Wrestling Demons by Xavier Mayne

Author:Xavier Mayne [Mayne, Xavier]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Chapter SIX

Boys on Film

“OFFICER BRANDT, it’s Chief Powell, from Woodley?”

“Woodley? Right. What is it, chief?” It was barely 5:00 a.m., and Brandt had been sleeping soundly next to Donnelly, who was still sleeping soundly.

“There’s another video.”

“Shit,” Brandt muttered. This woke Donnelly up instantly; the loud clanging ringtone Brandt used had no power to disturb his slumber, but a half-spoken swear word had him bolt upright.

“I hate to impose on you, but do you think you could come up this morning and help us get a handle on this thing? This new one’s a bit different.”

“Shit, shit, shit,” Brandt cursed, his hand over the phone’s mic. “Sure, Chief. We can be there by, say, eight?”

“Ugh,” Donnelly expectorated and then pulled a pillow over his face.

“That would be a great help to us, son. Thank you.” The line went dead.

“What is it this time?” Donnelly asked from under the pillow.

“He said there’s a new video. Didn’t get any other details, but he sounded as mad as I’ve heard him.”

“Well, that’s saying something when it’s Powell we’re talking about,” mused Donnelly, throwing the pillow off his head. He pulled back the covers and stepped out of bed. “I’ll get the coffee going; you start some hot water in the shower. We’ll meet in 5 minutes and pour both all over us, okay?”

Brandt smiled at his partner. “You’re beautiful.”

Donnelly rolled his eyes. “I’m still half asleep. I’m probably hideous.”

Brandt shook his head. “You are rumpled and naked and your morning wood is making me drool a little,” he said. “But duty calls, my love.”

“Fucking tease,” groused Donnelly. He grinned at his partner and stalked from the room with an extra swing in his hips that made the aforementioned morning wood dance like a sailor on shore leave.

After their shower and several cups of coffee, the men each packed a bag—the chances of running into complications in Woodley seemed high, and driving back and forth was getting a little tiresome. They would be able to stay in Woodley through Friday if they needed to. They hoped they wouldn’t need to.

At just before eight they pulled into Woodley. Again.

“The rate we’re commuting, we might as well live here,” Donnelly grumbled.

“You just want to get your Frequent Flirter card punched by Malcolm,” teased Brandt with a good-natured grin. He pulled the car up in front of the cafe.

“Morning, Malcolm,” called Donnelly as they entered the cafe. The morning rush was in full swing; Malcolm darted back and forth behind the counter getting drinks and serving up scones and muffins.

“Gabriel! Ethan! Good to see you. But I imagine since you’re in Woodley before 8:00 a.m., you’re not here for fun.”

“Got that right,” answered Donnelly. “Gotta meet Powell at eight. Need some caffeine to power through it.”

“Well, here you go,” Malcolm said cheerily as he passed over two cups. “On the house. You guys are doing so much for Jonah and Casey—it’s the least I can do.”

“Thanks, Malcolm,” said Brandt with a smile and a nod. “Casey in this morning? Everything okay?”

“Sure seemed so.

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