George carefully lifted Andi’s head, untangling himself from Andi’s clutches and getting him upright. Andi saw the two empty mugs on the coffee table.
“Hot chocolate always makes me tired.”
“Yes, I’m sure it was the chocolate, not the clusterfuck of a case we’re saddled with.” George got up, pulling Andi with him. “Come on.”
They headed toward the stairs after George switched off the light, bathing the room in darkness. Only the dim light of the moon was coming through the windows, creating more shadows than showing the way. Andi took over, relying on the arthropods to get himself and George up the stairs, where he switched on the floor light.
In front of his bedroom, he paused. “Thank you, George.”
“You’re welcome. Sleep tight.” George walked on to the guest room that had become his by now. Andi watched him vanish through the door and was relieved to see the small crack, meaning George had left it open just enough to be able to hear Andi. It was childish, really. He was a grown man who was used to sleeping alone in his house, and yet…. And yet it was like a warm blanket, knowing George cared. Andi stepped into his own bedroom, quickly got rid of his hoodie, brushed his teeth, and went to bed. He closed his eyes, sensing for George through every option he had, seeing him through the eyes of a fly caught in the room, through the antennae of the moths dwelling in the box where the blinds were rolled up, heard his breathing through the legs of the spiders, felt his heartbeat as electrical charges through the pill bugs. George was settling down, already breathing deep, lulling Andi to sleep as well.
THE NEXTmorning during breakfast, they talked about the case.
“I really hope Evangeline can tell us something helpful.” George was back from his morning run, gulping down one of his disgusting green smoothies. The glass standing in front of Andi was filled with something more palatable, a mixture of maracuja juice, pineapple, banana, apple, and lemon, with some of George’s magic powder which promised to provide all the minerals a person needed per day. Andi had his doubts, especially concerning the artificiality of the supplements, but he had once read how important belief was when it came to health, so he kept his mouth shut. Plus, the fruit smoothie was an acceptable alternative to not eating anything at all.
“It may take her some time to get all the bones sorted. They were in disarray, especially more to the top. The killer never dug deep to begin with, and every time he buried a new body, he disturbed the ones already resting.” Andi shuddered, thinking about the agitation of the earth-dwelling scavengers whenever the killer had brought a fresh kill.
“I’m aware the situation was overwhelming down there, Andi.” George looked at him over the rim of his now empty glass. “But can you try to remember any details that might help us?”
Andi closed his eyes. Compared to experiencing something directly through the arthropods, recalling it was a piece of cake. Granted, not the kind of cake he would like to eat, not even when he was starving, but easy. “He only goes there when he has a body. No visits in between. I assume he is with the bees right before he either makes the kill or buries the body, perhaps part of his ritual, because the arthropods recognize him only through the smoke, which is a bit different every time, but combined with the rest, the body, the pheromones they pick up on, it’s a coherent picture. There’s also a hint of drugs, hard to tell which ones because it’s so weak. I’d say he doesn’t take them, only has contact. Nobody else comes to that bunker. We need to find out who the owner is. The killer never stays for long. He brings the body, carries it straight into the secret room, where he always stashes it at the wall to the left while he’s digging. He brings the shovel, takes it with him after the body is buried. There’s—” Andi furrowed his brows, tried to form a picture of what he had glimpsed under the earth. “There’s something on the ground, chalk, mixed with the earth. Don’t know what it means. He goes back to the bodies, looks at their feet, touches them, then he puts them in the hole he has dug and shovels earth on it. After that, he makes sure the secret door is closed before he leaves.”
“He’s methodical, with established patterns. Less likely to make a mistake.” George sighed in disappointment. “Any chance you might be able to follow his trail outside the bunker?”
“Probably. Until he gets into whatever vehicle he’s driving. Worth a shot, though.”
“Yeah. We have to go back to the crime scene anyway.” George started putting the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher. “Let’s get changed.” He looked at the monstrous watch at his wrist. “We have roughly forty minutes to get to the precinct if we don’t want to make Geena and the others wait.”
“I guess that would be rude on her second day. Mescew and Gentry won’t care.”
“You’re right. Considering how we left her yesterday, it would be even worse. She seems nice. We should try to stay on her good side.”
Andi got up from the kitchen stool. “I’ll do my very best.”
George chuckled. “Let’s buy her coffee and a croissant to be on the safe side.”
Andi had a sharp retort on the tip of his tongue, about how he was very well capable of being nice to people if he wanted to, but George was already on his way upstairs. Knowing his partner wanted him to put on something he hadn’t slept in, Andi followed.
AT THEprecinct, Geena was already waiting, together with Sandra and Tobias. They had obviously gotten the introductions out of the way without the help of George and Andi. When George gave Geena his offering of coffee and pastry, her smile, that had been a little strained, loosened considerably, while Tobias murmured loud enough to be heard that he would have appreciated something sweet as well. Sandra cut in by telling him he was getting too fat and should be grateful that George had forgotten him. Geena wasn’t really angry, Andi could sense it, just wary, unsure. Usually it didn’t bother him too much how people around him reacted; it just wasn’t worth the hassle. Geena, though, was a temporary partner, and they needed her. He couldn’t forget that.
“Good morning, George, Andi.”
“Good morning, Geena.” George opened the door that led down to the morgue for her. “Did you sleep well?”
“It was fine. The hotel is better than some I’ve been in. Wonderfully quiet, and breakfast was good.”
“So you’re ready to face the morgue?” George gestured for her to follow him.
“On that note, we’re going to stay here and see what new reports have come through.” Tobias waved at his desk. “Oh, and we could select two beat officers to work with us? Chief Norris wasn’t too happy yesterday when I told her you haven’t chosen anybody yet.”
“Ah, yes. Do that please.” George smiled at Sandra and Tobias, who turned back to the bullpen. “Ready?” he asked Geena again.
“The way you say it, no, I’m not ready.” She glanced at Andi, who was walking behind her. “But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”
“You’re going to like Evangeline.” It was all Andi could come up with. Polite conversation was not his strong suit. The way Geena looked at him, he got the feeling she understood. Perhaps this day wouldn’t be too bad after all.
10. Monstrous puzzle
GEORGE LEDthe way to the morgue, glad that Geena didn’t seem angry with them. Dealing with a pissed-off agent from another government branch, especially the FBI, was at the very bottom of his list of life goals. After an assistant had told them Evangeline was in her office, they went there, entering after a short knock. The coroner was seated behind her desk, the various piles of paperwork shivering precariously when Andi closed the door.
