“We know that,” said Chris. “I think seeing our mother use her powers in a negative way is what made us what we are. We are each, in our own way, trying to fight the bad guys. But that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, Ana. You’re a shapeshifter. I know that doesn’t make you good or bad. But there is someone evil out there. He’s a shapeshifter and he’s killing people. He’s the one we need to stop, and we are going to have to work together to do it.”
“That’s what happened to Jason; he was trying to stop a monster.” Shannon took a deep breath. “It’s still hard to talk about,” she apologized. “Jason and I were both with the Chicago Police. He worked downtown, near the Loop. My precinct was on the South Side.
“Early last year Jason and I started noticing there were several reports each month of a large dog, or possibly a wolf, being seen around Grant Park. The animal would appear for a few days, then not be seen for a couple of weeks. No was bitten. At first. But no one seemed to be able to catch the dog.
“Jason and I started keeping track of the incidents; we knew the significance of the timing; the dog was always seen at the full moon, and never at any other time.
“Then, one of the women he attacked was bitten. She went through rabies shots.” Shannon shook her head. “Jason and I knew that was useless, but who were we going to tell? What could we say? No one was going to believe us, anyway. I tried to keep my eye on the woman. I wanted to see if whoever had bitten her would approach her again. But he didn’t. And right after the next full moon she committed suicide. She left a note saying she couldn’t live with what she had become. You see, not only had this monster bitten her, he turned her, and then just left her to fend for herself. She didn’t understand what was happening. She must have thought she was going crazy.”
“But this is terrible. My grandfather has always made it clear, from the very first time we turn, we are not to go near people. We are supposed to stay as far away from humans as we can. It’s one of our laws. We don’t turn people,” said Ana. “And if there is an accident we take care of them. We bring them in and help them. No self-respecting shapeshifter would turn someone and just leave them!”
“After that incident it escalated. There was a killing, sometimes two, every month. It made Jason angry. He knew no one in his precinct would believe him if he explained what was actually doing the killing. They would have sent him for psychiatric treatment.
“The authorities were looking for an animal; we were the only ones who knew they should be looking for a human. So Jason started going out every full moon and walking around Grant Park. He was sure he could catch the werewolf. After all, he understood exactly what the problem was, while the other cops didn’t. He thought that was enough to protect him.”
Chris made a low sound, and Ana turned and reached out a hand to him. It was obvious talking about Jason’s death was just as painful for him as it was for Shannon.”
“Chris was away at the time,” Shannon said. “There was no one available to go with Jason on the nights when I was on duty in my own precinct.”
“I’m so sorry, Shannon. I should have been there,” Chris said, and Ana reached out again to stroke his arm.
“I know that. You would have been there if you could,” Shannon told him, then turned to Ana again. “Chris was working on a case in Louisiana, or he would have gone out with Jason that night. I know that.
“The night Jason was killed I was on patrol in my precinct. I heard the report: An officer had been mauled by a dog. I knew who it was, who it had to be. By the time I got to the hospital he was gone. They said he’d lost too much blood to survive.”
Ana put her hand on Shannon’s arm. “I’m so sorry, Shannon. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you. But why do you think the wolf who killed dog is Alexander Fontaine?”
“We didn’t at first. And my coming her was totally coincidental. I wanted to get away from Chicago and have a fresh start. I joined the force down here six months ago, and then, a couple of months after I got here it started again. The police started getting reports of a stray dog being sighted here, in Rivelou. I felt like I was in a nightmare and I just couldn’t wake up. That’s when I asked Chris to come down.
“At first, he didn’t believe me when I told him it had to be the same wolf: the one who killed Jason. He didn’t believe me until a few weeks ago when Dennis Halworth was killed in Mitchell Park.”
“I still don’t understand. What makes you assume it was Alexander? I don’t want to think that it is any of our people, either, but why Alexander?”
“Jason’s was the last killing that took place in Chicago,” Chris took over. “And shortly after the killings stopped in Chicago, Fontaine moved here. And a month after he arrived here the wolf sightings began.”
“But Chicago’s a big place, and Rivelou isn’t all that tiny. There must be several other people who have moved here from Chicago in last few months,” Ana protested. “If we are going to take this to my grandfather, as the head of the pack, we have to have a lot more evidence than the coincidence of him moving here at the right time.”
“There is more,” said Shannon. “You see, there was another thing that told me it wasn’t just a dog that had killed my husband. Jason always wore a watch. He loved that watch; it was a present from his parents when he graduated from college. When he was found in the park that night, the watch wasn’t on his arm. The police said that it must have come off in the attack, or that he lost it in the park, or that he wasn’t wearing it that night. A missing watch didn’t fit in with their theory of a dog, so they didn’t look for it. I did. I walked that park a dozen times looking for his watch. It just wasn’t there.
“Then, when this man was killed a few weeks ago her in Rivelou, his watch was taken, too. The police didn’t see any significance in it. Jason’s missing watch wasn’t listed in the police report. I was the only person who made a fuss about it, so the police here had no way of knowing it was a clue to the killer.
“When the man’s wife reported his watch was missing, the police said, again, it must have fallen off somewhere during the attack. But Chris and I knew differently.”
“But what does this have to do with Alexander? I know the man likes watches. He collects them. I’ve teased them about his watches. He has several; it’s not a crime.”
“Have you seen the watch he wears most often?”
“The Patek Phillipe? It’s beautiful.”
“It looks just like the one Jason wore.”
Chapter 22
Ana shook her head in denial. “Yes, the coincidences are mounting up. But it’s still not enough. How do you know about Halworth’s watch being missing, also? And how do you know the watch Alexander wears is Jason’s? Okay, it’s not the most common watch, but still, I’m sure a lot of them were sold. Other people must own that same model watch.”
“I was one of the officers questioning people at the park the morning Halworth’s body was found,” Shannon said. Ana could tell the memory bothered her. She stood up and began to pace the floor. “Fontaine was there watching the scene; I was the officer who interviewed him. He told me he was just jogging by and stopped to see what was happening. That’s when I saw the watch he was wearing. I knew it was Jason’s. It had a scratch on the glass in the exact same spot where Jason’s watch had been scratched. I swear, I almost lost it right there. I almost tore it off his wrist.”
Chris stood up and put his arms around his sister to comfort her. “When she came home and told me about the watch I started looking into Fontaine. I was skeptical at first, but it all fits. His books, his lifestyle. I checked the cities where he lived. He’s moved around a lot over the years. And everywhere he has lived there have been ‘stray dog’ killings within a few miles of his home.
“And they’ve always stopped once he moves away.”
Shannon took up the story. “I contacted the families of some of the other victims we found. I asked if the victim had been wearing a watch at the time of the at
tack, and if it had been found. Of course, several of the family members didn’t know, or didn’t remember. But I found enough of them who did. At least ten people in the past three years, in Chicago, in St. Louis, and now here in Rivelou.”
“Okay, I’m convinced,” said Ana. “But how are we going to stop him? You just said we can’t go to the police. They’ll never believe it.”
“I was hoping your grandfather would take action,” said Chris.
“I said I was convinced, but I don’t think it will be enough for Grandpa. He’s going to want more evidence. He’s going to want something tangible. He’s convinced Alexander is the victim—your victim, Chris. He thinks you are the one who is trying to frame Alexander.”
“Then we’ll just have to get him some evidence otherwise.”
“Then it had better be good. He’s introducing him to the pack tomorrow, on Halloween night. He wants everyone’s approval of Alexander as a new member, and he’s going to get it. But he doesn’t just want Alexander in our pack, he wants him as a grandson-in-law. And he’s practically arranged the wedding already,” Ana added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“We’ll see about that,” Chris said ominously.
His obvious anger at the thought of Alexander marrying her made Ana feel warm all over. But this was not the time for her to get sidetracked with a discussion of Chris’s feelings for her.
“And how are we going to get all of this additional evidence?” she asked, taking them back to the most important subject at hand. Are we supposed to simply go up and ask him for his collection of the watches he stole from his victims?”
“Not exactly. I thought I’d just break in to his apartment and find them. I’ll take some photos and you can give them to your grandfather.”
“That’s crazy!” his sister exclaimed. “Not only is it way too risky, I’m a police officer. You shouldn’t even be talking about something like that in front of me.”
“Then put your hands over your ears and say ‘la la la’ if you don’t want to know about it,” Chris put her down harshly in the way that only siblings can. “You have exactly the same information that I have. And you know we can’t go to the police with it.
“Remember what we agreed? You take care of the monsters the law can catch. I take care of the monsters that the law can’t.”
“I know, but I’m afraid for you. How are you going to do this without getting caught? Not just by Alexander, but by someone seeing you breaking in and calling the police. How is it going to look for me if my brother is arrested for burglary?”
“It would be easier with your help, but I can break in without it. I’ve done it before.”
“More things I don’t need to know,” Shannon muttered, then threw up her hands. “All right. All right. What do you need? I can’t believe I’m saying this!” she muttered in exasperation.
Chris just grinned and patted her on the shoulder. “Like old times, sis. Just like when we were kids You’ll be the lookout. I’ll do the breaking and entering.”
Ana was watching them, back and forth, as if it were a tennis match. The enthusiastic law-breaker was a side of Chris she hadn’t known about.
“And just when are you going to break into his apartment? How are you going to know he won’t walk in on you?”
“That’s where you come in, honey. This big deal seminar you are helping him with, it’s tomorrow, right? It’s a couple of hours, plus he’ll probably be tied up before and after. And you’re going to be with him the entire time. You’re going to stick to him like glue. If for any reason he leaves the seminar early, send me a text. I’ll have plenty of time to get out of his apartment before he can get there.”
Chapter 23
Ana shouldn’t have had time to be nervous on Monday. Between her regular work and the last minute preparations in the auditorium for the seminar, neither she nor Monica had a minute to spare. She missed lunch, but that was fine. How could she eat, she asked herself, when she had this sick feeling in the pit of her stomach the entire day?
Of course she would have been a little nervous if it had just been the seminar. It was her job to make sure everything went well, and Dr. Tormisano, who disagreed with the whole idea in the first place, was now acting as if the seminar was his own pet project. He was as fussy as a wet hen about every detail, and he spent the day driving her, Monica, and every professor in the department, crazy.
And on top of everything else, she was worried about Chris and Shannon, too. What if they were caught? The least that could happen was that someone would see them breaking in and call the police. Shannon would lose her job. They might go to jail.
But what if Alexander caught them? Jail would be nothing to what he would do to them. He would kill them—he would tear them from limb to limb. Ana shook her head to get the pictures of Chris and Shannon, bloody and dying, out of her head. Her hands shook as she arranged the seminar programs on a table near the door of the auditorium.
She jumped when she heard Dr. Tormisano’s voice. “Ana, do you have everything set up for the VIP table?”
It must be the hundredth time he asked her this. It was six o’clock, an hour before the seminar was to start, and people were already milling around in the foyer of the auditorium. A local television truck was outside and a pretty young news reporter and her photographer were getting ready to film an interview with Alexander.
“Yes, sir. Everything is set up and ready to go.”
“And the information for the press?”
“It’s on the table at the entrance.”
Dr. Tormisano preened. “This is going to be quite an event. The history department is going to look very good tonight, Ms. Dugan. I must say I’m glad I had this idea. Yes, it was an excellent idea that I had. Excuse me now, I must get over to the press table. I’m sure they will want to interview me next.”
He bustled off and Monica, who had been standing a few feet away, burst into giggles. “He’s going to be very disappointed. The reporter already asked me who ‘that obnoxious little man’ was. If he bothers her again I’m pretty sure she is going to go hide in the bathroom.”
“And did you notice how this was suddenly all his idea? Hard to believe, isn’t it? Well, as long as he is happy with the outcome, our lives will be easier, I suppose. But I’ll be so relieved when we get this over with,” Ana replied.
“But then you won’t have as many excuses to see the gorgeous Dr. Fontaine throughout the day,” Monica teased.
“Oh look, there’s my grandparents. I’d better go say hello,” Ana quickly slipped away before she had to answer her friend.
Just then her phone pinged. I’m in, read the text from Chris.
“This is quite a show,” her grandfather said when she reached them.
“Yes, we’ve gotten great publicity. My boss is really pleased.”
Alexander made his way over to them as they headed down the aisle toward their seats.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand. How delightful to see you here. I know this is a busy evening for you, with everything you have planned for later tonight.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it, my boy. I’m anxious to hear your talk,” Hank said.
Ida patted him on the arm. “Of course we wanted to come see everything you and our granddaughter put together. We always support our family.”
Ana blushed and quickly glanced at Alexander. This was his affair; she was just helping. She wondered how he would react to her grandmother somehow equating her role to be just as important as his. “Grandma, I’m just his assistant,” she protested.
“But your grandmother is right. I couldn’t have done it without you, Chérie.” Alexander gave her a quick kiss on the cheek; it took all of her willpower not to cringe at his touch. He mustn’t suspect anything was wrong. Not now. Not with Chris breaking into his apartment at this very moment.
Ida patted Alexander on the arm again. “You go on, dear. I know you are busy. We’ll see you at our home after this is over. We can’t wait to i
ntroduce you to the rest of the family.”
Just then Alexander’s phone pinged. He took it out and looked at it with a frown of concern.
“Yes, of course,” he said to Ida. “I’m looking forward to it.” He seemed suddenly distracted and walked quickly down the aisle, still staring at his phone.
“I hope everything is all right,” said Ida.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Ana replied.
Her grandfather interrupted. “You are picking Sophie up and bringing her tonight, right, Ana?”
“Of course, Grandpa, I haven’t forgotten. I’m getting her from Lindsey and Joe’s house as soon as this is over. She’s not happy about missing trick or treating with her friends in our neighborhood, though,”
“Don’t worry, honey. Her cousins will be there. They’ll see she has a good time,” her grandmother said. “But we’d better sit down, it looks like it is about time to start.”
As her grandparents got settled, Ana slipped out the side door of the auditorium so she could head backstage and wait in the wings in case any of the speakers needed anything.
The lights were dimmed and the audience quieted. She heard Dr. Tormisano start the introductions as she left the main auditorium and walked quickly down the hall and around the corner to enter at the backstage door.
“…and now I’d like to introduce Dr. Alexander Fontaine,” Dr. Tormisano was saying as she entered the wings.
The polite applause went on for a couple of minutes and slowly died out. Ana, wondering what was happening, hurried over to peak out onto the stage. Where was Alexander? There was an empty chair where the featured speaker for the event was supposed to be sitting.
“Dr. Fontaine,” Dr. Tormisano said again, sweeping his hand toward the curtain where Ana stood, as if hoping to make him magically appear.
Ana shook her head and shrugged her shoulders as her boss looked toward her. She didn’t know where Alexander was either.
The Patient Wolf (Wicked Urban Fantasy #1) Page 12