The Lion's Den (16 page)
Authors: D N Simmons
“
We have a friend who can pull all of the right strings. What about you?”
“
Same here.”
“
What’s with your partner?”
“
He doesn’t know about me. His family was killed by a hyena Pack, and he’s hated supernaturals ever since.”
“
Shit. Ever think about getting another partner, one that’s more open-minded?”
Brian laughed. “You ever tried switching a partner within the Team?”
Warren shook his head. Matthew was his soul mate; there would never be any need to look elsewhere.
“
Well, let me be the first to tell ya, it ain’t easy. Besides, it would get back to him that I wanted to switch partners. He’s an excellent cop, one of the best and if I wasn’t what I am, I couldn’t ask for a better partner. But if I were to ask for a switch, that would raise questions, get what I’m saying?”
Warren nodded. “So you two get along?”
Brian nodded. “As well as can be expected.”
“
What about your once a month vacation day?”
“
I’ve got a pretty tight excuse for those nights and no one has ever suspected.” Brian slapped Warren lightly on his arm. “Thanks for looking out for me.” He smiled.
“
Don’t mention it,” Warren said, returning his smile.
The two men re-entered the hotel room. Colin was talking with Matthew as he checked the ammunition in his gun. When he saw his partner walk back into the room, he slipped his gun into his holster, preparing to leave.
“
Are we ready to go?” Colin asked, wondering what the two men were discussing out in the hallway. They hadn’t been in Chicago less than two hours and already there were secrets. He wasn’t sure if he liked it.
Whatever Warren had to say to his partner, he could have said to both of them.
He thought.
“
Yeah, let’s go.” Brian pulled his coat on and the four men left.
While in the car, Warren could sense the tension in the air radiating from Colin. He assumed that the other man was pissed off that he had a private conversation with
his
partner. He couldn’t really blame him. Had another officer pulled Matthew off to the side, he would have to hold his territorial tendencies in check with all of his internal control to keep from attacking and reclaiming what was his. Or in a case like this, at least be included. Once they were at the precinct, Colin pulled his partner aside before they entered. Matthew and Warren watched the two men chatting in a corner. They could hear every word, even though Colin was trying to be discreet. Warren was right; he was pissed about the private conversation. Brian assured him it was nothing; he lied and said that the other cop was questioning their involvement in this case.
“
Still, why didn’t he come to both of us?” Colin asked.
“
Because he sensed you were more confrontational, now can we go inside?” Brian looked at him as if to say, ‘are you finished bitching?’
Satisfied with that answer, even understanding and agreeing with it, Colin nodded and they joined the other two men as they entered the precinct. They picked up their temporary I.D.s, and met with the captain before diving into the case. Colin and Brian looked over the paperwork and files matching their cases. Brian handed Matthew and Warren the information they had gathered when they were hunting down the same coven in California.
“
Can we see the bodies?” Colin asked.
“
I don’t see why not,” Warren said. He escorted them to the morgue where they found Marshall sleeping in two chairs in the far corner of the room. Warren chuckled, fully understanding why the busy man had finally fallen flat. He gently nudged him, slowly bringing him out of his deep slumber. Marshall opened his eyes and looked up.
“
Jesus!” he flailed about until he was able to regain control and recognition of his surroundings. He looked around. “You scared the hell out of me. My goodness, was I just asleep?”
Still chuckling, Warren nodded. “And snoring.”
Marshal wiped his eyes then stretched. “I do believe that is a first for me.”
Warren shrugged. “It’s understandable, you’ve only had what, six hours of sleep at the most?”
Marshall nodded as he rose. “Something like that.” He took out his handkerchief and began wiping his eyeglasses. Once clean, he put them back on. “Whom do we have here?” he asked, looking at the two new detectives.
“
Marshall Galen, this is Detectives Brian McNeary and Colin O’Neal.” Warren gestured toward each man as he made introductions.
“
Ah, nice to meet you gentlemen, I … um … hope you can forgive my indiscretion. Now, I take it you came to see the bodies, right?”
They nodded.
“
Well, I hope you haven’t eaten too heavily this afternoon, they’re pretty disturbing.” Marshall began revealing the bodies and going over the details of their demise.
Colin scratched the side of his nose. “So … are these the only bodies?”
“
Shit, how many more are you expecting?” Warren asked.
“
A lot more than seven,” Colin replied.
“
You haven’t made it to the Second Phase, yet,” Brian added.
Two sets of eyebrows raised. “The Second Phase?” Warren and Marshall asked in unison.
The two out-of-town detectives nodded. “I’m afraid so. So far, these DBs are the remains of the vampires, there’s a shape-shifter, too. And he’s a real sick son-of-a-bitch,” Brian said.
Warren and Marshall tossed each other a
look
.
“
Go on,” Marshall prodded.
“
If I’m not mistaken, he’s the Second Phase, at least that’s what we called it. And it was the only pattern we were able to identify. And if he’s a creature of habit, he’ll want to do the most damage that will be the most devastating. When this group was in LA, the Second Phase consisted of mutilated children, women, men, indiscriminate killing,” Colin grimaced.
Matthew entered the morgue, joining the others. “I don’t like the expression on your faces. What did I miss?”
“
Apparently, there’s a Second Phase to the killings,” Warren informed Matthew of the new details.
“
We’ve been going about it all wrong, then,” Matthew said.
“
How so?” Warren asked.
“
We’ve been narrowing our search for murders committed by vampires, when we should have been widening our search for murders of all kinds,” Matthew replied.
“
I wouldn’t beat myself up over it. We didn’t know about the shifter at first until he left us the remains of his first victim,” Brian said. “Evt="0">
Matthew rubbed his temples, hoping to ease the headache threatening to cause him hours of pain. “Maybe there is a pattern, we just weren’t looking hard enough because the victims were so random.”
“
I’m listening.” Warren watched the mental gears turning in Matthew’s mind.
Matthew turned to the two detectives. “Who was the first victim in the ‘Second Phase’?”
Now it was Colin and Brian who gave each other “the look”. They were seeing where Matthew was going with his idea.
Colin nodded. “We need to get out there on the street. If you’re going where I think you’re going with this, his first victim or victims were children.”
“
Shit, let’s go … we have to check out schools, playgrounds, anywhere kids congregate,” Warren added. “Thanks Galen.” He waved goodbye as he made his way to the exit with the other three men.
Marshall nodded then prepared his lab just in case. He hoped it wouldn’t be necessary … hoped.
***
Outside the morgue, once Matthew contacted the captain and told her their theory, he requested squad cars be sent to locations where there were plenty of children.
“
You think this is a pattern,” the Captain asked.
“
I’m not sure yet, but it’s worth a shot. I haven’t had time to go over the other paperwork I have on this case and I don’t want to waste countless hours doing so when the answer may be right in front of us,” Matthew replied.
She could hear the desperation in his voice, even though he tried to mask it. If Matthew thought they had discovered the killers’ next target, she was going to follow through. “All right, I hope you’re right on this one, Detective. I’m going to call in reinforcements from the local police. There’s no telling were this killer may attack and I think other cities need to be on alert.”
“
Great idea,” Matthew agreed.
They ended their phone call.
“
While you were on the phone, McNeary said that the first victim of this Second Phase was a seven year old boy found shredded to pieces and buried in a sandbox on a playground.”
“
So do you think we should be looking for playgrounds with sandboxes?” Matthew asked. “I mean, it would narrow down our search.”
Brian shook his head. “The thing with these killers is that’s too close to a pattern. During our investigation, we noticed that they liked to kill women and children, especially children. We figured they got off on destroying innocence and dominating authority.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow. “That would explain the condition of the last victim and the fact that they’re probably laughing their asses off as they watch us jump from one foot to the other.”
The two other detectives nodded. “Although, most of the children were skinned alive in our case, some were molested as well. However, your situation is a bit different. When this was going down in L.A., no infants were murdered. Seems like they’ve evolved,” Colin said.
“
It’s still like we’re looking for a needle in ten thousand hay stacks,” Warren started to slam his fist on his desk and caught himself just in time. Instead he rose from his chair, pacing.
“
I’m going to call Weinstein and Johnson, get them here.” Matthew picked up his telephone and dialed Weinstein.
When the other man picked up the telephone, offering a groggy greeting, Matthew told him what they knew so far and what they were suspecting.
“
What the fuck!” Barry Weinstein shot up in his bed, tossing back the covers. “Just hold it, we’re coming in.” He hung up without waiting for a response.
Matthew looked at the receiver, one eyebrow arched before placing it back on the base. “They’re on their way here.”
The four detectives continued to discuss their case until the other two could join them.
***
Barry called his partner’s home number. There was no answer. Next, he called his cell phone; it rang with no answer. Getting worried, he dialed Gabriel’s cell phone again; finally, there was an answer.
“
What?!” Gabriel answered, highly agitated. His breathing was ragged and came in short gasp.
“
Are you fucking?”
“
Yes, Barry … now what?” he asked once more, grunting a little as his mistress swirled her hips over his groin in a way to get him to give her all of his attention. “Ah, shit,” he gasped as the pleasure hit him. “Can I call you back?” he asked between pants.
“
We may have a break in the case, I need you to meet me at the damn precinct, ASAP.”
“
A what? Hold on, what do you mean break
” He paused when his lover did. He looked down at her. “What wrong?”
“
I’m not going to fuck you when I don’t have your full attention,” his mistress huffed as she slid off him, rolling over. Gabriel looked at her, clearly agitated by the entire situation. He put the phone back to his ear. “Barry, I can make it there in fifteen minutes.”
“
See you then.” Barry hung up the phone, shaking his head. He didn’t approve of his partner’s secret life and he’d rather Gabriel be honest with his wife and just come clean, but he was his partner and friend and he’d keep his secret, besides, it really wasn’t any of his business. He climbed into the shower.
***
Gabriel looked at his beautiful mistress as she sat on the bed, pouting. “What’s your problem? You know my job is demanding,” he said coming out of the bathroom after his three-minute shower, hair still dripping wet. He was still upset that he never did get a chance to reach his climax.
She snorted. “Not just your job, Gabe. Your fucking wife is demanding, too! And your goddamn kids!”
“
Now wait, hold it right there. Leave them out of this.” He gave her a look that said he meant business.
“
We’ve been through this before, when are you going to leave her?” she asked, arms folded across her pale, naked breasts.
Gabriel zipped up his pants then pulled on his shirt, buttoning it quickly. “Do we have to talk about this shit now?”
“
I want to know where I stand.”
He sat down in a chair as he put on his shoes, tying them. “I’ve been with my wife for ten years, Donna.”
“
That doesn’t answer my fucking question, Gabe.”
“
I’ve told you what you mean to me.”
“
That’s not enough anymore.” Donna’s blue eyes peered at Gabriel as he pulled on his jacket.
Finally losing his temper, he rose, storming over to the bed. “What do you want from me?! Want me to leave my wife and kids for you? Is that what you think is going to happen?”
She looked up, anger and disappointment spreading across her face.
He continued. “It’s not. I love my wife, and I love my kids. I never agreed to anything more than this when we first met. I never made you any promises!” Gabriel said.
“
So, what? I’m just this piece of ass to you?”
He huffed. “You already know the answer to that question. Listen, Donna, I like you, we’ve had some good times, but that’s all it is … good, raunchy times. Nothing more, I’m sorry.”
“
Get out! Get the fuck out!” Donna yelled, throwing pillows at him, which he nonchalantly batted away as he made his way to the door.
“
I think it’s best if I don’t come back,” he told her, opening the door.
“
Fine! Don’t!” Donna yelled.
In a final fit of rage, she threw the table lamp, which hit the door, shattering into bits and pieces. Gabriel was gone, on his way to the precinct. When he arrived, he ran into his partner, Barry in the parking lot.
“
Glad you could make it,” Barry teased.
Gabriel shook his head. “Don’t start with me, please. I’ve been through enough as it is. What’s this about a brea thinhe case?”
Barry looked at his friend and partner, deciding not to pry. He began to tell him what Matthew said. “ … And that’s when I called you.”
“
Shit, at least it’s something,” Gabriel agreed. They met up with the other four detectives gathered around Warren and Matthew’s desk. Introductions were made quickly. Immediately, the three shifters recognized that Gabriel had recently had sex, but was left unfulfilled. They also knew he had two female scents on him. Warren and Matthew knew one was his wife; the other more recent one was his mistress. They decided not to pass judgment, not knowing the full story, didn’t seem fair.
“
What should we do now?” Gabriel asked.
“
These guys could be anywhere, but I think we should start with schools, which are now letting out. Captain’s got patrol units as far as we could stretch them. We just need to join the patrol, maybe that’ll make them too nervous to act,” Warren suggested.
“
I just thought I mention this, but these guys kind of like publicity and the more eyes on them, I think it makes the game more fun for them,” Brian pointed out.
“
We’ve got to do something,” Barry said. “We’ll patrol the north side.”
Warren nodded. “We should break up. Colin, I think you should come with me, you don’t know this city.”
Colin nodded. “That’s fine with me. Brian, you go with Matthew.”
They made their teams and left to stake out their designated spots. Inside the car, Matthew called Adrian’s cell phone. He answered.
“
What’s up?” Adrian asked.
“
Where are you guys at now?”
“
Glenview, why? Got something for us?”
“
Yeah.” He told them their plan.
“
Really? I know that the others are kind of spread out around the state, I’ll give my dad a call and tell him, thanks.”
They ended their call.
“
Your Pack?” Brian asked.
Matthew nodded. “Well, the man I was talking to is from Warren’s Pack. But one of my Pack members is with him as well as another friend of mine. Our leaders are taking it upon themselves to assist in our investigation. We all want to stop these killers as fast as possible.”
“
Your communities work
together
?” Brian asked, astonished.
Matthew shrugged as he steered the car. “Yours don’t?”
Brian shook his head. “Not really. We’re spaced out pretty far from each other’s territories and don’t communicate that much. There’s four supernatural communities in California. My wolf Pack controls all of LA, the vampires run San Francisco, the hyenas run northern California, they have a pretty big Pack.” He chuckled. “And the cheetahs run most of the southern/western territories. When we were going through what you’re going through now, the vampires were the only ones who were actually trying to deal with it. Even my Alpha felt it was a vampire affair since vampires were the ones doing the killing. When the Second Phase hit, my Alpha got involved. But, for whatever reason, they left after leaving a cold trail of thirteen bodies. It just stopped after a three-day killing spree. I don’t know if the same thing is going to happen here or not, but that’s what happened two years ago.”
“
I don’t want them to relocate, I want them to burn in hell,” Matthew said through clinched teeth.
“
My feelings exactly.” Brian looked out of the window then turned toward Matthew again. “I hope I’m not being too forward, but I’m just curious, how did you two meet? You and Warren?”
“
That’s a long story.” Matthew smiled.
“
We’ve got a long drive ahead, why not?”
“
I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours?”
“
Sure.”
Matthew began telling him how he and Warren had met and how they ended up partners on the S.U.I.T. force.
“
I can tell you’re a new shifter … a coyote, how did that happen
if you don’t mind me asking. Stop me if you think I’m being a nosey bastard.” Brian tossed him a handsome smile.
“
Naw it’s cool. We’re all in the same pool, right?”
“
Yeah, your secret’s safe with me.”
Matthew told him he was attacked in a territory battle and that’s how he was turned. “It’s still taking some time for me to adjust, but I’m getting there. I think that’s why Warren paired you with me.”
Brian nodded. “I know how it is at first. I was born one, but of course, you can smell that can’t you?”
“
Yeah, it’s a different scent, almost intoxicating … definitely more animalistic. Nothing I would have picked up on if I was still human.” Matthew chuckled nervously. He was beginning to smell something else, and that was Brian’s desire rising and knew the wolf was sexually attracted to him. Being flirted with by another shifter brought on an entirely different sensation, one that he’d only been familiar with through Warren. He could feel his own body reacting to the aura filling the car and was beginning to get uncomfortable.
“
So,” Brian began, his voice low, seductive. He knew that the younger shifter was reacting to the arousing waves he was emanating. “This thing between you and Warren, is it serious?”
“
Yes!” Matthew exclaimed a bit too enthusiastically. “Very serious. I’m in love with him.” He hoped he got the message through.
Brian settled back against the seat cushion. “Serious, eh?” He looked down at Matthew semi-erection. “Oookaaay.”
Matthew knew what that meant, knew what the cop was referring to. He pulled the car over. Turning in his seat, he gave him his full attention. “Listen, Brian, I’ve got nothing against you. I’m actually flattered that you find me attractive, but don’t let my reaction fool you. The only person I’ve ever wanted is Warren.”
“
Is that why you’re sitting there with a rock-hard dick?”
“
Semi-hard
thank you, and that’s beside the point. Even if I was interested, and I’m not, I still wouldn’t do anything with you. I’m loyal to Warren.”
Brian laughed. He held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay … can’t blame a guy for trying. I’m not going to hit on you anymore. Don’t worry; I respect your loyalty to your partner. I’m not one to be a home wrecker.”
“
Good, I thought I was going to have to toss you from the car,” Matthew said, chuckling.
Brian raised both eyebrows. “You think that you could have?”
“
I don’t know.” He smiled. “Maybe … maybe not.”
“
I would think not,” Brian smiled. “Okay, let’s go. I’m hoping we’ll be able to catch his scent.”
Matthew looked at him curiously. “Do you know his scent?”
“
I smelled it on the corpses of the people he killed. I’ve never come face to face with him or the vampires he’s associated with … ” Brian looked out of the window. “ ... But I’d know it if I smelled it.”
They drove on, with the windows down. It was worth a shot as far as they were concerned. “So … how long have you and Colin been partners?”
Brian shrugged. “About three years.”
“
Is he trustworthy?”
“
As far as I know, yes.”
“
Well, if you don’t mind me asking, why haven’t you told him what you are?”
“
Did you know about Warren right away, did he come right out and tell you what he was?” Brian looked at him.
Matthew thought back to those days when he was left puzzled by Warren’s amazing abilities and not having a name to identify them. He remembered the day he found out about Warren and the tension between them afterwards. “No, he didn’t come right out and tell me anything. I had to find out after he had been shot. I watched him heal right before my eyes.”
“
How did you take it?”
“
I was fucking amazed at first. I couldn’t believe it; I had had no idea what he was. Then he told me, and that was all I wanted to know for a long time. My partner, the guy I trusted with my life was a ‘werewolf’. That’s what I thought. But knowing that didn’t make me see him any differently. The more I found out about his species, the more comfortable I became. I also know the term ‘were’-anything is greatly frowned upon.” He chuckled.
“
Yeah, we find it insulting.” Brian scanned the crowd as they drove past a school and its playground. “I don’t trust my partner with my secret. He harbors too much resentment for our kind. I have to be careful every step of the way with him.”
Matthew looked at the detective, feeling sorry for his situation. He wondered if Warren had ever felt that way about him?
“
So, do you think these vampires can walk around during the day?” Matthew asked, changing the subject.
“
Yes,” Brian answered. “At least one of them can.”
Matthew nodded, having his suspicions confirmed.
“
To be honest with you, a vampire who can walk in the sunlight isn’t one to fuck with, if you get my meaning,” Briand stated.
Matthew nodded again, remembering Kysen; Darian’s Maker. He was strong enough to control an entire state, not willing to share with any other supernatural. Matthew had met the Master vampire only once and still felt inferior whenever he thought about him. That was the effect of his presence, even though Kysen himself had tried to tone it down.
“
I said that to tell you in all honesty, I don’t know how far the resources of the S.U.I.T. will take us. From what I understand, the elders of our kinds don’t fear the law, not in any form.” Brian pointed to a spot where a lot of children where playing in a playground. “Think this is a good spot to stake out?”
Matthew pulled the car over, killing the engine. “As good as any.” He had to agree with Brian. The resources of the S.U.I.T. may not help at all. The least they could do is point Darian and the others in the right direction. They waited, hoping to catch a sadistic killer. They knew the others were doing the same, each team hoping to get lucky.