By Jodi Marie Johnston
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Forever Knight (though if I did, things would have turned out differently!), they are property of Sony/Tri-Star and I am merely borrowing them and promise to put them back relatively unscathed when finished with them. No copyright infringement is meant and I incur no financial gain by the posting of this story. It is merely for entertainment purposes only.
All other characters are my creative works.
Chapter TwoNick wandered into the Morgue. It had been days since he had seen Bell Nightshade. She had not yet come to the station to give her statement and the number she had given him had only an anonymous answering service. There was almost no trace of the woman in any of the records. Her fingerprints were practically none existent on the murder weapon and those they thought might be hers were badly smudged. Natalie was busy at work on the most current stiff. He was a young man with multiple satanic and occult symbols burned or tattooed into his body.
"This is the second hit in three days." Nat said.
"Same as before only this time it was in Wayside Park."
"Twelve people killed systematically by an AK-47 one shot to the head and heart."
"Nice and neat." Nick said in disgust. How could anyone make such a shot with a machine gun?
"What's the connection?" Nat asked.
"From the looks of things someone is targeting witches or Wiccans."
"I will say this guy has got to be the most blatant one advertising it."
"Yeah. Every person even the normal looking ones has some background in the magical or occult arts. I never knew that there were so many out there."
"How many were bitten?"
"Six as far as I can tell. Tat boy here takes the cake though. I have never seen such scars. Soon might be bites but I am not sure."
"Great."
"About Miss Nightshade, did she really know what you are?"
"I am certain of it. She also noticed that that one guy had been bitten. She practically accused me of trying to cover for some other vampire."
"Nick could it be one of the… locals?"
"No. None of us are this sloppy. And if anyone was missing their thrall, word would be out."
"Thrall?"
"Sorry Nat, a thrall is…"
"No I get the picture already. I bet it works for some of you to have… Never mind. Could someone be targeting vamps next?"
"Its possible. Right now we are working this like a hate crime. Skanky is digging up all known witches in the city. From what we can tell there aren't too many left."
"Whoever is behind this they work fast."
"Its like they are one step ahead of us Nat. I hate it. And that woman…"
"Is she really a witch?"
"I think so. I have met many humans who have gifts I can't explain. But she takes the cake."
"Still no luck in finding her?"
"Nope. The APB is still out. I just wish we had more leads."
Just then, Don Skanky rushed into the Morgue with a handful of files and a Cheshire cat grin plastered to his face. Nat and Nick gave him their full attention.
"Mrs. Santiago lied to us. She and her pals were in a coven." Don said.
"Aren't covens supposed to be made of 13 people?" Nat asked.
"Historically speaking, but not always, a coven is three or more people now a days." Nick said.
"How do you know that?" Don asked.
"Research." Nick said.
"Who do you think the thirteenth member was?" Don asked.
"Nightshade."
"Bingo!"
"We have to track her down."
"Two steps ahead of you partner. You're not going to believe this. She's been staying at the Holiday Inn. According to her hotel she went to one of your favorite hang out. That bar your friend owns the Raven."
"What?"
"Yeah, I got John to talk he spilled the beans that he's been getting threatening letters from a group that call themselves the Left Hand of God and all out victims received similar letters."
"Good job."
"That's the good news."
"What's the bad news?"
"The LHG is completely covert. They rise up, use some brainwashed kids, do their cleanse as they call it and vanish. No records anywhere. The group is wanted here and in the states."
"Damn."
"I figured that we'd head over to the bar, haul Miss Nightshade in for questioning. What do you say?"
"I think I better go get her alone."
"No way Knight, if there are religious zealots out there with machine guns going after this lady than you need back up."
"Look Skanky, she has been able to avoid us for three days I don't want to risk losing her now."
"Look I am going with you one way or another. If you want to play it all cool, I will wait in the car for ten minutes then come in. That should give you all the time you need."
"Fine. See ya Nat."
"Bye guys."
Nick felt his guts tighten as they headed to the Raven. What was Bell doing there? She had to know who hung their hats there. Remembering what she had told him at the crime scene Nick swore silently. She was looking for the vamp involved with the witches. That wasn't good. Not by a long shot.