He studies him for a moment, and for the first time I see any reaction from him beyond shrinking into the corner. His cracked, chapped lips tremble slightly. He swallows.
"Will you come out to us?" I ask quietly.
But Senu stays curled up, motionless, pressed into the corner of the cage.
Detective Arnold steps closer.
"For him, leaving the cage is associated only with something horrific," he says softly. "I’ve seen cases like this before. In his mind, the cage is the safest place."
Then Jordan suddenly speaks. His voice is firm. "Leave me alone with him. Give us space."
Storm, Arnold, and I exchange surprised looks, but something in Jordan’s tone convinces us. If he truly is Senu’s True Mate, then he is the best person to reach him.
We all step back from the cage and move toward the entrance of the room.
In the meantime, Detective Arnold begins opening the cages one by one. A moment later, we hear footsteps as more police officers and people who look like medical personnel come down the stairs. I cannot be certain, since I am not familiar with these kinds of operations. The group is large. Arnold must have called for solid backup.
Storm places a hand on my shoulder.
"I think we should let the police do their job. I know Jordan will take care of Senu."
"He believed you right away?" I ask, a little surprised, remembering how hard it was for me to believe Storm when he told me Salt was my True Mate.
"At this point, every pairing I’ve handled during the previous fair has been confirmed as True Mates. Jordan knows that and took my words seriously. But I can see that he’s stressed. It’s huge news, a life-changing thing, and he has lived a quiet, calm life of a workaholic."
"Senu is in a shut-down state. Getting through to him won’t be easy."
"True, Salt probably would be the best option here, to help Senu," Stom mutters.
"Salt is on the island with an ankle monitor. Senu’s fated is the next best option. So, it’s good that you brought Jordan. "
I sigh and glance back toward the cage. To my surprise, I see that Jordan has climbed inside and is now sitting next to Senu. In his elegant suit, sitting in a filthy cage, he looks surreal, but it seems like the right choice. Senu’s big eyes are fixed on him. Jordan is speaking quietly, showing him something on his phone.
I’ve heard how it works for True Mates: when they enter Joining, their traumatic memories begin to fade. That’s how the healing works. The painful past loses its immediacy and its power over the present.
"I hope something can be done for the other omegas too. They all look deeply traumatized."
"I hope so too. Detective Arnold has experience with situations like this, and I know he will help them find their families. For those who do not have families, he will find them safe places and make sure they receive psychological support."
We step out of the building.
As soon as we are outside and the fresh air hits me, free of the stench of blood and sweat from Tanner’s tormented victims, Storm suddenly speaks.
"Are you planning to call Salt and tell him about this? It will be incredible news for him. He loved his brother so much. This is… huge. Really huge."
I hesitate. I feel resistance tighten in my chest, a knot of tension.
"True, but I think it should be Senu. Not me."
"I do not know if he will be able to do that for some time."
"We will see. Give me a moment."
I go back into Tanner’s house. Earlier I noticed sticky notes on the fridge, with a pen attached by a magnet.
After browsing it on my phone, I write down the number for the island’s central office, add Salt’s unit number, and underneath I write my own number with a note: "And this is my number. I am Salt’s husband."
I go back to Storm, and show him the note. "I think Senu will want to hear Salt’s voice too. They were everything to each other. I will give him this."
