There were plenty of things in this world that Morgana enjoyed. Getting a call near midnight wasn't one of them.
"You're lucky," she said. "If it were anyone else, I would have opened with 'piss off'."
"Good thing I'm not anyone else," Cami replied.
"What's up?"
"Vincent called. The police found a body and they want my psychological insight on it. And, since he doesn't have your phone number, he asked me to call you."
"So he wants us to look at a dead body? Definitely not what I imagined my night to look like. I'll meet you there."
She contemplated flying, but if there was a crime scene there were going to be plenty of people. It probably wouldn't go well if she just dropped from the sky, so to speak. No, driving was probably her best bet.
Grendel decided to stay home and infest her bed with more of his fur. She wished she could join him.
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Morgana saw the flashing police lights from a couple blocks over, so she parked there. The crowd was being held back by officers and tape. Cami had beat her there, and when Vincent saw her he waved her over. An officer lifted the tape for her and she ducked under to get to them.
"What's so bad about this body?" She asked, tucking her hands in her jean pockets.
"I think we're about to find out," Cami replied.
"The thing you gotta understand is me and NOLA PD got a relationship that goes back to that nastiness with my ex-wife," Vincent said. "I'm their expert in anything that seems occult, and every so often they come across the aftermath of some black magic, and they call me in."
A detective joined them. "Is this your friend, the shrink?" He held out his hand to Cami. "Will Kinney, detective, homicide."
"Cami O'Connell, bartender, part-time shrink," Cami replied, shaking his hand.
Will's gaze landed on Morgana, and he held his hand out to her. She took it and gave him a warm smile.
"Morgana Carter, bartender, tired," she said.
He chuckled. "I don't remember Vincent mentioning you."
"We only met a few months ago. I happen to have experience with the occult as well, unfortunately. Vincent asked me to join him and Cami for additional help."
Will nodded. "Vince, show them the body. We'll see if Miss O'Connell can do what you say she can do. And if Miss Carter has anything to offer."
Morgana didn't care for his attitude too much. He seemed to be appraising them, as if they were things to be judged based on what he thought their value was. But then, he was on the job. Maybe this was just how he worked.
Regardless, she and Cami followed Vincent down the alley. Morgana blanched when she saw the body.
He was held up by loose ropes around his arms and shoulders. Wearing a suit, absolutely drenched in blood. The most interesting part was the smile carved into his face, Joker style.
"I'm no forensic psychologist, but whoever did this took their time," Cami said. "He bled a lot, which means he was alive, but it's like he just stood there."
She gestured to the ropes. "These ropes are just for display. He wasn't bound, there are no marks on his wrists, no signs of struggling or clawing."
"Compulsion," Morgana muttered. "Can be a nasty thing."
"Maybe rich boy pissed off the wrong vampire," Vincent added.
