Chapter Seven
Darren wasn’t surprisedwhen Les brought the whole team into the text conversation.
Darren read from his texts. “Coretta is checking the system for any investigations that include the NCCP. Les is complaining about doing our leg work. Mason Butler works as a reporter for the Washington Conservative News. They are in the anti-Anti-Talent movement and have published a number of investigative pieces about corruption and abuse of power in government. They seem to take the position that a smaller government has less power to trample anyone’s rights, including those with Talent.”
“I’m less worried about the government than I am a lawless mob,” Kavon said dryly.
“One of these days I’m going to get you to play Dungeons and Dragons. You would be a great dragonborn follower of Bahamut.” Hell, Darren was almost sure that whoever had created the game had based lawful good theory on Kavon.
Kavon stopped at the end of the service alley and glared at Darren. Kavon pushed indulgent amusement though the bond. However, that didn’t mask the darker anger or the fear that fueled it.
“Let’s see what the staff knows.” Kavon strode down the alley toward a clump of people smoking and leaning against the handrail that led up to the delivery bay. “Excuse me,” Kavon said. “Are any of you working the NCCP conference?”
Immediately, the employees were on edge. Darren hurried past Kavon since he tended to intimidate without trying. “We’re wondering if anyone has heard anything that concerned them, maybe something that made them wonder if they should call the police.”
An older woman with short hair dropped her cigarette and crushed it. “I’m getting the manager.”
“We’re not supposed to discuss what guests might do or say with anyone outside hotel management,” a girl said. Several employees retreated toward the employee door.
Darren wished he had enough magic to check their emotional state, but even if Bennu was around, they sucked at that sort of small, controlled magic. Bennu was more about big gestures. “We’re law enforcement,” Darren said in the most generic terms possible, since he and Kavon had no legal grounds for an FBI investigation.
“Fuck off,” a round baby-faced man said. He was tall and massively built, and Kavon moved forward. His movement channeled his bull—powerful with a vague air of I will enjoy stomping you to death. Darren had seen murderers quail at that look; however, their young punk drew himself up straighter.
Darren wondered if Kavon would have turned out so protective if he hadn't been a shaman. Without his bull to reinforce his idea of herd and the need to protect, would Kavon have the same personality?
“I choose not to,” Kavon said in a dangerously quiet voice. Two of the young women fled into the hotel, and three others took out phones and started filming.
So much for subtlety.
“Maybe I’ll make you.” The young man jumped over the rail and landed with his arms outstretched.
Kavon grew still. “If you choose to engage two armed federal agents, you will not like the results.”
Darren moved to the side so he would have a better angle if the confrontation grew violent, but the man hesitated now. He might’ve wanted to show off in front of the women, but it hadn’t occurred to him that he didn’t want to attack agents. He looked around as though searching for an out.
Before this guy could make matters worse, Darren redirected him back to Kavon’s question. “Have you overheard anything that the police might need to know about? Has anyone threatened or promoted violence?”
The man frowned.
Kavon pressed the issue. “Did anyone in the NCCP meetings advocate violence?”
The man took a step back and the tension dropped. “They’re all talk,” he said. “But management says that any concerns go to them—not the police.” With a dismissive snort, he turned his back on them and headed into the hotel.
“So that would be a ‘yes.’ You have heard something.” Darren gave the young women a hopeful expression, but they all escaped into the hotel. Darren sighed and turned to Kavon. “Do you want to follow?”
“You know how the management is here.”
“Protect the clients at all costs?” Darren remembered their blackmailing maid case. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Then there’s no reason to stick around. Hopefully one of the staff will start thinking about the potential for violence, but we don’t have a legal reason to push the issue.”
“Text Coretta?” Darren asked. Since he and Kavon were on vacation, she would be the one to handle any FBI follow-up.
“With what?” Kavon headed back toward the street. “All we have is someone warning us that the NCCP hates those with Talent. That’s not actionable intel.”
As much as Darren wanted to argue that they should open an FBI case, Kavon was right that White would shut them down. Darren followed Kavon. Every choppy move of Kavon’s body radiated frustration as he turned toward their car. And the bond had gone conspicuously silent.
“Thuya did say our suspects like to cause chaos and create interesting conflicts.” Darren said. That put the NCCP members and haters on the suspect list.
