Page 85

“Why suspect her of suicide? We don’t even have a full tox panel yet.”

“She’s not even our case.”

Because she wasn’t variant. But did two non-variants usually have not one but two variant children? Both with high level powers that people in power could only dream of? “There’s more to this.” Jude had mentioned his parents had trouble conceiving both times, and had used IVF. Was that part of this? Were they genetically manipulating the babies? And when that didn’t work, trading them for something supernatural?

“Angel.”

“I need a warrant on their house.”

“Then request one.”

“I have.” I rubbed my eyes. “Fucking red tape.”

Victor lingered in the doorway, patient as ever. “You should really get some sleep.”

“Just a little longer. I’ve got a ton of files to sort through.”

The case Jude had talked about had a long list of victims, suspects, and a final man convicted—someone I was certain could be tied to this cult somehow. Reopening closed cases that hadn’t been touched by the SED was proving more complicated than I’d hoped. More requests. Judge approvals required. Cross-department cooperation, which was a pipe dream most of the time, and possibly lawyers.

“Angel.”

I sighed and swung my head to look at him. “What?”

“Wouldn’t you like to go home?” Victor’s voice was gentle. To your mate, he added mentally.

I stared at him. The words hit harder than I wanted to admit. Jude was out there, alone, chasing answers I couldn’t help him find, and unraveling as time ticked away.

“We’re running out of time,” I said. “I can’t sleep until this is over.”

“Or eat, it seems.” Victor’s gaze swept over me. “You’re looking both pale and thin.”

Not as bad as Jude.

Someone passed by the distant doorway to the bullpen, but the normal activity in the office was minimal. Everyone was out on an active warrant or resting to be back with boots on the ground bright and early. Our team, both day and night, were in chaos, trying to follow leads, sort volumes of information for the next break, and minimize the possibility of the military taking everything and vanishing into a void that would come back to bite us later.

“Angel,” Victor said with a sigh.

I was zoning out. Exhaustion, lack of proper food, and the constant numbness eating at me.

“At least head up to the sleeping bays and catch an hour,” he tried. “I’ll sort through the files and flag anything.”

But I didn’t want to read through more notes. I needed to find answers. Now that I knew Jude’s parents were part of this, I was certain I could uncover a link that would expose the whole nightmare ring of cult crazies.

I launched myself to my feet, half-startling Victor, which was odd, since not much could fluster the vampire. “I’ll head home.”

Though I had no intention of heading home. I shoved my stuff into my bag and flung it over my shoulder as I headed for the door.

Where are you really going? Victor’s voice pressed into my mind as I passed him.

Home, I told him. Eventually.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Angel,” he complained, following me out.

“I’m good,” I offered, passing a few unfamiliar variant agents in the hall, another with a red band. Fuck. They really were searching for Jude, weren’t they? How much did they know about him?

“Can I drive you home?”

I snorted and shook my head. “I’m not that far gone.”