Page 44 of Feral Attraction
Chapter Eighteen
Reylistened while Con filled her in on the way to headquarters.Since they were in a hurry, he drove her car, weaving in and out of traffic while she white knuckled the handle.After his entire spiel, she called the captain to arrange a meeting with the task force.
Now.
She raced up the steps of the police building, Con behind her.They slammed through the door and entered the conference room where the team already waited.
The captain surprised her when he held out the dry-erase marker.“You’re in charge of this meeting.”
Nodding at Con, she accepted it and posed in front of the board, facing everyone.She asked Lou and Simon to summarize what their legwork had uncovered, jotting salient points on the board.Afterward, she drew and circled the victims’ names, talked about commonalities and differences, and examined suspects, discarding all but one, the one who had attacked Con, the one whose scent had been familiar to him.
She called on her partner to explain the motivation.The perp was a feral serial killer.He targeted males, ones that filled some perverted need as yet not understood.Mommy was an exception.She must have met him when she traveled to Albany with George.When the perp had spotted Con and learned he was investigating the case, he killed the woman, probably believing she was a liability.
They knew where the murderer was and had a plan to capture him.The captain nodded at her to explain the overall strategy.He’d arrange all the moving parts.
Con added some details.He talked about the numbers needed for the raid.Exits to be covered.Best time to begin the assault.And warnings on what to expect.His specific demands were simple—no noise upon arrival, and he would be first in the door.
The task force spent the rest of the day fine-tuning the plan, each member adding input.They studied maps and layouts.The captain arranged for specialty squads and backup.
With nightfall, all plans set and players ready, Rey and Con drove to the scene, followed by the boss and others involved in the takedown.No noise, no sirens.They surrounded the building.
Rey and Con slid from their vehicle as the units took position.Quick infiltration was necessary before the perpetrator noticed them.
Grabbing Con’s hand, Rey squeezed it.“Careful.You can take him, right?”
“He’s feral, totally in touch with his beast.”
“But you’re better?”
“Need you ask, love?”He turned and headed into the rear door of The Gin Room, his stride as cocky as he was.Rey followed but assumed the lead once they were inside.After her eyes adjusted to the dark interior, she made her way to the bar while he stayed out of sight.
“Remember me?”She lifted onto her toes, leaning over the top and shouting to Worgan above the noise.
“Yeah.The cop.”
“Con’s over there.”She glanced at a shadowy corner.“Where are your bouncers?”
Worgan pointed to two locations.One guy was talking to a small group of patrons.The other was standing, arms crossed, back to the wall, his eyes scanning the crowd.
“Which one’s the wolf shifter?”she asked.
“The guy calming down the customers.”
When Rey signaled Con, he shoved through the throng to confront the bouncer.She moved in the same direction but slower.Before she arrived, she saw the guy eye Con, turn, and try to barge through the patrons, pushing them out of his way.
Con was faster.He grabbed the bouncer’s shoulder and spun him around.
The bar quieted.The band stopped playing.
“Not so fast, Tark,” he shouted, loud enough for all to hear.
The bouncer reeled around and swung, just missing Con’s jaw.
Her partner ducked the punch and slammed a fist into Tark’s gut.
