Hello, everyone! So here's the latest chapter. I'm sorry it's a bit short. I hope 2023 is being good to you so far. Thank you to all who have been reading this story, and to all who have left a review. It means a lot.

CygnusRift

CHAPTER 28

CLUES

Waylon Forge's yard and home had drawn the attention of several curious onlookers. As the gathering crowd watched from afar, law enforcement personnel came and went from the scene, their silhouettes lined with the parked cruisers' red and blue lights.

Having only just arrived, Carlisle exited his Mercedes and went to join Dr. Coleman who had driven his car here as well.

"Pretty cold night," Dr. Coleman remarked while donning his gloves, his breath frosting in the air.

Waiting for them was Charlie Swan. As soon as he saw them, he waved a hand, and resumed his conversation with a very tall, very built forest ranger.

"Luke," Charlie greeted at their approach, then nodded to Carlisle. "Dr. Cullen. Glad you could make it. Thank you for getting here so fast."

"Came as soon as we could," Dr. Coleman replied, a regretful look dimming his features. "So, Waylon Forge. I'm sorry about your loss, chief. I know he was a long-time friend of yours."

While Charlie wasn't one to show much emotion, an undercurrent of grief and weariness was visible just below the surface. "Thanks, doc." After quickly gathering himself, he glanced at the forest ranger. "Emmett, this is Dr. Coleman and Dr. Cullen. Gentlemen, this is Officer McCarty. Since this looks like an animal attack, we brought him in to see if he could help identify what might be lurking out there."

Officer McCarty said, "Whether it's a bear or a mountain lion, hopefully, we'll be able to find it soon." With that, he extended his hand to Carlisle, then to Dr. Coleman. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"Well, first things first," Charlie interjected, addressing Carlisle and Dr. Coleman. "I guess you'll want to take a look at the body. Follow me."

They did, traversing the yard before ducking beneath the yellow police tape. While the cops were trying to determine exactly what had happened here, Carlisle already knew the truth, his nose catching a faded scent no one else could smell.

Vampires. More than one. If he had to guess, they had been here a day or two ago.

Once the Wolves got wind of this…

Fuck.

"I can see why you think it's an animal attack. Jeez." Dr. Coleman said as they first looked at the body.

The victim's neck and wrists had been bitten. His upper torso was bare. Had the nomads stolen his clothes?

Crouched by the body, Carlisle couldn't help but frown. Unlike the other victims, this feed had been careless. The only smart thing the nomads had done had been to erase any footprints surrounding the body.

Charlie stood to the side, his mouth set in a line. "This animal needs to be caught. Now."

After a cursory examination at the scene, the body was then transported to the county morgue.

"Ready?" Dr. Coleman asked once their caps, masks, and face shields were in place.

"I am," Carlisle replied, wishing he could perform the post-mortem by himself. After all, the existence of vampires had to remain a secret. But how damning would this autopsy be?

Tasked with taking detailed pictures of the body, Carlisle snapped one picture after the other, while Dr. Coleman activated his recorder then stated the date and time. "Subject is a fifty-five year old male. He is five feet eleven inches in length, weighing one hundred and seventy-eight pounds."

Schooling his features into a focused expression, Carlisle snapped a picture of the neck wound while his colleague continued with a frown. "While the shape of the bite marks is consistent with that of a human being, the bite force exerted seems more akin to that of a wild animal. Flesh is torn and ripped."

Oh, this is not good.

"Starting blood extraction for analysis." Unaware of Carlisle's rising panic, Dr. Coleman grabbed a syringe, but no sooner had he found a vein than he stopped. "Huh…" After trying another vein, he ceased recording and looked to Carlisle. "Do you recall seeing blood at the scene?"

Knowing he couldn't lie without seeming wholly incompetent, he answered, "No, sir."

"That's damned strange. It's like he's been drained dry."

From there, the middle-aged doctor reactivated the recorder, and proceeded with the Y incision.

"Exsanguination," Dr. Coleman declared to Charlie once the autopsy had been completed.

The three of them were now standing in the hallway just outside the morgue. "In my professional opinion, that's what he died from. But as for what kind of animal did this…" Dr. Coleman shook his head and sighed. "I couldn't begin to tell you."

"Exsanguination," Charlie echoed, seeming as perplexed as Dr. Coleman. "Well, the forest rangers are scouring the area. Same for my guys and the canine unit. Whatever did this, we're going to find it."

They wouldn't though. As determined as they were, law enforcement had no idea what they were up against. Only Carlisle knew. And soon the Wolves would, too.

Thanks for reading! Reviews are much appreciated. :-)