(SPECTR 1) Hunter of Demons by Jordan L. Hawk

without a lot of coffee.”
    “No interrogation. I left the whips and chains in my bedroom.” Starkweather smirked, his gaze traveling over Caleb’s bare chest, taking in the pale nipples, sparse hair, and flat belly.
    It had been a long time since anyone had looked at him that way. Like he wanted to rip the blanket off and pounce on Caleb. Would he assault Caleb’s nipples with rough bites or lick them gently? Would he push Caleb down against the bed while his hand slid down over Caleb’s belly until his fingers wrapped around Caleb’s shaft?
    No. No fantasizing about the sexy agent, especially when he was sitting right there. Caleb pulled the blankets up higher and hoped his growing erection didn’t make an obvious tent. “Dressed awfully formal, aren’t you? Or do you normally wear a tie to bed?”
    “Depends on what I’m going to do with it, once I have it off.”
    So much for not fantasizing.
    The flirty look drained away from Starkweather’s face, and he shifted his weight, making the bed creak. “A call just came in from District Chief Kaniyar. My boss.”
    No good ever came of calls this late at night. “What happened?”
    “There’s been a murder. Some late-night partiers found a body in a little alley off East Bay Street. The killer was a lycanthrope. It could be the one that murdered your brother.”
    Despite the warmth of the covers, Caleb suddenly felt cold. He hadn’t seen Ben’s body at the morgue. Melanie had, and she’d given him some information, but no details. He knew it had been bad, but he really didn’t know how bad.
    Gray stirred, the tiger twitching its tail. “Will we finally hunt this demon?”
    “You-you’re asking Gray and me to go down to the scene with you, aren’t you?”
    “What can I say? I’m a cheap date.” Starkweather rose to his feet. “I’ll have some coffee brewed by the time you get downstairs. Don’t take too long.”
     

Chapter 15
     
    John parked the sedan at the end of the alley, amidst the chaos of flashing lights, yellow tape, and armed guards. The alley was a narrow slot with bars and businesses on one side, and historic residences on the other. During the day, it was probably a popular cut-through, but at night very little light filtered in from the main thoroughfares.
    Caleb sat tense in the passenger seat, staring out the window with an expression which made John wonder if he was having a conversation with Gray. Putting a hand to Caleb’s skinny knee, he said, “Ready?”
    Caleb glanced up, and John caught a flash of nervousness before he tamped it down. “You really are a cheap date. Can’t we ever go somewhere besides a crime scene?”
    “Not on a governmental salary.” As much as he enjoyed sparring with the other man, he did owe Caleb a warning. “Seriously, though, this isn’t going to be pleasant. Even agents with twenty years experience have trouble at some scenes.” The bloody ones, anyway.
    Caleb shrugged his thin shoulders and looked away. “I’ve got to do this, pleasant or not.”
    John winced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to feel forced into doing anything.”
    “And I’m sorry you think this has a damn thing to do with you,” Caleb shot back. “This is for Ben. And me.”
    All right, then. John opened his door. “Let’s go.”
    They headed down the alley, Caleb a step behind. Brick walls crowded in close to either side, trapping the stink of blood until John could almost taste its iron tang.
    John showed his badge to the agent securing the scene. “He’s with me,” he said, tilting his head in Caleb’s direction. Curiosity flashed in the other agent’s eyes, but he only nodded and held up the tape to let them duck underneath.
    Floodlights poured harsh white radiance midway down the alley. A photographer snapped shots from every angle, while forensics took samples. Kaniyar stood out of the way, observing; despite the hour, she didn’t have a hair out of place. Did the woman even sleep?
    “Special