Dragos Goes to Washington (Elder Races #8.5)(33)

Dragos was very familiar with the general pattern. The style of the wounds was reminiscent of a Wyr ripping out someone’s throat with his talons. He had done it himself a number of times over the centuries, but if there was one thing he would stake his life on in that moment, it was that no Wyr present would ever betray him in his own house. Everyone on this trip was handpicked, either by Bayne or by himself. Only the highest-qualified Wyr, and the most loyal, had been chosen.

So, not only did someone who was wearing KO Odorless Odor Eliminator kill Colton, but they had somehow made it look like a Wyr had committed the murder. They had planned this very carefully. Bayne had installed the tiny security cameras in every room, but not in the hallways, and certainly not in any of the closets. The killer had murdered Colton in one of the blind spots.

Eyes narrowed, he probed deeper at one of the wounds. The flesh at the two edges of the cut fell apart cleanly. The wounds were almost surgical in their neatness. The blades had been very sharp.

Even still, the blood would have spurted until Colton’s heart stopped. How had the murderer kept from getting blood on him—or her?

He looked more closely at the area around the body, at the closet floor and underneath the desk. There, he discovered a cheap pocket rain poncho stuffed behind the chair. He didn’t bother to pull it out. If he did, he knew he would find it splattered with blood.

A footstep sounded nearby in the hall.

Sir, Eva said in his head. I’m supposed to help you with whatever you need.

Eva was smart to telepathize before trying to approach behind his back. He pulled back from the corpse and straightened to turn to her.

Two things, he said. First, get security to search the house from top to bottom, and move fast. We’re looking for a weapon, some kind of glove with razor blades attached to the tips of the fingers and thumbs. When it’s found, let me know. I want photos taken. Nobody should move it or touch it with their bare hands.

Standing on the balls of her feet, Eva looked sober and sharp, and ready to run as soon as he finished giving orders.

Second thing, he told her. Get a list of people who disappeared from the security cameras nearest this location, from the time the guests arrived to—he checked his watch—about five minutes ago, when Pia walked down this hall. Tell them to move very fast. I want a list of possible suspects in the next fifteen minutes.

Yes, sir. She bolted.

In the distance, his sharp hearing picked up Pia’s voice outside, followed by what sounded like good-natured laughter. Almost at the same time, he noticed an acrid scent, like burning food, and he smiled to himself. She had dealt with the problem splendidly.

If he wasn’t missed beforehand, Colton would definitely be missed when dinner was announced. Dragos needed to come up with a plan of action, because every moment right now was critical.

Coming to a decision, he closed the door, straightened his cuffs and strode down the hall. Pia, please quietly ask the president to meet me in the library.

Okay. Her mental voice sounded tense. Our time just got shorter. Vice President Colton has started looking for her husband.

It was bound to happen sooner or later, he told her. By the way, what kind of fresh meat do we have in the kitchen?

Don’t tell me you’re hungry.

She had been acting so shocky earlier, he was glad to hear a hint of dark humor in her voice. No, he said. But I would like to know if there is a very large cut of something, a roast perhaps, or a leg of lamb. Even a turkey would do. Whatever it is can’t be frozen. If we do have anything, I need it in the library too.

I’ll check then go talk to the president.

Thank you. He paused for the briefest of moments. Everything is going to be okay, you know. Even if we can’t make this okay, we’re going to be fine.

Her voice warmed. I know we will. I love you.

I love you too, he told her.

He realized he didn’t tell her that enough. She never complained or appeared to take hurt from it, but still, he made a note to tell her more often. He tried to show her how he felt, but she deserved the words too.

Stepping into the library, he poured himself a scotch, took a seat, crossed his legs and waited.

Shortly, one of the kitchen staff walked in briskly, carrying a tray that held a large, irregularly shaped item wrapped in butcher’s paper. Following Dragos’s orders, he set the tray on a round Chippendale table and left.

Within a few minutes, he heard Pia and Johnson chatting as they came near. They walked into the library, with Bayne and the president’s guard following behind.

“You two,” Dragos said to Bayne and the president’s man. “Wait outside.”

The Secret Security guard looked to the president, who gave him a nod. Only then did he move with Bayne to step outside the room.

Dragos added in Bayne’s head telepathically, Cordon off the area of hall where the body is. And nobody comes in this room without my say-so. Do you hear? I mean come hell or high water, nobody comes in here, and I expect things will get very unpleasant out there soon.

I hear you, said Bayne, as he backed out of the room, closing the double doors to the hall. Nobody’s coming in, not even this nice, dedicated soldier standing with me right now, although I hope to gods I don’t have to shoot him. I’ll have George stand guard with us.

George was part of Bayne’s security detail, a massive, easygoing man who was also a rare Wyr elephant. As strong and stubborn as a troll, if George stood guard at the doors with Bayne, nobody would get in unless Dragos said they could.