“Okay,” Mya agreed. She’d wanted to get a shower, but it would have to wait. They had to make some progress on this case before more people were killed.
As much as she tried, she couldn’t get the sight of that corpse out of her head. It was probably the most monstrous she’d ever seen. The crime scene photos that she’d studied in school didn’t come close to the real thing. In those minutes after viewing the body, she seriously considered rethinking her career choice.
* * *
Mya strolled into the police station. She was glad for the central air that provided some relief from the summer heat, though with each passing day she was noticing the heat less and less. Her body was finally becoming accustomed to it.
When Donny wasn’t in, Mya would use his office to work. It was easier than trying to setup a laptop in the file room. She’d barely logged onto his computer and started going through missing person’s reports when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Mya called.
The door opened and Betty stuck her head in. Though the petite woman’s job was acting as receptionist, she still wore a police uniform.
Betty smiled. “You have someone that’s been waiting to see you.”
“Really?” Mya couldn’t imagine who would come to the station to see her. Donny yes, but Mya didn’t usually deal with the public.
“Who is it?” she asked, pushing her chair back from the desk.
Betty shrugged. “She says she’s a friend of yours.”
“Will you send her in?”
“Sure thing,” Betty nodded and then disappeared.
A few minutes passed and there was another knock at the door. Before Mya could respond, the door opened and Jen stepped inside.
Mya was dumbfounded. Up until that moment she’d imagined her friend at home, flipping burgers and partying down at the river on weekends.
Recovering from her shock, Mya jumped up from her chair. “Oh my God! What are you doing here?”
Jen’s dark eyes were alight with mischief. “Chad was pissing me off, so I decided to hop on a bus and come down here. Figured we could raise some hell together.”
“Why didn’t you email or call and let me know?” Mya was astonished. Jen had always been impulsive, but usually she thought ahead just a little.
Jen shrugged nonchalantly. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“Well you did that.” Mya beamed. Finally her time off work wouldn’t be spent alone. It would be fun to have Jen around.
“So what’s there to do in this town?” Jen asked, brushing dark brown bangs away from her eyes.
“A lot of nothing most of the time,” Mya admitted. “You might be disappointed and wish you would have stayed home.”
Jen’s lips twisted into a sarcastic grin. “I doubt that. All I care about is being away from that jerk.”
“What happened this time?” Mya wanted to know.
Jen and Chad had been dating since high school, and at least two or three times a year they had a major meltdown. More often than not they made up just as quickly as they broke up, but if she were to judge by the look on Jen’s face - this time might be different. Usually her friend would be crying, and checking her phone for a message every five minutes. She might also go on a long bender, but only until Chad called. Not so this time. Jen almost appeared to be happy.
Jen sat in one of the two padded chairs in front of Donny’s desk. “I’ll tell you what happened. I found that fish cheating on me with Tyler. Can you believe that shit?”
Tyler was Jen’s cousin, and exactly the type of girl you wanted to keep your boyfriend away from. She was as sweet as pie to your face, but she’d be dragging your man into the closest bedroom as soon as your back was turned. Of course dragging might be a bit of an exaggeration. Those that fell into her web hardly had to be dragged there.
“I’m sorry,” Mya couldn’t really think of anything else to say.
Jen held up her hand. “Don’t be. You should be congratulating me. I finally see him for what he really is, and now I can move on.”
That was the truth of it. She’d been trying to warn Jen about Chad for years, but until now, her warnings had fallen on deaf ears. “You’ll have another one on the line sooner rather than later.” Mya tried to brighten her words with a smile.
“Yeah well … we’ll see. So what do you want to do today and where do you live. I need a shower. Those buses are just so yuk.”
“I’ve got some work to do here, but I’ll try and hurry. How did you know I’d be here today?” Mya asked, suddenly realizing it was Sunday.
“I didn’t, but I didn’t know where you were staying. Thought the cops here could point me in the right direction.”
“Oh yeah. Well you’d never found it without directions that’s for sure.”
“Lucky me,” Jen said before getting up from the chair. “So what’s there to do while I wait for you?”
“There is a café across the street. You can get a coffee and I’ll meet you when I finish up here,” Mya suggested.
“Awesome.” Jen swung the strap of her black purse over her shoulder. “I’ll see you soon … I hope.”
* * *
After two hours of sifting through missing person reports and finding nothing, Mya was still reluctant to give up, but she knew she couldn’t keep Jen waiting at Gordy’s all day. Logging off of Donny’s computer, she vowed to spend more time tomorrow trying to track down Jane Doe.
Donny still hadn’t returned so Mya locked his office before leaving. She hoped that he was making a lot more headway than she had. It gave her the creeps to think the monster that had skinned that girl was still walking among them.
It took only a few minutes to walk across the street to Gordy’s. When she opened the door and stepped inside, she had to pause long enough for her eyes to adjust to the darker interior of the building.
There was more of a crowd in the café today than there had been last time she was there; nearly every table was taken. Mya’s eyes scanned the room, but Jen wasn’t there. Tina was behind the bar - refilling someone’s coffee mug.
The waitress looked up as Mya approached. “Where’s your uncle today?” she asked with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“He’s out on a job,” Mya answered in a tight voice. Tina always gave her the impression that she was trying to siphon information.
“I have a friend that was supposed to meet me here,” Mya stated as she sat down on a stool in front of Tina. “She has short dark hair … dark eyes … carries a black purse with a fairy on the front.”
“Oh yeah … she was here. She wanted me to tell you that she was tired and would just hitch a ride out to your place.”
Mya’s mouth fell open. “Well she doesn’t know where it’s at.”
Tina nodded. “I told her how to get there.”
“Oh.” Mya’s agitation made her voice sound harsher than what she intended.
“Sorry,” Tina apologized. “I didn’t think it would be a problem … seeing how she is a friend of yours.”
“It’s okay.” Mya forced a smile. “I’ll just meet her out there. Thanks,” she added, trying to keep in mind that it wasn’t really Tina’s fault. Mya was just concerned that her friend was out hitching rides while there was a psycho running around killing people.
Before getting in the car to make the drive back to Donny’s, she tried calling Jen several times, but kept getting her friend’s voice mail.
Mya tried not to worry during the drive home, reminding herself that it wasn’t unusual for Jen to ignore her phone, especially if she was busy doing something. Turning off the highway, she drove on dirt road for a mile before she saw the cliffs that shielded Donny’s property from view. Not until the road curved around the cliff did she see Jen sitting on the metal stairs of her trailer.
Mya sighed with relief. A cloud of dust billowed from beneath the back of the car as she sped up. Coming to an abrupt stop a few feet from her trailer, Mya slammed the car in park an
d jumped out.
“Why did you take off without telling me?” she blurted out.
Jen stood up and grinned. “Sorry I didn’t think about it. I was just so tired of sitting in that café.”
Mya took a deep breath, hoping to calm her nerves. “I’m sorry. I was just worried. We’ve had some murders here and the person hasn’t been caught yet,” Mya explained, leaning into her car to turn the engine off and retrieve her keys. “It’s not a good idea to hitch rides right now.”
“Oh wow! I guess I’m double sorry. I didn’t mean to get your panties in a knot.”
Mya rolled her eyes. “Just be a little more careful from now on.”
Jen brought a hand up to salute her. “Yes sir Officer Reynolds.”
Mya frowned and stepped up to the front door to unlock it.
“I get the shower first,” Jen said, stepping in front of Mya before she could get inside.
“You’re lucky you’re a guest,” Mya chimed.
Chapter Eleven
The search for Jane Doe continued, but they weren’t having much luck. No one was missing, or at least nobody that had been reported missing. All week Mya had been stuck at the station until late in the evening, sifting through missing person’s files and contacting law enforcement throughout the state.
Since her arrival, Jen had spent most of her time out at Donny’s property and she was starting to get fidgety. Mya couldn’t blame her. Jen was a restless soul, and the type that would much prefer a party to being alone with nature. She could well imagine how being stuck out in the boonies could drive her friend up the wall.
It was Friday night and Mya had promised that the two of them would go out and find something to do. Jen was bubbling with excitement and had spent a good chunk of the day trying on Mya’s clothes. She wanted something that would show off as much of her curvy body as would be acceptable in public.
“Girlfriend … you really need a new wardrobe,” Jen complained as she held up a silky black blouse. “This would be great, if the neckline dipped a little lower.”
“Jen … I’m not exactly into showing off my stuff like you are.”
“Well you should be.” Jen gave her a sharp look. “You have plenty to show off. If you dressed for it … you’d have you a man in no time.”
Mya shrugged. “I’m good.” Her thoughts drifted to David, as they inevitably did whenever the subject of sex or romance came up. Again he’d disappeared. Since he’d dropped her at her car last weekend, she hadn’t heard from him. It stung a little that he could so easily dismiss her from his thoughts. If only it were as easy for her.
“So tell me about this guy.” Jen sat next to her on the bed.
Mya looked up. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. I know there’s a guy,” Jen insisted.
Mya managed a little smile. “I guess you’re right, but …”
“But what?” Jen pushed.
“But he’s not really a boyfriend or anything. Just someone I met.”
“Well if you like him so much … and I can tell you do … why isn’t he a boyfriend?”
A deep sigh escaped Mya’s lips. “It’s complicated. I get the feeling he doesn’t want me around. In fact, he’s told me I should leave.”
Jen’s eyes widened. “Then why would you even like him?”
“He told me I should leave because it’s too dangerous here.” Mya defended him. “I don’t think it’s so much that he doesn’t like me. It seems more like he can’t let himself be involved with me for some reason.”
“Hmm.” Jen frowned. “Well maybe you should go fishing tonight. If he does like you, that should get his attention … and if he doesn’t, it’s his loss.”
Jen was right. She was tired of moping around like a lost puppy, waiting for him to show up again. It had been ages since they’d had a girls’ night out.
“So where can we get a drink around here?” Jen asked.
“We’ll have to go into Gallup. Everyone is always talking about a place there called Shine. It’s where everyone goes.”
“What are we waiting for?” Jen jumped off the bed. “That’s a long drive. We should be getting ready.”
“Okay,” Mya agreed.
“But you are going to let me find your clothes tonight. You are not going out dressed like some undercover nun.”
Mya’s face twisted into a scowl. “I don’t dress like that.”
“Oh yes you do,” Jen shot back.
* * *
Shine had to be one of the most popular places in Gallup; the people were elbow to elbow. Making her way through the crowd, she couldn’t help feeling self-conscious in the clingy black blouse and tight pants Jen had picked for her to wear.
Mya watched in awe as her friend sauntered up to a pool table surrounded by several men. Batting her lashes, Jen asked, “Do you mind if I join you boys?”
There was a burst of excitement from the men, but Mya didn’t stick around to see how Jen would make out. It wasn’t her scene at all. Instead, Mya found a table in a quiet - dark corner and ordered a beer. She would be just as content to watch Jen.
After the waitress brought her the beer she’d order, Mya spent the next little while nursing that one drink. Letting loose a little was one thing, but the last thing she needed was to get rip-roaring drunk. Donny would have fits if news of something like that got back to him. He knew she was a big girl, but she was also a representative of the police department and would have to be careful how she behaved in public.
Mya glanced down at her clothes again. She hoped she didn’t see anyone from the station, or come Monday morning the guys at work would harass her for sure.
Someone across the room caught her eye. Trent Metzger saw her at the same time she became aware of him. He immediately headed toward her table. Mya felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. At least she would have someone to talk to, though she didn’t really know what to say to him. They still didn’t have a suspect in his brother’s murder.
Trent slid into the little booth beside her. “I have to say Mya Reynolds … you’re looking hot tonight.” A smile touched his thin lips.
Mya cleared her throat, unsure if she should be thanking him or not. Instead she said, “I’m sorry we were interrupted the other night.”
“No big deal.” He shrugged dismissively.
“Well maybe we can talk now.”
Trent’s eyes strayed to the dance floor. “How about a dance?” He swung back to face her.
Mya didn’t really feel like dancing, but she didn’t want to seem standoffish either. “Okay,” she agreed.
Trent slipped his arm around her waist and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You know Mya … I could scratch that itch of yours … real slow and sensual like.”
Mya’s face turned bright red. “Trent Really? I thought you wanted to talk business.”
Trent’s blue eyes sparked with mischief. “Who said I wanted to talk? Could be I just wanted to dance.”
Mya was flustered by his blunt attitude. “But I thought you wanted to talk.”
“Actually I want to show you something, but you’ll have to come with me.”
Mya instantly came to a standstill. “I don’t think I can do that.”
She couldn’t help but be suspicious of his motive. There had been three murders, and they still had no suspect. The killer could be anyone. “I usually don’t take off with people I don’t know,” she added.
“Oh?” he said, furrowing his brows. “But you took off with Bray, who by the way … is one of the most notorious players around.”
Trent’s words stung, but Mya tried not to show it. “That’s not my business … besides, I know him better than you think I do.” It was just a little white lie, but it helped so that she didn’t feel quite so stupid for running off with David the way she had. She couldn’t really tell him the truth, which was that she felt more comfortable with the other man.
“Is that so?” he said, his mouth twisting
with wry amusement. “Well I think this is something that you really need to see. It could help with your investigation.”
Mya felt her resolve crumbling. She wasn’t comfortable with the idea of being alone with Trent, but she couldn’t bring herself to walk away from something that could help the police lock up a monster.
“Okay,” she agreed. “Just let me tell my friend we’re leaving.”
Mya could feel Trent’s eyes follow her as she walked to where Jen was leaning over a pool table - ready to hit the yellow ball into a corner pocket. Mya heard the loud crack of the balls banging against one another, just before Jen jumped up, clapping excitedly.
“Hey … I’m going to leave you my car keys so you can get home,” Mya told her.
Jen looked over at her. “What do you mean? How are you going to get home?”
“I’m getting a ride from someone I know. I’ll probably be home before you are.” Mya assured her friend.
This didn’t lessen Jen’s frown. “You couldn’t know anyone around here that well.”
“His name’s Trent … and it has to do with the case I’m working on.” Mya placed her keys in Jen’s hand. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Wait!” Jen called out. “I don’t feel good about this.”
Bad Moon Rising - Paranormal Romance Page 11
