Page 11 of Hell’s Half Acre

“Hey. You ogled King Cutie for me yet?”

Sorcha shook her head. “One day, you’re going to get into trouble for your inappropriate behavior.”

Bernadette scoffed. “My inappropriate behavior is what caused me to be working for IA, shug. If this is torture, chain me to the wall. And don’t get me started on what you did to get reassigned here.”

Yeah, there were times when she regretted shooting her partner in New Orleans.

But every time she glanced at Luke, those regrets vanished.

I am going to Hell for these thoughts.

She just hoped Luke’s banishment was lifted before then.

“Anyway,” Sorcha stretched out the word to get them both on track. “Who called this in?”

“No one. I got a text from Captain Murdoch asking for us to look it over. Why?”

“Everyone here thinks it’s a normal murder, including the first officers on scene. So why would they call us in?”

Bernadette fell quiet for a moment. “Is it a normal murder?”

“No. But the norms don’t know that. Luke’s the only one who can tell the murder belongs to us.”

“Let me call you back.” Bernadette hung up before Sorcha had a chance to protest.

Luke returned to her side. “This isn’t adding up.”

She met his amber gaze. “What are you thinking?”

“Lawson’s an Alpha, not a lone wolf. How did he end up here by himself? As a rule, Alphas don’t travel alone.”

“Your mom does, right?”

Luke let out a deep laugh. “She’s never alone when she visits.”

That sent a chill up her spine. “I’ve never seen anyone with her.”

He arched one brow. “I’m here when she is. And her Beta is always within striking distance.”

“Her Beta?”

“Second-in-command, which was me while I was in Hell. Kaden took over when I was booted out, and I can promise you that he’s always with her. I can smell the rancid bastard whenever she’s visiting me.”

Oh. She’d never known that and it was a bit creepy to think there was something around she couldn’t see, watching her. Although that was what most people experienced given that they lacked her ability to see ghosts.

Still…

“So his Beta should have been here with him. You think the Beta killed him?”

Luke shook his head. “Not like this. A Beta challenges the Alpha when they want to take the throne. It’s done with ceremony and in front of the pack so that no one will question the legitimacy of the fight or the outcome. Murder isn’t something canines typically do…even those with human or other halves.”

She considered his words. “So someone lured him out here, away from his Beta.”

Luke nodded. “And you don’t just decapitate an Alpha. I mean, I could. But I cheat in a fight.”

Sorcha snorted as Luke continued to examine the body.

“This took a lot of skill and strength.” Luke let out a long sigh. “I’m going to talk with the ghosts. Cover for me and let me know what Bernadette says.”