Forbidden by Cathy Clamp Page A

bet how many people are lined up at your door wanting you to do something for them? There were three when I went by while you were finding a tarp.”
    Alek let out a pained sound. It was probably Mrs. Wilson wanting her computer back and Courtney looking for the flash drive with the spreadsheets. Who the third one was he had no clue.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Ray continued. “I chased them away for the moment. Sorry you got sucked into this, but you know the rule around here—first responder gets the cleanup. At least you get to go home. I still have to go back to the office and write reports, with a splitting headache. Air bag, hell. I’m pretty sure I did a face-plant on the steering wheel.” Alek was pretty sure he was right.
    He shook his head ruefully. “Yeah, I don’t envy you that. But this rule thing, it makes me feel like I’m back on prom committee … first in, last out. Almost makes me not want to stop for the next one.”
    The older Belizean panther shifter rolled his eyes and let out a small laugh. Citrus drifted into the air to join the scent of dripping antifreeze and oil. “Like you’d let people bleed to death. It’s no surprise you’re going to sign up to be a cop. It’s in your DNA. You couldn’t be an innocent bystander if your life depended on it.”
    Alek shrugged. He couldn’t deny it. He’d wanted to be a cop since he could remember. “You’re probably right. But the part I’m not going to enjoy is the paperwork. I’ve really got to force myself to sit still for hours on end.”
    Ray stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder before steering him toward the gate to lock up the wreck. “It’s a big part of the job, I’m afraid. No report, no record, no conviction. Trust me, it’s no worse than what you do now for the town Council. My advice is to pretend you like it. It makes the process easier, and eventually it might even become true.”
    It was Alek’s turn to chuckle. “The triumph of imagination over reality, huh?”
    Ray shrugged. “Never hurts.” He bent down to pick up a file box at his feet. “Don’t forget to let your sis know we’ve got her purse and stuff. Shame her luggage didn’t survive, but the passenger’s did. If you run into her at your folks’ house, let her know everything’s at the station.”
    The passenger . Alek looked back at the wreck, at the crumpled quarter panel and deep gashes through the metal, and shuddered. Thankfully, the beast hadn’t come back while they were cleaning. But it was still out there somewhere. The individual claw rips through the car had been caused by something far bigger and stronger than any bear he’d ever seen. Hell, it was bigger than any Sazi bear he’d ever seen and he’d hunted with several. Four tears covered the entire height and length of the car, as though it had been standing still and slashed the car as it drove by. It wasn’t just the outer sheet metal damaged either. “All the way through the frame. S’blood.”
    Out of the corner of his eye, Alek saw Ray staring at the same damage. The scents that rose from his pores were peppery with anger and awash in honest fear. “I wish I could say I saw it. But it was just dark . Like a black hole that the headlights couldn’t penetrate. I don’t know what the fuck that thing was.” The next words were quiet and voiced Alek’s own dread. “What if that thing got the kids, Alek? Maybe we haven’t found them because there’s nothing left to find. Maybe they disappeared into that darkness.”
    Alek didn’t answer. There was no need. Because in reality, any animal, including a Sazi, if hungry enough or insane enough, would prey on humans. “We’ll find them.” They had to.
    The officer shook his head, then stared out into the woods. “Dude,