Our Story Part Three The Hunters

Chapter Nineteen

Two hours later the couple was walking back into the dorm. “It was worth a try,” Rowan told her boyfriend with a shrug. She checked the machine and sighed. “No messages.”

“I’m sorry it didn’t work, honey,” Garret said gently.

“It was a good idea, though.” They sat down. Finally Rowan punched a decorative pillow lying on the couch hard enough to tear it. “I hate this! I feel so useless.”

“Do you guys play tonight?”

“Yes... but we can’t play! Lupe’s missing, she plays keyboard... how can we play without a keyboard player? We need her... we can’t just-”

“Angel, you’re rambling.”

“Sorry.”

“Listen. You’re going to relax for a moment-”

“Don’t try your freaky psychic powers on me.”

“I won’t. But I want you to relax for a few minutes.”

“Fat chance.”

“You are so infuriating.”

“Thanks.”

“You have to go to the gig. Then you’ll play.”

“Are you telling me what to do?”

He scratched the back of his head a little nervously. “It would appear so, but I have a good reason. If whoever took Lupe did it because of what she is they’d be watching you too. You need to go and play you heart out. Dedicate a song to Lupe or something. Ask for information, and maybe someone will know something. It can’t hurt.”

Rowan nodded at that. “Once again, you’re right. At least one of us is being rational.”

“Honey, one of your closest friends is missing, of course you aren’t being rational.”

Rowan bit her lip thinking for a second. “Wait. Lupe said that she wouldn’t give us up to them.”

“Yeah?”

“So they do already suspect us, she just won’t confirm anything.” She chewed on her lower lip for a second. “Can we use this to help Lupe?”

“Probably,” Garret said thoughtfully. The others walked in.

“Are those my boots?” Cherish asked. “Did you actually raid my closet?”

“And mine,” Cat smiled. “Keep the skirt, I never wear it any more.” Garret and Rowan gave them a quick run-down of their tentative plan. “But we need a keyboard player.”

“I can play,” Kalena said. “If you guys have music I’ll be able to stand in for your friend.”

“That’d be great. I guess this is all we can do,” Cherish sighed.

“We’ll find something out from this,” Maya said. “I mean, we have to. It’s all we’ve got.”

“Let’s get ready,” Cat said. “The gig starts at seven thirty. We’ll all meet there.” Everyone separated. Rowan started to go to her room to change but Garret stopped her.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I want to check Orion’s apartment.”

“Why do you need me?”

“Are you so self-conscious that you wouldn’t go with me?”

“You’re right, as usual,” she sighed. “ Let’s go.” We walked to his usual parking spot where a brand new mustang convertible sat. “Where’s your bike?”

“In storage,” he shrugged.

“Exactly how much money do you have?”

He smiled. “Enough.” He gave a light shrug at her inquisitive look and unlocked the door for her. “I should probably point out, though, that the motorcycle was my dad’s. I just paid for the parts to fix it up and the insurance.” They drove for ten minutes before pulling up in front of the apartment building. The building was one of the nicer ones in town, the bad part of that was that to get in some one had to unlock the front doors.

“All up to you, Carrie.”

Garret shuddered. “Never call me that again. Besides, I told you I was telepathic, Carrie was telekinetic. Do you think I can just do this?” He reached out a hand and the door swung open.

“How-?”

“I’m good?”

“Show off.”

“That works too.” They walked up to number thirty-seven B, which Lupe had told her about a while ago. He did his hand trick again and the door opened. “My lady?” Rowan walked inside first and something flew through the air at her. Garret was immediately in front of her.

“Do you teleport too?”

“Nah, I just moved quickly.” He thrust a bundle of fur into her arms. “This is your area of expertise.” She looked down and met the blue eyes of a husky-wolf mix pup. He had relaxed almost as soon as she cuddled with him.

“It was a group humans,” she announced touching the puppy’s mind. “They broke in and used gas. That’s all he saw.”

“Did he see anyone’s face?” Garret asked. “I can’t believe I’m taking testimony from a dog!”

“No,” she replied. “So, Detective Turner, what’s your theory?”

“I think it’s pretty evident. These humans used gas to knock out our werewolf friends. The gas also served to block their scents. I don’t know if they realized that or if it was dumb luck.” He paused looking around. “There’s so sign of a struggle, no blood, nothing’s broken.” He shook his head lightly. “That doesn’t make sense though. It would take more then just one second to knock out a werewolf, no matter what gas was used. In that second I know they would have tried to defend themselves.” He paused again. “And where in the hell are these people getting gas guns?”

“We’d better get to the club,” she said checking her watch.

“Yeah,” Garret said. “We’ll take the pup with us. He can’t stay here.” Rowan had been about to suggest that, but the fact that Garret had thought to bring it up warmed her heart. They went back out to the car. They were driving towards the club when she suddenly bolted upright.

“Silver!”

“Huh?”

“There was a silverish residue on the carpet. I’ll bet they put silver in with the knockout gas, so it would work faster.”

“If I weren’t driving I’d kiss you.”

“You think I’m right?”

“It makes perfect sense. They wouldn’t have wanted to chance that the ‘wolves would be awake long enough to fight... but...”

“What is it?”

“They would have had to test this, which means they probably have done this before.”

“Unless this was the test. I mean, think about it, they left Orion with his cell phone.”

“Maybe, but maybe they wanted him to have it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s say Lupe never called. Everyone could have thought that the two of them just took off together.” He pulled into the club’s parking lot.

“They wouldn’t do that.”

“The bad guys don’t know that. Point is, Lupe’s phone call confirmed that she and Orion were alive.”

“They’re underground!”

“What?”

“The reception was terrible, and I just remembered that I couldn’t hear anything. Anywhere above ground I would be hearing animals, or street noise. They have to be underground.”

Garret gave a small smile. “You’re good at this.”

“Thanks. So, what’s the plan?”

“Just what we discussed,” Garret shrugged. “I hate to admit this but for now they have the upper hand. We have to act like we don’t know anything. Even if it means playing into their hands.”

“So we don’t have a plan.”

He gave a slight, rueful shrug. “Not yet.” He reached out and squeezed her thigh. “We’ll figure this out, though. Don’t worry.”

“Worry? Me? You’ve got the wrong vamp, Detective.”

“Will you stop calling me that?”

“Whatever you say, sweetie.”

“Awwe, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”