Page 10

Chapter 9

A dler was angry. Mostly at himself, but he was happy to blame the world in general, not that the world really deserved it.

The one time I really like a guy, he’s a vampire, and I start acting like a possessive asshole before I even get a chance to take him out on a proper date. Why does the full moon have to be this close when I least need it?

Adler pulled into his parking spot at the station, slammed the car door when he got out, cursed under his breath, and strode into the building. He tried to wipe the frown off his face, because the same way Gordon didn’t deserve his overbearing jealousy, his co-workers didn’t deserve his misdirected anger.

Perhaps I should just take a few days off. Hell, I would, if not for this case. And also, he had promised Bachmann he’d give her a chance to go over her notes with him. And I need to figure out how to apologize to Gordon. And explain. Definitely explain how werewolves do on occasion get desperate to bond and act like hormonal idiots. Fuck. I hope he’ll give me the chance.

The station was busy, which was normal. Today, Adler noticed it more than usual, his senses heightened. Every cough, every officer typing away on their keyboard or talking on the phone, all of it was like an itch, and there was nothing to scratch it with. Adler’s desk was set up in a corner for a reason, the department’s way of accommodating their werewolf. Normally that was good, but today Adler doubted whether it would be enough to let him concentrate.

On the desk, a pile of mail waited for Adler. He pulled out his chair, scanned the envelopes. One stuck out to him immediately. The smell of it made a cold shiver run down Adler’s spine—blood, lemon and vinegar.

“Fucking hell.” He reached for his phone. A lab assistant picked up and mumbled an unenthusiastic greeting. “Hi, this is Detective Adler from major crimes. Can you tell a forensic tech to come by my desk, double-quick?” The assistant perked up considerably after hearing the tone of his voice. After she confirmed, Adler dialed Maxim.

“Detective Adler, missing me already?” the hunter said. “You need but ask, and I will gift you a photograph of me, framed and golden, smiling pleasantly.”

Adler didn’t even think to roll his eyes at the rhyming. “He sent a letter. The—” Ripper , he wanted to say but caught himself just in time. “I got a letter, and I think it’s from our murderer.”

“That is an entirely unfortunate reason for you to call. Better than more murder, however. Let Gordon examine it. He’s good at that kind of thing.”

Adler cringed. “Gordon isn’t here.”

The vampire sighed, too loud for Adler’s already stressed ears. “Well, ptooey. I am on my way.”