Page 3 of Relics of the Wolf

“Ah, understandable.” I pointed toward the leasing office, indicating that we could go check the security cameras from there, but Bolin held up a hand.

“Whether we get a good look at the man or not, my dad said he would offer some reward money if we want to put word out to the paranormal community. Curiosity aside, he feels bad that I lost your case.”

“It’s not your fault. Or anything he needs to pay for.”

Bolin shrugged. “You’ve been my parents’ employee for a long time. Even if they usually run everything through Mr. Kuznetsov, they appreciate that you’ve worked for them and kept the place running smoothly. And that you’ve taken me under your wing and are suitably building my character.” Bolin cocked an eyebrow, and I trusted he was quoting me rather than his father. “Dad also wants to know what’s in the case.”

“Don’t we all?”

“Do you think the European guy with the metal detector could find it?”

“No,” I said promptly, even if Duncan might have been able to help. My ex-husband had hired him to steal that case from me. Duncan was the last person I would ask for help finding it. For all I knew,he,not my cousin,had hired that thug.

“No? I looked up the name on his van. It’s a YouTube channel, and there are a bunch of videos of him finding things. Allkindsof things.”

From his emphasis on that word, I assumed Bolin had seen the videos of Duncan with his magic detector, sauntering through cemeteries at night on the quest for ghosts or who knew what paranormal magics lingered around tombs.

“I know, but he’s…” I didn’t want to explain my ex or how Duncan had betrayed me. “He left.”

“Oh? I thought you two might be...” Bolin turned his palm skyward.

What, dating?

“We’re not,” I said firmly.

“Too bad. He seems like just the guy to find a missing magical case.”

Or he was the one who’dstolenmy missing magical case.

I scratched my jaw, realizing Ishouldcheck to see if Duncan was in the area. If he was, and if he had the case, maybe I could get it back. Probably not by beating him up—alas—since that footage showed him being much stronger than I—than anyone. But hehadsent me a gift. Maybe he felt conflicted about his betrayal.

“Heshould,” I muttered.

Bolin arched his eyebrows again.

“I’ll see if I can find him.” I grabbed the carpet cleaner to fire it up again. If Duncan had my case, I would flay and/or scald him until he gave it back.

“Maybe we could contact him through his YouTube page?” Bolin pulled out his phone and had the app open in an instant.

I shot him an exasperated look. I hadn’t intended to seek Duncan out that second.

Reluctantly, I admitted that if he did have the case, trying to catch him before he left the area would be best. It might already be too late.

“All right. Send him a note.”

“Should I include a photo of my mugger?”

I almost snapped that Duncan probably already knew the mugger, but that would be jumping to conclusions. It was possible that thug had been working alone, and Duncan was also still looking for the case.

“Let’s see if we have one.” Leaving the air purifiers running, I led Bolin to the leasing office where we pulled up the footage from the security cameras. It was a good thing I hadn’t waited longer since our data-storage plan started deleting old recordings after a week.

“I think it was about nine p.m.” Bolin leaned over my shoulder as I skimmed through hours of uneventful footage of people going to and from the parking lot. Then his shiny blue G-wagon rolled in. “That’s me.”

“You sure that’s not a tenant with a six-figure SUV?”

“I’m sure.” Ignoring my sarcasm, Bolin frowned and leaned closer to the screen. “There. That guy isn’t a tenant.” He pointed to a hulking figure leaning out from behind a lamppost as the video version of himself got out of the SUV and walked toward the office, carrying something in his hands. The case. “He’s the one who grabbed me,” Bolin added.

In the video, the scene played out for us. With long blond hair and a black leather jacket decorated with metal studs, the guy looked like a Northern European metal drummer from an eighties band.

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