Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,11

here and check the list of resident shifters against their reported whereabouts at the time of the murder.’ I looked over at Lucy. ‘I need names, ages, photos and basic backgrounds on everyone.’ Particularly a certain brown-haired shifter, I thought. ‘Staines and I will visit the site. The rest of you know what you need to do. We’re not here for a holiday,’ I told them all quietly. ‘Let’s get this job done.’

***

The sky had already begun to darken by the time I ventured outside to wait for Staines. I sucked in a deep breath of fresh air that contained just the tiniest salty hint of our proximity to the ocean and looked around. I had to admit that I was impressed so far with what I’d seen of the Cornish pack. Their alpha’s death and our visit notwithstanding, they had an effective set-up in this little corner of the world. They certainly did a far better job of maintaining good relations with the local human population than many other packs. There was something to be said for quiet country life. I’d checked through all the reports of the recent Otherworld activity and, while there were often incidents, they were rarely catastrophic. No doubt that’s why there were neither mages nor urban-loving vampires in the vicinity. Unfortunately, it made John’s murder all the more sinister. I could not even begin to imagine the sequence of events that had led to his death.

I looked over the assembled cars and frowned. Their presence was rather conspicuous, considering the wealth they advertised. It would probably be sensible to move at least some of them out of sight in case any humans ventured in this direction. My gaze fell on my own vehicle and I realised with a sinking feeling that either the failing light was playing tricks on me or I’d already managed to scratch the bodywork. I was convinced this wasn’t a result of the will-o’-the-wisp; it had to be as a result of the gravel lining the driveway. Frowning, I walked over to it. This was not going to make it particularly easy to return the car to the dealer now.

From behind, a door slammed with a loud, jarring sound. Thinking it was Staines, and irritated by the noise he’d created, I stiffened and turned round. Instead, however, it was the brown-haired woman, marching past me with hurried feet as if afraid I’d try to stop her. I just caught a glimpse of her reddened cheeks before she turned away, and wondered what it was that had made her blush. She avoided looking in my direction and merely strode towards a line of trees, hips swaying. I watched her go. Her hair was dull, her clothes drew no attention to her body or personality whatsoever and her natural scent was extraordinarily odd. And yet…there was still something there, an odd sense of coiled power, perhaps. I shook my head.

‘Penny for your thoughts, my Lord Alpha?’

I jerked. I’d been so lost in my reverie I’d not even heard Staines approach. At least he’d not slammed the front door in a petulant pique.

‘It’s one of their shifters,’ I muttered, thrusting my hands into my pockets. ‘There’s something strange about her.’

‘What’s her name?’

‘I don’t know. She’s the one with long brown hair.’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘That doesn’t really narrow it down.’

‘Her eyes have strange little flecks of yellow. She walks like she’s angry at the world.’ I stared in the direction she’d gone. ‘Admittedly that’s not surprising with all that’s happened, but still.’

‘I’m really not sure who you mean. What’s her shift?’

‘I have no idea,’ I said honestly. ‘At first I thought one of the bigger, meaner ones.’

He looked amused. ‘Like a werepanther, you mean?’

I threw him a look. ‘Up close, she actually smells more of rodent than anything.’

‘I can go and ask…’

‘No.’ I shook my head. ‘Don’t bother. I’ll work it out sooner or later.’ I smiled to myself. I was actually rather looking forward to it.

***

We walked through the forest with the arrogant shifter I’d clocked earlier leading the way. His name was Anton. Even that sounded supercilious, as if his parents had consulted a divination almanac to look into the future and choose a name for him that would suit his personality. At least he had the sense to stay quiet while we walked. We needed to focus on the trail left from the night of the murder, not be bothered by inane chitchat. Even at this late point, the scent