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

and ready. They were both dead. One of them was a familiar face. Sheila Stork’s dead eyes were open and gazing eternally into the sun. I had shot her through the heart, neck, and head. An AWFA tattoo was inked all the way up her exposed arm.

“Your muffins sucked.” I sneered at her corpse.

The other AWFA member was a young intern we’d recently acquired. I sighed and continued looking around. There was nobody and nothing else out of the ordinary in sight. I hollered to Alex that I’d shot two and then I scanned the area again. There had been a sniper that took out Grisly. I wasn’t sure either of the two I’d tagged were good enough shots for that. My fear was that if the sniper was around he might take aim on Al.

Alex hugged the cars as he moved in my direction, both of us scanning the foliage as he did so almost expecting the sound of a bullet. When he reached me, we scuttled over to my car and climbed in. Thank the gods those assholes hadn’t shot my car.

I probably would have gone back and killed them again if they had. I radioed for backup and waited for the paramedics and someone from the office to show up. I stayed on the phone with the operator and explained everything. Gerry and Sal both cut in to see if I was okay. Sal told me he’d meet me at the office.

My initial response was going to be, “Great, because who doesn’t need to be grilled by their boss’s boss twice in a week?” However, I realized the error of my ways before I blundered and just kept my mouth shut. Sal had gotten me into this mess, and while it might be fun to hold it over him, I also knew he’d help get me back out of it.

The ambulance came quickly and I had them tend to Alex first. One paramedic got right on that while the other checked out the dead pair. A few moments later a slew of agents and local LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers) showed up and took over my house, again. I was beginning to think it was time to move.

I called Gerry on my cell and explained everything in more detail. He was surprised Sheila was involved, but then he said, “I never liked her, just couldn’t put my finger on it.”

“I have no clue how many others are involved. We may have dozens from our own building that are AWFA. It scares me.”

“Us, too, Sam. How is the American public supposed to trust us if they find out that supers exist and we’ve hidden them? I mean eventually it is going to happen, but when you supers are ready to come out we can control what spin is used.”

“True, but how will shifters trust the government if there are corrupt agents inside of it?”

“Half dozen of one, six of the other.”

“Unfortunately there are people who don’t see it that way.”

“I’m pulling into your driveway now.” Gerry’s phone cut off and in moments he was standing in front of me.

“You okay, kid?”

“Yeah. A little shaken that my house is the site of two ambushes in less than forty-eight hours, but otherwise I’m fine.”

“Yeah, I think your homeowner’s insurance is going to hate you this month, but really love you every month after.”

“I don’t even want to think about it. I’m thinking about moving.”

“Not to be a wet blanket, but I think that’d be a good idea.”

“Something to think about.”

“How is Alex?”

“I, uh, I don’t know. They won’t let me see him. Something about he was being worked on and I needed to give them room.”

“Wait here.” Gerry stepped over to the ambulance where they had taken Alex a few minutes earlier.

He went inside and came back out within moments. He nodded and held up a finger to let me know to wait a second, then he moved to another agent that was first on the scene. I was certain the guys back at the office were removing all of Sheila’s stuff from her desk and locker. I just hope there was nobody around to cover for her. That meant even more moles inside and that was something that just couldn’t happen. Two was more than enough for anyone.

“Christ, what a mess.” Gerry massaged his temples as he spoke.

“You can say that again. I’m just glad they weren’t higher up the chain. How’s Alex?”

“He’s going to be okay. He’s nursing a through and through to his wing but alright otherwise.”

“Thank god.”

“You can say that again. Both of you are lucky to still be here.”

“I’m really getting tired of people using my damn house for their assassination plots. Is there a sign on the door I’m unaware of?”

“I tell you, this whole thing doesn’t smell right, Sam. Mark my words there is something off about what happened here tonight.”

“You think there is another mole?”

“Someone bigger than Sheila. She didn’t have the access to know the things that Grisly somehow did. And Sheila didn’t know Ben was back home.”

“Dammit. I was hoping that it would be over.”

“I’m guessing they were betting on that.”

“So, where do we start poking this hornet’s nest?” I sighed, feeling downright exhausted.

I mean, I’d had bad weeks before (splinters for days, remember), but holy shitballs had this one gone downhill quick. I was pretty sure that I would be selling my house, a place that had once been my dream home. Not to mention my friend had been shot in an attempt on my life and I was having sire bond issues with my maker.

I should buy a lotto ticket. To make it a perfect day, unless I was mistaken, Gerry was just about to ask for my badge and gun. I was certain to be put on leave after two agent involved shootings at my house in as many days.

“Sam—”

“Yeah, I get it. I’m suspended.” I unsnapped my holster and removed my gun, then I reached into my