Page 31 of The Accidental Detectives

“Arch just texted to let me know that Brenda’s gone.”

I tugged my knit hat down to keep the wind that had suddenly whipped up from pulling it from my head. “Gone? Where the hell did she go?”

Wanda bit her bottom lip, her eyes wide. “Arch said she left a note that said she didn’t want to cause us any grief with the clan.”

I blinked as the snow started up again, lashing at my face. “Where the hell could she go with two dogs and an iguana?” It was cold out. Doug was gonna freeze to death.

Wanda shook her head. “That’s the thing. She didn’t take Doug and the dogs…”

We didn’t say another word, but we sure as fuck dove into the car. I’d barely shut the door before Wanda was backing out and hightailing it back to the castle.

Brenda loved her pets. They were all she had. I had a hard time believing she’d take off and leave them behind.

Something smelled here, and it wasn’t just Sonja’s cigarettes.

Chapter

Ten

Wherein Brenda flies the coop

“Bertrand, get that shite outta my face. Now isn’t the time to capture our conflict, you feel me?”

I know Marty agreed to let him film us in action, but I had to put the kibosh on him coming with us when we snooped around. He’d kill the whole vibe if the people we investigated had a camera in their faces.

I growled at him and snapped my teeth. “Back up.”

He shrank back, almost dropping his camera.

“Nina, leave the boy alone—we have bigger fish to fry!” Marty ordered, pulling off her coat and gloves and throwing them on the chair in the waiting room as we ran to our desks.

Tottington ran behind her, picking up her outerwear as he went, his eyes concerned.

But Bertrand hovered in the background, shifting from foot to foot. ”Seeing as you won’t let me go with you when you investigate, I gotta get all the action I can when you’re here.”

With a huff, I whipped around, jamming my finger in his face. “I’m gonna show you action like you’re never seen if you don’t stop crawling up my backside, buddy. We put limits on this documentary thing for a reason—because not everyone wants a camera in their faces. Now, I can’t think when you’re everywhere I am. Now go!” I shouted, and this time I didn’t regret it.

Wanda came up behind him, wrapping an arm around his skinny shoulders. “Why don’t you go see if Arch made some dinner, Bertrand. You must be hungry. Aren’t all teenage boys, especially werewolf boys, eternally hungry?” She turned him in the direction of the stairs, giving him a nudge, then giving me her disappointed gaze. “I know you’re worried about Brenda, but stop taking it out on the child. You’re going to give him nightmares that stay with him the rest of his life.”

She was right. I sucked. “I’ll make it up to him later, okay? I’ll even wear that stupid fucking mask or whatever for his Dracumentary. Right now, I need to think.”

Her nod was curt before she whisked herself away to her desk. “See that you do.”

Marty held up the note Brenda left us as I stooped to grab Patty and cuddle her, looking for her pink sweater. She trembled against me, burrowing her sparsely furred head under my chin. Sorry. No way would Brenda leave these guys.

“Dark Lord, I think this might be what you’re looking for.” Tottington handed me the dog’s fuzzy sweater, helping me to put her little stick legs through the holes.

“Thanks, Tottington.”

He cocked his head, his usually placid face confused. “Might I inquire as to your well-being, Miss?”

That stopped me cold. “My well-being?”

“Yes, Miss. You didn’t call me Tater Tot. As much as I despise the moniker, I fear I must admit, I’m rather fond of it as well. It lets me know your state of mind, if you will. If you aren’t usingmy nickname, it surely means you’re troubled. I’d like to know if I can help ease your burden.”

I gave his shoulder a squeeze for his concern. He kinda winced, but whatever. “I’m okay. I’m just worried about Brenda. It makes no sense that she’d just pick up and leave, especially without her dogs and Doug. Where is Doug, anyway?”

He smoothed the lapels of his jacket with a small smile. “Rest assured, Master Doug is well, basking under the heat lamp I ordered, upstairs in my room.”

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