“You mean it?”
“Partners, remember.”
“Okay. Stay within reach.”
Gunnar led the way inside to where Agent Bell was waiting for them.
“You made good time. We left before you and only just got here.”
“Get yourself a motorcycle, Agent. Though I know you guys are fond of the whole blacked-out windows thing.”
“A hurtful stereotype, Detective. My personal transportation is a Prius.” Bell sighed. “At my wife’s insistence, I should make clear.”
Bryn snorted with laughter and Gunnar grinned. They all needed a bit of a tension breaker.
“We’re in the observation suite. Dr. Templeton is already situated. He’s in cuffs, Bryn, which are anchored to the table. The only other person in the room will be his attorney, who has fewer morals than a timber rattler, and myself.”
“I’ll be there too,” Gunnar said. “That’s not negotiable.”
“Of course. I should have made that clear. There will be other observers behind the glass. You’ve attracted a lot of interest.”
“This isn’t a freak show,” Gunnar snapped.
“Not at all. Agents are lining up cases they think an augur can help them with. If this case can be closed because of Bryn, there’ll be a line out the door.”
“Can you point me at the bathroom?” Bryn asked.
Agent Bell pointed out the nearest facilities, just down the corridor. Bryn made a beeline for the door.
“Uh, excuse me a moment,” Gunnar said. “I’m gonna go check on him.” He followed Bryn. In the bathroom, puking sounds were coming from one of the stalls.
“Bryn, you need me to hold your hair back?”
There was a groan then the sound of flushing. Bryn emerged from the stall, pale, shoving his glasses back on his nose. He went to the sink and rinsed his mouth.
“Don’t suppose you have a mint?”
“As it happens…” Gunnar extracted the remnants of a tube of Wint O Green Lifesavers from his pocket. “Take them. The mint will help settle your stomach.”
Bryn shoved two candies in his mouth. “Don’t tell Warden about this.”
“About what? Your sensitive, sweet disposition?”
“Funny. Let’s get this over with.”
Gunnar had the good sense not to ask Bryn if he was sure. It wasn’t like he had much choice.
Chapter Three
Why did he have to follow me into the bathroom? I’m quite capable of barfing on my own.Bryn washed his hands then put his gloves back on.He must think I’m such a pathetic wuss. Which I am, apparently.He couldn’t get what the Forest Ripper had done out of his head.If this is him, what am I going to see? Fuck. Someone needs to invent mind bleach.He took a surreptitious glance at Gunnar. His expression didn’t indicate anything other than professional stoicism.He has to deal with this too, thanks to me.
“You’re gonna do fine.” Gunnar followed Agent Bell through the building and Bryn scuffed along after him. “First time for anything is always the worst for nerves.”
“I’ve never eaten sushi—pretty sure I’m not about to lose my breakfast beforethatnew experience.”
“I threw up the first time I went on a roller coaster,” Gunnar said. “Humans, or wolves, were not designed to be upside down.”
“So not the same! If I go green when we’re in there, shoot me, okay?”
