“I’m okay.”
“Did you get a look at the male?” asked a voice that wasn’t familiar to her.
Snow gently put her back on her feet, and then surprised her by dropping to his knees. He grabbed her hands with his, seeming to check them out. He sniffed at her again. She remained silent, bemused by his behavior, until he stood again and pulled her into the circle of his arms to keep her close.
“Melinda, did you get a look at the male?” the same voice asked, this time deeper.
Snow turned her a little, jerking his head toward the three other New Species. “Brass is the one asking questions. You remember Torrent and Timber. We came together in the same SUV. There are more males outside guarding the building and another team went to your apartment.”
She peered up at Snow. “Thank you for coming, but you didn’t need to.”
“I did. You’re my female.”
She opened her mouth, not sure how to respond to that, though it was flattering being called his.
Brass stepped closer. “Did you get a good look at the male who invaded your home? I understand you’ve had a trauma but any information we gather will help us catch the male.”
She understood that. “He was, um…big. Tall, big-boned, and bulky. Not like you guys. You’re taller and more muscular. I couldn’t see his face since he wore a ski mask. It had netting over the eyes and mouth. He wore a black, thin turtleneck kind of shirt with long sleeves, dark gloves, faded blue jeans, and dirty gray sneakers. He’ll have injuries to his face. At least I hope so. I kept hitting him in the head and face area with my fists, a table leg, and then I threw my dishes at him.” Mel felt Snow’s body tense against hers. She gave him her full attention. “I’m fine.”
Snow didn’t look convinced by her words. “You’re not safe here. We’re returning to Reservation. You’re coming home with me.”
“Hey now,” Deputy Dan sputtered. “You can’t just take Mel.”
She shot him a dirty look. He was really starting to tick her off. “Stay out of this.”
“Mel is my female,” Snow growled at him. “Where is Sheriff Cooper?”
“I sent him to check out where Mary lives.” Mel gazed up at Snow. “I thought maybe since that guy broke into my place, she might be next. I didn’t want her to come home to find him waiting for her like he was for me.”
“Why would you think the male might go after that female?”
She stared at Brass. He wasn’t the friendliest-looking New Species, but he was attractive like all the rest. Only in a dark, broody way. “There was a reporter who came into the diner while I was working earlier. He said he got a tip about a shooting at the diner. I denied everything. He wanted to talk to Mary next, but I lied, saying she’s super shy. She’s not shy, but she does have a temper. I didn’t want her yelling at him in front of customers. She hates it when they bug us about the NSO. Then Joel, the owner of the diner, gets mad when she cusses out someone. He says it’s bad for business and even reporters have to eat. Anyway, the jerk who broke in said something about answering his questions. I got away, so he might go after Mary next, if this is related to the shooting.”
Brass frowned. It was a scarier look. “You think the male who broke in was the reporter?”
“No. It wasn’t the same man. I’m sure about that. It doesn’t mean the reporter didn’t send that jerk to make me talk.”
“Did the owner of the diner speak to this reporter?”
She shook her head at Brass. “Joel always stays in the kitchen. He’s not good with talking to our customers, and he knows it. I’m not real worried about Joel or his wife. They’re both ex-Marines. They met in the service and can defend themselves. I was able to fight that jerk off, but Mary wouldn’t stand a chance. She isn’t tough at all.”
Snow softly growled. It seemed he was going to be angry every time her attack was brought up. She sealed her lips.
“Would anyone like some coffee?” Deputy Dan appeared furious as he glared at her and Snow.
“No thank you, Deputy,” Brass answered for them. “We’ll wait for Sheriff Cooper to return. We sent a team to the crime scene to help track the male, if possible.” He narrowed his dark gaze on Mel. “Will you return to Reservation willingly? Snow wants you to stay there. You’ve been targeted. That means you’re in danger.”
“Now wait a damn minute!” Deputy Dan huffed. “Nobody is taking Mel anywhere. I already offered for her to come stay at my house. Only an idiot would try to go after her there, since I’m a deputy.”
“Shut up, Dan,” she groaned. “No means no. Didn’t your mama teach you that? I will never date you again.”
Snow glanced at him. “This is Deputy Dud?” His snarled words were enough to give her chills. Not the good kind.
She rubbed her hands over his chest, petting the padded uniform top he wore. She was pretty sure he had Kevlar underneath. “Easy, big guy. I told him no way was that happening. Ever.”
“Deputy Dud?” Dan sputtered, glaring at her.
“You called me a ‘stupid hick’ when I broke up with you. So what if I gave you a nickname, too? It fits,” she shot back.
Snow tried to release her. Mel had a feeling he wanted to attack her ex-boyfriend, and she clutched at his uniform. “Don’t, Snow. He’s not worth it.”
The door opened, and Deputy Tommy entered. He glanced at the New Species, his co-worker, and whistled low. “Is it just me or is there tension in here?” He stared a little too long at Mel and Snow, saw them touching, and then smiled. “Oh.” He walked closer. “Get over it, Danny. I told you she’s never going to take you back. Especially now that it seems she’s dating Snow.”
“Goddamn it!” Dan spun and stormed toward the back of the office.
Tommy smirked, watching Dan until he was out of sight, and then addressed Mel. “Your apartment was trashed, Mel. Sorry. The TV still works, though. The landlord, Mr. Chester, is over there now fixing the broken window lock. None of your neighbors were home when it happened, and no one around there saw the guy you described.” Then he faced Brass. “Your team tracked the assailant. It seems that he parked behind that field at the back of her apartments. There was a flattened area where a car had sat for a bit. He was long gone, though.”
The office door opened again and Sheriff Cooper returned. “I was able to reach the owner by phone instead of having to drive all the way over there to check out Mary’s apartment myself. Paul, her landlord, lives on the premises, and he did a walk-through while I was on the phone with him. Someone had forced her slider open on the back patio. There’s no sign of any damage though. Just some dirty footprints on the tile right inside the door in the kitchen. Whoever was there is gone now.
“I called her parents and informed them of what happened. I asked Mary to avoid her apartment for right now. It might be best if you go out to the Muller house to stay with her parents, too, for a few days. I told them I might send you that way.” Then he looked at Deputy Tommy. “Paul is waiting for you at Mary’s. Take pictures and gather whatever evidence you can.”
“On it.” Deputy Tommy rushed out of the station.
“Mel is coming home with me,” Snow announced.
Sherriff Cooper blinked. “I see.” Then he stared at Mel. “Are you agreeable with that?”
She nodded, barely paying attention. Someone had broken into her place and Mary’s. That was terrifying.
“Mel?” Snow sounded concerned.
She peered up at him. “I need to stop at my place to get clothes.”
“No,” Sheriff Cooper instantly responded. “It’s a crime scene. I called Clovis to come in to take photos and collect samples of the blood found. Clovis has been specially trained in forensics. It’s why I hired him part time after he retired from Fresno. We might never catch the perp, but we’ll try our best.”
“Blood?” Snow started sniffing at her again.
“I got a few small cuts on my foot but I’m fine.” She gave him her most reassuring look.
Sheriff Cooper cleared his throat. “Mel here put up a hell of a fight. My deputy found blood drops in her living room floor, on the broken table, and on the couch. He also spotted some drops right outside her front door. That might have been hers, though, since her foot was cut.” He sucked in a sharp breath and smiled. “There was also blood smeared on her bedroom wall next to her bed. That’s where he fell after he broke through her bedroom door, according to Mel. I told Clovis to get samples there for sure.”
He looked at Mel next. “That little plant stand you had next to your bed was in pieces. I’m thinking when he got up, he used the wall to brace against, and his hand must have bled through the glove enough to smear on the wall.”
Snow’s hold on Mel tightened, and he pulled her closer to his body.
“We’re going to do our best to catch him,” Sheriff Cooper promised.
“The NSO is more than willing to help in any way you need,” Brass informed him.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Sherriff Cooper sighed, gazing at Mel. “You might want to stay with them for at least a month or so. You’ll be safe at Reservation. Until this perp is caught, he might come back. We’re understaffed. I just don’t have the manpower to keep someone on you around the clock. I know Joel will be pissed since he depends on you so much, but that’s what family is for. I’m sure some of his nieces or sisters will appreciate covering your shifts to earn extra money. Once Clovis is done, I’ll let you go inside your apartment to pack some of your personal things. It won’t be until tomorrow at the earliest.”
Mel knew Sheriff Cooper was probably right about it being better if she stayed with Snow for a while. She also understood her place being a crime scene and having to wait to go back inside. The person who broke in might come after her again.
Her mind worked. She’d be safe…but the same couldn’t be said for Mary. Her parents were only in town for a few days. They liked to travel. Once they were gone, her best friend would be alone and vulnerable to attack. The sheriff just said he didn’t have the manpower to babysit anyone.
“Mel? I will get you new clothing. It will be fine. Come with me.” Snow tugged on her arm gently, trying to lead her to the door.
She resisted. “Wait. I’m thinking.”
“There’s nothing to think about, young lady.” The sheriff frowned. “The NSO will keep you safer than I can. I hate to admit that, but I’m no fool. And I don’t believe in coincidences. A reporter shows up, asks you questions at work, and then someone breaks into your apartment. If that reporter is behind this in any way, his source not only blabbed about the shooting, but he could have learned that Snow took you to Reservation after you were clipped by a bullet. Even if it isn’t him responsible for your attacker, maybe this reporter told the wrong person that last bit, someone who hates New Species.
“I hate to say it, but I’d make assumptions too about one of their men carrying off a woman and taking her home, if I didn’t know how compassionate they are. My first thought when I arrived at the diner to learn they’d whisked you off was that you must have been hurt, and they have damn good doctors. But some idiots out there might take advantage of your knowledge of Reservation. You’d be an easy way for those idiots to get at the NSO. Either way, you need to go stay with them. It’s just common sense, young lady.”
Mel nodded, hearing every word Sherriff Cooper said. She didn’t disagree. Whoever had broken into her place probably did so because of the shooting, or because she’d spent time with Snow. “My place wasn’t the only one broken into, Sheriff. He went after Mary, too. She said her parents were only going to be home for two days this time. You know how they love traveling. Then she’ll be alone. That jerk will just have to wait for the right opportunity to grab her. That guy seemed really determined to get me. I should know; I was there. He didn’t run when I started screaming. He kept coming after me no matter how much I fought. He even followed me out to my car, and it was still daylight. Anyone could have seen him. I’ve seen crazy animals act like that before. They’re single-minded, and they don’t stop until you make them.”
“We can take your friend Mary to Reservation.”
She shook her head at Brass. “Thank you kindly for offering, but you don’t know Mary. There’s no way she’d go there. You’d have to lock her up and sedate her to keep her safe. She’s terrified of New Species.”
Deputy Dud suddenly laughed. He’d returned to the main part of the station. “And squirrels. I’ve had to go to her apartment twice because they got into the attic of her apartment building. You’d have thought they had rabies or something with the way she carried on about how they were going to tear through the ceiling to come after her for blood. Animal control didn’t respond fast enough, so she called the station almost sobbing. I felt bad for her and went over, sat with her until someone showed up.”
“Exactly.” Mel nodded, hating to agree with anything her ex said. “Mary is terrified of animals. No offense to any of you.” She glanced at the New Species. “We need to bait and trap this bad guy like the vermin he is while Mary’s parents are still home, and she’s safe with them.”
The men around her all appeared shocked at that suggestion. No one spoke.
Mel didn’t back down. “You know I’m right. We all want him caught. The fastest way is using me being bait. He’ll come after me, if I’m right. Then Mary will be safe for sure. I’m not willing to risk her being hurt while I’m sitting safe at Reservation.”
“No way in hell,” Snow snarled.
She gave Snow a pleading look. “Mary is my best friend. I can’t go with you knowing it makes her a target, since he can’t get to me. He already broke into her place once.” Then she looked at the sheriff. “How long does it take for you to send off blood samples and get results if they match someone? What are the odds that the lab will even find a match unless this guy already has a criminal record? I watch television shows about crime. Weeks to months, right? And we’d be lucky to find a match?”
Sheriff Cooper gave a nod, his expression grim.
Mel turned to Snow. “I want this bad guy caught. I’m not willing to risk him going after Mary again when she’s alone. She’s my best friend.” Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t let anything happen to her. I’d feel responsible. I could never live with that.”
“We aren’t certain that the male will go after her a second time. You were the one he tried to grab.”
She straightened and squared her shoulders. “He broke into her place, though. I’m doing this, Snow. With you or without you. I already have a plan.”
Snow didn’t look happy.
“What is it?”
She turned to Brass, relieved he was willing to at least listen. “I go home with Snow tonight, but tomorrow, once my apartment is cleared, I move back in there. Mary’s parents will stick around a few more days to protect her since they know her place was broken into, and I was attacked. I’ll take some time off at the diner, so I don’t put other people in danger if the guy is crazy enough to come at me in public. I’ll clean up my place, keep the curtains open…basically make sure I’m seen there. Alone.”
Snow growled.
“But I won’t be,” she quickly added, holding his gaze. “I know my place is small but you and a few guys could still hide in there. If he’s going to come after me, you’ll be there to grab him.”
Snow opened his mouth but Brass cut him off.
“It’s not the best plan, but it’s acceptable. We all want this male caught.”
Sherriff Cooper took a seat, his chair squeaking from his weight. “I’m onboard. Just tell me what need for us to assist you.”
Mel managed to not grin, especially after seeing how miserable and upset Snow appeared. She was getting her way…but he wasn’t happy about it.
Chapter Ten
Snow kept Mel in his lap on the return trip to Reservation. He sulked a bit about her plan but didn’t complain. The idea of Mel putting herself in danger to help catch the male who’d attacked her
felt wrong to him. It was his duty to protect her. She was safe in his arms, and he didn’t want that to change.
At the same time, he admired her courage and understood Mel’s reasons for wanting to do it. She cared deeply about her female friend, Mary. He’d do anything for his friends. That included risking his life. Mel was brave. That earned his respect. She was an amazingly caring female.
He also felt determined. He wouldn’t let Mel out of his sight once they set her plan into motion. Nothing was going to happen to her. He wouldn’t allow it. No human would take her away from him or steal their future.
Motion drew his attention, and he found Brass watching him from the front seat. The male wasn’t his favorite person at that moment. He’d agreed to Mel’s plan. Then again, Snow could have overruled it since she was his mate—even if she hadn’t officially agreed. No Species would fight him on it if he aggressively refused to send a team to her apartment. It might upset Mel enough to reject him, though.
Brass didn’t say anything aloud. Instead, he silently mouthed, “She would have done it anyway.”
Snow gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. As a Species, most of their kind had gotten good at reading lips from their years at Mercile. The doctors and orderlies always tried to lie to them, but they’d all learned to watch their lips when possible as they whispered to each other too far away to hear or when glass separated them.
“We’ll protect her,” Brass mouthed. “Better us than them.”
Snow agreed, giving another nod. He trusted the sheriff and most of his deputies but he didn’t want Mel’s life in their hands. And he didn’t want Deputy Dud near her ever again. The male had asked her to live with him! He bristled just remembering, still wanting to punch him.
Mel stirred on his lap and studied him. “Are you okay? You’re being entirely too quiet.” There was a hint of worry in her beautiful eyes.
“I want to keep you safe at Reservation.”
“I know but―”
“You’re worried about Mary. I hate your plan but I understand. I’m not going to fight you on this, even if I wish I could.”
Best Friends (New Species Book 15) Page 12
