Blue moon - By Lori Handeland Page 0,16

the way I liked it.

I'd been telling myself this for years, believing it, too. So why did I suddenly feel lonely and sad in the middle of the day?

I left the university and returned to the station, hoping Dr. Bozeman might have left a message, or even the report. I'd have had better luck hoping the sun would rise in the west.

I filed my own report, then logged the evidence and placed it in the evidence room, leaving the paper Cadotte had signed with the rest.

Since my shift didn't start for several hours and I hadn't eaten anything lately, I returned to my apartment, where I made a small pizza, watched sitcoms, and tried not to think of the case for a while.

When it was time for work, I changed into my uniform and returned to the station. I was barely in the door before Zee started shouting. "Hell and tarnation, what were you doing at that school today, girl?"

"Hello, Zee. Nice to see you, too."

"Fuck that. You could have been killed."

"I wasn't. Get over it."

She blinked. I was usually more deferential to her moods - or rather mood: she only had one and it was bad. I knew she meant well. Zee might cuss like a construction worker, but her old-time upbringing made her reserve the F-word for serious concerns. She'd been worried about me.

I softened, leaned over the counter, and got a faceful of smoke for my trouble as Zee finished lighting her next cigarette off the stub of the last one.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" she asked.

I stared at her. She scowled back, not in the spirit to be mollified - by words, at any rate. I'd bring her a doughnut and coffee in an hour. Nothing said "I'm sorry" like fried dough and caffeine.

"Any messages for me?"

"Did I give you any?"

"Uh, no."

"Unless First and Second Shift screwed up again, what does that mean?"

Zee never referred to the other dispatchers by name. Until they'd worked here as long as she had - and no one ever would, or could - they hadn't earned the right to a name.

"I guess that means I have no messages."

Damn, I'd have to dog Bozeman's every step tomorrow.

"Sometimes you are too bright for your own good, princess." Zee turned her back on me.

I left thinking I'd better bring back two doughnuts and coffee with half-and-half if I wanted to ever get into Zee's good graces again.

The night was uneventful - a nice change from the one before. I remembered that Clyde had asked me to talk to Brad and Zee, which I did.

After eating both the doughnuts and drinking all of the coffee, Zee agreed to the wisdom of keeping her mouth shut about Miniwa's little problem. Brad didn't need bribery, just a threat, which had always been my specialty.

I went home on time for a change, slept until two, and headed for the ME's office. Dr. Bozeman should have had time to examine at least one of his bodies, if not both.

Should have. Would have. If he'd had any bodies.

"What is going on here?" I shouted over the amazing din created by Clyde, Dr. Bozeman, and his itty-bitty secretary.

My boss shoved the other two out of his way. "The bodies are gone."

"What?"

"That's what I said. When Bozeman got here this morning, no bodies. They could have been gone since yesterday for all we know." He rubbed his eyes. "This just makes my day."

"They couldn't get up and run off." I glanced at the secretary. "Right?"

She ignored me. I couldn't say that I blamed her. I returned my attention to Clyde. "What happened?"

"No idea. But we'd better find out." Clyde beckoned me away from the others. "Jessie, you aren't gonna like this, but before you explode, hear me out."

I didn't like it already, but I shrugged, so he continued.

"The DNR is sending someone to kill the wolf."

I blinked, frowned, shook my head. I could not have heard that right.

"But didn't you tell them? I mean, how could anyone from away be better at hunting these forests than - ?" I broke off.

"You?"

"Well, yeah. You've always sent me when we had animal trouble before."

"I know, and I'm sorry as hell about it, but I have no choice. You know how the DNR is, especially about their wolves. They're sending a Jdger-Sucher."

"A what?"

"That's hunter-searcher in German." Clyde lifted one broad shoulder. "It's what he calls himself."

"Who?"

"Edward Mandenauer. From what I hear he's the Special Forces of wolf