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Today was a day for fieldwork. The mobile blood donation clinic would be outside of a bargain supermarket on the outskirts of Austin for most of the day, and I hoped that if I got there early enough, I wouldn’t need to stand in line too long.
It didn’t surprise me the van was in a depressed area, even though drug users and those who’d used within the past year weren’t allowed to donate. Folks who were between jobs or otherwise in a hard place would donate to get some money in their pockets. It helped pay a bill or get some groceries for the week.
When I got out of my car, I was relieved to see my strategy had paid off; there were only two people in line ahead of me, and I didn’t have to wait long before a male nurse called me forward.
As he led me back, I very carefully did not look around — I could tolerate doctor’s offices, but these donation vans had IVs, tubes, and syringes everywhere. Even the smell of the sterile environment gave me a little shudder, and as soon as Jack introduced himself and told me where I could sit, I blurted out, “I’m not here to donate blood.” I didn’t want him to bring out a needle. I didn’t know if I could stand it.
Jack paused but sat in the chair next to me, folding his hands in his lap. “Okay,” he said calmly, tipping his head to one side. “Can I ask why you’re here?”
I exhaled, my shoulders slumping. “I’m looking for someone,” I admitted, finally looking up at the nurse. I could tell at once that he was a shifter, but I was taken aback by the gentle look on his face. He looked like he had all the time in the world, even though I was pretty sure more people would be lining up to donate soon. “This van was one of the last places she was seen.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he murmured. “But even though this isn’t a doctor’s office, I can’t give you anyone’s medical information.”
I frowned, worrying my lower lip. “That’s okay,” I said. I’d given up on that. “I’m just trying to trace her steps and figure out where she disappeared. If I show you some pictures, can you tell me if you’ve seen her?”
Jack looked thoughtful, and after a moment, he nodded. “Sure, I can do that.”
I smiled at him and fished my phone out of my pocket, quickly pulling up several photos of Cyn that Demi had texted me. Recognition lit up the nurse’s face almost immediately. “Oh, yeah, she was here last week. I’d never seen her before, but she came with one of our regular donors. They left together, too.”
I knew that already, but at least he was being honest with me. I paused, my phone still in my hand. “Can I show you some other pictures? Several people have gone missing over the last six months, and I’m trying to figure out why. You don’t have to tell me anything about them, just if you recognize them, okay?”
Jack paused, and I could practically see the wheels turning as he tried to determine if this fell within the legal limits of what he was allowed to do. Frankly, I had no idea, but if he said yes, I was going for it.
Thankfully, some luck was on my side today, and Jack agreed. I flipped through the photos, and he either nodded or shook his head. When we got to the end of the album, I closed the screen; Jack had recognized sixteen of the wolves. It was more than I could have ever hoped for. I smiled at him as I stood, knowing he had plenty more people to see today. “I appreciate your help,” I told him. “Have a good day, Jack.”
“You too, miss.”
Once back outside,I decided to chat with a few people standing in line. It had already grown quite a bit; I didn’t bother anyone close to the front, aware they’d be eager to go inside and get the donation over with as soon as they were called. I meandered to an older lady first; she introduced herself as Winnie and seemed happy to have some company to pass the time as she waited for her turn.
It felt more like she was interviewing me than vice versa, but I didn’t mind too much. She offered plenty of information without me even having to ask. Apparently, she came at least once a month; a blood donation had saved her husband, so she was going to donate until they told her she couldn’t anymore. Winnie could identify the same wolves Jack had, chatting happily about Diane’s new boyfriend and Jet’s bicycle.
“You know, I haven’t seen Jet in a few weeks now,” she said, looking a bit perplexed. “I think he did tell me he found some kittens. I hope he found a home for the kittens. If you see him, tell him he really ought to visit, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed, unable to do anything but smile.
We both looked up at the sound of Jack’s voice, and she beamed at him as he offered her a hand to help her up the stairs into the van. “Hello, charming!” she greeted him, and I knew that was my cue to move on.
A younger man named Hunter seemed intrigued by my conversation, and though he didn’t recognize as many wolves as Winnie had, he could identify at least twelve of them. He tapped on my screen as I showed him the last person. “I thought Anne and I had a good thing going,” he admitted sadly, chewing on his lip. “We’d made plans, even, but then she never showed up that night, and I never saw her again.”
When he looked up, I only saw uncertainty. “You think I scared her off?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so, Hunter. I don’t think it was you.” And I didn’t. I didn’t know much about Anne Tila, but I was growing more and more certain these people didn’t disappear of their own free will. Something, or more likely,someonehad made them disappear. I squeezed Hunter’s shoulder. “Don’t get too down, okay?”
“Okay.”
Someone cleared their throat, and I looked up. A middle-aged man with loose spirals of salt-and-pepper hair made eye contact with me and looked away, clearly trying to be subtle about getting my attention. I swallowed a smile and said goodbye to Hunter, walking further down the line. “Can I see those pictures?” he asked, introducing himself as Rocket.
I nodded and showed him the album. He identified another fourteen for me, clicking his teeth with each one. “Y’know, most people come and go around here. That’s just how it is,” he told me, fixing me with a firm look.
“I understand,” I replied calmly; not interested in starting a fight.
“So why you lookin’?”
I shrugged, tucking my phone into my pocket. “Because my friend is one of those people,” I replied. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know Cyn. I felt for her. More importantly, people wouldn’t take me seriously if I introduced myself as a private investigator trying to help someone find her missing sister — even if I wasn’t associated with the police, no one seemed to believe that. They all clammed up and disappeared. I’d learned that the hard way.
“Ah,” he said, nodding. “Well, hate to break it to ya, miss, but she’s probably already gone if you ain’t found her yet.”
I didn’t like the certainty with which he said that, and I raised my brows. “Oh, yeah? Why’s that?” I asked, trying to sound curious without sounding defensive.
