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Includes Episodes 7-9 of the award-winning CLAW & WARDER series: A Tail of Two Cities, Sure 'Lock, and Slay Fell Things

In the age of coffee, in the season of the supernatural, Dru and Leery face harder and harder challenges--like finding a parking space close to Starbucks.

With a dragon desperado, a bilious Barghest, and a hangry lich stalking the borough of Manhattan, they must rely on Dru's family (and the Legions of Hell) to keep them alive.

If they survive, Leery has a special holiday gift in mind for his partner--and a sprig of mistletoe to stand under.

Three more cases, thirty-three thousand orders placed in the Starbucks app…

This light-hearted new series has delighted and amused thousands of readers since day one. Escape the trials of the times and immerse yourself in the supernatural otherworld of CLAW & WARDER.

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★★★★★ "Your favorite crime-fighting duo is back with a new case in the crazy world of online dating."

“The supernatural Law & Order setting continues to shine in the installment which takes you into the world of online dating and comes with unfit matches, murder, and the devil himself. Erik Henry Vick takes you into the world of silkies with a fun twist on the mythology, a modern update incorporated directly into the case.“

-Liz Konkel, Readers' Favorite Reviews

★★★★★ "The writing style is flowing and easy to read."

“The idea that there are two simultaneous types of society working side-by-side was a fascinating premise… The characters are fully overdrawn, as is the nature in this genre, and author Erik Henry Vick has done a fantastic job of giving them real and recognizable emotions and foibles that endear them to the reader... The writing style is flowing and easy to read. If urban fantasy is your thing, this is a book you must read but even if it’s not, this is a book you should read. I did and I’m glad of it – an excellent read.”

--Grant Leishman, Readers' Favorite Reviews

★★★★★ " Vick’s intriguing, ghoulish, fast-paced plot and solid characterization are as entertaining as I expected."

“[T]he 'other world' is swarming with their own problems to keep their side under control in New York. I’m no stranger to Erik Henry Vick’s universe as I’m a fan of The Bloodletter Saga. Vick’s intriguing, ghoulish, fast-paced plot and solid characterization are as entertaining as I expected. There are ample thrills, chills, and fun to satisfy readers' appetites. The dialogue and prose generate the entertaining moments and the degree of tension best suited to launch the next twist…yet more proof of Erik Henry Vick’s storytelling expertise in the supernatural world.”

--Lit Amri, Readers' Favorite Reviews

★★★★★ "I couldn't help but grin at a well-spun conversation..."

“I enjoyed the amalgamation of so many types of supernaturals… The banter between the characters was brilliantly executed, portraying different levels of complex relationships. Sometimes I couldn't help but grin at a well-spun conversation, let alone how the creatures' unique traits or weaknesses are evoked to further the investigation. I enjoyed the third-person narrative and how the high-pressure roles were portrayed… The characters were brilliantly portrayed.“

--K.J. Simmill, Readers' Favorite Reviews

Fantastic!

"Yet another fantastic book in this series! When I say I couldn't put it down, I really didn't......I read it in one sitting, foregoing a nights sleep, but it was worth it! As well as serious(ish) detective work, there is plenty of humour in these pages, fans of Sir Terry Pratchett's work will thoroughly enjoy this series of books."

Ready for the next episode!

"Another great episode of on of the most original series I've read in a long time. Also, an abject lesson in never counting one's eggs before they've hatched."

Fun read

"How can you go wrong with law & Order werewolf style!
Leery and Dru go undercover to find the killer in this case and find so much more.
I love the idea of Leery dressed up and sort of behaved if even for a little while.

Go read the book ... and get me a coffee!"

Sit down with a cup of coffee and read this story.

"This book is so much fun to read. It's exciting! Not a boring read. Always on the move. This is a little bit like Law & Order but funny. A few monsters, ghosts and zombies. Sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy!"

Very interesting

"This series is Law and Order meets Urban Fantasy and they have a child with a snarky sense of humor. Very entertaining, and a occult horror geek will enjoy the references immensely."

Like falling off a log

"Easy-peasy. This episode goes rolling right along, gathering in an abundance of characters and droll humor. The fur really flies in this story as Dru and her favorite uncle go to war in his house. Leery is in the thick of things and the plot thickens between The Princess and her intrepid partner. Among all the goings-on, murder undoubtedly raises its ugly head once more. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!"

great blend of genres

"This whole series is fantastic.. a tongue in cheek mixture of crime and urban fantasy.. this particular title also had references to the Iron Druid series and Aquaman sprinkled in.. Highly recommended."

Quick book to read, hard to put down and ended wanting more. So much to look forward to.

"This is another great book in the series. New characters add to it and the older ones become more well known. Just a little bit of seduction, a little bit of murder and lots of fun. Thanks to Eric for the great read."

Another Slam Dunk

"Just as I've come to expect from this series, Episode 6 delivers the perfect balance of humor, drama, and action. Every episode of this series has left me eager to pick up the next."

Laughs,giggles and fun!

Again the author Erik Henry Vick came out with a story with laughs, charm and a wit that makes this book great to read. If you have not read any of these stories, you should. From one comic monster (?) to another, each character is comically explained. I giggled so much! Everyone around me thought I was weird. ( okay, they were not wrong) From the first book in this series to this one now I have gotten so much fun. It's so hard to wait for the next one.

Always fun

"I find myself looking forward to what is coming in the next book every time I finish one. I usually put other books between a series to keep from getting bored with the characters but find myself reading this series back to back."

Another big hit!

"Gnome Schooled, episode 6 in Erik Henry Vick's Claw & Warder collection, is another big hit! True to style, this witty, coffee filled episode will keep you laughing while hanging on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The Grand Cynosure has declared war on snacks, and it's up to Leery and Dru to wade their way through angels, gnomes, leprechauns, goblins and unknowns to solve this complicated case. The storyline remains fast-paced and well written. The character

Another blockbuster by Erik Henry Vick

"Once again Erik puts out a great story. And once again the Locus of New York has a crime to unfold. Wh knew that a soul eating creature would need help from Lucifer himself to succeed. A story with A great amount of puns, some off the wall characters and let's not forget about a awesome battle between good and evil all in the same book. It was fantastic to read, you definitely have to get this book if you enjoy a great story. For that matter make sure you get the whole series they are all great!"

Another awesome case

"... Each book has been an amazing read from beginning to end. I am looking forward to the next cases coming out!"

Modernization of old supernatural characters

"The 4th in the series just keeps the story rolling. More supernatural characters are introduced, including a silkie and the Prince of Darkness himself. I enjoy the modernization of old beings into current world circumstances, like having apps created to alert someone sinning. Having Dru talk about "Uncle Luci" just tickled me! I'm hoping he's a frequent character in future books."

Such a great voice!

"Let the written series continue as long as the visual did! Yay!"

In the Locus of New York, crimes committed by magical entities threaten the delicate balance between the mundane world and the supernatural realm.

The dedicated teams of detectives who investigate these breaches of Canon and Covenants are members of an elite unit known as the Supernatural Inquisitors Squad.

These are their stories.

1

Bill Hartman whistled while he walked, enjoying the relative quiet of his early morning stroll through Manhattan. He’d purchased his apartment on West 46^th Street because it was only a few blocks to his shop, and when the city closed 46^th Street to public automobile traffic, it only made it that much better. Eight blocks at six in the morning were like heaven in the summer months.

Not so much in winter, but a guy can’t have everything.

He turned the corner onto 5^th Avenue and froze, mouth hanging open. Shattered glass covered the sidewalk outside the 47^th Street Diamond Exchange. All the windows of Sephora, the AT&T store, and Lululemon had exploded into the street.

Bill rushed through the drifts of glass, heedless of the danger a fall into the mass of sharp glass presented, then stepped through the glass-less door frames and into the lobby of his building. One of the elevator’s doors stood open, the car wrenched off-kilter in the shaft. The other elevator dinged, and a thin man wearing a black suit stepped out. He paused a moment, no doubt stunned by the carnage on the street, then withdrew his glasses and slid them on. After a momentary glance at Bill, he said, “What in the hell happened?”

“No idea,” said Bill. “It was like this when I came around the corner.”

“That’s New York for you,” said the man with a shrug. He stepped by Bill, then out into the sea of broken glass.

“Yeah,” murmured Bill as he stepped into the elevator. He rode up to the fourteenth floor, his mind awhirl with speculation about what kind of emergency could cause all that damage.

When the elevator doors opened, he completely forgot about the glass-strewn street below, fumbled his cell phone out of his pocket with shaking hands, and phoned the police.

2

Leery put the Crown Victoria in park and opened his door, his gaze never leaving the sparkling blooms of glass in front of the Diamond Exchange. Dru opened her door and stood, glanced at all the glass, then turned to Leery. “You’re not going to leave it in the middle of the road, are you?”

“My usual parking space is otherwise occupied,” he said, jerking his chin at the sidewalk in front of Lululemon. “Lulu lemon has the best spot, even if their name is false advertising. Did you know they don’t sell lemonade? Or anything made of lemons?” He walked to the front of the car.

Dru pursed her lips, fighting to hide a grin. “It’s a clothing store.” She closed her door and went to stand next to him.

“Nah. Who’d name a clothing store after lemons?”

“Chip Wilson. They make yoga pants.”

“Yogurt pants?”

Dru sighed. “Now I know you’re just pulling my leg.”

Leery took a long, slow look at her legs. “I could be convinced.”

“Come on, bozo,” said Dru as she began to pick her way through all the shattered glass.

“Are you nuts? You’ll ruin those million-dollar boots!” He came up next to her. “Here, let me carry you, Dru-baby.”

“You do remember I threatened to make you walk with a limp if you called me that, right?”

“What? Oh, sure. But I know you didn’t mean it.” He bent and picked her up as though she weighed nothing at all. “And if you did mean it, just think about who would be carrying you through all these glass posies if I couldn’t.”

Dru’s answer was a lopsided grin. “I wonder what happened here.”

“Looks like some windows broke.”

“Oh, I’d have never guessed.”

“Sure you would’ve. You’re a detective, after all.” He reached the lobby and set her on her feet.

“Thanks,” she said with a smile. “My knight in shining armor.”

Leery tipped her a wink and walked over to the red-haired corporal leaning against the wall and keeping the scene log. “Hey there, Red,” he said. “Dru, meet Red.”

“Oriscoe,” said the corporal, straightening. She glanced at Dru and stuck out her hand. “Sami Valentine.”

“Dru Nogan.” They shook hands, and Dru smiled.

“Did you get that mess in the Locus of Los Angeles straightened out, then?” asked Leery.

“Sort of,” said Valentine with a shrug. “I’m glad to be back in a big city, though. Those small towns…”

“Oh, yeah,” said Oriscoe. “Small towns will absolutely kill you once you’re used to the pace of a big city.”

“Fourteen,” said Red, flicking the end of her pen at the elevator doors. “Good to meet you, Dru. You’ll want to watch those boots.”

“You, too, and thanks,” said Dru as Valentine resumed her leaning against the marble-clad wall.

“Oh, hey,” said Leery with a grin. “It was good to see you, too, Red.” Leery glanced at the collapsed elevator. “That does a lot for my confidence.”

“Come on, you big baby,” said Dru, pulling him into the other elevator and pressing the fourteenth-floor button.

The doors opened on what looked like the remains of a battlefield. Flames had blackened the walls, carpets, and furnishings and had discolored the floor-to-ceiling glass walls. CSI technicians sifted through the wreckage, while two MEs stood over two white-bagged corpses. A civilian stood talking to two uniformed officers as far from the bodies as he could get.

Leery led Dru over to the witness. “We’ll take it from here,” he said to the uniformed cops. Turning to the man, he said, “I’m Leery Oriscoe, and this is my partner, Dru Nogan. We’re homicide detectives. What happened here?”

The man turned his shell-shocked gaze on Leery and shrugged. “It was like this when I arrived.”

“Sure, sure. What I meant was, tell us all about it. Let’s start with your name.”

“Oh.” The man’s gaze flicked to the body bags, then to the uniformed officers. “Bill Hartman. I’ve already been through it with them.”

“Ain’t bureaucracy grand?” asked Leery, flashing a winning smile. “Ever play telephone when you were a kid? We like to hear the details direct. You know, avoid misunderstandings and all that.”

“Oh. Sure.” Again, the man’s eyes flicked to the body bags, then the cops, and this time, the elevator. “Do we…” He gulped a breath and gave a firm nod. “I came in early, like usual—I’m a lithomancer and an enchanter, and I like to practice my art in private. Anyway, the first thing I noticed was all the glass in the street. Then, the wrecked elevator, but the other one worked, so I…”

“So you came on up,” said Dru, softly.

“Right. When the doors opened and I saw all the soot, I called for help. I…” His gaze flicked to the body bags once more. “I didn’t know about the bodies then.”

“Did you see anyone else?” asked Leery.

“I…” His gaze snapped to Leery’s, and his eyes seemed to light up. “Yes! There was a man…he came out of the elevator when I was in the lobby. He asked me what happened.”

Leery glanced at Dru. “What did this man look like, Mr. Hartman?”

“Oh…I… I didn’t pay him much mind.” He gave a helpless little shrug. “He wore black, I think.”

“What color was his hair?” asked Dru in a serene voice. “His eyes?”

“I…” Hartman gave another helpless shrug. “He put on glasses.”

Leery jotted the detail down in his notes. “Same height as you? Taller? Shorter?”

“A little taller, maybe.”

Leery looked him up and down. “And you’re what, five foot ten?”

“Eleven,” Bill said. “Five foot eleven.”

“Good. See there? You saw more than you think.”

Bill grunted, and his gaze danced to the body bags again. “I think…”

“Yes?” asked Dru.

“David Berman and his son, Ari, I think.” He looked at her with a haunted expression. “From their sizes and shapes.”

“They own the place?” asked Leery.

“My partners,” said Bill. “Usually, I beat them in. I like the quiet in the morning.”

“You are a jeweler, right? You have a lot of precious gems here?”

Bill jerked his head toward a blackened mass of metal with a heavy door standing open. “We did.”

“I see,” said Leery. “Not to be indelicate, Mr. Hartman, but would the Bermans consider doing a deal or two off the books?”

Hartman gazed at him, a spark in his eyes. “What are you saying?”

Leery hitched his shoulders. “Early morning‍—‍”

“Or late-night,” put in Dru.

“‍—‍meeting with persons unknown leads to a robbery and murder. We’ve got to consider it a deal gone bad.”

“At least to rule it out,” said Dru.

“And to do that, we need to know if your partners conducted business off the books regularly. We’re not the IRS, so we don’t care if they did, except it opens certain doors for our investigation.”

Hartman nodded, then blew out his cheeks. “Up until this morning, I’d have said no in an instant, but…”

“Right,” said Leery. “Then you have no idea who they might have had a meeting with?”

Hartman shook his head. “I can’t imagine what would have brought them here after hours. David liked to follow the rules.”

“I see.”

“Ari, though…”

“Yes?” asked Dru. “Ari what?”

“He was more interested in…expediting things, shall we say? More interested in loopholes in the letter of the law than following the spirit of it.”

“I see,” said Leery. “Ari might have been more tempted by a shadowy deal than you and David?”

Hartman nodded. “That’s fair. But I don’t think he would have gone so far as to buy blood diamonds, or, say, help a snack dealer launder money. A sale with no receipt and no taxes paid? Sure. Maybe buying some gemstones without proper paperwork. Perhaps David got wind of it and came down to put a stop to it.”

“Okay,” said Leery. “That gives us something to work on. Is there a Mrs. Berman?”

Bill nodded. “There was. She passed three years ago.”

“Ah. What about Ari? Did he have a wife? A girlfriend?”

“Yes—at least, the last time I spoke to him of such things. Her name was…” Hartman rolled his gaze to the ceiling and lifted a hand to tap two fingers on his lips. “Laura something,” he murmured. “Laura… Laura Hansen? Hapson?” He shook his head. “I have it on my computer. They lived together.”

“Do you have the address?”

Nodding, Hartman took a step toward a blackened lump of twisted plastic, then stopped. “Uh. Yes. I have an offsite backup. It’s at home, actually. I can send you the address as soon as I can leave.”

Leery nodded, turning his attention to the office. “I assume you have an inventory of that safe?”

“Of course,” said Hartman.

“Anything else strike you? Anything look missing besides the contents of the safe?”

Bill glanced around, his shoulders slumped, then sighed. “I can’t tell.”

“Well, maybe after you’ve had a chance to go through things a bit. We’ll start with that address and the safe’s inventory.” Leery fished out a dog-eared business card and handed it over. “Give us a call if you discover something missing. In the meantime, I’d like to set you up with one of our sketch artists. They’re pretty good at helping people remember details. I’ll send the best we’ve got—a guy by the name of Johnny Smith.”

Bill shrugged.