Alpha Micah Black: Werewolf Detective (Complete)

Chapter Forty

Two days later...

The brisk fall morning greeted Hanna Grimm and Coach Mitchell Owens with soft hues of pink and yellow. The oranges and reds from the changing leaves were added to the pallet. Each color attempts to outdo the other. A low fog hugs the ground. The sounds of birds gathering to discuss their seasonal leave. Small wildlife scurry to and fro in search of their morning meals and winter hoards. Hanna smiles to herself as she enjoys watching nature’s morning routines. She is oblivious to the stares coming from the handsome man beside her. Mitch grins from ear to ear, enjoying the show in front of him. It's Hanna doing her stretches before their daily run.

As of lately, these runs have helped Hanna manage, somewhat, her increasing stress levels. Mitch nearly freaked out after he heard about her scary zoning-out incident. Hanna reassured him that it only came on because of the stress she'd been under. She can’t come right out and say why she zoned out. It’s an active homicide case. She even knows more than she should. So he gladly introduced her to a regular exercise program. Unknowing to Mitch, she used to run cross country in high school. She’s just been out of practice. He has an ulterior motive. This is a way to spend more time with Hanna. During this run, Mitch notices that Hanna still seems a little on edge.

“Hey, beautiful.” He always greets her that way. “What’s wrong? You’re getting tense up again.”

“I am? I haven’t noticed,” she sheepishly replied.

“Am I going to have to tell my Roomy to lay off on the workload,” he questioned with a smirk.

“No. You don’t need to do that,” she quickly answered back. “The workload is fine. Everything will be okay.”

“You sure?” Mitch asked. “You know you can talk with me about anything, right?”

“I know that, and I greatly appreciate it too,” she replied, trying to catch her breath. “I’m just not able to talk about it at this time.”

“Oh, I see. I think.”

Mitch and Hanna stopped their run. He gently pulled her into his loving embrace. He gently cupped her face with his hands and placed his lips on hers. Mitch could feel Hanna relax in his arms. After the kiss, Mitch leaned his forehead gently onto hers, and whispered, “Feeling better?” Hanna nodded and held on tighter to Mitch. Right at this moment, she feels safe and loved. Everything that she has longed for. The place where they stopped was a clearing within the treeline. From this beautiful spot, they both watched the sun come up, casting its rays on the dewy ground. Hanna hoped deep within that as long as Mitch was around, everything would be okay. She’d have no need to be afraid.

When they reached the campus, Mitch asked, “So what plans do you have for today?”

“Same old, same old. Except that my tutoring schedule has been mixed up a little,” she answered.

“Oh, what happened there?”

“Nothing too outrageous. I just have a new-old student.”

“New-old?” Mitch questioned, having a puzzled look.

“I’ve tutored her before. Hence, the “old” student,” she explained. “And “new” because she’s recently been added to my list of students.”

“Now, I get it.” The light finally turned on inside of Mitch’s head. They both shared a chuckle at Mitch’s slight slowness on the matter.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you around, Miss Grimm,” he said, looking lovingly into her eyes.

He pulled her close to him again and gave her a slow, passionate kiss. She melted into his embrace, not wanting to let go.

Later that day...

In the bowels of the campus library, Hanna settled herself at a table surrounded by shelves of books. She sat there waiting for Kaitlyn McDonald, the student she was supposed to help tutor. Minutes ticked slowly by as she waited...and waited...and waited. Fifteen minutes passed, and still no Kaitlyn. However, she did spot a glimpse of Aunt Lila searching diligently for a book on local flora.

“Aunt Lila,” Hanna softly said, sneaking up behind her and causing her to jump. “What brings you here?”

“Hanna! Every time,” she quietly chastised her, clutching her heart to quiet it down. A smile slowly made its way across her face. “I’m looking for a book. Why else would I be here?”

“Need any help in finding it?” Hanna asked.

“Lend me your eyes, young pup,” she winked at Hanna. “Yours are better than mine. Oh, and you were right.”

“Right about what, Aunt Lila?” Hanna seemed confused.

“About Miya. I heard from her last night,” Aunt Lila whispered with sounds of relief in her voice. Hanna quietly clapped her hands. Miya being Miya. Her best friend always liked to give her parents a difficult time.

“So, what’s the title of the book we’re looking for?”

“Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb”

Hanna’s eyes immediately fell onto the book. She grabbed it and handed it to Dr. Montgomery. It wasn’t that hard to find. Aunt Lila is clearly up to something, but what?

Meanwhile, at the Wolfdale City Police Department...

Roger Oren was immediately on the phone with Cole Grayson, Chief Security Officer for Blackwater Industries. He’s hoping to secure footage from both the warehouse and the Botanical Gardens.

“Success,” he yelled, punching the air with his fist. “They’ll send them over in a couple of days. They have to search for them first.”

“Yeah, okay,” I said. “Better than nothing, I guess. Good job.”

“How much longer for the autopsy?” George asked.

“Can’t establish TOD without Dr. Bugsby’s buggy report.” George busted out laughing.

“Bugsby? The dude’s name is Brigsby,” he corrected me.

“What the hell is a buggy report?” Cass inquired. George is still snickering. I am so loved by my team.

“Truthfully, I don’t know what the hell it is either,” I answered back. “All I know is that we need it.”

“What? Is it too difficult to channel your inner Hanna?” Roger proceeded to needle me. I told you he’s a pain in the ass.

“My inner Hanna,” I muttered. “Miss Grimm is how she prefers to be called.” There’s a first for everything. I rubbed my face out of habit by this point. During this time of waiting, we were able to piece together some of the forensic evidence from Avery’s and Ellie’s cases. Both of their bodily injuries are identical to each other. Each, unfortunately, has endured s****l trauma. Pieces of fake fur have been found in both scenes. They show that they could be from the same costume. Strange paw prints/ footprints have been photographed at the scenes. I mentioned footprints because it’s obviously a poor-fitting costume. The heels have left their marks. And the forensic list that Demon, I mean, Demi sent, shows the same evidence found too. I’m beginning to lean toward the nut in the suit, very well could be a serial killer. Three bodies with the same injuries in under two years. It’s highly suspicious at best.

A few minutes later, a uniform officer delivered the office mail. You wanna take a guess at what I received? Yep, another you-know-what’s-it from our friendly neighborhood psycho. I wonder what is sent this time? Inside the medium-sized cardboard box is a plush toy of a Wolf-Man. The same business card with the embossed wolfsbane flower is in there too. And out of habit, I rub my thumb across the raised design. I quickly decided to stick this one with the other two gifts in the bottom drawer of my desk. And doing so has caused the damned thing to sing! Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like a Wolf”, of all things! It won’t shut up. It keeps playing on and on.

“What the hell is that?” Cass asked, startled by the noise.

“Nothing. Just a stupid gag gift,” I quickly made up an excuse. As if on cue, I sensed another coughing attack coming. So, I attempted to stand up from my chair. My vision suddenly becomes blurry. I shook my head trying to straighten it out. I must have stood up too fast. Yeah, that sounds reasonable. I’m going with that.

“Um, I need to go take care of something,” I struggled to get out.

“Are you okay, Sergeant?” Roger asked, concerned, taking quick notice of the change in my appearance.

“Yeah, cough, I’m fine,” I lied, excusing myself to the restroom. I stumbled out of the homicide area into the corridor. Between the blurry vision and the onset of dizziness, getting to my destination is a challenge. Images of my co-workers swaying before my eyes in twos and threes. I grabbed hold of the nearest wall, so I didn’t lose my balance. Every step makes the restroom door feel further away. I accidentally bump into co-workers. I must look like a drunk to them. What is normally just a five-minute power walk feels more like thirty minutes.

I finally somehow made it. I gripped the sides of the sink and forced myself to look at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are sunken in. The whites of my eyes are bloodshot. I need to find my wolf. I took a hard look into my eyes. Nothing. Nothing but hollow darkness. No glimmer of amber. The shock of my appearance brought on another coughing fit. I managed to grab some toilet paper and dabbed my mouth. Blood. A small drop of blood. This can’t be good.