Shiela Stewart - [Darkness 07]

by Consuming the Darkness (epub)

  “I don’t know. You gotta let me go now. You can’t keep me here. I know my rights.”

  “You’re free to go, Conrad.” Sienna stepped in front of Nathan and opened the door. “Is there a number we could reach you at if we have more questions?”

  “I don’t got a phone.” He hurried out the door and down the hall.

  “I’ll put a tail on him,” Dante stated before leaving the room.

  “He knows more than he gave us.”

  Sienna agreed with Nathan. “Yeah, but browbeating him would have gotten us nowhere. I want to know more about these Krejka demons.”

  “You and me both. Where are we going to get the information?” Nathan asked as he followed her from the room.

  “Hopefully the chief can give me some insight. Take Daisy back to my place. I’ll be there in a few hours.”

  “After we talk to the chief.”

  She stopped, turning to him. “There is no we, only me.”

  Nathan’s blue eyes narrowed just slightly but she got the point. He wasn’t happy. “I’m in this as much as you, Lieutenant, and unless you plan on locking me up I’m going with you.”

  She was tempted but instead shot him a steely glare then marched off. “I do the talking.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  She let the sarcastic comment slide. Stepping into the elevator, she punched the third floor, then waited while the doors slowly closed. She knew what he was about to do and just as he moved in for the kiss she stepped to the side. He lost his balance and stumbled forward.

  “Not at work.”

  “Can I help it if you drive me crazy? And it’s not fair that you can see my moves before I use them.”

  “Life isn’t always fair, Detective.” She stepped out of the elevator when the doors opened and headed down the hall to the chief’s office, Nathan right on her trail.

  “Jesus, you have a nice ass.”

  She spun on him, her eyes wide. “Stop it!”

  He grinned like a man on the prowl. “Your front’s not too damn bad either.”

  “Keep it up, Detective, and you will be sitting in a cell for the next few hours.”

  His lips lifted in a wide grin. Without saying a word, he stepped forward and opened the door before them. “Ladies first.”

  Growling under her breath, Sienna entered the receptionist area to find a pretty little lady with long, black hair and stunning blue eyes.

  “Good day. How may I help you?”

  “Lieutenant Storm to see the chief.”

  “And Detective Powers,” Nathan added, sliding in right beside Sienna.

  “I’ll notify the chief of your presence. Have a seat.”

  “Thank you…” Nathan glanced at the name plate on the desk. “Felicity.” He joined Sienna in the waiting area.

  “I do the talking,” Sienna reminded Nathan and when the door to the chief’s office opened, she stood, ready to greet him. “Chief Hawthorn.”

  “Lieutenant Storm. Pleasure to see you again.” He held his hand out to her, his eyes shifting to Nathan. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

  “Detective Nathan Powers. I’m from Boston. I was the lead investigator tracking the killer. I’m here to help catch the bastard.”

  The chief’s brows curled together as he turned his attention back to Sienna. “How can I help the two of you today?” He showed them to his office.

  Both Sienna and Nathan took a chair while the chief sat behind his desk. “We were just given some information on our killer and I was wondering if you might be able to help me. We’re told the killer is of the Krejka race of demons but I’m not familiar with them. I’m hoping you might be able to tell me something about them.”

  The chief sighed heavily, folding his hands on his desk. “What I know of them is that they are a vicious breed. Though they’re pretty much extinct, there are still a few around but last I heard they were being monitored.”

  “How do you mean, monitored?”

  “They were injected with a biogenetic tracker, which keeps track of their whereabouts at all times.”

  Nathan sat forward in his chair. “Then our guy could be traced. Who was in charge of tracking them?”

  Chief Hawthorn shrugged. “That’s about all the information I have. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s more than we had an hour ago. Thank you, sir.” Sienna stood and with a nod of her head, she left the office, Nathan behind her.

  “Do you have any idea where we could find out who’s in charge of tracking these demons?”

  “No, but I think I might know someone who would.”

  “Who would that be?”

  “My father.” She pushed the down button on the elevator.

  The vision speared into her in its usual fast-forward motion warning her of the crazed lunatic about to burst through the elevator, guns blazing.

  She shook her head clear as the elevator rang its announcement at having reached the floor. “Take cover!” she screamed and gave Nathan a hard shove, knocking him back and away from the door. She crouched down on all fours, the hair on the back of her neck standing up and ready.

  The moment the elevator doors opened up she saw the man holding the rifle aimed at chest level, ready to fire. She pounced, grabbing hold of his legs and knocking him down. The rifle in his hand flew back and crashed into the glass mirror at the back of the elevator before falling to the floor. Sienna had him down on his face, arms pinned behind his back long before Nathan stumbled to his feet.

  “What the hell?”

  “Call down for back-up.” Pressing her weight on the man’s back, she yanked out her cuffs and slapped them on his wrists. “You have the right to remain silent…”

  Chapter Twenty

  Nathan watched as Sienna handed the cuffed man to the officer, giving her details and orders with the confidence and authority of a woman who was well used to wearing the badge. He had to admit, she was damn sexy in her cop mode. Hell, she was sexy in any mode.

  As she strolled toward him, her long, leather-clad legs moving swiftly, he wondered if he could persuade her to a quickie in her office.

  Who was he kidding? Sienna would never agree to anything remotely close to sex while on duty. And that was another thing that he found attractive about her. She had a strong work ethic.

  “He’s crying temporary insanity,” she snorted. “Everyone always wants to plead temporary insanity.”

  “Could be he really is nuts.”

  She ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing the mess back into place, which Nathan thought was pointless given the fact that her hair naturally looked tousled.

  “His mind was perfectly clear when he decided to come into the cop shop, guns blazing in hopes of taking out the chief. Guess not everyone is happy with him taking over the city.”

  Something suddenly clicked inside his mind. She…was a demon. A frikin’ demon. “How do you do it? How can you see what someone is about to do before they do it?”

  “It’s just something I was born with. If I was full Tejakkan I would see more and have more time than just seconds. My human blood kinda mixes things up for me. Dilutes it in a sense.”

  “But how do you see it? Is it like a movie? Do you hear someone telling you what is about to happen? I don’t get the dynamics of it,” he pursued as he followed her to the stairwell.

  “I see it like I see what’s in front of me now. It’s that real, that life-like.”

  “Then how do you know what’s real and what’s about to happen?”

  She pushed through the doors to the main floor. “I get this quick flash of light before I’m warned of what’s to come.”

  “That is so weird. I don’t think I’d be able to handle it. I think it would drive me nuts.”

  “Sure, if you
were given the ability now, but I was born with it. It’s as much a part of me as breathing. I don’t know anything different.”

  They entered her office and Nathan saw her glance at Daisy, who was sound asleep on her sofa. Sienna’s eyes always took on a softness when she looked at the dog. Beneath the hard work-conscious woman was someone who could go mushy over a puppy. Nathan found that to be very endearing. “Still…not sure I could handle it. So before we were interrupted by Mr. Gun-Happy you mentioned something about your father possibly knowing how we could find the person who’s been tracking our demon boy. Why do you think your father could help us?”

  She sat behind her desk, picking up her telephone and clicking on her computer simultaneously. “My father has connections. He runs a spiritual shop, one mostly catering to vampires, demons, werewolves, and more. If someone’s been tracking our killer, there’s a good chance he’ll know who it is.”

  Nathan left her to make her call but just as he was about to sit and pet the sleeping Daisy, his cell phone jangled in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw Sienna’s eyes light up. Checking the caller ID he shook his head and mouthed, “It’s my dad.” Leaving Sienna to her call and the sleeping dog content on the sofa, he headed out of the office. This was not a call he was looking forward to. “What took you so long to call, Dad?”

  “Don’t be callous about this, son. Your mother is extremely hurt.”

  That had been obvious on her last call. “I know, and I’m sorry. But she knows what my job is like. When I’m on a lead I can’t just drop it to go have dinner.”

  “You’re not supposed to be on a case. Might I remind you of that?”

  “No, you can’t, but I’m telling you right now there is no reason to worry about me. I haven’t lost my mind and I’m not doing anything that would constitute irrational. I’m working with the JCPD on this case and we’ve got some solid leads that could put this guy behind bars once and for all.”

  “I understand your need to get him, believe me I do. But if I didn’t at least try, your mother would make my life a living hell. Make her feel better, son. Send her some flowers.”

  “I plan to. I’m sorry she’s upset with me. When this is all over, I’ll be sure to make it up to her.”

  “You do that.”

  Nathan tucked the phone back in his pocket, then just stood outside Sienna’s office. He loved his family dearly, but there were times he wished they understood his job a little better.

  He couldn’t just walk away when someone was taking the lives of innocent people.

  ***

  Leaning back in her chair, Sienna watched her puppy sleep while she spoke to her father. “I’m doing fine, Daddy.”

  “Fine….fine…what’s wrong? Don’t you like your new job? Are they giving you a hard time? You tell me what they’re doing and I’ll make sure and—”

  “Daddy,” Sienna interrupted and she knew he would pursue it later on at some point anyway. Maybe she should just let him go on and get it out of his system. Or not. “Fine isn’t bad. I’ve been busy and yes, they treat me perfectly well here, better than well as a matter of fact. You should see my office. It’s huge. I have a sofa.” She laughed, looking at the black leather, three-seated sofa that her faithful puppy was zonked out on.

  “Yet I hear something in your voice that tells me otherwise. You’re lonely? Have you made any friends? You know how important it is to make friends, sweet pea.”

  She loved her father dearly, even when he was being overly protective. “I’m not lonely. I don’t have time to be lonely. Listen, the reason why I’m calling is—”

  “It’s a man. You met a man and he hurt you. Tell me his name and I’ll—”

  “Dad,” Sienna broke in firmly. “No one’s hurt me. What can you tell me about the Krejka demons?”

  “You don’t want to mess with them.”

  “Besides that. I was told that they’ve been tagged and are being monitored. You wouldn’t happen to know who would be the one monitoring them?” She could actually picture her father tapping his head as he thought about what she asked.

  “Not off-hand but I could find out. Why do you need to know? Oh baby, you didn’t fall for a Krejka did you? Please tell me you didn’t. He’ll break your heart then have it for lunch.”

  Sienna cringed at her father’s analogy. “Relax, Dad, I didn’t fall for one. The case I’m working on involves one. I have five victims all with their hearts ripped out. Chief Hawthorn—”

  “How is Basil doing? And Cooper? Boy, it’s been forever since I’ve seen either of them. What is Basil’s wife like? I hear she’s a real ass kicker.”

  “Daddy.” She squeezed the bridge of her nose. “Can we stick to business, please?”

  “It’s always business with you. You need to relax, baby girl, and have some fun once in a while.”

  She sighed, heavily. “Chief Hawthorn told me that they are being controlled but he doesn’t know by whom. I’m really hoping you can help me on this. Can you ask around, get some info for me and get back to me as soon as possible. Please?”

  “Anything for my peach face.”

  She wondered if her father knew how insulting that sweet nickname was. Her face was not hairy. “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “Who is he?”

  “You lost me.”

  “The man who has your heart all tangled up? Tell me it’s not another cop.”

  “Bye, Daddy. I love you.” She hung up knowing full well her father would not leave it at that. When Nathan entered her office, she could see something was bothering him. “Everything okay on the home front?”

  “I need to send my mother flowers. I was supposed to attend a family dinner tomorrow and she’s hurt that I’m putting work ahead of family.” He shook his head. “Let’s stick to business. What did your father have to say?”

  Daisy woke with a long stretch and the instant she saw Nathan, her eyes lit up and she pounced off the sofa to scurry toward him. Looks like she wasn’t the only one in love with him, Sienna decided. “He’s going to get the information and get back to me with it. I think you have an admirer.”

  Crouching down, Nathan scratched Daisy’s ear, and the dog moaned in delight. “What can I say? The ladies love me.” His eyes lifted to meet hers and she felt her knees go weak. All he did was stare at her.

  “What’re you looking at?”

  “You.” He stood up and slowly walked toward her. “I’m wondering how you’d look in a studded black leather collar.”

  She gritted her teeth. “I don’t think I like that implication, Detective.”

  He laughed, taking hold of her hands. “What I meant was I think you would look hot in a leather-studded collar, black leather bra and panties, knee-high black leather boots, maybe holding a whip. I’m getting hard just thinking about it.”

  She wasn’t about to admit to him that it was making her a little hot as well. “Leather bras don’t have much support.”

  His eyes drifted down to her breasts, then back up to meet her eyes once more. She was a goner. “Sweetheart, you wouldn’t be wearing it long enough for it to matter if it had support or not.”

  When he kissed her it made her entire body come alive. He was smooth, he was skilled and she fit perfectly in his arms when they came around to hold her against him. If it was wrong of her to fall for him, then at this very moment she didn’t want to be right.

  Then her telephone rang and she realized where she was. Pulling away wasn’t easy but Sienna forced herself to do it.

  With a deep breath, she scooped up the ringing phone. “Lieutenant Storm.”

  “Good day, Lieutenant. Guess what I have in my hands?”

  “I’m not sure I want to answer that.” Being the ME, God only knew what he held.

  “Your toxicology report.”

  “
Excellent. I’ll be right down.” She set the phone down and told herself to put her libido and her heart aside and remember why she was here. “That was Doc Hawthorn. Toxicology is in.”

  “I don’t suppose you’d put it off for half an hour and finish what we started?”

  She wanted to so badly it hurt, but she knew better. “When I’m on duty, the job comes first. Would you mind taking Daisy out for a pee break?”

  “I wouldn’t mind at all. But first…I want this.”

  The brush of the fine stubble over his top lip and on his chin tickled when he kissed her not once, not twice but three times before pulling away. As he scooped the dog up in his arms and left her office, Sienna felt her heart trip over that final step into love.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  She’d never been in the doc’s office before and couldn’t help but notice how meticulous it was. The steel and glass desk he sat behind was not only free from dust but each item on it was perfectly placed with what she figured had been a great deal of thought. The picture of who she assumed was his wife sat to his left, angled so not only could he see it but those who sat at the desk would be able to glimpse it as well. It told her he was proud and deeply in love with his wife. To his right were two picture frames. One was of the mayor and the chief of police in wedding dress and the other was of the young, dark-haired receptionist in the chief’s office. Looking at her now, Sienna could see a resemblance to the chief and his wife. She wondered if she might be their daughter.

  Aside from the three photos were the telephone, a note pad and pen, and one file, which lay open in front of him. The rest of his office was just as meticulously aligned.

  She wasn’t sure how anyone could live like that, but to each their own. “So what do you have for me?”

  He handed her a slip of paper as he spoke. “The blood used to write the note was not that of our victim nor was it of any of the others.”

  “Because it’s his.” She took the paper, looking down at the report. Nothing shocking, nothing overly helpful. “I’m researching something that might help us define who this blood belongs to.” She handed him the paper. “But it could take time. I’ve been thinking…I could end this now, or possibly end it, and link with the killer.”