“Most likely my son either did not want to bother me, or he did not think it important enough to relate. He would be wrong regardless of the reason.” Holland sounded more pragmatic than upset.
Another vehicle drew up behind me, “K-9 Unit” written across every side of the SUV.
“Looks like Bucky and his handler just showed up. I’ll see what I can find out later tonight.”
“That is acceptable. Take care, Detective O’Hare.”
Whether Holland only cared because of his son or not, I appreciated the sentiment and responded, “You too.” I think we both ended the call at the same time.
I took a moment to take about five deep breaths before slipping from my vehicle. Bucky’s handler was already outside, the rear door open. Bucky sat in the back seat, drool dripping from his sagging lips. Bloodhound through and through, most of Bucky’s skin sagged. It was like someone picked out a coat that was about two sizes too big for Bucky’s skeletal frame.
“I hear there were multiple bodies found,” Bucky’s handler said by way of greeting.
“Five thus far.” I nodded toward Bucky. “No offense, but I really hope that’s still the final count after today.”
“We’ll find out.” The handler affectionately slapped Bucky on his side. “If there are remains out there, this guy will find them. Won’t you, Bucky?”
The deep, agreeingwoofBucky let loose made me jump. Christ, I really did need to get more sleep if Bucky’s bark affected me that way.
“Come on, boy, let’s get too it.”
Bucky jumped out of the back seat, nose to the ground and large, drooping ears dragging the earth. Climbing back into the driver’s seat of my SUV, I leaned back and let my eyes slip closed. Maybe I could catch a few winks while Bucky did his thing.
Chapter
Fifteen
Erasmus
“I did not think there were so many pine trees in Mississippi.” Leon was in the back seat, watching those pine trees roll by.
“There are certainly a lot, even after all the logging in the area.” It wasn’t just Mississippi. Alabama and surrounding states had a lot of them also.
“Hmm.” Leon became silent as we continued our path northeast.
“How much longer?” Phlox asked. He was in the back seat next to Leon. His wings were currently absent, which probably allowed a more comfortable ride. Having to look in the rearview mirror to see both of them made me feel like I was inDriving Miss Daisy.
“Another thirty, maybe forty minutes.”
Phlox’s fingers tapped along the back seat. It was pretty evident just how bored he was. Not for the first time, I really wished it were Franklin with me. I hadn’t had the heart to discuss my little trip north with him last night. Instead, I’d sent him a very lame text message less than thirty minutes before weset out. While I always loved seeing Franklin, I wasn’t looking forward to the questions I was bound to get later.
Another heavy sigh filtered from the rear of the car. “I’m sorry you had to come along,” I offered.
“Don’t worry about it.” Phlox verbally and physically waved off my concerns. “I’m glad we’re here to keep an eye on you.”
Did I need someone to keep an eye on me?My hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. Phlox and Leon had been asleep all day and only woken a few moments before we left the house. The sun had just been setting. Two hours later, it was completely dark.
Anxiety crept through me, hastening my heartrate and making me feel constantly on edge. “Listen, I know you said you wanted to wait and talk when Franklin was around, but since I’m not really sure when that will be, maybe we could discuss why you’re here and I can fill him in later.”
“The necromancer has a point, beloved.” Leon’s voice was cool and with very little inflection. I didn’t know Leon well, not that I really knew Phlox that well either. What I did know was that there were times where he showed a bit more emotion. Typically, those occasions involved his beloved.
Phlox huffed. He was the complete opposite of his mate. “I’ve gotten some…disturbing intel.” Phlox’s tapping fingers increased their rhythm.
“Disturbing how?” I reached into my pocket, ready to activate one of Pops’s silencing charms, but Phlox beat me to it. Considering how well he knew Vander Kines, Phlox had his own charmed warlock supply.
The tapping stopped and Phlox settled his hands in his lap, picking at his blue nails. “It seems Director Huxley is…missing.”
My fingers tightened on the steering wheel, skin cold and clammy. “Definemissing.”
