Page 102 of White Raven
Rachel Foster dragged her teeth over her bottom lip in frustration, standing with two other members of the investigation team—the team she’d been leading for the past couple of months since leaving Boston with a hunch. That hunch had thrown her down the rabbit hole, and promised a nice fat promotion if she could close this case. But for any of that to become a reality, she’d have to find the lead she’d been chasing for weeks…the lead that had since vanished from the radar altogether.
“We had her,” Jonas groaned, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve kept close tabs on her ever since—”
“Obviously not close enough, Wright,” she snapped back, cutting him off. “We’ve been tracking her every move for weeks. She was gonna lead us to that pack, and now she’s all but disappeared? What was the last you had on her?”
Amy spoke up next, jumping to Jonas’s defense. She’d had it bad for the guy for over a year, now. Of course, she’d try to relieve him from the crosshairs. “We’ve got a clear shot of her on top of this building, Foster. She was sitting right there,” she said, pointing to the edge of the rooftop that overlooked Seattle. “That wasn’t even an entire week ago. She’s gotta be here somewhere.”
“Lemme see that photo,” Foster demanded, thrusting her hand out. Amy handed it over, and she studied it carefully, comparing the shot to where Ryan Sykes would have been sitting. She stepped over to that exact spot and looked down several stories to the traffic below. The sky began to shed itsmiserable drizzle over the city. “She was on the phone. Looks like a cigarette in her hand, too.”
“She either tossed it over the edge, or she’s covering her ass. I’ve not found a single cigarette butt on this roof,” Jonas offered.
“And did we trace the call?”
“Negative. She was using a burner,” Amy followed up.
This was about the millionth brick wall they’d hit since getting a solid lead and uncovering a lot of mystery surrounding werewolves and vampires, and the shady shit they did behind the doors of a completely invisible world.
“A burner…” Foster whispered under her breath, staring at the Seattle Space Needle. She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed the person she’d never admit she was looking forward to speaking with.
“This is Sarah.”
“St. James. Been a while.”
“Agent Foster? Gotta admit, I’m surprised to see you initiate contact. To what do I owe the displeasure?”
Always a snappy little piranha. Foster smirked and turned away from her colleagues. “Good to hear your voice, too. I’ve got it on good authority that you and your hunky detective are digging your ambitious hands into the wrong pots these days. I warned your captain to butt out. I don’t know why I bothered.”
“Is that so?”St. James seemed to exaggerate her response as if the captain were close by…or maybe Detective Kane.“Interesting. We never got the message. What exactly are you accusing us of digging into, Foster? I’ll be frank, I really don’t fucking have time for pissing contests right now. Athan is missing, and if that’s not bad enough, we’re down another player. What do you want?”
Foster drew her brows. “What do you mean he’smissing?”
“Not sure what part of that was difficult to understand. He’s gone. Somebody kidnapped him from my house, and we’ve got absolutely nothing for a starting line, short of two bleak cases. So, unless you’re trying to team up, I’ve got no room for you in the inn. Try the stables.”
“I’m assuming Northwood’s chomping at the bit on this one, right? Thatisher partner.”
“No. That’s what I meant by ‘down another player’.”
Foster’s mouth dropped open, and she turned on her heel. “She’s dead?”
“Jesus, Foster! No, she’s—she’s indisposed.”
“Well get her un-indisposed. I need to talk to her.”
“We can’t, I—look, she won’t wake up, okay? What is it you’re trying to keep me out of? Because if it involves giving up my search for Athan, you can blow it out your ass.”
“Does any of this train wreck have anything to do with Ryan Sykes?” There was a pause, and it seemed she had her attention now.
“Sykes…of fucking course! It’s gotta be her! Dammit, I need Rhaena.”
“St. James, what do you know about Ryan Sykes? I hate to ruin your ‘aha moment’, but you need to steer clear of her.”
“Why? Because she’s a vampire? Yes, I know. What other being could take Athan down, and drag him off somewhere? God, when I find that bitch…”
“Sarah!”Foster yelled, slapping a palm to her thigh. “You’re getting into something way bigger than you. Do you understand? Ryan Sykes isn’t just a vampire. At least that’s what I’m on the verge of proving. If I’m right, she’s a lot more than that, and whatever puny research you, or Northwood have got your hands on? It’s just the tip of the iceberg, and youneed to stand down. She’s dangerous, and unpredictable, and she’s working for even more dangerous, unpredictable fucking people.”
“Like my father?”Sarah asked, matter-of-factly.
“Dammit, St. James.” Foster yanked her ponytail and paced the rooftop. “I told you to lay low. I told you not to go looking for trouble!”
