Page 44 of Wild Wolf
"I’m not a zoologist. That's not really my area. But from what I understand, it would be rare for a panther to attack a human. But, if the animal is in a stressed state, hungry, excitable, it's definitely possible.”
"Both of our witnesses were under the influence to varying degrees.”
"I don't care how many glasses of wine I've had, I'm not mistaking a panther for a werewolf,” Taryn said.
"I think we’re looking for a guy in a suit.”
"Then you're probably looking for someone with advanced skills to create one or a lot of money to have one commissioned.”
It sparked an idea. I kept it in my back pocket for a moment. "You must run into all types of occult enthusiasts. Are there any groups we should look into? Werewolf aficionados?”
Her eyes narrowed at me. "You're asking if I know anyone obsessed with werewolves who might go so far as to dress up as one and murder somebody under the full moon?"
"You catch on quick."
She shifted uncomfortably. Taryn started to speak, then stopped. "I do have a group of students. They're really good kids. They have an extracurricular social group. It's not university-sponsored. It's for werewolf enthusiasts. People who identify as werewolves. People who are fascinated by the legend."
"Identify as werewolves?" JD said, incredulous.
"Nobody in the group actually thinks they're a werewolf. At least, I don’t think so. They identify with the transformative spirit of the werewolves. The power within. We all have a wolf inside of us, don't we? Two, actually—the good wolf and the bad wolf."
"I need the names of everyone in thissocialgroup," I said.
Taryn shook her head. "Absolutely not. I can't give out student information. That would be unethical. The students have come to me in confidence, and I will not violate their trust.”
"One of the students could be a murderer.”
Taryn shook her head. "Not possible. Like I said, these are good kids.”
"Never underestimate what a motivated individual can do.”
"And what exactly is the motivation for a double homicide?"
"You're the occult expert,” I said. “You tell me.”
Her eyes narrowed at me. "These kids are having fun, escaping reality. Role playing. Exploring themselves. That's all it is. Pretty soon, they’re going to be in the real world, paying bills and taxes, dealing with life and everything that comes with it. Let them have their little fantasies.”
"I think this is far more than a fantasy for some.”
"Even if I wanted to, it’s against school policy and federal law. That’s protected information. You know that.”
It was worth a shot.
"What I can do is ask around and see if anyone is willing to volunteer any information. How does that sound?”
"It's better than nothing," I said with a resigned sigh. "Listen, it's almost happy hour. How about we buy you a drink?”
She lifted a salty eyebrow. "You gotta be kidding me?”
"I'm dead serious."
"It's not even noon yet."
Jack smiled, "It's happy hour somewhere.”
Taryn shook her head in disbelief. “No wonder you haven't solved the break-in. Do you guys ever work?”
JD and I feigned offense and exchanged a glance.
