Blood Bath, A Paranormal/Urban Fantasy (The Maurin Kincaide Series Book 4) Read Free Page A

weren't cut off, her wrists were slit.
    "No, I already looked into it. That rules out the Inquis itors. Last I checked they only killed witches, not normal girls."
    "Maybe random is the pattern."
    "Random is by definition not a pattern."
    "For lack of a better word, it is a pattern if you're going out of your way to pick girls that aren't alike."
    "We call that MO."
    "Do you even know what that stands for , Masarelli? Maybe the killer is looking for girls who are different from each other so people won't immediately question the suicide cover?"
    "The parents wouldn't talk to each other, let alone know about the others unless someone told them. We haven't r eleased any information to the press. The families don't know we're treating these cases as homicides. You may be on to something, Kincaide."
    "Don't sound so surprised. What's next, what do you need me to do?"
    "I need you to liaise or whatever the verb is for what you do. Find out if anyone in your community knows an ything about five dead girls."
    "That's it? You don't want me to get a reading on any of the girls' belongings? You just want me to run info rmation?" I tried not to sound offended.
    "You don't have a badge anymore."
    "You don't have to sound so happy about it. Fine, I'll ask around and let you know what I find. We done here? I can go?"
    "Yeah, I'll have Mike bring up your dog."
    "How about a ride back to my car?"
    "I'm not your fucking chauffeur. Call someone to pick you up."
    "Hey, I said I would follow you but no , I had to ride--"
    " Fine. Quit your bitching and come on."
    A commotion exploded outside the interrogation room. Masarelli jerked open the door to find Conry charging down the small hallway that led to the lower level where the cells were housed. The tow chains they used as a makeshift leash rattled as my dog tried to shake off the patrolman dragging behind him.
    I let out a low whistle. Conry slid to a halt, his nails struggling to find purchase on the tile floor. The patrolman leaned against the wall trying to catch his breath. I closed the few feet between us and unhooked the heavy chains around Conry's neck. A normal dog would have struggled under the weight.
    "You didn't have to chain him like he's a kraken. He's really well behaved." I rubbed his chest while he nuzzled my side.
    Masarelli leaned in. "I'd let it go. Unless you want to e xplain exactly what he is and where he came from. That's no ordinary dog and he's not registered."
    Conry licked the scowl from my face. "We're going home , boy." I had half a mind to tell Masarelli to forget the ride. I’d jump us back to my apartment but it wasn't worth the backlash of exposing my new skill to SPTF. No one, not the council, Aidan, or my father thought it a good idea for the Norms - especially the ones working for SPTF - to find out I could alter reality and with it the potential to change events.
    With Conry in tow I followed Masarelli out of the st ation. I barely made it through the door before my dog bolted past me down the steps. I called after him and moved from behind Masarelli to give chase.
    "Looks like I won't be needing a ride after all." A smile crept across my face as I took in the sight of a vampire, feared among his kind for the harsh justice he served, gi ving my dog a belly rub.
    Aidan quickly regained his composure and leaned back on the side of the car. The similarities of hard lines and muscle between him and the Camaro were not lost on me. I did my best not to melt under his smoldering stare. "Thought you might need a lift." His accent was thick and skin was paler than usual. He hadn't fed yet.
    "You might start your questioning with him," Masarelli grumbled on his way back inside.
    "Some lawyer you turned out to be." I tentatively closed the distance between us. Something besides hunger had him on edge.
    "You seem to have a penchant for getting arrested." He pulled me against him and familiarized himself with the sensitive spot behind my ear.
    "I was a little surprised