by Ally Summers
“It's nothing, just a kind of local joke. Old fable. Listen let's get you home.” I gave Griffin a look knowing that we would have to discuss this later. He nodded at me.
This was enough shifter for Jessa for one night. Plus now I had to show her that we weren't all bad, how would she ever trust one of us again?
4
Jessa
I couldn't believe any of this was happening. Not only was there a super hot cop who I thought might be checking me out, but I was about to get fired for my brand new job in this brand new town. And now the super hot cop was taking me back to my brand new apartment. What the hell was going on? And why were they being so secretive about what was stolen? Some type of stone?
As we got into the officers SUV and after I'd given the other officer my keys to drive my car home, I knew I needed to get some answers. If I was going to live in this freaky little town with its weird stuff going on, I needed to know what I was in for. Besides, it gave me an opportunity to talk to Mister Hot Cop a little bit more.
He started up the engine and I swore I felt a shiver go down my spine. What was so attractive about him? His dark messy hair? Or the fact that I felt like his eyes pierced my soul? This wasn't some type of romantic comedy, this was my life! And I needed to get it together and find out what was going on.
We took off down the winding road headed towards the forest. We had to go through the trees to get to my cottage on the other side. I only lived about fifteen minutes away from the library, but it was just enough time to get to know Officer Rawlings AKA Mister Hot Cop a little bit more.
“So have you lived here your whole life?” I asked, thinking he would say yes, meaning he might be a shifter. And I was guessing if you'd grown up around here, that's exactly what he was.
“Yeah, Hunter’s Lake born-and-bred.”
“And did you always know you wanted to be a police officer?”
“I thought I was the one interviewing you,” he said with a laugh.
Well, I was caught, that was quick. I guess I shouldn't have expected much less considering he was a cop. “Sorry I ramble a lot when I'm nervous. And considering I'm probably getting fired tomorrow I'd say nervous is the least of my emotions at this point.”
“You're new to town I take it?” He asked in that smooth sultry voice. Butterflies were hatching out of their cocoons in my stomach. Why was this happening to me, right now of all times?
“Yeah. New to town, probably now not staying in town. Finding a library job isn't exactly easy. After I left Denver this was one of my only options. And it was a good option! Until all this happened.”
Robbed on my first night, way to go Jessa.
“It's not your fault, you know that, right? You were targeted. It could have been you or any other new employee.”
“Except that there aren't any other new employees! It's just me. I Mr. Jacobson is going to think that I didn't do my due diligence in taking care of the place. And you and your other officer seemed pretty concerned about what was stolen back there. Some sort of stone? What's going on with that?”
He gave me a bit of side eye. “It's nothing.”
“It's not nothing and you know it.” I leaned over and turned off the heat, it was already hot enough in here between the two of us, or maybe that was just all in my head. I really couldn't tell.
“Is it some type of jewelry? Was it valuable?” I asked looking back at him. When I worked at the Denver library somebody had willed a significant amount of jewelry to the library. But we didn't have it out on display, even though the family wanted us to, but it was to stop this exact thing from happening. So it was kept in a safe. We didn't really know what else to do with it, it's not like you can sell it.
“Not necessarily valuable, just rare. A lot of beautiful things are rare.” He said looking at me.
Daaaaamn. He was a killer, I knew it. Killing me with those eyes, that smile. I was in so much trouble.
His eyes drifted back to the road.
“So it was willed to the library? The stone?”
“The library, or maybe the community just in general, I'm not sure.”
“You mean the shifter community,” I added looking at him knowingly.
He nodded. “Yes, it's important to the shifter community, humans wouldn't really care about it. That's why it's so weird that it was stolen. It's just old myths, local folklore, supposedly at one point there were hundreds of stones in existence, and they could change humans into shifters. Now they're supposedly less than ten. Not that it really works, but I think the stones are valuable to the community because they're rare. Honestly, I doubt there was ever more than fifteen to begin with, but that's just how the story goes.”
“So a shifter, would know how rare this is? And those claw marks... You're thinking someone from the community did this?”
He shook his head. “I don't think so, that's what's so awful about the whole situation. No one from around here would do that. If they wanted to get a closer look at it they would just ask, and like I said it's not like it works or anything.”
I shrugged, “I guess some people are just a little crazy.”
He nodded, “Yeah I guess.” But I could see him chewing on his lower lip like he was thinking about it a little bit more seriously than he was letting on. This night was just getting weirder and weirder.
5
Rawlings
My SUV came to a slow stop as I reached her little cottage. I recognized it as one of Norma’s. Part of me wished I could just keep driving by. My eyes caught her fiddling with her purse for her keys and a slow smile crept up my cheeks. Seems she wasn’t ready to leave my SUV either.
“I know I just met you,” I said clearing my throat. “But I’d love to give you my number.” I watched the blush form on her round cheeks. “For police business of course, in case you remember anything.” She smiled and nodded. I reached into my glove compartment, and my hand gently brushed against her thigh. I felt a slight shock go through my hand, but I quickly ignored it as I pulled open the compartment. I pulled out a business card and handed it to her.
“Feel free to give me a call, anytime,” I said.
She smiled brightly back at me.
“I will,” she said sweetly. And then she pushed open the door and walked out. I couldn’t help but watch her walk away. I felt my bear growl slightly at the sight of her swaying hips as she made her way up the steps. Before she could turn around and catch me I quickly started up my SUV again and looked to Griffin who was giving her the car keys and jogging to the SUV. We left immediately, but the father I drove, the more I wanted to turn back around and follow her into her rental. My bear growled slightly in frustration that we weren’t staying. Griffin was quiet, obviously lost in thought as well, but I was sure it was about the stone.
My phone rang out pulling me from my thoughts on Jessa. I quickly picked it up.
“Rawlings,” I said.
“Man, we need you here quick,” Nolan said. I could clearly hear a commotion going on in the background.
“What the hell is going on there? You were supposed to go home an hour ago.”
“Change of plans. Shifters came in when they heard about the stone.”
“Shit. We’re on our way.”
I jerked my vehicle into my parking spot and threw it in park. I could already see the mob of shifters inside the station. I quickly opened my door and rushed to the doors, Griffin close behind me. As soon as I pushed them open, I was met with utter chaos.
It seemed as though every single important shifter in our town had come to the station to find out about the stone. The news of the robbery at the library seemed to spread like wildfire. I made a beeline for Nolan when I spotted him on the other side of the room trying his best to answer questions to what seemed like an angry mob.
“Look, I understand that you are all concerned about the stone,” Nolan said.
“Of course, we are concerned!” someone shouted. Nolan caught my eye as I walked up and he clear
ed his throat.
“Ladies and gentleman. Officer Rawlings just got back from the scene. He will be able to update you on the investigation.” I blocked a growl that was about to escape my throat. I didn’t know shit. We had no leads. Everyone turned from Nolan and now faced me, and I let out a long frustrated sigh.
“We are still conducting our investigation,” I said. “At this time, I don’t have any more information than what Nolan was able to provide you.” Shouts erupted around me.
“So you don’t have any leads?” a man shouted.
“No one at the library saw anything?” a woman asked.
“Guys, this isn’t a press junket. You aren’t reporters. I can’t comment on open investigations.”
“But the stone is important to us,” a woman shouted.
“I understand that the stone might be important to some of you. Hell, we all heard the stories growing up about the stone. But that’s the thing. They are just stories and it is just a stone. It is not magical, and it certainly won’t create new shifters. It is just a historical artifact that was stolen from our library. Now as soon as we have more information available about the investigation, we will make the public aware of it. However, as I said before, we don’t have anything new to tell you. We are conducting an investigation now. Please let us do our jobs so we can get to the bottom of what happened.”
The crowd reluctantly started to disperse and I headed over to my desk. I plopped down in my chair and put my head in my hands. This fucking stone was turning into more than a headache than I thought it would be. The only positive thing was meeting Jessa.
“Pardon me, officer?” an elderly voice startled me from my thoughts. I picked up my head from my hands and turned to face her.
“Yes ma’am?”
“I know you don’t believe in fairy tales, but maybe you will listen to an elder?” I nodded my head and motioned for her to take a seat at my desk.
“Ma’am, if you are here about the shifter stone, I can’t really tell you more than I told everyone else.”
“You know, a lot of people respect that stone,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, a lot of people think that it is magic.” I let out a slight laugh.
“Yeah, I’ve heard the stories just like everyone else.”
“They aren’t just stories Officer Rawlings,” she said. I shut my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. My bear rustled underneath my skin in frustration. I didn’t have time to listen to another believer of the stone. I opened my mouth to speak but the elder woman quickly cut me off.
“I know, you don’t believe in the stone. But it is real. If you are human and you have a trace of shifter in your bloodline you can use the stone to awaken those dormant genes.”
“And how do you use the stone?” I asked already knowing the answer.
“A ceremony and incantation, Officer Rawlings,” she said, pulling my head up from my hands. “All stories come from some truth. There has been a lot of talk about the stone and its powers over the years, but this is not an average fairy tale. The stone missing should not be taken lightly.”
“I’m sorry ma’am. It has just been a long day and we are still investigating all leads.”
“Well maybe the stone has something to do with those missing hikers that I have been hearing about,” she said as she stood up. I looked at her in disbelief. Could the stone really be connected to the missing hikers? And if it was, what did that mean for all of us?
6
Jessa
Beau’s card antagonized me on the nightstand. Did he give it to me for the case? Or did he give it to me because he actually wanted me to call him? Part of me hoped it was for more than just the case. I shook my head to force myself to stop staring at the card. Staring at it wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I looked down at my watch and realized that I was already running late to get to the library.
I quickly rushed into my closet and grabbed the first thing I saw. A nice pair of jeans and a blouse. I silently thanked Mr. Jacobson that he kept things casual at the library and quickly pulled my jeans up my legs. I couldn’t help but wish it was Beau’s hands running up my legs. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks and I threw on my blouse. He was Officer Rawlings, I told myself. Not Beau. A man had never affected me the way that Officer Rawlings did. Sure, I had thought several men were attractive in the past. But something about Rawlings drew me to him. He was like a magnet that I didn’t want to get away from.
My eyes shot to his business card again, and without second-guessing it, I quickly scooped it up and placed it in my purse. Maybe something at the library today would jog my memory and I would need to give him a call. I chuckled slightly at the thought. Deep down I knew I would end up calling him at some point today. The jury was still out though on whether what I called him about was about the case or not.
I grabbed the rest of the things and left my apartment. I looked down at my watch again as I got to my car and let out a slight breath when I realized I wasn’t as late as I thought I was. I may have allowed a break in to happen, but at least I could show up to work on time. Way to go Jessa.
As I pulled into the library parking lot, my pulse started to quicken. I felt the nerves start to course through my body. I hoped that Mr. Jacobson wasn’t going to fire me after what happened last night. I hadn’t really let myself think about his reaction to everything, because I was too nervous to do so. After Officer Rawlings dropped me off at home, I had given Mr. Jacobson a call to let him know what happened. I bit my lip as I thought about how he took the news.
“Hello?” Mr. Jacobson said with a strain in his voice.
“Hi, Mr. Jacobson? It’s Jessa,” I said.
“Hi Jessa. The police already gave me a call. I’m headed over to the library now.”
“Do you want me to come back? I already left.”
“No, it’s fine. I just want to assess the damage so we are prepared for the cleanup tomorrow. Luckily it sounds like the forensic team is taking all the glass from the case with them so there might not be much to clean up.”
“I am so sorry that this happened – I –“
“We will talk about it tomorrow. I’m just getting to the library. I will see you tomorrow.”
He had quickly hung up on me, and I was left slightly speechless. Crap!
I parked my car and nervously walked into the library. I really hoped that it wouldn’t be awkward. Or worse, that Mr. Jacobson would fire me. It couldn’t be my fault that someone decided to break in and steal some sort of stone, right?
I pushed open the double doors and headed straight towards the main desk. Just as I was sitting down, Mr. Jacobson appeared in front of me.
“I’m so glad you are alright Jessa.”
“I’m fine Mr. Jacobson. Just a little shaken up still,” I said, surprised that he was concerned for my safety.
“That is completely understandable,” he said. “I didn’t realize the extent of the damage when I spoke to you on the phone last night. If you need to take the day off, I completely understand.”
“No,” I said shaking my head. “I should be fine. I just feel so terrible this happened my first night I was here.”
“Oh it’s not your fault,” Mr. Jacobson said shrugging his shoulders. “I’m more sorry that you were here by yourself. Why don’t you walk me through what happened?”
“Well, I was so caught up in reading the manual that I started to lose track of time near the end of my shift. I was just finishing it up when I realized that it was almost time to close. I was just about to lock the back door when all of a sudden all of the lights shut off. I started to make my way back to the front when the fire alarm sounded.”
“Ah, so whoever wanted the stone must have cut the main power and then set off the alarm to make sure you were out of the building.”
“They must have,” I said nodding. “I didn’t really know what else to do besides call nine-one-one. I rushed out of the building in case there was
a fire somewhere that I didn’t know about. In hindsight though, it seems like I should have stayed in the building. Maybe if I did, then whoever it was wouldn’t have had a chance to smash the case. Again, I am so sorry Mr. Jacobson.”
“Oh it’s nothing to be sorry about,” he said smiling. “You did everything you were supposed to.” He looked down at the claw marks and then looked back up to me. “By the looks of the claws, it is a good thing that you did get out.”
“How could I have missed all of this?”
“Shifters are pretty good at keeping to the shadows. They could have easily slipped into the library and you would have never noticed.”
I let out a defeated puff of air. I hated feeling useless. “I’ll try to be more alert, sir,” I said.
“I appreciate that Jessa, but honestly with you being human you wouldn’t have really been able to do much against a shifter.”
I felt my jaw clench slightly. As much as I hated feeling useless, I hated being underestimated more. I drew a slight breath to calm my nerves before I spoke.
“You’re right, I am not a shifter, but I could have at least done something,” I said.
“I’m sorry Jessa. I didn’t mean any offense. I just know how powerful some of the shifters are here.” Mr. Jacobson started to walk away and my eyes shifted over to where the case used to be. The claw marks were still pretty visible on the ground, but all of the shattered glass had long since been removed. Why would someone go through all this trouble to get to the stone? They had to be watching me waiting for me to leave. The thought sent a shiver up my spine. I shook my head trying to rid the thought and focused again on the stone. Why was the stone here at the library in the first place? The curiosity got the best of me and I shot up from my desk chair.
“Mr. Jacobson?” I called. He turned to face me. “Why did you have the shifter stone here in the library? If it is such an artifact, why wasn’t it in a museum?” Mr. Jacobson let out a slight laugh.