Breathe Into Me

by Nikki Drost

  What matters is Vanessa was murdered and someone left her on my front lawn. Who would want to hurt her, and why would the killer leave her here? I’m about to ask my uncle these very questions when I hear the sounds of rumbling motorcycles. I feel a sense of relief wash over me as Adam runs toward me. He scoops me into his arms and holds me tight.

  “Oh god, angel,” He kisses the top of my head as I begin to sob uncontrollably.

  “It’s okay, you’re safe. All of you are safe.”

  “Vanessa!” Lincoln yells as he begins to run toward her body, but the rest of his friends grab him and fight to pull him back.

  “No, god no,” He cries out as he drops to his knees.

  My heart breaks as I watch helplessly as Lincoln struggles to get to his girlfriend.

  “Andy I need to ask you a few questions.” Sheriff Ross steps forward with his deputy, one I wish Henry had hit a little harder.

  “Do you really have to do this now, Brian?” My uncle asks his lifelong friend.

  “Sorry, Gary, but the sooner that we get some answers the sooner we can find out who did this.”

  I wipe the tears from my eyes. “Of course, I’ll do anything to help.”

  Adam wraps his arms around me as I wait for the Sheriff to speak.

  “I take it you knew this girl?”

  I nod. “Yes her name is Vanessa Clark, she is…was a nurse at Greenville Memorial.”

  Sheriff Ross pulls out a small notebook and begins taking my statement. “Do you have any idea who would want to hurt her?”

  I shake my head, Vanessa was a major flirt and could be obnoxious at times, but she was a good nurse and person.

  “Does the phrase “You were warned” mean anything to you?”

  My body instantly stills, oh my god. I know who did this, it was the man from the bar, he told me that it would get bloody if Adam didn’t leave town.

  “Andy?”

  I shake my head to clear it. “Um, no I have no idea what it means sorry.” I should have told Adam about that night at the hospital. If I had, maybe Vanessa would be alive.

  “Your lying ta an officah of the law, Hahris? I'm shocked.”

  Oh, it can’t be. I’d know that smug Bostonian accent anywhere. Dear god what did I do to deserve this?

  “You have got to be kidding me,” I groan.

  “Well, well it’s a small world, how have you been, Andrea?”

  I respond in the form of a finger.

  “Come now that’s no way ta greet an old friend,” he chuckles.

  “You’re not my friend, Keith, you’re my ex-boyfriend. What are you doing here?”

  I notice Adam and Keith exchange glares as they size each other up. Keith is about an inch shorter than Adam is, with short dark hair and a smug expression on his chiseled face. His athletic build is covered by an expensive gray suit. His eyes roam freely over my body as he answers my question.

  “Well if you haven’t noticed you have a dead body on your lawn, it’s sort of my job ta find out how she got there.”

  God he’s so arrogant, what the hell did I ever see in him? He reaches into his jacket, his partner following suit.

  “FBI, I’m Special Agent Spencah and this is my partnah, Special Agent Rivera.” They flash their badges while starring down Adam and his friends. “We’d like ta have a word wit you, Miss Hahris.” Steel colored eyes briefly meet mine before glancing down at my and Adam’s joined hands.

  “Skip the formalities, Keith, I have nothing to say to you.”

  He flashes me a smile that’s full of superiority. “Well Andy you can eithah do it here or at the station. Pick one.”

  Adam wraps his arms around me and holds me tight.

  “Jesus, it didn’t take you long ta get ovah me, huh?”

  I can feel Adam stiffen behind me. God Keith is going to piss off the wrong person.

  “It’s not hard to get over lying cheating scum,” Kelsey chimes in.

  Keith glances a little too long at her and smiles. “Aw you remembered her pet name for me, how sweet. It’s nice ta see you again, Miss Collins.”

  I tilt my head to the side. “Hola Carlos, Como estas?” the Agent gives me a warm smile.

  “Soy Buena, Niña, you look good.”

  I always liked Carlos, Keith on the other hand…

  “Enough small talk, Andy, you’re coming wit us.”

  A low growl emanates from behind me. “The fuck she is. If you want to talk to her you’ll do it here.”

  My ex begins to chuckle. “Fine have it your way, tough guy, I know your lying, Andy, now tell me and the good sheriff what that phrase means. If you can’t remembah it, I’d be happy ta show you, it’s carved into the Vic’s body.”

  “She said she doesn’t know anything, now back off, Keith,” Gary warns jumping to my defense.

  “Oh she’s lying alright, if you recall I used ta sleep wit her, I know every face Andy makes includin’ the one she’s wearing right now.”

  Adam suddenly lunges toward, Keith. Jamie and Micah quickly seize him and pull him back before he can get ahold of my ex.

  “You son of a bitch, if you ever speak to her like that again, badge or not, we will go rounds.”

  I need to defuse this situation before someone gets hurt.

  “It looks like you’ve already gone a few rounds my friend, did Andy get a little rough? She always was a little wild in the sack.”

  Adam tries to break free of his friends hold, but thankfully, they have a good grip on him.

  “Stop it, Keith, I’m not lying, I’m upset at finding my coworker’s dead body on my lawn. Now instead of provoking my boyfriend why don’t you go do your job?”

  Henry’s father finally decides that he’s had enough of our public display. “Excuse me, Agent, but we’ve got this under control. She’s a friend of the family so if you don’t mind I’d like to interview her.”

  Boy talk about feeling special, I’ve never had anyone fight over me before.

  “In case it’s escaped your attention sheriff, I’m a Federal Agent who catches actual criminals, while you sit around all day babysittin’ a bunch of mediocre cops who have probably nevah fired their weapons, so why don’t you and your glorified metah maids go arrest some jay walkahs or set up speed traps? We’ve got this. Now, Miss Hahris, you can come freely or we can cuff you, you do still enjoy that don’t you?”

  He did not just say that in front of my uncle. I can only imagine how red my face is right now. I’ve had enough of this.

  “If I refuse are you going to rough me up like you did to that other guy?” I know I shouldn’t antagonize Keith further, but he has that effect on me.

  “Jesus, Hahris, one frickin time, it was one time and I had every right ta use excessive force. He was a serial killah and rapist, who refused ta tell us where he had buried a seven yeah old girl!” he yells at me.

  “Yeah, that’s why you were suspended, right? And guess who had to patch that monster up at the hospital? Me,” I yell back.

  “Excuse me,” a feminine voice shouts.

  “I’m Olivia Rollins, Miss Harris’s attorney, she’s not going anywhere with you.” I watch as Liv squares off with Keith. She has to crane her neck to stare him in the eyes. He looms over her petite five foot three frame, probably to get a better view down her blouse.

  “Miss Rollins, you’re more the welcome ta join us down at the station, now if you don’t mind.”

  My lawyer gives the Agent a wicked smile. “Miss Harris has answered all questions truthfully and although I find your jealous display to be as fascinating as it is unprofessional, the fact remains that she doesn’t know anything. And since you’ve admitted to having a prior relationship with her, which is a huge conflict of interest by the way, you will not be questioning her. Now if your partner would like to set up a time for us to meet, then I’m more than willing to do so at his convenience. So unless you have solid proof that she’s withholding evidence pertaining to this case, we’re done here.”

/>   Hot damn, I love this woman. My uncle appears to be as impressed as I am. Gary better not let this one get away. I suppress the urge to jump for joy while sticking my tongue out at my ex. Keith on the other hand looks as if he’s about to spit nails.

  “I’m impressed, Miss Rollins, I take it you didn’t learn law at the local community college, where did you study?”

  “I graduated at the top of my class from Stanford. Why?”

  Keith gives her a genuine smile. “I just wanted ta know the calibah of attorney I’ll be dealing wit. I’m a Hahvid lawman myself. Now, if your client won’t cooperate and come down ta the station wit me then I’ll take him instead.” Keith points a finger toward, Lincoln.

  “Why? Do you want to ask me what it feels like to see my girlfriend’s beaten lifeless body? Cause you don’t need to bring me downtown for me to tell you that it fucking hurts.”

  I would never believe in a million years that Lincoln could be scary, but right now, I’m glad he’s not directing that malice toward me.

  “Save it, you’re my numbah one suspect, Mr. Scott, you were having a relationship wit the deceased, and you were most likely the last person ta see the victim alive. If you’re innocent you have nothing ta worry about, but by law, I can hold you without charges for forty-eight hours and I think I’ll do just that. Now ah you goin’ ta be accommodatin’ big guy, or do I gotta break out the cuffs?”

  This can’t be happening I can’t let the FBI take Lincoln to jail. He didn’t kill Vanessa, that bastard from the bar did.

  “I changed my mind, Keith, let’s talk.” I ignore the fact that Adam’s hold on me has tightened considerably.

  “Too late, Hahris, you had your chance,” he smirks.

  “Mr. Scott, I advise you to remain silent and go with them freely. I’ll meet you at the station.”

  Six local cops surround Lincoln and help escort him to a black escalade. I can’t believe Keith’s being such a bastard about this.

  “Well I’d like to say it was nice to see you, Keith, but that would make me a liar, it was nice to see Carlos though.”

  Keith’s partner begins to chuckle “It was great seeing you too, Niña. It was just like old times.”

  Keith gives Carlos a dirty look. “Well, Andy, your fancy lawyah said I couldn’t talk ta you, but she didn’t say anything about feedin’ you. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night, say around seven.”

  I can’t contain my laughter. “I would rather fight off a hoard of zombies with nothing more than a spork, than have dinner with you.”

  He gives me an arrogant smile “Six o’clock then? You know I won’t take no for an answer.” He flashes a smug smile toward, Adam.

  “What the hell is your problem, Keith?”

  His response is cut off by his partner.

  “Spence lets go before you get us both slapped with harassment. Unlike you, I need my job.”

  Poor Carlos, I don’t know how he has put up with Keith for this long.

  “Fuck that, if you don’t like it, Riviera, wait in the truck,” he snaps.

  “Andy listen ta me, I know your lying I just don’t know if it’s because you’re scared or because you’re protectin’ someone. You can’t tell me that your coworker’s dead body showing up on your lawn is just a coincidence. If you’re scared, I can protect you, but you gotta talk to me.”

  I can’t tell Keith who really killed, Vanessa. It didn’t make sense to me at the time, but I know now that man from the bar isn’t human. He called Adam an Enforcer, which means he’s a supernatural being. If Keith were to arrest this guy, he would no doubt be killed. Even though he pisses me off, I don’t want him dead.

  “I have no idea why Vanessa was put here. I do know that Lincoln didn’t kill her.” I have to get Keith to let Lincoln go, he needs to help the others find her killer.

  “That man is dangerous. Look at what he did ta your friend.” Keith glares at the men beside me. “They’re all dangerous, look at ‘em Andy. I know what a killah looks like and they all have that look in their eyes. How the hell did you get mixed up wit people like this?”

  Unfortunately, Keith is right, not about them being capable of hurting me, but I know they’ve killed in the name of humanity. In my book, that makes them heroes not monsters.

  “If you continue ta involve yourself wit’em, you could be next. I don’t want ta see you get hurt, I still care about you.” Keith reaches out for me, but I step out of his reach and into Adam’s arms.

  “You didn’t care about hurting me when you cheated on me,” I fire back.

  “Jesus not this again, don’t turn this around on me. Take my advice and stay away from him, Hahris, all of ‘em. I’d hate ta find your body next.” With that, he turns and walks toward his SUV.

  Carlos gives me an apologetic smile and waves goodbye.

  “You’re wrong, Keith,” I yell out. What a mess.

  “I can’t believe that you almost married that asshole,” Kelsey mutters.

  “You were going to marry him?”

  I glance up at Adam’s stricken expression. “No, and it doesn’t matter anyways.” I give my best friend a look of warning.

  “Oh lighten up, Andy, it’s not like I asked you to tell me how he was in bed.”

  Ugh, I need a drink, and I need to tell the guys what I know. I scan the area, Henry’s a few yards away talking to his dad and Gary. Most of the cops are focused on removing Vanessa’s body from the scene. I’m about to ask Kelsey to make herself scarce when Sheriff Ross, Henry and my uncle rejoin our group.

  “I want all of you kids to spend a night or two somewhere safe. Girls you’re more than welcome to stay with us, the wife would love to have you.”

  Kelsey graciously declines saying she’ll be staying with her grandparents.

  “I appreciate that, Sheriff Ross, but I’ll make other arrangements, but please tell Eleanor that I said hello.”

  He nods. “Okay and when you girls get a chance, come over and have dinner with us okay.” He pats his son on the shoulder. “I want you at the house in twenty minutes, son.” He turns and surveys Adam and his friends, his eyes narrow on, Jamie. “Mr. Trudeau, what an unpleasant surprise. We haven’t had the misfortune of having you in our holding cell for a while. I thought you had left town.”

  Jamie lights a cigarette and exhales in the sheriff’s direction. “I did and now I’m back.” His smile is full of arrogance.

  Officer Davenport immediately steps into Jamie’s personal space. “I’ve got my eyes on you, Trudeau, one false move and I’ll lock your ass up for good.”

  Jamie starts to laugh. “Yeah, you keep staring at my ass, Davenport, and by the way I highly enjoyed watching you get your ass handed to you. I thought it was damn generous of Henry to neuter you for free.”

  Tim grabs Jamie by the shirt and I realize that one of two things is about to happen. Either Jamie is going to join Lincoln in jail or Tim is going to get his ass kicked, again.

  “Back off, Tim, stop provoking him.” Kelsey grabs the deputy’s arm and pulls it away from, Jamie.

  “I could have you arrested for assaulting a police officer.”

  Kelsey rolls her eyes at him. “Please, we both know you don’t have the balls. Now stop being a jerk and go back to pushing papers around your desk.”

  Jamie begins to chuckle. “There’s the feisty woman I like so much.” He gives her an amused expression.

  “You seem to bring it out in me. I’m starting to think you’re a bad influence.”

  Jamie doesn’t seem to take offense to her mild insult. Instead, he seems rather proud of himself. “Don’t worry, princess, I’ll start you off with misdemeanors and we’ll work our way up to felonies,” Jamie says as he wags his eyebrows at her. Kelsey tries to hide her laughter, but she finally gives in.

  “Does Nathan know that you’re fucking this asshole behind his back?”

  Jamie’s face goes from amused to lethal in the blink of an eye.

  “Watch it, Davenport. If you wan
t to trade insults with me than go right ahead, but do not fucking disrespect her again.”

  The deputy looks from Kelsey back to Jamie. “Is she as good in bed as everyone says?”

  With that comment, Jamie lunges at the deputy. Thankfully, Adam and his brothers were ready for the attack and grab ahold of him before he could get his hands on Tim.

  “That’s enough! Officer Davenport, I want you in my office immediately.” Henry’s dad grabs Tim by the arm and pulls him toward their car.

  “This isn’t over, Trudeau.”

  Jamie promptly flashes a finger while hurtling a few choice words at the cop. Adam pulls me close and wraps his arms around me.

  “I need to talk to you guys, alone.”

  Gary steps forward. “Come on kids lets go pack a bag, Andy, we’ll be inside waiting for you.”

  God I love that man. “Thanks I’ll be right there.” I wait until Gary has led Kelsey and Henry into the house. I lead the men further away from the lingering forensic team.

  “I know who killed, Vanessa.” The four men stare at me as if I have three heads.

  “Angel-”Adam begins, but I cut him off.

  “It was that guy from the bar. The one who wanted to dance with me, he cornered me at the hospital parking lot a couple of weeks ago. He told me to tell you and your Enforcer buddies to leave town or it would get bloody.”

  Adam’s eyes change from warm honey to bright gold,

  “Did. He. Touch. You?” he growls through clinched teeth.

  I shake my head and force myself to remain calm as his eyes change back to normal.

  “Damnit why the hell didn’t you tell me this sooner? That guy isn’t human he’s a werecoyote. You can’t keep shit like that from me, do you understand?”

  I nod my head. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t know that he wasn’t human. I just thought that he was mad about the fight and I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

  Adam pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one.

  “When did you start smoking?” I know this isn’t the time or place, but it isn’t healthy.