Page 36 of Whiskers on Kittens

The other option worried me, but sometimes good cops turned bad. I would work to temper him so he could walk the tightrope of ethics with grace and poise, serving as the line that would keep him from falling. That much I could handle.

It took him a while, but he eventually tapped at the screen of my phone. Once he finished, he offered it back to me. “I’d rather hear you give me the news either way.”

Sometimes, courage was admitting a complete lack of courage and accepting help was needed to take another step. I admired that he knew when he needed to hand the reins over to somebody else. I braced for the worst, as it had taken him a long time to compose the message.

I had to scroll up to see the beginning. Easton had introduced himself formally, using his full name, his rank, and his badge number with the CPD, and then he asked if he could have a confirmation if the following men and women had died due to the machinations of others in such a way that could be legally pursued.

Smart wolf.

The number of people listed broke my heart, especially as Easton had taken the time to introduce them by name, offered up their badge numbers, the date they had joined the force, and the date they had died.

Every state had a different way of handling cases of bullying or causing a suicide intentionally. In Illinois, inducement to commit suicide counted as a Class 2 felony. Depending on the circumstances, the class might be bumped to either Class X or the top tier, which included murder charges. The fines typically capped out at twenty-five thousand per count, but murder charges carried extended terms of up to a hundred years per count.

A Class 2 felony would remove the guilty party’s eligibility to serve in any public office in Illinois, including law enforcement.

I took the time to read through all fifteen names, marveling that he counted so many lives as merely some.

Then I remembered the CPD had done a good job of beating him down.

My phone indicated someone typed a reply, and judging from the extended time, the archangel replying had opted to take on the burden of every last soul. I spotted the employee bringing out a new tray of baked potatoes, and I offered a smile. “Go get more potatoes. Once I have an answer, I’ll tell you.”

He nodded, got up, and headed off to do as told. The waiter swept in and made the evidence of our indulgences disappear, leaving me with my plate of tiny treats I still needed to consume as I’d rampaged on the catfish.

A text came in, but a moment later, my phone rang, informing me that Hamaliel had taken on the burden of Easton’s request. I answered with, “Hey.”

“As you are dining, you can just listen, so please do not worry about bothering the other guests.”

In some cases, archangels failed to comprehend some things, but they were usually good at understanding the little things.

“There are a few consequences to the information your wolf has requested, that I feel you should understand before you tell him the answers. First, he loved one of the women on the list. The truth will deal him a blow, but from great pain can come greater justice. She did not know that he loved her. He respected her boundaries and would not engage in a relationship with a co-worker. She was also unfortunately prejudiced against lycanthropes, but she tried her best—and he loved her for that.”

Triple ouch. I ran a higher risk of crying at the table than Easton likely did, but I expected a bleak evening for the both of us as we digested the painful reality of his situation.

“Second, those on this list were involved with helping end trafficking practices in Chicago. These answers will tie to the case of your missing kittens. Your current plan to clean them of house and home will render the evidence you need to prove those suicides were, as your wolf suspected, all murders. And no, not inducement to commit suicide—murders. You will be challenged to bring justice, but justice is in your hands. You will not be able to rebuild those broken homes, but that prayer is not for you to answer.”

I spent a few moments containing my urge to begin cursing. Instead, I sighed, grabbed one of the hushpuppies I’d snagged from the buffet and popped it into my mouth.

“Third, without this, your wolf would have been targeted for similar treatment, and the futures involving him in this situation are not bright. Those futures change because my brother has decided to change them. The good your wolf does cannot be repaid with such evil—nor can the good you do be repaid with such evil. While my brother perhaps meddles more than he should, he handles this with the grace only the Lord of the Morning possesses, for he is ushering a new dawn for you and your wolf.” The archangel paused. “And for the kittens and others you will save. But your wolf is wise and has seen the truth. These cases were not suicide. They were murder. And they were murder after the guilty had verbally beaten the life out of them, a crime committed long before their last breath fled their bodies and left their souls to wander through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. But fret not. He saw to their passage. They did not make the journey alone, linger long, or experience the cold hand of death beyond a fleeting moment. You may tell your wolf that while justice has not yet been served, they rest, all in peace. None of those souls went into my brother’s care.”

It wasn’t much, but it was something. Then, afraid of the answer but needing to ask the question, “How deep does the rabbit hole go?”

“It is a very deep hole. But you will see justice done by the time this is over. Your wolf will find his place in the world, a place where he can stand proudly at your side rather than overwhelmed by all you are and will be in the future. But all things come at a price, and this is one of those prices. The futures were clouded and uncertain before, but they become clearer with every step you take forward. You do well.”

Well, that was something.

“Anything else I should know?”

“Be patient with him. You are equal to the task. After all, you can make giants fall. What is one mere man compared to that? It just may take time. His heart has been bruised, but he will recover in time.”

When it came to matters of the heart, a mere man would be far more of a challenge than any corporate giant.

The archangel’s laughter chimed. “You need not torment him with an accounting of every name. One answer will cover them all, and he can begin the process of healing from there. Simply be. But I will remind you of this one truth: you will have everything you need to secure closure and justice. Make the giant that is the CPD fall. They teeter. With you working against them, they will topple, and great good can come from their ruin. Your choice of devils was a good one because that is what is needed. I am but a call away should you have need.”

The archangel hung up moments before Easton returned to the table armed with two plates of baked potatoes. “Well?”

Sometimes, mercy was taking the most direct route, even in the face of tragedy. “Your speculations were correct. I’ve the word of an archangel that the final charges are murder. The interference went beyond the scope of inducement of suicide. He also told me that they all rest in peace.”

While his expression remained mostly neutral, I spotted the grief in his eyes. “I see.”