“I'm normal. You're a freak.”
“I'm a freak because I notice things? If you would just look, you could notice what I do.” I waved at the items. “Look andsee! Instead of looking and assuming. You let your life influence your sight.”
“Everyone does! That's what gives us perspective.”
“You'd be a better claw if you abandoned your perspective during inspections.Look, for the sake of the Gods! Tell me what you see. Not what you assume, but what isactuallythere.”
To my left, the Dragon King watched, lips twitching. His knights were less circumspect, grinning and snickering.
Jupeng suddenly remembered that we had a royal audience and his pride reared. “I'm a fucking claw. I know how to inspect a crime scene.”
“Very well. Go ahead then.” I waved at the table.
With a huff, Jupeng bent over the items. As he peered and prodded, I took the opportunity to collect myself. Because not only was I certain of who those things belonged to, but I was also certain that I was the reason Claw Greishen had been murdered.
But I wasn't about to share that information with Jupeng.
“Why the fuck isn't this floor cleared?” a voice boomed from the doorway.
I turned to see Chief Ahsan come striding across the room, gesturing at his talons. Grimacing, I glanced at the King. There would be a lot of assumptions made by my fellow claws and talons. The Chief’s arrival told me the gossip had already reached the Hall of Talons. Chief Ahsan rarely appeared at a crime scene. But the presence of the King practically demanded it. And the way he called out orders and puffed out his chest confirmed he was showing off for another alpha male. Just what I needed, more alpha crap.
I rolled my eyes and looked at Jupeng. He rolled his eyes at me. At least we were of one mind in this.
“Your Majesty.” Chief Ahsan bowed to the King. “I thought your involvement was over since Claw Shinkai solved the case.”
“We were not investigating tonight, Chief,” the King drawled. “Not crime, at least.”
The Chief's eyes went wide and his stare slid to me.
I stared back. Unblinking. Even I knew better than to contradict the King in front of a roomful of his talons, including the Talon Chief himself.
Finding neither confirmation nor denial from me, the Chief cleared his throat. “Well, I see that we have two claws investigating now. Claw Jupeng, what are your findings?”
Jupeng looked at me.
Our earlier moment of camaraderie compelled me to let go of our rivalry for now. So, instead of letting Jupeng flounder as I had intended, I answered for him.
“If I may, Chief?” I asked first. I didn't want to sound as if I were trying to steal the glory from Jupeng. “I've already inspected the scene and drawn my conclusions while Claw Jupeng has just arrived and is still investigating. I value all contributions, of course. A second pair of eyes is always helpful.”
“Yes, report, Claw Shinkai. Claw Jupeng, go back to your inspection.”
Jupeng gave me a grateful look, then bent over the items again.
“Claw Greishen was either taken unaware or he knew his assailant. There are no indications of defense. He was then bound, tortured, and murdered, Chief. Note the markings on his wrists. They are fresh. As is the body. The wound on his throat indicates his throat was slashed. His broken wings, fingers, and the many cuts on his chest lead me to conclude that he was tortured first. Claw Jupeng saw Greishen alive yesterday. So, he couldn't have been held for long. I believe he was killed a few hours ago at most.”
“Dear Gods,” the Chief whispered. “He was a hard man, but he was one of ours.”
That was a polite way of saying that no one liked Greishen. I may annoy people, but he put them off. He was, in short, a racist jerk. That wouldn't have been an issue for me except that he let his perspective color his investigations, just as I had warned Jupeng against doing. But where Jupeng'sperspective could actually be beneficial on occasion, Greishen's was always detrimental. Especially with the missing boy.
“Jupeng, do you have anything to add?”
“No, Chief. Claw Shinkai, as usual, is beyond thorough.”
I lifted a brow at Jupeng. He smirked and shrugged.
“And what are those?” The Chief waved at the table.
“We found a satchel on Claw Greishen's lap, Chief,” Jupeng said. “Claw Shinkai believes it belongs to a missing boy.”
