In Moonlight - Ch 12 - Investigating a Murder Here

"Look, I don't know much about witches and vampires and shadow wars and stuff," Knox said with a deep breath. "I think Shannon's... I mean... I still think this all has something to do with the protest and with Evergreen Development."

Genie took a deep breath of her own, reminding herself of that she'd had it right a moment ago. They were investigating a murder here. In the middle of unexpected reunions and all the drama and occult weirdness that came with her friends, she needed to focus. After all, she'd come here - they'd all come here - to talk to Knox and find out what he knew.

"Knox, I know you think..." Missy said soothingly.

"No, I mean it," Knox pressed, becoming agitated. "Evergreen has got some secretive outside investors, with big money, backing this huge development project they're planning up on the mountain. They're buying up land and development rights that belonged to the Landgraab Group."

"I thought those assets were all frozen when Nancy Landgraab went to jail for racketeering," Genie said. She'd still been in high school at the time, but she remembered her mother talking about the dramatic fall of the wealthy and powerful Landgraab family.

"Not anymore," Knox insisted. "A bill got pushed through, all quiet like, permitting the sale of those assets to Evergreen. Shannon heard her dad talking about it. She said there's another bill going up soon to allow them to build on National Trust land!"

"That actually fits with what we saw," Demarco put in. "Remember, we followed that shady older guy, the one who's giving Cletus his instructions, to the Evergreen Development offices. I think he was meeting with Bess Stirling."

"Do you guys really think Bess is mixed up with this?" Missy asked. "I know you don't get along with her, Knox, but..."

"She's been involved in some shady stuff before," Knox said, though he didn't sound convinced.

"Shady, sure," Missy said. "I could even kinda believe she'd be involved with sending Cletus out to bully people... but... umm, like... murder? That's a big step."

"Even if she is involved, does any of this really sound like some kind of secret magic shadow war thing?" Knox asked.

"Actually, it does," Etta said quietly. "Like we said, both the Council and the Dark Court have people in influential positions in the government. They're able to push legislation that supports their goals. To me, this sounds more like the Dark Court than the Council, especially with them also using a bunch of criminals to do their dirty work. One of the vampire Houses could easily be the mysterious investors behind Evergreen Development."

"You'd know all about Dark Court schemes, wouldn't you," Mariah snarled.

Demarco growled at her. 

"Yes, I would," Etta said calmly, opening her arms as if to acknowledge the hit.

"Ok, but why would vampires be interested in land development?" Genie asked, trying to keep them on track and keep a lid on the simmering tensions. 

"Because land is wealth," Miranda said with a carefully measured calm of her own. "Remember, we're talking about centuries-old immortals here. They've got some genuinely medieval ideas about things. A big one is that owning land equals wealth and power."

"More than that," Etta explained. "We're talking about the Moonwood, which is Power. Literally. The Moonwood is one of the great places of magical power. The werewolf elders and pack leaders draw on it instinctively, extending their lives and just generally making them stronger. A witch with access to that power would be amazing..." Her eyes met Miranda's for a moment. "Or terrifying. I don't know what a vampire could do with it, but I do know that my father, who's a warlock serving the Dark Court," she added for Knox's benefit, "wants the power of the Moonwood for himself. He's tried before."

"We stopped him once," Demarco said confidently. "We can do it again."

"If this is the Dark Court, I don't think they would have hesitated to kill Shannon if they thought she was getting too close to their schemes," Miranda said. "She might have known or guessed too much about what they're planning. You know, if she did know something, she might have told her father."

"Unfortunately, he wouldn't talk to me. There's some kind of bad blood between my family and the Charms, but I have no idea what," Genie said. Her summary ejection by Baron Charm's butler still bothered her. She couldn't help but think that, despite all the sins she did know about, her family still had dark secrets she hadn't uncovered yet.

"He'd talk to me," Miranda said with her peculiar kind of mysterious confidence.

"Mia amata, we're supposed to be in hiding," Mariah put in.

"Look around you," Miranda smiled. "The cat is out of the bag. The barn door is open. The ship has sailed."

"I still have contacts in the Dark Court," Etta said quietly, as if the admission pained her. "I might be able to get something out of them."

"That sounds... dangerous," Genie said. The thankfully few encounters she'd had with vampires had been brief but terrifying. 

"I'll keep her safe," Demarco said, in a tone that made her words sound like a challenge to God, or Fate, or the universe itself.

"No," Etta said gently. Before Demarco, or anyone else, could object she continued calmly. "You being there is more likely to provoke a fight than prevent one. You know it."

"You can't go alone," Demarco insisted. For a moment she looked less like that brazenly confident werewolf and more like someone worried for a person she cherished.

"I'll go," Genie said, as much to Demarco as to Etta. "I mean, I'm not a witch or a werewolf or anything, but I can at least back you up."

Demarco seemed to consider for a moment, before giving Genie a silent nod of thanks. 

"Then I guess I'll go back to keeping an eye on Cletus," she added. "Maybe I can find out more about the mysterious grey-haired man and the woman in black." 

"Going by what the witness said, a woman in a black hoodie might be the actual... um," Genie hesitated, glancing sympathetically at Knox.

"Killer," he supplied grimly.

"There is more than one woman in a black hoodie in the world. It guess could technically be a coincidence," Miranda said doubtfully.

"Coincidence... coincidenza," Mariah said, as if she was tasting the word in her mouth. "I've heard of those. Don't think I've actually ever seen one." 

"You should go with Demarco," Miranda said to Mariah. "You've had experience with those kind of people, and you can handle yourself. If anyone can back her up, it's you."

"If you two can stop snarling at each other," Genie added, anticipating disaster.

"What, I'm supposed to let you go to Windenburg alone?" Mariah asked. "What about the Altos?"

"I can take care of myself," Miranda said confidently.

"I'll go with her," Jenny said. "I'm not just a pretty face, you know. I helped get the Altos' ledger."

"Madonna. Fine," Mariah sighed. "We good?" she added to Demarco.

"Not the first time I worked with a rival pack," Demarco smiled toothily.

"Behave," Etta admonished.

"We're good." Demarco smiled more genuinely while Knox and Missy shared a knowing chuckle. Definitely old friends, Genie thought.

"OK, I don't know anything about gangsters and witches and monsters and stuff, but I do know that my boyfriend, Clay, works for Evergreen Development," Missy said, a little wide-eyed. "He might be able to find out more about this project and its investors."

"You really think he'd help?" Knox asked.

"Come on, Knox. I know you guys argue about politics and the environment and stuff, but he's still your friend," Missy said firmly. "I know he'll help."

"We can't ask him to put himself in danger," Demarco said. 

"Oh no," Missy said, "Definitely a big No to danger. We'll just ask him about what he knows and maybe if he hears anything interesting at the office tomorrow."

"Alright," Genie said. "Miranda and Jenny will talk to Baron Charm. Etta and I will talk to the Dark Court. Mariah and Demarco will keep an eye on the gangsters, and Missy and Knox will talk to Missy's boyfriend about Evergreen Development. I guess we have a plan."

"Great. What could possibly..." Jenny started.

"Don't say it," the entire group said together.

In Moonlight - Ch 11 - A Long Story

"Wait, wait, wait... let me see if I've got this right," Knox Greenburg said, clearly dazed.

Good luck, Genie thought. She wasn't entirely sure she understood it all. It was weird enough discovering that Knox was friends with Demarco and Etta. That he was also friends with 'Mandy and Mary' (Honestly, who had thought those were good aliases for Miranda and Mariah?) went beyond weird. It was one of those Miranda things. Fate. There might even a prophecy involved, Genie thought.

The red-head, who had introduced herself as Missy, had been the one to have the practical idea of borrowing chairs from the main part of the bar so everyone could sit down. It had also given everyone a chance to get over the initial shock of seeing each other. 

Awkward introductions, and quick explanations, had followed.

"You're Kassidy's sister." Knox's attempt to sort through things interrupted Genie's thoughts. "You're a reporter, and you're investigating Shannon's... uh... murder."

"Right," Genie nodded. She couldn't miss the catch in Knox's voice. It obviously hurt him to admit out loud that Shannon was gone, but he was just as obviously determined to get to the bottom of things.

"And you're..." Knox continued, looking at Jenny.

"That's Jenny freaking Poole," Missy gushed. "She's Babette on The Urbz, the best, hottest, most amazing person on daytime television... or she was until those shitheads at the network killed her off."

"Oh, thank you," Jenny smiled. "You're so sweet."

"Flirt with the fans later," Genie groaned. 

"... and Mary and Mandy are actually Mariah Huntley and Miranda Goth," Knox went on dully, seemingly unaware of the interruption. 

They still look like themselves, Genie thought. It was a little weird seeing Mariah with her natural hair color, and Miranda was plainly still growing the blue out of hers, but they were still her best friends and roommates from university. Mariah was plainly holding herself in check and refused to look at Etta. 

"And Mandy... I mean Miranda... you're investigating Shannon's... uh... murder too... because you went to school with her," Knox said slowly.

"Yeah," Miranda nodded. "We were at Glimmerbrook Academy together."

Miranda appeared to be holding onto her usual serenity, but Genie could tell she was shaken by this unexpected meeting.

"... and Demarco, you're back in town because some bad guys are making trouble for people up on the mountain," Knox went on. "And you think that's connected to Evergreen Development and their big project that we're protesting."

"Yup," Demarco said, nodding. Apart from Missy, Demarco seemed to be the least affected by the surprise reunion. Then again, Genie thought, she didn't really know the tawny-haired werewolf well enough to get a good read on her. They'd only met once before, shortly after the whole Alto ledger mess, and Demarco had been injured at the time.

"... and Etta, you and Demarco are together," Knox said. "Like, together together..."

"Focus, dude," Demarco said with a small smile, bringing a brief answering grin to Knox's face. From their gentle banter Genie could see that she and Knox were old friends. 

"But you also knew Shannon from school," Knox continued.

Etta just nodded. Genie noticed how Etta was staying mostly silent and that she didn't meet Miranda's eyes. 

"And none of you believe the bullshit story that Shannon was killed in a mugging gone bad," Knox concluded, his voice taking on life and heat. He seemed strangely cheered that not everyone believed the official story.

"I've got confidential police documents that strongly suggest otherwise," Genie said, nodding. Was it just denial that made him doubt, or did Knox know something? Is it wrong to hope that he knows more than is in those police reports, Genie thought. 

"I can't believe a witch of Shannon's skill could be killed by a mugger," Miranda said firmly. 

Etta, still not meeting Miranda's eyes, nodded her agreement.

"Wait... witch? Did you say just witch?" Genie blinked. Even as she said it, she realized she shouldn't have been surprised, but she was. "Shannon Charm was a witch?" 

"What?" Knox actually chuckled. "Wait, she's really for real about that?"

"The Charms are one of the Old Families," Miranda said. "Witches of the Old Blood, who can trace their power back to the First Empire and before."

"Wait, the Charms are witches?" Jenny asked, startled. "But they're an old noble family, right? Shannon's dad is Baron Charm, right? Is he a witch?"

"Shannon always... uh... said her old man might turn me into a toad," Knox mused softly, his eyes going wide. 

"But didn't you say Baron Charm was like a big deal in government," Jenny said, looking at Genie. "There's a witch in the Upper House?"

"Actually there are several witches in the Upper House," Etta said, her downcast look becoming defiant. "How else do you think the Witches' Council keeps its grip on power."

"Oh, as if the Dark Court doesn't hold seats in the Upper House?" Miranda snorted, her serene mask slipping, revealing a bitterness that shocked Genie. "In fact, they have people in positions of power everywhere. Don't they?!" she asked hotly, looking straight at Etta for the first time.

"Of course they do," Etta snapped back, her eyes meeting Miranda's. The tension between the two of them was suddenly palpable. "How else could they counter the influence of the Council?"

"Wait, I've heard of the Dark Court," Genie said, trying to both keep up and defuse the sudden argument. "They're a group of corrupt old noble families with connections to the criminal syndicates, right?"

"They're vampires, Genie," Mariah said with deceptive calm. Mariah calm like that was usually dangerous. 

"So, wait, you guys are saying there are witches and vampires holding influential positions in government?" Jenny said slowly. "It's like what that looney tune in the llama suit... Councilor What's His Name... said. You remember, Genie?"

"Baxter, in the San My city council debates this past summer," Genie nodded distractedly.

"Right, he went nuts and had to drop out of the election because he said that government was being secretly controlled by vampires and witches and aliens," Jenny said, her voice rising in dawning shock. "He was RIGHT?!"

"Aliens aren't real," Demarco said with a chuckle. A moment later the tawny-haired werewolf blinked, looking at Etta. "Right? Aliens aren't real, are they?"

"They're just a minor faction," Etta said, her eyes still fixed on Miranda.

"From everything I've heard, the svartalves... the aliens... haven't been significant for years," Miranda agreed.

"I told you aliens were real," Missy burst out to no one in particular. "I told you!"

Genie wasn't sure what stunned her more: the revelation that aliens were, in fact, real; the fact that both Miranda and Etta casually dismissed that as a side issue; or the fact that, after more than three years of friendship with Miranda Goth, Genie could still be shocked to her core.

"So, wait, witches and vampires and aliens..." Knox started, still dazed.

"And werewolves," Demarco put in with a small grin. Genie resisted the urge to throw something at her. She felt that Knox clearly didn't need more weirdness thrown at him.

"Werewolves? Really?" Missy blinked, looking around as if she expected one to come leaping through the window (but not to be sitting on the other end of the couch from her).

"All real," Miranda said calmy.

"And Shannon's really a witch," Knox continued, struggling to pull the threads together. "But what does this have to do with her... I mean... with her... uh... murder?"

Right, Genie thought. It was easy to forget, in the middle of all this weirdness, that they were here because Knox's girlfriend... and whatever else Shannon Charm had been, she was clearly that... had been murdered.

"Maybe nothing. Maybe everything," Miranda said gently. The bitterness that had flashed at Etta became compassion as she looked over at Knox.

"The Witches' Council and the vampires' Dark Court have been at war with each other for over a thousand years," Etta said in an equally calm, almost lecturing tone. "Since the Century War and the fall of the First Empire."

"Didn't they cause the fall of the First Empire?" Miranda added, glancing back at Etta.

"You never paid attention during Ms. Anansi's history lectures," Etta said with a hint of mockery.

"I had other things on my mind, Ms. I-Almost-Failed-Astrology," Miranda replied with mockery of her own. 

"At least I didn't almost melt a cauldron during my alchemy exam," Etta snapped back, defiant.

"No, you were really good at alchemy. The allure potions you used to seduce and kidnap me were perfect," Miranda said. It looked like anger, Genie thought. It should have been anger. Miranda had every right to be angry with Etta. So why did Genie see pain and sadness in her friend's eyes?

"Punta," Mariah snarled, her grip on her temper slipping. There was the anger Genie expected. Anger and jealousy. There had been a time not so long ago when anger and jealousy had been Mariah's resting face. 

"Back off," Demarco growled, literally growled, as she rose to her partner's defense.

"Enough!" Genie shouted over them. This was getting out of hand. Once she would have looked to Miranda or Mariah to take charge and keep the group focused. Since it was obvious they weren't going to, someone had to. 

"Look, I know you guys have a history and a bunch of unresolved issues," Genie continued. "but now is not the time. We are trying to figure out how and why a woman was killed. If you guys are going to help, then help. If you want to fight, go do it somewhere else. Is that clear?"

"OK, yeah," Miranda said, taking a deep breath to steady itself. "It's clear. I'm good. I'm sorry."

Etta looked away, nodding silently as she visibly tried to collect herself.

"Clear," Demarco said, nodding in a way that wasn't quite a bow and almost seemed like she was showing her throat. 

"Damn, Genie," Mariah muttered, looking embarrassed and more than a little impressed. "When did you get butch?"

"Did anyone else think that was kinda hot?" Missy asked softly. 

"She's right. That was kinda hot," Jenny whispered. 

"Investigating a murder here," Genie said firmly. 

In Moonlight - Ch 10 - We Need to Talk to Knox

"Why do you need to talk to Knox?" Kassidy asked.

"Because, he might know something more about... what happened," Genie said carefully, as she watched her little sister search through her desk, looking for the activist's address.

After speaking with the witness and getting turned away by Baron Charm's butler (what was going on there?), Genie had come to the conclusion that talking to Knox Greenburg was the next clear step. She just hoped the late Shannon Charm's boyfriend really did know something that would help her unravel the mystery around her murder.

"Found it," Kassidy said triumphantly, handing Genie a Speak for the Trees pamphlet with several phone numbers and addresses written on the back. "Can I go with you?"

"No," Genie said with a smile. "And, before you say anything, first, you've got school and, second, mom would blow her stack if I took you with me while I investigate this."

"Fine," Kassidy pouted as only a teen can, making it clear it was anything but fine.

God, was I ever that young? Genie wondered silently. Out loud she said, "I'll call you when I've spoken to Knox and let you know what we find out."

"Don't worry, Kassidy," Jenny put in. "You sister is a totally fearless reporter. She'll get to the bottom of this."

"I know," Kassidy sighed, leading them out of her room. "I just want to... oh crap. Stop. Stop. Quiet."

Startled, Genie rocked to a halt. A quick look around the second floor landing was enough to notice her mother, reason enough to be very still and quiet. Coming up the stairs, she saw Stephens escorting a thin, bald man in a black suit and hat. 

"That guy creeps me out," Kassidy whispered.

"Who is he?" Genie asked in hushed tones. "Has he been bothering you?" she added, remembering how some of her father's campaign contributors would leer and paw at her.

"Mr. Hand," Kassidy answered. "He works for Representative Friend, I think. He's been meeting with mom a lot lately... something about money or investments or something... and no, he hasn't done anything like you're thinking. It's just..."

As Kassidy spoke, Luna had already passing through the doors that led into her private office but Mr. Hand paused, turning. His eyes, hidden behind black shades, swept across the landing. 

"Just when he looks at me," Kassidy shivered. "It feels like..."

"... worms crawling through my brain," Jenny hissed, her face twisted in revulsion. To be fair, Genie thought, Jenny has had issues with bald men in suits ever since she made the mistake of dating Uncle Max, the gangster.

Looking across at the man in black, Genie didn't feel anything. At the same time, she'd not-seen ghosts before. Ghosts she knew had been there anyway. Ghosts she knew Jenny could see plainly. She didn't know who, or what, Mr. Hand might be, but as he turned away to follow her mother, Genie resolved to find out. Because I needed another mystery, she thought.

-----------------

The train had rocked quietly under them for hours, following the twisting bends and steep climbs through the foothills of the Granite Mountains. Even with the speed and efficiency of Windslar's rail system, it was a long trip from Windenburg to Evergreen Harbor.

"You know, I've never been to Evergreen Harbor," Jenny said as the train finally pulled into their destination. 

Genie knew Jenny was still a little annoyed about being left out last time. 

"You didn't miss much," she sighed. "We didn't exactly hit the hot spots. Just the train station, a rundown neighborhood and the emergency room."

Closing her eyes, Genie could remember it clearly. Confronting her Uncle Max outside the dingy looking house in a dingy looking neighborhood. They'd lured the gangster and his minions there using the strange magic Etta Blackwood had insisted wasn't real magic. "Just hedge magic," the former witch had insisted.

Whatever kind of magic it had been, it had convinced Uncle Max that Miranda and Mariah were hiding in that dingy house. Convinced him to come to their trap and not to whatever house Genie's friends were really hiding in. 

She still didn't know where they actually were. 

Most of all, she remembered Uncle Max's gun. The cold, dark metal of it and the gaping cavernous barrel, aimed lethally toward its target. The person Max Villareal had considered the most dangerous to him - Etta Blackwood.

Strangely enough, Genie didn't really remember the pain of getting shot. She didn't even remember making the decision to step between Etta and the gun. Maybe she'd just done it without really thinking about it.

Her arm still ached, where the bullet had torn through her.

She'd survived, obviously. Etta had survived. Miranda and Mariah were safe, wherever they were. Uncle Max had escaped, but that didn't really matter. She'd deal with him, eventually. Her uncle. The gangster.

She remembered a time when she hadn't know her family included some of the Republic's most notorious gangsters. When she hadn't known her mother, who had never been easy to live with, was actually in league with dangerous people. When she hadn't known how deeply her father's corruption ran. 

A time when she hadn't know that, in the shadows behind all that, lurked things even more terrifying - vampires, werewolves and witches.

A time before she'd become friends with Miranda Goth. 

If it wasn't for Miranda, she wouldn't know any of this. 

She'd asked her dear friend Aadi once, if they thought being friends with Miranda was worth it.

"Girlfriend, let me tell you something," the blue-haired, gay, non-binary artist had smiled in their fabulous and strangely wise way. "The monster was always under the bed. You just couldn't see it. So, you could pretend it wasn't there. That was a lie. Lies are easy. They're comfortable and that makes you think they're safe... but they're not, because the truth is always there. Between the comfortable lie and the scary truth, I choose the truth." 

-----------------

"The San My Herald, you say," Mrs. Greenburg asked. "What do you want with my boy?"

A trip to Knox Greenburg's address, and some questions to the neighbors, had led Genie and Jenny to a nearby community garden and finally to his polite but clearly formidable mother. 

"I'm hoping to interview him for a story that I'm working on," Genie replied. It wasn't strictly a lie. In fact, she was pretty sure there was a story here that her editor would be interested in, if she could just unravel it.

"Wouldn't be the first time," Mrs. Greenburg said, clearly considering. "Of course, last time that reporter took everything Knox said out of context and misquoted him on top of that. My boy might be a bit hot-headed but he's no 'eco-terrorist.'"

"It's not my intension to paint anyone in a bad light or get Knox into any trouble, ma'am," Genie said. Unless he happens to be a trained covert ops assassin who repeatedly stabbed his girlfriend, she added to herself. Then all bets are off.

"He might not feel like talking to you," Mrs. Greenburg said. "I assume you know he's suffered a tragedy?"

"I do, ma'am," Genie said, deciding honesty was the best policy here. "I am hoping to speak with him about that, but I don't want to make him uncomfortable or upset. I'm trying to find answers."

"That's what I thought," Mrs. Greenburg snorted. "The news reports I've read just want to sweep it aside, as if that poor girl's death didn't matter to anyone."

"I know, ma'am," Genie said. "I intend to change that." 

"Is that so?" Mrs. Greenburg continued to consider for a moment, then arrived at her decision. "Well, if Knox isn't at work... and he won't be this time of the evening... you're likely to find him at the Caboose with his friends. That's a bar on the waterfront. Mind you keep what he says in its proper context."

"I will," Genie nodded. "Thank you."

"She seemed nice, in that slightly scary hippy kind of way," Jenny said as they walked toward the former train station turned bar.

"You know 'slightly scary' and 'hippy' don't really go together in my head," Genie replied.

"That's because you've never met my mother," Jenny laughed. "She's a very sweet lady, until you cross her... then you better be prepared for a fight."

"I'll take 'scary hippy' over my mother any day," Genie said. "You know, you never talk about your parents? Why is that?"

"No comment," Jenny said, flashing what Genie recognized as her dazzling paparazzi smile. She decided not to press the issue. If there was one thing Genie understood, it was parent issues.

-----------------

"So, if you're done signing autographs and taking selfies with your legions of fans," Genie said a short while later.

"Oh, it was one fan," Jenny said, unable to hide her pleased smile.

"The bartender said Knox and his friends usually hang out back here," Genie chuckled, leading the way into the bar's back room. "We're looking for a guy in a red hat and vest. He shouldn't be too... Oh. My. God!"

"What? I... You!" Jenny's jaw dropped.

"Etta!?" Genie gasped.

"Genie?" Etta gasped, looking up. "Tenebrae Externae! What are you doing here?"

"Looking for Knox Greenburg," Genie said, pointing over at the man in the red cap and vest sitting on the couch between Demarco and a red-head she'd never met. "What are you doing here?"

"Talking to my friend, Knox Greenburg," Demarco put in, deadpan, as Etta leapt to her feet and rushed over to Genie.

"It's good to see you," Etta smiled. "Is your arm OK? It hasn't been bothering you."

"My arm's fine," Genie said, pulling the usually reserved blonde woman into a hug.

"So, you guys know each other," Knox said.

"Yeah, we met about a month ago," Demarco said as Etta reclaimed her seat. "It's kind of a long story."

"You don't seem to have any other kind anymore," Knox observed.

"Anyway, Genie here is, among other things, a reporter," Demarco said. "I expect she has some questions for you, Knox."

"Oh, well, I guess that's OK," Knox said.

"Are you sure? I don't mean to intrude but, yeah, I was hoping to ask you some..." Genie started.

"Hey guys," Mandy called out. "Sorry we're late. I was..."

"Madonna!" Mary gasped.

"Genie? Jenny?"  Mandy stammered. "Claudette!?"

"So, you guys know each other, too," Knox blinked.

"It's kind of a long story," Etta groaned softly. 

In Moonlight - Ch 9 - Beardy Bill

"Hey Bill, how's it going?" Mary asked with a warm smile.

Everyone Mary had talked to called the guy Beardy Bill, because of his long, scruffy beard. He was a fixture on the waterfront, probably the most well-known of the Harbor's homeless. He was even featured occasionally in the local news, usually in articles about the plight of the homeless, the urban poor and the mentally ill. 

There was no doubt in Mary's mind that Bill hit all the boxes. He was poor, homeless and a bit unstable. His sometimes wild rants and occasional outbursts of unpredictable rage could be frightening. Still, in Mary's opinion, he was a decent guy. She'd known worse men, who hid their violence behind expensive suits and smooth smiles.

"Mary, Mary, oh contrary," Bill replied in a sing-song voice, returning her smile with one of his own. "How does your garden grow?"

"Better now that Mandy won't let me touch it," Mary laughed. "She's pretty sure I killed a plastic flower once."

"I brought you a little something," Mary said.

"A visit from yer charmin' self is gift enough," Bill grinned. "You didn't need to trouble yer'self."

"It's just some bagels and coffee I lifted from the breakroom at work," Mary said. "It's not much, but it's something."

"Don't get yer'self in trouble for the likes of me," Bill admonished.

"Nobody's going to give me trouble over day-old bagels and bad coffee, Bill," Mary scoffed. Truthfully, Rotten Josh would probably try if he knew, but she could handle him.

"Yer a good girl, Mar," Bill said. "And yer right, this is terrible coffee."

"Shit," Etta cursed, coming to a sudden stop. "Shit, shit, shit."

"What?" Demarco asked, puzzled. 

Glancing around the edge of the old shipping container, she could see Beardy Bill talking to a young woman. It was hard to make out much over the overwhelming scents of ripe trash, rust, oil and salt water from the harbor, and Beardy Bill himself, but she could just pick out a hint of the woman's scent. She smelled of something Demarco could only call strength, something that reminded her a bit of Rory. 

"Who is that?" Demarco asked. 

"Mariah Huntley," Etta whispered. "She's going to kill me." 

"What, Mariah Huntley, the ex-gangster who married Miranda Goth?" Demarco said. "Why would she have a problem with you?"

"Oh, I don't know Lux," Etta snarled quietly, clearing missing Demarco's sarcasm. "Maybe because I magically roofied Miranda, seduced her, and helped gangsters kidnap her. Gangsters who were planning to sell her to the Dark Court? Any of that ringing a bell?"

Of course it does, Demarco thought with an inward sigh. She knew the shame and pain her partner carried over her past crimes. Crimes Etta had committed at the command of her abusive father, who had seen his daughter as nothing but a weapon in his war with the Witches' Council. She worried that Etta was still trapped by that past. That she couldn't seem to accept that she wasn't that lost teen anymore. 

"Yes," Demarco admitted, trying to sound calming. Etta needed to confront her past. "But you also turned your back on those gangsters, and your father, and helped her escape. Besides, that was like four years ago. Did Miranda and Mariah even know each other then?"

"They'd been dating for a few months," Etta moaned. "Miranda actually offered to leave her for me... all because of the damn spell I put on her."

"Oh," Demarco blinked. She'd known Etta had used magic to make Miranda fall for her, but not that hard. Looking at the pain in her partner's face, she felt a small and uncomfortably familiar stab of jealousy. Had it just been a spell? Now wasn't the time to confront that. She decided it was better to go back to humor instead. "Yeah, she's definitely going to kill you."

"See," Etta sighed, still too wrapped up in her own feelings to spot the joke. "Shit. What are the odds? I mean, we knew they were hiding out in the Harbor, but what are the odds she'd know Beardy Bill?" 

"Everyone knows Beardy Bill," Demarco pointed out.

"You doing OK out here, Bill?" Mary asked carefully. It was always a balancing act, she knew from experience, to offer help to a guy like Bill.

"I got everything I need, Mar," Bill said confidently.

"You sure? I know it's been getting cold at night," Mary pressed. The summer's intense heat was a distant memory now. Mary had woken this morning to see frost on the windows, and she'd thought about Bill.

"Not my first autumn, kid," Bill grinned. "I know how to take care of myself."

"You know, if it gets bad there are shelters," Mary suggested, trying to sound casual.

"Phfa," Bill snorted, amused. "Damn Jacoban preachers and their God-talk. I'd rather be cold."

Mary wanted to argue. Instead, she found herself remembering another time and place, a homeless teen runaway and a Jacoban missionary who would come by once a week to rant about sin and an angry God before offering her enough money to buy some food in exchange for a blowjob behind the dumpsters. Long practice kept the memory off her face, while Mary acknowledged it and put it away, reminding herself that she wasn't that lost teen anymore.

"Ok, I can respect that," Mary said, that same practice keeping her voice steady. "Just take care of yourself."

"Always have, always will," Bill smiled. "Don't worry 'bout me, Mar. I got folk who look after me... like you and like Lilah and her family. Folk who look after each other. I ain't alone."

"Good," Mary said. That lost teen runaway named Mariah had been alone, had refused to not be alone. She wouldn't let this strange, mad old man be. I'll bring him some blankets next time, she told herself. "I've got to run... got to catch the bus and get home before Mandy sends out a search party."

"Say hi for me," Bill said.

"I will," Mary smiled. "I hope the bagels aren't too stale."

"No worries, I got sharp teeth," Bill grinned.

"Evening Bill," Demarco said. She'd waited until Mariah Huntley was well out of earshot before she'd approached, making sure to make a little noise so she didn't startle Beardy Bill. It wasn't a good idea to startle someone like Bill.

"The remarkable Demarco," Beardy Bill smiled. "Lady Blackwood," he added with a nod to Etta that was completely, respectfully sincere.

"Bill," Etta nodded back courteously. 

"I wondered when you were going to show yourselves," he continued. "Have a bagel."

Demarco almost refused, but stopped herself even before Etta's warning glance. Beardy Bill might look like a crazy homeless guy. He was actually a crazy homeless guy, but he was also a Wolf and the leader of the Evergreen pack. As a Wildfang, her actions reflected on her own pack, and on the Moonwood, and that meant she had to respect the ancient customs of the Wolves. When a pack leader offered you food, you did not refuse.

Hospitality was one of the oldest and strongest of the ancient customs. An offer of food by a pack leader meant more than just a snack. It was a gesture of respect, an invitation to share what the pack had - food, shelter, and above all safety. In essence, Hospitality, once offered and accepted, meant the guest became a temporary member of the host's pack. Even members of rival packs respected those rules, setting their conflicts aside for as long as they were guest and host. 

To refuse an offer of Hospitality, on the other hand, was seen as deliberately leaving the possibility of conflict open. It was as good as spitting in a guy's face while insulting his mother.

According to Etta, even witches and vampires honored the custom of Hospitality, each in their own ways. Since most vampires couldn't handle solid food, Demarco hadn't had the guts to ask Etta what - or who - vampires offered their guests. The options she imagined weren't good ones. She was almost glad the near-constant conflict between vampires and werewolves meant that she wasn't likely to be offered a glass of AB negative anytime soon. 

She'd take stale bagels any day.

"So, that's the situation," Demarco concluded. Ancient customs respected and bagels eaten, she had launched into explaining why they'd come to see Bill. The older Wolf had listened seriously, nodding to show he understood, but otherwise letting her finish her story without interrupting. 

"Since you're pretty tuned into what happens on the waterfront, I was hoping you might have heard something," she added. "If only who's using the old waterfront offices these days."

"Well, I can't say I know much of what ol' Cletus is up to," Beardy Bill mused. "He keeps his distance from us, and we keep our distance from him. This is the first I've heard of him being up on the mountain making trouble. Might be we oughta keep a closer eye on him."

"We don't want to make trouble for your people," Demarco said diplomatically, while inwardly allowing herself a little cheer at the idea of getting help from the Evergreen pack.

"Sounds like it's ol' Cletus making trouble," Bill replied. Demarco could see a glint in his eye that made her wonder, not for the first time, if older Wolves could read minds. She sure couldn't.

"As for the waterfront offices," Bill continued. "That would be the Evergreen Development Corporation."

"The shoestring land development thing Bess Stirling was starting up?" Demarco blinked.

"Shoestring no more," Bill grinned. "She's gone and got both shoes now. Got a bunch of other local firms working together and I hear they've got some big investors."

"Have you heard anything about these investors?" Etta asked, pouncing on the possible lead like Rory on a rabbit.

"Strangely enough, I don't get invited to their business meetings," Bill replied. "Unless maybe I missed an email. I could check my spam folder."

"Still, you really wanna know what's going on inside Evergreen Development, you might look up yer friend Knox," Bill continued. "Him and them Hug the Trees folks were out picketing their offices a while back. If I remember right, they even said they were heading down to the Old City to protest at some big bank. Of course, he might feel up to talkin' 'bout it."

"Why not?" Demarco asked. She'd never known Knox Greenburg to turn down a chance to talk at length about his latest cause. 

"Oh, you ain't heard," Bill said sadly. "Knox had a girl he was seein' ... another of them tree hugger folks."

"Way to go, Knox," Demarco said with a grin. A moment later the look on Beardy Bill's face took the smile from hers and knocked the air from her lungs even before he spoke.

"She got killed," Bill said gently. "Way I heard it, it was a mugging gone bad."

"Oh God," Demarco breathed.

"Yeah, poor Knox and poor Princess Charm," Bill shook his head.

"Princess Charm?" Etta asked, and Demarco caught something sharp rise in her partner's scent. Something that she knew in her bones meant trouble.

"That was his lady's name," Bill said. "Charm. Sherry... no, that's not it."

"Shannon," Etta supplied.

"That's it. Shannon Charm," Bill nodded, his bright eyes fixed on Etta's. He didn't ask how or why she knew that name. Even Hospitality had limits, and Bill wasn't one to pry into someone else's secrets.

Demarco felt no such limitations. "What?" she asked.

"I'll tell you on the way," Etta replied. "We need to talk to Knox. Thanks Bill."

Demarco knew her well enough to guess that her partner wasn't trying to hide something from Bill. No, Demarco thought, she had the distant but intense expression that said she was looking at something far away, something neither of the Wolves could see. 

Before she could even try to explain to Bill, the old Wolf simply nodded.

"No problem," he said. "Good hunting, sisters."