A Dangerous Beast

By Monica Muniz

Nikki's father went missing over five years ago. Now working as a journalist, she's never stopped searching for her father. Suddenly, a shocking new clue provides Nikki with her first lead in all of the past five years and she may be discover the truth of her Dad. But the more she learns about his past, the more she realizes that her father may not be the upstanding man she always thought he was. Instead, he may not only be a serial killer, but a werewolf that only Nikki has the power to stop.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jul 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201821128

Book preview

A DANGEROUS BEAST

MONICA MUNIZ

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A DANGEROUS BEAST

WEREWOLF

Nikki heard the front door open but she barely acknowledged the new arrival until he was on her. Stan dropped the tray of coffees onto her desk, the green tea latte half splashing over her papers, forcing her attention away. Scowling, Nikki looked up from the computer screen.

What the hell are you doing? she demanded sharply before she could stop herself. Get those out of here.

She waved a hand dismissively as she tried to refocus herself on the research.

You’re working too hard, Stan said firmly, wresting one of the cups free. You need to take a breather.

Nikki ignored him and tried to tune him out but Stan was having none of it. He pressed his fat frame more forward and stared directly at his newest employee.

Nik, I’m not going to tell you again, he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument. Take a breather. This is not the way we do things around here.

Nikki’s jaw twitched but she knew she had little choice but to heed Stan’s instructions. She had not been working at the Manchester Journal long enough to rock the boat, even though she suspected that Stan had hired her precisely for her fiery personality. Everyone else she’d met in the newsroom was bland as sugarless peanut butter. Of course, Nikki wasn’t about to bank on her gut instinct. As counterintuitive as it was to take orders from anyone, she needed this job.

And it had nothing to do with the measly paycheck she was receiving.

What are you working on that has you so fixated right now? Stan wanted to know, sensing that her attention was only half on the coffee in front of her. I haven’t heard a peep in days about anything happening around here in days.

Nikki thought quickly, turning her aqua eyes away, lest her superior see the guilt on her face. She was an excellent reporter but a terrible liar, a fact that was not lost on her. She had no doubt that Stan would be able to read any fib coming out of her mouth, especially when she was so distracted.

I thought I had caught wind of some campers who had gone missing, she mumbled before taking a long sip of her latte.

That’s not entirely false. It’s only a matter of time before it happens again.

They were found, Stan replied smoothly. Just like they always are. Trust me, Nikki. Nothing that goes through the Sheriff’s office is going to escape my attention.

That might be true but you don’t know what you’re looking for, Nikki thought. She swallowed another gulp of coffee before setting the cup back on her desk.

I know that some days can be slow around here, Stan said. But we like to think of that as a good thing.

He flashed he an ugly, nicotine-stained smile and Nikki returned it even though she wasn’t feeling it.

Can I get back to it now? she asked. Stan sighed and slid himself onto the edge of the desk, his eyebrows knitting as he looked at her. Nikki stifled a groan of her own. It was clear that her boss was not going anywhere until he’d said his peace. She had no choice but to hear out his well-meaning advice.

Even though he has no idea what he’s talking about.

Don’t get me wrong, Nikki, Stan said slowly. I appreciate how much dedication you put into our ezine but I’m worried that you might be obsessing for stories that aren’t there.

Nikki knew Stan was expecting a denial but she couldn’t give him one, not without blowing her own cover. How could he possibly understand that she had not taken the job with the quiet publication for its exciting potential? She had well known that nothing ever happened in rural New Hampshire. It might have been a draw if Nikki did not have a mission and despite the magazine’s proximity to the capital, there was never much to write about. The Manchester Journal needed another reporter