Free Murder in Misery (Spook Squad) by Ashley K Broome Page B

blanket, hiding who I really am from my Dad. The night he beat the snot out of me we were shooting the shit you know? Somehow it got to the subject of who we would want our seconds to be if it were a possibility. Of course he said some celebrity but I said Alice. He decked me not even a second after the words were out of my mouth. I think he was more shocked rather than upset about it.”
    Keegan dipped a fry in ketchup trying to not to let the shock show on her face.              “So you would have had sex with Alice if you could have?”
    Mason snorted, clearly amused by Keegan’s assessment. He stole a fry off of her plate. “No. See, the thing about shifters is the fact that once they mate it’s for life. Even if you are human, the instinct does take over. So anyone or anything that remotely threatens what is established will be hurt or if it comes down to it, they will get killed. What I really wanted, and I clarified before he went all hulk smash on me, is the way he and Alice supported and cared for each other. I wanted that if it were ever possible for someone like me.”
    “I don’t mean to sound so critical but that’s pretty convenient to say that now after they have both passed and can’t back that story up.” Keegan let out a long breath waiting for Mason to give up more information.
    “ Look if you really want to know if I’m one hundred percent reformed then ask Tiegs. She’s a half demon, half leopard. I met her because of Cody and Alice. Collectively they all made me a better person. Tiegs is at work right now but the idiot probably needs a break right about now. She forgets to take care of herself while she’s painting.”
    The words weren’t spoken in malice. They were soft and filled with a fondness only lovers could convey. Keegan pushed her plate away from her before she pulled her notepad out and slid it over to Mason. “Just jot down her studio information so I can double check everything and rule you out as a suspect.”
    “Sh e’ll be home around six if she doesn’t get lost in what she’s working on, so you can stop by then if you haven’t gotten a chance to stop by her studio. Uh,” Mason scratched his forehead, “Please don’t let the wolf you work with know where I live. Tiegs and I, we live on the outskirts of Misery for a reason and it’s not the need to be near the wilderness. It’s for privacy. I don’t need any of the pack finding out that one of their alphas, even if I’m considered the trash of the pack, is with a leopard. That would bring as much trouble down on me as you probably get for being a necromancer.”
    Keegan stashed the notepad in her bag before tossin g a few bills on the countertop. “I’m only getting the first taste of what it is like having other people know what I am. So I understand your need for discretion.”
    “I’m sorry that you have to know what that’s like” Mason whispered.
    “It’s not your fault, so there is no need for apologies. Just stick around Misery for awhile okay? I’ll try to keep homicide off your back in return if your story checks out.”
    “Thanks Detective.” Mason rubbed at his eyes. “Just please, find out who did this to them. None of them deserved to go out like that. And Connor, just do this for him. He was just a baby.”
    “I’ll see you soon Mr. Mills.” Keegan waved good-bye before stepping out into the harsh glare of the sun and pulling her coat tighter. Mason Mills wasn’t at all who she expected. If anything he was the exact opposite. Also, if what he were saying were true, then where did that leave them in the investigation and where the hell did they go from here?

Loud music had the windows to a run down shack vibrating. Keegan banged a closed fist against the metal door and waited a few moments before she gave up and slid the door open herself. The inside didn’t look anything like the outside of the place. It was immaculate. There were easels holding up canvases splattered