Obsidian Butterfly - Laurell K. Hamilton [133]
“My point is that if they had thought this was a monster to begin with, they’d have sent it over to Bradford’s new unit. But they didn’t, did they?”
His eyes were a little less angry, more uncertain. “No, they didn’t.”
“Everyone thought it was human, so why shouldn’t you assume the same thing? If they’d dreamt that it was non-human, they wouldn’t have sent it to you, right?”
“I suppose so.”
“Great. Then let’s work together, not at cross purposes. If we split our manpower between looking for people and looking for monsters, it will cost time.”
“And if you’re wrong, Ms. Blake, if it is a human being doing these terrible things and we stop investigating down that avenue it could cost more lives.” He shook his head. “It’s not my initial report I’m standing by, Ms. Blake. It’s the chance that it is a human perpetrator. We will continue to treat this as a normal investigation.” He looked at Bradford. “That is my final recommendation.”
He turned to Edward. “And you, Mr. Forrester, are you going to dazzle me with your profiling abilities?”
Edward shook his head. “No.”
“What do you offer to this investigation then?”
“When we find it, I’ll kill it.”
Franklin shook his head. “We are not judge, jury, and executioner, Mr. Forrester. We are the FBI.”
Edward looked at him, and most of Ted’s good ol’ boy charm seemed to have seeped out of his eyes, leaving them cold and uncomfortable to meet. “I have two men with me out in the car, one of them an expert on this type of crime. If this was done by a person, then he’ll be able to tell us how it was done.” His voice had gone bland, smooth, and empty.
“Who is this expert?” Franklin asked.
“Why is he still out in the car?” Bradford said.
“Otto Jefferies, and because Lieutenant Marks wouldn’t let him in,” Edward answered.
“By the way,” I said, “thanks for getting me back on the case, Bradley.”
Bradley smiled. “Don’t thank me. Help us solve the damn thing.”
“Who is Otto Jefferies?” Franklin asked.
“He’s a retired government worker,” Edward said.
“How does a retired government worker have expertise on this type of killing?”
Edward looked at him until Franklin began to fidget, smoothing his hands down not just his tie but his suit coat. He even checked his cuffs, though to make the movement really effective you needed cufflinks. Buttons just didn’t do it.
“I’m sure you are implying something by your so pointed gaze, but my question stands. What kind of government worker would have this kind of expertise?”
Franklin may have been nervous but he was also stubborn.
“Call the state department,” Edward said. “They’ll answer your questions.”
“I want you to answer my questions.”
Edward gave a small shrug. “Sorry, if I told you the truth, I’d have to kill you.” He said the last with a good ol’ boy smile, and an awe-shucks shine to his eyes. Which probably meant he was serious.
“Bring your men in,” Bradley said.
“I must protest involving more civilians in this case,” Franklin said.
“Duly noted.” Bradley looked at Edward. “Bring them in, Mr. Forrester. I’m agent in charge on site.” Edward went for the door.
“For now,” Franklin said.
Bradley looked up at the taller man. “I think you need to be elsewhere, Franklin.”
“Where would I be of better use than overseeing the crime scene?”
“Anywhere that is away from me,” Bradley said.
Franklin started to say something, then looked at both of us in turn, and finally at Bradley. “I won’t forget this, Agent Bradford.”
“Nor will I, Agent Franklin.”
Franklin turned abruptly and walked out, hands sliding over his clothes. When he was out of earshot, I said, “He doesn’t seem to like you.”
“Making a new division for preternatural crimes wasn’t a popular move with everyone. Until now the Investigative Division has been handling them.”
“Gee, and I thought the FBI was above such petty disputes.”
Bradley laughed. “God, don’t I wish.”
“This is a really, really fresh scene, Bradley. I don’t mean to tell you your job, but shouldn’t we be searching the area for the creature?”
“We did a ground search, turned up nothing. We’ve