Irish Throwdown (What Happens In Vegas Book 4) by Matt Lincoln (short books for teens .TXT) 📕

was really runny, so I added more flour. And I didn’t want it to taste chalky with all that flour in it, so I added some more sugar and vanilla.”

Fiona’s expression became more strained as she listened to Miranda’s explanation, and I could see Junior stifling a snicker. I shrugged and took a bite of the cookie. I wasn’t all that picky when it came to food. Years of scrounging for what I could and stealing just to fill my stomach had made me appreciate even the most unusual of foods. I had to bite down pretty hard just to break through the cookie’s charred exterior, but it wasn’t the worst thing I’d ever tasted.

“It’s pretty good,” I responded. I probably wouldn’t be having any more, but I didn’t want to hurt Miranda’s feelings, either.

“Ha!” she exclaimed as she rounded on Junior and Fiona. “I told you they were good. You two just don’t have any taste.”

“I think you should leave the baking to Fiona,” Naomi interjected as she approached us in the bullpen. “Though I commend your efforts. Anyway, Charlie and Junior, Wallace wants to see you in his office. He has a case, I think.”

“Thanks for letting us know,” Junior replied as he stood up. I nodded at her before following Junior over to Wallace’s office.

“Agent Hills and Agent Chapman,” Wallace addressed us as we entered his office. He had a serious look on his face, and even his voice sounded somehow more stern than usual. It made me nervous about what kind of case he might have in store for us. “Please take a seat.”

There was a strange feeling in the air as I sat down in one of the chairs across from him.

“We have a new case?” Junior asked.

“Possibly,” Wallace replied cautiously. “It’s a little early to tell since the circumstances of this particular case are a little peculiar. Nevertheless, MBLIS is being called in to assist since the epicenter appears to be located right here in Las Vegas. Over the past month, a series of seemingly unrelated attacks have broken out across the city. The only thing connecting them is the extreme violence and aggression displayed by the perpetrators, and the lack of a motive in each crime.”

“Wait,” Junior frowned, “so people are just suddenly attacking others for no reason?”

“It would appear that way,” Wallace sighed. “The police aren’t sure when this started or exactly how many cases they’re dealing with since the crimes are all seemingly unconnected to one another. However, two nights ago, they began linking the cases together when a man viciously assaulted a young woman immediately after defending her from another would-be assailant.”

“So he saved her just to turn around and attack her?” I asked.

“Yes,” Wallace nodded. “The man was shot dead at the scene by a responding police officer when he suddenly tried to attack the officer as well. According to eyewitness testimony, the man refused to go down even after being shot in the shoulder and chest.”

“That sounds like the effect of a drug,” Junior muttered. “Cocaine, maybe. It’s not uncommon for people under the influence to ignore their injuries, even after being shot at by police. The drug gives them a rush of adrenaline and numbs their pain receptors.”

“Correct,” Wallace agreed. “The police thought so as well, which is why they performed an autopsy on the body. The toxicology report just came in this morning, positive for extremely high levels of amphetamines, opioids, and a host of other drugs. I’m having agent Howard analyze the lab report now, but it’s clear that drugs played some part in the attack. The police are currently working under the assumption that we’re dealing with a new designer drug being shipped from overseas since opioids were found in his system, though nothing is certain right now.”

“So we’re being asked to help figure out where it’s coming from?” Junior asked.

“Exactly,” Wallace nodded. “I’d like you to start by speaking with an eyewitness of the most recent case. Her name is Clara Montgomery. She was one of the girls involved in the attack two nights ago. Her friend Melanie Schaffer was killed by the attacker.”

“What info do we have on the attacker?” I asked.

“His name was Dominick Evans,” Wallace responded. “He was an attorney living here in Las Vegas with his wife. Police attempted to notify her of his death but were unable to reach her. She didn’t appear to be home, either. I believe they’re working on getting a warrant to search the home now.”

“We’ll stop by after we speak to Clara, then,” I said as I moved to stand up.

“Good,” Wallace replied. “I’ll forward all the information directly to you. I’ll have Castillo and Patel look into the other cases while you two speak with the victim. Could you ask them to come in here?”

“No problem,” Junior replied as we left the office. I waited by the entrance while Junior relayed Wallace’s message. Shivers went down my spine as I mulled over what Wallace had said. A drug that could cause people to attack others without warning sounded terrifying. We needed to get this under control fast.

4

Miranda

I headed over to Agent Howard’s office as soon as Wallace finished giving Naomi and me our instructions. The door to his office wasn’t completely closed, so I didn’t bother knocking as I stepped inside.

“Hey, Wilson,” I called as I walked over to him, careful not to bump into any of his delicate equipment. “You have the results of the blood toxicology report yet?” The lights were off, and he’d even thrown a thick set of blackout curtains over the only window in the office. He’d kept his office dark in our previous building as well, and I wondered vaguely if it had something to do with the chemicals or analyzing systems he used.

Agent Howard snapped around to glare at me. His fists were clenched, and his jaw was set tightly as if he was angry. I halted my steps, suddenly feeling guilty about barging