Page 56 of Wild Wolf
We parked at the curb and hustled to a pedestrian gate. A wrought iron fence surrounded the property. The complex was a hive of three-story units with stucco siding and red tile roofs. On a sunny weekend, there were always parties to be found around the pool.
From the call box, I buzzed a few people until somebody let us in. JD and I hurried down the walkway through the mazeof buildings to building C. We climbed the switchback staircase to the third floor and banged on unit #301. At this hour of the morning, I'm sure Rafe was home unless he spent the night out.
That set off a barking dog. It growled and snarled.
I banged another heavy fist.
After several minutes of doing that, footsteps stomped across the living room.
The door jerked open.
Rafe glared at us with sleepy eyes and a face still marked from the pillow. He held a beautiful Siberian Husky by the collar, keeping it from pouncing. The animal had mesmerizing ice-blue eyes. "What the fuck do you want?"
At 6 foot two and well built, Rafe had the physical qualities to pull off the murders.
I flashed my badge and made introductions.
His nervous eyes flicked between the two of us. "What's this about?”
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Iwasn’t exactly sure how to broach the subject without throwing Taryn under the bus. "We're investigating the werewolf murders. We believe the killer may be someone in the enthusiast community who’s taken things a little too far.”
Rafe’s eyes narrowed, and he didn't say anything for a moment. "What does any of that have to do with me?”
"We’re talking to everyone in the community who might have information."
"Information about what?”
"Someone who may have taken a fantasy too far.”
"How did you get my name?”
I shrugged. "We've been talking to like-minded individuals.”
Rafe’s jaw tightened. "Look, I don't know what you're talking about. This whole thing is nonsense. Some animal escaped from the zoo and is mauling people.”
"That's quite likely. We’re just covering all of our bases.”
A poster of a werewolf movie hung in a frame in his living room. The guy was clearly a fan. I pointed it out. "Cool poster."
Rafe said nothing and shifted uncomfortably.
"What are you going to be for Halloween?”
His face wrinkled. "It's none of your damn business."
"Let me guess. You’re gonna dress up as a werewolf?"
He squinted at me. "So? Is that a crime now?”
"No. But hacking up people while you wear a suit is.”
"I didn't kill those people. What the fuck is this? You can't just come around here and accuse me of shit.”
"I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm asking if you know anyone in your community who may be likely to take things too far.”
"Everybody's got a hobby. Mine just happens to be werewolves. I love werewolf movies. I love horror movies. I like to hang out with people who like werewolves and horror movies. I used to get a lot of shit for that as a kid growing up. People always said I had an unhealthy fixation with that. There's nothing unhealthy about it. So, I like to dress up as a werewolf. So, I like to go to conventions in costume. So, I like to hang out with my wolfpack. Big fucking deal.”
