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“No, which is strange, because we know the ones out there. But I’ll put out some feelers and see if we’ve got a new one in town.”
Another agent met them in the hall. Burnett handed him the phone. “Text me as soon as you have something.”
“Maybe it was just Stone’s way of impressing the kid,” Chase said, seeing the agent with the phone hurry away.
“I hope so.”
“Like I said before, I could leave the school and lessen the chance of—”
“Not yet.” Burnett’s cell phone dinged with a text. After checking it, he looked up at Chase. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” Chase followed Burnett down the hall. “You want me to go check out that bar?”
“No,” Burnett said. “He knows what you look like. I’ve already got two agents on the way there. We’re going to the morgue.”
Chase’s steps faltered and just like that a fine sheen of sweat popped out around his neck. Well, shit! Not fifteen minutes after signing his contract, he wondered if it was too soon to resign.
* * *
“Are we going to the bar?” Della asked when Burnett walked back into the room. As far as Della was concerned, it was the best lead they had on Stone.
“No, I’ve got Trish and Shawn going there,” Burnett said.
“But—”
“No,” Burnett said. “And before you ask, I’ve got two agents checking out the telephone number. Meanwhile, they’ve finished the autopsy of the three weres. Perry’s staying here; I thought we could all head over there.”
“Why don’t I go see if I can find any info on the Bastards gang?” Chase offered.
“I’ve got that covered too,” Burnett said. “And you’re on light duty. When we’re done at the morgue, you can go with Della to see Natasha.”
Della noted Chase’s frown. “He doesn’t have to come with me,” Della said.
“It’s a full moon,” Burnett said. “No one goes out alone.”
* * *
A short ride later, Della walked into the morgue with Chase and Burnett. They walked past the front desk and down a white hall that looked and smelled almost too sterile. He pushed open a heavy door and entered another room. A colder room.
A woman in a white coat stood in the room tapping on a computer. She looked back, and Della saw her witch pattern. Burnett did quick introductions that brought nods.
“Tell me you’ve got something for me,” Burnett said.
“I’ve got something.” She smiled. “A few hairs. I’ve already sent them off. Definitely were-related, and I got a few bite marks that we might be able to use. I just uploaded them.” She motioned Burnett closer.
Della didn’t follow. Instead, she stayed where she was and visually took in the room. Behind the woman were three tables, presumably holding the three young weres. The bodies were draped and covered with white sheets.
The shapes of the bodies reminded her of seeing her cousin’s body in that tarp before they lowered it into the grave. Or was it the smell, she wondered, that took her back? Had Chan’s body and tarp still carried this astringent smell of the morgue?
She inhaled, trying to push the cold, the smell, and the pain away. Then as always, her chest stirred with guilt for moving past the biggest portion of the grief.
She heard Chase shift, standing to her right. When she took in his face, she almost gasped. His complexion matched the sheets.
While it felt good knowing she wasn’t the only one feeling vulnerable, she was surprised. Chase had worked with the council for almost two years; surely he’d seen death before.
“Chase and I are going to wait outside,” Della spoke up and caught Chase’s arm before she gave Burnett a chance to answer. Chase resisted only for a second, then walked out with her.
“New on the job, huh?” she heard the woman say before the door swished closed.
