“Okay, I remember now.” This particular shooter was one I’d learned last Halloween. It was a fun, themed drink. It looked sweet and innocent. It had melon and pineapple, the sweet taste of grenadine and a little soda to give it sparkle. But hiding beneath the tropical smells was the absinthe. It took a steady hand to make it look right with the last step of the grenadine drizzle. It slowly sank down to the bottom in a blood-red swirl against the Midori green.

  I set the concoction in front of her.

  Tadger was still on the phone but pointed toward a glass.

  Luna batted her eyes at Tadger and whispered, “Bite me.” Then tilted up her drink.

  I shot a look toward Kay to make sure she was watching this play out.

  Kay was in her element. She was lit up with some inner wicked joy. She caught my eye. “Hey, a shooter sounds like fun.”

  “Do you want a wolf bite, too?” I asked with a roll of my eyes.

  “No, thanks. I don’t do cross-species. I’m a cat person. Do you know what would be purrrfect?”

  I raised a brow. “Bowl of cream?”

  “Hey, while you’re pouring,” Delight said, “I’ll take a shot of Badge Bunny Booze.”

  As BJ pulled out the bottle, Kay turned to Luna. “Is Luna a nickname?”

  “Oh no, my mother gave me that name. She was an—"

  “Let me guess,” Kay said. “Your mom was an animal behaviorist. She studied wolves mating.”

  “Astronomer, actually. She studied moon cycles and their effects on the Earth. Tides and animal behaviors. The moon is very powerful. It was my grandmother who studied wolves. My grandma was the Jane Goodall of the wolf world.” Luna looked pointedly at Tadger. “She lived with a pack for years. She and the alpha male bonded.” She sent a smile to Tadger. “Grandma was accepted into the pack until…” She spun her shot glass in place, looking down. Then said very softly, “One of the females got jealous, I guess. Just after my grandma found out she was pregnant, she was killed by the alpha female and eaten.” She sighed. “During the time my grandmother was alive and working in the field, my mom had lived with my great aunt. Grandma never told anyone who had fathered my mom. I have no idea about my specific genetics. I have hope that I’ll find out soon. I mean, I’ve never shown any signs of changing how I look.” She turned to include Kay in the conversation. “But you were a late bloomer, Kay.”

  “This is true,” Kay said with deep seriousness. “And I’m glad. Had I changed any earlier, I think it would have been a catastrophe.”

  I squinted at Kay.

  Of the two of us, Kay was actually the early bloomer and has worn a bra since fifth grade.

  Luna focused back on Tadger as he hung up and took a sip from the glass of water I handed him.

  “My grandfather’s genes could be recessive. Mom died before my pubescence, so she wasn’t there to tell me about anything. Or show me how things happen. I’ve tried to figure it out on my own, but so far…” She shrugged and sent a sad smile toward the ceiling.

  “Your father raised you up?” Delight asked.

  “No,” Luna said with a shake of her head, turning her attention Delight’s way. “Mom said my dad was just someone she ran around with one night under a full moon. I don’t know anything more about him. She died when I was still pretty young.”

  “Are you from a big family, Tadger?” Delight asked.

  “Fairly large. We seem to be divided up by geography, half the family is here in Virginia, the other half is out west. You might have seen my Uncle Remus’s tattoo. He lived out with that side of the family for a while. He was running a little wild when he was a teen. The clan elders thought it would be better to get him out where he had some space to do that.”

  “Run wild?” Luna asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “You’re close to your Virginia family?” Luna asked.

  “We are. Pack mentality, I guess. Everyone has everyone else’s back. It’s nice. You?”

  “My family?” She tapped her glass for another shot. “No. I keep my distance.”

  “Lone wolf?”

  “I wish. Well, not the lone part. I’m actually tired of the lone part.” She ducked her head as if she was sorry she’d said so much. “Tadger, I think misunderstood you earlier. I see you’re not in uniform. But you have a double shift today. Is that normal?”

  “I’m not in uniform, but I do have two shifts today. Things always get hairy about now. Sometimes, you just have to do what’s needed.”

  Luna’s excitement was almost palpable. “Tomorrow is the full moon.”

  “Yes, I’m aware.”

  Luna pressed her hand onto his thigh and leaned forward, whispering, “I know, and your secret’s safe with me.”

  Tadger stared at her for a long moment then said, “Luckily, I’m not working tomorrow.”

  “Oh? If you’re going to be around, I’d love to see your place. Maybe we could have a midnight picnic under the full moon.” Luna got all dreamy-eyed. “Farrah said there’s a creek that runs between your property and hers. She said that there’s a gazebo just on your side of the creek. We could go there. I can bring blankets and pillows and make it comfy. I can pack a picnic. Steak?”

  “At midnight, I can’t. I promised Uncle Remus I’d hang out with The Pack. A full moon tradition.”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t keep you from your family. Are they meeting on your property?

  “Yeah, and then we’ll head out along the river. I’d invite you, but it’s probably not the best way to introduce you to everyone.”

  I was evesdropping. It was rude.

  I looked over at Kay. She had her phone out and was pretending to scroll through some app. But I knew Kay well enough; she was evesdropping, too.

  “No, of course not.” Luna shook her head. “What about earlier, before the moon comes up? I’d like to see you change if that’s okay with you.”

  “Change into my leathers?”

  “Is that what you call it? Yes, that would be amazing. I’d really enjoy watching. You can trust me to keep all your secrets. And if you wanted to claim me as yours,” she paused, then whispered, “I’m ready for that.”

  Kay gripped the bar with one hand and quickly crossed her legs. She did that when she was trying not to pee herself. Her face turned red from trying not to laugh.

  “Are you sure about that?” A slow wolfish grin slid across Tadger’s face. “If you’re mine, I’m the master.”

  “Of course, when you claim me under the full moon, I’ll be under your power.”

  He studied her. “Under the full moon, I will make you mine,” he said and rubbed his nose against hers then kissed her.

  I stood there, eyes wide in full surprise. What the heck was that? The only thing I could think was that Tadger had had a talk with Farrah and had decided to go along with the charade of pretending to be a shifter to fulfill Luna’s fantasy, which was very, very un-Tadger like.

  Tadger peeked over my head at the clock. “BJ—”

  “Time for your shift,” I said.

  “Can I—”

  “Yup, go ahead and use my office.”

  Tadger gave Luna another kiss, and she waggled her fingers coquettishly at him.

  I caught Kay’s eye, and she gave me a broad wink. She seemed to have a better idea about what was going on than I did. I’d pick her brain after Luna left. Now that Tadger wasn’t going to be here, I couldn’t imagine her hanging out much longer.

  I put together a bowl of bar snacks and set them in front of Delight.

  Delight was showing Kay a video she’d pulled up about the ShifterCon.

  A few minutes later, Twinkles sent out a woof.

  Kay raised her hand. “I’ll get it. Tadger must have shut the door when he went in. Twinkles doesn’t have opposable thumbs for the handle.” She looked over at Luna with a look of commiseration. “If he were a cat, he’d be able to get out.”

  Luna nodded seriously. “Can I see?” she asked.

  Kay got up and went to let Twinkles out of the office, Luna following behind.

  I watched Luna as she looked at Twinkles, looked in the office, ran back to the kitchen and came back to Kay. “He did it!” she exclaimed.

  “Well, of course, he did.” Kay was matter-of-fact. “He told you today was a double shift.”

  15

  Thursday Night

  I looked up when I saw Joe out front with Twinkles. Twinkles lifted his leg and peed on Luna’s car.

  I turned my focus to Luna to apologize. I was ready to offer to pay for her to run it through the carwash up the street. But she was grinning and clapping and bouncing around gleefully.

  “He’s marking his territory!” Kay pulled a lemon wedge from her mouth. “Did you see him marking your car?”

  “Yes,” she said, beaming, then she ran her hands over her hair and dress, preening, striking a heroine’s pose as Joe walked Twinkles back in the front door.

  “Oh, let me!” She reached out to unfasten Twinkles lead then plopped down on the floor.

  Twinkles unabashedly laid down in front of her and rolled onto his back for a belly rub.

  “Thank you, Joe,” I called as he took the lead back to my office where it had a hook for easy access.

  Luna stayed there on the floor petting Twinkles until Twinkles got tired of it.

  He’d had a long day playing with Bella. He only had so much play in his system at this time of day. Twinkles unceremoniously hefted his hundred-and-forty-five-pound butt off the floor, slogged into my office, and kalumped onto the sofa, barely fitting into the dent that was his normal sleeping hollow.

  Yup, after Rex left, I needed to up Twinkles’ aerobics and watch my friends and bar regulars who were trying to sneak him cardiac arrest burgers.

  When I came back to the main room, I found Luna standing by the cash register, pulling her wallet from her purse.

  “Do you have plans for tonight?” Kay asked, wearing a cat with cream smile, a baggie of mostly-raw steak in front of her.

  “I’m going to the grocery to find some good things for Tadger’s and my picnic date tomorrow. I’m thinking pâté.” She paid her bill then pushed through the door with stars in her eyes.

  Maybe I made that wolf bite a mite to…alpha.

  “Can I have a tequila shot, please?” Kay asked.

  “There’s something not right about that there chickee,” Delight said. “I can’t put my finger on it. But her words are all shiny with the crazy dust, if you see what I’m saying.” Delight slammed back her shot. “I mean, there are all kinds. And I get that some folks like the domination scene and all. But what the heck is all that claiming-me-under-the-full-moon crap about?”

  I was about to ask Kay what she thought when the bell sounded. I looked up to see who was coming in. I put a dish of salt in front of her with a shot glass.

  Dick held up his hand.

  Rex swung in behind him. Man, could that cowboy do good things for those jeans. I tilted my head as my imagination took hold.

  In return, I got a big old grin from him and a knowing wink.

  “Where’s Farrah?” I asked as Dick ambled over. I thought they were joined at the hip now.

  “She’s working. I am too. I came to ask you and Kay a few questions about ShifterCon and what you observed there.”

  I poured the tequila into her shot glass. “What can I get you guys?”

  “Wait. How, Mister Detective, did you know we were at ShifterCon today?” Delight tucked a fist onto her hip.

  “Weren’t you?” he asked, eyebrows spiked.

  “Of course, we were.” Her lips pursed with attitude. “ShifterCon was a good time, and we like to have a good time. I’m asking a whole different question. How did you know?”

  He pulled out his phone, swiped his finger, and brought up a photo of the three of us ducking from the mermaid wave posted on their social media site.

  “Ah,” Delight said, turning sheepish.

  It wasn’t our best look, I’d readily admit.

  I appreciated that Rex crossed his arms, leaning his elbows onto the bar and didn’t even try to see. Though, sure, Dick and Rex came in together, so Rex might have already seen it. If he was letting me keep my ego intact, that was nice of him. It might even deserve a reward later.

  Rex turned and caught my eye, giving me a wink that said he’d read my mind, and he’d take me up on that offer.

  That was a double zoop to the doo dah!

  Dick took the stool that Luna had just vacated. “Did you all have fun?”

  Kay licked her hand, sprinkled the salt, grabbed the glass, and a slice of lime, held her breath, licked, and dropped the shot back, coming up with a grin.

  “We stopped by Farrah’s booth. Luna was manning it. She’s an unusual person.” I filled a glass with lemonade for Dick and set it in front of him.

  “Thank you. Unusual how?”

  “Look.” Kay reached down to grab up her purse. “We got treats. Want to see what they were handing out?” Kay pulled out a bottle and put it in front of Dick

  He lifted it and read the label. “FarrahMones. Huh.”

  “I thought Farrah pronounced her last name as Monet,” Kay said.

  Dick lifted the top and took a sniff. “What is that?” He held it out, and Delight took a big sniff.

  “Eau de Coochie is what I’m guessing,” Delight said.

  Dick held it out to me, and I leaned over to give it a sniff. “Ugh,” slipped out as I made a stink face.

  Kay took it back, gave it a sniff, then rubbed some on her pulse points. “It says on the tag that it’s supposed to make you smell irresistible.”

  “I think we’ll all be able to resist,” Delight said. “What else did we get?”

  Kay fished in her bag and pulled out another bottle. “This one is lube. It says it changes magically.” She squirted some on her hand and rubbed it on her inner arm. “Glitter,” she said and looked at me. “There are some doctors who frown on women using glitter on their nether regions.” She stilled. “It’s warm… It’s changing… It’s icy now.”

  She reached in her bag and pulled out what looked like a sucker.

  “Where’d you get that one?” I asked as she pulled off the wrapper and popped it in her mouth.

  “I don’t remember.” She pulled out a bottle. “Tame Your Mane,” she read, squirting a glob onto her hand and rubbed her palms together.

  Delight picked it up. “Oh, this here is good. I hope I got a me a sample of this. This says it’ll keep your hair smooth as silk even on the most humid days.”

  Kay was rubbing it into her hair. “How do I look?”

  “Moist,” I said.

  “It’s hot in here,” Kay said, turning to Dick with her sucker in her mouth she said, “Aren’t you hot?”

  She fanned her face. “So hot!”

  “Is it the magical lube on your arm?” Rex asked.

  Her eyes held with his as she considered, looked at her arm, pulled the sucker from her mouth, and stuck it in her shot glass. She pushed her hair back from her face, panting.

  Dick’s face turned from amused to darned concerned. “Kay?”

  Kay swept her eyes up to meet his then batted her eyelashes at Dick.

  “Is something in your eye?” he asked.

  “You look yummy tonight, Detective Dick.” Kay swept her hands under her breasts and juggled them toward Dick. “Don’t you feel it?” She shook her head, punctuating the move with a come-hither look.

  Dick sat there unblinking, eyes stretched wide, perfectly still, holding his breath.

  “Are you feeling it too?” Kay asked again, her fingers playing with her top button. “Hot?” She undid one button. Two buttons...

  Rex cast a glance at me asking for an explanation, asking if this was normal Kay behavior.

  I flicked my rag at him. No! As a matter of fact, this was very un-Kay-like behavior. Who was this vamp, and what had she done with my best friend?

  Then Kay leaned forward and licked Dick.

  Just stuck out her tongue and ran it up the side of Dick.

  Dick reflexively turned, and Kay reached out her tongue and starting at the edge of his shirt licked all the way up Dick’s head to the very tip.

  Dick reached up with his hands on either side of Kay’s jaw and squeezed.

  Kay’s tongue was black and purple, just like the licker Sarah Elizabeth’s had been before she ran through the night, fell and hit her head, and died.

  With that thought, I lunged over the bar and grabbed hold of Kay’s wrist. I wasn’t about to let my best friend run off into the night.

  Rex pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m calling 9-1-1.”

  16

  Later, Thursday Night

  The emergency waiting room was a cacophony of sounds and movement. Babies squalled, the outside lights from the ambulance flashed through the floor to ceiling windows, and people paced nervously.

  The air held the scent of disinfectant and angst.

  My dad pushed through the emergency room doors, and I jumped to my feet to rush over to him to find out what was happening to Kay. The image of Sarah Elizabeth lying unmoving under the dawn sky filled me with horror.

  I curled into dad’s hug, and he planted a kiss on my head.

  “I prefer it, BJ,” Dad said, “when you come to visit me at the house. You don’t need to keep getting yourself wrapped up in bizarre circumstances for me to pay attention to you. Did I not shower you with enough love in your youth?”

  I swatted at him. This was an old joke about my finding myself in trouble—attention seeking. I honestly didn’t mind attention, but I didn’t need this kind.

  I tilted my head back to catch his eye. “Is Kay going to be okay?”

  He let go of me and took a step back. “Her vitals were off but not dangerously so. They’ve got her restrained but only because reports say that lickers run off having lost both their inhibitions and their sense of self-preservation. We don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way.”

  “I’m sure that’s okay. Kay doesn’t mind being cuffed,” I said.

  Dad gave me a funny look, and the red rose up from my neck. Yeah, that might have been too personal to reveal to my dad.