Page 37 of Blood and Bone
Eoghan’s lips formed a thin line for a few seconds before he shot him a serious glance. He darted his gaze back to the road. “Rumor has it that the mobsters used to dump bodies in there back in the 40s.”
“What?” Ari sat forward.
“Have you ever been there?”
“No,” he replied. “Did they find the bodies?”
“No. It’s almost seventeen hundred feet deep, and from what I understand, it’s the biggest alpine lake in the U.S. It’s also the second deepest lake in the U.S. after Crater Lake in Oregon. By volume, it has nearly as much water as some of the Great Lakes. It’s a freshwater lake but the one time I swam in it after taking a boat out with some friends, it felt creepy as hell. Really cold. And when I was bobbing in the water, I kept thinking of Tahoe Tessie. Knowing your legs are down there, and something could be huge and creeping up on you is creepy as shit…like I said.” He gave a visible shudder.
Ari gave him a skeptical look. “Wait, what? Is this another alien species that lives in the lake I don’t know about?”
“No.” Eoghan looked at him like he was crazy. “Like the Loch Ness monster.” He threw up his hands.
“So, let me get this straight. Alien cepha-things are considered normal. But this Tahoe Tessie monster or monsters isn’t and could be down there?”
Eoghan nodded. “Yeah, that’s what they say. Maybe because of my job, I’m always wondering what might possibly live down there where I can’t see it. It’s why I don’t do any kind of diving and caves are off limits with the exception of the Bronson Caves in Griffith Park which aren’t really caves at all. I don’t like the uncertainty of things like that.”
Ari laughed. “For a guy who doesn’t like uncertainty, you sure as hell picked the right profession, Eoghan.”
His partner smirked as he glanced over at him. “Touché.”
“Of course, you could have become a librarian or an accountant. Numbers aren’t uncertain,” Ari said.
“You’re such an ass, but yeah, you’re right.” Eoghan seemed to think about it. “I did choose a job which requires a lot of trust.” He grinned. “But, I’m still never going swimming in Lake Tahoe again.”
Ari laughed, pointing to a road sign announcing the entrance to the reservation. “There we go. I hope the chief and his deputy are there. Maybe we should have called first.”
“I thought about it. If they’re not in the station, we’ll just wait until they get in. I don’t think they will object to two marshals hanging out in the lobby.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Ten minutes later, they drove up to the tribal police station which shared a building with the tribal council. As much as Ari looked forward to meeting up with the chief and his deputy to ask for help with King John’s situation, he dreaded meeting with the tribal council. He and Eoghan had already discussed the inevitability of a meeting with people who’d worked with Colt Wilkins to plead for help. Whether they’d be resentful that he and Eoghan had somewhatunwillingly orchestrated Wilkins’ downfall or be grateful for it, he couldn’t be sure of their reception. One thing was certain in Ari’s mind. They wouldn’t be keen about helping a vampire clan. Even if the two clans had no beef between them, their very essence as shifters and vampires meant they were sworn enemies. Ari really hoped they’d have enough sway that the king and his people so desperately needed.
“This is it. I really hope they’re willing to help, because without their cooperation, I can’t imagine who else we’d ask,” Eoghan said as he shut off the car and glanced over at him.
Ari nodded and reached over, patting his knee. He smiled. “I had the same thoughts, but we’re pretty persuasive, Eoghan.”
“Well, if anyone will help us, it’ll be the chief. I know the tribe will be happy to see one of their citizens back on the reservation safe and sound with her kids, especially after they hear about why she ran,” Eoghan replied. “And I’m not above asking Riversong to help convince the tribal council.”
“Do you think they had any idea what Colt was doing to her?” Ari asked.
Eoghan shrugged. “Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe it happened once, maybe multiple times. Who knows if it was even ongoing. I’m pretty sure the oldest child is Colt’s kid based on what she wrote in the diary, though.”
“I’m sure you’re right. I really hope she’s free of his crap in the future. If the law works the way it should, the man will go to prison, but who knows.” Ari looked around the parking lot, spotting the Chevy Blazer parked under a tree. He pointed. “Isn’t that the chief’s truck?”
“Yep, sure is,” Eoghan replied. “Let’s go.”
The minute they walked into the station; someone shouted a greeting. “Hey, strangers, what are you two doing back here?”
Deputy Alo Uwaite, his arm raised in a wave, stood behind a desk, about thirty feet away from the front counter. Eoghan waved back as Ari’s eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the tribal police station after leaving the sunshine outside.
“Deputy Uwaite,” Eoghan said, smiling at the tall Native American man who walked toward them. He wore a ponytail today and Ari noticed his expression was a lot more pleasant when he smiled than when he was being kind of a jerk.
“You’re back,” Uwaite said, shaking their hands.
“Well, we hadn’t planned on making another visit so soon, but something’s come up and we could sure use your help,” Eoghan said. “Is the chief here? We’d like to talk to both of you.”
Uwaite nodded. “Sure.” He glanced around. “He went for a refill,” he said, pointing to the cups they both held. “I see you guys stopped at High Place Bakery.”