More emergency vehicles began arriving, ambulances and additional police units.
“What now?”Bryn asked.
“Now,” Giles said, patting his pocket where the data drive rested, “we find out what they were up to.”
Forensic teams in hazmat suits approached the building and staff from the ME’s office were already at work, moving methodically between the bodies laid out on the sidewalk.Bryn watched as paramedics tended to the three gene-affected individuals they’d rescued.The lupine was growling as an EMT tried to insert an IV.Gunnar walked across to them.“Careful,” Gunnar warned.“We don’t know what they’ve been doing to him.”
“You’re a wolf?”the patient asked.
“Yeah,” Gunnar grinned.“Gunnar Ericson, GCR.How are you doing?”
“I feel like hammered crap.Went into a clinic for the mandatory blood draw and that’s the last I remember.Where the fuck am I?”
“It’s a long story.Let the medics get you sorted first, okay?They’re the good guys.”
“Okay.Name’s Orwell Armitage, by the way.I think I saw you at the Wolf Run.”
“Yeah?Cool.We’ll be in touch, Orwell.Get yourself sorted first, okay?”
“Yeah.Not feeling so hot.”
Gunnar rejoined Bryn and Giles.Captain Reynolds came over, not looking happy.“Initial opinion is that all the lab workers were poisoned.Some kind of cyanide derivative that activated through the ventilation system.Happened recently enough that they were still warm enough to show up on the scans.The room where the others were was on a different system, so it was targeted action.”
“Mass suicide?”Bryn asked, incredulous.
“Or murder,” Giles replied.“Ruthless.”
Bryn shivered at the trace of admiration in Giles’ tone.That man’s psyche is all kinds of wrong.
Chapter Nine
A black SUV pulled up to the perimeter of the cordoned-off area, and a woman in a tailored pants suit stepped out.She flashed her credentials to the officers manning the barricade and, having been waved through, walked toward their group.
“Captain Reynolds,” she said, her tone crisp and authoritative.“I’m Special Agent Mercer, Federal Task Force.This is now a federal case.Give me a quick update.”
Reynolds bristled.“With all due respect, Agent…Mercer, this is still an active crime scene under city jurisdiction.”
“Not anymore.”She handed him a document.“Presidential directive.All matters concerning illegal gene modification fall under our purview.”
Gunnar stepped forward.“We’ve got nearly two dozen dead, Agent.This isn’t just about gene mods.And as GCR operatives, I believewehave jurisdiction.”
Mercer’s eyes were cold.“And we have reason to believe this facility is connected to a network of illegal enhancement operations.The implications go far beyond local concerns.”Her gaze shifted to Giles.“Did you recover any data?”
Gunnar moved to position himself between Giles and the federal agent.Bryn leaned toward him.“Something doesn’t feel right,” he whispered.
“Agreed,” Gunnar replied.“The timing is too convenient.And I’ve never heard of a task force overriding GCR authority.”
“Something you’d like to share, Detective?”Mercer glared.
Giles cleared his throat.“Perhaps we should keep things cordial.”He held out his hand.“Giles Delacourt.”
“Gunnar Ericson.”Gunnar shook hands too, which left an opening for Bryn.
“Bryn Ashton.You said you were from a federal task force?”
The agent couldn’t avoid the handshakes or the question.“That’s right.Now about the data…”
“She’s lying,” Bryn announced.“I only had time for a truth read.”
