gray clouds and warmed us as we made our way to the car. I put Orion in the passenger seat and slid behind the wheel.

  I glanced at Orion. “You sure you’re feeling okay?”

  He sunk down in his seat and nodded. “Yeah, I just need that nap Troy talked about.”

  “Not just yet.” I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. “We’ve got some talking to do.”

  I drove us back to his house and helped him inside to the couch. He settled on the cushion with a groan and leaned back.

  I plopped down beside him and looked him over. “You need anything before the interrogation begins?”

  He wearily smiled and shook his head. “I prefer to take my shots without chasers.”

  I crossed my legs and turned to face him. “How often has the police chief tried to knock you out?”

  He sighed. “This is the first attempt. I did have someone swing a crowbar at me once, though.” He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Or was it a dead chicken? My mind still isn’t working.”

  I cringed. “Let’s go with the crowbar. So I’m guessing this hunting stuff you do isn’t generally this dangerous?”

  He shrugged. “Depends on the job. Sometimes I had to hunt rogue were-bears or were-rabbits, but I was usually prepared for them. This, though-” he raised his right hand and pursed his lips, “-I wasn’t prepared for this.”

  I blinked at him. “Were-rabbits?”

  “Another of the were type in the town.”

  “Ah. So how long have you known the chief? Is he a new addition like me?”

  He shook his head. “No, not a new addition.” He smiled and cradled his head in his hand. “He and I were in the same classes in school and used to play tricks on the teachers. They called us the Terrorizing Two.”

  I folded my arms and pursed my lips. “So you don’t know why he’d have it out for you?”

  Orion turned to me with a frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  I sighed. “Only that if you’d been driving at any fast speed, or just happen to be walking across the street, you might have been stretched out on a stretcher right now. After all, that scent didn’t have a timer set for when it would go off.”

  Orion winced. “I suppose you’re right.”

  “Of course I’m right. I’m the hero, remember?” I teased him. My smile slipped off my face when I saw his downcast expression. “Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks?”

  He stared at the floor and shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  I leaned over and took one of his hands in mine. He looked up and blinked at me. I smiled at him. “Whatever’s happening around here, we’ll find out, right, Sidekick?”

  He grinned. “Yeah, but-” A yawn interrupted him, and when he finished his eyes were half-closed. He leaned back and closed his eyes. “But after that nap.”

  I sighed and leaned my head against the back of the couch. If you couldn’t question them, join them.

  16

  A knock on the door brought me out of a peaceful, dream-less sleep. Voices floated through the house. My eyes flickered open, and I sat up and looked around. The couch cushion beside me was empty. The faint sound of voices drifted from the front door. I leaned forward and caught sight of Orion’s back at the door. In front of him stood a young woman I’d never met. She was about sixteen with long reddish hair and a stripe of orange down both her cheeks. Her eyes sported the strange feline contacts that were perennially popular with kids her age. Her dark complexion bespoke a mixed heritage of Western and Indian origins. A sweet scent of spice flowed from her clothes and hair.

  “She just thought you would want to know.” She looked past Orion at me and cringed.

  Orion half-turned and smiled at me. “Sleeping Beauty has finally awakened. Trixie, there’s somebody I’d like you to meet.”

  I walked over to the pair and Orion gestured to the young girl. “Trixie Lyal, this is Jasmine Tipu.”

  Jasmine smiled and bowed her head to me. “Please call me Jazz. Everyone else does.”

  I smiled and held out my hand. “Then call me Trixie.”

  We shook hands and Jazz turned to Orion. “I really have to be going.”

  He nodded. “Send my thanks along when you see her again.”

  Jazz bowed her head and hurried down the path. The late-afternoon sun reflected off her red hair and showed off a few orange strands. Orion shut the door and turned to me.

  I nodded at the closed door. “So who’s the ‘she’ she was talking about?”

  He grinned at me. “Jealous?”

  I folded my arms and smiled sweetly at him. “That depends.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “On what?”

  “On whether we’re in an alternate reality.”

  He swept me into his arms and pressed a long, passionate kiss against my lips. We came away gasping for air and a blush accentuated my cheeks.

  He looked down at me with that mischievous grin of his. “Did that teleport us to that alternate reality?”

  I snorted. “That depends. Does it rain donuts here or just water?”

  He righted me and shrugged. “Does it matter?”

  I nodded. “A lot. I
might not like this reality if all we get is rain.”

  He pursed his lips and glanced at the door. “Speaking of rain, Jazz brought us some wet news from Mab. Chief Orso was attacked an hour ago by an unknown assailant. He’s at the hospital, and the whole town is locked up in their houses. If Orso wanted to keep everyone from knowing there was someone loose out there he made a big mistake.”

  I winced and set a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I mean, I know he’s your friend.”

  Orion shrugged. “It’s fine. At least he’s not hurt too badly.”

  “Any way we can talk to him?”

  He shook his head. “No. He’s on Sickness watch, so nobody but the doctor’s can get in to see him.”

  I pursed my lips. “So what now?”

  Orion nodded at the door. “Jazz told me he was attacked responding to a call in the woods.” He grasped my hand and grinned. “As long as you haven’t washed your hand we should be able to follow any scent that might match the fur we found.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “Jazz told you a lot in a short time.”

  He smiled. “She has a way with words.”

  “And a strange fashion sense.”

  He pursed his lips. “That isn’t exactly her choice. When she experienced her first transformation parts of her body never reverted back.”

  I furrowed my brow. “Does that happen often?”

  Orion shook his head. “Very rarely until the last five years or so.”

  I glanced out the tall window beside the front door. “This sleepy little town has a lot of problems.”

  He grabbed our coats, tossed them over his arm and took hold of my hand. “Let’s go see if we can dig some more up.”

  We climbed into my car with Orion at the helm and drove down the road. The slushy streets were deserted. The sleds lay abandoned on the hill.

  I turned away from the lonely sight and to Orion. “So how long does it take the Sickness to take effect?”

  He shook his head. “It’s different for everybody. Sometimes it’s a few minutes, sometimes a few days. That’s why Orso’s being watched.”