by J. C. Diem
I stepped out into the waiting room and the door closed behind me. It wasn’t thick enough to block their conversation. “What’s her story?” Cindy asked as they prepared to put Zeus under.
“She claims she’s a runaway,” Shauna responded.
“You don’t believe her?”
The vet hesitated before responding. “I’m not sure, but it’s obvious she’s in trouble. I just hope Sheriff Haversham gives her a chance to explain herself before he locks her up for being a vagrant.” Her tone sounded doubtful.
Too restless to sit down, I was conscious of the sidelong looks from the receptionist as I paced the floor. From the smell of fresh paint, the cream walls had recently been spruced up. The floor was covered in brown linoleum. A few prints of animals and inspirational quotes hung on the walls. There were a few old magazines sitting on a side table, but I wasn’t interested in reading them.
I’d heard the receptionist whispering on the phone to someone while I’d been in with the vet. I wasn’t at all surprised when the door opened and two deputies stepped inside. Both men were somewhere between twenty-five and thirty. They nodded familiarly at the receptionist then turned to confront me.
“Is that your truck parked outside, miss?” the taller man asked. His name badge said he was Deputy Miller. His build was average and his face was fairly plain, but he had bright blue eyes that made up for his lack of handsomeness. I had a feeling Kala would have leaped at the chance to get naked with him.
My heart sank at his question. They knew the truck wasn’t mine and I was fairly certain they were well aware of who it belonged to. “No,” I replied. “I just borrowed it.”
“They don’t look like your clothes,” the shorter deputy observed. His badge said he was Deputy Brown. His shoulders were wide enough to make him look shorter than he actually was. Unlike his colleague, he was cute with wavy black hair and dark brown eyes.
We had a short staring match while they waited for me to spill my guts and confess to the theft. Realizing I wasn’t going to incriminate myself, Deputy Miller gestured towards the door. “We’d like you to come with us. We have a few questions for you.”
Neither man made a move towards their guns. To them, I was just a harmless teenager. They had no idea that I could take them both down with very little effort. Doing so would be a very bad move with a witness watching on so avidly. The receptionist wasn’t even trying to hide her interest. By the way her gaze lingered on Deputy Brown, it was fairly obvious that she had a crush on him.
With Miller in front and Brown bringing up the rear, we left the clinic and trudged to their cruiser. They shared a look at my indifference to being barefoot in the snow.
I slid into the backseat of the car and tried not to panic when the door closed and trapped me inside. A thousand scents assailed me, vomit being the strongest. I picked up the scent of both hunters who were probably still in the cave where I’d left them. Clearly, both men were known to the local law.
Deputy Miller drove us to the far side of town. The trip took less than a minute before we pulled up in the lot next to the sheriff’s office. It was a small, uninspiring building, but I hadn’t expected anything grand in a town this small.
Deputy Brown opened my door and they both escorted me to the building. It was almost too warm inside after being out in the cold air. I took a quick glance around to see two jail cells to the right, a breakroom to the left and a restroom beyond it. The sheriff’s office was at the far end of the building. His desk was scratched, battered and cluttered with paperwork.
“May I use the restroom?” I asked before they could lock me up.
Figuring there was nowhere for me to go, Miller shrugged and nodded. “Sure. Would you like a cup of coffee? It’s pretty disgusting, but at least it’ll warm you up.” His smile was almost as attractive as his eyes. Not that I was drawn to him, thanks to my bond with Reece.
I smiled in gratitude, surprised that he was being so nice. “That would be great.”
“I think I can rustle up a change of clothes for you,” Brown said. “We should have some in the lost and found.” Clearly, they weren’t going to use a good cop, bad cop routine on me. I doubted they saw much crime. Bar room brawls and domestic violence cases were probably more common than car thieves like me.
Nodding my acceptance of his offer, I entered the restroom. I was relieved to see the door could be locked. I used the facilities then crossed to the mirror. Steeling myself for the sight ahead, I examined my reflection and winced. I looked even worse than I’d realized. My hair was a tangled mess that was in desperate need of a wash. I was able to clean my face, hands and arms with soap and paper towels, but I wasn’t about to disrobe entirely for a more extensive clean.
At a knock on the door, I opened it a crack to find Deputy Brown holding a small bundle of clothes. “Here you go. These should fit you better,” he said cheerfully.
“Thank you,” I replied in sincere gratitude. I took the clothes then closed and locked the door again. If I’d been alone, I’d have made a break for it through the window. Since Zeus was relying on me, I’d have to endure the question and answer session that would shortly occur. Hopefully, I’d be able to make a phone call soon. I’d memorized Mark’s number just in case of a situation like this. Not that I’d imagined I’d turn into my alter ego and run away to live in a cave. I doubted anyone could have anticipated this scenario.
Deputy Brown had found a pair of jeans that were only one size too big for me and a dark blue t-shirt that was almost new. A black sweater with a hood and a pair of sneakers that were two sizes too large finished off the outfit. Underwear hadn’t been included in the bundle, but I wouldn’t have worn secondhand undies even if they’d been offered.
My hopes of a phone call were denied when I finally emerged from the restroom. I’d finger combed my hair into a semblance of neatness, but it was still greasy. Deputy Brown stared at me in surprise for a moment now that my face wasn’t covered in dirt. To a lot of men, my pale skin, angled cheekbones and shallow cleft in my chin were attractive.
Snapping out of his astonishment, he stepped forward to take the borrowed clothing from me. “Where did you find these clothes?” His question was casual, but I picked up something in his scent that felt a lot like suspicion. I’d never been able to determine emotions from a scent before. Maybe my time spent as a werewolf had heightened my abilities.
“I stole them,” I said truthfully as he led me into the breakroom where his partner was waiting. Miller’s blink of astonishment was the only sign he gave that he was affected by my change of appearance. He nodded at a cup of coffee and I sank down into the uncomfortable wooden chair.
I’d smelled the coffee as soon as I’d stepped out of the restroom. The aroma was as unpleasant as I’d been warned. Remembering to pretend to be human wasn’t easy. It had been a long time since I’d had caffeine and I wanted to gulp down the horrid brew immediately. Instead, I cradled the cup in both hands and waited for it to cool.
“What’s your name?” Deputy Miller asked.
“Brenda Jones,” I lied. I hoped I could speak to Mark soon so he could get me out of this without me having to divulge my true identity. The last thing I needed was a criminal record. Somehow, I didn’t think the PIA would be very happy about it.
I’d been ushered out of the clinic before I’d given them any details about myself. Since the vet already thought I was a runaway, I decided to go with that story. “I ran away from home a few weeks ago,” I said. “I found a cave in the mountains and was living there while I sorted through some personal issues. My dog must have followed me because he turned up a few hours ago. A couple of hunters thought he was a wolf or something because they followed him to the cave. One of the men shot him.”
“Owen and John would be stupid enough to do something like that,” Deputy Brown muttered. As I’d suspected, they knew who the truck and stolen clothing really belonged to.
“What happened next?” Miller asked.
> “Zeus limped into the cave and the two hunters followed him.” I couldn’t tell them the truth about what had happened next. Thinking fast, I came up with what I hoped would be a plausible story. “I think they were pretty drunk because they didn’t even see me hiding in the shadows. One of them tripped and they bashed their heads together. They were knocked out cold.” I allowed myself to snigger. “It was pretty funny.”
Deputy Miller’s lips twitched as he fought back a smile of his own. “Did you undress one of the men and take his clothes?” he asked when he’d gotten control of his urge to laugh.
I nodded and pretended to be ashamed. “My clothes were pretty much rags from living rough for a few weeks. I lit a fire before I left and rolled them over to it. They shot my dog, but I wasn’t going to leave them there to freeze to death.”
This time, Deputy Brown had to hide his grin. It was apparent that neither of them liked the two hunters much. “What happened then?” he asked.
“I carried Zeus down the mountain, following their tracks as best I could. I found their truck and drove it into town.”
“Why did you run away from home?”
I looked down at the cup in my hands and let out a sigh. “My boyfriend left me for another girl and I had a fight with my guardian about it. It seemed like a good idea to just get away for a while.”
They exchanged a long look and I had the feeling they believed me and wanted to cut me a break.
“Sheriff Haversham is out on a call at the moment, but he’ll be back soon,” Deputy Miller said. “We’ll tell him everything you’ve told us. With luck, he might be lenient.” Just like the vet, his expression told me not to get my hopes up. I hadn’t met the sheriff yet, but I already didn’t like him. I had a feeling he was going to be a small town tyrant.
₪₪₪
Chapter Four
Half an hour later, a car pulled up outside. Heavy breathing and clomping footsteps approached then the door banged open. The two deputy’s scents changed and became charged with dread.
Wheezing and out of breath, the sheriff stomped across the room and came to a stop in the breakroom doorway. Short and heavily overweight, he glared at all three of us with piggy little eyes. Bloodshot and more red than green, they came to a stop on me. “I take it you’re the person who left two men stranded on the mountain and stole their truck?”
“Yes, sir,” I replied with as much respect as I could muster. He’d told his men he was on a call, but I knew what he’d really been up to. He reeked of cheap perfume, cigarettes and sex. I was pretty sure he’d just come from seeing a prostitute. Whoever the woman was, my nose told me that she’d been with five different men during the past twenty-four hours.
My hopes that he’d be lenient fled when he turned his glare on Miller. “Why isn’t she behind bars?”
“Her dog was shot by either Owen or John, Sheriff,” Deputy Miller explained. “Brenda just borrowed his truck so she could get the animal to the vet.”
“I received a call from Owen a few minutes ago,” he said and switched his gaze back to me. “He claims your animal attacked them and he was forced to defend himself.”
“That’s a lie,” I said tightly. “Zeus didn’t attack anyone.” I almost wished I’d taken the hunters’ cell phones away from them now.
“What sort of dog is this Zeus?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. I was sure he’d already made enquiries at the vet and knew the answer.
“He’s a Rottweiler.”
“A notoriously vicious breed if they aren’t trained properly,” he mused. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to order the animal to be exterminated.” His expression was cruelly pleased that he could cause me so much misery.
I was on my feet so fast that the sheriff’s eyes widened. A pudgy hand went for his gun. “I have the right to make a phone call,” I said.
“I’ll decide what your rights are, you filthy delinquent,” he said snidely and jerked his head at the barred room behind him. “Get in the cell.”
After a short internal struggle, I crossed the hall and entered the cell. It was small and bare, but at least the toilet was in a cubicle rather than left exposed to the room. Haversham slammed the door shut far harder than necessary then stomped off to his office. The two deputies remained seated in the breakroom across from me and exchanged wary glances. They knew better than to try to defend me further. My fate had already been decided by their boss.
Taking a seat on the cot, I stared down at the floor and wondered how I was going to get myself out of this mess. My rage was trying to rise, but I clamped down on it as hard as I could. I’d only been human for a short time and I wasn’t prepared to turn into a werewolf again, although I sensed it would be possible. That would be a last resort if all else failed.
A couple of hours later, Deputy Brown ambled over to my cell. “I thought you could use this.” He held out a fresh cup of coffee.
I stood and walked over to the bars to take it. “Thanks,” I said and tried to smile.
“I called Shauna and she told me your dog is going to be fine.” He spoke in a low voice and sent a look over his shoulder to make sure the sheriff wasn’t watching us.
This time, my smile was more genuine. “Thank God. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.” I didn’t even want to think of the consequences. Then I remembered that Haversham wanted to have him put down. I wasn’t about to let that happen. “Is there any chance I’ll be able to make that phone call soon?”
He hesitated and looked over his shoulder again to see the sheriff now watching us suspiciously. “Uh, not while the boss is here. Maybe later.”
With a sigh, I returned to the cot and sank back down onto the thin mattress. If I had to spend the night here at least it would be marginally better than sleeping on the floor.
Several hours passed and my stomach was rumbling by the time Deputy Miller brought me dinner. He unlocked the cell door and handed me a bag of takeaway food. My mouth watered at the smell of a hamburger and fries. I devoured the lot then drank the vanilla milkshake he’d thoughtfully bought for me.
Sheriff Haversham hadn’t made any attempt to question me so far. His tactic was to make me wait until the suspense got to me. That might work on a normal teen, but it wouldn’t work on me. Patience was something I’d learned during my long years of training with my father. I wondered what my dad would think of me if he knew where I was right now. I doubt he’d be impressed. He’d raised me to obey the law, not to steal. Necessity had driven me to it, but I wasn’t exactly proud of my actions.
Darkness was encroaching when I heard another vehicle approach. I knew who it was even before the front door opened. I’d recognize Mark’s footsteps anywhere. Tears of relief threatened when he stepped inside the room. His gaze latched onto me and he gave me a rapid head to toe perusal. He sent me a warning frown not to say anything as he marched across to the sheriff’s office.
Leaning back in his chair with his feet up on his desk, Haversham went still when he took in Mark’s appearance. Wearing a black suit, a white business shirt and a navy tie, Mark’s expression was carefully blank. Recognizing the visitor as a federal agent, the sheriff dropped his feet to the floor and tried to suck in his considerable gut.
Taking his ID out, Mark flipped it open and held it out just long enough for the sheriff to be able to read his name. “What can I do for you, Agent Steel?” the sheriff asked. He flicked a nervous glance at my cell, accurately guessing this had something to do with me.
“The girl is involved in a case that I’m working on. I’m afraid she’ll have to come with me.”
Flushing at his curt tone, Haversham struggled to his feet. “You can’t just come in here and take my prisoner away!”
“Actually, I can,” Mark replied coolly. “Release her from the cell immediately or face the consequences of interfering with a federal investigation.” He paused to let that sink in before he finished making his point. “Would you prefer for her to be in my custody, or yourself?”<
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Face turning purple in suppressed rage, the sheriff knew when he was bested. He rudely pushed past Mark and stalked over to my cell. Miller and Brown peeked across the hall at us as their boss unlocked my door. Both men were startled by this new development. They weren’t sure whether my situation had just worsened or not.
Mark crooked his finger at me and I obediently stepped out and stood beside him. His face was shuttered and I couldn’t tell what he was feeling. His scent was a confusing mix of emotions.
“Aren’t you going to cuff her?” Haversham asked gruffly.
“I think I can handle a lone teenage girl,” Mark said wryly. Without looking at me, he turned and headed for the exit. I flashed the two deputies a quick smile of reassurance then hurried after him. They weren’t happy that I was being taken away by a fed, but maybe they thought I’d be better off in his custody.
Our black SUV was waiting for us in the parking lot. I climbed into the front passenger seat and Mark waited for me to buckle myself in before he took off.
We drove off into the darkness, but we didn’t go far. He traversed to the other side of town and pulled up outside the veterinary clinic. “Wait here. I won’t be long.” His tone was neutral rather than angry, which I hoped was a good sign.
Climbing out, he walked over to the door and knocked. It was now after hours, but Shauna was waiting for him. The door opened and she glanced at the SUV as Mark told her who he was and showed her his ID. She let him in and they returned a few minutes later carrying Zeus on a stretcher. I received a curious glance from the vet when Mark opened the backdoor of our vehicle.