Sleuth

Run

"What do you think?" Porter Alment asked Alpha Kaddian as they stood at the crime scene of the most recent body site. It had taken them two hours to get to this county, and they were grateful for the opportunity to stretch their long legs.

"I can't smell anything, the body dump occured too long ago for a scent to remain" Kaddian said, looking around the woods.

"This cut was made by a claw" Scottlin's Sleuthmember Sarai said as she observed the large 'X' that was once red. Kaddian had come to realize that the blond woman was absolutely nothing like BB, and was in fact very calm and intelligent. She was, however, quirky in her own way. Apparently she was a new addition to Scottlin's Sleuth, and had moved from North. Far north. She was a polar bear, hence her bright blond hair color. She stood now in high top hiking boots, bleached high rise shorts, and black cut off shirt. Tied around her waste was a plaid longsleeve and she wore a hat despite the lack of sun and had it backwards. The look was alternative and odd but seemed to fit her personality well.

"It is. Either a bear is doing this or Hunters are trying to throw us off the trail by using a bear claw" Porter agreed.

"I'm going to go with the latter" Jacklynn added. Thus far, Kaddian had determined that Jacklynn was in a constant state of displeasure. His sister had called it "resting bitch face", meaning she always looked like she was in a bad mood even when she wasn't. Of course, then Jarren had pointed out the perhaps Kaddian had a severe case as well.

"Let's meet Sheriff Hale at the second site" Kaddian said, walking back to his SUV. He strolled in front of the group, alone at first, until Sarai made an effort catch up with him.

"Can I ask you a question?" she asked. Kaddian inwardly cringed, nervous of what she intended to ask. For whatever reason, women had a tendency to take an interest in him that he was not inclined to return. He had always figured that his brooding nature and quiet demeanor would steer women clear of him however the opposite seemed to be true and he drew ungodly amounts of feminine attention.

"I suppose" he said hesitantly.

"Is Jarren an idiot?" Sarai cocked her head to the side as she looked intently at him, waiting for his response.

"That is the question of the century" Kaddian said, fighting a smile, "what makes you ask that?"

"I'm twenty-six years old, and I have not found my mate... until now. But it's as if he doesn't know. I have been here for a week and Jarren has not even really acknowledged my existence" Sarai explained. Her eyebrows, thick and darker than her bright hair, drew together in vexation as she spoke.

"That is odd" Kaddian said slowly. Jarren had always made comments about not knowing for sure who his mate was, but perhaps the young bear really had no clue. "I will talk to him. Why have you not approached him about it sooner?"

"Because I thought maybe he was the type that doesn't want his mate, and I don't handle public rejection well. I have a bit of a temper". If that was true, Kaddian would have never guessed it, Sarai was fairly even tempered so far as he had seen, but then again, she must have something going for her if she was Scottlin's greatest fighter.

"I will see" Alpha Kaddian said, unlocking his vehicle. Everyone clammored in, Porter in the front, which Kaddian was thankful for. It seemed Porter didn't enjoy female attention anymore than himself.

When the four of them arrived at the second crime scene, they found Sheriff Hale sitting on the hood of her car, her gun resting beside her along with a half eaten sandwhich and open case folders. She was holding up photos of the crime scene and comparing them to the current visage in front of her.