A Tiger's Tale (A Call of the Wilde Mystery) by Laura Morrigan Page B

scene.
    “Busy. We’re shorthanded.” He waved the subject away. “What about you? Did you get anywhere with the other girl in the rehab program?”
    “Caitlyn. Surprisingly, she opened up to me.” At least I thought she had. “She told me where Brooke used to hang out, so I guess I’ll look into that. And Brooke has a boyfriend—Stefan someone. He also goes by the name Butter, if you can believe that.”
    “I’ve heard some stupid street names.”
    “Well, according to Caitlyn, Stefan is a total wangster. Whatever that means.”
    “It means he’s a wannabe gangster. Someone who looks the part but isn’t a member of any gang,” Kai said. “How long has Brooke been on probation?”
    “About a year.”
    He nodded. “Brooke’s old hangouts are worth checking on, but they might not lead anywhere. Hot spots tend to move depending on how many times the cops have shown up there. Plus, if you start nosing around, you might spook someone who knows where she is.”
    I hadn’t considered that. “Caitlyn also said Brooke didn’t get along well with her parents. No big surprise there. Other than that, I didn’t get very far.” I explained briefly about my run-in with Brooke’s probation officer. “The woman didn’t even acknowledge she knew who Brooke was.”
    “Brooke’s a minor. Legally, her probation officer can’t tell you anything.”
    “I know, but she acted like she couldn’t have cared less about Brooke. And she was creepy.”
    He arched an eyebrow at that.
    “Trust me. Clara Johnston is like the ice cream man who keeps dead bodies in his truck next to the Dreamsicles.”
    “You’ve been watching too many horror films.”
    “It’s almost Halloween, what else is on?”
    Our waitress brought the drinks, and I took a sip of cold Abita beer. “I’m not sure where to go next,” I said.
    “The only thing you can do is hope her parents call the police and report her missing.”
    I blew out a frustrated breath, shook my head, then angled it as I studied him.
    “Are you saying that because you really think there’s nothing I can do, or because you still don’t think Brooke was kidnapped?”
    “I’m trying to help you.”
    “No, you’re trying to discourage me.”
    “Right. Because that would work.”
    I narrowed my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Grace, you’re one of the most hardheaded people I’ve ever met. It would take a tsunami to discourage you.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with being a little tenacious.”
    “A little?”
    “Okay, a lot. Who cares? If being stubborn means I stick to what I know is right, then so be it. And I
know
Brooke was kidnapped. There’s no other reason Boris would tell me she was taken.”
    “How can he tell the difference between going willingly and being taken by force?”
    “Boris may not have a human understanding of some things, but he’s a predator, Kai. Whatever happened to Brooke, it wasn’t friendly.”
    The pizza arrived, but I’d suddenly lost my appetite. I stared at my plate, frustrated that I hadn’t found any evidence to bolster my argument, and hurt that I needed it.
    “Grace,” Kai said softly when the waitress left.
    I met his gaze, knowing my face reflected the chill I suddenly felt toward him.
    He leaned forward, keeping his eyes on mine. “You shouldn’t do that if you want my help.”
    “What?” I asked as he scooped a slice of pizza onto my plate then served himself.
    “I want to learn more about your ability, Grace. I can’t do that if you freeze me out every time I start asking questions.”
    I blinked at him. “Wait, you mean all the questions about Boris are because you want to understand?”
    “That’s how this works. You asked for my help. I can’t do that if I don’t understand all the facts.”
    “Oh.”
    “Why do you think I’m asking?”
    “I didn’t think you believed me.”
    “I told you last night I believed you.”
    “I know, it’s just—” I stopped, not knowing how to