CHAPTER 31 | guess who's coming to dinner?
📎A/N. Hello my lovelies, hope your week is going well.
M.
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"Don't ask," Kaitlyn said as she deposited the third container of food on Murphy's bench.
The amused Werewolf took a sip of coffee from the cup he was holding and raised an eyebrow "Wouldn't dare."
He remained leaning against the bench, one hand casually tucked into his jeans and continued to watch with a puzzled expression as Kaitlyn made three more trips.
"I think that about does it," she said, wiping her hands on each other and cast her eye across the fruit of her labours.
"Yesterday it was linen. Today food. I'm just curious about what you are going to turn up with tomorrow?" Murphy said as he took another gulp of his coffee.
Kaitlyn stopped short, a surprised look on her face, "Wow!" she exclaimed, "That actually sounded like an attempt at sarcasm."
She held back a smile as she heard him grunt and head over to the coffee pot. Murphy refilled his cup and poured a second. Returning, he handed her the additional cup and began ruffling through the containers. "So, I've taken another look at that list and cross checked it with the police database – courtesy of Garcia's little gift – and we can cross off four names."
"Oh?"
Murphy grabbed a blueberry muffin and took a bite. "Turns out they are in jail or arraigned awaiting a trial date," he explained, "so, we won't be able to get to them."
Kaitlyn became more frustrated as the day progressed. She knew that their task of attempting to narrow down the group Elijah had associated himself with was going to be a chore. It was to be expected that it was going to feel like pulling teeth. However, without the backing of the F.B.I. it was proving to be more difficult than anticipated. They had, on a number of occasions, had to physically chase after the person they were after. Her legs now hurt from the constant sprints across busy streets and tumbles across car hoods.
They were still none the wiser. Murphy had not detected any Werewolf scent on any of the people spoken to. Nor were they lying when questioned. Kaitlyn didn't realise how late it was until her phone's alarm went off.
"We'd better head to the airport," she said, turning off the irritating noise.
"We still have one more name on the list," argued Murphy.
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes. "Stop stalling. We need to get to the airport," she snapped.
It was nearly six when they arrived. Kaitlyn's legs ached as they rushed into the domestic arrival area. Why the hell did I wear boots with heels today?
They were just in time to greet Murphy's parents as they came through the gate. As expected, there was some awkwardness, and the majority of the conversation was carried by both Molly and Kaitlyn.
Once they had arrived at Murphy's home, he quickly showed his parents to their room while Kaitlyn packed her things to head home. Being a long day, she just wanted to sink into a hot bath with a glass of wine and put up her tired and sore feet.
The three Werewolves emerged from the other room just as Kaitlyn was about to head out the door.
"I'll leave you guys to it. I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on," she said as she bade her farewells. "Don't forget you just need to reheat the Pepper Steak Casserole on low," she reminded Murphy, indicating towards the fridge.
Kaitlyn managed to step one foot outside when Molly stopped her. "Aren't you staying for dinner?" asked Molly.
Kaitlyn shook her head and smiled at Murphy's mother, "The three of you haven't seen each other in a while. You don't need an outsider to make things awkward."
"Nonsense," fussed Molly as she grabbed Kaitlyn by the arm and pulled her back inside, "It's getting late and you must be starved. Besides, I would hazard a guess that you made the casserole."
Molly turned to her son. "Murphy, where are your manners, I raised you better than that," she scolded.
Murphy ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Ma," he began, "you can't force people to bend to your wishes. That's not the way it works."
"Liam and Murphy don't mind," she glared at her mate and son, "do you?"
Instead of replying both men grunted. Kaitlyn had to suppress a smile. Murphy was more like his father than he cared to admit.
"See, it's settled," declared Molly, a warm smile spreading across her face, "you're staying."
Knowing he was no longer in charge of his own home, Murphy turned to his father. "Beer?" he asked gruffly.
The curt nod from Liam had Murphy heading in the direction of the fridge.
"Now dear," began Molly, "where is this casserole you were talking about?"
By the time Kaitlyn and Molly had dinner on the table, Murphy and his father had managed to progress to having an actual conversation. It was stilted, but Kaitlyn could see that both were making an attempt.
"So, how's the case going?" asked Molly not long after they had begun to eat, "I hear that Alpha Stanton is increasing his pack in leaps and bounds."
Much to Kaitlyn's surprise, Murphy began to fill his parents in on Elijah's destruction since his return.
"Elijah was certainly busy after he parted ways with Elise," remarked Molly, once Murphy had brought them up to date. Both shock and horror reflected in her face.
Liam reached over and patted Molly's hand in reassurance. "That one's always been shifty," growled Liam.
By some unspoken agreement, a temporary truce seemed to have descended upon the dinner table and the remainder of the meal passed pleasantly. On occasion, both Liam and Murphy even managed to demonstrate their not often shown sense of humour.
Once dinner was over, Molly pushed her son and mate out the door. In no uncertain terms, she informed them they were to let their wolves out for a run. The woman was a force of nature and neither man was willing to defy her decree. They reluctantly headed out the door, neither really looking as though they were happy with the idea.
Molly watched as the two men headed across the back yard and towards the line of trees. Kaitlyn was surprised when Murphy's mother began to giggle.
"They may not be too keen," explained Molly seeing Kaitlyn's expression, "but their wolves will be ecstatic to be running together after all this time."
They had almost finished clearing up when Kaitlyn's phone beeped. She wiped her hands on a dishcloth and picked up her phone to check the message.
"Is there a problem?" asked Molly, seeing Kaitlyn's expression turning sour.
"It's from Parker," Kaitlyn mumbled, "we may have a problem."
Kaitlyn grabbed her laptop from where she had left it and quickly powered it on.
"There's a reporter who has been getting a little close for comfort," she explained, seeing Molly's look of concern. "Parker and her team have been keeping tabs on his stories. It sounds like he's stumbled on something that he shouldn't."
Accessing the emailed video, Kaitlyn's face turned grim as she watched the footage. While it was taken with a low-quality camera, and the image was dark, grainy and taken with an unsteady hand. There was no mistaking what she was watching. She had already been witness to this type of transformation – in reverse.
"Bugger!"
Parker's team had managed to provide a still image of the scene in the dark alley and had cleaned it up as much as they could. Kaitlyn sent the file to the printer.
She was pinning the printout to the wall when Murphy and his father returned.
Seeing her expression, Murphy quickly made his way towards her. A questioning look as he looked down at Kaitlyn, who was re-reading her email from Parker.
"We have a problem," Kaitlyn said, indicating behind her.
Kaitlyn briefed Murphy on what Parker had found. She then played the video to Murphy and his parents. Once the scene had finished, the three Werewolves stood in silence staring at the screen. Words unable to be found to express the implications on what they had just watched.
Kaitlyn cleared her throat, seeing their look of concern. "They've removed the file from the server before the backup so we only need to worry about his local copies."
"Did Parker say how he got his hands on the video?" Murphy asked, coming out of his initial inertia.
She shook her head. "No, we need to get our hands on his notes and destroy any other copies of the video."
"And we will need to deal with the reporter," he pointed out ominously.
Murphy strode over to the pinned up image to take a closer look. From his sudden rigid stance and low growl, Kaitlyn knew he must have recognised someone within the group. And it didn't take a rocket scientist to guess whom it was.
Her hypothesis was confirmed when Liam wandered over to take a look at what had upset his son and placed a comforting hand on Murphy's shoulder. "You'll get him this time," Liam said quietly.
Kaitlyn quickly made her way over to the pinned up image. A questioning look on her face. She was still none the wiser on what their enemy looked like.
Murphy still focused on his hatred had failed to detect her approach. Liam however, understood her unspoken question. He pointed at one of the figures and then headed back towards the kitchen, "I need a drink."
Kaitlyn studied the image. The man staring back at her was not what she had expected. As the picture was dark and from a distance, she couldn't make out the different coloured iris's she knew he sported.
He was no larger or taller than his companions. However, it was his features that most surprised her. Had she met him on the street or at a social gathering, she would have been disarmed by his all-American look. She had to admit, his clean-cut features, mixed with his very attractive face would have opened many doors in the human world. However, his eyes told everything Kaitlyn needed to know.
A chill ran up and down her spine the longer she remained gazing at the image of Elijah. His eyes seemed to radiate pure evil. Unlike the icy stare that Murphy was capable of, Elijah's displayed a total lack of humanity. His eyes, lifeless and hard, reflected his lack of a soul.
Decades of committing acts of absolute barbarism had stripped the Werewolf of any remnants of mercy or compassion.
Murphy's voice broke into her reflection. "Where did you say this was taken?" he asked.
Kaitlyn managed to pull her eyes away from Elijah's likeness. "New York," she said, "Do you recognise any of the other Werewolves?"
Both Murphy and Liam took a closer look and shook their heads.
"So what's he doing down there?" asked Molly, who until this point had remained quiet.
"Whatever it is, he needed seven Werewolves to do it," Liam remarked, now having returned with a bottle of beer.
Murphy looked across at Kaitlyn. "We need to get this photo out to all the Packs and see if they recognise anyone," he said.
Kaitlyn nodded in agreement. "I'll also check the FBI database to see if there was anything reported that night that might give us a clue."
Something about the situation still didn't sit right with Kaitlyn. She put voice to her nagging thoughts. "Why would he stay away from other Werewolves here in Boston, only to associate with ones in New York?"
"He wouldn't," sighed Murphy.
"So what's different about those Werewolves?" said Kaitlyn, pointing to the grainy image on the wall.
His voice was grim and determined. "That's what we need to find out."
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A/N... Whoops, somehow our little reporter already has his hands on that video.. and I am not sure how it is all going to pan out for him.
... and they now have a photo of Elijah and his cohorts...
... Lets see if they can put the rest of the pieces together.
Don't forget to vote.
Take Care till next time.
M.
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