Claw&Warder: Episode 2 Arms Dealers

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She's an expert spellslinger. He's a grizzled detective with a wolfish side. Dru and Leery are a match for anything.

Faced with a pair of armless bodies and an unlikely pair of criminal masterminds—a Norwegian wood troll and an Unseelie—Leery knows the right people to help sort it all out.

There's only one hitch--the Zombie mafia. Full of danger and mystery, the case keeps everyone involved on edge.

Leery even takes a break from drinking coffee.

With the Zombie mafia's constant need for spare parts, is it any wonder the Locus of New York is full of Arms Dealers?

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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★★★★★ "The banter between the characters was brilliantly executed..."

“In Erik Henry Vick's Arms Dealers, werewolf and coffee addict Leery Oriscoe had his work cut out for him when an unlikely pair of supernaturals team up to dismember a couple of mundanes. Hot on their trail, he and his partner, Dru, have no idea what they are being dragged into. Beyond these seemingly innocent attacks is something more dastardly than they could have imagined. They thought they were dealing with some small-time villains, but come to discover just how high up [it] runs...

I enjoyed the amalgamation of so many types of supernaturals, from the Norwegian forest trolls to Japanese demon spirits, and all these amazing creatures were found in the same locale, under the watchful eye of Lieutenant Van Helsing. 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, including the clashing of heads over things like jurisdiction and unwanted pressure from those higher up. The characters were brilliantly portrayed and really enhanced this investigative tale as they dig themselves deeper into trouble and paint more than a few extra targets on their backs. With fresh enemies being made at every turn, a possible mole in the department, knowing who to trust is but one of their many building problems, and one of many things that will keep a reader engaged in this suspenseful investigation.”

-- K.J. Simmill, ReadersFvorite.xom

★★★★★ "...delivers more humor, murder, and continues to build fun banter between the dynamic duo..."

“The two detectives have a witty and playful connection as they’re still early on in their partnership and still building trust between them. They spent the first episode searching for a rhythm between them and now they have a nice harmony where they respect each other while also teasing each other, which helps keep the tone light. Erik Henry Vick explores more of the world by introducing different aspects of the crime elements with the inclusion of the mafia and crime families. Vick puts a delightful spin on the mafia...[and] gives the story a humorous angle that blends humor and banter with bodies, murder, and supernatural creatures. A mysterious creature provides the story with the opportunity to see more of Leery’s wolf side, which opens into a deeper look at his personality. Arms Dealers is a fun and exciting second episode in Claw and Warder that can’t be missed!”

-- Liz Konkel, ReadersFvorite.xom

★★★★★ "A riveting [urban fantasy]"

“The work opens with a gripping scene. What begins as an ordinary meet-up swiftly moves to a murder scene. Fraught with suspense, the novel continues to absorb readers as the detectives question possible culprits. Realistic dialogue between the main and supporting characters adds flavor to the story. The fantasy elements in the novel, which include terrifying monstrous magical beings, make the plot more entertaining. The action scenes are equally captivating. The plot moves forward easily as detectives begin questioning suspects, only for them to unravel a dangerous powerful gang. Arms Dealers by Erik Henry Vick is an imaginative fantasy mystery that fans of this genre will love for its gripping scenes and captivating characters.”

-- Edith Wairimu, ReadersFvorite.xom

Praise for Claw & Warder: Episode 2 Arms Dealers

Fun, Fun, Fun

"Reading these books is such a pleasure. Like the characters, the plots and the humor. Lots of authors try too hard to be funny and miss the mark. Not Mr. Vick. Plus, his homage to the TV Law & Order series and following their plotting patterns is the icing on the cake. Like visiting with old friends. Just bought book #3 and am sure I will read the whole series."

Waiting for 3 and 4

"I am a long time Law and Order fan. I am also an urban fantasy junkie. With that said I was hooked from page 1 with Leery’s name. This is #2 in the series and better than #1. Don’t get me wrong, #1 was good but #2 was better. I am hoping for continuous improvements in storyline and character building. I highly recommend. Quick fun read."

Fantasy to the max

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the first 3 books and getting to know the characters. Just being able to get away from all the crap that’s going on today and relate to the heroes in the books!
Thanks"

I love this series!

"I rarely purchase Kindle books because there are so many free ones. I was unsure of this series when I tried it, but dang it, I am buying all the books!"

Very good book

"This is a delightful fantasy novel with a lot of humor. It is well written and edited. I anxiously await the sequel."

Excellent read

"The action and comedy in this series is amazing! Wow! I highly recommend that you give this a try ASAP!"

Wonderfully different!

"The first book was a little strange at first. The more I got into it, the more strange and wonderful it became. It has a totally different take on the “normal” supernatural story. Hurray, and congrats on a fine series. I’m ready for number 3.

Great cop and court thriller with supernatural twist

"Loved the second book of this series! The characters are great and the story is interesting with just the right amount of supernatural twists and activities."

Not just for Law & Order fans

"Vick does a good job of blending urban fantasy and an homage to Law & Order. But, as much as the reader will like the homage, the urban fantasy is first rate and fun. Enjoy!"

Great!!

"These books are fantastic! I love the plays on words, the familiar scenes with a twist, and the story lines are so well written!!"

Zombie time

"Very readable. The characters are interesting and the action is fast paced. It is an imaginative take on the supernatural world."

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

Katy Costello checked her watch for the fourth time. Her bestie, Michelle Williams, was late…again. Katy stomped her foot in frustration and glanced up and down the block, but she still saw no sign of her friend, and the movie was about to start.

She swiped away the lock screen on her phone, and her thumb hovered over the texting app for a moment. I’ve already texted her three times. Time to get medieval on her ass.

With a little grin at her internal comedian, she tapped Michelle’s contact and dialed her number. It rang and rang until Katy became convinced that it would go to voicemail, but at the last second, someone picked up. Heavy breathing sounds filled her ear, and Katy grimaced.

“If you’re standing me up to get laid again, Michelle, I’m going to kick your ass, girlfriend.”

Something—or someone—choked for breath on the other end, and, following two meaty thunks that came within a split-second of each other, the choking escalated into a sort of moaning.

“Michelle?” Katy’s heart leaped and thrashed against her ribs. “Michelle? Are you okay?” A squawk that sounded like it came from a wounded pigeon flew across the line. “Michelle!” Katy cried. “Michelle! Where are you?”

A rattling thump followed by the sound of fingers scrabbling on concrete came next.

“Michelle!”

“Who’s dis?” asked a male voice with a serious case of raspy throat.

“Put Michelle on!”

“Nunh. Girl’s hurt.”

“My God! What’s wrong with her?”

“Car.”

“Car what? She was hit by a car?”

“Yellow Cab.”

“What’s that mean? Was she hit by a cab? Where are you?”

“Unnh. Alley off West 71st Street and West End. You come. Unh?”

“How’d she get hit by a cab in an alley? Who the hell are you?”

“Drive da cab. Girl hurts.”

Great, thought Katy. Michelle’s hurt, and the only person who’d help her is a cabbie who can’t speak English. I hate this city.

“You…unnnh…you come?”

“Yeah, buddy. Keep your shirt on, I’m coming. I’m three or four blocks away, so it’ll take me a few minutes. Stay with her, okay? You stay with her.”

“Unh. I wait for you. Hurry.”

“Stay on the line in case I—” The line went dead. Katy thought about calling back but dismissed the idea. She could always do that later if she couldn’t find them, and the idea of running with her phone pressed to her ear seemed like torture.

She turned away from the Lincoln Square movie theater and sprinted across Broadway, then kept running down the sidewalk of 68th Street. She planned on saving a bit of time by cutting through the green area behind the synagogue on Amsterdam, then trucking up West End Avenue. The only alleys she could think of were around the building on the northeast side of the intersection between West 71st Street and West End.

She sprinted across Amsterdam, ignoring the furious screech of tires and cacophony of horns, and plunged down the tree-lined alley to the north of the synagogue. She hooked a left around the playground, then angled across 70th, hitting the sidewalk a quarter of a block from West End.

She stretched out her stride, ignoring the stares of the people strolling on the sidewalk, and leaned into the turn, almost crashing into a mother pushing a stroller. She didn’t stop; she poured on even more speed as she passed the bus stop. Katy raced across the 71st Street crosswalk without looking for traffic, but then she faltered and slowed.

There were no cabs in sight, yellow or otherwise. Half a block later, she turned into the alley and slowed to a cautious walk. “Hello?” she called. The alley was dark and forbidding, and Katy slowed further. “Hello?”

She turned on the flashlight app on her phone and flipped the screen away from her, holding it up. The alley was a narrow one, barely wide enough for a person to walk without turning sideways, but it was empty.

“Dammit,” she muttered, jogging to the end of the alley. She peered south at the corner but could see no one in the alley. She turned off the flashlight app and redialed Michelle’s phone.

It rang somewhere to the south, and she followed the sound into the alley running behind the building, which, if memory served her, was shaped like a giant backward F. Probably in the courtyard, if it can be called that. But why isn’t that damn cabbie answering the phone again?

Katy increased her pace, rounding the corner to the courtyard at a dead run, Michelle’s phone ringing and ringing from the darkness ahead. “Michelle!” she called. “Cabbie guy!”

No one answered her, but she thought she heard a faint, shuffling step back behind the dumpsters deep in the courtyard. She ran to the end of the courtyard, then skidded to a stop.

“Oh my God! Michelle!” she cried. She wanted to go to her friend, to try and help, but the gruesome scene held her frozen. How can there be that much blood?

Michelle’s body made an island in a red sea, but there was something off…something Katy didn’t—couldn’t—get her mind wrapped around. She cocked her head to the side. “Michelle?” she murmured.

“Thanks for coming, unnh,” said that gruff-voiced cabbie from somewhere behind her.

Katy glanced over her shoulder, prepared to fight for her life—to claw, to bite, to gouge out his eyes—but when she saw the cabbie, her brain turned off completely, and the courtyard echoed with her scream.

She only had time for one.

2

Leery Oriscoe bumped his car up onto the sidewalk in front of 246 West End Avenue, bleary-eyed and already exhausted. He got out, grimacing at the cold wind that raced past him, and twitched up the collar of his camel hair coat. He squinted at the cop standing post at the end of the alley beside the building. “Laurell? Is that you?”

“Yeah, Oriscoe. You going blind in your old age or what?”

“Yeah, yeah. Who’d you piss off to get this assignment?”

Corporal Laurell Hamilton smiled at him and hooked her thumb at the alley behind her. “Your partner’s already down there. Go to the end of the alley, hook a right, then again when you come to the courtyard. Your bodies are down at the end.”

“Bodies plural, Hamilton?”

She nodded, solemn-faced. “Two of ‘em. Or what’s left of two of ‘em.”

“Right. This gets better and better.” Leery grunted and hunched his shoulders to protect his neck from the bastard wind. “Hey, you want to switch jobs, Hamilton?”

“Nah. I like my job. It gives me plenty of time to think about writing a book or two.”

“You sure? Think of the glory.”

Hamilton laughed and shook her head. “No thanks, Oriscoe. I’ll stick right where I am.”

“Hey, an attitude like that could get you stuck in the urban sprawl forever, Hamilton.”

She grinned. “I’ll take my chances.”

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