Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Dante Franco blew every stereotype of the typical wolf-shifter out of the water. He strode in twenty minutes later, like the cock of the walk. He was six-two, taller than me by three inches, and had a long wheat-color shag that hung to his shoulders. It complimented his amber eyes.

I stared at his get-up. “Well, you’re decked out, today. But get moving. We have a new client coming in at ten.”

He shrugged, winking. “They’ll hire us. You have a reputation that’s hard to live down. Nobody ever says no to you.”

“You’re not only late, you’re a liar,” I said, shaking my head. “Where did you get that outfit?”

I liked leather, but Dante made it a lifestyle. Today, he was wearing skin tight shiny patent leather pants, a fluffy, off-white faux-fur coat, a mesh shirt, a heavy gold chain, and boots that would make the members of Kiss cry. With a four-inch platform sole, the boots were as shiny as his pants, and laced up the front with a massive buckle strap that wrapped around the top, crossing the side zipper.

“Why, want one like it? And you can’t tell me you don’t like leather.” He threw himself into the chair opposite my desk. “So, what’s on the agenda today?”

Dante was part owner of my business, but I had the final say. He preferred letting me make the decisions, which suited me fine. I liked being in charge. Dante was good at his job, but I made the better boss, and we both knew it. He had an ego when it came to his looks and clothes, but as a work partner? He was as good as they came.

“We have a client coming in at ten. Her name is Angela, and she’s the sister of the witch who runs the Windchime?—”

“Letty Hargrove?” Dante asked, sitting up and putting his feet on the floor.

“You know her?”

“Know her? I met her years ago at several cocktail functions run by Reacher, the head of the Supe Affairs Office for Seattle.” He frowned. “If I remember right, she was one hell of a scary broad. The way she talked to me, I was afraid she was going to beat my hand with a ruler. There was a time when that sort of thing was allowed, you know.”

“Well, now she’s dead. The cops say it was suicide. Her sister thinks it’s murder. She’s coming in to talk to us about it.”

Dante rubbed his chin. “Well, this should be interesting. All I know is that if Letty killed herself, then she’s changed since I last said hello to her.”

“You don’t seem too upset over the news,” I said.

“She wasn’t a friend, exactly. But I am curious to hear what the police think.” He stood, sticking his thumbs through his belt loops. “Okay, I’ll get ready for the meeting. Meanwhile, let’s hope the academy finds a replacement as capable as she was. There’s a lot of powerful young witches there, and we don’t want them running amok through the streets.”

I chuckled. “Well, that would be a mess, all right. Okay, see you in half an hour in the conference room. Tell Sophia to order some doughnuts and anything else that she can think of for our meeting.”

And with that, Dante sauntered out of my office, as I pulled up a browser on my computer to read up on the history of Windchime Academy.

Promptly at ten AM, Sophia opened the door, peeking into the conference room. Dante and I were waiting with our tablets and notepads.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

I nodded. “Bring her in.”

A moment later, Sophia ushered an elderly woman into the room. “Angela Hargrove,” she said. “Here’s her file.” She handed me a file folder.

“Hello,” I said, standing and extending my hand. “I’m Kyann Sarasan, and this is my partner, Dante Franco. Please have a seat.”

As Angela sat down at the table with us, Sophia asked, “Can I get anyone some more coffee? A pastry?”

I asked for a maple bar, Dante wanted a bear claw, and Angela accepted a glazed donut. Sophia poured her a cup of coffee, and brought Dante some tea. I was still lit from my quad shot latte, so asked for a bottle of water. Then, excusing herself, Sophia slipped out of the room.

“So, Angela, Sophia said you have concerns about your sister’s death. First, let us offer our condolences.” I opened the file folder and scanned the preliminary notes Sophia had taken.

“I met Letty once. She was an admirable woman,” Dante said.

“Thank you,” Angela said. She seemed pulled together, but I detected residual tears beneath the surface. Ten to one, Angela was one of those women who kept rigid control in social situations, and broke down when she was alone. “My sister was stern, but she was fair, and she cared about the students.”

“Do you mind if we record this session so that we don’t miss anything?” I asked. “It will be kept strictly confidential unless the police request the information with a subpoena.”

Angela shrugged. “It’s fine with me,” she said.

I set the digital recorder and tested it to make sure the volume was at the right level. “Okay, we’re ready.”

Dante leaned forward, his muscles glistening under that mesh shirt. “Why don’t you start at the beginning? How long was your sister with Windchime Magical Academy?”

Angela pulled out a notebook and opened it. “I jotted down some information in case you asked,” she said, thumbing through the pages. “My sister started at Windchime as a teacher in 1992. She taught a class on how to make potions for several years, then moved into teaching a class on elemental earth magic, which she taught from 1995 till 2007. After that, she was taught Demonology until 2012. After that, she was promoted to the office of Vice Principal and in 2021, she was promoted to the position of principal. So, all in all, she worked there around thirty-two years.”

I noted down Letty’s specialties. “She was versed in several aspects of magic, it sounds like. Was she married?”

Angela shook her head. “No, neither Letty or I ever met anyone we considered marrying. She dated in her younger days, but Letty was focused on her career. She was a workaholic and committed to the academy. Her whole focus was on helping young witches find their paths in life. Letty might never have had any children of her own, but she counted her students as just that—her kids that she tried to help steer onto the right path in life.”

“Tell us what happened,” Dante said.

“Well, a few days ago, I got a call from her in the morning. She had arrived at work, and she was concerned because she said she received a disturbing phone call the night before. I asked her what it was, and she said she’d tell me later when we met for dinner. That’s one reason why I don’t believe she killed herself. We were going to meet for our weekly dinner.”

“Do you know if she had received any other calls that were worrisome? In the past few months, perhaps?” I asked.

Angela sighed. “I’m not sure about calls, but my sister had the feeling that something was wrong at the school, and she decided to investigate it on her own. I don’t think anybody knew what she was doing, but maybe somebody found out. I’m not sure if this call had anything to do with that. Anyway, about ninety minutes after we talked, the police showed up at my shop and told me that Letty had thrown herself through the window on the fourth floor of the clocktower in the central square, and she was dead.”

I shook my head. “Most people who commit suicide don’t go through a window—they open it first. And even then, jumping out a window is a rare form of suicide.”

“ Autodefenestration ,” Dante said.

“What?”

“That’s the technical term for throwing yourself out a window,” he said.

“Your vocabulary never ceases to amaze me.” I turned to Angela. “I’m so sorry about your sister. Did she show any signs of being suicidal, that you know of?

“My sister was a happy person. She loved her work, and she had a good life. And if Letty decided to kill herself, she’d pick an easier, more comfortable route. My sister was a stern teacher, but she didn’t like pain. She liked her comfort, and she was a huge advocate for self-care. No, I believe my sister was killed.” Angela leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.

“What did the police tell you about their investigation?” I asked.

“They said that there was nothing to point to murder. They searched her office, and said there were no signs that anybody was with her. The door was locked from the inside.” Even though she was trying to be strong, Angela teared up and she sniffled.

I handed her a box of tissues. “I know this is hard.”

Angela wiped her eyes, then sat back in her chair. She was a stately woman, with long gray hair and wrinkles that could only be built up through a long and interesting life. I felt a kinship with her, though I wasn’t sure why.

“I miss her. Letty and I were close. We had an older brother but he died about five years ago. He didn’t take care of himself and he died of a heart attack. He was a pain in the ass, but we did love him.” She sighed. “Now, I’m the only one left in our immediate family. Our parents both died many years ago. Witches live longer than humans, you know, like most of the Supe Community. But even we are mortal.”

I nodded. Her shoulders were slumped forward and she looked defeated. “Again, I’m sorry. So, can you tell me what she was worried about? You said she thought something was wrong at the school.”

Dante stood. “Let’s take a break before you answer that. I need more coffee. Angela, would you like another pastry? More coffee?”

She stared at her cup, then said, “Sure. Coffee, and a cinnamon donut if you have one. If not, then any flavor’s good.”

“I’ll be back in a moment,” he said, then headed out of the room.

I paused the recorder, and finished my latte, giving Angela a chance to breathe.

The conference room had a window that overlooked the alley. I stood, stretched, and walked over to peek out. A garbage truck was making its way down the alley, picking up dumpsters and emptying them. As I leaned against the wall, Angela joined me and we watched the garbage men following along to pick up the smaller bins.

“Rain’s on the way,” I said, staring at the sky.

“I don’t mind,” Angela said. “It matches my mood.”

November skies were almost always gray—Seattle was known for its gloomy weather nine months out of the year. That was one thing I loved about the area. The foliage was thick and green, even while the clouds were overcast. What sun we had was interspersed through the days, a little here, a little there. I didn’t like hot weather, or days that were too bright, so the perpetual twilight of autumn and winter agreed with me. Now, the clouds had socked in—thick and gray—and the air hung heavy with moisture.

Angela paused, then said, “I don’t know how old you are, but when you get to be my age you learn that the hard knocks are going to come faster and more frequently.”

“I learned that young,” I said. “I’m no spring chicken, though my kind live a long time.”

“I know you’re a half-demon, I can read your aura. So, you probably have a lot of years left.” Angela flashed me a half-smile.

“I’m forty,” I said. “We wear our age well, and we live a long, long time. Even as half-breeds. But, while I’m nowhere near middle aged by bloodline, I learned about the harsh realities of life young. I lost my mother when I was fourteen, and lived on the streets. I had to learn how to survive.”

Angela glanced at me. “Wasn’t your father around?”

I shook my head. “No. I never met him. I have no idea who he is. My mother refused to tell me. I’m not sure why, but maybe she was afraid I’d run off and join him in the UnderRealms. I never knew who any of my other relatives—even the human ones—were, so I was on my own.”

“I’m sorry,” Angela said. “At least I had my family, even if they’re all gone now.”

Dante returned just as the rain started. It was pouring, the wind slashing the drops sideways across the window. The alleyway darkened as the rain hit the pavement. Dante was carrying a plate of pastries and the coffee pot and he set them on a trivet on the table.

Angela and I returned to our seats and I decided on another maple bar while Angela selected a cinnamon donut. Dante poured her coffee, then refilled his own cup. He picked up a cinnamon bun as I turned the recorder back on.

“So, I think we were about to discuss the fact that your sister was worried something was wrong with the school?” I asked. “Do you know anything about that?”

Angela dabbed the sides of her mouth with a napkin to wipe away some crumbs. “Maybe, though I’m not entirely sure what was going on. Letty suspected that something had been going on with the teachers and students for a while. Something about deaths and missing students.”

“Do she go into detail?” Dante asked.

Angela shrugged. “She was going to tell me more at dinner. Now I’ll never know.”

“Did your sister have any enemies?” I finished my second maple bar and wiped my hands on a napkin.

“Letty wasn’t the most personable person in the world. She lived a long time. I’m pretty sure she had her share of detractors,” Angela said. “But I can’t give you any names off the top of my head.” She leaned back. “So, will you investigate it? I know Letty didn’t kill herself.”

I thought about it for a moment. We never guaranteed results, but the case had enough red flags, I thought we might be able to figure out something. “I can’t promise you anything, but we can look into it. Can you let us into her house to look through her things? We’ll also need to look over her office, if the school will allow it.”

“I haven’t touched her house yet, but I have the keys. She left the house to me. As to the school, I don’t have any pull there, but I have to pick up her effects. Maybe you can do that for me—I can give them permission for you to gather them for me.” Angela pulled out her checkbook. “How much for a retainer?”

“There’s a non-refundable five-hundred-dollar fee for us to take the case, then the hours we put in and any expenses. If that’s acceptable, I can write out an invoice, and you’ll pay Sophia on your way out.” I marked a box on her file and initialed it.

“That will be fine,” she said. “I know you can’t guarantee anything, but I have to try. My sister was not suicidal, and I can’t accept it.”

Dante and I walked her out to the desk, where I handed Sophia the file folder.

“Draw up a contract for her and we’ll get to work right away.” I glanced at Angela. “We’ll do our best. Whatever we can find out, we’ll let you know. Meanwhile, it would be best if you didn’t talk about this to anybody until we know what we’re dealing with.”

Angela nodded. “When do you want to go through her things? I can meet you at her house tomorrow morning at ten, if that will work.”

I glanced at Sophia. “Do I have anything scheduled at that time?”

“Nope,” Sophia said. “I can pencil it in.”

“Go ahead, but make it for nine, to give us time to get to her house.” I turned back to Angela. “Give Sophia the address. Dante and I’ll meet you there at ten tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Angela said, sounding relieved. As she turned to Sophia to take care of the paperwork, Dante and I headed back to my office.

At one pm, Sophia locked the entrance and we gathered in the breakroom for lunch and our meeting. She had ordered pizza—as a group, we ate lunch together on a daily basis—and we settled down at the table. I was ready for more caffeine by then, so pulled a couple shots of espresso, added milk, ice, and some caramel syrup, and then stuck a straw in the travel mug and sat down. There were two pizzas—one sausage, pineapple, and extra cheese. The other was cheese and meatball pizza. I added a slice of each to my plate and waited till everyone was seated and served.

“All right, first, old business. How’s the Wilson case going?” I asked. I’d turned that one over to Orik. It was easy enough—a puma shifter had a gargoyle hiding in their barn. Orik had caught several of the creatures over the years, and he was well-equipped to deal with the case on his own.

“I’ve been out there twice. I think I’ve managed to acclimate the gargoyle to my presence, so I should be able to coax it into a trap next time. There’s a gargoyle cave twenty miles north of Mount Rainier, and the Wilding Association is willing to take the gargoyle and relocate it.” He bit into his pizza. “I think it’s a female, and I think she’s looking for a mate.”

Gargoyles were intelligent creatures, but they were very much still wild creatures—like the pumas and wolves of the Supe Community. An insular group, they often acted like bats or owls and nested in people’s barns. They shunned communication with most people or Supes, and could be dangerous. The gargoyle language consisted of a mixture of verbal language and body language, and difficult to learn. It was illegal to hunt them, but given their nature, the authorities treated them like they did wild animals that got too close to people.

“Okay, well, keep us apprised of the situation.” I glanced over the agenda that Sophia had provided. “Carson, what’s going on with the Megani situation?”

“I’m still digging on the Dark Web. It’s like following a labyrinth, and I have to work slowly so I’m not detected by the slavers.” He cleared his throat, unlocking his tablet. “As you know, Sylvie Megani vanished three weeks ago.”

Sylvie Megani was a wolf shifter who had disappeared from her home one night. She was sixteen. While the cops said she probably ran away, we’d discovered evidence that pointed to her being abducted by Tortious, a white slavery group focused on providing sex slaves who were Supes to sell on the Dark Web.

There were purchasers waiting around the world, and the practice was found in all countries. We were working the case, but it was slow going given we had to move cautiously so as not to endanger other victims. If the members of Tortious thought they were under surveillance, they’d go deeper underground with all of their victims.

“All right, keep at it. Let us know what we can do to help.” I hated that we couldn’t go charging in and save the girl before she was sold off to some perverted freak as a sex-toy, but we were doing our best.

“Benny pulled a stupid stunt last night.” I told them about the party and how Benny had managed to get in and steal the bracelet. “Let’s try to find him some job to keep his nose out of trouble. He’s a pain, but he’s also useful.”

“I think I could use some help with catching the gargoyle,” Orik said.

“Okay, you know how to contact him.” I checked that off the list. “Onto our new case. Dante, why don’t you sum up what we know?”

Dante consulted his notes. Sophia would transcribe the meeting this afternoon, but we had taken enough notes to start with.

“All right, Dante and I’ll go look through the house. Carson, can you research the academy? Also, see what you can dig up on Letty. Sophia, find out who worked the case at the police station and see if we can look at their records.” I glanced at my watch. “I think that’s it for the meeting, unless I missed something?”

“I think that’s it,” Sophia said.

Orik stood, yawning. He was six-eight and a mountain of a man. “I’ll try to catch the gargoyle tomorrow. They don’t do well in cities, even on the outskirts.”

“You’re right about that,” I said. “Okay, let’s get back to work.”

As I headed back to my office, Dante caught up to me. “Dinner tonight?”

Dante and I had tried dating once. It had been a disaster. But we made great friends, and we were as close as siblings. I watched what I called Dante’s Dating Follies with amusement and a shoulder for him to cry on, and in return, he was there to cushion the depression I sometimes spiraled into.

“I’d love it, but I’m meeting Penelope tonight.” Penn was my other best friend. She was also mixed-blood, part Fae, part human, and all witch. For her, it pretty much guaranteed she was an outcast. The Fae were incredibly snobbish about their heritage, and Penelope had grown up with no connections to the Fae community. The few times she had approached them, they had rebuffed her with a rudeness that had pierced her heart.

“Okay, we can catch up later,” he said. “I want to tell you about my latest date.”

I snorted. “That should be good. Let’s face it, you’re gorgeous, hon, but you have the worst taste in women. At least for dating.”

“Rub it in, rub it in !

“You love my teasing and you know it,” I said, flicking his head with my thumb and forefinger.

He ducked, but laughed. “Be nice, woman, or I’ll sneak into your house and steal your chocolate. I know how to get back at you.”

“You do that and I’ll steal your hair gel,” I countered. “Now get busy. And be on time tomorrow.”

With a wink, he vanished into his office. I paused, staring at the door as he shut it behind him. Dante might be a handful, but he was one of the good ones, and I was grateful that he had chosen to work with me. He had a keen eye and a perception that belied his looks. He was far from the glam rocker that he looked like.

As I headed back to my desk, I thought about Angela. I liked the woman, and I wanted to help, but I had a gut feeling that this case was going to be a lot more trouble than we anticipated, and I wasn’t sure that we were going to be able to dig up much.