Page 4 of Unhallowed Murder
“You’re going to question the two men who didn’t make it to work?” He knew she was, but he wanted an excuse to hear her voice.
“Someone knew when they’d be able to get the body into the diorama without being seen. My people are still going over video, but I don’t expect them to see much from it.”
Her phone rang, and she answered with, “What do you have, Corey?”
Josef could easily hear both sides of the conversation.
“We got a hit on her fingerprints, since she works for the post office. Her name’s Wendy Abrams. Bad news — the FBI flagged the case as theirs.”
“Send me her address anyway, as well as the name and number of the FBI agent on the flag, please.” Within moments, she had him on the phone. “Agent Graham, this is Lieutenant Woods, HCSO. How is it you think Wendy Abrams’ murder is a federal case?”
“I was already working a crime involving the victim, regarding her employment through the postal service. Her death doesn’t end my obligation to solve her case.”
Josef observed her thoughts while Lieutenant Veronica Woods analyzed the FBI agent’s voice and attitude, and then formed a strategy — all in a split second. “There are things the Feds can do better than the local Sheriff’s Office, but I can do other tasks better than you. My guess is that when I find the murderer, it’ll solve your crime. I’d like to suggest we work together. I can search her home while you question her supervisor and coworkers, and then we’ll meet, compare notes, and figure out whether we can continue to move forward together.” She took a breath. “Assuming of course, there’s a record of your conversations with them.”
A twenty second pause, where the Lieutenant assumed he was looking her up, and she felt confident he’d agree to her proposal once he saw her solve rates.
“I believe we can make that work, Lieutenant. Full disclosure on both sides.”
“And if our superiors order us not to disclose something, we’ll let the other know we’re being constrained by using the word pineapple in a sentence.”
He sighed. “Agreed. You’ve worked with us before?”
“Something like that. Is eight a.m. okay for a meeting? My murder room or yours?”
“I’ll bring my people to you. There’ll be three of us. Make it eight thirty.”
“I look forward to meeting you in person, Agent Graham. In the meantime, can you give me the short version of why you were investigating Miss Abrams?”
“She’d informed her superiors of an attempt to bribe her, and we were looking into it. She didn’t have much information about the male who called her. He’d used a burner phone, but since he knew her personal cell number, the assumption was that the suspect either knew her or someone close to her.”
She thanked him again and disconnected.
“I don’t suppose you can tell if someone’s lying over the phone?”
Josef hedged. His Master preferred not to let other shapeshifters know the limitations of his top people’spowers. “Sometimes. I wasn’t trying with your FBI agent, but since I haven’t met him and I don’t know where he is, it would’ve been iffy.”
Chapter Four
The vampire had given a mostly non-answer, which was what she’d expected.
Ronnie took a moment to call another of her detectives and instruct him to question the two employees who hadn’t reported to work. When she disconnected, she asked the vampire, “How far into my head are you?”
“I have given you no suggestions, and I don’t intend to do so.”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
“I can easily monitor your thoughts. I have not attempted to delve into your memories, and at this time I have no intention of doing so.”
“There’s a reason the rest of us don’t like being around ya’ll.”
He chuckled. “Since I see your thoughts, it’s only fair I tell you mine. However, you need to focus on your case right now. Let me know when you have time, and I’ll share them.”
“Out with it, while you’re interested in sharing.” Most vampires preferred secrecy.
“I was a general when I was a human, many, many centuries ago. I respect the hierarchy, and I place importance upon traits like honor and valor. I see all of this in you, and you’ve earned my respect. I will assist you with this case, and when it’s over, I hope you’ll consider spending time with me in whatever way makes you comfortable. I would very much like to get to know you better.”
Martin would have a cow. Or, on second thought, he might order her to have a relationship with Josef, to curry favor with the powerful Strigorii coterie. “Is there a need for me to tell you my reaction to that?”
