genetic analysis of its DNA from before he morphed.”
“Before? If they knew the man would shift, then it was possible they knew how.”
Jacob shook his head. Finding what he was looking for, he closed the cabinet, then handed him the case report. “They were working blind. All data came from a concealed source.”
“Did they administer something to cause the morph? If they did, then it's possible our scientists could use it to create an antidote.”
Jacob shook his head. “There's no evidence of anything being administered to the victim.”
Chase opened his mouth, then closed it. It didn't make any fucking sense. “Then how did they know he would morph?”
“The man had been caged nearly four months. The reports we obtained showed a spike in thyroid hormones just days before the full morph. Nothing atypical for a first shift—”
“If he had been a Metamorph,” Chase said, not fully understanding the implications. “What do we have on the coyote? Maybe there is something in the man's past. Something that we can trace back to whatever was done to him.”
“Scott Kehoe. Twenty-five. Human. No shifter connections that we've been able to locate.” Jacob paused, took a deep breath, and looked as if he were debating sharing the piece of information. “He worked as a research technician under Richard Boyd until the fire. After that he went AWOL until he popped up in the warehouse where you found him.”
“As a coyote,” Chase stated, needing to reiterate the absurdity of the fact.
Jacob nodded. “Werecoyote is more accurate, but yes.”
“You think Boyd has something to do with this?” Fuck, he sounded like his brother. Boyd was dead, but Chase didn't think the connection was a coincidence. It never was.
Jacob's expression remained neutral, but Chase saw the quick sliver of acknowledgement behind his friend's eyes. “It's possible someone has continued his research.”
Turner was going to have a fucking heyday with this information. The entire situation was a nightmare. He wiped his hands over his face and blew out roughly.
“We also have to deal with the possibility that we have a mole within the department.”
Another problem to add to the avalanche of shit they had to deal with. “You really think McCaffrey has something to do with the leak?”
“My team found some inconsistencies in his data log. When he was called in for questioning this morning, he didn't respond. His phone's tracking device was turned off after last night's incident. We've been unable to locate him since.” Jacob expression darkened. “You've worked with the man for four years. Has he ever given you any indication that he has ulterior motives? Secrets?”
Chase shook his head. The man was cunning, merciless, and highly intelligent. But he had never sensed any deceit in him.
“I've sent my men to bring him in for questioning.”
If Austin didn't want to be found, he doubted even Jacob's best agents would be able to find him. Chase had taught him well. Probably too well.
“
If
you can find him,” Chase said, somewhat mockingly.
His cell buzzed. He took it out and frowned—
Turner.
Normally he would have returned the call later, but he didn't want to take any chances if the call was about Lora.
Turner's angry voice echoed across the line before Chase had the chance to speak. “Do you mind telling me what the fuck is going on?”
Chase tensed. “Can you be more specific?”
“I was just assaulted by Jenna Oliver outside of your apartment. For some reason she's got it in her head that you're the devil incarnate.” He exhaled a deep, frustrated breath. “Please tell me you didn't fuck Lora.”
He grimaced at Jacob who watched him with interest. “Just keep an eye on the place and make sure she doesn't leave.”
“Too late.”
“What do you mean?” Chase growled, clenching his fists. “I told you to watch her.”
“Cool it, big brother. I'm following the cab as we speak. Looks like she's going back
“Before? If they knew the man would shift, then it was possible they knew how.”
Jacob shook his head. Finding what he was looking for, he closed the cabinet, then handed him the case report. “They were working blind. All data came from a concealed source.”
“Did they administer something to cause the morph? If they did, then it's possible our scientists could use it to create an antidote.”
Jacob shook his head. “There's no evidence of anything being administered to the victim.”
Chase opened his mouth, then closed it. It didn't make any fucking sense. “Then how did they know he would morph?”
“The man had been caged nearly four months. The reports we obtained showed a spike in thyroid hormones just days before the full morph. Nothing atypical for a first shift—”
“If he had been a Metamorph,” Chase said, not fully understanding the implications. “What do we have on the coyote? Maybe there is something in the man's past. Something that we can trace back to whatever was done to him.”
“Scott Kehoe. Twenty-five. Human. No shifter connections that we've been able to locate.” Jacob paused, took a deep breath, and looked as if he were debating sharing the piece of information. “He worked as a research technician under Richard Boyd until the fire. After that he went AWOL until he popped up in the warehouse where you found him.”
“As a coyote,” Chase stated, needing to reiterate the absurdity of the fact.
Jacob nodded. “Werecoyote is more accurate, but yes.”
“You think Boyd has something to do with this?” Fuck, he sounded like his brother. Boyd was dead, but Chase didn't think the connection was a coincidence. It never was.
Jacob's expression remained neutral, but Chase saw the quick sliver of acknowledgement behind his friend's eyes. “It's possible someone has continued his research.”
Turner was going to have a fucking heyday with this information. The entire situation was a nightmare. He wiped his hands over his face and blew out roughly.
“We also have to deal with the possibility that we have a mole within the department.”
Another problem to add to the avalanche of shit they had to deal with. “You really think McCaffrey has something to do with the leak?”
“My team found some inconsistencies in his data log. When he was called in for questioning this morning, he didn't respond. His phone's tracking device was turned off after last night's incident. We've been unable to locate him since.” Jacob expression darkened. “You've worked with the man for four years. Has he ever given you any indication that he has ulterior motives? Secrets?”
Chase shook his head. The man was cunning, merciless, and highly intelligent. But he had never sensed any deceit in him.
“I've sent my men to bring him in for questioning.”
If Austin didn't want to be found, he doubted even Jacob's best agents would be able to find him. Chase had taught him well. Probably too well.
“
If
you can find him,” Chase said, somewhat mockingly.
His cell buzzed. He took it out and frowned—
Turner.
Normally he would have returned the call later, but he didn't want to take any chances if the call was about Lora.
Turner's angry voice echoed across the line before Chase had the chance to speak. “Do you mind telling me what the fuck is going on?”
Chase tensed. “Can you be more specific?”
“I was just assaulted by Jenna Oliver outside of your apartment. For some reason she's got it in her head that you're the devil incarnate.” He exhaled a deep, frustrated breath. “Please tell me you didn't fuck Lora.”
He grimaced at Jacob who watched him with interest. “Just keep an eye on the place and make sure she doesn't leave.”
“Too late.”
“What do you mean?” Chase growled, clenching his fists. “I told you to watch her.”
“Cool it, big brother. I'm following the cab as we speak. Looks like she's going back
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