Lee held her breath and opened the top drawer. It held nothing but a Bible and a large, business sized envelope. The envelope arrested Lee's attention since her name was written across the front.
She wrote me a letter?
Lee was confused why Debbie would have done such a thing when she had insisted they needed to talk and since she had never returned from her early morning jaunt, she didn't have time to do it later. The only thing she could figure out was that Debbie had written the letter beforehand with the assumption that Lee wouldn't listen to her. If so, Debbie knew her better than she'd ever let on.
She opened it with shaking fingers and removed a single piece of stationary with Debbie's scrawling cursive.
Lee,
I know this is the only way you'll ever hear me out so I've written this little note. I hope it reaches your heart and you'll come to realize that we belong together. I'm not good at the mushy stuff, I'm sure you know that. But it doesn't mean I don't feel things. I have loved you from the moment I saw you, but as much as I hate to admit it, I have a reputation to uphold in public. Being openly affectionate with you would destroy my career. Hiding how I feel about you isn't something I'm proud of, but I've worked too hard to just throw everything away.
Having said that, here I am in this God awful hotel. Do you know they don't even have room service? Anyway, you need to understand what you overheard that day in the mansion. Jasmine told me about it; in fact she yelled at me and told me what a lowlife I was to do that to you. What neither of you knew was that I wanted the combination to the safe so I could see your mother's jewelry. You'd told me about it a few times and were so proud that you still had something to remember her by. I wanted to take a few pictures of the pieces so I could have my jeweler create a set of rings designed just for us. A one of a kind set of wedding rings.
You see, darling, I'd already figured out in my own meandering way that the career should never be as important as my love for you. I was going to ask you to marry me as soon as the rings were finished, but you beat me to the punch, didn't you?
After you read this, I hope you'll reconsider and come back to me. You're the only one I've ever loved, that I ever could.
All my heart, Debbie.
Lee's vision blurred from the unshed tears and she raised a hand to cover her eyes. All along she had thought Debbie was just after her money when nothing could have been farther from the truth. She had assumed, based on her own hidden fears about being used. Knowing the truth wouldn't have changed how Lee felt about being in a relationship with Debbie. But it might have paved the way to a friendship rather than Lee pushing her away and refusing to even speak with her.
The sound of the door opening made her look up and relief filled her heart at the sight of Jamison standing there. She looked unsure, as though wondering if she should intrude.
Lee dropped the letter onto the bed and walked around the furniture. Without hesitation, she slipped her arms around Jamison's neck and pressed tightly against her tense body.
"Oh, Jami, I've been so worried about you. I never should have left."
Jamison's arms encircled her waist, clinging to her as she pressed her face to Lee's neck. "The fault is mine. I should have told you everything from the start."
Pulling away to look up into her eyes, Lee responded with a teary smile. "I'm not sure I would have been ready for it then. I had to have some of the answers on my own before I could have believed such an amazing tale. But I'm back now, and I'm not planning on leaving again."
Jamison kissed her forehead and just held Lee for several moments. Finally, she said, "Sheriff Macke told me about your... about Miss Mason. I'm so sorry."
Lee nodded. "I am too. I should have talked with her when she came to the house. Instead I turned her away. I never thought she really loved me, but I was wrong."
"What do you mean?" Jamison asked, still embracing her.
"I found a letter when I was cleaning out her things. She wanted to marry me."
Jamison tensed again and after a second asked, "What would you have said?"
She sounded so worried that Lee backed up a little and looked into the verdant green eyes, trying to show all that she felt in her gaze. "My answer would have been no. Don't you know by now that I love you? Of course, I can see how you wouldn't, considering that I ran off right when you needed me most."
Gentle fingers rested over her lips, stopping the words. "Wait a minute, what did you say before?"
Lee smiled and nipped Jamison's fingertip. "I said I love you."
Instead of answering in words, Jamison dropped her head and claimed Lee's lips in a searing kiss. Lee brought her hands up, sliding over Jami's cheeks before threading her fingers through thick hair and cupping the back of her head. She felt the slightly rough surface of their tongues sliding together and tasted Jamison for the first time since their heated encounter in the ranger's office. It felt like an eternity since that last intimate caress and Lee couldn't get enough. In the end, it was the need to breathe that forced them apart.
"You don't know how much I've wanted to hear you say that," Jamison said huskily. "I've never wanted a mate before, but I knew after that first day we spent on the mountain that you were the one."
The word mate stood out and Lee considered it for a moment. "I'm not used to thinking in terms of mates or cubs, like I heard you say to that jaguar in the woods. All of this still seems a little surreal to me, but I'm sure all of that could change with a little time."
"Take all the time you need," Jamison said. "I'm not going anywhere."
Lee heaved a dramatic sigh. "Unfortunately, I am. I have to take care of Debbie's belongings here and I need to make a trip to the morgue."
"Why there? Sheriff Macke told me there was no need for you to make an identification."
"Thank God for that," Lee said sincerely, "but I have to gather up whatever she had with her in the car and return it to her family along with the rest of her things."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"Yes, please. I don't want to have to do this alone." She was grateful Jamison offered.
"Then you won't." Jamison stepped back and took her hand. She looked over at the luggage stacked on the bed, but before she could make a move to retrieve any of it, Lee surprised her by speaking gently.
"Are you all right? I should have asked sooner, but I was a little distracted by everything else."
"I'm fine," Jamison said, frowning in confusion. "Why?"
"There was so much blood...in the woods. I shouldn't have just left you there. You could have been killed."
"I'm fine," Jamison reiterated. Her hand went to her left side, giving Lee the impression that was where she'd been injured most severely. "One good thing about being a Panthera is that we heal quickly. In another day or two you'll never know it happened."
Lee studied the floor, unsure if she should pursue this right now. "I got the impression that you knew him?"
"Yeah," Jamison said. "His name is Aaron Dalton and I've known him since I was a kid. We never got along because he's so arrogant that he grates on my nerves, but lately I get the sense that he's involved in some really bad things."
"Like what?"
"It's a long story and I'd be happy to tell you all about it later after we've had a chance to relax a little, but suffice it to say that I think he's involved in these killings."
Lee thought about what Jamison said and realized what a position she was in. Dalton was one of her own people and given the secrecy of their society, trust and xenophobia were necessary components to their survival. It was conceivable that this man had influenced others and the only way to ensure he did as little damage as possible would be for their own internal law enforcement to act decisively.
"Jamison, you have to tell someone." Lee was suddenly even more frightened for her. Having a run-in with a person you didn't like was a far cry from pissing off a serial killer.
"I can't yet, I don't have any proof. Frankly, I don't know
if the reason I suspect him is just because I don't like him or if a part of me instinctively knows he's guilty."
Lee shrugged. "I can't answer that, but I can tell you he isn't the actual killer."
She could see that she'd surprised Jamison with her comment. Dark eyebrows lifted toward her hairline as she asked, "How? Have you seen who it really is?"
"In a way, I guess I have. Aunt Chris apparently passed some of her gifts on to me and one night I dreamed, actually twice, about a hideous creature that I believe is your predator. The first time was the night your friend was killed. I've experienced weeks of these dreams since, but it's only been recently that I started to understand."
"Could you describe him enough for someone to make up a sketch?"
"You mean like a police artist? Probably, but I don't want Sheriff Macke to think we're playing The Hardy Boys meet the Harmon Werewolf. Besides, you won't need a sketch. You've already seen him face to face and I don't think anyone would have any doubt once they do too."
"Exactly how much have you seen?" Jamison asked softly.
"Enough for me to know that you encountered him outside Hank's home that night and that you're lucky to be standing here. He was going after you, but was frightened away at the last minute. I'm not sure why."
"Dalton. I found out later that he'd been there watching, waiting for me to fail so he could use it against me with the Council. I hit the damned killer with my truck, but I'm not sure I even fazed it. The thing certainly didn't seem to be hurt very bad. Dalton must have surprised it shortly after that. Either that or Sheriff Macke's siren scared it away."
"You know, the more I learn about this Dalton guy the less I like him."
"Tell me about it," Jamison smiled. "All right, no sketch artist. Let me help you with these bags and we'll head over to the morgue. One of our people is the Medical Examiner and a friend of mine. It'll make things go a lot smoother."
"That's a relief. I'd really like to get this over with as quickly as possible."
Jamison stood and reached for the largest suitcase, but when she hefted it off the bed she grunted in pain. Lee quickly put a hand on the bag to prevent her from lifting it further, her worry replacing all other concerns.
"I thought you were all right."
"It's nothing, really," Jamison tried to reassure her and then attempted to change the topic. "I should probably let you know I had to borrow some of your clothes after the fight though. Mine weren't salvageable. I used your shower, too. I hope you don't mind."
"I don't care about that. Where were you injured? Let me see."
Reluctantly, Jamison let go of the Victorinox and raised the hem of her shirt. Lee gasped at the sight of the four-inch pale pink line that ran from the bottom of Jamison's ribcage to just above her hipbone. At this stage it resembled scar tissue, but Lee realized that she could have been gutted.
"He tried to kill you and I just left you there bleeding. How can you stand the sight of me after that?"
"It's not your fault." Jamison touched Lee's chin with her fingertips, urging her to lift her head and meet her gaze. "You were shocked by what you saw and reacted in a perfectly normal way. If anyone's to blame, it's me for not being honest with you from the start?"
The reassurance did little to relieve her guilt, but Lee understood the necessity of putting all of this behind them. "No more secrets?"
"Deal. Now let's get out of here. Where's Cleo?" Jamison asked as they carried the luggage down the steps.
"I left her in New York. I just couldn't bring her back here with all this going on, but as soon as it's over, I'll go and get her. You know I can't be away from my girl for very long. I just know that if anything happened her instincts would be to protect me and she wouldn't hesitate to rush in."
"I think that was a very wise decision."
Lee returned the key to Bernie and then they walked out into the street and toward the Mercedes SLK. She popped the trunk with the key fob and started putting the bags inside.
"This is beautiful," Jamison said conversationally. "Definitely better than that beat up old pickup you were tooling around in."
"Thanks. It was a gift from my father last Christmas." For just a brief instant, old fears came back to haunt her and Lee waited breathlessly for Jamison's response.
"I always wondered why you drove that beater around."
A simple statement, but it told her so much. "You knew who I was?"
Jamison grinned a little lopsided. "Lee, everyone in Harmon knows that your mother married a politician, but it's okay. No one thinks any less of you for being a senator's daughter."
Lee laughed at the gentle teasing. "I guess I never thought of it that way."
The drive to the Harmon Medical Center took only a few minutes with Jamison navigating the way. Once inside, Jamison led Lee to the basement level and directly to the morgue area. A slight, redheaded woman sat behind the desk and beamed a smile meant only for Jamison. Lee didn't know why, but suddenly she felt very territorial and wanted to tear the woman's eyes out for looking at Jami that way.
"Lee Grayson, this is Doctor Laura Paul. She's our Chief Medical Examiner."
Lee nodded at the woman, but couldn't bring herself to be friendly.
"Yes, of course," Laura said with a compassionate expression that Lee chose to see as a complete farce. "Sheriff Macke told me you'd be coming by. I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. This might be a little weird, but would it be possible for me to see her?" Lee had refused Debbie's last request for them to talk and felt she owed her this one final courtesy.
"I don't really think that's a good idea. We had to make the identification from dental records her family faxed over."
Lee blanched at that information and felt a little faint. The sheriff had said the car was overturned when Debbie was found and that they suspected she'd been murdered, but she'd left out any graphic details. It was horrible to find out that Debbie had been disfigured rather than simply killed.
Jamison slipped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, garnering a raised eyebrow from the doctor. Their eyes locked and Lee was sharp enough to figure out they were communicating in some silent way. After a moment, Laura looked away and Lee could have sworn she saw disappointment in her eyes. Clearly the woman had feelings for Jamison and had just learned they weren't returned.
Doctor Paul cleared her throat and retrieved a transparent plastic bag from a filing cabinet that stood against the wall. Lee could see that it contained a purse, a cell phone and a few other objects. Laura handed her the bag and a clipboard with a form attached.
"I'll need you to sign out her belongings, but everything else is in order. Mister Mason has already made the arrangements to transfer his daughter to the funeral home in New York."
Having difficulty speaking, Lee simply nodded and filled out the form. She returned the clipboard and turned to exit the building without really thinking. So much had happened in such a short period of time that she was starting to feel a little numb.
Back outside, Lee tossed the bag into the trunk and started to slide behind the wheel when Jamison asked, "Do you want me to drive?"
Lee gave her a halfhearted smile. "You just want a chance to see how she handles, don't you?"
"Guilty." Jamison's grin expanded when Lee handed over the keys.
Jamison pulled out of the parking lot and after they were on Blue Mountain Road she reached over to take Lee's hand.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be. It's just so unfair. Debbie wasn't part of this. She wouldn't even have been here if it wasn't for me."
Jamison squeezed her hand in silent reassurance and it was enough. Lee didn't want to hear anyone else say it wasn't her fault. She just wanted to say how she felt and not be judged or redeemed. Jamison seemed to understand that on a fundamental level that Lee appreciated more than any words.
To her surprise, Jamison drove back to the inn and when Lee looked at her in silent question she answered, "I
have to get my pickup, but I'd like to make sure you make it back to the manor all right."
"You already figured out I wasn't going to stay at your place?"
Jamison shrugged. "Well, the trunk was empty so you don't have any clothes. Unless you were planning on running around nude, which would be quite the sight by the way. I thought you might want to pick up a few things."
Lee laughed outright for the first time in what felt like days.
"Good eye, Sherlock. You do make a fine detective."
"Thank you, ma'am." Jamison tipped an imaginary hat in a chivalrous manner.
"But I'm not going to stay with you at your house." Jamison's expression became serious, but she didn't attempt to argue. "Mafdet is my home now and I'm not going to run away again and just let this monster have her, although I'll still have to make a quick trip to New York to return Debbie's things to her family."
"I admire your courage. Will you at least let me stay with you until then? Surely the manor is big enough for the both of us?"
Lee smiled shyly. "I'd like that."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
LEE STOOD IN Mafdet Manor's circular foyer. The house had a quiet, peaceful air about it and dust motes floated serenely in the warm sunlight. Lee closed her eyes and every part of her felt like she was home. She appreciated these few minutes by herself, though she already missed Jamison's presence. Jami had gone to her own home to retrieve a few necessities and promised to bring pizza when she returned. Before she left, she had shown Lee the hidden access panel and they'd ensured it was closed and locked. No one was getting back into the house that way. Lee didn't think the creature would return anyway, now that his hideout had been discovered. Additionally, she remembered the nightmare in which Jamison had been attacked and felt that the monster had found a new place to hide. If anyone asked exactly how she knew such a thing, she couldn't have answered. It was more instinct than anything.
Lee walked across the entryway to her bedroom and pulled out some sweats and a pair of socks to relax in around the house. They weren't exactly what she could call romantic attire, but at the moment comfort was her primary concern. After a long, hot shower Lee felt better, the stress of the day starting to fade. She began to anticipate Jamison's return. The temperature had already begun to drop and a thunderstorm was brewing overhead. Lee hoped Jami would make it before the rain started.
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