Chernobyl Werewolf, Team Greywolf Series, Book 2 Page 8

  “I take it you haven’t heard from the hero you had dinner with on New Year’s Eve?”

  “No. Besides, you all think he’s dead. I doubt he would stalk me when we were obviously having a great time.”

  “Look around and see if anything else is missing.”

  She didn’t have much, but she looked inside one of her tall boots and sighed in relief. “I still have my passport.”

  He chuckled. “Never heard of anyone keeping a passport in a boot. Anything else?”

  “Only toiletries.” She stepped in her tiny bathroom. “Now this is really weird.”

  “What?”

  “My toothbrush is gone.” She opened the mirrored cabinet. “And my hairbrush.”

  The officer lifted his brow. “My wife is in forensics and if she were here, she’d say someone wanted a sample of your DNA.”

  “Okay, if that didn’t sound so out of the box weird, I would definitely agree. Still, why would a stalker want my DNA?” Is that what Madam Montfort meant by blood?

  “As a non-scientific explanation, he could even be into voodoo and use your personal items for some curse or fetish.”

  “What do I do?”

  “Until we have a suspect, we can’t put out a restraining order. We can keep a patrol car parked in front of the house for a few days, but it might be best if you stay with relatives. Leave New Orleans.”

  Odd. That’s exactly what Madam Montfort advised. Would Maggie and Jim be safer if she left? Did Lev have something to do with this? Nah. “I’ll pack and leave as soon as I can. Or do you think he might follow me?”

  “Might be why he took your computer. He’s probably looking for addresses or itineraries.”

  “If he can figure out my password.” At least she didn’t keep her address book there and had not entered anything in her calendar. He wouldn’t have a clue what she was up to. She kept travel information on her phone only.

  “You would be surprised how easily a hacker can bypass security measures.”

  “I don’t want to sound crazy, but I just saw a psychic by the name of Madam Montfort and she said I was in danger.”

  He frowned. “No kidding.”

  “You know her?”

  “She’s helped us solve many crimes. Not someone you can easily dismiss.”

  Not what she wanted to hear. It would have been so much easier to chalk up Madam Montfort as a fake. “Okay, I’m leaving ASAP.”

  Chapter 7

  Lev and Rylee entered LIA’s hospital room where Dr. Howard Becker recuperated. He had finally awoken, but still remained weak. Selene sat at his side.

  Rylee furrowed her brow. “Hey, Doc.”

  Howard threw her a weak smile.

  She turned to Selene. “How’s he doing?”

  “Ma’am, your bite saved his life.” The healing power of an alpha’s saliva, directly delivered into the blood via a bite, was only reserved for special loyal humans.

  Rylee smiled. “That and surgery.”

  Howard attempted to sit up, but Selene held him down. “Please, love, you must not move.”

  He rasped, “Rachel.”

  Lev’s heart broke as he mentioned her name. Lev hated leaving her after the bombing, but better Rachel think he was dead or an ass who took off without an explanation. He’d respect Howard’s wish to keep her out of werewolf society. One more second with her might have tempted his wolf beyond reason.

  Selene squeezed his hand. “Shh. My love. I promise, I’ll tell them everything.”

  Howard spoke. “Stallo’s marker.” He gazed at Lev. “Keep her…” His eyes rolled back and he fell out of consciousness.

  Selene kissed his forehead and turned to the nurse. “Let me know when he awakens.”

  The nurse nodded and monitored his heart rate.

  Selene turned to Rylee. “Ma’am, I have important information.”

  They left Howard and followed Selene to her lab office in the research center beneath the hospital. In the elevator, Selene bowed her head. “I’m sorry I killed her. I lost control.”

  “I can’t say I blame you,” said Rylee. “He is your mate.”

  Lev heard Rylee had liberal ideas. Most packs considered human lovers, property or pets, but by calling Howard her mate, Rylee confirmed her belief beloved humans should be considered equals. After the change, Lev’s only contact with other werewolves was with his father. Most of his life he spent around humans, yet with the exception of the general, who kept his true nature a secret. Lev had little regard for pack dynamics, though if he took such status seriously, he’d be the superior alpha. Strength, his enhanced shifting and mind control abilities should make him king. Mutation or not.

  “Howard wanted me to talk to you immediately. When he first woke and could speak, he told me what the mole had been looking at. He fears she might have sent vital information to her contact.”

  “As in about our lycan DNA?” Rylee asked.

  Selene nodded. “That and our new discovery, the Stallo gene marker. The shifter mutation he’d been working on.”

  “All werewolves have that gene, but if she shared this information with humans it could mean trouble,” said Rylee.

  “The gene is also found in a few type O-negative females,” said Selene.

  Lev furrowed his brow. “There are millions of such women.”

  “No, only a rare number of O-negative women carry the Stallo gene marker. Mia is one, our former enemy Svetlana, and Rachel, Howard’s daughter.” A woman mated with an alpha werewolf could give birth to a hybrid child. A child that would never have to suffer the change of a wolf becoming human, and never risk their high mortality rates.

  Lev’s hackles rose. “Are you saying Mia and Rachel’s safety might be compromised?”

  “We have their genome, family tree and other vital statistics on them, but not where they live on our research computer.”

  Lev curled his hands into fists. “Any fool can find Rachel’s current location.”

  “I’ll have Jesper run a search for any unusual communications with outside sources.” Rylee threw him a scolding look. “We don’t know if the mole got that information out, only she was caught looking at it.”

  “Her scent is everywhere, even on Howard’s computer, but she often stepped into our office to report data.” Selene threw her hands up in frustration. “Who knows how long she’s been sneaking in?”

  “I’ll let Dominic know. Mia could never be in any danger with Dominic’s vigilance.”

  “What about Rachel?”

  Selene sighed. “Howard wants to talk to her as soon as he can, but in the meantime he wants her guarded.”

  Rylee nodded. “I’ll send a nearby warden and assign a security team.”

  “With no disrespect, ma’am, Howard wants Lev to go.”

  “Of all werewolves, Lev may not be the best candidate.”

  Selene smiled at Lev. “He knows nothing will happen to Rachel while under Lev’s protection.”

  “Good. I know her exact address,” said Lev.

  Rylee frowned. “Hold on. We might be jumping to conclusions.”

  Selene sighed. “A rogue werewolf pack may be looking for human females with the Stallo gene.”

  Lev suppressed a growl. “Don’t worry. I’ll see to her safety.”

  “Howard specifically doesn’t want her brought into our society unless he’s had a change of heart. You can’t tell her about our society, not unless she agrees to keep the secret and signs the contract.”

  “I will keep her safe, that is all,” snapped Lev. His wolf’s need to protect could no longer be suppressed. He turned to leave.

  Rylee growled. “I’m in charge.”

  Lev met her eyes. “I work on contract basis.”

  “This mission is Team Greywolf’s, not a rogue werewolf claiming a woman who has no idea about our kind.”

  His wolf desired to challenge her. He had mutant strength, but even against numbers he could be taken. Great numbers. He could only help Rache
l, his first priority, if he wasn’t overrun by the entire team and confined in the enforcer’s prison. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Rachel closed her suitcase and looked around. At least she’d only brought clothes and personal items. She’d miss Maggie’s place. Her bedroom had been perfectly furnished and appeared more like a bed and breakfast than a room share situation. The aroma of Jim’s cooking downstairs meant dinner would be ready soon. Looks and cooking skills. Lucky Maggie. Rachel sighed. Time to leave the newlyweds alone.

  She stared at her empty laptop case. Who took her computer and had they figured out her password, Ebola survivor doc 123? A shiver grazed her spine. Only yesterday, Maggie had been knocked out. A strong police presence in the neighborhood appeared to have stopped Rachel’s would be stalker. If he really existed. Jim had his collection of hunting rifles and guns, just in case the police were too slow to respond.

  Soon, they’d have nothing to worry about. Rachel booked a connecting flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. She’d always wanted to visit the Himalayas, why not now? See Mt. Everest. From the safety of lower elevation. In the middle of winter, less crowds. Hiking not climbing.

  She had enough in her savings, combined with her inheritance from her parents to travel before looking for a job. Especially, if Jim was right about Howard working for some secret black ops group. Though she loved adventure, her near death experience with the Boko Haram terrorists taught her danger was not her thing. Yet, she’d rather not work for a hospital. She preferred a field position. Maybe a job in public health somewhere in the states. Maybe even in Nepal. Far from New Orleans and memories of Lev.

  “Rachel, you don’t need to leave.” Maggie stood in the doorway in her robe and slippers.

  “You and Jim will be safer if I leave. Even the police and Madam Montfort agree.”

  “But halfway across the world?”

  “Only for three to four weeks. Then I’ll get an apartment in Oregon.” Not. By now her father must have sold his home and left the state.

  “Did you make reservations?”

  “Nah. Once I get there, you can get better deals from the locals. Remember our first trip to Kenya?”

  “How can I forget? We booked a camping safari fresh off the plane.”

  Rachel giggled. “On a mechanically challenged bus.” The safari had been cheap because the bus was on its last leg. Their camping safari ended up being an unintended walking safari.

  “Besides, what stalker will follow me to Kathmandu?”

  “I have an idea. When you leave wear my green coat.”

  “Your signature lime green jacket?” Maggie wore it everywhere.

  “Maybe if you look like me, you can sneak pass the stalker.”

  Maggie had a point. The stalker might be watching her every move and follow her to the airport. If he was a mentally ill person obsessed with her for whatever reason, he might not have the means anyway. And definitely not get past security. “He’ll see the suitcase and put two and two together.”

  “Jim can take out your suitcase in a big box, so it looks like he’s moving something. You’ll be in the passenger seat, looking like moi.”

  “And leave you here, alone?”

  “I’ll sneak in the back.”

  She regarded her with a furrowed brow. “No, if the stalker sees us sneak away, he might take it out on you and Jim.”

  “Maybe we are being paranoid. Maybe he got the message to leave you the fuck alone.”

  “He could be waiting for a better opportunity.”

  Maggie visibly shuddered.

  “If anything, I want to make sure the stalker knows I am no longer here.” Now that he’s laying low, it would be a good time to leave. And if he was watching her, knowing she had left would keep her friends safe.

  “Hopefully, the police patrols spooked him or her.”

  “Her? Now that’s an interesting thought,” said Rachel.

  “Okay, but have Detective Watts arrange for an escort to the airport.”

  “Hmm. That would be cheaper than taxi fare,” snarked Rachel.

  “So call him.”

  “Why not?” No one would follow them in a squad car.

  Lev entered Rachel’s home through the kitchen facing the back alley. Two people were inside. In the living room. A man and a woman. Rachel’s scent lingered, but she wasn’t here. No matter, I will ask.

  As Lev entered the hallway, a man with a hair-bun, looking like a crazed Cossack and reeking of adrenaline aimed a shotgun at him. Behind him a woman dressed in scrubs, with similar hair to Rachel’s, stood with her own gun drawn. Her hands trembled as if she faced an angry bear. What danger were they expecting? His wolf rose. Where’s Rachel?

  “Don’t move, asshole,” said the man through gritted teeth, “or I’ll blow a hole clean through you.”

  Their bullets would sting and maybe throw him on his back briefly, but then he’d put them in their place. He restrained his wolf. Best to calm humans rather than to play into their fears. “I’m Rachel’s friend, Lev. I don’t mean any harm.”

  The man wrinkled his nose. “You are the stalker.”

  The woman who bore a resemblance to Rachel, gave Lev a quizzical look. “Wait. You are Lev? The man who stopped the bomber? We thought you died in the explosion.”

  “Call 911, hon,” said the man.

  “But it’s him.”

  “Man in Black for sure. Call the police. We can’t trust him.”

  Lev met his eyes. “Enough. Put the rifle down.”

  The man leaned the shotgun against the corner of the wall. “Yes, sir.”

  She gaped. “Jim, are you okay?”

  Lev smiled at her. “Your name please?”

  “Maggie.”

  “Maggie, Jim sit.” He directed his attention to her. “Maggie, explain why you think I’m a stalker.”

  Under his mind control, she rattled on about how Rachel mourned his death and how a possible stalker knocked her out while Rachel was gone. How he must have mistaken her for Rachel. The unknown man had stolen her laptop and oddly, her toothbrush and hairbrush.

  Jim spoke up. “Cops think someone wanted a sample of her DNA. Secret government sort of thing.”

  Fuck. Rachel was being hunted by whoever knew she carried Stallo’s gene. Mole. She had delivered the information to her cohorts. “Where is she?”

  “Officer Watts took her to the airport. You missed her by two days,” said Maggie. “By now, she must be on the second leg of her flight to Kathmandu, Nepal.”

  No. She’d mentioned going to Nepal at dinner, but he didn’t think she would go now. Alone. If she even made it to the airport. “Do you know if she got there?”

  “As of this morning, she said everything was okay and the flight on time.”

  Not good. Far away. If she disappeared from Nepal, she’d be hard to trace. “Don’t move.” He needed to search for evidence without their hindrance. Lev moved through the house, and detected the invader’s scent. A man, not a werewolf. Why would a human want a woman with Stallo’s gene? Maybe their mole worked for humans and not a secretive rogue pack.

  He returned and faced the couple. “I was never here and go about your business.”

  They nodded in obedience.

  Lev raced to the cab. His driver had been compelled to wait. He planned on packing her and taking her to LIA’s waiting helicopter.

  Plans changed. In the cab, he called his pilot. “Max?”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Looks like Becker’s daughter left for Nepal.”

  “No kidding.”

  “Can you arrange to have an LIA jet fly me to Nepal?”

  “Might be difficult, sir. I need to check with headquarters.”

  “Never mind. I’ll have the driver take me to the airport.”

  “Are you sure? You might be on standby for days.” Unlike most werewolves, Lev could control his shift for more than three days, perhaps four if necessary.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll have a contact arrange it for me t
hen I will apprise Rylee of the situation.” He hung up and texted Natalya.

  By the time he stepped out and paid the cabbie, Natalya had arranged first class seating on flights from here to Kathmandu. If they were lucky, the people who wanted Rachel may have backed out to wait out until they could grab her. Even if they followed her to the airport, once she crossed security, they would not have a clue where she headed.

  Chapter 8

  Rachel breathed a sigh of relief as the plane landed at the Kathmandu airport. Rain, but no snow. Not in Kathmandu, situated in a valley below the towering peaks of the Himalayas. During her layover in India, she’d arranged for a hotel in Kathmandu for the first couple days and then lodging near hiking trails. Who would be crazy enough to go trekking during the winter? Apparently, plenty of people. Half the plane’s passengers were twenty-somethings from the U.S., Europe and the UK. Millennials with deep pockets. Trust fund babies.

  Halfway around the world, she didn’t have to worry about a stalker, or as Madam Montfort had ranted about Lev, a werewolf would make her his. Hah. How can I consider that as even remotely possible? Though the idea turned her on. Imagine, Lev claiming her as his. Just like those paranormal novels Maggie loved. Not that she would ever find out. Most likely, Lev died in the explosion, despite Madam Montfort’s claims he survived. If he hadn’t, he should have had the decency to let her know. Even if he was an international spy gathering information, he could have texted her a short message. She would have kept his secret.

  Rachel disembarked and hastily left the airport. Bringing only one carry-on bag saved her time. Once settled in her hotel, she’d buy winter clothing and gear. She flagged a taxi and it pulled up. Before she got in, she turned to make sure she wasn't being followed. Paranoid. If he had just taken her laptop, she’d have understood. Old as her computer was, a thief would have been happy to download any banking or financial information. But stealing her toothbrush and hairbrush gave her a sinking feeling of dread. The idea someone wanted her DNA seemed as ludicrous as someone placing a curse on her. A mentally disturbed stalker must have wanted a few personal things as trophies. Good thing he left her panties and bras alone. Someone taking her toothbrush was in-your-face personal. Disturbing. At least she had distance between herself and the Toothbrush Bandit.