Page 52 of Midnight Auto Parts

“That could explain why there hasn’t been a noticeable hit to the local ecosystem,” Carter said. “If we’re dealing with a beastwho’s human part of the time, it could be filling the bulk of its dietary requirements at a grocery store or butcher shop.”

“The disappearing paw prints could be a result of shifting,” I allowed. “When did you find them?”

“Long after the area had been good and trampled.” She flipped her gaze up to the ceiling. “This case has the chief bouncing on his tiptoes. He’s been wanting to forge stronger relationships with South Carolina. This gives him the opportunity to spread his vision and, potentially, extend the 514’s reach.”

“Too much growth too fast will bite him on the butt eventually,” I warned. “He has enough on his plate if he expects to stand against the Society, as well as the local shifter packs, covens, and clans. Their leaders will ignore yet another governing body until the 514 targets one of their own. Then it’ll get bloody. Fast. Without the proper infrastructure, the 514 will buckle the first time pressure is applied.”

Paranormal factions governed themselves for a reason, but the problem with self-government within an ecosystem of predators was they often only policed themselves for crimes against each other. Not other factions. Certainly not humans, who many viewed as food. Leer had taken on a big job with a big dream, but if he wasn’t careful to manage his people and his resources, he would have a big flop on his hands.

“I agree with you, but he’s optimistic.” She fluttered her hand. “That’s politics, and I don’t care about big pictures the way he does. I care about the work and the people we put in the field. One of the reasons it works so well between him and me is he rarely leaves his office. He prefers wading through bureaucracy to weeds.”

The thumps coming from above our heads convinced me Matty and Josie were dancing an Irish jig.

“I’m not great with subtlety,” Carter confessed, “but I’m starting to think the stomping is my cue.”

“You might be right.” I rose to walk her out the door. “Do you mind if Kierce and I head back for another look around?”

“As long as you wear your lanyards, you’ve got access to the scene.” She touched her pocket. “I had one of the guys fetch me a new phone, so if anyone gives you trouble, you tell them to call me. If they won’t,youcall me. After I’m done with them, they’ll be too busy rocking in a corner to give you more grief.”

“I’m so glad you’re on my side.”

“What can I say?” Her gaze drifted up again. “I’m a sucker for troublemakers.”

As I stretched off my long nap, I brushed paper in my rear pants pocket and remembered the brochure I found in Pink Panic. I almost mentioned it to Carter, but it didn’t mean anything yet. I should Google before I got her hopes up it was a clue and not a parking lot handout Tameka had yet to toss.

After she left, I turned to find Kierce tracing my outline with a softness in his eyes that turned my heart to goo. “What are you thinking?”

“That the next time we kiss, I hope it’s not under the influence of lust dirt.”

There was no hesitation. No momentary pause. He hadn’t considered withholding his answer.

“The next time?” I pretended to appraise him. “You seem confident I’ll come back for more.”

Rather than the flush I expected on him, he held my gaze, his gone silver. “You will.”

The sudden urge to rub my thighs together at the command in his tone made me second-guess the type of man who was waking up in Kierce. I was a sucker for the low growl in his voice, the possessive edge in his tone. He was still my sweet littleweirdo, but he was developing a dark edge whose gleam invited me to linger, to test myself against his sharpness.

Apingdrew my attention to my phone. Fifi Dern had texted me.

>>I know you’re not contacting me about a problem with the spell on your wagon. It’s flawless. So, what brings you to my inbox?

Leaving out details on the victims, I explained the situation then waited while she processed the details.

>>Magic can do just about anything in the right hands, but I’ve never heard of an auto theft ring using it to pluck vehicles they want right off the road. Let alone with people inside. That would edge into human trafficking, right?

I understood why her thoughts would veer towardauto theft ring, but I doubted that was the case here.

>Got any other ideas?

>>Got any more details?

>I’m not at liberty to share.

>>Okay. Hmm. Some fae steal to cause mischief, but that much iron? Only a gremlin could handle it, and they tend to steal for parts. They like taking things apart then putting them back together in new configurations. They’re inventors, tinkerers, project junkies.

Gremlins like the missing Ezells, for instance.

>Thanks for the help.

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