When it was over, Inspector Roma decided we should all go to lunch at his expense, picking a family owned Italian restaurant where he was known. The pretty hostess greeted him by name, calling out behind her, “Papa, it's Inspector Roma! He brought the whole police force!”
This statement pretty much cleared the kitchen as the whole family bustled out to greet the squad. From the familiarity they displayed toward the rest of the Special Situations group this was not the first time the squad had been to Tony's Place. My guess was confirmed when Roma introduced me to Tony, his wife Carlotta, his daughter – the hostess – Adriana , and his son, Benito. Also Benito's wife, Jacobella, who looked very pregnant. They all looked at me a little strangely, probably due to the dark sunglasses I had worn into the restaurant. Gina elbowed me, “Take off the glasses, Chris, it's rude,” she said, as we were led to the big table in the back
“I don't want to freak them out,” I said.
“Oh, get over it! Just take em off,” was her reply.
So I folded my shades and tucked them into my uniform pocket. Poor Adriana turned to point us at the table and froze in her tracks at the sight of my eyes. I just pretended not to notice and parked myself in the back end of the table, burying my head in a menu. She took our drink orders, getting flustered when she got to me, but again, I ignored her reaction as I asked for a diet Pepsi. The restaurant was tiny, but the smells from the kitchen were amazing and the basket of rolls Carlotta brought to the table was fresh baked and still hot. Sommers, who was sitting on my left, batted at my hand as I reached for a roll. “Senior team members first, Gordon.” he said.
But my hand dodged his swat and snagged it right out from under him. “Damn, you’re a fast little son of perdition!” He said with a laugh.
“Just really hungry.” I replied.
“So are you ready to order…..” Carlotta’s voice trailed off as I looked up and met her gaze. She lost her words for just a second, but then started to take orders.
Adriana came back at that moment with a tray of glasses and ignoring me completely, started to hand out drinks. Her mother had started with Gina at the other end of the table, taking our requests in a clockwise fashion. I had been conscious of Gina’s eyes on me, measuring my reactions, studying me, and I looked up and met her gaze. She surprised me by smiling slightly and nodding assurance, as if my appearance was nothing out of the ordinary. Last time I take off my sunglasses in front of strangers, I decided. Adriana continued to serve our drinks and even put her hand on my shoulder, ostensibly to steady herself as she leaned around me to place Steve’s 7-UP in front of him. No back down in that girl. When Carlotta came to me, I kept my eyes down as I ordered a pepperoni and sausage calzone.
“Gordon, why the hell do you get diet soda when you order fifteen hundred calorie meals?” Fran asked.
“Cause I’m watching my girlish figure,” I replied and everyone laughed.
“Why you are too skinny, Officer Gordon, not enough meat on your bones. But don’t you worry, we will feed you right!” Carlotta said. “You like Italian food?”
“Actually, he likes Russian!” Chet Aikens said from down the table.
The squad laughed, Carlotta looked bewildered, and I threw a roll at Chet as I said, “Yes ma’am, I love Italian food.”
Mother and daughter headed back toward the kitchen, and as they did, the front door opened and a couple of werewolves walked in. I can’t tell you how I knew, I just did. Maybe something about their aggressive stance, the feral gleam in their eyes or the animal grace of their movements, whatever, it was plain as day to me. One was tall, about six feet with sand colored hair, the other was five eight or nine and stocky, with dark brown hair. Adriana met them at the door and led them to a small table in the front by the big window. They both turned and made a point of looking me square in the eye. Adriana took their drink requests and left to get them, glancing at our table as she did. The werewolves were still looking at me and the tall one gave me a deliberate slow nod. I excused myself to go to the men’s room, which was near the front. As I came back from the restroom, they both caught my eye and I headed to their table.
“Officer, our….Leader sends his regards and asks that you accept these replacements in lieu of your originals.”
He handed me a plastic shopping bag as he said this and a quick glance inside showed me two Trac Fones, still in their packages, as well as a couple of Powerbars, a pair of folded ponchos and a plastic water bottle with the logo for Lupine Sporting Goods. I looked back at the two weres and nodded.
“These are great. Please thank Brock for me.”
Their eyes widened and then narrowed at hearing their Alpha’s name out loud. Brock’s message was sophisticated on many levels. By having his men drop off this stuff he was telling me he knew who I was, where I worked, and where I was. The cheap phones and other stuff weren’t important, although he was telling me he was aware of my small contribution to his mate and child. I, for my part, was telling him, that I knew who I had helped. The tall one nodded and dropped a fifty on the table, then they both left with one parting comment. “Brock is aware that his debt to you remains unpaid. He looks forward to paying it in full.”
I turned to head back to the table and my cell phone lit up with a text from Dr. Singh. I had included my cell number in the email I sent him.
DOC S: Chris, the picture you sent is of a protein from the blood of my people. Although it is not an accurate copy. Twisted slightly. I’m not certain, but I think it could have bad side effects if taken by your people.
I typed a thank you and as I put my phone away, a very pregnant Jacobella came out of the kitchen carrying a big tray of salads. She was straining under the weight, listing heavily to her left side and I saw her foot catch a chair leg. I reacted without thinking, dropping my new bag of stuff, while sliding my left hand under the tray as my right arm wrapped around her waist and under her right arm, stopping her from falling. I lifted her upright and made sure she was on her feet, then carried the tray to our table. The others were watching me with varying degrees of disbelief and no one said anything for a moment. I was glad for the excuse to go back and get the bag with the Trac Fones. I slipped into my seat and took a sip of soda, acting casual. Velasquez and Roma exchanged looks before looking back my way. “Receiving deliveries?” he nodded at the bag. My mind had been racing in overdrive with how to explain the bag, let alone Dr. Singh’s info. With Gina watching there wasn’t much I could do but give them most of the truth. I glanced around to be sure no civilians were in earshot.
“They were werewolves, confirming that the woman attacked at the park was a Were protecting her child. The bag is some stuff my were contact owed me.”
“And she was targeted by the Hancers. Why?” Roma asked.
“The text I just received from another contact indicates that the Hance protein is a twisted version of a protein found in vampire blood,” I added.
Silence greeted that revelation. “So people drugged with a vampire protein attacked a werewolf female. It sounds like someone is trying to create trouble between the weres and the vampires.” Gina said. “Who?”