Any characters you recognize belong to Sherrilyn Kenyon or Laurell K. Hamilton. I’m just doing this for fun. This is rated PG-13 to be safe.

 

Thanks Maggie for being my very excellent beta on this adventure. I appreciate it. Merci!

 

I Fought the Law and I Won! (Nate’s Story: Chapter 30)

 

I woke up to someone pounding on the front door. Why was it that I seemed to be the only one of the three of us that was capable of answering the door? I rolled over and looked at the clock. It was just a few minutes before eleven am. I groaned and got up.

 

Pulling on a pair of sweats, I left my room to find Irish heading up the stairs.  He gave me a pleading look and walked past me into my room. The door closed and locked. It was going to be one of those days.

 

I stood there for a minute looking at the closed door before I turned and continued downstairs.  I looked through the peephole before opening the front door. Never done that before. It was Luna. I sighed and opened the door to let her in.

 

She walked in slowly, taking in the room, scenting the air. She shook her head as if fighting off memories.

 

Then she dropped a bomb. “I'm here to arrest you.”

 

“What?” She didn't repeat the statement so I asked. “For what?”

 

“Suspicion of murder.”
 

I shook my head. “You know you're not funny.”

 

“I'm serious.”

 

“You know I can't go outside until dark.” I told her then walked into the kitchen and picked up the handset of the wall phone. “You going to wait until then?” I punched in the number for Mitch. “I'm being arrested.” I held the phone away from my ear telling him. “I believe the charge is suspicion of murder.” I listened as he calmed down a bit. “I told her that.”  Mitch said a few expletives before he said that he was on his way. I hung up the phone. “Why are you doing this?”

“It's my job.” She plainly stated.

 

“You know I'm not to blame.” I reasoned.

 

“If you hadn't have come here, neither would they.”

 

“Oh. So that's your logic?” I raised an eyebrow.

 

“Works for me.” She shrugged.

 

“Well that just sucks.” Roan added entering the room.

 

Luna whipped around drawing her pistol. Roan easily flashed out of the way coming up behind and wrapping his arms around hers. I took the gun but I knew she probably had her blades. She wasn't any match for Roan though no matter how hard she tried to get out of his grip.

 

“Luna meet Roan. Roan meet Luna.  Now you going to calm down?” I asked but I could see it in her little kitty eyes that she wouldn't. So I cold cocked her. “Just lay her on the sofa and let her sleep.”  Roan hefted Luna up and onto his shoulder. “Oh and make sure you take her blades.” He frowned but I told him. “Trust me.”

 

I went back upstairs and knocked on the closed door of my bedroom.  I needed to get dressed. The lock clicked and the door swung open.  Irish stood there his eyes glassy. Shaking my head, I walked over to the closet and pulled out a pair of black jeans and a navy blue long sleeved button down shirt. Grabbing clean underwear and socks out of the chest I scooped up my boots and left the room. The door immediately closed and locked.  What the hell was going on?

 

When I got back downstairs Mitch was there. He did not look amused but this time it was not my fault. Well the sleeping beauty on my sofa was.

 

The station manager stared at me. “You slugged a cop?”

 

I shrugged. “Trust me. It was that or renovate the whole house.”

 

Roan added. “She's a feisty little thing, strong for a human.”

 

“Um Roan... she's strong because she's a shifter.” I explained.

 

He looked unconvinced. “I would have known that.  I can sense my own kind.”

I shook my head. “Not here. We aren't at home. She's a were.”

 

“What flavor?” He asked.

 

“Like Dante's people.” I told him. Roan moved a bit farther away so I told him. “She's not half bad actually, if you keep her away from blood.”

 

“Did she have a warrant?” Mitch asked.

 

“We didn't get that far.” I confessed. “She pulled her gun on Roan.  What do you suggest?”

 

The manager thought a moment. “If she has a warrant, let her take you in. The station has a good lawyer. There's nothing to link you to the murders.”

 

“I have a feeling they get their hands on me, that won't matter.” I told him.

 

“They can't hold you without evidence.” Mitch explained.

 

Roan cocked an eyebrow. “What old movies have you been watching?” 

 

Sleeping beauty took that moment to recover.  We heard a groan and then a gasp. We all turned toward the sofa.  Luna had her face buried in the pillow. She was making little mewing noises. I walked over to the sofa and sat down laying my hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me, her eyes full of tears. 

 

I gently asked. “Luna? What the hell is goin' on?”

 

“What did you hit her with?” My boss asked and I actually looked at my hand. “You don't pack that kind of a punch.”

 

I thought back. “This has happened before.  She went around the room picking things up and sniffing them.”

 

“Maybe somebody she knew lived here before. We can recognize a scent for a long time. Maybe it's still fresh here.” Roan speculated.

 

“Whatever it is, she needs to get it under control.” Mitch gruffly added.

 

I sighed. “I'm workin' on it.  Luna, are you okay? I really didn't want to slug ya, you know?”

 

Her face became a cold mask. She reached out lightning fast and grabbed me by the throat.  “You're under arrest.” She squeezed a little harder as she said it.

 

“You have a warrant?” The look she gave Mitch was less than warm. He pressed on. “What's the probable cause?”

 

“He let me in.” She bit out.

 

“Under false pretenses. He didn't now you were here on official business. Now if you can't produce a warrant, then maybe you should leave.” She growled low in her throat at my boss’ suggestion but he just shrugged it off. “Oh sweetie, that doesn't do a thing for me.” 

 

Roan actually laughed. I would have, if Luna's fingers were not trying to crush my throat.

 

She turned back to me. “They want to ask you some questions.  If I come back after dark, will you come with me?” I nodded slowly. She let go of me. “I'll be here at six.” She got up off the couch and headed toward the door. She stopped suddenly and looked toward the stairs.

 

Mitch told her. “I'll have the station's lawyer here.”

 

She waved him off. “He won't need one… Yet.  Who sleeps on the couch?”

 

I looked at Mitch. He shook his head.

 

Roan jumped in. “I do.” 

 

Luna walked over to stand face to face with the Katagari. She took a deep breath, taking in his scent. “No you don't.”  Then she turned and quickly left.

 

It took me a minute to find my voice.  Bruises were forming over my neck. Okay, I admit things that are so blatant to others pass me by sometimes but they tend to come around again. This thing with Luna and the mystery smell along with the fact that Irish always seemed to disappear when someone from the District was around was beginning to gnaw at my tiny little brain. Then again maybe it was the lack of oxygen.

 

“Somebody want to fill me in on what's going on?” I managed to squeak out. Painfully.

 

Mitch’s face went as cold as Luna’s had been. “It isn't for me to say.”
 

I shook my head. “You're about as helpful as Acheron.”

My Katagari friend chimed in. “Irish just doesn't like the District. I've heard that a lot of people don't.” Well I couldn't argue that statement. “Are you really going to let her take you to jail?”

 

“What are they going to do?  Bend my dog tags? I'll tell them exactly what Acheron said I could.” I headed for the kitchen and some coffee. “Then you can all come to visit me in the nut house.”

 

Roan smiled. “On Sundays I'll bring ya Starbucks.”  I gave him the bird and he added. “Just for that, no whipped cream.”

 

Roan and Irish left the house just before Luna got there. She was late. It was after seven. She walked in and stayed right by the front door. 

 

I just looked at her. “You're really going to do this?”

 

“Don't have a choice.” She pulled a pair of handcuffs out of the pocket of her duster. “Nothing personal.”

 

“You have got to be kidding.” I looked from the cuffs to her.

 

“It's procedure for all detainees.”

 

I raised an eyebrow. “I thought it was just questions. Now I'm a detainee?”

“Like I said, Nothing personal.”

 

“You going to search me too?”

 

She sighed. “Don't make this any harder than it has to be. Turn around and put your hands behind your back.”

 

“Are you sure this isn't personal?”

 

She got a glint in her eye as she told me. “Believe me when I say, you don't want me to make it personal.”

 

She was right. So I turned round and she snapped on the cuffs.  I mentioned how tight they were.

 

She just rolled her eyes and said. “Don't be a wimp.” 

 

We exited the apartment through the garage. Luna had parked an unmarked squad car inches from the door. It was a dark gray Saturn, with a wire mesh separating the front and back seats. She opened up the back passenger door and told me to get in. She closed the door, then walked around to the front driver’s door and got in. It was when she locked the doors that reality hit. I was really being arrested.

 

I asked. “You realize there aren't any door handles back here? What if we're in an accident? How do I get out?”

 

“I'll let you out.” She explained.

 

“What if you're unconscious?  Then how can I get out?”

 

“Somebody will come and let you out.” She snapped.

 

“But what if...” She turned in the seat and pointed her gun at me. “Oh that would look good on the news.”

 

“Shut up.” She bit out before turning back around to start the car.

 

The drive downtown to the station had me wishing for an escape route. I swear I didn't know a sedan could go so fast and pass other vehicles like they were standing still. It was a damn good thing there were no handles on the doors. They'd be arresting me for fleeing custody. As it was I had my feet braced against the back of the seat. What good it would do if we crashed, I had no idea. It would probably just break both my legs but hey, I'd heal. Right?

 

We turned onto a side street and entered a parking garage. I was just happy for the reduced speed.  She found a parking spot she liked and killed the engine. The door locks clicked. I didn't dare move.  There were cops everywhere. This was their turf and Luna was one of them. So I let her do her job.  She walked around and opened the door. I got out and let her escort me into and off of the elevator.  A man about five foot seven walked over to us. He had graying dark hair and wore a rumpled gray dress shirt.

 

Luna greeted him. “Zerbrowski.”

 

He grinned. “Luna. This your date for tonight?”

 

I saw her mouth twitch. “Well, I had to bring somebody to the dance.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “You're already taken.”

 

“You should have said something sooner.”

 

“Uh huh, so you could tell me of your undying devotion to Katie and once again thwart my plans for ruining your happy home.” She blew a raspberry at him and pulled me off down the hall.

 

We were about midway down said hall when a mountain stepped out in front of us. He had to be at least six foot seven or more. His buzz cut black hair reminded me of a drill sergeant. This guy was built like a tackle and he oozed attitude. He was dressed casually in beige slacks and a white shirt but he looked tired.  Luna called him Dolph. I was guessing he would be the one asking me questions.

 

It was about that time that Marshall Blake appeared. She was dressed in her usual dark everything. I swear if I ever saw her or Luna in a lighter color, I'd keel over.

 

“So let's get this party started.  C.S.I. is on at nine.” I announced.

 

Zerbrowski looked from me to the shifter. “He's a wise ass like you Luna.”

 

I could sense her smirk.

 

Dolph asked me. “Are you a flight risk, Mr. Elliott?”

 

I shook my head. “Nope. I have no reason to run. That is unless you tell me I have to ride with Luna again.  Do all the women here drive like they're at Indy?”

 

“Take the cuffs off Luna.” The mountain told her.

 

Anita snapped. “No. You can't trust him.”

 

Dolph didn't ask again. He just walked over and held his hand out for the key. Luna gave it to him and in a second the blood rushed back to my hands. I hated that tingle. 

 

“Sit down.” The mountain told me. I sat. “I've been reading your F.B.I. file.”

 

“Didn't know I had one.” I told him.

 

He nodded. “You're squeaky clean.  Never been in trouble. Not even a parking ticket.”

 

“And that's a bad thing?” I asked.

 

“Your a disc jockey?” Dolph asked. I nodded so he continued. “Born in Washington State.”

 

“Redmond to be exact, in 1914, March 3rd.” I added.

 

Zerbrowski gave me an odd look. “That would make you eighty something.”

 

“So you are a vampire?” Dolph asked.

 

“Nope.” I shook my head.

 

Anita chimed in. “No sunlight. Fangs. You drink blood.”

 

I interrupted before she could come up with more. “No I don't. I can't stand it. I was born with the fangs.” Well it wasn't a complete lie. “I work nights so I sleep most of the day.  That makes me a vampire?”

“Good point.” Zerbrowski chimed in. Anita scowled at him.

 

I asked. “Is that why I'm under suspicion?  Because I'm up all night and sleep all day?  Hell half the city should be in here then.”

 

Anita glared. “None of these murders started until you arrived.”

 

I looked from her to Dolph. “Ah, another good bit of evidence. The new guy gets the blame.”

 

He asked. “Would you submit to a lie detector test? Blood samples?”

 

I told him. “Why don't you just have the Marshall there call the mayor's doctor? She took all kinds of samples from me while I was recovering.” Dolph looked down at the Marshall so I added. “Yeah, he and the doggie king probably have quite a bit of stuff on me.”

 

Dolph stared at the Marshall. “Is this all because of that vampire Anita?”

 

Ouch, that struck a nerve apparently. I explained. “I won't play with the mayor and his buddies.

They don't like it.”

The mountain man gave me a half grin. “I should let you go just for that alone.”

 

I shrugged. “Take your blood samples Sergeant.  Hook me up to any thing you want.  I didn't have anything to do with any murders.”

 

After taking several blood samples, they put me in this room and hooked me up with sensors and straps. It was the machine, the supposed expert that was asking the questions and monitoring said machine, and me. The Tech looked over the series of questions he was supposed to ask then looked up at me. 

 

The first series of questions were about who I was in general: name, date of birth, height and weight, normal stuff. Then they got more specific. Are you a vampire? Did you attack and kill… They went on and on.  I answered every question truthfully.  An hour later I was back in the big guy’s office.

 

He was looking at a folder. “Well there is no evidence to hold you.”

 

“You mean Marshall Blake can't think of anything.” I countered.

 

“Look I don't have to like who she hangs out with, but she's good at her job. I trust her at my back.”

 

I shrugged. “I'm happy for you.  Can I go now?”

“If you aren't a vampire. What are you?” He asked.

 

“I'm a Dark Hunter.  I took an oath to protect the humans here.”

 

“What the hell is a Dark Hunter? And what oath?” He demanded.

 

So I gave him the whole spiel. When I walked out of the office, Luna and Marshall Blake were waiting for me.  I was going to ask the desk sergeant to call me a cab, but Mitch walked in with

Roan and neither looked happy. I just shook my head and walked out.

 

All the way back to my place I was wishing I was back home.  I told Mitch I wanted to come back to work, no more patrolling. The Daimons could take the damn city but I knew I couldn't... wouldn't... let that happen.  All we could hope for was that Acheron would somehow find out who was sending the Daimons and why.

 

At home Irish was watching Stargate. I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and walked out to the living room.

 

I sat down beside him.  “Why are you here?”

 

“I'm here to help you and Roan.” He explained.

 

“Then why hide? Why don't you want to go to the District? You have a beef with one of them?”

 

He sighed. “Several actually and no, I'm not here for revenge.”

 

“Did you die in the District?” I asked.

 

“No. Drop it Nathan. Please.”

 

I don't know if it was the please, or the fact that I was just tired.  I finished my beer and went upstairs to bed. I knew this wasn't over with Blake and her people. I was lying there half asleep when Mist popped in. She lay down beside me and I didn't even care about the consequences. It felt good to have someone to curl up against.  It would be the best night of sleep that I would have for days to come.