บท 94: Chapter 88: Scammed by a little shifter

Lachlan scratched the back of his head as he read the reports that his subordinates had sent to him. He was in his office at the police station. He had just finished meeting up with the two candidates for the elections. As for now, there were only two parties; the Hilliard and Zant.

He has been busy lately, what with the elections as well as the killing of the homeless. The votes had become intense lately that no one could predict who would win. And Lachlan couldn't help but feel something was a bit off with Mateo Zant. Although he felt like a nice person, hosting charities and giving motivational talks every now and then, Lachlan felt like he was hiding something.

As for the killing of the homeless, he was confused and baffled as to why they were targeted. And he had to admit that the perpetrators were smart to not leave any evidence behind. Nor could his shifter subordinates be able to smell anything at the crime scene.

He was still reading the reports when one of his subordinates, also a shifter, knocked on his door.

"Come in."

The door opened and a tall and lean man walked in. He was wearing a police uniform and it seems like he had just got back from patrolling the area. "Sir! We have found more victims, just near the dam, outskirts of town," he reported. Since they were working, Lachlan had given permission to the shifters in his pack to call him, 'Sir', instead of 'Alpha'. This was to ensure that the non-shifters would not become suspicious.

Lachlan abruptly stood up with his palms on top of his desk. "What? What happened to the people who were supposed to be patrolling that area?" he exclaimed in surprise.

His subordinate's face grew grave as he continued to report, "They were also dead."

Lachlan froze. "But those people were also from the pack," he said slowly.

His subordinate just nodded.

Lachlan's eyes narrowed. It seems like this case wasn't as simple as it looks. The fact that his packmates were killed, it shows that the perpetrators were probably not human beings as well. He raised his head and asked, "Where are their bodies?"

"We managed to get the bodies away before anyone could bring them out," his subordinate said solemnly.

Lachlan nodded. "We'll have Paccia check on the bodies before giving them a proper burial," he said, a grave look still on his face.

His subordinate nodded. "Also, there are reporters who are waiting for an interview about the killings," he further reported. "They're at the crime scene."

Lachlan inwardly groaned. What he hated the most when it comes to this job was the fact that he has to deal with the reporters. Seeing that the case of the killing has escalated to new heights where policemen were also killed, they definitely would not be able to hide the news any longer.

He placed a hand against his forehead and let out a sigh. "I'll go and deal with them," he said. "For now, go continue patrolling the other areas. Inform Deputy Chief Cairns about this. Let him deal with the bodies."

His subordinate nodded and left the room after giving a salute.

Lachlan let out another sigh as he put his hands on his hips, leaning his head back. Seems like he won't be able to go to Erick's Open Day, even if he wanted to.

-----

It was finally time for Erick to take his break. He waited outside the classroom with his arms crossed across his chest, smiling at those who have waved at him in greeting. He also gently rejected those who wanted to have a selfie with him since he hadn't taken a photo with Amber yet.

Amber was still inside. Seeing that she doesn't have a role, other than fixing the costumes and being the food tester, as she self-proclaimed, she has been busy helping with the serving as well. Earlier, she wanted to help with the food preparation but Dana had pushed her out of the area, saying that she doesn't trust Amber with it. It was not that she was worried that Amber would mess up, she was more worried about the fact that Amber might sneak in a little bite, which may end up sneaking in the whole plate.

She had just cleaned up after the customers when one of her classmates walked up to her and said, "Hey, Amber. Your break is up. Better get going. Erick is waiting for you outside."

Amber looked up from wiping the table and nodded. Her hair was slowly loosening itself from her chignon that she pinned her hair with more hair pins to secure them up. Although she looked a bit tired, it doesn't seem to make her less bright as she grinned widely. She quickly wiped the tables and folded the small towel. She placed the towel on a table where they placed the cleaning supplies.

She waved goodbye and walked out of the classroom. One of her classmates who was taking over her shift gave her a thumbs up.

When Amber finally walked out with a small bag which contained her pocket money and phone, Erick was chatting with one of their classmates who was manning the front. They stopped talking when she came and stood next to Erick.

He looked down at her with a gentle smile and asked, "Ready?"

Amber nodded, smiling back. Then the two of them went on their way.

They began to talk with each other about the Open Day and what they have been doing. Since Erick had spent most of his time outside, rather than inside, they didn't really talk with one another until now.

Along the way, they met up with Hamish, who was about to return to the class for his break. He greeted them with a wave. And knowing that these two wanted to be alone, he didn't join them.

Shortly after, they reached one of the classrooms and saw Jeayan standing outside of the class. She was calling out for more customers, inviting them in. Her smile widened when she saw Erick and Amber walking over.

She beckoned at them to come closer. When Erick was in front of her with Amber beside him, Jeayan began her sales pitch. "Hey, hey! Want to watch something extraordinary?"

"What is it?" Erick asked, even though he knew what the play was all about from Bear.

"MacBeth!" Jeayan answered with a smug look on her face.

"And…?" Erick said slowly, cocking an eyebrow.

Jeayan leaned closer to Erick, careful to not let Amber hear anything she says. "It's a chance for you to get closer to your mate. When there's a scary part, you can be sure that she will hold your hand gratefully."

Erick narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Scary part?" he repeated.

Jeayan nodded. "Yeah, this is Shakespeare's supernatural thriller! I'm acting as one of the witches!" she answered, a proud look on her face, with her hands on her hips.

It was then Erick just realized that she was dressed as a witch; her hair was messy underneath the witch hat. She even wore a fake crooked long nose and thick black eyeliner. There were also fake eyebags underneath her eyes and lines of wrinkles on the corner of her eyes and mouth, making her look old and tired. She wore a long black dress with patches on some parts. The hem of her dress reached below her knees and looked as if it was torn. To complete the costume, she was holding a plastic dark brown wand, a black ankle sock and black shoes.

"Deng. I have to admit. But your costume is awesome," Erick commented, looking surprised. "If you hadn't talked to me, I wouldn't have recognized you at all!"

Jeayan inwardly rolled her eyes at his lie. He definitely knows her from her scent alone. She then tugged on his arm playfully. "Come on and watch the play! It's going to start in a few minutes!"

Erick frowned. He turned to Amber as if to ask for her opinion. Amber just shrugged. She doesn't really mind anyway if they go in or not.

He then turned back and said, "Alright then. Two tickets please."

"That will be six dollars please," Jeayan said, beaming as she held out two tickets.

Erick's mouth dropped open. "Isn't it free?" he said.

Jeayan rolled her eyes. "Nothing in this world is free!" she declared.

Ignoring Erick's muttering, she took the money and handed it to her classmate who was in-charge of the tickets. She then asked, "Oh, do you want some popcorn?"

Erick raised an eyebrow. "You have popcorn too?" he asked.

"Of course, we do! It wouldn't be fun to watch without popcorn!"

Erick turned back to Amber again, who nodded excitedly. It seems like the thought of eating popcorn is much more exciting than watching the play.

"Four bags of popcorn please, then."

"That will be two dollars each," Jeayan answered with a beaming smile. "For drinks, that's an additional one dollar each."

Erick's eyes widened. Did he get scammed by this little shifter?

Jeayan pulled up a small hoop and placed it on a wall. She then handed him a small ball and pointed on a small red plaster that was on the floor a few steps away. "You can get one of your popcorn for free if you score a basket."

Erick let out a sigh and did as she said. However, just as he was about to shoot, Jeayan suddenly coughed out loud, startling Erick into missing the basket.

He whirled around in confused anger. He was about to snap at her when she suddenly pushed both Erick and Amber into the classroom, together with their popcorn. "Alright now. Enjoy the play! I'll see you later and don't forget the money later for the popcorn!"

Erick let out a sigh as he stood just inside the classroom, with the popcorn in his arms. Amber stood beside him, chuckling when she saw his resigned look. She patted him on the back and said, "Aw, don't be sad. At least we have some popcorn to enjoy."

Erick smiled weakly at her poor attempt at comforting. It seems like she was actually bad at comforting others.

He smoothly wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her to some couple of empty seats. He then thought to himself that it did not matter that she was bad at comforting others. Just being close to her was enough.