Cast the Cards

“What do you want to do?” She can’t drop that on me and think I’m going to let it go.

“Not much we can do other than watch our asses. Last night I woke up from a dead sleep. Not sure why. Maybe I heard something outside or had a bad dream I couldn’t remember. I tried to go back to sleep and I couldn’t until I pulled out my weapon and did a sweep of the apartment and the surrounding perimeter. Clark was off doing ghost business.” They had a don’t ask, don’t’ tell policy with Clark’s ghostly dealings. He tamped down his anger. What the hell was she thinking venturing out alone in the dead of night?

“Given the circumstances I think that’s understandable. Next time, wake me up please. What if they’d been out there and ambushed you?”

“If I didn’t see them coming this time. I’d deserve it.” She gritted her teeth. Her shoulders dropped and weariness was written across her face. He’d never seen her look so beaten before.

“Hey.” He scanned the area outside the office. All clear. Leaning forward, he placed his hand under her chin.

“Are you okay?”Is the case finally getting to her?

“We’ve been at a disadvantage from the moment they contacted us. It’s all mapped out and we’re along for the ride. Until they drive us over the cliff we never knew was there.”

“We’ll get through it.” He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“In once piece?”

There was something more going on then she was admitting. But he wouldn’t press her here—wrong time, wrong place.

“Yes. I know they have us chasing our tails right now. Eventually we’ll get a break. These numbers may be just that. We’ll crack it today before the end of work. Record our findings and lock it down. The Chief’s stalling for us. Let’s make it worth his while.”

“You’re right.” She ran a hand down her face. “I’m just tired.”

“I’m partially responsible for that. We’ll have to lay off you tonight.”

“Hush. Thanks for this.” She waved her coffee cup at him. “It’s what I needed. Now let’s get back in there and get these numbers figured out.”

Pushing back from the chair, she rose and he followed. Returning to their office, they settled back to work. He’d soothed her ruffled feathers. Too bad it felt like the calm before the storm.

“Holy shit! I did it! It’s not a location. It’s multiple, three to be exactin Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. Each located along the borders, so they could be traveled to and from easily. Son of a bitch!”

“What do you think we’ll find?”

“I have no clue. Bodies, nothing, tokens from their victims.” Their gazes met. “Regardless, two are out of jurisdiction. That’s a lot of red tape. It’ll be easier to call in the Bureau. ”

“Only two?”

“One’s in our back yard. We can work that one without worrying about pissing anyone off.”

“Jesus.” The thought of these monsters being in their back yard all this time praying on people without anyone knowing made him sick to his stomach. How many people had they snatched from the area unnoticed?

“Let’s go talk to Chief.”

Renewed by the potential break they walked to the coroner’s office. He knocked.

“Come on in,” the chief called.

Stepping inside, he closed the door behind him. “We cracked the numbers.”

“What did you find?” Chief raised his eyebrows.

“Coordinates to three destinations, two are out of our jurisdiction, and one is just on the border.” He exhaled.

“Where is it located?” Chief sat up straight in his chair.

“According to maps, a wooded area that belongs to the city,” Vannah said.

“This is your case. How do you want to play it?”