Back on schedule! …ish.
The smell grew thicker as we went into the wetlands. It was definitely organic, slightly acidic, and reminded me of fish — but not really. I’ve smelled nastier things, but I was happy for the breeze. I could tell Bradner felt the same way, too. “That’s my first question, Kim. What the heck is that stuff?”
I took a big sniff. “I’m pretty sure it’s from ‘Neither Man nor Beast,’ Detective. So if you were guessing it’s from a monster, you’re probably right.”
“Hey, I didn’t use the m-word,” Bradner said immediately. “I’m trying not to think it, either,” he went on, which got him points for basic honesty. “But, yeah, I was pretty sure it wasn’t an ordinary disappearance. Ah, here we are.”