He watched as other uniformed officers tried to work the scene by moving the Shifters away from the cars and helping the fire department contain the area.An ambulance arrived next, followed by two more.
As Shawn took it all in, the flashing lights reminding him of times he’d rather forget, he asked, “Your name, officer?”
“Bailey.”
“Bailey,” he murmured, cutting the young man a glance.“Don’t be offended, but this is way above your pay grade.I’d walk away and let someone else deal with the shit.”
The man’s eyes narrowed.“Sir…”
Shawn shook his head.“I mean no offense.”
“You’re ex-Army, right?”
Bailey’s question had Shawn pursing his lips but otherwise nodding his assent.
“Then you know chain of command doesn’t always work how you want it too.For the moment, I need to ask certain questions.When other ranking officials arrive, I’ll report to them.That’s how it works, sir.”
Shawn knew that, but still, this was no job for anyone who was new to the job.
Saying that, Bailey had targeted him.Having sensed he was the one coordinating the scene… the man had better instincts than the other cops around.
“I’m a security guard for the Forsythe-Drews.”
Bailey sucked in a sharp breath.“They’re the owners of this property?”
“No.MaryEllen is the partner of the owner.”
“She’s the one who was targeted?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t think this is related?”
Shawn narrowed his eyes, taken aback by the man’s perception.“No.I don’t.How did you know that?”
“I might be new but I’m sixth generation cop.They bred it into my marrow.”
Shawn shrugged that off, but knew it was a half-truth.Being a cop and a soldier could be bread into the bones sometimes.Especially when the job choice wasn’t forced on the person.
Shawn was fourth generation himself.He’d wanted to be a soldier.Had wanted it since he’d known and understood what his daddy did for a living.But his cousin, Al?He’d enlisted out of duty but had hated it.
Being a soldier was a vocation.Not a job.
When it was a job then Shawn thought that a recruit needed to find another one.
“Why don’t you believe this is related?”
“For one, MaryEllen wasn’t due to be in any of these cars.Her partner, on the other hand, was.”
“Okay, so why don’t you sound convinced?”
Shawn shrugged.“Look, man, I’m just security.I’m not a detective,” he hedged, unsure of how deep to go into this without Ryan, Trip, and Marc’s input.
He could take control easily, but when Shifter politics got involved he knew taking point would be a stupid move to make when there were so many outside influences at play.
Bailey rubbed his chin as they watched the fire department start to cut off the roof of one of the SUVs.
Maybe it was just his imagination, but once the roof was clear, the stench of fire and flesh grew stronger.He pressed his hand to his nose.
