Dead World 1, page 6
“Grandpa...”
“Please take a seat, Gina.”
Red sat in the burgundy monstrosity her grandfather called a chair. She sank two inches the second her bodyweight made contact with the cushions.
Her bootie covered feet dangled above the area rug, making her feel like a child. The same child who’d been frightened of the dragon under her bed.
The chair’s thickness reminded Red of her rest pad and it took concerted effort not to doze off while he spoke. It had been a long day and it wasn’t like she’d gotten any rest after she awoke last night covered in blood.
Red shuddered, pushing the memory aside, when every fiber demanded that she report the incident. She loved her grandfather and normally shared everything, but relaying this bit of info was out of the question. The team already considered her an explosive about to detonate. The last thing she needed was to add fuel to their fears.
“Are you listening?”
She jerked at the sound of his raised voice. “I’m getting ready to submit my report now.” Red sat a little straighter and prayed that’s what her grandfather had been discussing.
“Could you explain what occurred out in the field before you file your permanent report? I want to make sure your thoughts are concise. The review board looks at every duty-related item in an officer’s background before promoting them to commander.”
“You’re not going anywhere for a long time, Grandpa.”
He gave her a slow smile. “I can’t run this place forever.” He suddenly looked much older than his seven-five years.
Red knew he warned her out of love, out of his need to protect. Couldn’t he simply trust her judgment?
Robert Santiago had been grooming her since childhood to eventually take over his position. He’d pushed, cajoled, and fought for her, when it came time to make the team.
Red had pushed herself to the limits in order to please the only man she could call family. He had always told her that once their dreams came true and she became commander that Red would be safe and in charge of her future.
There was only one problem. Being commander was never her dream. All she’d ever wanted was to lead her own team, not be in charge of the entire IPTT. Not that Red would ever tell him. Her becoming the next IPTT commander meant too much to him. The truth would break his heart. And that was something that she refused to do...even if that meant putting her dreams aside.
Her expression must have betrayed her true thoughts because he added, “Please tell me exactly what happened. You know how I love a good story, particularly when it comes from my special girl.”
Red shifted under his appraisal. He’d called her special again. Normally she relished his endearments but not that one. She didn’t want to be special. Not then. Not now. Not ever. She wanted to be normal like everyone else.
“I’m not making anything up or imagining things, if that’s what you’re suggesting,” she said with certainty, needing to convince him. “My gut tells me there’s more to Lisa Solomon’s death than what the evidence indicates.”
“Why do you think so?” He leaned forward and rested his chin on his hands.
Red recognized the open expression. He was giving her the benefit of the doubt. “The look of the scene, maybe. Perhaps, the alignment of her body. Her horrified expression.” She paused to gather her thoughts. “The attack looked personal. Animal attacks aren’t ever personal. They’re instinctual.”
His expression saddened. “I’ve seen the photos. They’re quite gruesome. I can understand why you’d want there to be a reason for the young woman’s demise, but you know death is never pretty or clean. And even when the ‘whys’ are known, it rarely makes accepting things any easier.”
“I’m used to seeing death.” All emotion fled from Red’s tone, until it was flat and lifeless like the void inside of her. “It doesn’t bother me.” Anymore floated in the air between them, left unsaid.
“Trying to save your mother and step-sister again?” he asked quietly. “Heaven rest their souls.” There was no reproach in his voice, only resolve.
“Someone should have.” Guilt swamped her. If only she’d been older, been at home instead of with her grandfather, then maybe they’d still be alive. Even as the thought filled her mind, Red knew if she’d been there she would be dead, too.
Robert Santiago sat back. “You can’t save them, Gina. You never could,” he said finally. “They’re dead and recycled, so please stop trying.”
Red’s chest squeezed tight. She bit the inside of her mouth and tasted blood. “I know they’re dead.” The words choked in her throat, strangling her. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t think about her family and what might have been. “I can’t save Mom and Ann any more than I can save Lisa Solomon, but I can find out what really happened to her. I can give her family some closure, even if I’ll never have it myself.”
“Is that what this is all about?” he asked. “An unsolved murder?”
She considered the question carefully. “No.” Red shook her head. “It’s not about me. This is about finding out the truth for Lisa’s family.”
“According to Bannon’s report, she has no family. Her grandmother died...” He flicked a page. “A year or so ago. Bannon is convinced that wild animals killed Lisa Solomon. He even notes trace amounts of canine saliva. Apparently, there were multiple contributors.”
“That may be, but I don’t know many animals beyond the two-legged variety that would take the time to undress their victims,” Red snapped.
“Watch your tone, young lady.”
“Sorry, Grandpa.” She wouldn’t get his support if she continued to let emotions get in the way of logic.
“Says in the report that her clothes weren’t removed. They were torn off.”
“Some were,” Red conceded. “But not all. Something out there frightened Lisa more than death. The crime scene is screaming at me to pay attention.” She came to her feet, resting her fingertips on the edge of his desk. “I can’t let this go.”
The commander held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, but before you go off haphazardly, I’d like to know what your theory is.”
Theory? Red didn’t have a theory. Not yet at least. What she had was a hunch. A hunch that she couldn’t articulate yet. “I’m still working on it.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to do better than that, if you want my support,” he said.
Red panicked and her mind blanked. What could she say that would convince her grandfather that she was right? Think! Think! Think! If it wasn’t the Unknowns and it wasn’t the animals that attacked Lisa, what else could it be?
She said the first thing that popped into her mind. Unfortunately, it was a Roark Montgomery quote. “It could’ve been the Others.”
The room fell silent. Minutes ticked by.
Her grandfather had just told her that he didn’t approve of Roark and here she was quoting him. She might as well have shouted that unicorns did it. Red cursed under her breath.
Robert Santiago tsked. “Sweetheart, you know that the Others no longer exist. There’s no solid proof that they ever lived at all. And even if Roark is right and they did, they’d all be dead by now. You’re talking about something that happened over a hundred years ago.”
This was not the argument she wanted to have with her grandfather. “Just because no one has seen one doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Their grandkids or great-grandkids could still be around. Maybe that’s who Roark was referring to when he said the Others.” Why was she fighting for a theory she didn’t even believe?
Because you don’t want Lisa’s case closed.
That was the bottom line, but Red wasn’t sure it was worth losing her grandfather’s respect over. Unfortunately, it was too late to back down now.
“Gina, you can’t be serious,” he said.
She hesitated. “I am.”
“Do you know how crazy that sounds?”
“I do,” Red said.
“Let’s look at this logically. If I remember the old stories correctly from childhood, the Others couldn’t conceive,” he said. “The process that made them into Others also sterilized them, so there’s no way they could have children. Much less grandchildren and great-grandchildren running around.
Red frowned. She’d never heard that before. Was it true?
“Why would Roark Montgomery imply there’s a link between the Others and the Unknowns, if they no longer exist? He obviously believes the Others are real, or he wouldn’t have suggested that they’re aiding the Unknowns with illegal boundary crossings.”
“Insanity is the main reason that I will not endorse him. The last thing we need is a leader who chases ghosts and wants us to return to our hate mongering days.” Regret and something else colored his features. “I know you idolize Roark and this isn’t what you want to hear, but there’s a reason why he hasn’t been able to prove that Others exist. It’s because they don’t. At least not anymore.”
He was right. It wasn’t what Red wanted to hear because that meant that animals and not a human being had killed Lisa Solomon.
“I’m afraid I am going to have to side with Bannon on this case. No DNA was found on or near the body. There’s nothing that would indicate foul play,” he said. “Bannon explained his theory on why the woman’s clothes and body parts were missing. You’ve given me feelings, but not anything scientific. As much as I would love to, I cannot act on your gut, Gina.” He stood, his gaze full of compassion. “Consider this case closed.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied reluctantly.
Red understood his decision all too well. Her grandfather couldn’t have the future commander listing the Others as murder suspects. She’d lose what little credibility she had.
Unfortunately, that logic didn’t douse the fiery passion for justice burning in her soul or the tightness in her chest that kept telling her that she had to do something. Lisa’s frightened expression flashed in her mind. Red could not turn her back on her, even if everyone else did.
Her grandfather continued to watch her. “I’ll expect your report to concur with Bannon’s.” He straightened the reports in front of him.
Red smoothed a trembling hand over her hair. “I understand that you’re just doing your job. I hope you understand that I have to do mine.” Emotions churned inside of her, threatening to overwhelm. “I believe I have some break time coming to me, don’t I?” The question was a courtesy. She’d never taken recreational time off.
“You’re certainly long overdue for some time away. After what you just suggested, I think you need some time off.” He punched a button on his compunit. “You have six weeks available.”
“Good. I’d like to take three days,” she said.
Compassion slowly morphed into concern. “You’re not thinking about doing anything impetuous, are you?”
Red smiled. “Of course not, Grandpa. You know me.”
“Yes, I do,” he said. “That’s why I know you’re lying.”
Red reached out and squeezed his hand. “I’m just going to check out Nuria to see if they’re having any problems. You know how lax those boundary towns are about reporting incidents.”
His gaze sharpened. “Do you think that’s wise? Republics don’t like the tactical team sticking their noses into their business, especially when they haven’t been called.”
“I need to do this for my own peace of mind,” she said. “I promise to stay out of trouble. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to figure out how the Unknowns are getting across the boundary fence.”
He sighed and rubbed his chin. “Please be careful. Boundary towns aren’t exactly welcoming places, and you will have no jurisdiction. If you go there, you have to go as Gina Santiago, not Lieutenant Santiago.”
“Understood,” she said. “I’m only going to give the area a look-see. Strictly hands off.” Red held her hands up. “I’ll be back before you’ve noticed that I’ve gone.”
Her grandfather grinned. “I doubt that. When do you plan to leave?”
“In a couple of days.” She needed to get a few things together first. Red smiled reassuringly. “You know I can take care of myself. I slayed that dragon, remember? Besides, I learned from the best.” She winked and released his hand. “You taught me all there is to know about the criminal element.”
His smile faded. “I didn’t teach you everything, special one.” She heard him murmur softly as she headed for the door. “There are worse things in this world than Unknowns. I pray you don’t find them. And that they don’t find you.”
7
The townspeople of Nuria gathered in the desert outside of town for a pre-full moon hunt. A couple of wild boars had been spotted in the area, one looked to be around 400 pounds, while the other was nearer to 700. They both had large tusks perfect for gouging a predator and would be worthy opponents in a fight.
Morgan had called this impromptu hunt as a way of reconnecting with the town and of checking to see if anyone new had been hanging around. The gathering also gave him the opportunity to take in everyone’s scent.
“Ready?” he asked, glancing at his cousin, Kane.
Kane grinned. “Are you?”
Morgan nodded and began to shift. His beast burst from his chest, taking him to his knees. Muscles thickened and corded as he shed the man for his Other self. Morgan threw his head back and howled.
His cry was answered one by one as the townspeople followed suit. Once the last person had shifted, Morgan bolted into the desert, the pack close on his heels.
With a shake of his head, the wolves fanned out, lifting their snouts to the air as they sought their prey. They located the first boar within twenty minutes. A cry from an older wolf that was missing an eye indicated the direction.
Morgan’s mouth dropped open as he bared his fangs. The boar snorted and pawed the earth, preparing to charge. The wolves circled, keeping their distance at first. Morgan hunched to leap but was knocked out of the way by his cousin a second before the boar charged.
Seven hundred pounds barreled down upon them. Had his cousin not moved him aside, Morgan would’ve been gored. He licked the side of his cousin’s face, then circled the boar. The wolves closed in, drawing the boar’s attention long enough to leap out of the way.
Morgan saw an opening and took it. He jumped forward and latched onto the boar’s right hind leg. His cousin grabbed the left. Together they pulled the boar’s feet out from under him. The pack immediately closed in. Their jaws clamped down on the boar and tore off bits of flesh. Blood spurted from the wounds.
The boar squealed. The frightened sound pierced the night. Morgan released the animal’s right leg and landed on its back. His teeth dug and claws into the boar’s throat until the sound stopped, then he threw his head back and howled.
Each wolf took turns at eating the kill. As alpha, Morgan got the first and best pieces of meat, but he made sure to leave enough for the others. They fed greedily, licking their muzzles and yipping to show their joy.
When there was nothing left of the boar, the pack moved onto the next. This time Morgan let his cousin take the lead. They’d always had a healthy rivalry. The endless competition over the years had kept them both on their toes and combat ready.
Kane latched onto the boar’s throat and brought it down without assistance.
Several of the pack looked at Morgan, their growls and grunts showing their displeasure. A few went so far as to move closer to his cousin, a subtle shift in allegiance that would’ve bothered Morgan had he not known for a fact that his cousin had no interest in leading.
The boar stopped struggling, its throat now hanging from his cousin’s powerful jaws. Morgan stepped forward. His cousin bared his teeth as if to growl, but stopped short of doing so. Instincts made all wolves protect their kill. His cousin was no different.
He dropped the flesh at Morgan’s feet, then lowered his head. Morgan waited a moment, then slowly accepted the meal. The pack didn’t move in on the kill until Morgan finished eating and backed away, then they devoured the boar like they had the last.
Once the flesh had been stripped clean from the bones and the marrow had been removed, everyone slowly made their way back to town.
Morgan shifted and waited for his cousin. His naked body dripped with sweat, but some of his earlier tension was gone. He was about to suggest that they go for a synth-beer when Raphael Vega stepped out of the shadows.
“What are you doing here?” Morgan asked.
“Visiting old friends,” he said.
Morgan snorted. “Like I told Jim, you don’t have any friends.”
“On the contrary,” Raphael said. “I believe we even share a few.”
Morgan’s jaw clenched as his beast threatened to rise. He shoved Raphael. “Get the hell out of my town.”
“This isn’t your town.” Raphael grinned and brushed his clothes where Morgan had touched him. “Though I’m sure you’d like to believe otherwise.”
“I’ve got my eye on you, fang face. I’d better not hear that you’ve been mesmerizing women or doing anything else with them for that matter,” Morgan snarled.
Raphael chuckled. “Several women find me mesmerizing, but I doubt that’s what you’re referring to.”
He wouldn’t be laughing for long if Morgan found out he had something to do with Renee’s death. “You have a pretty high opinion of yourself.”
“Always,” Raphael said, then changed the subject. “I’m hurt that I wasn’t invited to the hunt.”
“I didn’t think vampires enjoyed running down their prey,” he said.
“Oh, contraire,” Raphael replied. “We love a good hunt.” He paused. “It’s just that we prefer to fuck our prey in the end. You’re the ones who like to play with it and eat it.”
Morgan’s gaze narrowed. “Tread cautiously, Drac.”
Raphael rolled his prosthetic eyes. “Careful, sheriff, you’re showing your age.”
“Get the hell out of here, or I’ll show you a lot more than my age,” Morgan growled.
Raphael snickered. “Tempting, but I have other plans tonight. We can compare fang size some other time.” He winked, then walked away.
