“Do we have an ID yet?” I ask.
He nods. “Nathaniel Rambert. His driver’s license was at home. He lived alone,” Dominic says.
“I haven't seen you before,” Serena squints at him.
“Just transferred here, Ma’am. Dominic Adler,” he says.
She nods. Then we step into the house, which is a complete mess. Unfortunately, an expected and familiar mess.
Serena turns to me, her face grim. We already know we won't find anything in the house. Just like we didn’t the last time. Every surface is a mess. There are broken glasses, clothes, soil, and leaves on the floor. On the tables. On the shelves.
The only thing clean is the body. It’s pristine. No signs of blood.
“He was supposed to be at a conference. That's why his girlfriend didn’t realize he was missing.”
“Is she here?”
Dominic nods and takes us to the crying woman outside. She looks familiar somehow.
I narrow my eyes, trying to remember where I could have seen her before. She’s a tall Latinx woman with a strong build. I could tell she was a werewolf when we were still a few feet away, but it’s confirmed when I reach close enough to smell nature, green and lush, on her.
“I live a couple of blocks away. I came down as soon as I got the call,” she says between tears.
“When was the last time you talked to him?” Serena asks.
“Almost a week ago. He went to a conference. I called him a few times, but he didn't pick up. I thought he was busy. We fought before… before he left.” She breaks down into sobs.
“We'll try our best to find who did this to him,” Serena assures her.
We go back into the house after setting up an appointment for further questioning and giving her our cards in case she remembers anything.
The body is still on the chair, being prepared to be transported. It’s clearly staged with signs of prolonged torture. There are cuts on the body, and the head has swelling and bruises.
The man is of average height and fit, someone who might put up a good fight. But a human.
Sloan rushes to us. “It's Cami's sister,” she says between ragged breaths.
“Who?” I ask.
“The girlfriend. She’s Cami's sister,” she says.
Chapter Seven
Restless Nights and Romantic Rendezvous
Elliot
This is a disaster. I shouldn't have agreed to this date.
I look at myself in the mirror again and chuck the white shirt away. I yank on the fucking pale blue knit sweater. It looks better. Works well with my black pants that make my ass look fantastic. If there’s any chance the guy is onto me, I’ll need all the arsenal to keep him sweet until I can escape. Is that putting too much pressure on my ass? Nope, because it isthatgood.
At best, I’ll get a nice meal and an average fuck out of it. I don’t care what Sam thinks of werewolves and sex. I won’t lie, though, he got me all curious. Still, a guy that attractive, funny, and charming doesn’t need to compensate for anything in the bedroom.
At worst, I’ll have to convince him I’m an innocent vet who loves animals. I won’t even have to pretend. Animals are awesome. Team animal all day! I’ll need to work harder to make him believe I know nothing about werewolves, murders, or heart attacks.
I look at myself again. This will have to do. A glance at the time makes me instantly regret the last three wardrobe changes. I'm already five minutes late. Swinging by the coffeeplace will hike it up to ten since I’d designed my entire schedule around the three-minute window when the drive-by is clear. Took almost a year, but it had to be done. I need my caffeine fix because I actually want my patients to live.
Their owners are the ones in danger, at least some of them. Because the next time someone asks me to make their dogs vegan, I’ll have to get Ashley to hold me back. And that’s with an optimal amount of caffeine running through my system.
