Cry Wolf (Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series Book 4)

by Leighann Dobbs

  “No. He didn’t usually share how he spent his time with me.” Laura sniffled and dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “I know he went to work, then maybe he fit in some time with Gina.”

  “Did he keep a calendar or day planner?”

  “I think there’s one on his laptop.” Laura stood and led DeeDee down a long hall toward the back of the house and into the den where Laura had said Tucker slept many nights. A large desk sat off to one side of the room. On top was a new laptop computer, a mouse sitting on a mouse pad with the image of a bloody-fanged vampire to the left of it.

  “I’ll need to take the laptop into custody. Do you want me to get a warrant?” DeeDee said.

  “No. Go ahead and take it. I doubt you’ll find anything on it. Tucker wasn’t around much to use it.” Laura stood off to the side, arms crossed. “I’m surprised the officers didn’t ask for it yesterday.”

  “They were just gathering information at that point.” DeeDee got the password from Laura and typed it in. A Fitbit app appeared onscreen. “Your husband wore a tracking device?”

  “Yes.” Laura sighed. “Tucker was obsessed with his health, always worried about getting his precious steps in. I’m sure he had incentive to keep in shape, with all those pretty young things he liked to bed.”

  Yeah, no bitterness there. Not.

  Exiting the app, DeeDee opened the computer’s calendar instead and scanned the dates. “Looks like your husband had an appointment with the director, Caine Hunter, on Monday morning. I’ve also been told by several people involved with the movie that Tucker was going to quit the film if they didn’t agree to pay him more money. Is that true?”

  “Probably, but it was an idle threat.” Laura shook her head. “Tucker did that on every movie he made. Always going on about how he was so overworked and underappreciated.”

  “Wouldn’t the film have to fold if he dropped out? He was the headline star, right?” DeeDee asked.

  “Yes, but—” Realization dawned in Laura’s eyes. “You think this director killed him because he threatened to leave?”

  After closing the laptop, DeeDee stood and unplugged the computer. “I’m not sure. Thank you for your time, Ms. Rockwood. I can show myself out.”

  CHAPTER 10

  DeeDee left the Rockwood residence and headed directly toward Caine Hunter’s address. She didn’t spend much time in his chichi high-dollar community on the shores of the lake and had to double-check the coordinates in her phone to make sure she had the right estate. When she finally pulled up to the gates in front of his huge mansion, even she had to admit the views of the White Mountains and the lake from his property were amazing.

  She lowered her window and pressed the call button on the security intercom system. A snooty voice with a slight English accent answered. “Deliveries are around to the side of the property.”

  “Oh, no. I’m not here for a delivery. This is Deputy DeeDee Clawson with the Silver Hollow Sherriff’s Department. I need to ask Mr. Caine Hunter a few questions. Is he available?”

  A pause. Then the gates buzzed open.

  As she wound her squad car up the long driveway to the front of the home, DeeDee was struck by how truly spectacular the place was with its exterior full of brick and glass and an architectural style that reminded her of some luxurious alpine cabin. She parked her cruiser near the grand covered portico then got out, making sure that Rockwood’s laptop was securely stowed beneath the seat. She straightened her uniform and walked up to the carved entry doors and knocked, using the sparkling brass knocker with a snarling wolf’s head at the top.

  That was odd. They were usually lions, weren’t they?

  Then again, Caine Hunter was a werewolf, so maybe it had to do with his pack.

  Before she could contemplate it further, however, a butler answered the door. “Yes?”

  Same snooty voice from the intercom. DeeDee raised her chin slightly and forced a smile. “Deputy Clawson here to meet Mr. Hunter.”

  “Of course.” The older gentleman sniffed and gave a slight bow as he gestured for DeeDee to enter the home. The interior of the house was surprisingly cozy and warm for being so large. Lots of pine and oak and overstuffed furniture begging to be sat in. A large sweeping staircase took up one side of the foyer, and she couldn’t help wondering what it would feel like to live in such a grand showpiece home.

  “Deputy Clawson,” Caine Hunter said, descending those same stairs now, looking as irritatingly gorgeous as always. “I hope you’re here to tell me you caught Tucker’s killer.”

  “Not yet, sir.” She couldn’t seem to help fidgeting under his too-perceptive amber gaze. “I have a few questions for you, if you have a moment.”

  “For you, Deputy?” He smiled, and her insides tingled with warmth, despite DeeDee’s wishes to the contrary. “Always.”

  They walked into a spacious great room with a high cathedral ceiling and a huge stone fireplace with flames crackling merrily inside. Christmas lights and décor were tastefully spread around the space to add to its homey feel. He walked her over to a wraparound sofa on the far side of the room before a bank of huge windows overlooking the lake. DeeDee was about to take a seat when a familiar itch started on her arms. Soon her nose twitched too, and she did her best not to sneeze. A quick glance at the windows behind the sofa showed the culprit—a sprig of mistletoe hung over them.

  Caine took a seat then patted the one beside him. “Move closer, Deputy. I promise I don’t bite.”

  “Oh, um, maybe we could sit somewhere else.” When Caine gave her a funny look, she tried to cover it by changing topics. He had the mistletoe, which had been used on Rockwood. Did he have the rat poison too? “Perhaps you could give me a tour of the rest of your house. It’s really beautiful, by the way.”

  “I’m happy to show you around.” Caine smiled again, and her knees went a bit wobbly. Ugh. The last thing she needed was an attraction to one of her suspects. “After we finish your questions.”

  “Oh, sure. Right.” DeeDee tucked back a loose curl that had slipped free from the tight bun at the nape of her neck, then took a seat at the very end of the sectional sofa, as far away from the mistletoe and Caine Hunter as she could get. “I interviewed Mr. Rockwood’s widow, and she confirmed that her husband was threatening to quit the movie because he wanted more money. Did you give in to his demands?”

  Caine shrugged, staring down at his hands in his lap. “We negotiated.”

  “I see.” Out came DeeDee’s trusty notebook again. “I’ve seen Mr. Rockwood’s schedule the day of his murder. Looks like he had a meeting with you that morning. Did things turn ugly?”

  “Ah, I see where you’re going with this, Deputy.” Caine looked at her again, that darned smile of his going full-watt sexy. “You think I killed Tucker because he was threatening to quit. Hate to tell you this, but you’re barking up the wrong tree. Think about it. Why would I kill the star of my own movie? Without Tucker’s star power, the film could flop, and then I’d lose my entire investment.”

  Good point. DeeDee closed her pad and leaned back. The sofa was even cushier than it looked. It sort of wrapped around a person and encouraged them to cuddle in.

  “My brother’s telling the truth.” Caine’s sister, Carletta, stood in the large, open doorway leading into the kitchen. “Tucker wasn’t mad when he left here on Monday.”

  DeeDee sat forward, her wolf senses telling her there was more to this situation. Carletta was beautiful and blond. Could she and Tucker have had an affair going on as well? Maybe she knew more about the murder than she was letting on. Before she could ask, however, Caine drew her attention back to him.

  “Next question, Deputy,” he said. The man sprawled gracefully across his seat, one arm across the back, totally relaxed, like the king in his castle. If circumstances were different and she’d met Caine Hunter outside of work, he would’ve been just the kind of guy she’d go for—confident, cool, charming.

  As it was, though, she had a murder to solve
and far too many loose ends untied to let this guy off the hook so easily. DeeDee cleared her throat and went back through her notes. “Fine. As the producer and director of the film, Mr. Hunter, I assume you have complete and unrestricted access to everything on the movie set?”

  “Yes. Why do you ask?” He cocked his head to the side and smiled. “And, please, call me Caine.”

  She ignored his offer. “The stake driven through Tucker Rockwood’s heart came from the trailer on your set, though the prop master had no record of anyone checking one out. That means someone with a key and access had to have stolen one.”

  “Also not true.” Carletta came into the great room and perched on the other end of the sofa, near to her brother. “That trailer is never locked or secured properly. And I hope you’re not insinuating that my brother is a thief, Deputy. He has an alibi. We were both here the night of the murder. Jarvis can attest to it.”

  “Jarvis?” DeeDee raised a brow.

  “Our butler,” Carletta said, gesturing to the older man who’d answered the door and now

  reappeared with a tray of tea and freshly baked scones. They smelled scrumptious, and her stomach rumbled loudly.

  Must be almost lunchtime. She frowned and fumbled with her notebook again to distract herself.

  “What about all those horrid protestors?” Carletta continued. “They seem violent.”

  “They’re on our list of suspects, ma’am.” The butler handed DeeDee a dainty cup of tea, and she took it, afraid if she squeezed the handle too hard the whole thing might shatter. “Um, may I use your restroom a moment, please? I need to wash my hands.”

  “Of course,” Caine said, fixing himself a cup of tea. “Jarvis can show you where it’s at.”

  “Oh, no. I don’t want to be a bother. Point me in the right direction, and I’m sure I can find it.”

  He did as she asked, exchanging a look with his sister that DeeDee didn’t miss.

  She headed down the hall indicated until she was out of sight then made a quick detour toward the kitchen. She needed to find out if there was any rat poison on the premises. They wouldn’t keep it in the kitchen with the food, but maybe in a butler’s pantry or broom closet. Those rooms could be behind one of these doors right near the kitchen in the hallway.

  She quietly opened one door. Nope. Bathroom. Another door. Some kind of breakfast nook. The next door. Locked! Why would they have it locked unless they had something to hide? And if that something was a big old box of rat poison, then that could mean—

  “Looking for something?” Caine asked from behind her.

  Busted.

  DeeDee slowly turned to face him, peeking one eye open to find him much closer to her than she expected. Close enough for her to feel the heat of him through her uniform. Close enough that if she stretched up ever so slightly, she could kiss him.

  “Deputy?” he asked, his voice a tad huskier than before, a spark of heat in his eyes.

  Swallowing hard, she forced herself to step back, away from temptation. Her words squeaked out far higher than intended. “I-I was looking for the bathroom and must’ve taken a wrong turn.”

  Caine watched her for a moment, giving her a slow head-to-toe appraisal that set all her nerve endings on fire. At last, he said, “It’s this door over here.”

  Her hand still rested on the locked door, and she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “What’s in here?”

  “Nothing you need to see.” Caine stepped even closer to her, mere inches separating them now. Her heart thumped hard in her chest, and her mouth went dry, and if she didn’t get out of there right that second, she would lean in and do something she might regret later like kiss him silly.

  “Right. Bathroom.” DeeDee slipped out from between Caine and the wall and headed to the bathroom, feeling the weight of his stare shivering down her spine.

  AN HOUR LATER, Caine watched the receding tail lights of DeeDee’s squad car as she drove down his driveway and off his estate. At least the meeting tonight had proven beyond a shadow of a doubt the physical attraction between them was strong.

  He’d also discovered a few more things. Things like his future wife was loyal to her friends and colleagues, diligent in her pursuit of justice, and hardworking. From what little he knew of her, DeeDee had doggedly persisted on her case, despite setbacks. This told him she would be the kind of woman who stood by her mate. She was stubborn too. And fearless. And quick on her feet. All those things only made her more attractive to him.

  When he’d discovered her snooping in his hallway, as he’d suspected she would, Caine had nearly told her the truth about him, about who he was and what they would become to each other. But in the end, he’d held back, afraid of being hurt again. This time, Caine wanted to be one hundred percent certain before he opened his heart and his life again.

  “She left awfully quickly,” Carletta said from the doorway into the great room. “Hopefully, she’s not speeding back to the sheriff’s office to get a warrant for your arrest.”

  Caine snorted. “I don’t think so. She suspects there’s something going on with me, but since I didn’t kill Tucker, I’m not worried. DeeDee’s smart. She’ll find the real murderer soon enough.”

  His sister smiled. “On a first-name basis now with Deputy Clawson, huh?” Carletta leaned against the huge granite-topped island in the center of the kitchen. “Maybe if you told her your true identity, dear brother, she’d knock you off the suspect list even faster.”

  “Or move me to the top.” He exhaled and rested his forearms on the opposite side of the island.

  “Oh, come on. I know you don’t want to be hurt again, but you must put the needs of the pack ahead of your own, Caine. Our future depends on this marriage. You marrying DeeDee Clawson and forging a new blood treaty with her pack to protect and expand our territories must come before your own personal needs.”

  “I know.” Caine hung his head. Still, hope flared brightly that this union might be more than just a business deal.

  “So what are you waiting for?” Carletta asked. “Do you honestly think you’re doing DeeDee any favors by not telling her who you really are? As a fellow woman, I can say with certainty you’re not.”

  “No. I know that too. I just hoped…” He shrugged.

  “Hoped what, Caine? Hoped for some kind of love match?” She gave him a sad little smile. “Brother, you know as well as I do how rare those are. The kinds of relationships where mates bond so deeply they share each other’s emotions and finish each other’s sentences. Especially with arranged unions.” She moved closer and cupped his cheek. “Please stop hoping and wishing for the impossible and face your duty. It’s not like you have a choice in the matter.”

  He nodded, and Carletta kissed his cheek before wandering away back into the great room. Caine stayed in the kitchen, alone, pondering his situation. Once DeeDee found out who he was, it would change everything between them. Cloud all their interactions. There’d be no more sizzling chemistry, no more teasing, no more stolen moments in secret rooms.

  And he just wasn’t ready to give all that up yet. Not with her. It was too sweet. He wanted to savor their interactions a bit longer before it all came to a sudden, irreversible end. And despite what his sister had said, Caine refused to give up hope.

  Hope that perhaps, by some miracle, DeeDee might come to love him for who he was and not because she had an obligation to her pack.

  CHAPTER 11

  DeeDee thought about heading back to headquarters and running a background check on Caine Hunter, but given the sparks between them inside his house, maybe she should wait on that. Then there was the fact the yoga studio was on the way and she needed to stop there to corroborate Laura Rockwood’s alibi.

  So, instead, she pulled over to the curb, put the cruiser in park, and called Dex.

  “Silver Hollow Sheriff’s Department. This is Detective Nolan speaking.”

  “Hey, buddy. It’s DeeDee.”

  “Oh, hey. How’s it going?
I haven’t seen you around all day.”

  “I know.” She fiddled with the buttons on the front of her coat. “I’ve been busy investigating the Rockwood murder.” And flirting with my prime suspect. DeeDee squeezed her eyes shut and shook off the lingering warmth in her blood each time she remembered the heat in Caine’s amber eyes. “Listen, I need you to do me a favor, if you have the time.”

  “Sure thing. What do you need?”

  “Can you run a background check for me?” She rattled off Caine Hunter’s name and demographics. “Thanks. What’s going on there today?”

  “Ugh, be glad you’re not here.”

  “Why?”

  “Stan came back from another trip to the morgue,” Dex said, his tone flat. “And he’s acting all weird again.”

  “Weird how?”

  “Like he’s not his usual gung-ho, let’s-catch-all-the-paranormals self.” Dex sighed. “Do you think Ursula did something to him?”

  “Is it an improvement?” DeeDee asked.

  Dex chuckled. “Yeah, it is.”

  “Then who cares if she did something to him?”

  “Good point. I’ll get this background check started as soon as we hang up. Where are you headed to next?”

  “I talked to Rockwood’s widow again earlier and got her alibi. She says she was taking the Moon-Morning Yoga class at the time of Tucker’s death. So I’m headed over there to check it out.”

  “Cool. You want to meet me later at the place where that napkin was from? The Coffee Connection?” Dex asked. “I can give you the background check results and get some much-needed caffeine at the same time. Hang on.” The tapping sounds of fingers on a keyboard filled the phone line, then Dex came back on the line. “Looks like the place is about halfway between the yoga studio and headquarters. Maybe someone there saw Tucker and can give us a new lead.”

  “Sounds good, buddy.” DeeDee smiled. “See you in an hour?”