Tempest

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Tempest Kincaid sat at her desk staring at the telephone, her mind engulfed in memories of another time... another place. A sharp knock on her office door suddenly bringing her back to the here and now, she looked up to see her supervisor standing in the doorway.

Dr Mark Barden was not only her boss, but her friend and mentor. In his early sixties, he was of average height, with soft brown eyes and steely grey hair. His skin was smooth fair, if not a little wrinkled. His fairness attributed to being closeted indoors his days spent pawing over test-tubes and reports. Science had always fascinated him, enough so that it became his life’s work.

Mark smiled at the woman he hoped would one day take his place. The head of the forensic section of the New South Wales Police Force was a huge job, one he knew his protégé was up to.  He smiled softly concern written across his face, they’d had some god awful days in the past few weeks and the work they did would take its toll on anyone. “Tempest, are you all right dear?”

Tempest blinked several times before she was able to answer. “I’m fine Harold what is it you need?”

“The body, do you still wish to do the autopsy?”

Tempest came to her feet and moved towards him, resting a hand on his arm in friendship. “Yes, of course, but it’s likely to be an all nighter. Go home and spend the evening with your wife. I’ve got this one covered.” She smiled, giving his arm a squeeze, “Your tired Mark, it’s been a rough week. I’m sure Sue will enjoy having you at home. Go.” She smiled

Mark gave her a nod, sighed then kissed her on the cheek before leaving.

Tempest watched as he left, closing the door and returning to her seat when he was out of sight. Damn it! This was not a situation she had ever counted on having to deal with. Picking up the phone she quickly dialled a number committed to memory, not wanting to give herself a chance to reconsider what her actions. Her heart beating rapidly, she waited, the call being picked up on the third ring and for several moments her heart stop beating.

“Hello?” There was utter silence on her end of the line, except for the fact that a Were had answered the phone and could hear Tempest’s erratic breathing. “I know you are there, either speak or hang up!”

That kicked her mind back to what was needed and she was able to speak. “My name is Tempest Kincaid. I need to speak to the Alpha.”

“Tempest? Is it really you my sweet?”

“Jacob?”

“Hold on, I’ll get Braedon,” he sent a silent message to his friend and Alpha, telling him he was needed in his office and why. “Temp, are you all right? We haven’t heard from you in some time. We’ve been concerned about you?”

“I’m fine Jacob. Is he there yet?”

“He just came in the room hold on.”

Jacob put the phone onto speaker and looked to Braedon to take control.

“Tempest,” began the Alpha, “are you well?”

On hearing his voice she sighed, ran a hand through her hair as if in comfort. “Yes Alpha. I am well.” She sighed, an indication to both men that they would not welcome what she was about to say. “We have a situation here that I thought you should be aware of.”

“Just so you are aware,” Braedon stated, “I have you on speaker. This way I won’t need to repeat our conversation to Jacob after we’ve hung up. I can hear the worry in your voice, please, tell me what’s happened?”