Chapter 18 Chapter 18
“Ma’am, I’m detective Connor Echolls, with the peacekeepers.” He nodded towards me. “This is my partner Cole Pearson. We need to ask you and your family some questions about the death of your father.”
My name made her flinch. Made me wonder exactly what she had heard about me. It’d been awhile since I had any dealings with werewolves. Her eyes moved back and forth between Tristan and Connor. Thomas answered the silent question. “Abby, this is Tristan Smith, Jacob Lobo’s son. He’s the wolf liaison on the case.”
“Jacob Lobo? The son of Jacob Lobo is helping us? Why, do they think a human was involved?” She sneered the words. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Tristan flinch at her words. Well then. I was going to go out on a limb and assume she wasn’t going to be much help. Before I could choose the best words to squish her for insulting Tristan, Connor cleared his throat and shot me the shut the hell up look. He knows better than to give me that look!
“So, what you are saying is, you believe a human killed your father with black magic, cast a stasis spell on him and then shoved him through a portal? Off the top of my head, I can’t recall ever meeting a human with the power to do all that.” Yeah, it was bitchy. But nobody talks to my puppy like that! Or gives me the shut the hell up look in public.
Connor flexed his jaw a couple of times before trying to defuse the situation. It says something about our relationship that I could tell he was more irritated with her than me just from the way he clenched his jaw. When I was the irritant, he tilted his head and a tremor ran through his head, neck, and shoulders while clenching his jaw. Speaking of which, I hadn’t seen that tremor for a while. I really need to remedy that soon. While I started thinking of things I could do to him, he tried to talk our way inside. “No, we do not think a human killed your father.” He paused to give me a dirty look. What did I do? “I’m afraid we must insist on meeting with your mother today.”
Judging from the glare she gave us, she was about to deny us entry again. I stepped forward before she could speak and got in her personal space. I’d just started my crazy eyes look when a voice from behind her said “Abby, go check on the pups. I can talk to them.” Kristy Howl had appeared in the doorway. Abby shot us one last look before doing as her mother asked. “Don’t pay any attention to her. She’s just being overly protective. Please come in.”
The four of us followed her into the family room where she waved us towards an assortment of chairs and couches. The floor was littered with toys for both babies and puppies. When everyone was seated Kristy returned carrying a tray of coffee and tea and told us to help ourselves. I waited a polite moment for everyone to get settled before I started asking questions. “Mrs. Howl, we need to ask you some questions about your husband.”
She looked at me and nodded. “You want to know if he had any enemies. If I have any idea who killed him.” Her voice was numb. I hate this part. Talking with the ones left behind was always difficult. I much prefer taking down the bad guy. Especially when they put up a fight. But, that might just be my inner predator talking. “I don’t know who killed him. He had political enemies. Some wolves disagreed with his voting record. But, I can’t see anyone killing him over them. He truly wanted what was best for our pack.”
It took a few hours, but, we talked to all the family members. None of them had any idea who would kill their father/brother/husband with magic. Tristan had held up well. He mostly sat quietly in the corner, watching everything going on around him. Connor was his professional self, courteous and sympathetic. Me, I sat in the other corner glowering at people. Looking for the slightest hint of guilt. Unfortunately for the case, I hadn’t picked up on any.
Thomas walked us back to the square. “Please keep me in the loop and I’d like a copy of your reports to keep in the official file. Cyrus was a good guy and a member of my pack.” Thomas paused looking sad for a moment. “If I can help, let me know.”
Connor busted up laughing. We all looked at him. “Cole’s reports are useless. They usually read something along the lines of Ascertained suspect was bad guy and executed him.”
“She actually uses the word ascertained? I’m impressed.” Thomas seemed to be under the illusion he was a comedian.
“I do possess a tremendous vocabulary. Due to my conscientious personality I endeavor to adopt the informal vernacular favored by the current culture.” The boys looked at me liked I’d sprouted another head. Maybe I shouldn’t have used the British accent.
After an awkward moment, Thomas shook hands with me and Connor before he turned to Tristan. “Feel free to call me if you need anything.” He handed him his card before blurring into a wolf and trotting off.
Tristan pocketed the card and asked “Why did we have to come back here to rip a portal? Couldn’t you have done it back at the Howl’s?”
“Portals can be ripped pretty much anywhere. However, there are laws that regulate where they can legally be used. Howling Ridge has a local law that all portals must be ripped by the town plaque.” I listened to Connor explain portal laws while I ripped a portal home.