Part 13 (1/2)

”Let's take a look at that.” He switched sides and guided me to the ambulance, making me sit on the rear b.u.mper while he rummaged in one of the lockers. ”Did you fall or get knocked into something during the blast?”

I only dimly heard him, my concentration fading out as I watched the fire. Black smoke was roiling out of the O'Halloran's garage, and three ladder trucks were parked at the entrance, firefighters running in and out with axes and hoses and oxygen tanks. Down the block, another squad was evacuating the tower, workers cl.u.s.tered on the sidewalk staring in our direction, watching the flames slowly die as the firefighters got the blaze under control.

”Miss?” Chen crouched in front of me again, holding an ice pack and a roll of Ace bandage.

”My partner,” I murmured. ”I lifted a block of concrete off her and hurt my shoulder.”

Chen whistled. ”You're Detective O'Halloran's partner? That took some b.a.l.l.s.”

”Too bad I don't have any.” I smiled weakly. ”But thanks anyway. Is Shelby going to be okay?” My survival-driven panic was fading and I was aware of hurting all over, ears ringing, mouth dry as ash. Shelby had to be okay ... I had gotten her out of the fire, hadn't I?

”She's on her way to Nocturne City General,” he said. ”She lost some blood, and her leg needs surgery.”

Knowing Shelby was all right compelled my mental grip to relax and the were burst forth, thras.h.i.+ng and howling at the pain and the adrenaline I'd expended saving Shelby and myself. My jaw started to ache, and my lower back spasmed, the telltale warning that my body wanted to phase.

I couldn't couldn't at this time of the month, but I could fang out and sprout claws, and then I had the distinct feeling Chen would be a lot less enthusiastic to play doctor. at this time of the month, but I could fang out and sprout claws, and then I had the distinct feeling Chen would be a lot less enthusiastic to play doctor.

”Fix my shoulder,” I growled.

”You should go to the emergency room...” Chen started.

”Is it broken?” I asked, struggling to stay normal. All of my instincts wanted to bolt and find a safe place to hole up and heal, far from prying eyes.

”No, it's dislocated, but...” Chen started.

”Then fix it, please. Now.”

He sighed, but gripped my wrist firmly. ”Brace yourself. This is going to really hurt.”

I gripped the frame of the ambulance and choked on a scream when Chen jerked my arm violently and my shoulder snapped back into place with a soft thop! thop! A split second of violent, mind-bending pain and I was left with a dull ache and a functional arm. A split second of violent, mind-bending pain and I was left with a dull ache and a functional arm.

”Thank you,” I said tightly to Chen. The fire was out, just stinking smoke boiling from underneath the skysc.r.a.per now. Police cruisers had arrived, and I saw two unmarked sedans in colors I'd describe as ”lightly toasted” and ”well done” pull up behind them. McAllister emerged from the first, Matilda Morgan from the second.

Hex me.

Mac waited for Morgan and they walked together, a bad sign. If my lieutenant and my captain were in concert, heads were going to roll.

Morgan looked at me, looked at the fire, and back at me again. She tapped one finger against her teeth. ”Detective Wilder, is this your idea of keeping a low profile?” Her tone was light and pleasant, but the rage burning in her eyes was hotter than any bomb blast.

”No, ma'am,” I muttered, looking at my feet.

”Lieutenant, I must say I'm disappointed,” she told Mac, facing him. She barely topped his collarbone, but Mac looked like a rabid pit bull was chasing him and he'd just realized his shoelaces were untied. ”Your record is exemplary, but having seen the way you run your detectives I'm beginning to wonder just how accurate that is.”

Mac's rangy face turned tomato-colored, although his expression never altered. Mac is like a dormant volcano-it takes a h.e.l.l of a lot of pressure to make him blow.

Morgan continued, ”Property damage, officers under your command willfully disobeying orders, other officers grievously injured because of these oversights- you might as well have sent Detective O'Halloran to the hospital yourself.” She drew herself up, her blocky body reminding me of nothing so much as one of those fantasy-novel dwarves who seem cute until you notice they're swinging an axe at your s.h.i.+ns. ”Rest a.s.sured that all of this will be reported to the disciplinary committee, and I very much doubt you will have your s.h.i.+eld much longer.”

”Stop it,” I said. Morgan turned on me and had I not already been in pain I would have felt it from the sheer force of her glare.

”Excuse me?”

”Leave Mac alone.” I met her gaze. ”You want to blame somebody for all of this, blame me. But have the guts to do it to me. to me. Don't punish Mac because you like to play mind games.” Don't punish Mac because you like to play mind games.”

”Luna, this is a really bad time for speeches.” Mac sighed. Morgan held up a hand and he reluctantly shut his mouth.

”I think this is the perfect time,” she purred, a grin that I can only describe as triumphant on her face. ”Do go on with your impa.s.sioned outburst, Detective.”

”I know you don't like me,” I said. ”I can't figure out if it's because I'm a were or because I just rub you the wrong way, but in any event, I'm a good cop, and I am doing the best d.a.m.n job I can, and if you can't get past this animosity and see that, then Hex you.”

I stood, looking down at Morgan. ”My partner almost died, so if you'll excuse me I'm going to go find the person that almost made it happen.”

Morgan narrowed her eyes, daring me to step past her, to be the one to break contact, but she didn't explode like I'd thought she would. Mac remained carefully bland next to her, but I could smell his sweat under the well-worn suit.

”Carry on, then,” said Morgan finally, as if coming to a decision. ”I think we're done here, Lieutenant McAllister.” She spun and went to her car, weaving past a CSU team that was approaching with cameras and field cases.

Mac gripped my arm. ”Don't get the wrong idea, here-I appreciate what you said, but don't you ever do that again. You're my my detective and if you buck protocol I'm going to suspend you.” detective and if you buck protocol I'm going to suspend you.”

I blinked. ”Hex, Mac. You're welcome.”

He pressed his lips together, giving me a look that was all too fatherly. ”You're not all right, Wilder, and this whole mess just proves it. I can't give you special treatment. I need you to be on your game, or off my squad.”

What was it with all the men in my life telling me what was best lately?

”Luna?” Mac crossed his arms, waiting. I was saved when one of the CSU techs broke off and touched my shoulder.

”Detective Wilder? We need you.”

”I have a crime scene to secure,” I told Mac coldly. He looked like he wanted to say something else, then turned and went back to his car.

”Thought you could use an a.s.sist,” said the tech.

”Thanks, he-” I began, and then registered the tech's handsome dark face from my memory. ”Pete!”

Pete Anderson grinned at me and shook my hand. ”Good to see you, Detective.”

I'd met Pete during the Duncan case, when he'd been working in the identification bureau as a lab tech. Poor Pete had endured a lot from me on that case-hostile were packs, being held at gunpoint, and my general b.i.t.c.hiness about the whole situation.

”You got promoted,” I noticed. He was carrying a gun and wearing a blue field-investigator's jacket.

”d.a.m.n right, I did,” he said. ”The department figured it was the easiest way to keep me from suing their a.s.ses off after that Roenberg mess.”

”I'm glad you're here,” I told him, and meant it. Pete was one of those steady humans, the kind who radiated stillness and competence. They were the only kind I could be around for extended periods of time.

”Me too. Let's see what we've got.”