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to say that Derek hasn’t shown up for work for over a week,” he continued.
    “Is he sick or injured?” Gabi asked, wondering why it felt like a load of cement had been tipped into her stomach.
    “Word in the Community is that he’s been infected.”
    “WHAT?”  She jumped to her feet so quickly that Razor leapt up from his nearby spot in the sun, fur on end, teeth bared, growling warningly.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
     
    “Derek, let me in,” Gabi called when her fist pounding on the door didn’t elicit a response.  She knew he was home.  If the evidence of his truck in the driveway wasn’t enough, she could clearly scent him.  The presence of another vehicle on the curb disturbed her . I t was a small red Toyota, the sort of car a woman would drive.  If he had a woman in the house with him , things could get ugly really fast because the Community was right.  His normal masculine scent was now heavily cloaked in the distinct tang of Werewolf .
    “Derek!” s he shouted again.  “Let me in , or I’m gonna break in.”  Finally , she heard slow, heavy footsteps coming towards the door, then a dull thud, like a body slumping against a wall.
    “Gabi . ” H is hoarse voice cracked on her name .  “Gabi, you need to leave.  I… ” He took a ragged breath, like a man exhausted.  “I can’t explain right now, but you have to trust me.  You need to go.”
    Gabi tried to keep the frustration from overwhelming her patience.  “Derek, open the door,” she said in a commanding voice.  “I can help you.  I know what’s going on, and I can help you.”
    “I’m sick , Gabi . Y ou can’t come in here . I t’s not safe,” a note of pleading in his voice now, “please just go.  I’ll call you when I’m better.”
    “It’s not going to get better , Derek,” she said softly, “not without help.  You need to let me in.  I promise you I can help.  You have to trust me . I understand what’s happening to you.”
    A half sob issued from the other side of the door.   “How can you possibly understand?” he demanded raggedly.  “No one can understand.  No one can help. And … ” H e dragged in a breath . “I’ve done something terrible.  Something unforgivable.   No one can help me now.”
    Ice drenc hed Gabi’s veins as she realised she might be too late to rescue the woman.  Either way , she had to get inside.
    “Derek,” she repeated, struggling to keep her voice calm when it felt like she’d just mainlined adrenalin.  “You remember how many times I’ve been injured?  You remember suspecting that my injuries weren’t always caused by animals?  You’ve asked me about it more than once.  I know you’ve thought things weren’t quite right.  Your instincts weren’t wrong , Derek . T hose injuries weren’t caused by animals.”  She paused , letting her words sink in.  “I have another job, a job that involves things that would send most humans screaming.  I’m trained to deal with those things.  I. Can. Help.”   She said the last three words with absolute conviction.
    “You know what’s happening to me? ” he whispered.
    “Yes, I know exactly what’s happening to you,” she replied in a soft voice.
    “You can really help?” T here was a tiny thread of hope in his voice.
    “Let me in , Derek . W e can’t talk about this with me outside where other people can overhear us.”  She was getting to the point where she was going to smash his door in to get inside, but she didn’t want to draw the attention of the neighbours if she could help it.  T here was a sound of movement , and the lock clicked.  She breathed in deeply , preparing herself, then opened the door and slipped inside.
     
    The house was in semi-darkness, all the curtains pulled tightly shut.  The smell was overwhelming to her sensitive nose.  Sweat, blood, fear and the overpowering odour of uncontrolled Werewolf mixed into a potent miasma.  Derek was slumped on the floor