Nineteen

"Should we be concerned that the only bodily fluid found in any of these bodies was blood? Because I think we should be concerned."

"Nothing was found?" Leah asked Eric, who was rummaging through the reports. Her focus was on the victim's bullet-ridden body. She was one of many casualties from Mike's ambush, a woman who looked like she couldn't be more than thirty. Eastern European, she believed, with curly blond hair; she had reminded Leah of one of the Denali sisters.

It was eleven in the morning. The detective had spent the last half an hour roaming around the Office of the Medical Examiner, hoping to retrieve some more information about the victims before heading to lunch. Jacob and Embry were in a meeting with Paul and had promised to stop by when they were done. Leah hoped and prayed she would be done with the medical examiners by then.

"Nothing but blood," Eric confirmed. "No juices, no sweat..."

"We get the point," Bella said, replacing the tool in her hand with a needle and a thread, ready to patch up the victim and place her back into the freezer. From what Leah could tell, this victim's autopsy was almost done. It was a standard shooting, Bella had told the detective, nothing much to investigate. Nothing, at least, that would be submitted into evidence. "Hey, you never know. Maybe she emptied her bladder before the shooting?"

Leah hoped Bella was joking.

"No one can completely empty their bladder," Eric contested. "There has to be a trace of bodily fluid somewhere. There aren't even traces of saliva? How can this lady not have saliva?"

"Dry mouth?" Bella suggested nonchalantly.

"No saliva," Eric stressed. "Should we look further into this?"

They should, in Leah's opinion, but she could fully understand why Bella wouldn't. After all, the victim had been a vampire.

"It's bizarre, I know," Bella said. "But there's really no need. I'm ruling this was a homicide. Bled to death from gunshot wounds. There's nothing else more to it."

"Got an identity?" Leah asked.

Bella shook her head. "Caucasian female. Early-to-mid thirties when she had turned. Amber eyes, blond hair. Has a tattoo of a dragon on her right shoulder blade. And of course, no prints."

"That's... frustrating," Leah mumbled, shaking her head. "Found any UV's in her?"

"Found UV's in everyone," Eric said. "And a lot. Checked with our ballistics team, and they said they couldn't find traces or markings. "But I think this one was one of the last killed. She was somewhere in the back."

"How did you figure that out?"

"Those in the front were killed the first. They caught the most bullets."

Leah checked out the victim again. "And that's not a lot of bullets?"

"Some bodies are more unrecognizable," Bella pointed out. "At least, we have a profile on her," and then, "But we still have her belongings. She must be from money. Had a Louis Vuitton dress on, and real jewels."

"Any phone?"

"Nope," Eric said. "But we did find a beeper, destroyed by bullets, of course."

"And with the UV's," Bella continued. "It's probably fried. We have everything put aside. You still want it?"

"Everything," Leah told Bella. "Anything would help. That beeper is an interesting find. The only people who really use beepers are those in denial of the times or those on the other side of the law."

"Like dealers," Eric said.

"Like dealers," Leah confirmed.

"Whoever invented these boards should get a Nobel prize," Embry declared the following, knocking on one of the many cork boards standing around the police station's open office space. "Makes our lives so much easier."

"You got that right," Leah said, removing the top of the sharpie before quickly scribbling the status of Mike Newton, currently M.I.A, on a small piece of paper.

Jacob nodded in agreement as he adjusted the strings on the board that displayed all of the connections between subjects of various homicide investigations. It presented photos of every critical member of the covens, associates, and murder victims with their names, their employment, and their survival status.

The investigation board, at best, was a confusing mess of yarn, paper, and never-ending thumbtacks. And the detectives didn't dare touch the illegal-arms portion of the investigation; that was reserved for the other teams.

This was what the trio had so far: In mid-January, Jessica Stanley, a part-time student at DePaul and a waitress, was found mutilated inside the executive suite of a high-end hotel. She had been living a double-life as a mistress and an amateur dealer of Carlisle Cullen, the head of the Olympic coven, and a well-known partner of the Denali Family, who was also a part of the Olympic Coven. Jessica had been killed by a heart attack, induced by a poisonous substance that had entered her system via bite mark. Killed as a possible form of retaliation. Known suspect: Demetri Karlov, a member of the Volturi guard.

Who had also been found murdered inside his apartment shortly after Jessica's murder. He had been known dealer and enforcer, popular with the ladies, and had an affinity for luring young women for a snack. He had often worked side-by-side with Jane, another high-ranking member of the Volturi. Jane had been seen periodically in the following months; actions, unknown. Demetri's cause of death was an ultra-violent bullet to the temple. Killed as a possible form of retaliation. Known suspects: the Cullen's and the Denali's—

Whose founder, Sasha, was found murdered, along with her newborn baby, inside her residence shortly after Demetri had been killed, but found before. An ultra-violet in each skull, stakes lodged in each chest. Killed as a possible punishment for violating an ancient vampire rule. Known suspects: the Volturi.

"How on earth has no one been arrested?" Embry asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "How was no one from the Cullen family's been arrested?"

The Cullens had a busy past several months. They were also implicated in the Slaughterhouse mass murder of numerous dealers associated with Victoria, including a minor. Some of the victims were humans, some were shapeshifters, and some were vampires. Deaths caused by execution-style gunshots and mutilation by the Children of the Moon. Killed as a possible form of retaliation. Suspected suspects: the Cullens and the Velazquez Cartel, also known as the Mexican Coven.

"We're missing something," Jacob said. "We're missing something big."

And then, this past weekend, the Olympic and the Velasquez Cartel (also known as the Mexican Coven) had been attacked during a private party at the notorious Mike's Lounge. Over fifteen dead; numerous injured, including Carlisle Cullen. Ambush occurred as a possible form of retaliation. Suspected suspects: Victoria's gang. Mike Newton, the owner of Mike's Lounge, was currently M.I.A.

"Coincidence?"

"I think not," Leah said as she quickly wrote on a slip of paper and pinned on the board under Carlisle's photo. "Carlisle's on leave, recovering from injuries." She placed another slip under Edward's photo. "Edward's the interim crime boss."

Who honestly should have been arrested months ago for his little bribery stunt? He had flat out obstructed an investigation by not only confronting Bella to put aside Jessica's autopsy but somehow managing to convince the moralistic Judge Sorio to but a stop on the autopsy all-together. Leah hoped if CPD couldn't nab him, the feds would.

"They're going to attack."

"Well, duh," Leah said. "They're at war." She leaned back against the table and crossed her arms. "I can't imagine Victoria's gang being the only perpetrator. They work with the Volturi; the Volturi must have known this was going to happen and gave Victoria the green light."

"I agree. This has the Volturi all over it," Jacob said. "But those bastards left no evidence."

"A shit storm," Embry said.

"Understatement of the century," Leah remarked. "So, Jacob, what should be focusing on specifically? We can't tackle everything."

"Yeah, I thought we were strictly doing surveillance?" Embry asked.

"Things changed. Our focus is on Jessica, Demetri, Sasha, and Vasili," Jacob said. "They seem to be the simplest ones. We can help the others with the slaughterhouse and the ambush investigation, but those four. That's our priority."

"So, nothing about the UV'S?" Leah asked. "Because if that's the case, we don't really have much use for Benjamin."

"No, we keep him," Jacob said. "He's our eyes into the Cullens who are involved in Jessica's, Demetri's and the Denali murders. Any info we get about the bullets, we'll hand it over to Paul, and he can do what he wants with it."

"Does he even know about Benjamin?" Embry asked.

"Not specifically," Leah said.

"I'll talk to him," Jacob declared.

"And Bree?"

Jacob looked at his partner and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I want Bree's case," Leah insisted.

"Bree, you mean the girl? She's a part of the slaughterhouse case."

"They're not focusing on her," Leah pointed out. "Some think she was just a bystander. Collateral. Their focus is solely on the dealers. I know because I asked." Her attention shifted to her partner. "If we get to the bottom of her death, we may be able to squeeze more info out of Riley."

"Aren't you doing that already?" Jacob asked.

"He's almost there," Leah said. "Just one more push, and he'll be entirely ours. Maybe compelled enough to testify in court."

Bree Tanner. Born July 22, 2002, in Schaumberg, Illinois. Only child. Attended school, got decent grades. No mentions of IAP's or family trouble. Dropped out in sophomore year of high school. Reported missing a year ago. Short police investigation for kidnapping, until Bree had been found. Admitted to being a runway and refused to back home. Parents gave up on after numerous disappearing acts. Last reported appearance, July 23, 2017….

Leah dug into the many files strewn her desk and pulled out a copy of the photo found in Bree's wallet. The one with Riley by her side. They had been near Soldier's Field with a massive billboard behind them, advertising about the upcoming Chicago Bears' 2017 season-opening. The photo must have been taken in earlier September. Bree most likely had been turned into a vampire already.

How did she find Victoria? Or rather, how did Victoria find Bree?

According to Riley, Victoria had wanted to build a newborn army, most likely to retaliate against the Cullen's for the murder of her lover, James. But Bree hadn't looked like a solider. But then again, Jane didn't either, and she was one of the most feared members of the Volturi.

Leah continued to search through the photocopies of Bree's evidence. She didn't have any financial records; she had only been a minor. Her parents hadn't provided much help save for a copy of her report cards. No fake ID was found on Bree.

"She's like a goddamn ghost," Leah complained, fearing that she was approaching yet another dead end.

"Huh, the best kind to recruit into a newborn army," Jacob commented, rather flippantly as he typed up his reports; he was pretty behind, completely ignoring Leah's previous advice not to procrastinate. "No one's really looking for ghosts. Except, you know, ghost hunters."

"And you're sure she was a newborn?" Leah asked, not exactly knowing what constituted as "newborn". Based on the pictures, Bree had only been a vampire for less than two years.

"Yep."

"How can you tell the difference between a vampire and a newborn vampire?"

Jacob looked over his computer monitor and smirked. "They're both vampires, Leah."

Leah rolled her eyes. "No shit."

"Deal with them long enough, and you can detect the difference from miles away," Jacob said, more serious this time. "Think the difference between people who just hit puberty and grown adults."

"So, newborns are awkward."

"Not as fast, not as strong, and their sense of smell is crap. More human-like." Jacob gave Leah a look. "No offense."

"None taken."

"Except for blood. They'll always be able to pick up the scent of blood. They also are bad at detecting different species. And they're more expendable."

Leah nodded, wishing there was some course in supernatural studies. "Thanks..." she said, frowning, and then, without much thinking, "I feel stupid sometimes," she quietly admitted, earning a horrified, confused look on her partner's face. "Everyone seems to know more about the supernatural than I do. Especially in this place."

"You're not stupid," Jacob said, eyeing his partner. He wasn't happy. "Far from it."

"Do you have a course for supernatural criminals?" Leah asked. "Or just the supernatural in general? You must be tired of me asking all of these questions all the time."

"It's no big deal," Jacob insisted, and then recommended, in a light voice, "And about those classes? I don't think so, but you may want to check out Reddit. They have sub-forums for everything."

Leah scoffed. "Screw you."

Jacob chuckled. "No, seriously. Hey, don't beat yourself over this. Several months ago, you didn't even know the supernatural existed. You know, the vast majority of people would have freaked the fuck out upon learning about the existence of the supernatural. But you didn't. Trust me, Leah, you don't understand how invaluable that is."

"That doesn't exactly help with my understanding—"

"Leah, if I thought you were going to take things to another level, do you honestly think I would've told you the truth about me? Or anyone else? Or be this relaxed enough to let you see my wolf?"

Jacob had a look on his face, daring for his partner to challenge him. Leah decided not to. Instead, she sighed and said, "I'll check Reddit."

Leah did eventually check out Reddit.

It only helped somewhat.

It was just one of those days, so uncharacteristically slow that Leah found herself spending more time behind a desk, in front of a computer, surrounded by files than outside, riding around with Jacob to follow the latest lead. It was a much-needed day, in her opinion.

Leah was the only person sitting at a row of desks positioned along the southern half of the station's squad space. Jacob had left about an hour ago to check up on Bella; apparently, she had something to show in regards to whatever victims had been found at Mike's. Embry had called in "sick" because of a bad cold (though Jacob was convinced it had more to do with the cop's ill-advised visit to a nightclub).

Something's gotta give, Leah whispered as she reviewed the row of pictures from various crime scenes with hopes that the photos would reveal some connection between the Dahlia, the slaughterhouse, and Mike's incidents.

"Leah!"

Leah looked up from the photo to see Aisha heading her way with a file in her hand and a shit-eating grin plastered on her face. She could have sworn the other detective had the day off. "Aren't you supposed to be at a spa?"

"I'm going tomorrow," Aisha said. She pulled out the chair from Jacob's assigned desk and sitting down, excited". Tomorrow's the spa's half-price day, and Lord knows I need to save money. But more importantly…" She dropped a hand on top of a file. "Something you'd appreciate. A lead."

Leah raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Aisha wordlessly handed Leah the file.

"A pair of prints," Leah said after skimming through the folder. In her hands were a few pages— a fingerprint report, a picture of prints found in the Mike Lounge Crime scene, and a mugshot. Of a very interesting man. She shut up and looked at her smirking friend. "Where the hell did you find this?"

"I got a contact in Kansas City," Aisha said as her smirk grew. "I didn't even know they kept prints from that far back."

"1932," Leah read, shaking her head in disbelief. "You got prints of Emmett McCarthy from 19-fucking-32."

"I know." Aisha grinned, proud. "I'm amazing."

"And they are a match."

"It doesn't do much in terms of probable cause," Aisha admitted. "We didn't find any weapons at Mike's, but those prints verify that Emmett was there. He was the only person we could get a positive ID."

"This can work," Leah said. "We can make him the main suspect until he decides to talk. I'm sure Paul won't throw a fit about us arresting a vampire, right?"

"Yeah, but we would have to bring our A-game when it comes to questioning and everything," Aisha reminded her friend. "Remember, Sorio is still presiding over this."

"How hasn't he been recused?"

Aisha shrugged. "For some reason, no one is really thinking about the real reason why the Bureau's been snooping around."

"I thought they were keeping an eye out on the Dahlia case?"

"So, they say," Aisha said. How she always managed to find the inside scoop on everything, Leah would probably never know. "But you didn't hear that from me."

"Never," Leah promised, and then, "Unless..." She paused, leaning against the back of her seat. "Hey, can you tell TS-2 to check any of the crime scenes for a print-match. Particularly, the slaughterhouse and Demetri's place?"

"What are you getting at?"

"If they find Emmett's prints at those places, we give them to the feds. To the ATF," Leah explained, thinking about Benjamin's case. They scratch his back, and he'd return the favor. "I know they're in the middle of a case about those ultra-violets. Sorio can't touch any of the fed-cases."

"Why do I feel like you know something that I don't?"

Leah raised an eyebrow. That was a first. "When the time comes, I'll explain everything," she said. "I promise."

She told Jacob her plan sometime later when he finally returned from the Office of the Medical Examiner. He seemed a bit troubled, claiming something about the state of bodies (it was a bald-faced lie, Leah knew it the moment he opened his mouth, reserved that conversation for later).

"You want to give up who to the ATF?" Jacob asked, heating his soup via the station's break room microwave. He seemed more amused than incredulous. "I thought we are supposed to be focusing on the murders…"

"I know it sounds crazy," Leah admitted. "But I have a plan."

"You always have a plan."

"Because we obviously can't do anything in this investigation by the book," Leah pointed out. She could only imagine how much information wouldn't be admitted into evidence because of some violation. And the existence of vampires and werewolves. "And it does have something to do with the murders."

Especially if Emmett's prints were miraculously discovered at Demetri's. The man was a member of the Cullen's, who were the prime suspects of Demetri's murder. It made sense.

"So, you have a plan."

Leah nodded, relieved by the lack of pushback. "Yeah, I have a plan."

And two days later, Emmett's prints were found at Demetri's apartment.

Leah almost dropped her prized fish sandwich at the news as she drove home from work.

The usual recourse was to march up to Emmett McCarthy's place of residence with handcuffs and an arrest warrant, but Leah had a plan. The arrest could wait.

"I heard you were snooping around Mike's Lounge," Leah said the following evening, taking a sip of her water purchased from an outside vendor, of course. Because despite her supposed acquaintance with Rosalie Hale, she didn't entirely trust her. And she was sure that the feeling was mutual. "Or at least, what's left of it."

Rosalie snorted. The two women were sitting across from each inside the fixer's office. After hours. "Point being?"

"You know what happened," Leah stated, leaving no room for denials. She wasn't here to ask Rosalie many questions. She was here to compromise.

"There was a party that was interrupted by some unwanted guests."

Leah raised an eyebrow. "And those unwanted guests being?"

"Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell any member of the law enforcement community," Rosalie said, clearing her throat. She locked eyes with the detective. "Not even you."

"Off the record?" Leah suggested, leaning forward.

"There's no such thing as that anymore. Not with the stakes becoming greater every day."

"So, this conversation is off the record, then?" Leah asked, watching the fixer intently. "Do you want this talk to be admitted to court as evidence?"

Rosalie let out a dry laugh. "You know, you're becoming more persistent with your questioning than your overly persistent partner."

"So, I've been told," Leah said, and then, "How well do you know Emmett McCarthy?"

"Excuse me?"

"Emmett McCarthy," Leah said. "He's one of the more important members of the Cullen family. Enforcer, I think? Follows Edward around like a shadow? How well do you know him?"

"I thought we were only focusing on Edward Masen?"

"We were. Actually, we still are. But the thing with investigations, we never know who we find," Leah explained. She nodded when she realized that he questioned had already been answered. "So, you do know him."

Rosalie bristled but didn't put up a fight. "What do you want with him?"

"Our CSI team discovered a series of prints at Mike's," Leah said. "Emmett McCarthy being one of them. We're going to have to question him and see what he knows."

Rosalie snorted. "Really? Now, how do you connect prints from him? Nothing's on file anymore. You know, he's technically over a hundred years old."

"Oh, I know. He was arrested back in the thirties for participating in a bar fight. We got his mugshot and everything." Leah said. "Hey, you know the deal. You work with us, the feds won't come to your office with a battering ram. At least, not anytime soon."

"Such an enticing offer…"

"I know you've had a past with Emmett, and that's fine. I'm not here to criticize you about that, but if you want to help him—"

"I pity those who've underestimated you."

"I actually think it's an advantage more than anything."

"Of all people, those cops still have his prints," Rosalie huffed and shook her head. Like Leah, she probably thought Emmett's old records would show up. It had been over eighty years. Emmett would have most likely been dead by now. He was supposed to have died back in 1935, Leah had learned. Mauled by a bear.

"The Midwest is big on that," Leah said. "You know since the thirties were the thirties. Outlaws and Public Number One's were everywhere. Capone. Baby Face Nelson, Dillinger—"

"I met him once."

Leah raised an eyebrow. "Who, Dillinger?"

"Dillinger," Rosalie confirmed, eyes losing focus as she recalled her memories. "I knew his girl, too," she quietly said, and then quickly snapped out of her trance. She sighed. "I get it, but Emmett wasn't an outlaw. He wasn't hunted down by the BOI. He was just a farm boy who got mauled by a bear..."

"He's also a mobster," Leah pointed out.

"Oh, come on, Leah, I was alive during Prohibition and after that. I know what mobsters are like, and he isn't one of them. Not entirely. Emmett's a good guy, just caught up in the wrong crowd."

"He's suspected of four murders, extortion, aggravated battery..."

"He was just following orders," Rosalie contested.

Leah found the fixer's defensiveness fascinated. It was as if Emmett's "thing" for the woman wasn't unrequited as one would think. Given Rosalie's reputation. "Rosalie, you know and I know that's not going to stand as a defense in court."

"You're proposing a deal."

"We found Emmett's prints at Demetri's."

Rosalie blinked. "... You did."

"We did," Leah confirmed. "Now, you've been a lawyer long enough to know what will happen next."

"So, you are proposing a deal."

"Killing off a mobster is serious," Leah said before finishing off her drink. "Especially a member of the vaulted Volturi. He will be arrested, and when he does, everyone's going to know that the Cullens were involved in the untimely death of Caius' boy-toy."

Rosalie straightened up in his seat and finished off her glass of blood. She placed the empty glass on the table, separating her from the detective, not once removing her eyes from the other woman. "That was just the rumor."

"The way Caius' been acting suggests otherwise."

"I assume you have intel on that."

Leah did. The task force did. Paul had assigned Jared and a couple of detectives to follow the Volturi, and what they had discovered was nothing short of fascinating. Things Leah would never believe if she hadn't been presented with the evidence. Things that made her question Jane's supposed loyalty to the coven, among other things. But that was a story for later.

"We have intel on everyone."

"What does this deal entail?"

"Hand Emmett over to the ATF."

"The ATF?" Rosalie questioned. "I thought this was about a murder?"

"Or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Your pick," Leah offered. But it wasn't truly an offer, and Rosalie knew that. "But if I were him, I'd want to get in trouble for possession. Not murder-one or conspiracy."

"And at the ATF, what will happen there?"

"They'll make a deal."

"If he talks."

"That's how it always works."

"He's loyal," Rosalie insisted. "He won't say a word."

"That's what they always say," Leah replied, knowing from experience. "Until they realize how much time they're going to spend in the slammer if they don't. Vampires or humans. They're all the same in that aspect. So, Miss Hale, what do you say?"

"I will get back to you," Rosalie replied in a flat tone, but Leah had caught the flicker of anger and frustration in her eyes.

"I suppose that's as good of a deal I'm going to get at this moment." Leah let out a dramatic sigh and rose from her seat. "This conversation, is it still on the record?"

Rosalie narrowed her eyes. She was never the one to admit defeat. Leah could understand; she was the same way. "No," she gritted out. "It is not."