An Angel/Buffy the Vampire Slayer/CSI crossover. This story is a sequel to "Should Have Gone To Vegas...", which involved Angel, Riley Finn, and other characters from BtVS. It is set a few weeks later, towards the end of Angel Season 3, Buffy Season 6, and contains mild spoilers for Buffy seasons 3 through 6.

All characters are the intellectual property of their respective creators, film companies, etc.; this story may not be sold or distributed on a profit-making basis.

Thanks to everyone who has commented so far. I've tried to sort out some continuity errors and mistakes in this segment, hopefully the timing of the story now makes a little more sense.

WORK IN PROGRESS - Expect at least one more segment.

Manhunters
By Marcus L. Rowland

IV

"Okay, try this next one," said Greg, passing a small plastic tube to Oz.

"The other guy, no wolf."

"And this?"

"Nick."

"And this?"

"Cain.. and the wolf."

"And this?"

"Vinyl or some other sort of plastic."

"This?"

"Catherine."

"And this?"

"Cain and the wolf again."

"Okay, I think that pretty much proves it. You've been right every time, and you weren't fooled by the controls I put in. Cain's skin cells and hair have the wolf smell, every time, and we can't get the male wolf smell without Cain. It isn't just a smell in the camper, it's coming from his tissues. That last tube was a skin sample I'd flushed with a mild detergent to remove anything that was sticking to it. You still recognised it."

"Why didn't you spot it earlier?" asked Grissom.

"It could be that the original smell hasn't changed," said Oz, "the wolf is like an.. an overlay. I've never met someone before and after they became a werewolf, maybe that's how it works."

"Could it be that the overall scent has changed, but you're processing it in some way to find familiar scents within it? That would maybe explain why the wolf scent as a whole seemed faint, you were only picking up the parts that said 'werewolf' and handling the parts that said 'Cain' as a separate smell."

"Damned if I know," Oz shrugged. "It's not like lycanthropy comes with an instruction manual."

"Would it be okay to take a sample of your skin, just a few cells?" asked Greg. "I think I know a way to figure it out."

"Sure."

A few minutes later Greg called them over to the gas chromatograph.

"Here we go. I compared organic molecules, scent molecules, released by three samples; your skin, the skin flakes we think are from Cain, and a piece of the skin from the corpse. When I put them through they're mostly well within human norms, showing fairly random variations, but all three have several spikes of unusually high concentration in common. Any one of them would be nothing too unusual, maybe a slightly unbalanced diet or some sort of metabolic disorder. That one is often associated with type two diabetes, for example, that one with thyroid problems. Put them all together and you've got a signature smell, one that probably isn't going to turn up for any other reason. But it's made entirely out of normal human scent components."

"Could you use it to spot werewolves?" asked Oz.

"Not easily. Like I said, everything there is in any normal human's odour, in the smell of most mammals too. It's just a little more concentrated than usual. A chemical sniffer could be built to spot those specific chemicals, but it'd give hundreds of false positives for every werewolf it found. A dog would do better, of course, but you already knew that."

Oz seemed to relax slightly. "Dogs I can live with. Werewolf detectors would make life difficult."

"I think we'll have to go with the assumption that Cain is a werewolf," said Grissom. "If he was bitten about fifteen months ago, the last time he sold a pelt before he changed his trading pattern, he had four months to get this alternative plan up and running."

"That's fast," commented Greg.

"I'd imagine he'd already given it some thought before he was bitten. The main need was presumably a reliable assistant, I'd be surprised if he didn't have someone lined up for the job."

"I never heard of Cain working with anyone, but I'll ask my friends," said Oz. "I'll make a few calls tonight, unless I have some urgent news I'll see you guys in the morning."

* * * * *

"Okay," Oz said over coffee in the conference room the following morning. "That was a bust. Nobody seems to have a handle on him beyond what we've already learned. Everyone promised to look into it, but they're all kinda busy with their own problems.. I got one suggestion that might work, but we'd have to be really dumb or desperate to try it."

"What's that?" asked Catherine.

"I summon a vengeance demon on behalf of the victims and wish that the murder should be solved."

"You're joking, right?" Nick asked, spluttering coffee. Oz shook his head. "You can do that?"

"Sure. She suggested it, and I've got her cellphone number. But vengeance demons aren't big on helpful; anything I wished for would be twisted to hurt us or the world, a lot more than it helped us."

"How about 'I wish that the murderer or murderers should be bought to justice'?"

"Define 'justice'. Define 'brought to'. Define 'murderer'. Want a solution that gets them arrested but incidentally kills a few more innocent people along the way? Want them sent to eternal torment? Or skinned alive? Because that's what vengeance demons are about."

"Let's stick with normal investigative techniques so far as is possible," said Grissom hastily, "I think we still have some avenues open."

"Works for me," said Oz.

"First some news," said Grissom, displaying a map on the plasma screen. "Reno police have ID on Cain as the purchaser of the camper. The vendor recognised him from a photographic lineup. That and the body give us grounds to arrest Cain if we find him. Later today I hope to know where they are based. I'm still viewing tapes, but it looks like the camper came from one of the factories or warehouses in this area. We ought to be able to pin it down more precisely by early afternoon, I already have a judge ready to sign search warrants. Catherine, did you get anywhere with the victims?"

"Two of them remember being visited by a market researcher about a week before the attacks. He asked questions about their purchasing habits, with an emphasis on leisure activities, food, and drink. He paid twenty dollars in cash for their time. The third was evasive, says she can't remember; I think she slept with him. I checked in records, she has some prostitution arrests as a teenager."

"Get a description?"

"The two that are cooperating are with artists now. The preliminary description is early to mid thirties, about five ten, stocky build, attractive, dark hair. Wore a business suit."

"Get the sketches, descriptions, and Cain's photograph circulated to all hotels and motels. Nick?"

"I checked the bars. All of the bartenders were questioned after the original druggings, but of course we didn't know about Cain then. I have one tentative ID on Cain as a customer who might have been near one of the victims, but I'm afraid it wouldn't stand up in court. They were just too busy."

"Leave it for now. Warrick?"

"Looks like the car wash is a bust. Standard chemicals for an automatic wash process, so could be pretty well any service station. Nothing in or on the camper to pin it down more precisely."

"Leave that one too. Sara?"

"I've been checking the evidence to see if we've overlooked anything, or if there are any anomolies in the case we're putting together. A couple of things came up. First, there seems to be some confusion about Cain's movements. The transaction records that we received suggest that he arrived in Las Vegas within the last month, we more or less ignored that once we had evidence that he began operations here earlier. I'm not sure how that can be explained, but it needs to be clarified before the case goes to court. It could simply be that for some reason a few withdrawals took a while to reach his account."

"Good point, although I don't think those records will be admissible in court anyway. Unknown source, and we didn't have any legal right to see them. Unless you can tell us more about that, Oz."

"I'd guess they were obtained illegally, possibly magically."

"But none of us know, which means they're inadmissable as evidence. What was the second point?"

"There's blood from three sources in the camper; this month's body and two different groups about a month earlier. DNA tests show all three samples are from women. We did discuss it initially, but I think we've been tending to overlook it in subsequent consideration of the case. It's possible that one or both has another explanation but I doubt it. So we're looking for two more missing women, not one, and two bodies. If there were two werewolves and two survivors last month we also have to assume that a minimum of four people were attacked, not three. I see no reason to assume that it wasn't a typical month."

"You're right. This isn't the first slip-up we've seen since this case began, and I have to remind you all that we ought to be paying full attention to all details. I think that we're all guilty of letting the weirdness of it all get to us, and it's making us a little sloppy. Thanks for pulling us up, Sara. Greg?"

"I've checked with the distributors, found an electronics store in Reno that sold a dozen Mitkoto 2300 modules and two receiver units two months ago. The purchaser may have been Cain, the description more or less matches, and I've arranged for Reno PD check the clerk with photos. The receivers plug into a PC like a web cam, and have a directional antenna. I'd guess that there was a laptop in the camper, our perp simply parked outside, checked to see if there was a werewolf, and went in if he saw one."

"Get photographs of the receiver units from the manufacturer, and details of any software that the camera uses. If the receiver is bulky add a picture to the photos that we'll be circulating to hotels. Teri?"

"FBI and customs have been trying to put together a big case, illegal importation of endangered species and transportation across state lines. They say that the route they're following takes in Sri Lanka, and that they have evidence that contraband is flowing in both directions. They were able to give me some names, people in Nevada suspected of involvement, but they want us to stay clear until they're ready to make arrests."

"Get the details to Brass, he can have them watched, see if Cain pays a call."

Grisson tapped a key on his laptop, and a calendar appeared on the screen. "This is the timetable for the last four months, so far as we know it. Here are the incidents reported in Las Vegas and Reno. The women were drugged and presumably infected on the dates highlighted in red, with the full moon two to three weeks later. If they follow this pattern again they're almost ready to infect their next batch of victims, and will do so in two to three days. We have a deadline. If we haven't made major progress by the end of the day I'm going to advise Brass to go public with the picture of Cain and the best artist's impression of his accomplice; this will most likely make them dive for cover and start up again in another city, but the only alternative is to let them carry on and accept the risk that one or more of the victims will become a werewolf."

"There's something else we need to bear in mind; having all of us work on a single case like this is an enormous drain on our resources. The rest of the department is overworked, and people are losing out on leave and their free time. We can't sustain it indefinitely."

"Now I think it'll be at least two to three hours before we're ready to search. I'd appreciate it if everyone could get their notes up to date and check for any errors. Oz, I know you don't have any notes, but we need you to brief the SWAT team that'll be going in with us. Brass has assigned men who worked with Riley and Angel earlier this year, I think they can be trusted to keep your... unusual condition to themselves. In particular, I think we have to be prepared for the possibility that Cain can also become a wolf at other times of the month."

"It isn't likely, there's only one place that gives that training and he hasn't been there in the last eighteen months. I'd know."

"Nevertheless, I think they need to be briefed for that contingency. I think you'll have to show them the tape we made."

"Two conditions."

"Conditions?"

"You let me destroy the tape afterwards. And if we find any bodies, I get to try to turn them back to human."

"Are you sure? It looked like an ordeal for you..."

"I'm sure. They didn't ask for this, nobody does, the least we can do is bury them as human."

"Agreed."

* * * * *

"Good morning, everyone. My name's Oz, and Captain Brass and Gil Grissom have asked me to brief you on some problems we may be encountering today. Now, I'm sure that many of you like horror films. In a minute or two I'm going to show you one, with me as the star. Afterwards I'll try to explain what's going on, and what you'll need to do about it..."

"How did they take it?" asked Grissom, an hour or so later.

"Pretty well, apart from the guy who threw up when I was sniffing the body. A couple have gone off to get some more tranquilliser guns from the animal control unit, the rest are discussing tactics. It's amazing."

"What is?"

"Guys twice my size with guns, edging away from me."

"It's probably good for them to be reminded that you can't always judge by appearances. When you go back in you can tell them we've narrowed it down to a block of four warehouses. We're just waiting on warrants, we ought to be able to move within the hour. And here are copies of the artist's sketch of Cain's accomplice. We're running it through the ID computer now, so far there's nothing. I don't suppose you know him?"

"No. I could e-mail it to my contacts, see if they know anything."

"Good idea - I'll get it out to Angel and Riley. Here's the file code if you want to download it from our computers and send it anywhere else."

* * * * *

Grissom put a large-scale map on the screen. "The warrant covers the four warehouses along this road between these two junctions, which appear to be the origin of the camper we've been trying to trace. They're owned by Stag Properties, according to them all four should currently be unoccupied, they're scheduled for refurbishment later this year. All four of them share a common site, with access via these gates."

"Shouldn't they have some security there to make sure that they aren't vandalised or used illegally?" asked Nick.

"You'd think so, but apparently not."

"Wonder why..."

"Whatever the reason, they have allegedly been empty for the last three months, but we have evidence that the camper came from one of them. We're going to check all four, looking for vehicle tracks, any sign of recent use, and of course evidence related to this case. Any questions?"

"What support will we have?" asked Catherine.

"Thirty officers, SWAT and Serious Crimes squad, all briefed on werewolves, some of them have tranquilliser guns and protective clothing. A helicopter flying aerial patrol around the site. A wrecking van with all the equipment we're likely to need for forcing an entry. And additional SWAT support will be available if needed. Anyone else? No? We'll go in fast, but we'll take it cautiously. Everyone in bulletproof vests, that includes you, Oz. I don't want any evidence lost through carelessness, so watch out. Once the the site is secured and any arrests have been made we'll conduct a thorough search. This means that everyone else stays out of the way to avoid contaminating the evidence field. Oz, that includes you, but I do want you present. There may be something you'll smell that we'll miss. All right, let's get down to the cars, it's going to be a busy afternoon."

* * * * *

"Up ahead on the left," said Grissom in the lead car. "Stop here, let's take a look before we go in. Check if the helicopter has spotted anything."

"Air 320, this is CSI 04, any signs of life?"

"Air 320 to CSI 04, I can see some dogs on the ground behind the buildings, they're running round toward the gate now. Apart from that there's nothing."

"Copy, we can see them now. CSI 04 out."

Four large German Shepherds raced around the corner of one of the buildings and ran towards the locked gates. As they got closer they suddenly stopped, and began to bark furiously.

"They smell me," said Oz from the back seat. "Let me out, I'll handle them."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Be careful."

Oz walked towards the gates and crouched in front of them, putting a hand out through the bars. One of the dogs sprang forward, still barking. Somehow, so fast that none of the CSI team could see it, Oz grabbed its collar and pulled its head to the bars, then growled loudly. The dog barked again; Oz growled, and seemed to blow air into its muzzle. It started to whine, and the other dogs stopped barking. Oz released his hold and the dog slunk back to the others. All four began to back away, whining.

"Okay, that ought to hold them for a while, but you might want to get someone to round them up."

"What did you do?" asked Grissom curiously.

"Established that I was the Alpha male and not to be messed with."

"Did you learn that from the monastery?"

"No, the Discovery Channel."

"Figures. Someone get the bolt cutters, we're going in."

"Cain's been here, so's the other guy," Oz said suddenly.

"Are they here now?" asked Grissom as a burly officer worked on the lock.

"Don't know, scent is pretty fresh. Maybe today, maybe yesterday. Know more inside."

"Okay." The lock finally snapped, Nick bagged it for forensics. Grissom walked in, flanked by Oz and the uniformed officers.

"Everyone keep on the hard paving, but watch out for any vehicle tracks and stay off them. Check all four buildings for signs of recent entry. Oz?"

"Don't know... let me check nearer the buildings."

They fanned out around the warehouses, with Oz taking the lead, crouching and sniffing every few yards. "This way. One of the two buildings to the left, I think." Eventually he stopped in front of a metal shutter door. "Here. I can smell blood, smoke, at least two werewolves, and Cain and his friend."

"That door's padlocked from the outside. Everyone, check for open entrances."

"Nothing."

"Right. Get us inside. It sounds like they're not here, but they may have left something behind."

* * * * *

The door rattled up, and the first officers entered, fanning out with rifles ready. "Nothing," one shouted, "they've cleaned it out."

The CSI team followed, and Oz said "Wolf smell over there, really strong."

"Walk carefully, don't touch anything."

"Here," said Oz, squatting in front of a clear area of floor.

"It's been cleaned," said Grissom, "but if you look carefully there's a square of darker concrete, about ten foot on a side, with holes drilled around the edges. Oz?"

"Stinks of wolf. Wolf pee. Cain, that's where they kept him."

"Could be. If they had to keep him under control for three nights they'd need a cage. Something portable, that could be bolted to the floor."

"Over here," shouted Warrick. "Something in the ashes of this fire."

There was a pile of old timbers in one of the corners of the building, smouldering slightly. Warrick took photographs while Catherine pulled a pair of tongs from her evidence kit and groped in the ashes, pulling out a piece of translucent material, a few inches across, burned at the edges.

"What have you got?" asked Nick.

"Looks like human skin, but I'd say it had been treated with tannin or some similar chemical process."

"Human... Oz, check this out, but watch where you walk."

Oz came over and sniffed. "It's her... the body from the camper." He shook his head, and added "She's not the only one here... I can smell them..." He crouched again, sniffed. "Something rotting... and some sort of chemical, maybe lime... and something else. Concrete? They're buried here, somewhere under the floor."

"Can you pin it down?" asked Catherine.

"Over this way, I think. Somewhere in the loading bay."

"Wait, let me get a halogen light," said Nick, shining it around the bay. "Nothing... nothing... wait, the floor here looks different from the rest. Smoother."

"I think they've filled in some sort of drain, or a small inspection pit," said Catherine. "It's hard, we'll need a drill to get at them."

"Cain's gone, isn't he," said Oz.

"Certainly looks like it," said Nick. "Looks like they loaded their equipment and left some time yesterday or this morning. They must have decided to get out, once they realised we were on their trail."

"But why now? Why not leave as soon as they had to abandon the body?"

"I don't know."

"I do," said Grissom. "That skin... it must have been the pelt they took from the body. When you turned her human again, the skin changed too. They must have decided that we were using magic to find them."

"So... I did it... I made them run..?" asked Oz.

"I guess so."

"And they could be starting up again now, somewhere else?"

"I guess so."

"No... No they won't..." said Oz, and dropped to a crouch. "Stay back, and keep out of my way." His face changed, and his arms, and his clothing tore, revealing shaggy fur. He roared, and began to bound towards the door.

"Follow him and don't shoot!" shouted Grissom.

Oz roared again, and leaped past a startled SWAT officer, out of the building and toward the road.

TO BE CONTINUED