Wearing latex gloves and sporting a hair net; Special Agent Brooke Reed was busy examining the suspect’s car. To any outside observer, it appeared that she was examining a crime scene while doing her best not to contaminate any potential evidence. To Brooke that was the furthest from the truth; as a werewolf, the FBI agent was discreetly sniffing the inside of the vehicle. Trying to capture the suspect’s scent; unfortunately for agent Reed all she got was cordite, gunpowder and the lingering chemicals from the smoke grenade that the suspect used to escape into the woods.
Frowning as she extricated herself from the Chrysler K car, Brooke pulled of the latex gloves as she joined the deputies that formed the K9 unit. The deputies in question were all weres; were-dogs of various canine species. With the were-alert currently going on and several reporters milling about behind the crime scene; Agent Reed smiled at the sight of seeing several Bloodhounds and German Sheppard’s on leashes. Held onto by some of the deputies; Agent Reed posed that with the reporters about, the K9 unit should look like they have police dogs to use to track and assist in taking down belligerent suspects and criminals.
The dogs in question came from the local animal shelter; their barking and baying belied the fact that they caught the scent of the deputies. All not exactly comfortable around each other, yet the deputies begrudgingly agreed to at least put on this show for the sake of keeping the town’s secret were-population safe from exposure.
“The dog’s either got the man’s scent or they are upset with all us weres near them,” a nearby deputy speaking softly.
“We only need them for appearance sake,” Agent Reed responding in kind; checking the police line to see if anyone might be listening in with a parabolic dish or other sound enhancing devices.
“Did you at least get a good scent from the car,” the deputy speaking as he struggled to keep the bloodhound on the leash still.
“No,” Agent Reed turning back to the pack; “all I could smell was cordite and gunpowder.”
“In that case,” the deputy letting the dog rush into the woods; effortlessly keeping pace as the bloodhound tries to get away; “we assume the man is armed.”
******
Jose swore as another stray twig smacked him in the face. Despite it only being roughly forty five minutes after he managed to slip his police pursuers by running into the woods; the hitman was truly lost.
“I really shouldn’t have dropped that map,” Jose taking a moment to catch his breath; “I would have been on the highway and halfway to Tacoma right about now.”
Jose, not realizing that he got on to the road that lead towards Spokane; a direction that was east, instead of the westerly road heading to Seattle and Tacoma; depending on the exit off ramp. Jose takes a few more deep breaths before he turns his head to hear a sound that fills him with dread. In the distance he could hear barking and howling. Jose knew those were dogs he was hearing; thinking it was only a matter of time before they picked up his scent, Jose started to panic as he ran deeper into the woods.
*******
Agent Reed paused as she sniffed the air. Despite not in her werewolf fursona; a white furred werewolf with a smattering of grey along her back and tail, she was able to pick up a fresh human scent. Faint at first, she also caught a whiff of cordite along with it.
“Got his scent,” Agent Reed speaking; “are we fully obscured from the reporters?”
“We should be safe,” as the same deputy from earlier hands off his dog to a fellow deputy.
Agent Reed silently observed as the deputy quickly removed his police uniform; Agent Brooke Reeds observes the deputy shifting into black furred poodle. Agent Reed’s eyes go wide while a few of the other deputies snigger.
“Just because I look cute in my fursona,” the deputy snarling; “doesn’t mean my nose isn’t as good as the rest of yours.”
“Yeah,” another deputy who fursona was that of a Great Dane; “but that doesn’t make it any more funny while watching you work.”
“Just don’t sniff my butt,” Agent Reed shaking her head as she doesn’t shift; “that goes for the rest of you!”
“Don’t confuse us with our four legged cousins,” a were-Labrador scoffing; “besides it’s the junk they sniff. The fact that it’s butt adjacent…”
“Alright enough is enough,” the were-poodle deputy barking; “those in their fursona are to track the suspect and observe ONLY.”
“If possible,” agent Reed adding; “steer the man back to the main group with a few well-placed growls and snarls, while remaining hidden. I know a few of you might think that this is a hunting style of a wolf pack,” Agent Reed continuing; “and it is. But this will keep the man in the woods and allow those not transformed to arrest the man without incident.”
“Don’t get careless,” the were-poodle deputy finishing up the quick briefing; “it is safe to assume the man is armed and willing to shoot his way to freedom if possible.”
*******
Back at the roadblock; Sheriff Cooper was finishing up examining the vehicle Jose escaped from earlier. Hearing the sound of several dogs braying and howling in the distance; Sheriff Cooper couldn’t help but smile. Able to discern the difference between the howl of a were-dog and a real dog; Sheriff Cooper knew that his deputies have finally caught the man’s scent.
“Radio dispatch,” Sheriff Cooper approaching a deputy on his radio; “instruct them to radio all deputies still manning checkpoints and roadblocks in town to start converging in this general area. Full uniforms,” Sheriff Cooper instructing the deputy; using code to state no shifting unless absolutely necessary. “use of non-lethal weapons only,” Sheriff Cooper instructing; “stun guns and batons only.”
“Anything else,” the deputy relaying the sheriff’s instructions.
“Not at this time,” Sheriff Cooper pulling out his cell phone; “but stay on the radio in case things change. I need to call Joan and let her know I'll won't be back until very late in the evening.”
TO BE CONTINUED