Page 20 of Half Dead

“I’ll make it,” Nana Pratt said with gusto.

Chief Garcia pulled out a chair and sank into it.

“Do I even want to know?” I asked.

“No, but unfortunately, I have to tell you.”

My body went rigid. “Anybody I know?”

“Does the name Richard Horton mean anything to you?”

I shook my head. “What happened to him?”

“He’s alive, but I wouldn’t say he’s of sound mind and body. He was taken to Glenside earlier today.”

“What’s that?”

“A psychiatric hospital.”

I observed her carefully. “Okay, what does that have to do with me?”

“He was convinced he was a werewolf. Thought he’d been transformed.”

“There’s no Richard Horton in the pack.”

“Oh, I know. I checked with West. This guy just believed he was. The neighbors found it amusing until he defecated on their front porch to mark his territory.”

Nana Pratt recoiled as she delivered a cup of tea to the table. “Is that how West does it?”

I shook my head.

“When we tried to approach him, he went berserk. Snapping his teeth and howling at us. We couldn’t calm him down. I had to tranquilize him like a wild animal.”

“That’s awful.”

“We thought it might’ve been triggered by ecstasy use. Lycanthropy is a rare side effect, but it’s been known to happen.”

“But there was no evidence of drugs in his system?”

“None. No history of mental illness. No family history either. This happened completely out of the blue.” She watched me expectantly.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know much about psychosis. Do you think it could be schizophrenia?”

“He’s forty years old. Well past the age where it typically develops.”

“Are you here because you think a supernatural was involved?”

“Based on the current evidence, or lack thereof, yes.” Her brown eyes remained fixed on me; it was the type of stare that would make even a hardened criminal squirm.

I flinched. “Wait, you thinkI’mthe supernatural responsible?”

Nana Pratt gasped. “That’s ridiculous.”

“I know you take matters into your own handssometimes. I’m wondering if Mr. Horton had been involved in some nefarious supernatural business and paid the price.”

“Of madness?” I tried not to be offended, but I was. I used that particular trait sparingly.

Chief Garcia held up her hands, palms out. “I’m not accusing you, Lorelei.”

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