A Tracker's Downfall

By Karen Avizur

Katherine Colebrook’s latest case at the FBI is one she stumbled into. Children are being kidnapped and turned into werewolves, and the city of Los Angeles is on high alert. Hate and paranoia are everywhere, from TV talk shows to high schools, and Katherine’s daughter Alexandra quickly gets wrapped up in the case.

A tracker’s job is never done, however, and the cases keep coming for Katherine and her partner Reese. A fae from the Otherworld came to our world as a fugitive, and it seems something even more dangerous came looking for it. Alexandra manages to find trouble again, the kind that draws blood on both sides. And finally, Katherine learns that her newly adopted family member, Rebecca, is on the run. And she’s running from the kind of trouble that comes looking for you, no matter how far you manage to get.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karen Avizur
• Release date: Oct 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215996133

Karen Avizur

Karen Avizur grew up on Long Island, New York and ended up in Orlando, Florida, with stops in Connecticut, West Virginia, and Los Angeles along the way. She's been writing stories since she was twelve years old. In those early days, she discovered it was impossible to keep up with her thoughts by writing longhand, and ended up borrowing a 7-pound laptop from her dad, quickly honing her typing skills. After graduating film school, Karen moved to Los Angeles, where she worked as a film editor for several years while also pursuing her writing. She now lives in Florida with her dogs Malcolm and Kaylee, and spends altogether too much time either scrolling through memes or with her nose in a book.

Book preview

A

TRACKER’S

TALE

BOOK 2 OF THE TRACKERS SERIES

Karen Avizur

A Tracker’s Downfall

Book 2 of The Trackers Series

Copyright © 2020 by Karen Avizur All rights reserved.

First Edition: April 2020

Cover and Formatting: Streetlight Graphics & Derek Serra

Hollywood Graphic: Daniil Vnoutchkov at instagram.com/daniilvnoutchkov

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments,

or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

For Russ

I couldn’t have done this without you.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

TOBIAS PART 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

TOBIAS PART 2

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

TOBIAS PART 3

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to James (for your 40%) and Jeandri Nel for the final proofreading on this, and Mark for that ‘splodey consult. Thank you to Yvonne, for helping me with that one kickass fight scene. Thank you to Jaclyn, for translating Teenager for me. And thank you to my aunt Lisa, for giving me the tools to give a fictional farmer a really bad morning.

TOBIAS PART 1

T

obias Durante never meant to run away. That is, it wasn’t his plan all along.

They lived in the forests north of Rancho Cucamonga in a one-story house, which sat at the end of a long unpaved driveway. The wide front porch that ran the length of the house, with a white bathtub next to the front door filled with dirt that flowered beautifully most of the year, was Tobias’s favorite part. Also on the porch sat a barbecue that was used occasionally, a few chairs worn from years outside, and a shelving unit that held a toolbox, paint, and other odds and ends. The modest house had a bedroom for Tobias and his two siblings as well as a bedroom for his father, and a small living room, kitchen, and a study.

They’d moved here after Tobias’s mother had passed away, and he assumed it was anger at her being taken that had resulted in the transformation in his father, or maybe she’d tempered his rage when she’d been alive. It was a gradual change from the normal strictness to a life where Tobias and his siblings were walking on eggshells to avoid upsetting him. Erik would snap at any mistake, and punishment was swift, severe, and painful. And of course, the closer they got to that day of the month, the worse it was.

On the night Erik transformed into his wolf and went out to run, the night they were left alone, Tobias would make a special dinner. Lilly would read while eating, something Erik would never allow her to do, and George occasionally put his elbows on the table, meeting Tobias’s eyes with a small, mischievous smile that Tobias would return. These crimes would have resulted in a smack at the least, if Erik had been at home. It entertained them, as small a rebellion as it was.

Then, a few months ago as Tobias crept toward the age of thirteen, he knew his time was coming.

Dad? His voice was tentative, and he stood on the other side of the living room, hands clasped together.

Yeah? Erik asked, his eyes not moving from the television.

Tobias wasted no time with small talk. I think I’m going to turn soon.

Erik immediately turned his head toward his son, standing up. Really? What do you feel?

It’s…sort of like there’s something inside me. Something that wants…needs to go running. Like a new voice in the back of my head.

Erik smiled proudly. Tobias rarely saw an expression of pride from his father, if ever, and emotions swelled up in him at the sight. Maybe this was a turning point. Maybe this meant respect from his father, a realization that his son was his own person, deserving of better treatment. Despite himself, Tobias lay in bed that night thinking of how things would change, how Erik would see through clearer eyes, realize he’d treated his children badly and they deserved better.

But no. The first time Tobias went running with his father as a wolf, Erik’s wolf attacked him.

The change had come and his skin rippled, bones shrinking and regrowing. Pain worse than that of the most horrible growth spurt echoed through him, slicing across every nerve. Then it vanished as quick as it had arrived as powerful muscles curved over his body, everything falling into place, as if this were his true form. Hair sprouted across his skin in lush, thick quantities, feeling as natural as anything he’d ever felt.

Tobias had opened his eyes to a new world, and Erik had leapt at his son, tackling him to the ground.

Instinct took over and Tobias snapped and clawed at his attacker. He panicked, despairing and angry, filled with betrayal, convinced his death was imminent. He managed to get around his father and make a run for it back toward the house, blood dripping from his throat, heart aching with despair and fear, but Erik caught up to him without much delay and wrestled him to the ground again.

Ultimately Erik’s jaws clamped over Tobias’s throat, and the young wolf went still in a desperate attempt to submit. And Erik held on for a moment before letting go and backing off. He then huffed out a breath and pawed at the ground, starting to circle Tobias as he got back to his feet.

Tobias only received a moment to gather his thoughts before Erik was on him again, snarling, growling, drawing blood. And Tobias did his best to fight back, but his father was twice his weight and too powerful. Able to heal at an accelerated rate, for nearly an hour Tobias defended himself from his father. Only when his vision blurred and his lungs ached and his muscles begged for relief did Erik stop. He backed off, lowering and cocking his head before turning in a circle and lying down.

Tobias hesitated, panting furiously, unable to relax and convinced it was a trick, but eventually he needed to give in. He slowly sunk to the ground, his heart still racing, his muscles still twitching in anxiety. After about ten minutes, once he’d gathered himself, Erik got to his feet and sniffed the air. He took to the scent of something quickly and started off after it, and Tobias followed.

Erik easily took down a deer, tearing its throat out. He ate plentifully as Tobias stood by, waiting his turn, though his stomach growled. And eventually, when most of the best meat was gone, Erik’s stance shifted from protective of his meal to openness. Tobias cautiously approached before digging in.

There was a shift in their relationship that Tobias hadn’t seen coming. The young boy had always taken care of most of the housework, but Erik seemed to think that, overnight, Tobias had become the father. Erik started drinking more, which gave him even more of a temper. Alcohol didn’t affect werewolves the same as it affected sapiens, he needed to drink more to get drunk, but it had the same effect in the end. And now that Tobias could heal quickly, Erik didn’t worry about leaving bruises. Tobias’s job was to make sure his siblings were kept busy, so they would never have reason to bother their father. Not that they would. They knew better.

Then came the day when Tobias screwed up.

CHAPTER 2

K

atherine Colebrook held up her badge at the security checkpoint in the lobby of the Los Angeles FBI headquarters, waiting for the guard to motion her through. She took the elevator up to the eighth floor of the building instead of toward her cubicle on the tenth that housed the Trackers Division. Glancing at the sign on the wall pointing the way to offices, courtesy of numbers and arrows, she headed to her destination. She gave a smile and a nod to an agent she recognized as she walked down the hall, stopping at an office door and knocking before opening it.

Special Agent Ricardo Palenta looked up as she entered. Hey, he spoke, clicking his mouse a few times before pushing his chair back and standing up.

A few years Katherine’s junior, Palenta worked Violent Crime. She’d only met him once, but apparently she’d made an impression, since he’d asked her to come in for a consult. Or, rather, to come in on his case in her capacity as a psychic. It was unusual, but from what he’d told her of the case, these were unusual circumstances. Thanks for getting here so fast. For coming at all, actually. I know this isn’t usually your thing–

I’m happy to help, Katherine assured him. Not like I’m up to my neck in parasapien cases at the moment. Where is she?

Down the hall, Palenta told her, motioning. She followed him out of the office, shutting the door behind herself. Doesn’t match any descriptions for missing children that we have on file. No name, no ID, but then again, she’s about thirteen or fourteen, so I wouldn’t expect anything. Maybe a library card. I’m hoping her parents thought they knew where she was last night and that’s the reason they’re not worrying. That’s best-case scenario and does happen on occasion.

And she was found naked? Katherine asked, her voice subdued, speeding up to keep up with Palenta’s long strides.

Palenta nodded. I just want to find out who the kid is so we can get her parents in here, he said. Start building a timeline to see where she was abducted from…

Did you find any evidence of abuse?

Palenta shook his head. That’s the thing. The kid didn’t have a scratch on her. A little dirty, yeah, but no sign of abuse, physical or sexual. But she won't say a word. Slowing to a stop outside a closed door, Palenta glanced to Katherine. If the advocate wants to put a halt on the conversation, I’ve got no control. But she wants to know how to help the girl above all else, so she did give the okay.

Hopefully I won’t need her to participate much, Katherine said.

Palenta gave her a tight smile and nodded once. That’s why I called you in. He knocked on the door a couple times and paused before opening it, taking a few steps inside and letting Katherine walk in past him to his right. His demeanor changed as he entered the room, his stance more relaxed and his tone subdued, an unconscious change due to the vulnerable child in the room. Ms. Hartwell, this is Special Agent Katherine Colebrook, the agent I called this morning, he said. She’s a very talented psychic; I’ve seen her work myself.

The legal advocate leaned back in her chair and nodded. All right, she said. She glanced to the young girl sitting in a chair at the table next to her. She looked about twelve to Katherine, her hands on the table in front of her, her right leg bouncing rapidly. She’d been given clothes when she’d been brought in, a sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants that looked brand new, but it appeared she hadn’t showered.

Palenta glanced to Katherine and then blinked, narrowing his eyes at her expression. Colebrook? he asked. Katherine’s shoulders were tense and her back was ramrod straight, and there were tears forming in her eyes. The girl was staring at her hands, half in her own head and barely paying any attention to her surroundings. Palenta slowly shut the door. Colebrook, you get something already?

Katherine swallowed hard and nodded. This girl is a werewolf, she whispered.

Ms. Hartwell blinked in surprise, looking over to the girl. Oh. Wow.

Wow is right, Palenta murmured. That explains her being found naked. You think she had careless parents and turned by herself for the first time? he asked, glancing back to Katherine. He raised an eyebrow at her blank expression. Colebrook?

She wasn’t born a werewolf, Katherine said quietly. Someone turned her. Yesterday.

Ms. Hartwell’s breath caught in her throat and her gaze went back to the girl, wide-eyed, as did Palenta’s. Jesus, she breathed.

Palenta took in and let out a shaky breath and folded his arms, rubbing his hand over his mouth. Okay, ah…this is actually your jurisdiction now, he spoke to Katherine, though his gaze didn’t move from the young girl. What’s next?

Katherine looked to Ms. Hartwell. We need to go outside. And I need you to stay a few yards back from us at all times.

The woman tensed. I prefer to stay with her, she said.

Katherine smiled at her. I know what you prefer, but I’m telling you what she needs, she said gently. Just a few yards. You can still be right there. Please. Letting out a breath, Ms. Hartwell nodded, standing up and waiting as Katherine glanced to Palenta. Walk a few paces ahead and make sure we’ve got a clear path as we go down the hall. And we’ll be taking the stairs.

From the eighth floor? he asked, his eyebrows going up.

We will be taking the stairs, she repeated clearly. Do you need to hit the gym a little more, Palenta?

Palenta smirked as Katherine slowly went around the table, her shoulders down and relaxed, her stance calm but confident. She touched the girl’s shoulder and she twitched. Outside, Katherine said softly, keeping her hand on her shoulder and nudging her a bit. Come on. We’re going outside.

The girl’s eyes darted back and forth for a moment before they looked up to Katherine’s face and down to the ground. She pushed back her chair and rose to her feet, letting herself be guided by the hand on her shoulder out into the hallway. Palenta firmly motioned to the other agents to clear their path as they went down the hall to the stairwell and Ms. Hartwell obediently stayed a firm ten feet behind them as they walked. Once they reached the ground floor, they exited through the back of the building and Katherine directed the girl to the left.

As soon as they crossed the threshold of the building, Katherine felt the girl’s tension dissolve substantially. They walked over to a small gathering of trees until they were in the middle of the lawn in the shade. Katherine sat down, finally removing her hand from the girl’s shoulder, folding her legs under her. The girl didn’t need any encouragement to follow her lead, kneeling down beside her, running her hands through the grass.

They don’t understand, Katherine spoke. Agent Palenta and Ms. Hartwell. The world looks different now. It feels different. Those werewolves didn’t just change your body. They changed your mind. And it’s hard to handle it. Then the police said they want to keep you safe, but they put you in that…cage. And you can’t understand why anyone would want to be inside. How you could have ever wanted to be inside.

The girl looked up to Katherine’s chin, not meeting her gaze, before turning back to the ground. She dug her fingers into the soil a bit, breathing in and out deeply as she soaked in the atmosphere.

My name’s Katherine, she murmured. What’s your name?

Laying down in the grass and rubbing her head in it, she looked up at Katherine with half-lidded eyes. Jackie. Jackie Gregson.

Jackie, Katherine said. Are you scared?

Not now, she said. I feel safer now.

Now that you could run?

Yeah.

What do you want to do now, Jackie? Katherine asked.

Jackie picked at the blades of grass right in front of her eyes as she considered the question. I don’t know, she finally answered.

You think that’s because you want more than one thing at the same time? she asked. You want to go home, but you also want to stay here?

Yeah, she sighed. That’s… Yeah.

I’m so sorry they did this to you, Katherine muttered. You didn’t want this. And your life will have to change a lot. But it’ll be okay eventually. You believe me?

Jackie’s eyes refocused on Katherine’s face. Yeah, she murmured.

Katherine fell silent as Jackie rolled onto her back and looked up at the sky for a few seconds before she rolled back over and crawled over, her eyes on the ground, curling up against her. Like a puppy nuzzling into the chest of the nearest older, stronger presence. Katherine laid her hand on Jackie’s head, looking over to Palenta and Ms. Hartwell, who were standing about twenty feet away. Katherine’s expression was sad, but she forced a tight smile and nodded. Palenta nodded back slowly.

After a few seconds, Katherine took her cell phone from her pocket, texting Jackie’s full name to Palenta. He took out his cell as it beeped and glanced to her, giving her a single nod before turning and going back inside.

Katherine then texted her partner Reese, who she knew was on his way in. I’m outside, east of the building. Grab paperwork for a forced werewolf conversion. I just found us a case.

CHAPTER 3

T

homas Webb saved the photo from the email he’d sent to himself and created a fresh message. He attached the image, selecting several recipients to send it to, putting all emails in BCC. Leaving the subject line empty, he tabbed over to the message.

If she looks familiar, let me know.

- Webb

Webb was forty years old, wiry with short brown hair, and looked boring. He looked like a guy that would run a laundromat, which tended to come in handy in his career. He travelled light, making it easy to take off if needed, and was currently occupying a small cabin in Los Angeles National Forest. If he got this job he’d probably pack up and head out at 6AM the next day. Staying in one place for long wasn’t