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

front pocket and pulled out my ID, and handed them both to Gerry with a sigh of disgust.

“You’ll get it back soon enough. I know you’ve done nothing wrong here.” Gerry said it loud enough so everyone around us could hear.

His support made me smile. The rest was a formality and whatever would happen would happen. I just had to hope I hadn’t made any enemies within the Bureau and that AWFA isn’t hiding too high up on the chain. I suppose if life was meant to be easy it would have come with an owner’s manual.

Then again, maybe it does, but it’s just in a language we can’t read. Either way, my life was seriously messed up. I sighed and sat on my couch to decide what my next course of action was. I was sure to be pulled in and grilled, again. I was most likely going to be put on unpaid leave pending investigation. Things just felt overwhelming and I needed to run.

“Gerry, I need to shift and run. Please, I’m stressing out.”

“You okay in your backyard?”

“With everyone still here?”

“That’s the only way this can happen, Sam.”

“Fuck. Fine. Just keep them out of my way.”

“Deal. What are you planning on doing?”

“Sniffing for clues.”

“Really?”

“No, I thought I’d bask in the sun and groom myself inappropriately.”

“Jeeze, Sam.”

“You asked for it.”

“Fine, but if you smell anything you come and get me, you hear?”

“Yes, sir.” I saluted Gerry and shifted.

It was smooth and my jaguar form remained clothed in the outfit I’d been wearing previously.

“Help a poor trapped animal out?” I asked Gerry.

“What?”

“I need you to help me remove the clothes. My thumbs are gone and I like this shirt. I don’t want to ruin it.” I had picked up the ice blue silk blouse on sale, but it was the most comfortable and nicest thing I owned, clothing wise.

“I don’t know that I’m comfortable doing that.”

“Well, tough. Now help me out.”

Gerry got the shirt off me easily enough but the pants were way too tight.

“I think I have to pop the button.”

“Then pop it.”

“What the hell is going on here?” Alex looked confused, yet slightly amused.

“I’m helping Sam so she can sniff out our bad guys.”

“Yup. What he said.”

“I’d run with you except I have to go in and get my arm X-rayed to make sure there are no fragments in there.”

“I’m sorry, Alex. I’m glad you’re going to be okay.”

“I’m glad you weren’t shot. Don’t worry about me, I’ve had worse.”

“Should I leave you two alone?” Gerry’s gruff voice interrupted and I mentally flipped him the bird.

“Nah, I have to go or my ambulance guys will kidnap me. I will call you later, Sam.” Alex winced and moved for the meat wagon, waving to us as he walked.

“Take care, Alex. Make sure the doctors look you over thoroughly. Maybe they can find out why you’re so goofy.”

He turned around and stuck his tongue out at me. I could tell by the pale sheen to his skin that he was in a lot of pain. I figured the paramedics gave him something to help with it, but a bullet wound sure hurts like hell.

Poor guy.

Chapter 25

THE WIND SHIFTED and something grabbed my attention more than Alex being injured. I swiveled my head, mouth open, flehmening. I opened my mouth in a kind of grin and pulled air over my Jacobsen’s Organ. Almost immediately I caught a scent.

It was cologne and it was eerily familiar to me. I couldn’t place it, but it was fairly strong. I followed it and Gerry followed me.

Occasionally an agent stopped what they were doing and stared at me as I ran with Gerry close behind. He could really beat feet for an old guy. I followed the trail to the closest hedge and found a person-sized hole. I leapt through, Gerry puffed and pushed his way through. I was waiting for him when I caught a whole other scent. I moved ahead, no longer looking to see if Gerry was following. I found the body of the motel clerk, Caldon, that had reported Grisly’s remains. What the hell was his corpse doing on my property?

If Gerry saw this would I be arrested? No, he would know I didn’t do it. Someone else did. Someone with claws and teeth and a human motivation. It hit me what was happening. The puppet-master was telling me he had others. Grisly was only one pawn, but they had others. How many? What was their next move? How high up did their reach go in the FBI? Too many questions and not enough answers.

Gerry came through the hedge and saw me sniffing the body.

“He’s been here at least a day.”

“I didn’t do this.”

“I know. I believe you, Sam.”

“Thanks, Gerry. I don’t know what the hell to do.”

“Me, neither. I suppose we should call it in, but do you want to get changed first?”

“No. It’s best they find the scene exactly how we stumbled on it. Maybe they can find something.” I was definitely selling my once beloved (but now rapidly plummeting into hated) house.

“Okay.” Gerry called in our location and what we found.

Paramedics, different than the ones who had treated Alex, came through the hedge followed closely by James, Josh, Chad, and Quinn.

“What are you guys doing here?” I was surprised to see Josh and Chad, but not unhappy.

“We heard this house is a magnet for death and we were hoping not to have to pay admission,” Chad joked.

“You laugh, but three different people have died here in three different murders in the last twenty four hours.”

“Jeebus, really?” Josh looked surprised.

“Really.” Gerry continued, “Sam, go with Quinn into the house. Quinn take her statement and see that she’s dressed properly. Don’t let any of the guys give you any guff on this.”

“Yes, sir,” I answered dutifully.

“Sure thing,” Quinn said.

I followed Quinn back and let the wheels spin. Someone had killed the hotel manager on my property and left him there. But why? What would anyone