"Yes, but there's still the possibility of concussion — "
If the ache in his head was anything to go by, it was more than a possibility. But right now, he had no intention of going anywhere — as much as the paramedics and the captain might wish it. "I haven't got a concussion, and I have no desire to go to the hospital."
"Sir — "
"Goddamn it, Morgan." The second voice rose out of the night, cutting through the paramedic's words like a foghorn. "I thought I told you to keep away from this investigation."
The captain huffed to a stop three feet away, nose and cheeks beacon bright in the stark light coming from the ambulance's interior. Ethan knew the cause was not so much the cold as blood pressure. This case would surely kill Benton if they didn't solve it soon.
"You didn't tell me to keep away from the warehouse," he said with a calm he certainly didn't feel. "Not my fault one of the suspects decided to head my way."
"I told you to stay completely away. That means out of the whole damn area."
Benton dragged a stick of gum from his pocket and undid the silvery wrapper. He offered it to Ethan, who shook his head. The captain had given up smoking two months before in an effort to save some money more than save his health, but he now appeared to be spending more on gum than he ever had on cigarettes. And his health hadn't improved — although this case certainly wasn't helping anyone's physical or mental state.
"Just what the hell happened in that warehouse?"
Ethan shrugged. "As I told Mark, I heard the man and woman enter the building. I wasn't sure who they were or what they were doing, so I waited. When the man attacked the woman, I intervened, but the woman somehow managed to knock me unconscious. You know the rest."
Benton grunted. "Was there anyone else in the warehouse other than those two?"
"No." Though he'd certainly had a sense of something else, something he couldn't exactly define. "Why?"
"Because the woman claims there was."
"From what I saw, that woman isn't exactly sane." Refusing to run after he'd pulled that man off her, then knocking him unconscious? What sort of stupidity was that?
Benton snorted. "Ain't that the truth. She and her grandmother are the oddest pair you're ever likely to meet."
And meeting them was next on his priority list — as much as the captain was likely to disapprove. He crossed his arms. "They're certainly not cops, so why the hell are they on this investigation?"
"Pressure from higher up." Benton shrugged. "I'm not happy about it, but I've got no choice. And they did save the kid tonight. You have to give them that."
Yeah, but there was no guarantee tonight was connected to the other kidnappings
... murders. The word sat like a dead weight in his gut. He rubbed a hand across his jaw and caught a scent that reminded him of summer rain. The woman. Even though he'd barely touched her, her fragrance branded his skin. His pulse quickened and lust rose, as hot as anger.
He took a deep breath, battling for control. Damn the moon's rising. It couldn't have come at a worse time.
"Are they FBI?" He wouldn't have thought so — not with the way the woman had acted in the warehouse.
"No, they're psychics. Working for an organization known as the Damask Circle."
"Psychics?" Scorn edged his words. Magic mumbo jumbo was not what this case needed right now. "The press are having a field day already. What are they going to do if they discover we've resorted to psychics?"
The captain sighed. "I know. But as I said, I haven't a choice on this one. Besides, I'll use whatever — and whomever — I can to stop the bastard doing this."
Amen to that. Ethan grabbed his jacket and stood up. "You mind if I go talk with Mark for a few minutes?"
"Like it's going to make any difference if I say no." Benton unwrapped another stick of gum and shoved it in his mouth. "But a few minutes is all you're getting, then I want your ass out of here. As of tonight, you're on leave."
This time it was anger that rose in a red tide. He struggled to keep his voice calm as he said, "Captain, you know I can't — "
"You're too involved, Morgan."
Of course he was too involved — his goddamn niece was one of the missing kids. He flexed his fingers and took a deep breath. Anger wouldn't help his cause. It would only confirm the captain's opinion that he couldn't keep a clear mind on this one. "I know this case better than anyone. And I've a better nose for hunting out killers than anyone else in the squad." Which was certainly more truth than the captain would ever know.
"I'm not denying either of those facts." Benton paused, beady eyes narrowing.