Page 48 of Forensics of a Fable

“He took her,” Bel shouted. “He took Gold, and we’re running out of time.”

“I understand, but you’re out of line.” Griffin held the door open, his angry expression warning her not to argue, and with a sigh of desperation, Bel obeyed. As she passed through thedoorway, she noticed a scowling Eamon leaning against the opposite wall, Cerberus lying at his feet, and it amazed her how someone that massive could go completely unnoticed. It was for the best, though, since murder danced in his eyes as he stared her down. The muscles in his neck twitched dangerously, and she could tell it took all his self-control to remain against the wall and not storm over and carry her to safety.

Bel paused, a wicked idea taking root in her brain. She let Griffin leave the interview room, and as she followed, she kicked the door all the way open, granting Orso a clear view of Eamon. The men locked gazes, and the air burned volatile. Eamon shifted his weighed, the beast on full display, and if she didn’t know how deeply he cared for her, she would have been terrified. A single movement. One subtle shift, and the millionaire vanished, the devil assuming his place, and she heard Orso suck in a frightened breath. Eamon might have called Ewan a predator, but he was nothing compared to the king of darkness stalking her from across the station.

“Wait!” Orso shouted, and Bel caught the closing door, turning to face him. “Do you know who that is?”

“I do,” she said calmly.

“Do what you knowwhathe is?” He emphasizedwhatas he stared at her with fear.

“Yes.”

“And you let him in here?” He recoiled. “Do you realize how dangerous he is?”

“I do.” Bel smiled sweetly. “Shall I call him over? He wishes to speak to you.” She made a move to leave.

“Wait! Wait.” Orso looked like he was readying to make a run for it. “I’ll talk. Okay, I’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything, but only you. Not the sheriff, not the cameras, and especially not him. I don’t want that man anywhere near me.”

“Deal.” Bel smirked as she left to inform Griffin of Orso’s sudden willingness to confess. Her boss argued with her for five minutes before relenting. He knew she wouldn’t yield in her hunt for her partner, and while this plan toed the line, he was as desperate to find Gold as she was.

Bel returned to the interview room, careful not to meet Eamon’s gaze. He was seething at her proximity to Orso, but with every minute, the chances of finding Oliva alive dimmed. He would just have to deal with his anger.

“You truly know what that man is?” Ewan repeated as she took the seat across from him.

“You know I do,” she answered, and she watched his eyes slip to her scars before snapping back to her face.

“He’s dangerous. You shouldn’t be anywhere near him.”

“Yet he isn’t the one murdering women or kidnapping my partner.”

“I didn’t kill those girls,” Orso insisted. “I also didn’t take Gold. I like her. A lot. I would never harm her.”

“If we’re going to engage in this circular dance again, I’ll leave and let him have you,” Bel threatened.

“Okay, okay, I’ll talk. I just had to say my piece. That man is dangerous, and I couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t warn you.”

“I am well aware of Eamon Stone’s flaws. Stop stalling.”

“I guess I should start at the beginning,” Ewan sighed and leaned back in his chair with a deflated air of defeat. “I was on the run, and I stopped in Bajka specifically because that man lives here. What’s his name? Stone?” Bel nodded, and he continued, “I was being tracked by a hunter attempting to systematically eradicate my kind. I left my family, trying to draw him away from the others, and I thought lying low in a town with an alpha predator would hide my scent, but he found me anyway.”

“That hunter? He was after you?” Bel asked incredulously.

“Yes, I doubt he even realized Stone lived here… which I’m assuming by your earlier comments, you assumed was his true target?”

Bel nodded her confirmation.

“The hunter was after me, and I had no choice but to kill him. He wasn’t the one murdering your girls. Neither am I. We aren’t related to your case, so when I say I don’t know where Olivia is, I mean it. I was going to leave after the hunter’s death, but then I met her. I realize it sounds ridiculous, but she has this unbreakable hold on me. So I stayed, and now Olivia’s missing, and I’m freaking out. I can’t find her. I tried searching for her the night she disappeared, but she’s gone.”

“You killed the hunter?” Bel asked, fixating on his confession.

“Yes, I lied when you found the ring. It is the sign of the hunters, and I took it. But what was I supposed to do? Admit I murdered him? I didn’t realize you knew about people like me. I assumed you wouldn’t have understood why I had to do it.”

“You killed the hunter?” Bel repeated, and he nodded with meaning. “Oh my god,” she whispered. “That’s why the bear didn’t attack until Eamon showed up. It’s you. You’re the bear.”

“I was trying to protect you from Stone,” Ewan confirmed. “I was searching for Olivia, but I came across you. Stone’s scent was so strong by your cabin, I became worried about your safety. It also made me wonder if you knew my kind existed.”

“I didn’t know about you specifically, but I’m aware mankind is not at the top of the food chain.”

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