“My wife and daughter are in the kitchen.” His captain’s voice lowered to a whisper. “They’re hiding. They’re avoiding the badge bunnies.” Albert chuckled. “My daughter, Lena, doesn’t play nice with them. The girl Bentley brought has already been brought to tears by her, and I stopped just in time a confrontation between Lena and Steven’s girl.”
“I’d love to go meet them and help them if they need any help.”
“Sure. Go through the fly screen to the right of us, and the kitchen is to the left.”
Brock relaxed as he watched Sammy walk off without even saying bye to him or dragging him along.
“How’s she doing?”
Brock looked back at his captain and shrugged. “When Slater had two chefs come down with the flu and couldn’t work, he had to fill in instead of coming to this. Sammy tried anything to get out of the barbeque. I’m ashamed of being a cop right now. I can’t wait to get my hands on them tonight. What she went through.” Brock shook his head. “She was scared shitless to come here. The car before we got out of it reeked of terror. I know the badge bunnies are tough and not pleasant. And some woman and men are nasty on their own, but, what happened to her.” Brock ran his fingers through his hair. “She won’t tell much, but I know something happened at these events to make her so scared. I’m really determined to find out tonight.”
His captain frowned. “I remember you and Jake telling me what happened. I have no idea how precinct Breakaway could have ignored everything that went on, a serial killer and an abuser. There’s more involved. I’m glad the bureau is letting us help with the investigation.”
Brock didn’t care that his eyes shone with his bear as he grinned. “I owe you.”
“I know you do. I don’t like my house filled with Internal Affairs. But I know how much power you shifters have. I may one day need help, and it’s always good to have allies. Just don’t kill anyone.”
“I won’t kill them. They may wish they were dead when I finish with them, but they will live. It’s a pity Jake’s at home with his mate. He would appreciate this.”
Brock went to go talk to some of his colleagues and give Slater a call when his captain stopped him.
“I don’t want to be overrun with shifters. I think Sammy is going to need Slater to come as she’s going to be pissed with you. So call him and tell him. Also, leave Captain Mannering to me.”
Brock nodded and shrugged off his captain’s hold. He told himself not to think of how angry Sammy would be. Sammy would forgive him; he was doing this for her. He wanted her safe. Brock saw his partner Kegon studying him as he walked to him.
“Want to tell me what you and that cap have planned?”
Brock could feel the stupid grin spread over his face. He couldn’t wait to get revenge for what some of the people from Breakaway did to Sammy. “You know what’s going on. I’m hoping we might learn where Greg is. And with our shifter senses we’ll be able to smell the fear and hear any whispered things that weren’t meant to be heard at the sight of Sammy.”
Kegen nodded. “All I’m saying is good luck, ‘cos I have a sister. She may not be my mate, but I know if I did what you’re doing to Sammy to her, she would gut me like a fish. You’re using her as bait hoping they will fall. It’s worse for you because when you tell Slater there is no way he will miss this. He’ll close his restaurant, and he might kill you.”
“Fuck. I know. But I need to know who said what and why Sammy wasn’t protected when she came in and asked for help.”
“This is going to end badly tonight. I don’t know what’s come over the cap to do this. I still think this is a bad idea.” Kegon’s eyes narrowed in on him, and Brock knew his partner wasn’t about what he would have to do.
“I can’t move on until I know what the hell happened. How could they treat Sammy like they did, and how on earth did they not know a serial killer was among them? I know there are shifters among them. Something’s not right.”
Kegon groaned. “Crap. I really don’t want to do this, but if this will help you move on and feel better I’ll help and do what I can.”
Brock nodded and went to a quiet spot to call Slater.
Chapter Nine
Sammy walked into the kitchen to see a young dark-haired girl and an older graying woman cutting up potatoes.
“Hi.” They both stopped what they were doing to stare at her. “I’m Sammy, Brock’s girlfriend. I was wondering if you need any help?”