Page 24 of The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid

‘Not your fault, you’re doing everything you can. You can’t follow leads that aren’t there.’

I nodded, but doubt was twisting in my gut. I could remember everything but I didn’t know if I’dnoticedthe right thing.

Chapter 14

When I arrived back at the station, Gunnar bellowed, ‘Bunny, get your ass in here!’ Feeling deflated, I dragged myself into his office. I hated the fact that we were spinning our wheels so hard and getting absolutely nowhere.

Gunnar’s tone had been short: was I about to get my first dressing down from my usually jocular boss? I was working hard but maybe he thought I was being as useless as I felt.

He smiled when I entered, putting me slightly more at ease. He didn’t think I was totally shit, then. ‘We had an interesting call on the tip line while you were out.’

I perked up. ‘Yeah?’ I asked hopefully.

‘Yeah. A woman said she escaped a prostitution ring here in Portlock two years ago. Wants to talk.’

My heart gave a hard, floppy beat. A prostitution ring? If that was what had snatched Kate and Essie, I felt sick at what the girls could be going through right now. Even so, my adrenaline surged; this could be an actual clue.

Gunnar continued, ‘With all that she’s been through, she said she’ll only talk to a female officer.’

Totally understandable. ‘Did she leave her contact info?’

‘No. Shesaid she’d meet a female officer at the public bench on the walking trail by the South Harbour. It’s busy enough that she knows no one could snatch her from there – including us.’

I felt sad that the poor woman would even think that we’d try and grab her against her will. Still, not everyone was raised to trust the police. ‘When does she want to meet?’

He grimaced. ‘That’s the bummer. She wants to meet at seven in the morning, after your shift has ended. It’s when the trail is busiest so she feels most safe.’

‘We’re cops all the time, not just when we’re on shift.’ It was another thing drilled into us at the academy. We had to hold ourselves to a higher standard than others; our actions at all times were a reflection on the state troopers. ‘You know I don’t mind working late. I don’t want to miss this lead.’ Nor did I want to palm the task off on Sidnee.

Gunnar’s eyes were warm. ‘Proud of you, Bunny Rabbit.’

My heart soared. ‘Thank you,’ I replied awkwardly, still not quite used to compliments despite Connor’s best efforts. ‘It’s not like you could ask Sidnee,’ I added softly. She had enough on her plate and she was a bit of a wild card at the moment.

‘No. She’s not herself right now.’ He tugged at his beard. ‘I’m worried about her.’

‘Me too. Don’t worry about this meeting. I’ve got it, boss.’

‘I know you do. We’re going to get the girls back.’

I nodded and Gunnar turned back to his computer screen, dismissing me. Lucky for me, it was paperwork time; I hated paperwork but Gunnar hated it more.

I recorded my latest efforts and allocated a fee to be paid to Kamluck for its equipment and the use of an employee. By the time I was nearly finished, April had stumbled in for her shift. Today she was rocking a messy bun that told me she’d snoozed her alarm one too many times.

My shift was almost over but I was far from done. I had my meeting with Matilda then the clandestine encounter with a poor girl who had been sex-trafficked.

‘How are you?’ I yawned as I asked April.

‘I’m good. I visited Lily Kaleak yesterday to offer some moral support. The other shifters have rallied round her and so many are out searching.’ Her pride in her people showed. ‘Stan is doing an amazing job co-ordinating everything.’

‘He is,’ I agreed, grateful the Nomo’s office had one less task to deal with. We didn’t have the manpower for such a big search, but in those circumstances it was customary for the Nomo to rely on the vampires and shifters.

The phone rang and April answered it while I finished my paperwork. A moment later she put the call through to me. ‘Cobalt Robertson,’ she mouthed.

I nodded and pushed the button to release the hold. ‘Officer Barrington.’

‘It’s Cobalt Robertson,’ the vampire started stiffly.

‘Mr Robertson, I can assure you that we are taking every step—’

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