by Vella Day
Kalan was on a roll. “We can’t prove any of it.”
“I know, but it’s fun to speculate. Then there’s the one who always seems to be the killer—the husband. According to Ed Santaria, Carlton’s having an affair. Perhaps Crystal found out and threatened to divorce him and take all of his money, so he shoots her.”
“As long as we’re making things up, let’s take it one step further. The girlfriend wants the rich husband for herself but Carlton Wedgewood said he won’t leave his wife, so the girlfriend kills Crystal.” Dalton filled in the information in the spreadsheet. “Hell, maybe they all did it.”
“Don’t even go there,” Kalan said.
*
By the time Dalton rolled into bed, it was close to midnight. Thankfully, Kalan and he had tomorrow off. Then on Friday, they would return to their normal shift hours. Dalton intended to check out the husband again to see where he was staying. The crime scene unit had finished at the Wedgewood house, which meant Carlton Wedgewood could return home. The big question was whether he’d return alone.
Stop thinking about work!
It was a bad side effect of being a cop. Dalton tried counting backward from one hundred, but that didn’t work. Neither did thinking about Anna help, but at least that was more pleasant than going over the suspect list.
Their lovemaking still rattled him as the intensity was off the charts. While he was pleased he’d refrained from biting her, he’d been tempted. Anna’s sweet scent still resided inside him.
As much as he wanted to ask her out tomorrow, he feared she’d side track him again. It didn’t matter that they’d met three months ago or that he’d visited her in the hospital a few times and then again at her shop. For the last two months, he’d had to be content to walk by the store window or ask Kalan to ask Elana about her.
Coward, his tiger said.
He was a coward. What if Anna didn’t like being around him for long periods of time? Sure, she said she liked him, but that was after one dinner. She was a free spirit who’d had a temporary setback after the kidnapping, and he was stodgy and set in his ways.
You can change, his feisty animal said.
His father’s death had caused him to assume responsibilities that were meant for someone older. A little recreation might help clear his head. Hell, he might be able to put the case into perspective if he could relax.
Ask Anna to help, his tiger urged.
I won’t put her in danger. His job was the main reason why he should stay away from her. Only, right now, he didn’t seem to be able to. He closed his eyes, rolled onto his back, and hoped that by tomorrow he’d have more clarity about how he was going to balance his work life with this intense yearning to be with Anna.
Chapter Eight
‡
Anna used to love her days off, but that was BD—which stood for Before Dalton. After he rescued her, she’d spent far too much time thinking about ways to get him to notice her. Work helped her focus on something other than him. Now that she’d connected with Dalton on an intimate level, her thoughts about him invaded her nights too.
Elana told her that Kalan and Dalton had the day off today, despite them being in the middle of an investigation. Even cops needed some R&R, she’d said. Elana warned that Dalton often went into work even on his days off because some aspect of the case bugged him, and he had to take care of it.
Anna usually didn’t take Thursdays off, but she asked Elana if she could switch days in the hope Dalton would call her. Knowing him, Dalton would say he wanted limited contact, because while he enjoyed her company, she distracted him. Well tough. He needed to deal.
Summer was in full bloom, and she wanted to take advantage of the beautiful day. Soon, the leaves would fall, and the snow would arrive. What better way to enjoy the day but with a picnic? With Dalton, of course. Excited, she mentally went through what she needed to buy. Once she made a list, she located her phone to call him. Before she could find his number, her cell rang. When she spotted his name, shivers of delight blasted her. If they’d already mated, she might not think it so strange, but being on the same wavelength was almost spooky.
“Hello, Dalton,” she said, her voice holding too much joy.
“Hey, I have the day off and was wondering if you wanted to have lunch and maybe shoot some pool.”
He could have asked if she wanted to eat worms with him, and she would have said yes. “Sure. Do you even play pool?” That would mean he actually had fun. Forget it. He probably played with total focus. Joking around wouldn’t be his thing. One more thing she’d have to work on.
“I do.”
“I don’t, so I don’t think you would have much fun.”
He chuckled. “Aren’t you always accusing me of not looking for fun?”
“Playing with a novice might throw off your game, and I picture you as this intensely focused player.”
“Our date isn’t about me winning some tournament. It’s about being with you. Besides, you’re wrong. I suck at pool. I play just for fun.”
His definition of a good time might not match hers. “I’d like to see that.”
A long pause followed. It was almost as if Dalton was trying to figure out how to comment on her concern.
“I can laugh, you know,” he finally said. “How about I pick you up at noon?”
“Perfect. I’ll meet you in front of the store.”
“See you then.”
Once he disconnected, Anna spun around. “I have a date with Dalton!”
Oh crap. She needed to find something sexy to wear. She had to be able to move easily if she would be playing pool, but she also wanted to entice him—keep him off kilter and not focused on the game. Shorts fit the bill, as did her hot pink off-the-shoulder top.
Once she dressed, she rebraided her hair, but then decided she’d look more mature if she let it hang loose. Today was all about luring Dalton Garner into bed. She was pleased he wanted to get to know her before they mated, but if he bit her now, she wouldn’t complain. Surprisingly, their push-pull type of relationship excited her in part because Anna always loved challenges.
She must have taken a little too much time with her makeup, because when she stepped outside, Dalton was there in his sporty new white SUV. Before she reached the car, he slid out and had her door open for her.
“Thank you,” she said then took a moment to drink him in. “I like the cowboy look.”
“Cowboy look?”
“The boots, jeans, and white T-shirt.” Make that a tight white T-shirt that hugged his muscles. Grr.
“Standard fare around here.”
“I still like it. Gets my motor running.” When that got a grin in return, she smiled back at him, and then slipped into the air-conditioned car. Dalton returned to his side, jumped in, and took off.
“How does McKinnon’s Pub and Pool sound?” he asked.
She chuckled. “Given it’s the only pool hall around, I say yes.”
He glanced over at her. “I like you. You speak your mind.”
That she did. “I like you too.”
“Well, you smell good and look even better.” His voice sounded thick, as if he had to work hard not to drive them back to his place and let his tiger claim her.
“Thank you.” She wouldn’t complain, though Anna was in the mood to hear him laugh more often, and the bedroom wasn’t the place for that—although it could be if Dalton played his cards right.
“Just so you know, it’s hard to focus right now. My tiger is going crazy.”
Good to know. Being a bit devilish, she slipped a hand over his leg. “That so?”
He gently pried her fingers from his thigh and placed them back on her side. “You do realize tigers can’t drive cars.” He winked.
She supposed that would be bad. “Okay, I’ll be good.”
Dalton smiled. “I’ll trust you.”
“You shouldn’t.”
Apparently, the man knew how to flirt, and that pleased her to no end. He pulled
in front of the bar where about ten vehicles were parked, many of which were motorcycles. “Don’t get any ideas, young lady. Motorcycles are dangerous.”
“You can read minds too?” she asked.
“No, but I can see those wheels in your head spinning. Plus, you glanced over at them and drew in your bottom lip.”
She had to remember he was a cop and was good at reading signals. “Fine, I was thinking how fun it would be to ride one with you. Have you ever owned one?”
“I grew up in California where the roads were really congested. So no.”
Too bad. He came over to her side and helped her out. With his hand on her back, he led her inside. Just being next to Dalton had her hormones zinging. His touch alone had her jumping ahead to what they could be doing after their fun adventure.
On the way to a booth, she checked out who was there. Finn McKinnon was behind the bar, but Molly McKinnon, his cousin, was either in the back or not working today. Laughter spilled out from the poolroom. “Someone’s having fun,” she said.
“As will we.” Dalton chose a booth with a view of the street. “Ladies first.”
Anna slipped in and Dalton sat across from her. “So how is the case coming?”
He lowered his chin. “I can’t talk about it.”
She opened her mouth. “I’m not just anyone. I’m a good sounding board. I promise I won’t say a word, not even to Elana.”
“I appreciate that. All I’ll say is that we have many suspects.”
“I didn’t know Crystal all that well, but how could so many people want her dead?”
He lifted one shoulder. “The usual motives: money, greed, power.”
“I didn’t think the store was doing that well.”
“We haven’t delved into the case enough to tell.”
Anna leaned back in her seat. “If you ever need to narrow down the suspect pool, I can always touch them. I might get lucky and see one of them kill Crystal from one of his memories.”
Dalton stilled, acting as if he might consider that. “Solid police work is needed to build a case, not magic.”
“Just saying, if you want to speed things along, I’m your woman.”
He grinned, and his handsome face almost made her forget about the crime. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
A server came by and handed them menus. “What can I get you to drink?” she asked.
“Iced tea please.” Anna wanted to keep her wits about her.
“Same here.”
The server disappeared. Dalton reached out and placed a hand on her arm then let go without saying anything. Even if she hadn’t been a witch, she would have been able to tell he’d been about to say something. “What is it?”
“It’s complicated.”
She huffed. “When you die, I’m going to have them engrave that on your tombstone.”
Dalton dropped back his head and laughed, the sound rich and delicious, and joy burst through her. “You’re right. It’s complicated, but it’s because it involves you. Trust me when I say I want this to work between us, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up. I’m difficult to be around.”
She held up her hand. “Your job comes first, I get it, and I’m not so easy either. Just ask your sister.”
“She’s never mentioned any such thing. Here’s the deal: You are my mate,” he whispered. “As such, you are the most important person in my life, which is why I want to take things slow. I want you to understand what you’d be getting into.”
She looked upward. “Hmm. Refresh my memory. Did I call you today and ask you out or was it the other way around?” Anna wouldn’t comment that she was seconds from calling him. “So who was rushing things?”
He glanced to the side. “I just meant that I fear I’ll disappoint you if I have to leave in the middle of a date for a case. Shit comes up all the time, and I don’t want you to take it personally. Then there are the times when I’m on surveillance duty and have to be out for hours. I know you. You’ll worry. And heaven only knows when a case is gnawing at me, I can’t stop thinking about it. Then again, that was before I met you.”
“That’s sweet of you to say, and you’re right. I would worry. However, Elana seems to have adjusted to Kalan’s job.”
“She has, but it’s hard on everyone.”
“Fine. Can we change the subject? It’s depressing.”
“Sure.” A sparkle returned to his eyes. “Why don’t you tell me about flower arranging?”
That made her laugh. “That would definitely bore you. How about you tell me what you like to do for fun? I told you last time.”
“Fair enough. I like to read, though I wouldn’t call that fun.”
“I love to read too. Do you read fiction?”
He shook his head. “I read police manuals, foreign policy papers, and treatises on economics.”
Anna grinned. “You’re full of shit.”
His grin dimpled his cheeks. “You’re right. I was just testing you. I like to read science fiction novels, though I do enjoy a biography now and again.”
She could deal with that. “What else? And please don’t say you like to play chess.”
Before he could answer, the waiter stopped by and delivered their drinks then asked what they’d like to order. Anna really didn’t care what she had, so she went with something easy and quick. “I’ll have a hamburger, medium rare, with lettuce and tomato.”
“Same here,” Dalton said.
“You don’t have to order what I’m having,” she said after their waiter had disappeared.
His brows rose. “Not spontaneous enough for you?”
“That’s not it. I want to learn about you. Do you really like tea and medium rare hamburgers?”
“I do.”
Time would tell. “So who do you like for the Crystal Wedgewood murder?” If she asked him enough times, he might give in.
“You know I can’t tell you, so how about if you explain your talent to me.”
Did that mean he wanted to use her ability to help him solve the case? Excitement sped through her. “It’s hard to explain. Jillian called me a Wendayan, but I had no idea those kind of witches existed because I didn’t know my parents.”
“What do you mean you didn’t know your parents?” His brows furrowed.
“Jillian didn’t tell you?” He shook his head. “My parents gave me up as a baby.” She explained about the foster care that came after that and then how a family finally adopted her.
He studied her for a long minute. “How did you develop such a positive attitude in life?”
“My attitude isn’t always positive. Trust me. I have my bad days, but I finally decided that the more positive I am, the better my days will be. In fact, my luck began to change a few years ago. Did I mention I’ve been searching for my birth mother my whole life?”
“No.”
“Well I have been. About three years ago, I learned her name and that she’d moved to Silver Lake.”
He leaned back in his seat. “Ah, which is how you ended up here?”
“Yes. I asked around but unfortunately got nowhere. I then decided if it was meant to be, I’d find her, though I would like to know why she gave me up.”
“Does it really matter? Most likely it had to do with finances.”
“I agree, but that’s not the only reason I want to find her. I’ve never known a mother’s love. Don’t get me wrong, the people who adopted me were nice and all, but I never felt as if I were a member of the family.”
He sipped his drink and looked off, as if he were remembering his family. “Jillian and I were close until she became so focused on her job that we kind of lost touch.” He held up a hand. “I’ll admit I was just as bad. I hadn’t realized why I felt so off kilter until she came to visit—or rather to seek refuge from Frank Whitlaw. When we reconnected, it was as if I had my family back.”
She liked his sentiment. “And your mother?”
“She still lives in California. Now that Jill
ian is here, she might consider moving to Silver Lake, but she’s torn. Mom really likes her life on the west coast.”
“Do you see her often?”
Dalton shook his head. “No, I haven’t had the time, but we speak at least once a week—that is until recently. We’re all fairly close, especially since she was basically a single mom. I know I should fly back to California to visit, but I wanted to get established here first.”
Wisely, Anna decided to keep quiet. She would have made more of an effort.
Dalton held up a finger. “Speaking of not knowing your heritage, the same thing happened to Elana’s brother. His mom had an affair with a shifter and neither Brian nor the mom knew.”
“Elana told me, but only after James informed me about shifters. I can’t imagine not being aware of something that important.”
“Weren’t you in the same boat? Jillian said you didn’t know you were Wendayan.”
“I knew I had a talent, just not that I belonged to a group of witches called Wendayans.”
“So how did you learn you had some abilities if you had no one to guide you?”
She drank some of her tea. “I was maybe four or five when I happened to grab a caseworker’s arm. Suddenly, frames from a movie rolled through my mind’s eye. I could see this woman’s life as clearly as if it was happening right then.”
“What did you see?”
“The caseworker remembering when she must have been about twelve. I saw a man on top of her. She was yelling and crying. Of course, at that time, I was too young and didn’t understand it was rape, but I knew something bad had happened.”
“Did you ask her about it?”
“Yes, but she told me she and her dad were just playing around. As a kid, I accepted it. As I grew older, I began to understand the visions better and how to interpret them. Most of the time, I didn’t let on what I’d seen. After all, they had already lived through the event, and I figured they didn’t need a reminder.”
“I can’t imagine keeping all of that bottled up inside. I think I’d stop touching people.”