seattle ; sunday ft
Over iced coffee, Sam had talked with Haley about Brannoc's murder and the Brid's pack being a mess. It was nice to just talk about it, get it off his chest with someone not as closely connected to the whole thing. It was good to get a a fresh viewpoint.
What Haley had suggested was to actually get Detective Dunaway involved with the murder investigation. Sam had hedged because Dunaway was a human and he didn't think the pack would take very kindly to a human getting involved. But, Haley had pushed and, after some intervention from Ashley, Sam had decided to call a Council meeting to see what everyone else thought about the idea.
The Council even had a phone tree that he'd get to use to call everyone up. Because even the supernatural needed a chart of phone numbers.
Ashley and Haley both seemed keen on the idea of getting the Council involved. They reassured Sam that they'd want to see justice, that Brannoc was on the Council and getting them involved and behind Dunaway investigating might make it easier on the pack to accept.
Sam couldn't deny that it was a good idea and he'd like the backup the Council could provide.
So, he'd called a Council meeting. And now he was heading home to dress to impress.
**
The Tongue & Buckle had just opened up for the early crowd when Sam arrived. Zeke patted us down, waving us in one by one as he finished. The meeting wasn’t due to start yet, so Sam pulled up a stool at the bar with James and Ramon flanking him. Aengus plopped a stout in front of James before getting requests from Ramon and me. Sam was actually surprised to see James drinking something that wasn't tea or water.
The group sat in the quiet of the bar for a few moments. There were only a couple of other patrons, so the murmur of voices was low. Sam decided to practice a little while they waited. He dropped his head so it looked like he was staring at a coaster and opened up his mind. The sensation was still taking some getting used to. It feels kind of like your skull dissolves and your mind flows out over the room-a freaky cerebral version of echolocation. Sam took in the Tongue and Buckle and the people in it.
James said, "What do you see?"
“Magic. Lots of it. And it’s … old.” Sam wasn't sure how he knew that but he did. The Tongue and Buckle pulsed with magic. It had seeped into the very wood of the establishment.
"The customers?" James asked.
“The one by the door, he’s human. I can tell by the coloring of, well, his aura, for lack of a better word. The two in the corner…” Sam frowned. He didn't recognize their coloring but it was different. "I don't know what they are."
Sam heard James start scenting the air beside him. "Fey of some sort. Not sure which, exactly."
Someone walked in front of Sam and whoever it was, they were impressive. "Wow."
A palm slapped down on the wood in front of me and Sam jumped, startled.
"Cut it out," Aengus said.
“Holy crap, Aengus, what are you?” Sam blinked at him. Aengus was the only member of the Council who remained a mystery to me, at least as far as his creepy-crawly status was concerned. He was powerful, that wasn't in doubt, but Sam didn't know how powerful until just now.
“An irritated bartender. Now, mind my customers’ privacy, will you?”
Sam's cheeks burned. "Sorry. Didn't mean anything by it."
Aengus grunted and walked away.
Ramon snickered. "Great start."
"Shut up," Sam scowled, shaking his head. He tried to imagine a day when he would stop making mistakes at every pass. He guessed never. He was doomed to be an idiot for the rest of his life.
“James, when you can, I’d like you to stop by my mom’s house and check their security.” Sam requested, looking over at James. "Please."
"Why?" James asked, not looking up from his drink.
Sam explained what happened briefly. "I'm worried. And I know you're good with security. You keep me alive at any rate."
James stopped swishing his drink for a few moments but still didn't look up. For a second, Sam could have sworn he looked mournful. When he spoke, his voice was soft. "Of course."
No sharp words or verbal jabs. Huh. Sam considered asking about that, but felt it might be best to just leave a good thing alone.
The other Council members started filtering in but Sam stayed still for the moment. There was someone else he had to meet first but that all went out of his head when Brid walked in. He hadn't expected to see her.
"Didn't expect you," Sam said when he approached.
Brid shoved her hands in her pockets and looked almost nervous. Or something else. Sam didn't bring attention to it, though. Sam smiled at her, nodded.
"You doing okay?" he asked.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay." She nodded.
He nodded again. "Couldn't get out of coming to this, huh?" Her father had a place on the Council and with him gone...well, it seemed natural for Brid to take his place.
"Guess not."
"I'll try and keep it short," Sam promised. She nodded and went inside.
Dunaway arrived shortly thereafter, looking the same as Sam remembered. Short brown hair, clean jaw, and somehow able to look both good-natured and like someone you wouldn’t want to tussle with at the same time. He seemed bigger than he actually was.
Sam got up and shook his hand, smiling. For some reason, he liked Dunaway despite the fact that the cop had once threatened to lock him up and throw away the key for good measure.
"Not a hundred percent sure why I'm here," Dunaway admitted.
"You might be here on a wasted errand but I had to try," Sam told him. "I'm going to go in there and talk to some people."
"People like you?" Dunaway asked.
“Sort of. If all goes well, I’ll be back out to get you in a moment. If not, I’ll buy you a drink for your troubles.”
Dunaway shoved his hands into his pockets. How was he wearing jeans in this heat? Sam banished that random thought from his head.
“I’m not guaranteeing that I’ll do … whatever it is you think I’ll do.” Dunaway told him truthfully.
Sam shrugged. "Fair enough. All I ask is that you keep an open mind.”
**
Addressing the Council was...daunting. Sam still didn't feel like he belonged. Not at all. Brannoc had done his best but Sam still felt out of place and uncomfortable. There was no podium or anything but standing in front of everyone made Sam wish they did so he could have something to hide behind.
He took a breath and started to talk. “Am I correct in assuming that we all know what has happened to Brannoc Blackthorn?”
Everyone nodded to varying degrees, but Sam gave them a sketch anyway, because they might be missing some key facts. It was hard to do, especially since his eyes kept being drawn to Brid sitting in Brannoc’s chair. He tried to just give them the details, black and white, because if he thought about it too much, he’d choke up. Everyone sat in silence after Sam had finished, lost in our own thoughts. Finally, Sam cleared my throat and shifted nervously. This is where it was going to get tricky.
“I think we can all agree that Brannoc went above and beyond for the Council.” Sam smiled self-consciously. “Even I could tell that, and I’m new.”
Kell chuckled, and a few others nodded.
Best get to the hard part. “To that end, I want the pack to know that we’re doing everything possible to figure out what happened. I brought someone here today, someone I think can help us. But … he’s human.”
Pello laughed, and Kell and Ariana raised their eyebrows. Aengus kept a blank face. Sam couldn’t tell what Ione was thinking-she was hiding behind her hair again.
Kell tapped a finger to his lips in a thoughtful way, then leaned forward slightly. “Explain.”
Sam called for Brooke, deciding that the Council hearing from someone else who could vouch for Dunaway would be a good way to sway their favor. Sam told them how Dunaway had handled Brooke’s case and how he hadn’t tried to destroy Sam even after he saw Brooke’s talking severed head. Brooke went over Dunaway’s presence at her “reinterment ceremony” (as she put it) and how he had listened to her carefully, even though it had to have been the first time he’d talked to a reanimated head.
“Look, I know this is a big leap of faith, but he knows about our world already, and he hasn’t tried to kill me in my sleep yet or tell any tabloids,” Sam implored.
“He could be biding his time.” Ariana leaned back in her chair as she said this, all coiled, deadly grace. She was beautiful in an I-can-literally-rip-out-your-still-beating-heart kind of way.
Sam shook his head. “He strikes me as the type who would face things head-on if he wanted to. I have no doubt that if he thought I really was responsible for Brooke’s murder, I’d be in jail by now. He’d find a way.” They were at least thinking about it and that was something. Sam needed more though. “Look, I know this is a big risk, to all of you, but I think he can help, and … I let the pack down. They asked for assistance, and I failed-I know that. Please help me do something to set that right.”
The Council talked about it for a while. Kell made some phone calls, apparently checking with sources on Dunaway’s character. After about twenty minutes, surprisingly, they let Sam bring Dunaway in.
The detective walked into the Council room like he met supernatural creatures handing out secret missions every day. Sam introduced Dunaway to everyone but refrained from mentioning what they were. If they wanted to spill their secrets to Dunaway, they would.
Dunaway nodded and half smiled until Sam had finished the introductions. Then he grabbed an empty chair and flipped it around so he could be right next to the table. He pulled out a pen and a notebook and said, “Now, how can I help you?” When he noticed a few of the Council members staring at the pad and paper, he gave a rueful half smile. “If I decide not to help, or if you guys change your minds, you can rip up my notes, but it doesn’t make sense to not take them and then make everyone repeat themselves later.”
The room relaxed visibly, and Sam suddenly knew that Dunaway would be helping us. For some reason, it made him feel a whole lot better.
[NFB, NFI. Lifted and cut from Necromancing the Stone. Warning for: post length.]
What Haley had suggested was to actually get Detective Dunaway involved with the murder investigation. Sam had hedged because Dunaway was a human and he didn't think the pack would take very kindly to a human getting involved. But, Haley had pushed and, after some intervention from Ashley, Sam had decided to call a Council meeting to see what everyone else thought about the idea.
The Council even had a phone tree that he'd get to use to call everyone up. Because even the supernatural needed a chart of phone numbers.
Ashley and Haley both seemed keen on the idea of getting the Council involved. They reassured Sam that they'd want to see justice, that Brannoc was on the Council and getting them involved and behind Dunaway investigating might make it easier on the pack to accept.
Sam couldn't deny that it was a good idea and he'd like the backup the Council could provide.
So, he'd called a Council meeting. And now he was heading home to dress to impress.
**
The Tongue & Buckle had just opened up for the early crowd when Sam arrived. Zeke patted us down, waving us in one by one as he finished. The meeting wasn’t due to start yet, so Sam pulled up a stool at the bar with James and Ramon flanking him. Aengus plopped a stout in front of James before getting requests from Ramon and me. Sam was actually surprised to see James drinking something that wasn't tea or water.
The group sat in the quiet of the bar for a few moments. There were only a couple of other patrons, so the murmur of voices was low. Sam decided to practice a little while they waited. He dropped his head so it looked like he was staring at a coaster and opened up his mind. The sensation was still taking some getting used to. It feels kind of like your skull dissolves and your mind flows out over the room-a freaky cerebral version of echolocation. Sam took in the Tongue and Buckle and the people in it.
James said, "What do you see?"
“Magic. Lots of it. And it’s … old.” Sam wasn't sure how he knew that but he did. The Tongue and Buckle pulsed with magic. It had seeped into the very wood of the establishment.
"The customers?" James asked.
“The one by the door, he’s human. I can tell by the coloring of, well, his aura, for lack of a better word. The two in the corner…” Sam frowned. He didn't recognize their coloring but it was different. "I don't know what they are."
Sam heard James start scenting the air beside him. "Fey of some sort. Not sure which, exactly."
Someone walked in front of Sam and whoever it was, they were impressive. "Wow."
A palm slapped down on the wood in front of me and Sam jumped, startled.
"Cut it out," Aengus said.
“Holy crap, Aengus, what are you?” Sam blinked at him. Aengus was the only member of the Council who remained a mystery to me, at least as far as his creepy-crawly status was concerned. He was powerful, that wasn't in doubt, but Sam didn't know how powerful until just now.
“An irritated bartender. Now, mind my customers’ privacy, will you?”
Sam's cheeks burned. "Sorry. Didn't mean anything by it."
Aengus grunted and walked away.
Ramon snickered. "Great start."
"Shut up," Sam scowled, shaking his head. He tried to imagine a day when he would stop making mistakes at every pass. He guessed never. He was doomed to be an idiot for the rest of his life.
“James, when you can, I’d like you to stop by my mom’s house and check their security.” Sam requested, looking over at James. "Please."
"Why?" James asked, not looking up from his drink.
Sam explained what happened briefly. "I'm worried. And I know you're good with security. You keep me alive at any rate."
James stopped swishing his drink for a few moments but still didn't look up. For a second, Sam could have sworn he looked mournful. When he spoke, his voice was soft. "Of course."
No sharp words or verbal jabs. Huh. Sam considered asking about that, but felt it might be best to just leave a good thing alone.
The other Council members started filtering in but Sam stayed still for the moment. There was someone else he had to meet first but that all went out of his head when Brid walked in. He hadn't expected to see her.
"Didn't expect you," Sam said when he approached.
Brid shoved her hands in her pockets and looked almost nervous. Or something else. Sam didn't bring attention to it, though. Sam smiled at her, nodded.
"You doing okay?" he asked.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay." She nodded.
He nodded again. "Couldn't get out of coming to this, huh?" Her father had a place on the Council and with him gone...well, it seemed natural for Brid to take his place.
"Guess not."
"I'll try and keep it short," Sam promised. She nodded and went inside.
Dunaway arrived shortly thereafter, looking the same as Sam remembered. Short brown hair, clean jaw, and somehow able to look both good-natured and like someone you wouldn’t want to tussle with at the same time. He seemed bigger than he actually was.
Sam got up and shook his hand, smiling. For some reason, he liked Dunaway despite the fact that the cop had once threatened to lock him up and throw away the key for good measure.
"Not a hundred percent sure why I'm here," Dunaway admitted.
"You might be here on a wasted errand but I had to try," Sam told him. "I'm going to go in there and talk to some people."
"People like you?" Dunaway asked.
“Sort of. If all goes well, I’ll be back out to get you in a moment. If not, I’ll buy you a drink for your troubles.”
Dunaway shoved his hands into his pockets. How was he wearing jeans in this heat? Sam banished that random thought from his head.
“I’m not guaranteeing that I’ll do … whatever it is you think I’ll do.” Dunaway told him truthfully.
Sam shrugged. "Fair enough. All I ask is that you keep an open mind.”
**
Addressing the Council was...daunting. Sam still didn't feel like he belonged. Not at all. Brannoc had done his best but Sam still felt out of place and uncomfortable. There was no podium or anything but standing in front of everyone made Sam wish they did so he could have something to hide behind.
He took a breath and started to talk. “Am I correct in assuming that we all know what has happened to Brannoc Blackthorn?”
Everyone nodded to varying degrees, but Sam gave them a sketch anyway, because they might be missing some key facts. It was hard to do, especially since his eyes kept being drawn to Brid sitting in Brannoc’s chair. He tried to just give them the details, black and white, because if he thought about it too much, he’d choke up. Everyone sat in silence after Sam had finished, lost in our own thoughts. Finally, Sam cleared my throat and shifted nervously. This is where it was going to get tricky.
“I think we can all agree that Brannoc went above and beyond for the Council.” Sam smiled self-consciously. “Even I could tell that, and I’m new.”
Kell chuckled, and a few others nodded.
Best get to the hard part. “To that end, I want the pack to know that we’re doing everything possible to figure out what happened. I brought someone here today, someone I think can help us. But … he’s human.”
Pello laughed, and Kell and Ariana raised their eyebrows. Aengus kept a blank face. Sam couldn’t tell what Ione was thinking-she was hiding behind her hair again.
Kell tapped a finger to his lips in a thoughtful way, then leaned forward slightly. “Explain.”
Sam called for Brooke, deciding that the Council hearing from someone else who could vouch for Dunaway would be a good way to sway their favor. Sam told them how Dunaway had handled Brooke’s case and how he hadn’t tried to destroy Sam even after he saw Brooke’s talking severed head. Brooke went over Dunaway’s presence at her “reinterment ceremony” (as she put it) and how he had listened to her carefully, even though it had to have been the first time he’d talked to a reanimated head.
“Look, I know this is a big leap of faith, but he knows about our world already, and he hasn’t tried to kill me in my sleep yet or tell any tabloids,” Sam implored.
“He could be biding his time.” Ariana leaned back in her chair as she said this, all coiled, deadly grace. She was beautiful in an I-can-literally-rip-out-your-still-beating-heart kind of way.
Sam shook his head. “He strikes me as the type who would face things head-on if he wanted to. I have no doubt that if he thought I really was responsible for Brooke’s murder, I’d be in jail by now. He’d find a way.” They were at least thinking about it and that was something. Sam needed more though. “Look, I know this is a big risk, to all of you, but I think he can help, and … I let the pack down. They asked for assistance, and I failed-I know that. Please help me do something to set that right.”
The Council talked about it for a while. Kell made some phone calls, apparently checking with sources on Dunaway’s character. After about twenty minutes, surprisingly, they let Sam bring Dunaway in.
The detective walked into the Council room like he met supernatural creatures handing out secret missions every day. Sam introduced Dunaway to everyone but refrained from mentioning what they were. If they wanted to spill their secrets to Dunaway, they would.
Dunaway nodded and half smiled until Sam had finished the introductions. Then he grabbed an empty chair and flipped it around so he could be right next to the table. He pulled out a pen and a notebook and said, “Now, how can I help you?” When he noticed a few of the Council members staring at the pad and paper, he gave a rueful half smile. “If I decide not to help, or if you guys change your minds, you can rip up my notes, but it doesn’t make sense to not take them and then make everyone repeat themselves later.”
The room relaxed visibly, and Sam suddenly knew that Dunaway would be helping us. For some reason, it made him feel a whole lot better.
[NFB, NFI. Lifted and cut from Necromancing the Stone. Warning for: post length.]