Page 19 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

"Karla, please," I call out, desperation in my voice. "Can we talk for a moment?"

She stops but doesn’t turn to face me. "There is nothing more to discuss, Evelyn."

"I just need a moment," I plead. "I need your support. You know Alexei is innocent."

Karla finally turns, her expression hard and unyielding. "My loyalty is to the coven and to justice. Not to you or Alexei."

With that, she walks away, leaving me standing alone in the corridor. The rejection stings, but I don’t have time to dwell on it. I need to act fast.

I return to the department, the weight of the council’s ultimatum pressing heavily on my shoulders. As I step inside, the room buzzes with activity. Deputies hustle between desks, phones ring, and the air is thick with urgency.

"Sheriff," Deputy Sam calls out as soon as he spots me. "We got a tip on the line. A man claims he saw Alexei leaving the bar. He said Alexei was unconscious, and he got a clear look at the driver."

My heart leaps with hope. "Where is he?"

"He’s at his place on Maple Street," Sam replies. "I sent a couple of deputies with a sketch artist to get his statement."

"Good," I say, nodding. "Let’s hope this gives us something solid."

I pace the floor, my mind racing with possibilities. If we can get a sketch of the driver, we might finally have a lead. The deputies couldn’t return soon enough.

When they finally walk in, their expressions are grim. Deputy Taylor steps forward. "Sheriff, we got a problem. The guy denied ever calling the tip line. Said he must’ve been drunk."

I frown, feeling my stomach drop. "Did he seem coherent? Was he really drunk?"

Taylor shakes his head. "He looked scared, Sheriff. Really scared. Like someone threatened him."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Alright. I’ll go talk to him myself."

I drive over to the man’s place, the sinking feeling in my gut growing stronger. His house is a modest, weather-beaten structure on the edge of town. I knock on the door, and after a few moments, it creaks open.

The man, a gaunt figure with haunted eyes, stands in the doorway. "Sheriff," he says, his voice shaky. "I told your deputies I don’t know anything."

"I just need to talk," I say gently. "Please, let me in."

He hesitates, then steps aside. I enter the dimly lit living room, glancing around. The place is cluttered with papers and empty bottles scattered everywhere. We sit down, and I lean forward, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible.

"I know you’re scared," I begin. "But we need your help. You said you saw the driver who took Alexei from the bar. That information could clear his name."

He shakes his head vigorously. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never called."

"Look," I say, my tone firm but kind. "If someone threatened you, we can protect you. But you need to tell us what you know."

He stares at me for a long moment, his eyes wide with fear. "You don’t understand," he whispers. "They’ll kill me."

"We won’t let that happen," I assure him. "Please, trust me."

For a moment, I think he might open up. But then he shakes his head again, more violently this time. "I can’t. I’m sorry. You need to leave."

“You know I could arrest you for obstruction of justice and have you locked up for a long time?” I ask, hoping that will scare him but he doesn’t budge. Instead, he looks like whatever he is scared of is greater than his fear of going to jail.

“You can’t lock me up for doing nothing. I just told you there’s a mix-up, and I don’t know what you are talking about. Please leave my house unless you want me to sue the entire department for harassment.”

I stand up, frustration and helplessness churning inside me. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

He nods, avoiding my gaze. I leave the house, the door closing behind me with a final, echoing thud. As I walk back to my car, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re missing something crucial.

Later that night, I was back at the department, sifting through files, when Deputy Taylor bursts in, his face pale. "Sheriff, we’ve got a situation. The guy you talked to? He’s dead. Shot himself in the head."

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