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“Miss Washington.” Frank Mosby appeared out of nowhere to be standing in front of her. “Lots of property damage,” he assessed.
“And nary a dead person,” Velvet replied sourly. It was late and her humor was shot to hell by now. “So why is Major Crimes on my front lawn?”
“Because your manservant wouldn’t let us enter the house. There’s a thing called courtesy, many folk allow it for cops and ministers.” He chomped on his unlit cigar. “But you ain’t like most people, are you ma’am?”
Velvet glance away, scanning her street to locate Omar. She found him with his back to her, across the street interviewing a few of her neighbors at the same time. Mosby stepped in her line of sight. “What the hell is going on around here?”
“I’ll be at the station in the morning to give my statement.”
“I’d sure appreciate it now, Miss Washington.”
“A creature attacked our colleague and chased him here. It did the damage.”
“What was it?”
“It had fur and wings. We’re calling it a wolf bat.”
“Like a werewolf-werebat?”
“Yes.”
“Eyewitnesses say that thing was as big as a car. Werepeople don’t get that big. And bats don’t cross with wolves. Sounds to me someone has been monkeying around with the supernatural.”
“Seems the supernatural world never concerned you before.”
He took a lighter from his coat pocket and lit his cigar. “You implied no one was dead. But you know that ain’t true. There is a dead wolf lady, and a wolf man you killed supposedly in self-defense. Maybe your buddy Troy buys that, but some of the werefolk don’t. You take the law into your own hands, putting innocents at risk. You are a nuisance to the community, and that, Miss Washington is why Major Crimes is in your front lawn.” He eyed her levelly then said, “Somebody sent that creature after you people. Who was it?”
“She wasn’t sent. She just came.”
“She?”
“She’s a witch, a real crone, actually.”
“Hold it, you saying that creature and that crone is the same person or thing?”
“Yes. She changed herself.”
“Now, why on earth would someone do that?”
“Ask her that when you find her.” As if they’d even lift one leaf.
“Ma’am.”
“Her name is Samantha, she has long white plaited hair. Watch out because it moves. And oh, she and Jerome are in cahoots.”
“All right, ma’am. I’ll have a talk with Firestrom.”
“I suggest you have him go down to the station. Don’t you or your men approach that mansion.”
“You say Mister Rankin was attacked and Samantha followed him here?”
“Yes.”
“She just happened to catch him alone on foot at night?”
“We are often on foot at night. But we haven’t been able to speak with him much. He’s in a healing sleep for now.”
“About when will he be bright eyed?”
“Around mid-morning.”
“I expect to see you and all your associates at the station, ma’am. Make sure to bring your weapons.”
“Why?”
“Evidence for future inquiries.”
“We don’t surrender our weapons. You can photograph them or request to see them.”
“Please ma’am, don’t start being difficult.”
“My weapons are enchanted. Tyra’s and Rankin’s are irreplaceable, forged with special metal and other materials. It would be dangerous for regular folk to handle them.”
“Plus, you just don’t want to cooperate.”
“Fine,” Velvet said. “Here’s my axe.” It came sailing through the front door that opened just to let it out. “Take it,” she invited. It floated over their heads just within reaching range.
Mosby frowned at her as he took the axe by the short handle. “Hey!” he exclaimed. “It’s moving!” He let it drop in the air. It floated back to Velvet. She took it and held it like any other weapon or tool. “It always finds its way back to me. If you tagged, bagged it and locked it up, it will hack its way out, keep moving until it is back with me.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“If you don’t, just take it.”
“Take the spell off,” Mosby said, eyeing it like it might up and chop off his head.
“No.”
“Fine, but I will have a look around this house,” he said.
“Not without a warrant.”
“Don’t need one. It’s a crime scene.”
“What crime? We fought in the street. Samantha never touched my house.”
“Boy, you got a remedy for everything,” Mosby marveled. “But I ain’t buying that. A big ass monster comes for you and it never gets close to your house?”
“We met in the air above the street.”
“Flying again?”
“Damn. Man, you here to bust my chops or investigate an incident?” For a minute there, she thought he was actually doing his job. Made her mad he got her to talk even if it didn’t matter. For now on, she’d hold out on him on principle.
She walked out to the curb where Omar was finishing up whatever she was sure Mosby assigned him to keep him busy while he harassed her.
“Velvet.” No big smile just a bright gleam in his eyes.
“Omar.”
“He gave you a hard time?” He indicated his partner with a small toss of his head.
“Not much, but I’m sure that was his plan.” She crossed her arms and watched his eyes give her a thorough going over. Her suit was bloody and her hair felt clumped to her head. She wished she’d taken a shower before coming outside. Not that Omar seemed to mind her appearance.
“What’s that suit made of?”
“Latex, magic, and Kevlar. Strong and flexible.”
“It’s also very figure friendly.”
“Thanks, but I’m not in the mood to be handled. I know I’m under suspicion so don’t think the bad cop good cop works around here.”
“Whoa, now.” Omar stepped back. “I ain’t here to help trip you up. And believe it or not neither is Frank. The captain wants to take another look at the werewolf deaths, and that thing was part wolf. And so far the common denominator is you. I know you haven’t murdered anyone, but what can I do?”
“Get out of our way, that’s what. You know the police are useless here.”
“The city frowns on killing, Velvet. It’s what you and your crew do.”
“It’s what we do when there is no other choice, Omar. I suggest you get that straight.”
“You are a witch. You don’t have to kill anybody.”
“How you figure that? How many maniac demons or zombies you had to tangle with that meant to tear you apart?”
“None,” he answered solemnly. “But events like tonight have to stop. City Hall is getting fed up. Stuff like this fuels up the mayor’s campaign against groups and people like you. Damn, why did that fella run back to town like that? He should have stopped it where he found it.”
“Rankin is not a coward if that’s what you’re saying. He fought it and tried to get back to warn us. Thank God, he’s a true immortal.”
Omar lowered his eyes, then back up to her open face. “That guy Rankin, he’s still somebody to you? I heard you two were an item once.”
“Is that a crime?”
“No, it’s just a question.”
“Doesn’t sound like an official one.”
“It’s just me wanting to know who you are dating these days.”
“I don’t date.”
“Come on, Velvet. You are a knockout and smart. You seem to have your life together. And I am digging you.”
“What?” Of course she knew it, but for him to just throw it out there was something else.
“When all this mess is over, I’d like to see you.”
“I’d never date a cop.”
“Why not?”
“Don’t dig them.”
“Wow.” His eyes wondered off behind her to the porch.
Velvet turned to see what held his attention. It was Wilder coming upon them. He put an arm around her waist and looked Omar in the eye.
“You’re the resident vampire, I take it.”
“I am Wilder. This is my home. Are you done?”
“I have a few more questions, sir.”
“Make them quick. We have urgent matters at hand.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Omar promised with a touch of sarcasm. He waited for Wilder to climb the porch steps before speaking to her again. “Is he why you don’t date? Y’all hitting the sheets in his coffin?”
“Coffins don’t have sheets and I don’t converse with vulgar jealous men either.” She walked back up to the house.
“I’m sorry.” Omar moved in front of her before she opened the front door. “I was out of line. Who you sleep with isn’t my business. But he did that possessive routine to bug me. I’m not used to a vampire coming up calling himself claiming his woman.”
“I’m not anybody’s woman. I told you that.”
“I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. But hey, you should know I don’t mind begging a terrific lady for her company. This is me begging. The next move has to come from you.”
“Cool. Now, good night.” She slipped inside the house and closed the door in his smiling face.