“Teddi can you pull our resident genius off the ledge before he’s an odd stain on the pavement,” Tank said in a low growl.

Bailey patted her boss’s shoulder. Tank’s tension eased down.

“So we have a missing wolf shifter and a “haunted” skyscraper.”

Tess smirked and did air quotes. The usually uptight agent bristled with anxiety. The task force members, Tess, Tank, Jimmy, Teddy, Lee, and Bailey, had gathered on the rooftop of the St. Elspeth. The stately red brick building wrapped around a courtyard towering out its brownstone neighbors.

“Why are we here? We’re not ghost hunters. People do disappear. Grace FullMoon had a troubled past. You read her files, poor kid with drunks for parents and having to sleep rough. Maybe she went feral,” Jimmy said.

The officer crossed and recrossed his arms and looked for the exits.

“That’s just it, Jimmy. Gracie I mean Miss FullMoon loved working at St. Elspeth. Her best friend filled out missing persons form and she wrote the Gracie felt supported, part of a kind of pack here. Why would she disappear?” Teddi said before rushing over to pull Lee back off the ledge.

“Mystery solved.” Tess gestured towards Teddi. “Let’s get off this blasted roof, we’ll make a few inquiries on the way back to the airport.”

Tank growled in agreement. The task force’s reputation had grown, requests for investigation came in daily. His team’s edges were frayed.

“I’m a cat on a hot tin roof, literally and figuratively, it’s time to go—“ Bailey said. Absentmindedly Tank laid his hand on the small of his assistant’s back.

“To the basement. Right you are Bailey. I hope I brought us here in time. I was hoping the magic would be less powerful up here but this building is drenched in fear. Forty stories of fear. Someone has kidnapped Grace and is holding her inside this building!”

Lee shouted and raced to the exit. Teddi chased after him.

Processing the Librarian’s announcement, the team stood still for a moment.

“So we all feel trapped because a shifter is locked and tortured in this building?” Jimmy said. Tess’ eyes widen in shock as she thought of the ghost sightings the many many ghost sightings.

The hairs raised on the back of Tank’s neck. No not just one shifter.” They sprang down the stairs.