Shifters: A Samantha Reece Mystery Book 1 by Jaime Johnesee (libby ebook reader txt) 📕

“Well, sir, here’s what happened in a nutshell—”

“Brady!” Gerry shouted from his office door.

“Yeah, boss?”

“Take the witness to a room and ask him some questions.”

“Sure thing.” James walked over to the office and held out his hand to Ben. “I’m James Brady, it’s nice to meet you. Will you come with me? Can I get you anything?” James’s voice died out as Gerry closed the door behind him.

“Now, tell me everything that happened.” My boss sat behind his desk, loosened his tie, then reached into a drawer to pull out a bottle of Pepto Bismol he kept there for the really stressful days.

He took a deep swig and offered the pink concoction to me. I shook my head and he took another gulp, capped it, then returned it from whence it came.

“When I was at my house earlier I saw a bear and smelled that he was a shifter … but I just assumed it was a neighbor out for a run. Not to mention he was too far away for me to get a full scent and compare it to the crime scenes. I went to Ben’s house and Grisly must’ve followed me, somewhat. It took him a long time to move on us, so I’m guessing I must’ve lost him somewhere. Anyway, he knocked on the door, I got up to look out the peephole and saw him. He threw himself at the door and I grabbed the witness and went out the back. We got away in my car, but I got his full scent. I can tell the difference between him and another bear shifter easy peasy.”

“That’s great except the part where it won’t hold up in a court of law.”

“I don’t know, they are doing some new research in scent identification, maybe it can help. If I may be honest, I don’t think it’ll ever reach a courtroom. I’m fairly certain Grisly intends to go out swinging. He already thinks he’s fighting a war.”

“Fuck, this is bad.” Gerry swiped one big hand over his face and rubbed his jaw while he took a moment to mentally run through everything I had just told him.

“Yes, yes it is. But, hey, the witness is still alive, so hooray for that!”

“Sam, that apartment is thrashed. He destroyed everything. By the time the black and whites got there the guy had gone full rock star on it and injured a neighbor who tried to stop him and make a citizen’s arrest.”

“Oh, no! Did the neighbor get bit?”

“No, thank goodness, only punched in the face a couple times.”

“Well, at least he will live, and without being a shifter, too, so there’s a plus.”

“I really can’t think of it as a plus right now, Reece. A civilian was injured while you fled. That doesn’t look good.” As Gerry spoke a chill went through me.

“I fled to protect our witness and get him to a secure location. That was my job at the time, right?” I allowed the ice that had formed in my veins to creep into my voice.

“I know that, you know that, hell, your witness knows that, but to the public it looks like a federal agent ran away from a crazed sociopath they were building a case against and allowed Joe Civilian to get harmed in the process.”

“Gerry, this isn’t like you.”

“The young man that got hurt is a city councilwoman’s son.”

“Fuck.”

“The kid is being cool about it but Mommy Dearest is foaming at the mouth and calling for your badge. I’m sure it’ll be straightened out and you’re right, your duty was to ensure Mr. Fitzpatrick’s safety. We’ll keep Fitzpatrick here until the Marshals show.”

“So, they’re still coming to take him?”

“As long as Grisly is out there, we need the witness safe. The Marshals are far better equipped for that sort of thing than we are.”

“I know, but come on. The Marshals are extremely skilled at helping human witnesses. You know that in this case they aren’t going to be any better equipped than I am. You know they don’t have as much training with supers, Gerry. You know we are better suited for watching over Fitzpatrick.”

“That may be so, Sam, but it’s not my call anymore.”

“Fuck!”

“There’s nothing I can do about this.”

“Well, there’s something I can do about it. I’m going to find and kill Grisly.”

“Why does it mean so much to you that we keep this witness here? What aren’t you telling me, Reece?”

“What do you mean?” I tried to play innocent but I was never very good at it.

“Usually you can’t wait to hand a witness off to WITSEC. Why is this guy different? You have a relationship with him you haven’t told me about, aside from the thing you mentioned about him biting you?”

I sighed and let the truth set me free. “Yeah. He’s sort of a little more than just some guy to me. We have what I term a sire bond, but it’s sort of like having feelings for him.”

“Dammit, Sam, you should have told me that from the start. You’ve mucked up this case something fierce with this shit.”

“Sorry, Gerry. I’m working on breaking it.”

“It doesn’t matter. What the hell do you think the city councilwoman will say if she were to learn of this?”

“She’d probably insinuate that I didn’t do my job because I was too close to the witness.”

“Not only would she insinuate it, Sam, she’d be right.”

“Gerry, I would have done the same thing if it had been any other witness and you know it!”

“What I know is that you need to go home. You’re suspended until I can get this mess sorted out. At least that will keep the councilwoman happy and possibly keep the case legally on track.”

“Aw, Gerry, come on! You can’t pull me off this case. Besides, Grisly knows where I live.”

I thought pointing that out would be helpful for me. I was stupid.

“Well, then, I’ll send a protective detail with you.”

“Not necessary,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Doesn’t matter if