Page 39 of Wild Wolf

He took a moment to compose himself. After a deep breath, he asked, “What happened?”

JD and I shared an uncomfortable glance.

“We’re not exactly sure,” I said. “She was attacked. Possibly by some type of…animal.”

His brow wrinkled with confusion. “Where? She told me she would be jogging on the beach.”

“That’s where the attack took place.”

More confusion tensed his face. “What kind of animals are on the beach? She wasn’t mauled by a sea turtle.”

I gave him the details.

Jordan shook his head, dismissing the notion. “Is this some kind of prank? You guys aren’t really cops, are you? She put you up to this.”

“I wish that was the case. I’m sorry.”

His moment of hope faded, and his eyes filled again. “She’s really dead?”

I nodded, and his head fell into his hands. After a few moments, he said in disbelief, “And you’re telling me that one of my neighbors saw a werewolf mutilate her?”

“That’s what we’ve been told.”

“By who?”

“Tommy Cartwright.”

Jordan looked perplexed. “I know Tommy. He’s a straight shooter. Not some whack job. Not like the lady who lives across the street.”

“How long have you been married?”

“Two years,” he said, his eyes filling again.

His sorrow was either genuine, or he was a damn good actor.

“I don’t understand. She jogged the beach all the time. This is a safe neighborhood.” He paused. “Do you think Tommy could have been confused about what he saw?”

“Either someone is dressing up in an elaborate, lifelike costume, or there is a wild predator loose that people are mistaking for a werewolf.”

His brow tightened. “What kind of predator?”

“I don’t know. All of the zoo animals have been accounted for.”

“If we’re getting the full story,” JD muttered.

“Full story?”

“We’re going to pursue this to a conclusion,” I assured.

“That doesn’t do me any good. Nothing is going to bring McKinsey back.”

A sympathetic frown tugged my face.

We offered our condolences once again, and I gave him a card.

As we strolled the walkway back to the Porsche, Jack muttered, “I think we need to have another talk with someone at the zoo.”

I called Sherry Finley as I climbed into the car. Jack fired up the engine, and we headed to the station to fill out reports.