“This is the strangest case I’ve ever been on.”
“There’s always a first time for everything. I was lured here.”
“Why did Nate kill Glenn?”
“I don’t think you’ll believe his story, but he claimed he was a dragon.” I shrugged. “And he believes I’m one too.”
“I see an insanity plea coming. Was that your car parked down the road?”
“You didn’t think I was planning to come in here guns blazing, did you?”
“Why did you come here?”
“There was a note under my door asking me to come here from Bobby Hackman’s sister. Remember the werewolf I was telling you about? Well, he lived here.” I frowned. “Nate told me he killed him, but I haven’t seen any evidence of that. We should check in the basement.”
Blake pressed his hands against his temples. “You’re giving my brain an overload I can’t imagine what kind of news release we’ll need without sounding like we’re insane ourselves.”
I patted Blake on the back. “You’ll think of something.”
Trevelli ambled over. “Are you responsible for this mess, Alex?” he asked with a straight face.
“I just follow the leads where they take me.”
“Likely story. Hugh Miller will be pleased when he hears we found his brother’s killer.”
“‘We’ as in police department?” I asked.
Trevelli wrapped an arm around my shoulder and I suppressed the groan. My tattered back hadn’t had time to heal.
“You know Blake and I will have to take credit for this one.”
Blake frowned. “Hope you’re not upset about it.”
I seethed in anger below the surface, but I acknowledged it would be better that way. The world wasn’t ready for private investigator who was a dragon.
“Not upset in the least. You’re the ones who have to handle the scene. Please give me a moment to check on Hannah.”
I walked back inside to find Hannah helping her brother to the couch.
“So you’re not dead,” I said.
“Take more than a hunter to kill me. His arrow didn’t penetrate my leather jacket. Now I won’t have time to ride my Harley with my pack.”
I slapped my brow. “Don’t tell me there are more of you.”
“You must have realized that by now.”
“Let’s keep that between us.” I smiled. “See, you’re not a killer.”
“Never say never.”
“If it’s all the same with you, I’d rather not think about that.” I turned to the unfazed Hannah. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” she said.
Hannah was so darn pale. “You need a tan,” I blurted out.
She smiled, showing her fangs. “I have an aversion to the sun.”
“I get it,” I said. “Nate mentioned you tried to bite him. Aren’t vampires supposed to be strong?”
“Aren’t dragons supposed to kill their prey?”
“The hunter isn’t my prey. I’m happy this case concluded without bloodshed.”
“He won’t last one night in jail,” Bobby assured me.
“Please don’t tell me that,” I said with a sad shake of my head.
I introduced Blake and Trevelli to Bobby and Hannah. “I should probably get going now,” I said. “I’m glad you’re okay, Bobby and Hannah.”
I walked back to my car and sighed when I sat inside. I pounded my head lightly on the steering wheel. This turned out so much better than I thought. I was glad that Bobby and Hannah were unscathed. I had a feeling I’d be seeing them again.
I arrived at Hank’s Diner minutes later and ordered a juicy steak that I shared with Mable, who chatted nonstop.
“It was so kind of you to offer me the money so I could stay home. I’m feeling much better now, thanks to you.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I said.
“Would you like ice cream? It’s on me.”
“Not unless it has bacon on it.” I smiled.
Life might never be the same for me, but I’d use all the skills available to me to keep Westland safe. I didn’t feel cursed by the dragon anymore. I accepted my fate and my inner dragon.
About the Author
USA Today Bestseller Madison Johns is most known for her Agnes Barton Senior sleuths mystery series featuring lively and zany senior citizen sleuths — Agnes Barton and Eleanor Mason. Her time working at a nursing home was all the inspiration she needed to portray realistic characters that readers have gone on to love. Her first book Armed and Outrageous has solidified her in the publishing world and her series has been well received.
Since then her creativity has known no bounds as Madison has gone on to write several other genres including western historical romance as Clara Kincaid.
Curse of the Dragon, book one of the Undercover Dragon series, is Madison’s first venture with combining two of the most sought after genres, urban fantasy and mystery, thriller, & suspense.
Also by Madison Johns
An Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths Mystery
An Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths Mystery Series
Armed and Outrageous
Grannies, Guns & Ghosts
Senior Snoops
Trouble in Tawas
Treasure in Tawas
Bigfoot in Tawas
High Seas Honeymoon
Outrageous Vegas Vacation
Birds of a Feather
Camping Caper
Hawaiian Hanover
Scandal in Tawas
Tawas Goes Hollywood
Hidden Secrets
An Agnes Barton Paranormal Mystery Series
Haunted Hijinks
Ghostly Hijinks
Spooky Hijinks
Hair-Raising Hijinks
Ghastly Hijinks
An Agnes Barton Holiday Mystery
The Great Turkey Caper
The Great Christmas Caper
Lucky Strike
Kimberly Steele Sweet Romance
Pretty and Pregnant
Pretty and Pregnant Again
An Agnes Barton/Kimberly Steele Romance
Pretty, Hip & Dead
Petty, Hip & Hoodwinked
Pretty, Hip and Venomous
A Cajun Cooking Mystery
Target of Death
Lake Forest Witches
Meows, Magic & Murder
Meows, Magic & Manslaughter
Meows, Magic & Missing
Meows, Magic, & Mayhem
Meows, Magic, & Wands
Meows, Magic, & Elves
Meows, Magic, & Marshmallows
Kelly Gray Sweet Romance
Redneck Romance
Paranormal Romance
Clan of the Werebear
Clan of the Werebear, the Complete Series
Shadow Creek Shifters
Katlyn: Shadow Creek Shifters
Taken: Shadow Creek Shifters
Tessa, Shadow Creek Shifters
Llama and the Lady
Nevada Brides Series
McKenna
Cadence
Kayla
Abigail
Penelope
Brides for the Bart Gang
Nevada Sunrise
Nevada Sunshine
Johanna, Bride of Michigan, is 26th in the unprecedented 50-book, American Mail-Order Brides series
Johanna: Bride of Michigan