“He’s my brother, and he’s been missing for a few weeks. I believe he visited your agency before disappearing.”
“Says who?” she asked suspiciously, no doubt her counter-culture mindset thought they were undercover cops.
Slade probably fueled her imagination. He stood, stiff as a board, scanning each inch of the office. Every cell of his body telegraphed his military or law officer authority. She wanted to scream, “chill,” but instead, she smiled. “Hey, babe, show her the picture of Randi on his motorcycle.”
He winked, and her heart melted. “Sure, hon.” He took out the picture of Randi with a full beard and wearing leather. “Look familiar?”
The woman’s heart sped up. She recognized him. “Nope.”
Slade smiled and lifted her chin so their eyes met for his alpha mind control.
Cricket wished she had that ability, but only alphas and some betas did. Not only did it compel humans to tell the truth, but an alpha’s gaze set them in a hypnotic state so they could recall details stored deep within their subconscious.
The woman nodded under his spell. “Yes, he came in and wanted brochures for Patagonia. He said he and his fiancée wanted to get married there.”
“Was he alone?” asked Slade.
“No, he came in with another biker. Something about biking the back roads of Argentina.” Doubtful his friend would join Randi and his fiancée on the road. He might have accompanied Randi for nefarious reasons.
Slade continued to hold her gaze. “Do you remember what he looked like?”
She swallowed. “About his height, brown hair dark eyes. Missing his left pinky. He might have lost it in an accident,” she said as if in afterthought.
“Did you sell them a ticket to South America?”
“No. He just wanted brochures.” She pointed. “Those.”
Cricket took the ones she indicated. “Mom will be so happy to know he might have traveled to Patagonia.”
Slade let go of her chin. “Thank you.”
The woman blinked. “Yes, of course.”
He smiled. “You won’t remember we were here.”
She returned to watching the television.
Cricket noted the only lingering lycan scent in the travel agency was Randi’s.
They stepped out. Slade closed the door and turned to Cricket. “It’s possible he left to explore Patagonia before sending off for his girlfriend and fell off a cliff.”
“I don’t know. Why would he bring some human biker buddy?”
He shrugged. “I imagine even a lone wolf needs the company of an occasional human friend.”
“One with a missing digit?”
“You think Randi bit it off?”
“I suppose it could have been a non-wolf related accident. We don’t all bite.” She furrowed her brow. “Still…”
“What?”
“I was just thinking how a person cuts a finger off when they need to show penance to the Japanese yakuza. Or to join some gang.”
“Most likely he lost it in a knife attack or accident, but you’re right, we should consider all possibilities.”
“Let’s head to his home and see if we can dig anything up.”