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

holy rosters then maybe they'd have a better position in society's eye. Either way, getting a priest who was willing to testify in court against this maniac was a big win.

"I think this could be just the thing we need to help us catch this dick. According to Father Richmond, he saw our guy, but didn't see much of his face. He can still help with a sketch. I have an artist sitting with him now." Josh fidgeted with his napkin as he spoke.

I think my little meeting with my maker made him uncomfortable. Speaking of it making people uncomfortable, I wasn't sure exactly what Chad was doing here and I voiced it.

"I'm kind of wondering, what is Chad doing here, Quinn?"

"He's helping. His CO gave him permission to help us on this. The police station hasn't given many officers to this case, so Chad and Josh are what we get."

"Okay. I didn't mean any disrespect; I just wasn't sure what someone from the organized crime division was doing hunting a serial. I thought maybe there was a tie-in somehow. Glad to have you on board, Chad." I really was glad. Chad was a damned good cop. It's just too bad he had a crush on me that I could never return. I listened while Josh recounted what the priest had told him.

"So, the good father said that he takes the seal of confession seriously, but with what our guy told him, he knew people were in danger. He got permission from some big dog in Rome to break the seal and tell us what he was told. Padre says that Grisly came into the church and headed right for the confessional. He told the priest he’d killed a few women and he wasn't going to stop. He mentioned that God wanted him to do it. He said he was told that he had to wipe the abominations off the face of the earth. He told the priest that God made him a warrior to remove the unclean from this world." Josh looked at his notes and shrugged. "I guess he really didn't think highly of hookers."

Something about what Josh said hit me and chilled my heart as I recalled what the AWFA constantly said about shifters and vamps being unclean.

"Jeebus. What if it's not all about the hooker aspect? What if our victims are supernatural, too? What if Grisly is targeting shifter and vamp hookers?" My stomach sank and I just knew I was on the right track.

"Call the coroner's office and see if they have the blood work back. See if the girls are humans, shifters, vamps, or any combination of the three. You're right, Josh, this priest might just be the break we were looking for. Good thinking, Sam." Quinn patted my shoulder.

Chad had picked up his phone and started talking to someone at the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner's office. I was hoping we wouldn't have to drive there for info.

Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, the facility that housed the coroner's office, was in the exact opposite direction from where our priest was and I really wanted to talk to God's representative.

I breathed a small sigh of relief when Chad said, "I'll be right there. Thanks, Crystal."

He hung up the phone and looked at us with a grin. "You're right, Sam. At least the first three vics were shifters. They're waiting on blood work from this last one. I'll head over there and wait. You guys finish brunch." He stood to leave and smiled at me. Then he hollered across the restaurant, "Genie, take care of these guys, will ya? I've got to run, sweetheart." He blew her a kiss and she giggled.

"Mister Chad, if you were thirty years older, you'd sure be in my sights."

"Aw, I'm not in your sights now? Bummer." He winked again, waved, and continued out the door. Genie made her way to our table.

By the time she got there I knew exactly what I wanted.

"Hey, sweet pea, what'll it be?"

"I'd like an order of the corned beef hash with two eggs—sunny side up—a side of bacon, a cuppa coffee, and a Pepsi. With seedless rye toast please." I grinned at her as she shook her head.

"Eat all that greasy fattening mess while you’re young, 'cos I tell you, girlie, when you get to be 'bout my age you'll need them delicious memories to look back on. I ain't allowed any of that good food anymore. The doctor says I have to watch my cholesterol. I says, Watch it do what, Doc, cry 'cos it ain't getting fed no more? That doctor don't like me very much. That's why I'm planning on sticking around to a hundred and ten. Give him hell as long as I can, I figure it's my duty. I'll start by telling all them students he has that it's all the bacon and eggs helping me live to such an age. That'll give him a heart attack. You know what they're making me eat? Cheerios. If I wanted to eat some damned horse chow, I'd head over to Ernie Basker's farm and gobble up some of his prize winning sweet feed!"

"That stinks, Genie. I'm sorry." I really was sorry; Genie was a pretty cool woman.

It sucked they had taken away all the good food from her diet. I didn’t know what I’d do if I had to give up bacon. Probably murder someone.

I hope that when I'm her age I'll be as in possession of all my faculties as she was. Hell, forget the future, I wish I had her awareness now. She was sharp and always ready with a witty comeback.

"Oh, it's okay, sweet pea. If I really wanted to eat bacon and eggs there ain't a doctor on this earth what could stop me. Besides, toss a few slices of banana in them Honey-Nut Cheerios and it ain't so bad. I'll go put your order in and bring back your drinks. Boys, your orders will be up