"The two women still here?"
"Benton let them go about half an hour ago."
"We know where they're staying?"
Mark considered him. "Benton told you to keep away from this case."
"Would you?"
"I guess not." He rose. "They're at the Motel Six down Beach Road."
"Thanks."
Mark nodded. "I'm guessing you want me to keep you updated on anything that happens?"
"You said it." He hesitated. "As of tonight, I'm on leave. Don't call me from the office."
"Dumb, I'm not." He looked past Ethan. "Benton's headed this way."
"Which means my time here is up. Keep in touch, partner."
"I will if you do."
Ethan swung around and raised his hands. "I'm outta here, Captain."
"Good. Go home and rest, Morgan. Let us catch this bastard."
He nodded and looked at Mark. "I'll see you Saturday."
"Morgan, I'm warning you — "
"It's my wife's birthday," Mark cut in. "No business allowed."
Benton's expression suggested he didn't believe it for a second. "Leave," he said, stabbing a finger in Ethan's direction. "Go. Now."
He went.
* * * *
Kat flopped onto the sofa and placed the aromatic herbal pack on her forehead. Though the trembling had eased, every muscle still felt weak, and her head boomed. Right now, she needed sleep, she needed coffee and she needed chocolate
— and she was only likely to get one of those in the near future.
A soft sigh filled the silence. She cranked open an eye and looked across the room. Her grandmother sat at the laminate table, chin resting on palms as she stared at the small crystal ball in front of her.
"No luck?"
"Not a damn thing." Gwen leaned back and rubbed her forehead. Moonlight danced across the multicolored stones decorating her gnarled fingers.
"It's been a long night. Maybe after a break you'll get something."
"Maybe." She met Kat's gaze and smiled. "I did see one thing."
She'd seen that smile before, and it usually meant trouble headed her way. Wariness edged her voice as she said, "What?"
"Your werewolf is on the way here."
Kat frowned at her word choice. "Werewolf?"