Wizard in a Witchy World Read Online Free

of a squad car for the better part of two hours," I replied.
    "I see," she said. "No, it looks like the same animal that attacked Detective Lozano also attacked the woman who lived here."
    "Is he going to be okay?" I asked.
    "Barely broke the skin," she said. "He'll be fine. Tell me, Mr. Slade, do you own any pets?"
    I shook my head. "No, Detective. And that thing that attacked Officer Lozano wasn't anyone's pet."
    "Why do you say that?"
    "I'm just guessing, but it seemed wild to me. I don't think we're talking about a dog. I'd say it was a wolf," I said.
    "You think there's a wolf running around town?"
    "First, I'm sure there are wolves running around." I nodded toward the north. "I grew up on a farm not sixty miles from here and we ran into wolves from time to time. It's a certainty they've been in the city."
    "Tell me why you're here," she said.
    "As I told Officer Lozano, I was driving along Harney and thought I hit a dog. I followed it back here and got out of my truck to see if I'd hurt it," I said.
    "And, you think it killed Mrs. Barrios while you were talking with Officer Lozano?" she asked.
    "I have no idea," I said. "I was sitting in the squad when he was attacked. I didn't know there was a problem inside the house until the other officer shone his light on the front door."
    "We've got you on misdemeanor trespassing, but I'm inclined to believe your story for now," she said. "I'd like to send Officer Lozano to accompany you home. If he doesn't see any evidence of large dogs at your residence, we'll drop the issue entirely."
    This had to stop before it gained momentum. "I'm not consenting to a search of my premises."
    "We could take you down town for questioning," she said. "And I could probably get a warrant." Her aura shifted slightly. She wasn't sure about the warrant.
    "What if I agreed to allow Lozano a walk-through - not touch anything and not take any pictures unless he finds evidence of a dog?" I said.
    "Sure. Lozano, could I could I speak with you?" she called, moving off to instruct the officer.
    I walked down to my truck and was glad that it fired right up. I was pointed the wrong direction and had to perform a three-point turn in front of Lozano. He’d already rolled his cruiser down to where I was and stayed close behind me as I headed home. It was four o'clock in the morning when I pulled into the gravel drive that led to Mrs. Willoughby's old garage. Lozano parked directly behind the truck, blocking me in.
    "What's in the garage?" he asked when he got out of his cruiser.
    "Nothing. I park in there sometimes. You can see the entire thing if you look through the window on the side.” I had no intention of opening the door for him. He could get a warrant if it came to that.
    He walked up to the side door and shined his flashlight into the space. As expected, it showed a dusty, but relatively clear garage without anything required to keep a dog. He stepped back and directed his flashlight around the yard, looking for evidence of a kennel or dog run.
    "So do you have a lot of nights like tonight?" I asked as we walked up the steps to my apartment.
    "Enough," he grunted.
    I fumbled with the keys and opened the door to my apartment, making a show for him. I couldn't remember what shape I'd left the apartment in and was disappointed as I scanned the interior. The place was a wreck, but it was just as I'd left it.
    If he was off-put by the mess, he didn't say anything.
    "Satisfied?" I asked.
    He stumbled and grabbed his shoulder. I caught him and guided his body into one of my two kitchen chairs.
    His voice wavered. "Thanks."
    I poured a glass of water and placed it on the table in front of him. "You mind if I take a quick look at your shoulder? I probably have something that'd make it feel better."
    "You have a lot of books on the occult," he observed. "Are you some sort of shaman?"
    His question caught me off guard. I felt like I'd underestimated his skills of observation. "Something like that. You