[Scarlett]
Scarlett caught the positive vibes coming from the one called Luke, but the ¡®were¡¯ was definitely only helping because the human wanted him to. She sensed his distrust and negative attitude. It was understandable. The hatred between vampires and werewolves was legendary.
The redhead took a card from her jacket pocket and handed it to Luke. ¡°Cellphone, text and email are all right there. I appreciate any help you can give.¡±
She looked to Jones, ¡°Thank you for listening.¡±
The girl then placed some money on the bar to cover the wine she¡¯d barely touched, and she turned and left for the door.
She¡¯d had her friend, Snow, open up her Raconteur apartment earlier in the day. She¡¯d miss New Orleans, but she didn¡¯t mind the change of pace here. It had been some time since she¡¯d been in Raconteur longer than a few hours.
No doubt the vampire world in the city had already heard of her return. She wondered how long before she was visited by one of ¡°her kind¡± to warn her about keeping her nose out of vampire affairs. She wasn¡¯t known as the ¡°Exile¡± for no reason.
In the parking lot she mounted up on the bike and headed toward her place.
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[Luke with multiple NPC's]
Jenny Lee, Bobby Lee¡¯s young daughter is very sick
Charlie Talman? veteran cop killed in a strange car wreck
Tad
Jenny Lee, Bobby Lee¡¯s young daughter is very sick
Charlie Talman? veteran cop killed in a strange car wreck
Tad Bruster? young cop big like Jones
Clive Baker - City chief of police
Myer - A fireman
? young cop big like Jones
Clive Baker - City chief of police
Myer - A fireman
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Luke started his pickup and headed out of town headed west. Morgan City was the closest he could find an Air Boat to take him up into the Bayou. The call about Jenny was upsetting and it looked as if it were up to him. Bobby Lee lived deep in the Bayou far away from the highway and completely water-locked.? Luke had been there one time about ten years ago. It was a faint memory at best.? He could navigate well enough just using his phone. Granted that he could get a reception.? But if he got close enough he had other means to find the place.?
The hardest part was getting a boat at this late hour. Bobby had called Luke just as he was getting back to the dock and now it was after 11.? He knew the boat rental guy well and he could rough over any doubts with some extra cash.?
Luke hadn¡¯t gotten three miles before he came up on a bad accident. Two fire trucks, an ambulance and three Raconteur squad cars filled the night with flashing, strobing light.?
He pulled over to see if there was anything he could do to help.?
Tad Bruster, a young cop about the size of Jones loomed up ahead.
¡°What happened Tad?¡±
¡°A mess...ah...Charlie...he is dead.¡±
¡°What??¡± The only Charlie Luke knew was Charlie Talman. He was another cop. A fifteen year veteran. He¡¯d know Charlie forever.?
¡°Charlie?¡± Was all Luke could manage. He was stunned. He¡¯d spoken to Charlie just last week. His oldest daughter was having a baby and..? ¡°Oh man.¡±
¡°I know,¡± Tad said sadly.
¡°Clive here?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Tad pointed vaguely ahead.
¡°Mind if I...¡±
¡°Go ahead, Clive might need you.¡±
Luke walked up the scene, his mind still reeling.? The squad car was sideways against a large Cypress.The car looked like it was folded around the tree.?
He spotted Clive standing nearby with a couple of firemen.? Near the accident the EMT¡¯s were putting a body onto a stretcher.?
¡°Luke,¡± Clive said. He didn¡¯t reach out to offer his hand. Luke didn¡¯t even notice.
¡°What the hell Clive?¡± Luke started.
¡°Nothing you can do here Luke,¡± Myer said. He was a young fireman from town. Luke knew everyone in Raconteur.?
¡°Charlie.¡± Luke said again.
¡°I know,¡± Clive replied. ¡°This is some shit. What do I tell Cindy and...¡±
¡°How did it happen?¡±
¡°Unclear. The tire tracks show he was dragging on two wheels when headed off the road. Left tire tracks for thirty feet.? There was no other vehicle involved as far as we can tell.¡±
¡°That doesn¡¯t add up Clive.¡± Luke was suddenly fired up and angry as hell.
He marched off towards the accident. The squad car had been manipulated. As simple as that. Someone had murdered Charlie. He stood staring as if somehow this was just a nightmare and he¡¯d wake up. He wouldn't cry for Charlie but he did for his daughter.? He stood there, eyes stinging for a long time.?
Luke couldn¡¯t sulk over it for long. Jenny was sick and waiting on him.
He marched back to the Chief.? ¡°I¡¯m going to look into this Clive. Someone is going to pay for this!¡±
¡°Calm down Luke. Keep your distance. Let me handle the investigation.¡± Clive put a hand on Luke¡¯s arm.
Luke pulled away angrily. ¡°I¡¯ve got to run. Jenny Lee is sick.¡±
¡°°Â³ó´Ç?¡±
¡°They live deep in the swamp. I¡¯ll talk to you tomorrow.¡±
Luck stormed off.? He got back in his pickup and pulled through the scene carefully then floored it for Morgan City.
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Tag - Scarlett, any
Scott