Chapter Ten

 

Alex was waiting in the shadows outside the hospital when a familiar form left the front doors. Alex fell in behind him.

“How’s Officer Smith?”

Officer Dune’s steps slowed. He glanced back at Alex and something changed in his gaze.

“You’re him,” the officer said, turning around to face Alex.

Alex pushed the hoodie back from his head and nodded.

The officer’s gaze was searching as he studied Alex. “You’re younger than I thought.”

Alex gave a wry smile. “Young and foolish.”

Officer Dune’s eyes creased slightly at the corners. “I don’t know about that. Going after those girls was the bravest thing I’ve seen in a long time. And you took quite the beating.”

At the officer’s curious expression, Alex shrugged. “Werewolves heal quickly.”

“As long as the weapons aren’t silver,” Officer Dune noted.

“Let’s hope the gangs don’t start dealing in precious metals.”

The officer was quiet for a minute, then he said, “Want to grab a bite to eat? The diner around the corner makes great pie.”

The officer’s invitation surprised Alex. He clenched and unclenched his hands in uncertainty as he debated. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What if you’re caught hanging out with a werewolf?”

Officer Dune shrugged. “Who said anything about getting caught? I’m Officer Dune, by the way.”

“Alex,” Alex replied, shaking his hand warily.

The officer led the way around the corner. Alex followed him into the small diner, every sense alert in case it was a trap.

Officer Dune read his expression as he took a seat at the last booth. “Trust me. If I was going to set you up, this isn’t the place to do it. Relax.”

The officer’s position faced the diner, so Alex slid into the booth and turned so that his back rested against the window and he could take in the nearly empty restaurant.

“You’d need a bigger gun,” Alex noted quietly.

Officer Dune glanced at him, his expression puzzled. “What?”

“If you were going to set me up, you’d need a bigger gun.” Alex nodded meaningfully at the weapon holstered on the officer’s hip.

Officer Dune smiled. “Yes, I would. And a bigger motive. This city needs you on the streets more than it needs you behind bars.”

A waitress with her hair pulled back in a tight bun stopped near the table.

“The usual, Officer Dune?” she asked.

He nodded. “And one for the kid.”

She wrote something on her notepad and barely glanced at Alex before turning away.

“I had a run-in with some of Taden’s men.”

The officer gave him an interested look. “You don’t mess around.”

“They were ransacking an apartment. Something about the fact that the mother owed them protection money.”

Officer Dune nodded. “It’s common for gangs around here to offer protection by forcing families to pay to keep their homes safe.”

“That’s extortion.”

The officer’s eyebrows rose. “Where do you go to school?”

“Not here,” Alex answered vaguely.

“I figured as much,” Officer Dune replied. He sat back. “What made you take such an interest in Greyton?”

Alex studied the table top. The wood was worn but polished. He could smell the scent of lemon from the cleaner. “A friend of mine was killed and I had to let off some steam.” He met the officer’s gaze. “I have a few friends here. They mentioned how scary it was getting.”

“And you felt like you could do something about it,” the officer guessed.

Alex nodded.

The waitress returned with two plates of chocolate mousse pie. The officer thanked her and took the bill.

Alex took his first bite. The taste of the chocolate reminded him how long it had been since he had eaten.

“This is really good. Thank you.”

“I wasn’t sure about chocolate, you know.”

Officer Dune’s tone caught Alex’s attention. “What do you mean?”

The officer shrugged, looking uncomfortable for the first time that night. “Well, uh, I have a dog, and with chocolate, you know...”

Alex almost choked on a bite of his pie. “You mean because dogs can’t have chocolate, you thought the same thing applied to werewolves?”

“Well, yeah,” Officer Dune replied, chuckling. “You never know.”

Alex couldn’t hold back the answering laughter. “Chocolate is fine,” he said. “Have you ever tried to take chocolate away from a werewolf?”

“No. I imagine it’s scary.”

Alex nodded, his eyes wide. “Especially the girls. Never mess with a female werewolf and her chocolate.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Officer Dune replied.

Alex enjoyed the rest of his pie in silence. He finally sat back feeling fuller than he had in a long time. “So how do we keep the gangs from terrorizing Greyton?”

Officer Dune used his fork to smash crumbs on his plate. “That’s the question, isn’t it? We’ve been trying to keep the gangs at bay for as long as I’ve been on the force. They’re getting stronger and you’ve seen their lack of fear.”

“They’re afraid now.”

“Yes, they are,” the officer replied. “They’re letting girls go. Nobody wants a visit from the Demon.” He watched Alex as if curious how he would react to the title.

“I’ve been called worse,” Alex replied. “You can use that fear.”

“How?” Officer Dune asked, sitting up straight.

“Get some big dogs, German Shepherds, Alsatians, Caucasian Shepherds, Malamutes, anything with a dark coat that you can pass off as the Demon. If I keep at it the next couple of weeks, just the sight of anything with paws is going to send them running.”

Officer Dune cracked a smile. “That’s not a bad idea.” He gave Alex a searching look. “But it involves you running the streets some more. I can’t ask you to put your life on the line again.”

“You’re not asking me to. I’m doing it whether you’re with me or not,” Alex replied seriously.

Officer Dune was quiet for a few minutes. “Will you try to be a bit more careful? From what I’ve seen, you’re a touch reckless.”

Alex fought back a smile at the thought that Cassie would most definitely agree. “I’ll try,” he said. “But I’m going to do whatever it takes to make this city a safer place.”

“Me, too,” Officer Dune replied with respect in his tone. “I’m glad you’re on our side.”