Even though Chad was doubtlessly correct, Tena couldn’t pull her gaze away from the locked door, looking for any kind of movement beyond the glass doors. When the first police officer arrived on the scene and knocked on the glass, Tena damn near jumped from her skin. She quickly walked to the door, turned the lock and opened the door. While one officer stood before her, she noted another checking out the body. He knelt down, careful not to step in anything, and appeared to check for a pulse. He stood, stepped back, then started to walk the perimeter, obviously mindful of where he stepped.
The whole night seemed surreal, from the questions, to the crime scene unit now securing the backyard, to the coroner’s office hauling off the corpse. Tena felt as if she had somehow stepped into a glass bubble. Her ears buzzed and exhaustion blanketed her. If she were allowed, she would’ve laid down and easily slept well into the next day. Instead, she was told they needed her to go to the police station for further questions and to preserve evidence. She wasn’t allowed to change clothes or shower, said evidence. Chad, however, could bring a change of clothes to the station for her to change into, but her pajamas would be confiscated.
How the hell had her impromptu trip east turned into such a nightmare?
Tena had no clue what else she might have to tell the police. They had been sleeping and whatever had occurred before she stepped foot onto the back patio was unclear. Yes, she thought she had seen another man, and yes, it seemed as if he had picked up something. She couldn’t be sure it was another body. The six-foot hedge had kept the moonlight from illuminating the back portion of the yard.
It had happened all so fast.
The dead body she had definitely laid witnessed to.
And touched.
Shivers wracked her body as the kind police officer, who had questioned both her and Chad, escorted her to the police cruiser. They would conduct a formal interview on video at the station. Once that was completed, and her pajamas were handed over, she’d then be free to go. This was Tena’s first trip in the backseat of a cop car, as well as her first time stepping foot into a police station. She certainly wasn’t overenthusiastic about it. If she could just turn back time and stay in her damn bed when the noise in her backyard had awakened her.
Realizing this was all a bad dream would certainly be preferable.
Chad would bring her a clean set of clothes to the station, but she’d bet the police wouldn’t allow her to see him until they had completed their interview. He hadn’t seen anything, other than the aftermath, nor did he have the victim’s blood all over him. Chad had been free to come to the station on his own accord, while Tena, on the other hand, needed to be escorted.
Leaning her head against the leather seat of the cruiser, she closed her eyes and allowed exhaustion to give her a few moments rest. Her mind refused her the respite. What if they thought she was somehow responsible? After all, she had been covered in the victim’s blood. And as far as she knew, they had found no evidence pointing to the man she thought she’d seen disappearing around the shrubs, carrying God knew what.
Tena glanced at her watch as the cruiser pulled around the back of the station. Three fifteen. She swore if this night ever ended, she was going to hop back into her car and head west—way west—and leave this nightmare trip behind.
Chapter 7
“All right already!” Ivy yanked opened the door, in all probability having just fallen asleep when someone pounded frantically on the door. “What in God’s name couldn’t wait for a decent hour?”
Bobby, barely out of the shower, had donned a pair of basketball shorts and entered the living room. Ivy’s body concealed whoever had the nerve to knock at the witching hour. “Who’s at the door, Ivy? This better be good.”
Chad pushed past Ivy, ignoring her and the asked question, heading straight for Bobby. His wide baby-blues spoke of his hysteria, not to mention his blond hair sticking out at odd angles. Bobby took a deep breath, running a hand down his long beard. Had he not been worried about the lack of Tena following in Chad’s trail, he might’ve sent the blond on his way. He’d had enough excitement for one night. Chad and Tena should’ve been hours outside of Maine by now, and well on their way to Oregon. Bobby had a feeling he wasn’t going to like whatever Chad had to say. Not one bit.
He rubbed his nape. “You want to explain?”
“It’s … Tena.”
Bobby’s heart jackhammered. “Where the fuck is she?”
“You … have … to…”
“Calm down, Chad.” He laid a hand on the man’s shoulder. He could scent fear all over him. “Take a few deep breaths and tell me what happened.”
Chad sucked in oxygen, placing a hand over his heart. “They took her to the police department.”
Bobby’s brow pinched. “Who’s they?”
“The cops.”
“Why the fuck would they haul her in? What the hell did you two get into?” Bobby paced the floor, no longer able to stand still. He jammed his hand through his long bangs and pushed them off his forehead and out of his eyes. “Shouldn’t you two be on your way back to Oregon?”
“We decided to look for a place, stay a night or two and enjoy the beach. And we did. Little bungalow down the beach.”
Oh. Hell. No. “Which way?”
“About a five-minute jog or so down the beach.” Chad pointed in the same direction where Bobby had killed the man a little over an hour ago. “Tena said she heard a noise and I was sound asleep. She went to check on things, that’s when she found a dead guy on our patio. Blood was freaking everywhere.”
Fuck! “Did she see anything?”
Chad placed his hands on his hips and sucked in another ragged breath. “She thought she saw a man carry off a body, said she couldn’t be sure. And since she was covered in the dead man’s blood—”
“How the fuck did she get his blood all over her?”
“Don’t yell at me.” Chad’s tone hit a high note. “Jesus! I’ve had a hard night.”
“I’m not yelling.” Bobby supposed his elevated tone made him guilty. But shit, he had almost been caught by Tena carrying off that poor girl’s body. Not to mention she just missed him ripping the man’s throat out with his fangs.
He took a deep breath, then continued in a calmer tone. “Why was the man’s blood on Tena?”
“She checked for his pulse.”
Bobby grimaced, thinking of what could’ve happened had Tena awakened earlier and come across the man shoving a knife into the woman’s chest. “Does she not have any more fucking sense than that? She could’ve been hurt.”
Chad shrugged. “Not like he was a threat. Half is throat was gone.”
“For all she knew the man who disappeared could’ve returned.” Bobby had to restrain himself from shaking some sense into Chad. “She’s damn lucky her nosiness didn’t get her killed.”
“That’s the part where the cops come in. I called 911.” Chad rubbed his forearms as if to ward off a chill. “Since she was covered in the victim’s blood, and the only one who saw anything, they took her in for questioning.”
“Questioning?”
His heart damn near stopped. Bobby needed to find out what Tena had seen and what the cops knew. This could get real ugly, real quick. Bobby looked to Ivy, who stood behind the breakfast nook, a glass of water in hand. Hell, Bobby could use an entire bottle of whiskey right about now. Numb would be good. Too bad his vampire DNA wouldn’t allow him to get sloshed. The alcohol would have little or no effect on him.
“Call Rogue, Ivy. Get his ass out here pronto.” He walked to the breakfast nook, grabbed his bottle of whiskey, and took a swig anyway. The answering warmth did little to calm him, but it sure in the hell made him feel better. “I think you might’ve been correct earlier. We need him for damage control. I’ll go with Chad to the station. Call me when you get a hold of Rogue.”
If anyone needed to be convinced things weren’t exactly as they seemed, Anton’s ability to hypnotize them might be beneficial.
Fuck! In his desire to help the poor woman, he had made a mess of things. He supposed he could’ve called 911 and let the locals handle it, but then the woman’s chance of survival would have been damn near nil by the time they arrived. And the murdering fuck would have no doubt gotten away. Bobby had no regrets sending the bastard to hell.
“Let me grab a shirt and some flip-flops.”
Ten minutes later, they walked into a small red brick-sided station. Bobby bet they had no more than a holding cell. A wooden sign, painted with the words Town of Ogunquit Police, was posted by the entrance on Cottage Street. Three black-and-whites sat across the road in the parking lot. Once inside, Bobby and Chad were met by a locked steel door. To the right was a sliding window. The station’s dispatch sat beyond the window. Bobby punched the call button.
The dispatch left his position and slid open one side of the window. “Can I help you?”
“I was told Tena Holt was brought here.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m not at liberty to say.”
Chad nudged Bobby out of the way. Probably a good thing because he was ready to reach through the fucking window and grab the ass wipe by the collar.
“Excuse me, sir.” Chad cleared his throat and held up a plastic grocery sack. “I was told by the officers, who brought Tena to the station, to bring her a clean set of clothes.”
“If you two will have a seat over there”—he pointed to the bench seat against the adjacent white wall—“I’ll let one of the officers know you’re here. Your name?”
“Chad Baker.”
Without another word, the man slid the window closed and cut off their communication. Bobby knew he could easily pull the locked door from its hinges, and take out any cop who stood in his way. However, that would most definitely cause him more unwanted attention. As it was, Anton wasn’t about to be too happy with the mess he had gotten himself into, not after he had vouched for Bobby with his MC. A few minutes later, the steel door opened and a woman dressed in a black uniform with a badge pinned to her chest walked through.
“Which one of you is Chad Baker?”
Chad stood. “That would be me, ma’am.”
“You brought Ms. Holt a change of clothes?”
“I did.” He handed her the plastic bag. “Can we see her?”
The woman’s harsh gaze went from Chad’s to Bobby’s and lingered a bit too long for his comfort. Finally, she returned her attention to Chad. She extended her hand, which Chad shook. “I’m Police Chief Arnell. I’ll see Ms. Holt gets her clothes. When we’re finished with the interview process, I’ll have her call you. She has your number?”
Chad nodded. “Of course.”
“All right then, thank you for bringing her the clothing.”
Police Chief Arnell gave them her back and used the button next to the door. A few seconds later, the dispatch buzzed the door open.
“That’s it?” Bobby asked, his tone rising. “What the hell is she being held on?”
The chief allowed the door to close again and turned to Bobby. A lesser man might have cowered beneath her glare. “And you are?”
“Bobby Bourassa.”
She raised one brow. “Your relationship with Ms. Holt?”
“A concerned friend, one who knows you cannot illegally detain her.”
A humorless smile tipped her lips. “Well, Mr. Bourassa, we can legally detain your friend for seventy-two hours.”
Bobby’s jaw tightened. “Are you arresting her?”
“Not at all. But she was full of the victim’s blood and we do intend to verify her story.” She looked at Chad, one of her eyebrows arching. “She was with you all night?”
He nodded. “All night.”
“And yet you did not see the dead man until she came and got you.”
“I was sleeping.”
“Mr. Baker, we may want to question you further. Don’t leave town.”
Chad grunted. “As if I would without Tena.”
With one final look at Bobby, the chief said, “Good,” then returned to the door where she was buzzed through, leaving Bobby and Chad alone again in the sterile lobby.
“Well?” Chad asked.
“Fuck!” Bobby grumbled. “Looks like we head back to the cottage and wait for Anton.”
Chapter 8
Tena sat in a molded plastic chair that looked as if it had seen better days. Thanks to Chad, she now wore a pair of heather gray leggings and a long, white bloused tee, all delightfully free from the bloody pajamas even though the stench still clung to her nostrils. A long, laminate table sat to her left with another white plastic chair sitting in front of it. Other than the table and chairs, and the small camera mounted in the corner of the ceiling, the room was void of any other furnishings.
A one-way mirrored window was located to the left of the door. Tena knew she could be viewed from the other side, but she had no idea if anyone stood there watching her. She had half a mind to flip off the window. Hell, they had treated her no better than if she had committed the crime, rather than just the unfortunate soul who had found the poor bastard.
The officer who’d conducted the interview had left the room what felt like hours ago, though was probably closer to a half hour. He had taken her phone upon arrival, leaving her with no real sense of time, promising all her belongings would be returned upon release. Well, aside from the bloodied pajamas, since they were entered into evidence.
Those she didn’t want back anyway.
The trip to the coast sure hadn’t turned out as Tena had hoped, instead becoming somewhat of a nightmare. If she could go back in time, she would’ve stayed working at the library with her boss, Kimber, opting to save her vacation time. So much for her brilliant idea of following Bobby Bourassa to the east coast.
Look where that had gotten her.
Tena hugged her knees tightly to her chest and looked around the sterile room. Tears rimmed her eyes. She grabbed a tissue from the table and blew her nose. She didn’t need the mirror on the wall to tell her she looked a fright. Laying the tissue on the table, she ran her hands through her short blonde hair and let out a shaky breath.
What the hell was taking them so long, anyway?
Just as she was fixing to get up and start pacing, the door opened and the officer from earlier entered the room again. Tena wasn’t sure how long she had been at the station. But if she were to guess, she’d bet a day had passed with what seemed like endless interviews, asking her the same questions. She supposed they hoped to trip her up, except her story never changed. She hadn’t known a damn thing other than what she had already told them.
“Ms. Holt?”
She ran her hands down her cheeks to wipe away the wetness. “Am I free to go yet?”
His tongue darted out and wet the stern line of his mouth. “We got some lab results back. The knife found at the scene bore the victim’s prints. The blood on the knife belonged to a woman who had been taken to the hospital last night in critical condition. Looks like your story checks out. What we don’t know is who took the woman from the scene and dropped her off at the hospital.”
“He didn’t identify himself?”
The cop shook his head. “The hospital received a call from her phone to alert the ER staff where to find her. You wouldn’t happen to know who might’ve been the good Samaritan?”
Tena shook her head.
“Think really hard. You’re the only one who got a look at him.”
“You think he might be guilty of killing the man in the backyard?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. Let’s just say he’s a person of interest and it would help if you could remember any detail.”
Nibbling the tip of her nail, Tena thought back to standing at the glass sliding door. A security lamp had lent a small amount of light to the rear patio where the dead man lay, but the bushes had been in the shadows. She couldn’t be sure of anything. The bushes had moved. Her focus shifted from the man lying prone on the cement to what appeared to be a large man
disappearing around the hedge with something in his arms.
“It was dark. The only thing I am sure of was that it was a man because he wore nothing but a pair of shorts. You mentioned the woman this man stabbed… Is she going to be okay?”
“Again, I’m not at liberty to say. We’re going to release you. If you remember anything about the man at all, we need you to call us.” He laid a bag on the table containing her belongings. “Your phone is in the bag. Do you need someone here to give you a ride?”
Tena shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ll call someone. I don’t have any desire to get back into your cruiser. No offense.”
The officer smiled. “None taken. I’ll leave you to your call then. When you’re ready to leave, just knock on the door.”
Left to her own, Tena grabbed the bag and pulled out her cell. She quickly found Chad’s name and stabbed it. The line picked up quickly. “Can you come get me?”
“I’ll be there in less time than it will take you to hit the front door.” Bobby’s deep tone quickened her pulse.
Tena supposed Chad had gone to him after she’d been taken into custody. She couldn’t fault Chad. He probably felt he had nowhere else to turn. If she were being truthful, there was a part of her who wanted to see Bobby. If he had feelings for Ivy, then he’d need to prove it to her. She wasn’t ready to give up by a long shot. The solitude of the last several hours had given her plenty of time to think and the resolve to go after what she wanted.
Tena hadn’t imagined the way Bobby had treated her in Oregon. He had genuinely cared for her, proving so by his actions. But something in him had changed. She sensed a deep anger that hadn’t been there before. Prior to heading back to Oregon, she planned on finding out just what had caused his shift in attitude.
What the hell had happened to him following the cafe incident?
From that moment, he began to shut her out.
Tena walked to the door and knocked. The officer opened the door short moments later and led her to the front of the station where she signed paperwork, releasing her. Before she walked through the locked door, he told her he’d be in touch and reminded her to do the same should her memory recall anything more.
Taming the Vampire: Over 25 All New Paranormal Alpha Male Tales of Contemporary, Military, Shifters, Billionaires, Werewolves, Magic, Fae, Witches, Dragons, Demons & More Page 110
