Take a Break from the World and Read a Good Book!

4/10/2025

“Security cameras.” Lucas was moving across the room to a computer. “Here’s the feed.” Lucas pointed at the monitor. “Who?”

Blair and Forge shadowed Lucas and looked over his shoulder. There was a clear image of people walking along the sidewalk, some going up to the front of the building, others passing by. The outside door appeared to open and close on its own.

Lucas nodded at it and said, “That must be Blair. Where’s the guy?” he asked, turning to look at Blair and Forge.

“He’s not there. I swear to you, a man followed me. While I was waiting for you, I could see him out on the sidewalk,” Blair blurted. “He got close enough to me I could do what you told me to do, I listened to his body. I could hear something moving inside him, but he wasn’t giving off any heat or smell. He was a little taller than me, lighter red hair, glasses. He was trying to look geeky, but it was fake.”

“How’d you know?” Lucas asked.

“He asked me about smartphones in the store.”

“Could have been a ploy to talk directly to you,” Lucas said.

Forge nodded, leaned against the desk and stared at the monitor. “Apparently, we have something that can hide from a camera or doesn’t show up on one, but isn’t a vampire.”

“You believe me?”

That surprised Forge. “Of course, I believe you.”

“Why do I have the ‘we’re screwed’ feeling?” Lucas asked.

“There was another murder. Lucas and I had just gotten back from checking things out when you arrived. This time the victim was a werewolf. An adult male werewolf, and either he had changed or was in the process of changing when he was killed. Do you have any idea what sort of force is needed to bring one of those guys down?” Forge asked.

Blair shook his head. “I never thought about it.”

“Think about it,” Forge said. “A werewolf in full form is one of the most powerful creatures around.” Blair’s gaze shifted to Lucas for a second, then back to him. “They’re not all as sweet and friendly as Lucas, and I sure as hell wouldn’t want to go up against one.”

Blair’s shock cooled the heat rising between Forge’s legs. “Does that mean whatever this guy is, he’s not afraid of werewolves?”

“Worse,” Lucas said. “I don’t think he knew what he was tangling with.” He picked up a tablet and turned it so Forge and Blair could see the screen. “I’m still waiting for Anita’s report, but so far, besides the Xylazine, I found something else. And I have to say, it’s pretty disturbing.”

“That’s sort of scary,” Blair said. Forge was inclined to agree.