a man’s life. “None of that means he didn’t clean this knife,” she said slowly, “but even if he did wipe it down, he’d have had to have picked it up from his collection, hidden it on himself somewhere.”
She glanced at Revel. “Did Lorenzo mention spotting gloves in Shane’s pockets?” The healer would’ve removed the clothing to ensure he didn’t miss an injury, but it had the side effect of preserving evidence.
“Give me a sec.” Revel made the call to the infirmary, shook his head after a short delay. “Lorenzo just went and checked. No gloves.”
Kenji, who’d been staring at the prints the entire time, picked up a thick black marker from Garnet’s desk and closed his fingers over it.
“Yes.” Revel’s rich brown eyes were intent on Kenji’s grip. “If we put aside the oddness of the weapon not having any other prints, Shane’s are precisely where they’d be if he closed his hand over the hilt to use it.”
Garnet’s gut churned; they were missing something, of that she was certain. “Kenji, you mind lying on the floor in the same position as Shane?”
Eyes dark and lips set in an unsmiling line, an expression she’d rarely seen on his face, Kenji arranged himself on the colorful woven rug she’d placed over the stone. Garnet knelt beside him once he stopped moving, put the marker in his hand, and closed his fingers over it.
Revel, having hunkered down on the other side, whistled. “Flawless match to the type of prints on the knife. You think Shane was set up?”
“I think things aren’t adding up.” Anger licked through her veins at the idea of being played for a fool, with a man’s life as the stakes. “We need to talk to Athena again, find out who else might have had access to that particular knife.”
• • •
Kenji pushed up to his feet. Garnet and Revel rose with him.
“Check in with Lorenzo,” Garnet said to her right-hand man. “See if he’s learned anything new from Russ’s body.”
“Will do.” Flicking her a quick, playful salute, Revel left.
Kenji knew he should shut it, but his brain couldn’t control whatever stupid part of his anatomy was driving his mouth. “I thought you two were dating.”
A flicker in the glorious blue of Garnet’s eyes. “I see you keep up with pack gossip.”
“I’m a faithful listener of Deja’s Delici-News.”
Snorting at his mention of the packmate who had a wickedly funny nighttime show on the packwide radio station, she said, “Whether we’re dating or not, I’m still the lieutenant in charge of this den.”
“Yeah, but there are times for the hierarchy, and there are times to haul your lover close and kiss the life out of her.” Wolf changelings, especially the dominants, weren’t exactly known to be shy or concerned about public displays of affection, especially when in the presence of another changeling who might be a threat to their claim on a lover.
Revel hadn’t even blinked at Kenji’s presence. That made no sense, not when the other man and Garnet had only been on two dates so far. Kenji’s reputation and tendency to flirt with Garnet alone should’ve made Rev bristle. Garnet deserved bristling, deserved a man who knew her worth and was ready to fight to keep her by his side.
Kenji wanted to snarl at the idea that anyone would take her for granted.
“The man who avoids relationships like the plague knows so much about how to treat a lover?” A laser-sharp question, Garnet’s gaze so direct it was unsettling.
Standing his ground, he said, “If I had a chance at a lover like you, then yeah, I’d push my claim. Hierarchy be damned.” The words came out a near growl, his claws pricking at the insides of his skin as his wolf, forgetting all the reasons it shouldn’t, readied itself to do exactly that.
“Careful, Kenji.” Garnet ran a clawed hand over his cheek and down his throat, her voice soft, a warning and a dangerous invitation both. “I might start to take you seriously.”
Kenji shuddered, unable to control his visceral response to Garnet’s challenge. Her eyes gleamed. “You and I are overdue for a conversation,” she said slowly. “We’ll be having it after we put this situation to bed.”
His blood was still pumping when they left the office to walk back to Athena’s quarters, his wolf an inch from his skin. He’d betrayed himself and Garnet had caught him. Shit. All these years, he’d been right to keep his distance—put him close to Garnet for a few hours