Kavon had no intention of defending his honor because chasing leads was relaxing to him. However, he had hoped to give Darren a chance to play video games and recover from the general havoc they’d dealt with lately.
Just as Kavon got ready to invite the team to get to work on the plan, Les spoke up. “We need to bring Anita into this.”
Coretta spoke before Kavon could. “Your girlfriend Anita?” She sounded as horrified as Kavon felt. This was not a team picnic where spouses and significant others got an invite.
“She's a shaman. When something happens, people will tell the medical personnel at the Djedi center when they won't report attacks to the police. If someone is out there throwing his weight around, she’ll know or she’ll know of other nurses who have treated injuries.”
“How many attacks don't get reported?” Darren asked. Concern and horror flooded their bond. Despite Kavon’s discomfort with public affection, he caught Darren’s hand in his and interlocked their fingers. After a brief hesitation, Darren squeezed, and the bond settled as the negative emotions faded to the background.
“You've seen the reports on rape—do you think it’s significantly different with shamanic attacks?” Les asked. “They’re both about power, about violating someone. I mean, I don’t have numbers and I don’t even know if anyone out there is keeping statistics, but I know that every week or two, Anita asks me to talk to some victim.
“Fuck.” Rima’s voice was low and angry. She tucked her feet up under her and hugged her knees.
“What can you do?” Coretta’s words sounded cold, but her expression was full of horror.
“I ask them where the attack happened. If happened on the physical plane, I give them the name of a competent and unbiased detective. If it happens on the spirit plane, I encourage them to report it to McLean’s office. That’s the best I can do.” Les sounded distressed that he couldn’t do more.
Les made a valid point. At least she would go toe-to-toe with Halverson himself if she had to. He’d seen that with his own eyes. “Brief her,” Kavon said. “Let’s find out if the Djedi nurses she knows have heard anything. Okay people, let’s get moving.”
“Tonight?” Les sounded eager to get back to the office and start work.
“Tomorrow,” Coretta said, and she glared at Kavon as if daring him to argue. “If this is a war, we have to pace ourselves, so we go home, relax, and start tracking down leads in the morning when we’re all fresh.”
Part of Kavon wanted to charge in and start making headway, but his logical side knew she was right. Hopefully the war could wait until tomorrow.
