The Seventh Sons (Sycamore Moon Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

have we been talking about this last half hour?"
    The detective's breaths still came quickly. As he waited to recover himself, he stared at Diego and envied his composure. "And what about you?" said the detective, exasperated.
    "Well," he began nonchalantly, as if this were routine, "I told you I would give you proof of werewolves, and I also said that I would guarantee your safety. But most importantly," said Diego, a smile crossing his lips, "I made sure I wasn't anywhere near those two when they turned. In case you haven't picked up on it yet, we aren't on friendly terms."
    Maxim could not ignore the man's smug satisfaction. But how could he be angry? Yes, he had been manipulated, but Diego's actions probably ended up saving both their lives.
    Gutierrez walked up to the open door of the interrogation room, scratching the back of his head. "The doctor is on his way, and Kent looks like he'll be good."
    Diego interjected. "If anyone has been bitten, make sure they get a full rabies vaccine regimen." Both officers looked at each other with furrowed brows.
    "What is it you do exactly, Diego?" asked the detective. "Are you chasing these wolves then?" The prisoner sat silently as he pondered the questions. "Did you stab that man?"
    "Why, Detective Dwyer, I was not involved in that incident in any way." Diego, mixing his accent with a hint of playful wit, continued. "I'd read that biking through these lush woods was a majestic experience, and after a long day of exploration, I figured I would stop at a dive bar and meet some of the local color."
    The prisoner stared deadpan at the two officers. Maxim knew what was happening. He had seen this before. Without the other two prisoners to question, Diego's account of victimhood would be unchallenged. What's more, with the other bikers actually having attacked Kent and escaping police custody, that scenario even appeared likely. If Diego's records came back verifying that he didn't live in Sanctuary, and without proof of him having committed any crimes, he would likely be set loose without charges.
    The thing was, Maxim wasn't sure if that bothered him anymore. He now knew that the rumors about the werewolves had some foundation. He had proof the Seventh Sons were dangerous. It was hard to fault Diego if he had somehow drawn their ire. The man would need to spend the night here, probably, but would almost surely be released in the morning.
    Diego de la Torre was a free man, and he knew it.
    "Maxim, when can I pick up my bike?"
    The detective's left hand cupped his temples as he tried to knead away the stress.
    "Just tell me this first. The man that died..." The detective was going to ask a question, but he got tripped up by the phrasing. What could he ask that Diego would actually answer truthfully?
    "He was one of them," the prisoner jumped in with, seeming to actually confide in the officers. "And very dangerous."
    Without removing his hand from his face, Maxim closed his eyes. "Get him out of here, Gutierrez."
    As the prisoner was unlocked from the table and shuffled out, Detective Maxim Dwyer took a few extra moments to compose himself. How could he have been so blind? But the reflection of light on his wedding band energized him with renewed purpose. There was more going on in Sanctuary than he had allowed himself to acknowledge and it had taken a stranger to show that to him.
    With a calloused sigh that indicated the weight of the work ahead, Maxim reached over to the video camera and hit the stop button. This one would get erased.

 
     
    Part 2 - The Pack

     
     

    i.

     
    Two days ago, Diego de la Torre had killed a man. The death hadn't been part of the plan, but in retrospect, that had been primarily due to the fact that there had been no plan at all. Sometimes, the biker reasoned, when all sensible avenues have been exhausted, risk was the only remaining recourse. At least, that was his justification as he returned to the scene of the crime.
    Sycamore Lodge stood boldly