For Your Paws Only (Supernatural Enforcers Agency #2)
like the Shifty Bear Motel. The place was known for renting rooms by the hour, and for keeping pest control companies in business.
    A number of other crime scene techs moved around the room, and a large, blonde, somewhat familiar lion was leaning over Clayton’s body. His wolf whined, and his gut twisted at the sight of his former mentor prostrate on the bed. A look of surprise was etched into his face, and his body was riddled with gunshot holes.
    Cutter sniffed, taking in the familiar Old Spice mixed with cigars and bourbon that always adorned the old eagle shifter. But it was mixed with blood and silver. Someone had shot him with silver bullets, making sure he died quickly and painfully. Shifters weren’t quite as un-killable as say Highlander was, but they were allergic to silver, and attacking them with silver weapons was a sure way to stop them from breathing again.
    He stilled, and his wolf whimpered as the familiar scent of blueberries and cream invaded his senses. Oh, no…
    Lucie entered the room behind him, followed by the Director.
    “You’re here,” remarked the cold snake shifter.
    He didn’t even bother with a sarcastic comeback. He was too upset over the death of his friend and too interested in what the hedgehog shifter was doing there to be his usual, snarky self.
    His eyes caught Lucie’s, and she threw him a look of sympathy that eased the sharp pain of loss welling within. His beast was caught between wanting her there to ease his suffering and needing her to leave. It was a need based on protectiveness. He didn’t want her there with that dead body; he didn’t want her to be exposed to the evils of the world. He wanted the sweet, little hedgehog untainted and innocent to the vicious acts of others. It was insane to think that he could protect her from all that, but, nevertheless, the desire to do so was there.
    He watched Lucie as she walked over to the lion shifter and passed him what looked like a thermometer.
    “Here you go, Doctor,” she murmured.
    The lion lifted his blonde head and flashed her a quick smile. “Thank you, Lucie.”
    A twinge of trepidation blossomed inside him at those three words, and his beast was not a happy little wolf. He didn’t like the way the male lion had said them; he didn’t like the way her name almost came out as a caress on his tongue. No, he didn’t like that one bit.
    “What happened?” he asked the Director, refusing to take his eyes off the lion doctor.
    Lucie melted into the background, but Cutter was painfully aware of her presence, and more than ready to step between her and the doctor – should the lion make a move to her. God help him if he tried to shake her hand or something.
    “He’s been shot,” said the doctor.
    “I can see that!” roared Cutter, barely managing to control his animal.
    “Control yourself or step outside,” hissed the Director.
    The lion raised an eyebrow at him, completely unfazed by his outburst. “I’d say he died about eight to nine hours ago, so some time between two and three this morning.”
    “Housekeeping found him about an hour ago,” said Diaz as he made his way into the room. He nodded at Cutter, who jutted his chin in return. “I just spoke to the maid. I’ve got agents talking to other guests and the night porter, but no one appears to have heard anything out of ordinary. But then, for this place, ordinary is noisy sex and arguing.”
    The jaguar eyed the doctor speculatively but didn’t say anything.
    “I wouldn’t say gunshots are ordinary,” murmured Lucie as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
    Diaz turned to look at her and, surprisingly, softened a little. “No, my guess is a silencer was used. But, so far, no one heard any loud noises coming from this room.”
    “What was he doing here?” demanded the Director, roughly.
    “I don’t know,” admitted Cutter.
    “You mean he wasn’t in contact with you?”
    “No, I had no idea he wasn’t in Ursa.” Enjoying a retirement

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