by Vella Day
Once she dressed and then had a bowl of cereal along with a quick cup of coffee, she headed out to work. Her total joy evaporated when she opened the front door to find it snowing. While she loved how pretty it made things look, it meant the roads would be slick. It also reminded her that Christmas was around the corner, and she had yet to buy any presents. Kalan told her not to get him anything since his life was full with family, but he was just being nice. Elana had even chuckled when he told her that. She swore Kalan was sometimes as big of a kid as Aiden. Because it would be Ian’s first Christmas, she wanted to make it special, and that meant a tree and lots of decorations. As for her mate, she wanted to find the perfect gift.
After driving very carefully to town, Elana blew out a breath when she reached the Blooms of Hope and parked behind her building. She didn’t have to open the store for another twenty-minutes, which meant she could relax and take her time to create some floral arrangements. Working with flowers always soothed her soul.
As she neared the back entrance, the wind picked up, forcing her to keep her head down. As fast as she could, she opened the back door and rushed inside. It only took a moment to sense something was off, only she couldn’t figure out what it was. She slipped off her coat and hung it up. When she stepped into the back room, her heart nearly ruptured.
“Oh, no!” The drawers were pulled open and the contents on the floor. With her heart pounding, she forced herself to stop, listen, and assess, just like Kalan had taught her. Her first thought was to figure out if she was alone. Not wanting to chance walking into trouble, she slowly stepped backward, grabbed her coat, and raced outside.
“Kalan, someone broke into my store. I’m getting back into my car. I need you,” she telepathed.
“I’m already out the door. I sensed your anxiety. Lock your car doors, and if you see anyone other than me arrive, get the hell out of there.”
“Okay.”
With fumbling fingers, she unlocked her car door and started the engine, needing to keep warm. The heat might help calm her too. While the sheriff’s department was only a few blocks away, it seemed to take Kalan several minutes to get there. When he finally pulled into the back lot, she blew out a breath and eased out of the car.
Kalan raced up to her. “Let me go inside. You stay in the car.”
“No. Please, Kalan. I need to see the damage.”
He huffed. “Okay, but stay behind me, and if I tell you to run, you have to get out of there.”
She was happy he was being reasonable. “I promise.”
It was an unspoken rule that neither would shift, unless it was a life or death situation. So far, that had never happened, at least not when any humans had been around.
Together, they entered her shop. “I don’t hear anyone in here,” Kalan telepathed. “Did you see anyone?”
“No, but I didn’t enter the show room or go upstairs.”
“Smart. Stay here while I check it out.”
He was the expert, so she’d do as he asked. Kalan went into the front room. When he returned, his jaw was tight. “Can I look?” she telepathed.
“Yes. I’m really sorry, Elana. We’ll find out who did this. I’m going to call the station for some help and then check upstairs.”
Her legs weakened. Who would do this? She didn’t feel any cold air rushing into the backroom, so she had to assume the front window wasn’t broken. Thank goodness for small blessings. Moving cautiously, she eased into the showroom. Her heart broke once more. While the coolers were still intact, most of the vases inside were turned over. Some were broken.
She rushed over to the cash register and looked inside. While she kept very little money overnight, what had been there was now gone. Was all this about a few dollars? If so, why turn her place upside down?
Kalan came downstairs and entered the shop. “The apartment was untouched. I don’t think the thief knew it existed.”
“Thank goodness. What do you think he was looking for?” she asked.
“I have no idea, but I’m calling my brother.”
“Why?”
“I want him to install more cameras. You have ones pointing toward the street, but we need some overlooking the back parking lot.”
“Maybe Jackson can put a few in the shop and in the back room on the condition we can turn them off if we want.”
Kalan moved closer and smiled. “Are you remembering how we would make love on that table back there?”
Heat raced up her face. “Yes, but I’d never try it now, not with Anna coming and going.”
Kalan dragged a hand down her chest, between her breasts, and her animal roared inside. He moved closer, his lips inches from hers.
“Kalan, we can’t.” Her bear was in the mood, especially after last night, but emotionally she was too upset to enjoy lovemaking.
He kissed her quick and stepped back. Sirens sounded. “Back up is here.”
She picked up a vase, and then set it down immediately. “I forgot that I shouldn’t touch anything. You’ll want to dust for prints.”
His smile came out quick. “Thank you.”
Dalton and Anna ran in together. Kalan’s partner had either contacted his mate about the break-in, or they happened to meet in the back. “What happened?” Dalton asked as he rushed in.
What could Elana say? “I don’t know. I arrived a few minutes ago to find this. I immediately called Kalan.”
“What can I do?” Anna asked.
“Nothing until the techs come and tell us we can clean up.”
A knock sounded and then footsteps could be heard. “Detective?”
“That would be the techs,” Kalan said. “Excuse me.”
Anna clasped Elana’s hand. “Does Kalan have any idea who did this?”
“No. I had no more than a couple of dollars in the cash register either. What was there though was taken. I’m not sure if they were searching for more money when they pawed through the drawers, or they came just to vandalize the place. If that was the case, it might just be a couple of kids out for a good time.”
Her business partner looked up at Dalton and then back at her. “I’m sure between our two men, they’ll figure it out.”
“Even if we learn who did this, it’s going to cost me some down time.” Elana hadn’t meant to sound so despondent, but she couldn’t help it.
“Speaking of down time, should I put up a sign saying we’ll be closed all day?”
Crap. “That’s a good idea. I do need some time to order more flowers. So many were damaged by the intruder.” Ugh. She so did not need this aggravation.
Kalan returned to the showroom. “I called a locksmith to replace the backdoor lock, one that isn’t as easy to pick.”
The logistics of the crime finally clicked in. “If he could pick a lock, he might be an experienced thief. At first I thought it was someone who just wanted to vandalize the place—like kids—but now I’m not so sure.”
Kalan nodded. “It’s difficult to say at this point, but if it is some hardened criminal, he’ll be in the system.”
That was good news.
Once the crime scene techs moved into the showroom, all Elana could do was watch. To her dismay, by the time they finished, black smudge powder was everywhere.
“All done, ma’am.”
“Thank you.”
Kalan’s phone rang. “Hello?” It’s Wes, he telepathed to her. “Were you able to identify the man who killed the pawnshop owner? Okay. I’ll be right over.” He disconnected. “I have to go. It’s about the murder case. How about a make-up dinner out tonight?”
“That sounds great, but what about the kids? I can’t impose on your parents two full days in a row.”
Anna waved her hand. “I’d love to take them.”
“No, you have two of your own.”
“It’ll be double the fun. Tanya loves playing with Aiden, and Nate loves being around them.”
Elana laughed even though guilt was rushing through her at having someone els
e watch her kids yet again. “I really appreciate the offer.” Elana hugged Anna. “Thanks.”
Kalan placed a hand on Elana’s back. “Let me know the time and place of your restaurant choice, and I’ll meet you there.”
She wagged a finger. “You better show up,” Elana said with as much playfulness in her tone as she could muster.
Kalan kissed her lightly and then left.
She turned to Anna. “I’ll drop the kids off at six if that is okay.”
“Perfect.”
Elana looked around and exhaled. “Ready to clean up this place?”
“Let’s do it!”
*
The photo turned out to be a bust. The man who’d entered the pawnshop and killed the owner had been wearing a mask. “What good does this do?” Kalan asked Wes.
“I was just about to ask the computer tech to see if he can determine height and weight. If this guy strikes again, we’ll have something to compare him to.”
Wes was beginning to grow on him. “That is smart thinking. Did you have a chance to check with the owners across the street to see if they saw anything, or if they had any surveillance pointing toward the street?”
“Not yet, but I’ll get on it.”
“Good,” Kalan said. “I’ll call both of the employees and let them know what happened, though they’ll figure something is up when they see the crime scene tape across the door, assuming it is their day to work.”
“What about the owner’s daughter? Do you want me to speak with her?” Wes asked.
“I’ll take her. She might have seen something or someone at the shop.”
“Once she found her dad, I can’t imagine she’d be noticing much.”
“It’s a long shot for sure. Can you speak with the wife, assuming she’s around?” Kalan asked.
“Can do.”
Just as Wes left to speak with the computer tech, Dalton stepped over to Kalan’s desk and slipped a hip on the edge. “Anything new on the pawnshop murder?”
Dalton was his usual partner, but Smythe had insisted that Kalan show Wes how things were done in Silver Lake. “Just running down a few leads.”
“Any idea why someone would target Blooms of Hope?”
“Not a clue. Do you have any ideas?”
“Maybe. I’m thinking there might be a connection between the shop’s break-in and your murder case.”
His partner had this sixth sense that seemed to enable him to connect the dots where others could not. “How so?”
Dalton shrugged. “You catch a murder case, and the next day your mate’s shop is broken into.”
“I don’t see the connection.”
“Maybe he wants you distracted, while he continues stealing—and in this case murdering.”
Kalan huffed out a laugh. “That’s quite a stretch, especially since we’re not the only two detectives. Besides, we’ve had other large cases. Why go after the shop now?”
“I don’t know. I might be prejudiced because Anna and Elana are now partners, but something in my gut tells me these two cases have something in common, only I don’t know what.”
Kalan wouldn’t dismiss it as a possibility, but he needed evidence in order to be a believer. “I might agree if the two cases both involved murders. I shiver at that thought though. Other than a few dollars, it doesn’t seem as if anything was taken at the flower shop.”
“Money didn’t seem to be the focus on the pawnshop murder either.” Dalton waved a hand. “Just forget it. I’m probably wrong.”
“I’m not dismissing it just yet.” Kalan would keep his partner’s hypothesis in mind, while he slogged through the rest of the day.
By late afternoon, Kalan had concluded that his second hardest chore was in telling the pawnshop employees about the owner’s death. Understandably, both were devastated. And no, they had no idea who would do this, nor did they have any idea what was taken. Apparently, items came and went rather quickly, and neither of them remembered anything of significant value that someone would kill for. All Kalan could think of was that the item had sentimental value. But was it enough to commit murder for? It seemed unlikely.
The most difficult task was speaking with the murdered man’s daughter. It tore at Kalan’s heartstrings. When Kalan had asked her a few questions about the items in the store, she said she had no idea about her dad’s business. Because she had a hard time keeping composed during his questions, he told her he would return at a later time. Kalan had learned in passing that her mom had passed away a few years back. He huffed. This case was turning uglier by the minute.
With each roadblock, Kalan became more frustrated, and the last thing he needed was to let his obsession with solving the case prevent him from taking care of his mate’s needs. Elana had suffered a huge blow today too. Having her store broken into would be something that would take a long time to get over—if she ever did.
When his cell rang, he looked at the screen and smiled. It was Elana. The tension in Kalan’s body eased out. “Hi there. How’s it going?” He hadn’t sensed much fear from her all day for which he was thankful.
“Anna and I cleaned up the place the best we could. I was thinking that for dinner how about McKinnon’s Pub? I’m in the mood to be among our kind.”
“Works for me, but there are humans there too don’t forget. I hope you hadn’t planned to shift and do your sexy bear dance for me.” He had to telepath that comment. It wouldn’t do to have the humans nearby learn about their kind.
She laughed, just as he’d hoped. “That was one time.”
“Uh-huh. What time would you like to meet up?”
“Is six-thirty too early? I’m dropping the kids off at Anna’s at six, and then I’ll head over to the Pub.”
She understood how focused he could be when it came to solving cases. “Perfect. I’ll meet you there, which means I might still be wearing my badge on my hip.” Teasing her was always fun.
“I love when you play Mr. Sheriff Man.”
He laughed. “See you there.”
For the few minutes he was chatting with Elana, it was as if the world around him ceased to exist. The moment he disconnected, his mind began to race back to the case.
Kalan spent the next two hours reading over the crime scene reports of the pawnshop murder, but the lack of clues made him more determined than ever to get to the bottom of this. It was always possible the clues were there, but he was too blind to see them. He worried he was too distracted thinking about what he wanted to do with Elana tonight and not on this case.
Kalan inhaled and repeated his mantra: work first and then play.
To his delight, that actually worked, because when it was time to leave, Kalan looked around and found that both Dalton and Wes were not at their stations. His partner’s absence he could understand. Anna probably had asked Dalton to help her babysit all four kids, but Wes? As far as Kalan knew, the man had no family in town. Ever since he started working at the department, he’d stayed later than almost anyone.
It wasn’t his job to keep track of everyone. Kalan’s work was over for the night. Since he had to meet Elana, he closed down his computer and headed out to the Pub.
When he arrived, the parking lot was quite full, making him happy for his cousin Molly’s success. Once she’d graduated from college with her degree in hospitality, her dad had asked her to take over as manager. Had his cousin Finn not moved—if that was even the right word—to the realm of Tarradon, he probably would have been in charge. Kalan had to admit, Molly knew how to draw in a crowd, and he was proud of his cousin’s accomplishments.
When he spotted Elana’s Subaru, he parked nearby and then rushed inside where he found her chatting with Molly in one of the back booths. As he neared, his nails sharpened, and the scruff on his face lengthened.
Settle down, he commanded his bear.
Our mate looks hot.
She does, but you don’t need to act out here, you oaf.
Who are you calling an oaf?
&
nbsp; Kalan didn’t have time to deal with his horny animal. “Hey,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. Molly slid out from the booth and smiled. Before he did anything inappropriate in a bar, he slid onto the booth seat across from her.
Molly smiled. “What can I get you, detective?”
His mate had her usual tea. He turned back to Elana. “How about we share a bottle of wine? I know you’ve had a hard day.”
“You have no idea. I would love some.” She looked up at Molly. “How about the house red?”
“You got it.”
Once she left, Kalan wanted to hear about his mate’s day. “You said the clean-up went well?”
“Surprisingly yes. It wasn’t as bad as I first thought, though I don’t know what I would have done without Anna.”
“Could you tell if anything was taken besides the small amount of cash?”
She shook her head. “Strangely, no. Then again, I don’t have anything other than flowers, ribbons, balloons, and some stuffed animals, so what could they take?”
“Considering every drawer was tossed, it did appear as if the thief was looking for something specific.”
“Agreed, but what?”
“I wish I had the answer.”
Elana leaned back and then held up her hands. “Wait a minute. I just had a déjà vu moment.”
That didn’t sound good. “Of us ordering wine?”
Chapter Three
‡
Elana’s lips quirked upward. “No, silly. Of having been violated like this before. Don’t you remember when my parents gave me that red onyx present, saying the six-inch wide stone reminded them of my good heart?”
“I could never forget.” The images flowed back. “Oh, shit. The next day they were…well you know.” The Changeling Clan, in dire need of sardonyx, had murdered both of her parents for that stone.
“Yes. They were killed. The person responsible is gone, but he did have friends.”
Kalan didn’t want to jump to any conclusions. “The last time you had a break-in, the person only ransacked your upstairs’ apartment, not your store. It doesn’t appear as if this thief even realized the place existed.”