My feet pounded in rhythm, following the familiar track as it wove through the parklands. I'd needed to blow off steam after my encounter with Carter. I'd made a mess of things, my attraction to him rising to the surface after years of suppression. I did my best to quell it, push it back down into its box, never to see the light of day. Carter had been all professionalism. We'd followed Nate back to his home and that was it, we'd said goodnight. Neither of us spoke of what had happened at the club.

Rounding a corner in the path, I slowed my jog. Birds shot up from the trees, circling overhead before swooping down in an arc then back up and away. Breathing heavily I jogged forward. What had spooked them? I strained my ears, but all I could hear were my own feet on the gravel path. I was so deep in the park the dawn traffic was muffled, completely surrounded by trees and forest. Usually, I loved running through the park, but right now all I felt was spooked. I got the eerie sensation someone was watching me.

I stopped on the pretense of fastening my shoelace. On one knee I fiddled with the lace while casting a glance behind me. No one on the trail. Nothing moved, not even a breeze stirred the leaves on the trees. Not a single living thing to be seen or heard. Checking the trail in both directions, I started moving again, my legs heavy. The air seemed thicker somehow, weighing me down. Something wasn't right. I kept jogging, senses on alert, expectant, waiting. But nothing happened. The feeling remained with me for the rest of my run, but no one leaped out, no one appeared on the trail, just me and my wheezing breaths as I'd pushed myself harder than ever, keen to be out of the park.

Stepping through the park entrance and onto the street, I still couldn't shake it—someone was watching me. I walked back toward HQ, aware of my own vulnerability without my weapon. I didn't carry anything with me when I jogged and I was starting to think that wasn't smart either. Seemed like tonight was my night for mistakes. Cooling down I walked the city streets back to the office. Even though my shift had ended I was too restless for sleep. Might as well put a couple of extra hours in. Wouldn't hurt now that Carter was off duty. Our director was a werewolf as well and always took the night of the full moon off, although no one knew where she ran, or if she ran with a pack or alone. It was unusual for a wolf to run alone; they thrived in a pack environment. Carter tended to take two days off each month. I'd found him impossible to work with on the day leading up to the change so we'd agreed it best he stay away. Then he'd run all night during the change and sleep off the effects the next day.

It wasn't until I was a block away from HQ that the eerie sensation lifted. Whoever had been watching me had gone. Which only meant one thing. I was definitely being followed. I'd picked up a tail between the club and SIA Headquarters.

Pressing my thumb to the access panel in the elevator, I made my way to level four. I grabbed a quick shower in the change rooms, slipped back into my uniform and settled behind my desk, studying the virtual case board.

A message popped up on my screen to ring the morgue. Tapping on the comms unit on my wrist, I was soon connected.

"Remember how I said I'd try and see if the other victims had that stamp, or traces of a stamp, from that nightclub?" The young tech's voice was higher than usual.

"Sure. How did it go?"

"Well, I couldn't pull a complete stamp, but there are traces of the same type of ink used. I mean the stamp could have come from any establishment that uses the fluorescent ink, I can't prove it came from the same nightclub." His words came out in a rush, sounding as if he was pleased with his discovery.

"It's a start. I'll see if I can get video surveillance from Crimson Mist around the time all the vics disappeared. A day or two before the time of death would be the timeframe we're looking for then, right?"

"Yeah, I'd imagine so. The ink doesn't last more than forty-eight hours, so to pull a trace they had to have been stamped anytime within the two days prior to death."

I thanked the tech and disconnected the call. Cursing, I pulled up Nate Wilder's file. I couldn't afford to sit on this. I needed to move. Time wasted could mean life or death for another potential victim. I punched in Nate's number.

"Wilder." He answered his own calls. How unexpected. I cleared my throat.

"This is Enforcer Raven Black of the SIA. Am I speaking with Nate Wilder?"

"You are. How can I assist you, Enforcer Black?" He sounded mildly curious.

"I was hoping to make a time to come and speak with you about a case we're working on. I'd be happy to meet with you wherever is convenient, or you are most welcome to attend the SIA offices."

"Can I ask what this is regarding?"

"Four human murders."

"And I'm a suspect?"

"Not necessarily. But I do have some questions."

"Very well. I'm free now. Come to my home. I prefer not to travel under sunlight."

"Of course. I'll see you shortly."