Grave Witch, page 8
Hamilton narrowed his eyes. "It didn't turn up within the walls?"
"There wasn't a single vehicle there, sir. I didn't know it was a traffic-free zone."
"Doesn't mean they couldn't have hidden a vehicle."
Kage assumed he was right, but it was embarrassing to have walked from house to house to check for a stolen motorbike when there wasn't so much as a lawn mower. "Yeah, I guess. We've checked now, at least."
"What's your next step?"
Eh...next step? He was trying to figure out what happened to the cop who helped kidnap magic users.
"We haven't decided yet, sir."
Hamilton huffed. "He'll try to steer you away from the freaks. Search The Garage."
"The Garage?"
"Yes, it's a restaurant, and everyone knows that cat tinkers with vehicles there. If Christopherson kept it from you, it's because he's afraid of what you'll find. I can get you another warrant."
Fuck no. "Let's try without a warrant first. We don't want to bother the judges unless we have to. It might come a day when we need them to act quickly, better not to have exhausted their goodwill before then."
Hamilton looked as if he wanted to object, but in the end, he nodded. "Is Christopherson up to anything suspicious?"
"Nothing other than not wanting to search the houses in the community." It was no secret Christopherson was against it.
"Good. Keep him on a short leash."
"Yes, sir." Kage refrained from rolling his eyes as he headed out the door, crossed the area with all the desks, and jogged down the stairs. Walking out on the street was like walking into a wall of hot air, and he loosened his tie a fraction. Damn, it'd be a sweaty walk. Luckily, The Lighthouse wasn't far.
When he pushed open the door to the restaurant, he was greeted by empty tables. He nodded at the man leaning against the bar, looking bored. He got a glare in return. Strange, but he ignored it and hurried over to the table Christopherson was at.
"That was quick."
The glaring man came over to their table before Kage could reply.
"All good, Conan?"
"Boring as fuck to work when there are no customers."
Christopherson winced. "Sorry. Can we have two coffees, and I'd like a brownie sundae." He gave Kage a questioning look.
"Me too, please." He nodded at the man, Conan, who still glared when he looked at Kage, but was a bit more relaxed.
"Coming right up."
Conan left, and Kage looked at Christopherson. "Come here often?"
"Now and then."
"Often enough to know the staff by name."
Christopherson smiled, and it had been an eternity since his smile had been aimed at Kage. "Conan lives on Wolf Street. He was part of Gabriel's alibi for when the bike was stolen. Barbecue on Wolf Street."
Kage looked around. The Lighthouse. "This is community-owned."
"Yes. What did Hamilton say?"
Sighing didn't help much, but he did it anyway. "He wants us to search The Garage. He's willing to get us another warrant."
Christopherson groaned right as Conan was back with their coffee. "I think Jagger is working today. He left at the same time I did." He aimed the words at Christopherson, but it didn't matter. At least, he'd heard it was Hamilton wanting it, not Kage.
"Thanks." Christopherson nodded at him, then he focused on Kage again. "We can have lunch there. Drop by the grocery store to pick up twine and then go to The Garage."
Kage nodded. "What's this about a police officer kidnapping magic users?"
Christopherson shrugged. "I'm not sure I ever got the why of it. He claimed it was to protect the inhabitants of Myrfolk."
Kage stared. "By keeping magic users as prisoners?"
"Nah, I think his goal was to have all community-owned bars and restaurants closed." He gestured around.
"By keeping magic users prisoners?" Kage was more confused now.
Conan appeared by their table and placed their sundaes in front of them. "They only wanted Eir."
Kage looked at him. "And Eir is a..." He raised an eyebrow in question.
"Healer. It's handy to have a healer when you're into shady shit."
Kage nodded. "It wasn't about magic users in general but specifically a healer?"
Christopherson shrugged. "I think they saw an opportunity and took it. Davis saw a healer was arriving in town and told his brother, who picked them up. Then they tried to blackmail Jagger into allowing them to ship things from The Garage."
Blackmail? How? "I don't see the connection."
Conan sighed. "They brought Ty to The Garage, had Jagger scenting him, so he knew he was dealing with a magic user, then tried to convince him to let them store things there."
Kage frowned.
"I know it doesn't make much sense." Conan shrugged. "But if they'd planted drugs there, the cops could sweep in and have the place closed or Gertrude investigated, which would be bad for the community."
Kage sighed. Maybe the why didn't matter. "What happened to Davis?"
Christopherson shrugged. "He was kicked off the force."
"And the brother?"
"Don't know."
"You didn't keep track?" Kage hadn't meant to raise his voice, but what the fuck?
"Have you been to the station?" Christopherson gave him an exasperated look. "Why would we waste tax money on keeping track of criminals when we can hunt community members? They're the real threat."
Kage groaned and stabbed his ice cream with a spoon. "Do you think he's involved with The Red Thirst?"
Christopherson scrunched his nose. "I'm not ruling it out, but it would surprise me. Maybe the brother. I don't think he cares what species someone is if it can further his cause, but Davis, Officer Davis, I mean, hates supernaturals."
"He shot Namir." Conan crossed his arms over his chest.
"It wasn't Davis who pulled the trigger, but they were there on his command." Christopherson ate some ice cream too.
"But why isn't there a report? I searched for Eir and Ty, and I searched for the raid at The Garage when Gilbert told me to look for it instead, but there is nothing there."
"I wrote a report." Christopherson's spoon dangled loosely from his grip. "There should be several reports."
"There are none."
Silence fell, and Conan pulled out a chair from a neighboring table and sat. Normally, Kage would object. This was a work meeting, sort of, but he didn't think the members of the community cared. Christopherson sure didn't seem to.
"You're looking for an unregistered magic user?" Conan studied his face, and Kage nodded.
"I'm ninety-nine percent sure she's dead. From what I've gathered, she was sold into slavery, and this is the last place I've been able to track her to."
"Are there many unregistered magic users?" Conan frowned. "I know they can hide their scent, but magic users are so rare."
A sliver of uneasiness traveled Kage's spine. Did Conan know? "Not many, and it's not only magic users who have been taken, unregistered shifters have too, and...eh...latent shifters." Latency was a tricky subject. Most people were against kidnapping and slavery, but latent shifters didn't have it easy. Some prides and packs killed them themselves, so it was hard to make them care about the missing latent ones.
"It's exactly like Rue and Chaton." Conan slumped in his chair. "Were they kidnapped by the same person or group or whatever as your girl?"
Kage looked at Christopherson, who grimaced before looking at Conan. "Chaton's family sold him, didn't they?"
"Yeah, but to whom? Didn't Asher say Chaton's dad had sold him to a gang of vampires who sold him to The Red Thirst?"
Kage sat straighter. "Does he know who?"
Conan shook his head. "Not from what I've heard."
"I have to talk to them." He sent a pleading look at Christopherson.
"I don't think--"
"Gilbert has forgiven me." He believed.
Christopherson sighed. "I'll ask Gertrude, but I can't promise anything."
He suspected it was all he could ask for at this point.
* * * *
Gilbert dropped peas a couple of inches apart in the furrow he'd created in the soil. He'd have a shitload of pea plants if they all germinated. There would be room for other things too. Maybe he should grow peas for the community and plant a few things for himself.
Carrots maybe? Was it too late to sow carrots?
His phone buzzed in his pocket, making him still. He hadn't heard from Marrone for a few hours, but who else could it be?
He opened the text. Marrone wrote that he and Christopherson would have lunch at The Garage, and they had twine. Did he mean Gilbert should join them? He hadn't paid for his meal yesterday, so he guessed he could justify having lunch out. Maybe. Though his budget didn't allow for it.
He finished planting the row before he went inside to wash up and change into clean clothes, then he headed for The Garage. When he reached the gate, Ylva, the wolf leader, blocked his way. "Gilbert, are you okay?"
"Sure." Could she tell he needed to feed? Most likely.
"Good. I heard the idiot cop working with Oscar tried to shoot you."
Oh..."He was threatening me, I don't think he planned to shoot me." The words surprised him. He'd been sure Marrone was about to blow his brains out, but now he wanted to protect him from the community's wrath.
She scrunched her nose. "What are you up to?"
No one ever cared what he was up to, though he guessed they remembered he existed now that there had been some drama. "Dov and I dug up my lawn, and I've been planting some peas, but I need twine for trellises. Oscar got me some, and he's having lunch at The Garage, so I figured I'd meet him there." Best not to mention Marrone.
"Great!" She stepped aside. "I should make an effort too. I've planted a few different things in pots this year, but I'm no good at gardening."
"I have no idea if I am either, but I figured I'd give it a go."
She smiled as she held the gate open for him. "Have a nice lunch."
He nodded, a bit flustered by her interest in him.
He contemplated borrowing a car, but in the end, he ran to The Garage. It was quicker, and while he might get a little sweaty, it was no distance for a vampire.
When he walked into the serving area, he spotted Oscar and Marrone right away and walked toward them. There were several people around. Nowhere near packed, but more than yesterday. He paid them no attention.
"Hi." Marrone smiled at him, and it did something funny to his heart. Stupid.
"Gilbert." Oscar sounded surprised but gestured for him to join them. Hadn't Marrone told him he'd texted Gilbert? For a moment, there was an awkward silence, then Faolan appeared by their table.
"Officers, Gilbert." He met their gazes. "What can I get you?"
Oscar smiled. "Something vegetarian."
Faolan nodded. "Gilbert?"
"Eh...whatever you have the most of."
Faolan smiled at him before presenting a blank face to Marrone. "Deputy?"
Marrone sighed. "A burger, please."
Faolan left without another word, only to come back a couple of seconds later. "Drinks, gentlemen?"
"Water, please." Gilbert met his gaze and got a nod in reply. The others added their requests, then Marrone excused himself and went to the bathroom.
"I have twine in the car." Oscar looked at him.
"Yeah, Marrone texted me. It was why I came."
Oscar nodded. "You're fine...talking to him? You looked a little shaken when I found you after."
Gilbert shrugged. "I went to see him yesterday, figured if he realized I don't know anything about this, he'd leave me alone. He asked me for my number, and we've been texting."
Oscar studied him. "That's not leaving alone."
Gilbert huffed. "No, I guess not, but it's been...friendly. I don't think he suspects me of anything." Or did he? Had he only switched tactics to get closer to Gilbert? "Does he?"
"I don't think so. He wants to know who bought Chaton before he was sold to The Red Thirst."
"I know nothing about it. I've only spoken to Chaton on a handful of occasions, and never about--" He grimaced. "I know how jarring it can be to be reminded of things from the past." Without meaning to, he touched the scar on his cheek. He had others on his torso from that night, but he shook his head to rid himself of memories.
Oscar reached across the table and covered his other hand. Right then, Marrone came back. He looked at their hands and frowned as Oscar pulled back. A cloud of lemon surrounded him, and Gilbert rubbed his nose. Damn. He always smelled of lemon, but now it was suffocating. Did they have new soap in the bathroom? Or was he trying to conceal his scent for some reason?
Someone approached the table. Gilbert didn't look up since he assumed it was Faolan. Then warm, dry fingertips slid over his nape, and he jumped. He looked up into smiling eyes that creased at the corners. Jacob. He hadn't seen him since The Virgin Drop had closed. He wore a gray suit. It was a little rumpled as if he'd had a rough morning.
Jacob had stood out among the normal clientele at The Virgin Drop. It was why Gilbert often had gone with him. He was older, quieter, and Gilbert had never seen him on the dance floor. He would have a beer, or whiskey if it had been a rough day, then he hid in a dark corner.
Gilbert could relate.
Without a word, Jacob slipped off toward the bathroom. Gilbert took a shuddering breath, got up, and almost collided with Faolan coming to serve them their drinks.
* * * *
Chapter 11
Kage stared as Gilbert hurried after the man. What the fuck? The man had touched him. He hadn't seen anyone touch Gilbert other than Christopherson moments ago, but it had looked like a touch of support. What the stranger had done wasn't that, and then they were off. Not a single word had been exchanged.
He turned his stare to Christopherson. "Who's that?"
Christopherson hid a smile behind his glass as he took a sip. "No idea." He placed his drink on the table.
"What are they doing?"
A chuckle was all the reply he got.
"Oh, come on. It was weird, wasn't it?"
"I think the man in the suit looked happy to see him."
Kage grumbled. "It's not safe."
This time, Christopherson laughed. "Safe? They're in the bathroom. How many dangers can there be?"
"We don't know what the man wants with Gilbert. It's not safe for vampires to be outside the walls."
"This is community-owned land. Everyone working here knows Gilbert. I think he's pretty safe."
Kage narrowed his eyes but forced himself to reach for his glass and drink before he said something stupid. "It might be a trap." So maybe drinking didn't help.
"A trap? What do you think is going on in there?"
Kage huffed. "Didn't you see the look?"
Christopherson slowly shook his head. "The look?"
"The way the man was looking at Gilbert."
"No, describe the look." Christopherson spun the glass while studying Kage.
"He looked at him as if he wanted to eat him, like every fantasy he'd ever had was about to come true."
Christopherson hummed, and Kage had the distinct feeling he was laughing at him, but his face remained serious. "We have a man in a business suit, who looks at Gilbert like a starving man--"
"Yes, exactly."
"They stare at each other and slink off to the bathroom, and you think it's a trap? Could he have known Gilbert would be here?"
Kage hadn't known Gilbert would be here. He'd hoped. It was why he'd sent the text, but he hadn't known. Christopherson hadn't known. "Maybe he comes here often."
Scrunching his nose, Christopherson shook his head. "Nah, he doesn't leave the community often."
"It could still be a trap."
"I think they looked like old friends."
Kage glared at him. "What's taking them so long?"
Christopherson laughed. Loudly. "They've only been away a few minutes."
"Yes, but it doesn't take this long to pee."
Christopherson was still chuckling when a powerful man with sharp eyes came walking toward the table. "Deputies." He nodded in greeting.
"Jagger. We need to check the back, Hamilton's orders."
So this was Jagger. Kage bit his tongue. He was almost sure he was mated to Ty, the magic user, but he didn't think asking about him first thing would earn him any favors.
Jagger sighed. "Kitchen or garage?"
"Both, I'm afraid, or he'll accuse me of doing a sloppy job."
"Seula is working on your orders, so we can check the garage while we wait." He gestured for them to follow, and Kage almost protested. Gilbert was still in the bathroom. They couldn't leave until he came back, could they? But Christopherson was already pushing back his chair and was on his feet in the next second.
Kage reluctantly got up and followed them through a side door and down a stair. When they walked through another door, they stepped into a garage. There was a rusty car in the middle of the room, tools on the walls, and some dirty rags lying around.
"Feel free to poke around." Jagger swept an arm over the room.
"Whose car is it?" Christopherson stepped closer.
"One of the community's. It needed some TLC. Oil change and such." Jagger ran a hand over the hood, tracing a scratch in the paint with his thumb.
"No bikes?" Christopherson glanced at him.
"Not since back in April."
Christopherson nodded and looked at Kage. "I've seen enough. What about you?"
Kage rolled his eyes. "Yeah, can't see a hidden bike anywhere."
"Great." Jagger pushed his hands into his pockets. "Will there be more problems?"
"Not sure." Christopherson looked around the room. "I don't think we've ever worked as hard to retrieve a stolen vehicle before."
Jagger snorted. "And this other investigation?" Hard eyes turned to Kage. Damn, had everyone heard?
"You don't know anything about the men who kidnapped Ty and Eir?"
Jagger's eyebrows climbed his forehead. "Sure. They're drug dealers. The leader has a brother who was a cop and gave him information."
