“So, you're telling me that Naomi Chae-”
“Who you wrongly accused!”
A sigh. “Naomi Chae, took down Nikolas Young, along with her beta and the mage?”
Darren smirked. “Yes. I only stepped in when he'd already been pretty well subdued to finish him off.” He tilted his head. “I do believe you owe them an apology at the least?”
The person on the other end of the phone heaved a heavy, annoyed sounding breath. Apparently, this was who was next in line for Disalvo's position as Lead Council person. Apparently, this was the man who tried to blame Naomi for Disalvo's death and shove it to the side instead of investigating it. “She shouldn't have come bursting in to a crime scene.”
“I had a right to know about his death! What were you doing trying to cover it up, huh?” Naomi crossed her arms, leaning back into the couch with a smirk. “If I didn't know better, Gene, I'd say you were trying to pin the murder of a man – a man who was one of my oldest friends, mind you – on me to try to make yourself look better for his position. Looks awfully suspicious to me.” She sighed. “Especially with proof that both I, and the Rogue Nikolas Young were at least five hours away when it happened.” Complete silence from the phone. “Considering you're in charge of the investigation of what happened, you might want to get it solved quickly, before Darren and I point out how convenient it is for you to have Emmett gone at this point, when you could claim taking out Nikolas Young as your victory by taking me off the case.” Her grin widened. “A victory which is now proven to not be yours by Darren as a witness.”
The man on the other end of the phone growled, muttering something about brat little girls, then hung up. Naomi grinned up at Darren. “Think if we let them know tonight we can ensure Gene doesn't get Emmett's position?”
Darren nodded. “Probably.” He plopped down on the couch beside Naomi, frowning. “I'm still curious, though... who would murder Emmett? What would they gain from it?”
Naomi shrugged. “Gene has a lot to gain from it if we don't mess it up for him.”
Darren gave her a funny look. “You really think Gene is capable of taking on Emmett? Emmett would've wiped the floor with him.” He hummed. “There's still something that's missing here.”
Naomi shook her head. “There's plenty of capable investigators on the case.” She nudged her head into Darren's jaw, giving him a lopsided grin. “Including you, I might add, since Nikolas is no longer an issue. The killer will be found soon.”
“Are you two flirting?” Miles asked, poking his head out from the kitchen, where he and Shawn were recovering, Shawn sipping his tea and Miles making some food for everyone.
Naomi instantly backed away from Darren, rolling her eyes. “No, we are not flirting.” She wrinkled her nose. “That'd be weird.”
Darren laughed, ruffling Naomi's hair and standing up, seeing if he could help Miles in any way since they were done reporting to the Council.
“I'm still a little lost on something...” Shawn muttered, as Darren sat down beside him, getting a knife and cutting board to chop some vegetables as Miles got a broth ready at the stove. “You and Naomi seem to have known each other for a long time. At least as long as we've known you, Darren.” He glanced up at the man. “How long have you been hiding the fact that you were not human from us?”
Darren shrugged. “Since I've known you.” He continued chopping. “I was born as a werewolf; my family is one the last few that is made up of born werewolves. Everyone in my family also works for the Council, so I had to do that, as well, which led me to Naomi.”
“Which is the end of that story.” Naomi came in, plopping down beside Shawn. “How's food coming along? I could use some victory ramen.”
Miles shook his head. He wondered if Naomi was ever going to tell them anything more about herself, especially since she seemed to plan on sticking around for Miles. She seemed pretty set on being a good Alpha.
Miles frowned, bringing up a fry pan to cook the vegetables and meat in as he set the broth on the back burner to keep warm. Still, Darren was right, there was something that didn't quite sit right with all of this. Nikolas was dead, so he couldn't be an issue anymore, but... he did mention a pack. Or... that was a nightmare. Was it?
“Miles. We need food!”
“It's coming! Yelling at me won't make it come any faster!” Miles grumped at Naomi, stir frying the pieces of meat in the skillet and glaring back at his Alpha.
She just gave him a wide grin and turned to chat with Darren and Shawn.
Whatever. Miles thought, turning his attention back to cooking. He was just being paranoid, Nikolas had just been getting in his head too much. Everything was going to be fine now.