Dark Refuge by Kate Douglas Page B

victims of sexual predators, you have no business being in law enforcement.”
    “He’s right, you know.” Detective Bandy waved one of the other cops over. “Jenkins, go with pretty boy here and get these two booked. Keep them in a holding cell until I get down there. I’ll get statements from everyone here.”
    Mary walked out of the kitchen. Her face was streaked with tears, but she was smiling when she handed the phone to Em. “Thank you. I just talked to my mom and dad. I told them I’d be home as soon as I could get there, but probably not for a few days.” She looked at Gabe, and he realized she was absolutely beautiful, now that she didn’t look terrified. “If you don’t mind, I’d like a couple of days before I leave. I have to see if I can start feeling normal again. I’d like to go with everyone to your place if you don’t mind.”
    “You’re more than welcome. Let’s see what Detective Bandy needs, and then we’ll get all of you settled.”
     
    • • •
     
    Alex and Em left to go over to CGI. They got Em’s SUV and Alex borrowed the big van that belonged to the company so they could get everyone and their belongings moved to the Sunset house. It was another couple of hours before the police finished their initial questioning and said they all could leave, with instructions to keep in touch.
    At this point, Gabe wanted nothing more than sleep, and he intended to do that sleeping in Em’s bed. Running with the pack in Montana the night before seemed at least a lifetime ago, and it was already dark by the time they reached the Sunset house and got everyone settled.
    Annie ordered Chinese takeout delivered from the Platinum Duck, since they all agreed that Em’s walk to the restaurant for dinner was the beginning of the rescue, but by the time the food was delivered, it was almost impossible for Gabe to stay awake.
    They sat around the big trestle table in the kitchen with cartons of food covering the surface. Em grabbed a bottle of the nutrient pills out of the cupboard and held them up. “If any of you think there’s a chance you could be Chanku, go ahead and take one of these. You’ll need to take them twice a day, at least until you shift. Usually takes a week to ten days. If you’re not sure but curious, you’re welcome to try them. Nothing will happen to you if you’re human. You’ll only notice changes if you’re Chanku, but once those changes happen, there’s no going back. You won’t be human ever again.”
    Sissy, Janine and Mbali each took one. Lindy and Nina turned and glanced at each other and then shrugged and held out their hands. “What the hell,” Lindy said. “I don’t think I am, but damn I wish I could shift.”
    Nina punched her shoulder. “But what if you are?”
    “Then I will be the happiest woman at this table. I think it would be so cool.” She popped the big capsule in her mouth and washed it down with a swallow of her wine, and then turned to Mary. “Aren’t you going to take one?”
    She shook her head and blushed. “I can’t. I know I’m not Chanku, but even if I were, my parents belong to a church that teaches that the Chanku are from the devil. I don’t agree, but I’d hate for my parents to think that’s how I was. It’s going to be hard enough for them to accept that I’ve been working as a prostitute for the past year.”
    Em shook her head. “It’s not like you had a choice, Mary. I hope your parents won’t hold it against you or think you’ve sinned.”
    “I don’t think they will. They sound excited about me coming home.”
    Annie reached across the table and covered her hands—Mary had torn her paper napkin into shreds while she’d been talking. “You ever feel the least bit uncomfortable, your parents or anyone gives you any grief—and this goes for all of you—Alex has programmed all our numbers into the phones he gave you guys. You just have to call and we’ll fly you back out here so fast your head’ll spin. We