A Wolf's Heart (Harlequin Nocturne)

by Vivi Anna

  She turned away from the door and opened the refrigerator. She would make a tomato mozzarella salad to start and then go from there. She grabbed the mozzarella then, closing the door, she turned to retrieve the tomatoes fresh from her garden and sitting in a bowl.

  Grabbing the cutting board and knife, she started to slice the tomatoes, hoping the chore would take her mind off the blood on her front porch. Then she cut up the cheese and, adding salt and pepper, alternated layers of them in a big bowl. She added fresh basil and olive oil.

  Pleased, she set the colorful dish on the counter and went to call Ron. She thought they both needed a break and some mutual company.

  She moved toward the front door hesitantly. She didn’t really want another gander at the bloody mess. “Ron.” She poked her head out. “Ron, I’ve made a salad.” He wasn’t on the porch.

  He must’ve gone around back for the water hose to spray off the blood. It would’ve been the easier way to clean the area. She turned to go find Ron, intending to check the patio, when the sliding glass door slid open and a figure loomed in the doorway.

  Elise was startled and put her hand to her throat. “What are you doing here?”

  Chapter 21

  After they dropped the dead wolf at the lab, Sophie and Gabriel went to the soundstage where Elise had been working. Since filming had been halted due to her absence, there wasn’t a lot of traffic in and out. But there were some people around, including the director.

  When he saw Gabriel, Sophie beside him, Reginald smiled and came toward them. “Nice to see you, Inspector. How is Elise?”

  “She’s fine. I was hoping I could have access to Diego Martinez’s trailer.”

  Reginald frowned. “Of course. May I inquire why?”

  “I’m following a lead.”

  He nodded and yelled for an assistant. “I need a key to the trailers.”

  A young, pimply faced man ran over to Reginald’s side and showed him a key ring. Reginald gestured for them to follow him to the back lot where the talent trailers were. He pointed toward one, somewhat smaller than Elise’s had been. Gabriel bet that had pricked Diego’s ass.

  “Have you seen Diego in the past few days?”

  The director shook his head. “Since we are down for a bit, I gave all the actors time off.” He gestured for the kid to open the trailer. He did, then left.

  “How would you describe Diego’s feelings toward Elise?”

  Reginald snorted. “Combative.”

  “Would you classify them as hostile?”

  The director frowned. “Hostile? No. There are definite bad feelings between them, because of their nasty breakup and the fact that Diego is a rather unpleasant person to begin with. But I wouldn’t say he was hostile toward her. He’d never hurt her, if that is what you are inferring.”

  “Thank you.” Gabriel stepped up to the trailer and opened the door. “If I have any other questions I will come find you.”

  “Of course.” Reginald walked away looking very nervous. He was probably thinking about the ramifications on his film if Diego turned out to be the stalker. Although, Gabriel thought, in this society, that kind of publicity could transform the movie into a blockbuster.

  If Diego turned out to be Elise’s nemesis, many would want to see the film that had driven him to his madness. It wouldn’t surprise Gabriel if another movie was made—about him and his obsession.

  He stepped up into the trailer. It indicated what type of person Diego was. Narcissistic came to mind. There were at least seven mirrors on the walls, one huge one in the corner, near that a table and chair, with many grooming products on it.

  “Wow, I thought Kellen had a fascination with looking at himself in mirrors. This guy is something.”

  Gabriel nodded. “Yeah, something.” He walked into the middle of the trailer and took in a deep breath. He did it again and again until he caught Diego’s signature scent.

  It was the same as at the cottage. Diego had definitely been there. Had he killed a wolf and gutted it on the porch? That, Gabriel couldn’t be sure of, but he was going to track the star down and find out.

  “What’s the word, boss?”

  “Let’s search it. I don’t think he’d be stupid enough to leave any incriminating evidence, but I’d hate to miss something when we had access to it.” Gabriel slid his phone out of his pocket. “I’m going to call and get a warrant for his house.”

  An hour later, he and Sophie had searched the trailer and had a warrant for Diego’s house. Now they just had to track him down.

  They drove to his home, a fifteen-thousand-square-foot estate with two acres of land around it. Of course there was a gate and a guard.

  Gabriel flashed the badge. “We need to speak with Diego Martinez.”

  “He’s unavailable,” the guard said through the intercom.

  “I have a warrant to search the premises.” He held up the papers. “Please open the gate and have someone meet us at the front door.”

  After a few minutes, the gate swung open and Sophie drove the SUV through and parked in the circular driveway near the front entrance. Once parked, they got out and walked to the main door. It opened and a vampiress in a red power suit loomed in the doorway.

  “I’m Gloria, Mr. Martinez’s personal assistant. How can I be of service?”

  Gabriel handed her the warrant papers. “I’m Inspector Bellmonte and I have a warrant to search the premises.”

  “What is this about?”

  “When was the last time you saw Mr. Martinez?”

  “Yesterday.”

  “What time?”

  “We had lunch.”

  “Where and when?” He pulled out the notebook he always carried.

  She gave him the details, and then, obviously angry at the intrusion, led them through the house to Diego’s office so they could do their job.

  “Do you live here with Mr. Martinez?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “Then I take it you have a key to his house.”

  “Of course. I take care of everything for Diego. I was just here dealing with some of his appointments when you arrived.”

  “Okay. If I have more questions, I’ll find you.”

  In a huff, she walked away, high heels clicking. When she was gone, Gabriel said to Sophie, “You start in here. I’m going to find his bedroom.”

  As Gabriel left the study, his cell phone rang. He flipped it open. “Bellmonte.”

  “Inspector, this is Lily May Jones.”

  “Yes, Lily.” Gabriel shut his eyes and silently cursed at himself. He’d completely forgotten to call Elise when he got to the city. He’d have to do that once this call was done.

  “I thought you’d want to know where Diego Martinez is. I talked to Elise today and she made me promise not to see him so I just figured maybe something was up with him.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “He’s at La Lune de Sang on Fifth Avenue with his new girlfriend.”

  Gabriel knew the place. It was an upscale trendy restaurant that catered to the rich and famous.

  “So, what, you’re mad at him for replacing you and you’re getting back at him?”

  “No. I love Elise, and if Diego’s hurt her, then yeah, I want revenge.”

  “Duly noted. Thanks for the tip.” He flipped the phone closed and returned to the office. Sophie was busy rifling through the desk drawers. “Anything interesting?”

  She shook her head. “Just the usual papers. Contracts and such.”

  “Keep at it. I’m heading downtown. Got a tip where Diego might be.”

  “Good.”

  “I’ll send someone over to help you.”

  “Okay. Later.” She went back to her search. He could always count on Sophie to do her job efficiently and thoroughly.

  As he walked through the house, he took out his phone and called Elise on her cell. It rang five times before clicking over to her voice mail.

  “Elise, are you there? Please call me back.
” He flipped the phone closed. Nerves settled in him. Maybe she was just out in the garden and had neglected to take her phone. He tried Ron’s cell. His voice mail picked up immediately. And maybe Ron was out front cleaning up the porch, as he’d asked him to. He’d try again in ten minutes.

  Ten minutes later he was on his way downtown to La Lune de Sang. He called Elise again. Another five rings without an answer. He left another message. “I need you to call me back the second you get this.”

  He set his phone down and noticed a slight tremble to his fingers. He flexed his hand and clamped it back onto the steering wheel. There had to be an explanation for why she wasn’t answering. He couldn’t read anything nefarious into it.

  He parked in a no-park zone in front of the restaurant, got out and went inside. The maître d’ met him at the door, looking him up and down, likely taking in his faded trench coat and the scruff on his chin.

  “May I help you, sir?”

  Gabriel flipped him the get-in-free badge. “Diego Martinez.”

  The man lifted his eyebrows but said nothing as he led him to a table in the corner of the restaurant. Diego was there with a buxom redhead whom Gabriel recognized as Layla Lee, an upcoming “It” girl. She was all vampire. Unabashedly so with her fangs out on display at all times.

  Diego saw him as he approached the table. He smiled, but Gabriel could tell it was forced. “Inspector Bellmonte, right?”

  “I need to ask you a few questions.”

  Diego glanced at his lady friend, then steepled his fingers on the table. “Go ahead.”

  “We need to do it downtown at the station.”

  He leaned back in his chair and smirked. “Is that really necessary?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Could I finish my meal at least?”

  Gabriel shook his head. “No. Now, you can come with me or I can call in a uniform with a car that has flashing lights and we can make a huge scene. It’s up to you. But either way you’re coming downtown to answer some questions.”

  Diego glanced around the restaurant. From the corner of Gabriel’s eye, he noticed there was already a lot of attention directed toward the table.

  Sighing, Diego stood and tossed his linen napkin onto the table. “I can’t believe this.”

  Layla jumped to her feet. “What’s going on, Diego?”

  He leaned over to press his lips to her temple. “I’m sorry, darling. Something’s come up. I’ll call you later and we can pick this up where we left off.”

  She huffed. “Not likely. I’ve got better things to do than wait around for you.”

  “Fine. Your loss.”

  Gabriel walked out of the restaurant, Diego in tow. When they were outside, Gabriel opened the back door for him.

  A couple of paparazzi sprang into action, taking pictures while Diego waved to them as if he was getting into a limo after one of his movie premieres instead of heading down to the police station for questioning.

  “Damn Elise for putting me through this. She’s always been a pain in my ass,” Diego mumbled, but Gabriel heard every word.

  So when he was helping Diego into the car, it was no mistake when he knocked the vampire’s head into the top of the door frame. When he turned to protest, Gabriel shoved him hard into the seat and slammed the door shut, nearly crushing the actor’s leg in the process.

  The paparazzi jumped on him then. “Is Diego Martinez under arrest?” one asked.

  Another shouted, “Is this in connection with Elise Leroy’s stalker case?”

  “No comment,” Gabriel said as he came around the vehicle and got into the driver’s seat. He shut the door on the plethora of questions being tossed out.

  “I could sue you for police brutality.”

  Gabriel turned and glared at him. “You haven’t seen police brutality—I could show you if you like.”

  “I’m calling my lawyer.” He flipped open his phone and dialed while looking out the side window.

  As Gabriel pulled away from the curb and into the street he flipped his phone open again and dialed Elise’s number. Again it rang five times and he got her voice mail. “Are you punishing me? Just call me back, okay. I don’t care if you are mad at me.” He flipped the phone closed.

  “Trouble in paradise,” Diego chimed in.

  Gabriel declined to respond to the vampire’s taunting. It would do no good. Something was definitely wrong. He could feel it, but if he had the number-one suspect sitting in the backseat of his car, why was Elise not answering her phone?

  Chapter 22

  Elise blinked open her eyes, then closed them. The room was spinning and it made her stomach roll. When she opened them again, more fully, the bright light stung like acid. She quickly snapped them shut.

  Licking her lips, which felt dry and cracked, she tried to open her eyes again. At first, everything was spinning, but she fought gagging so she could get her bearings. Finally, the room stopped swirling and she was able to focus a little on her surroundings.

  She was in a small room illuminated by big spotlights in all four corners. She was on the floor, hard cold tile, and there was something familiar about it. Rolling onto her back, she stared up at the ceiling. Her body ached in all sorts of places. Especially her lower back and her legs.

  Her limbs felt leaden, but she was able to lift her right arm. Blood streaked her skin. There were deep cuts on her hands and wrists. Staring at the wounds, she tried to remember how she got them. Had she gotten into a fight? With whom, though?

  She licked her lips again. There was an odd taste in her mouth. Sour and strong. Almost like garlic. She swallowed the bad taste down and lowered her arm. She raised her other arm and saw similar cuts and bruises. Yes, definitely a fight of some kind.

  She groaned from the soreness in her body. By the ache in her lower back she assumed she’d been lying on the floor for some time. But it was impossible to know how much time had passed, since there were no windows and no clock on the whitewashed walls.

  There were pictures on the walls, though. Landscape paintings. She stared at them, a shiver starting at her toes and rushing up her back. She recognized those pictures.

  Rolling onto her side, she surveyed more of the room. There was a sofa and chair and coffee table behind her, all mismatched and eclectic. She rolled to her other side and spied a TV set and bookcases. Next to them was a door. A blue door.

  Swallowing down the urge to retch, Elise closed her eyes and opened them again. She had to be dreaming. This couldn’t possibly be true. It was a joke.

  Because if everything was real, then she was on the set of one of her first movies.

  Chapter 23

  Gabriel drove like a demon to the station. Once parked, he quickly escorted Diego up to an interview room where he sat him down and made him wait.

  He leaned on the wall just outside the room and opened his phone again. This time he’d call Constable Sharpe. If Elise didn’t want to talk to him that was fine, but he had to know everything was okay there.