Two days later, Dereck sat at Xander's kitchen table with Ace Hannigan and Xander. Greer and Jill had gone into Twilight for food from Moonlight Bay Restaurant and Bakery. Dereck hadn't wanted to let them go, but both of them had threatened to unman him if he didn't back off.
Why was it women always went after the family jewels when they were irritated?
The good news was that Jill's secret admirer hadn't been lurking around, as far as they knew. As an added bonus, Ace already had a lead for Xander.
Ace passed a manila folder to Xander, his green eyes almost iridescent in the afternoon light. Ace was half demon, half human. His golden blonde hair made him almost look angelic, but he was no Nephilim. Dereck's father told him never to ask about Ace's parents, that there was something dark in Ace's past he refused to relive. Dereck had no idea how old Ace was because he didn't age the way normal humans did. When he'd met Ace ten years ago, he'd looked about nineteen, and he didn't appear much different today.
Another positive thing about being half demon was he could Jedi mind trick any hapless mortal into giving him information. It was what made him one hell of a PI.
Ace picked up the glass of whiskey Xander poured for him, tossing it down the hatch. Then, he set his glass down with a tap. Although Ace had lived in Blue Creek for at least twelve years, he still held onto his Boston accent from his childhood. "I backtracked Pax's life to before your parents' murder, did some digging, and only one name had a connection to your family."
Xander flipped open the folders. His eyes widened.
"What does it say? Who is it?" Dereck asked.
"Lars Rasmussen." Xander's expression was a mask of pain. "Are you sure about this?"
Ace leaned back in the kitchen chair, balancing precariously. "According to some of your pal Pax's acquaintances, good old Lars and he were meeting on the regular and they weren't doing the dirty if you know what I'm saying."
"Xander, who is Lars?" Dereck asked.
"He's my father's best friend since they were kids, but they had a falling out a few weeks before my parents were killed." Xander shook his head. "No, there has to be a mistake."
Ace set his chair down with a smack. "Sorry, kid, but multiple sources confirm that Lars had a wicked bone to pick with your father and he wanted it handled discreetly."
Xander had never mentioned Lars to Dereck before, but by the look on his face, this news was a definite blow.
"What do you want to do?"
Xander snapped the file closed. "I'm going to confront him."
Dereck drummed the table with his fingers. "And if you find your answers?"
"Then I'll handle it."
Dereck nodded grimly. Xander had killed every other rogue shifter involved in his parents' murder, even tortured a few of them first. Dereck had no doubt that he would.
Ace chose that moment to change the subject. "Hey, speaking of handling things, you figure out who tried to Silence of the Lambs you?"
Xander answered for him. "No, but somebody the hunter does know wants his girlfriend in a creepy, Norman Bates way."
Dereck scowled at them. "Is there a reason we're referencing horror movies when it comes to my life?"
"Better than the mafia crime drama that it mine," Xander murmured.
Dereck leaned over and squeezed his friend's shoulder. "At least you know, right?"
"Yeah. I don't know why, though."
"We'll figure it out," Dereck assured him.
Ace picked his fedora off the table and adjusted it over his hair. "If you want to do that, you better act fast. Lars had a few other dealings go south and turns out you're not the only one hunting him. And according to a very reliable source, Old Lars is going on an extended tour of Europe, so you got three days. I put one of my guys on his tail, just in case he tries to skip early, but this isn't something you can sit on. Unless you want to chase him."
"I want this to be over," Xander said.
"Should we call in the cavalry?"
Xander shook his head. "I think we can handle him if he's alone, but let's give them a head's up, just in case. You call your dad. I'll call the Wolfes."
Xander left the room, heading up the stairs and out of sight.
When Dereck and Ace were alone, Ace said, "I've been a little busy with your friend's problem, but what about yours?"
Dereck stroked his beard with a heavy sigh. "All I have to go on is the bear. Jill thinks that I should use her as bait to draw him out, but I said fuck no."
Ace tipped the brim of his fedora up. "It's not a bad idea."
Dereck leveled him with a scowl. "Yes, it is. A very bad, dangerous idea."
"Jill seems like a capable woman. You shouldn't underestimate her."
"Regardless of the fact you met her all of ten minutes, I don't underestimate her. But I also know that shit can go south and I don't want her in the middle of it."
Ace threw up his hands. "Alright, alright. You want me to stay in town and see what I can find out about the hunter?"
"Yeah, and also, keep an eye on Jill for me?"
"She's not going with you?"
"Not if I can help it."
The front door opened and shut. Greer and Jill carried in several white plastic bags. Greer's hair was back in a loose ponytail, swinging as she walked.
"Soups on," she hollered.
Jill set down her bags on the counter and came to him. She wore gray leggings and a burgundy tunic sweater, a single braid laying over her left shoulder.
She put one arm around his shoulder and brushed her lips against his. When she would have pulled away, he held the back of her head gently, slanting his mouth under hers. The kiss lasted longer than she most likely intended, and when it broke, both of them were breathing hard.
"If you two ever need a third, I'm available," Ace said.
Dereck snarled at him, while Jill laughed.
"Actually, Ace, I prefer not to share my man," she teased.
“By his reaction, I'm going to guess he feels the same way."
Dereck caught the happy twinkle in her eyes before she turned away. "Come get your food."
"I've got to call my dad first," Dereck said.
She glanced at him over her shoulder as she headed to the counter. "About what?"
Dereck hesitated, knowing that Jill was going to fight him about going. "We know who put the hit on Xander's family and we only have a small window to catch him."
"So, you're calling in back up?" Her tone was almost casual.
He nodded.
"When are you leaving?" She pulled the last contained from the bag and turned all the way around to face him.
"Probably as soon as we finish eating."
Something passed across Jill's face that he couldn't read. "Okay. Be careful."
"That's it?" He didn't believe she wasn't pissed at him. "You don't want to come with us."
"Of course, I do. But I know that you don't want me in danger."
"And you're not going to fight me?"
"Nope." She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. "See how reasonable I can be."
Too reasonable.
“I'm glad." He kissed the tip of her nose before he added, "By the way, Ace is going to hang out here and keep an eye on things."
Jill glared at him. "I do not need a babysitter."
"He's not. He's gathering intel for me."
She pulled away from him, her blue eyes blazing. "About me?"
"No. About the killer. About the creep stalking you."
"So, he's not going to be keeping tabs on me?"
"Just looking out, in case you get into trouble."
Jill rolled her eyes. "Right."
Dereck held her face in his hands, keeping her gaze on him. "Humor me, please? I only want to keep you safe, because I am a selfish bastard who doesn't want to lose you."
She appeared startled by his confession, then her expression softened. Her hands covered his.
"Fine. I'll humor you."