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“Not to my knowledge.”
“You’re the police chief. Who else would know if not you?”
“I’ve only been chief for a couple years. You’re talking about the history of a very old town.”
I smiled. “Old by American standards.”
“What makes you ask about missing people?” the chief asked.
“Just a library book I was reading,” I lied.
“It’s nice to know you’re brushing up on local history.”
“I know I’m not an official investigator, but would you tell me what the coroner says about the cause of death?”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Normally, I’d say no, but maybe by some stroke of luck, he’ll find evidence that will lead us to Ashley.” Despite her words, the chief didn’t look hopeful.
“Thank you. And do me a favor. Don’t tell Steven about Anya Swanson.” I didn’t want him to worry any more than he already was.
“No problem. I plan to keep this as quiet as I can until I have more information. I’m only telling you because…” She leaned back and assessed me. “To be honest, I didn’t intend to tell you. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have, but this whole thing is making me think twice about Ashley, and you’ve been doing the legwork there.”
“You still don’t trust me.”
“Let’s recap. You’re a newcomer in town. You keep to yourself. You don’t show up at bingo night or any of the local events to meet people. You don’t seem eager to make friends. A girl goes missing, and you happen to be the one searching for her, even though you have no connection to her.” She pinned me with a hard look. “Can you blame me?”
“No. I wouldn’t trust me either in your position.”
Although her expression didn’t soften, I noticed her grip loosen on her coffee cup. “Thanks for meeting me in person.”
“You introduced me to the cinnamon roll. I’ll be forever grateful.”
The chief rose to her feet. “I’ll let you finish yours in peace. We’ll talk soon.”
Sadly, there would be no peace, despite the heavenly pastry. Anya’s death made sure of that. At least a portion of the wounds would be the handiwork of vampires, given her reputation as a fang banger. Even the missing head could be the result of an overeager vampire, but that was assuming a vampire killed her. Without examining her, I couldn’t identify whether the most recent marks were also vampiric in nature. Ignorant humans wouldn’t recognize the difference between an animal attack and vampire bites, although I couldn’t think of a single animal in the natural world that would’ve left Anya in such a horrific state. And if it wasn’t the gwiber—
Then there was another monster in town.
Upon leaving Five Beans, I did the thing I swore to myself I wouldn’t do.
He picked up on the first ring. “Kane Sullivan.”
“Are you busy right now, Mr. Sullivan?”
“For you, Miss Clay? Never.”
I rolled my eyes, not that he could see me. Then again, he was a mysterious demon. Maybe he could. “Meet me at the Knob in twenty minutes.”
“Why not ask your furry friend?”
Boy, those tworeallydidn’t like each other. “What makes you think I didn’t?”
“Because you’d be a fool to call me as well, and I’ve already determined that you’re no fool.”
I hesitated. “You saw how West and I left things. I don’t think he’ll want to hear from me.”
“And why do you need my help? I thought you were an independent woman. The Greta Garbo of supernaturals.”
“A Greta Garbo reference? Careful, Mr. Sullivan. Your age is showing.”
