Park huffed a laugh. “I can’t tell yet if she’s...” he teased. “There’s definitely traces of a wolf in here, but there’s too many people and unfamiliar animal scents to track who it belongs to or how fresh it is.”

“Then how do you know?”

Park shrugged. “I recognize her from Labyrinth of Love.”

“You’ve seen her show?” Cooper asked, surprised.

“Oh, yeah. More than once. Years ago. She had a minor role. The little town of Crete had to deal with a new monster every week. They never did werewolves, which was disappointing, but there was a siren named Sebastian on season five that, ooof.” Park blew out a long breath. “Let’s just say he could wreck my ship any day.”

Cooper laughed, astonished. “Oliver Park, I’m literally speechless.”

Park shrugged. “It was a very fun show.” He hesitated. “I was a bit...at a loss when I first left teaching and joined the Trust. I went from a large pack to being alone. From colleagues who were interested in the work I was doing, to... Well, you see how it is. Cola has been good to me, but it’s not likely I’m ever going to be close with anyone else there, is it? Not with my past.”

Cooper felt a surge of defensive anger. He shifted to stand closer and subtly press his shoulder to Park’s.

“It’s not a big deal,” Park said quickly, though he did lean back into Cooper. “And it’s all worked out for the best now, of course. But there was a time in the beginning there, when the dramatics of Mikey the Minotaur and his best friends at Crete High were very...comforting.”

“Just when I think I’ve plumbed the last of your hidden depths, you reveal something like this.”

“Ask nicely and I’ll let you plumb my depths tonight, while we watch season five of Labyrinth.”

“You’re in a good mood,” Cooper noted.

Park cocked his head. “I am. I have a feeling this is going to be a very good day. I had an excellent night and an excellent part two this morning,” he added, looking pointedly at Cooper, who felt himself flush. “I have a couple possible promising avenues of investigation on this case, lunch plans this afternoon with the love of my life, and if I’m very, very lucky later”—he subtly dragged his finger up the back of Cooper’s thigh—”I might just get Genevieve Crane to give me that siren’s number.”

Cooper cut off a burst of laughter as Hirano approached, and he and Park took casual steps away from each other. “Back again? I’m guessing not for a third tour,” she said with some bite. Looked like she was well aware of who they really were now. Inevitable, after they had secured the scene yesterday.