Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Guardian 9)

"They're going to be less than happy about the print dust everywhere."

And it was odd that Homicide was taking over. Usually they worked with the local detectives, not above them. But maybe it was simply a case of the local boys being seen as not having the expertise - despite Harris's time in Sydney.

"That happened before we were ordered away." He shrugged, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. Harris wasn't about to give up his case for anyone, and that was something I could totally understand. And respect.

"What about the coroner's report? Was there anything interesting in the toxicology report?"

"Yeah. A drug known as DH208. Apparently it's a military-only drug that's designed to almost instantly freeze the central nervous system of humans and nonhumans alike." His gaze met mine again. "You were right."

"Which doesn't mean I applied the stuff."

He smiled. "I wasn't actually thinking that."

"So you no longer think I murdered him?"

"I never did. But it's a cop's job to be suspicious of everyone and everything. Especially when coincidences keep pointing a particular way."

"Which just goes to prove you can't trust coincidences."

"I don't. But here you are, the biggest of them all." He tilted his head a little, studying me through slightly narrowed eyes. "Why is that, do you think?"

"What? Why am I here, or why are these murders happening while I'm here?"

"Both."

"I think the murder thing is simply bad timing, but I guess whoever is behind the mess surrounding me wasn't to know that I was investigating the very same crime or that it would actually happen here. As to the other ... to be honest, I don't know. Evin said we'd only be here for a week. After that, he wasn't sure."

"If he was a part of the scheme, wouldn't he be aware of whatever plans there are?"

"Only if he's a willing participant. I have a feeling he's not." I hesitated. "Which reminds me - I have another favor to ask."

He simply raised his eyebrows, so I continued.

"As you've already mentioned, Evin goes to the pub to make a phone call every night. I caught part of the number last night - the first four digits are 0356. Is there any chance of getting a printout of the calls made on that phone and tracking down the full number?"

"You don't want a lot, do you?" He frowned and rubbed a hand across his stubbly chin. "I know someone who might be able to do it on the sly."

I frowned. "Why not request it officially?"

"What reason would I give? If there is a bigger plot behind your memory loss and sudden appearance here, don't you think they'd have set up checks? A request for information on that particular phone might just send an alert to the very people you're trying to uncover."

My heart warmed at his statement. He believed me. He might have emphasized the "is," but the belief was there in his eyes, if not his words.

"That might be a good thing. It might just lead to them making a mistake and exposing their identity."

"Or killing you outright. There'd have to be someone else other than Evin on watch here."

"I guess." I might be able to defend myself, but there was no defense against a long-range bullet. And while I kept hearing that voice telling me he didn't want me dead just yet, that he wanted me to suffer, that didn't mean I wouldn't end up dead if things started going wrong before my seven days were up. After all, I was a long way from home.

Home.

God, I ached for it - ached for the people who I couldn't remember but who I was suddenly certain made home home - so badly the word stuck in my throat and made breathing suddenly difficult. I might not remember where home was exactly, but I so wanted to see Rhoan and Liander and ...

Someone else, someone who was my heart if not my soul.

Someone who was in that battered, bloody, black car. Someone I'd already been told was dead.

No, something inside me screamed. No!