I had visions of charging into the JLPN chemical factory with McGoo at my side, guns blazing. The two of us would rough up a few of the perpetrators, slap Harvey Jekyll in handcuffs, shut down the whole operation, and emerge as heroes to a crowd of cheering monsters.
But Robin stubbornly insisted that we do everything by the book so we’d wind up with a perfectly clean legal case that would stand up to a long and messy trial. She was a dear kid, but she could be incredibly frustrating.
After I called McGoo with the news, he rushed to our offices, eager to make the arrest. Bursting through the office door, however, he took one look at me and said, “Jeez, Shamble, you look like shit—and you smell bad too.”
“You always say that. This time there’s a reason.” I needed to change out of the chemical-soaked, mud-spattered clothes, but I’d been in too much of a hurry to clean up.
I explained what had happened at the dump. Robin had already downloaded the photos from my phone (after cleaning it as best she could) and displayed them on Sheyenne’s desktop screen.
McGoo scowled. “So Jekyll’s got some chemical that dissolves unnaturals. Then why are you still here if you were doused with the stuff?”
I looked down at the splotchy stains all over me. “Hell if I know.”
“I’m not complaining,” Sheyenne said, floating close.
“There’s enough evidence to warrant Harvey Jekyll’s immediate arrest,” Robin said. “We can get more answers from him during the prosecution.”
McGoo was angry on my behalf. “Damn right he’s going down. You want me to call in the whole force, Shamble? Or should we go in solo, just the two of us?”
“If it’s two of us, then it’s not solo.”
“You know what I mean.”
“We have to be involved,” Robin insisted. “This is our case. We broke it. Chambeaux and Deyer needs to be there during the wrap-up.”
“Miranda’s divorce settlement is our case, Robin,” I pointed out. “This is criminal activity, and the police should handle it.”
“The district attorney has more than enough evidence to get a search warrant for the JLPN factory. I’ve already been on the phone to Judge Hawkins,” Robin said. “After Officer McGoohan serves the warrant and we search the factory, we’ll find all the proof we need to send him to jail.”
“If we’re going out again, I need to change clothes,” I said. “Spooky, is there—?”
“Yes, fresh shirt and pants in your office, shoes under the desk. No jacket, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll survive.” That might not have been the appropriate thing to say. I shrugged out of my sport jacket, touched the clumsily sewn bullet holes, decided I liked them. “But I will need this one dry-cleaned.”
“I’ll take care of it tomorrow,” Sheyenne said. “Let’s get the bad guy tonight.”
I went back into my office and half-closed the door for privacy as I began peeling off mud-encrusted clothes. McGoo brought me a wet towel from the restroom. “Wipe yourself down at least. No telling what that chemical might do to you in the long run.”
“Thanks.” I realized I could have used a shower, too, but I didn’t want to waste the time going upstairs to my apartment. Jekyll probably assumed I had dissolved out at the landfill like Mel (at the very least, he thought he’d run me over with the truck). He was sure to be spooked, although he wouldn’t necessarily think he’d been caught, wouldn’t need to panic. But it was only a matter of time. We had to catch him before it was too late.
I buckled my belt, straightened my slacks; the new shirt was a little tight, so I left the top button open. I looked cleaner, but I still felt soiled by the whole matter. I couldn’t stop thinking of how Mel had collapsed into biological ooze before my eyes.
McGoo was waiting for me in front of Sheyenne’s desk. “So are we rolling? Come on, Shamble, let’s get him.”
Robin fidgeted awkwardly. “To make sure this is done properly, I’m going with you.”
“No, it’s not safe,” I said.
“I’m going.” Again, I saw the determination in her that won so many cases, and I knew I couldn’t stand against that.
“Let’s not argue about it—we’ll all go,” I said.
Before we headed out the door, I made a call from Sheyenne’s desk. “We need to tell Miranda Jekyll what’s happening. Who knows how far-reaching the indictments will go? It is our duty to protect the client.”
When Miranda answered the phone, I could hear loud music in the background. It was just sunset—she couldn’t possibly be at a nightclub already. I heard someone talking and laughing, then the music swelled again. “Oh hello, sweetheart!”
After I explained what I had discovered, she gave a cool click of her tongue. “That Harvey! I knew there was something wrong with him. I’d love to see the look on his face when you march in and arrest him.” She covered the phone, and I heard her muffled voice, then a sultry giggle before she came back on the line again. “I trust in your abilities, Mr. Chambeaux, and I can’t wait to hear how it all turns out. But I have other plans tonight. Full moon, you know—and some of us werewolves only get to let loose a few days each month.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Mrs. Jekyll, this could win your entire case, bring down Harvey Jekyll. You could end up with everything, or you could lose the whole company—depending on what happens.”
“And I trust you to do what’s best for me, sweetheart. Don’t worry, I have an alibi with plenty of witnesses! I may stop by the factory later, but some friends and I are at a pre-moonrise party.”
The music swelled, and Miranda hung up.