AREA 69: An Alien Invasion Romance Novel

by Courtney Collins

  She knocked on the Captain’s door. He called for her to enter. As soon as she saw his face, she knew that this was a different kind of case. Something bad had happened.

  “Callie, thank you for coming so quickly. Have a seat.”

  “No problem. What is going on?” She asked as she sat in the seat across from him.

  “I need your utmost description on this one.” He leaned forward.

  “Always.” Callie leaned in too, her curiosity peaked.

  “We have reason to believe that the Gentleman Bandit might be hiding out in Ravenswood.”

  Callie’s eyes grew two sizes larger. The Gentlemen Bandit was a famous bank robber. He was known for wearing an expensive suit and being especially polite and charming while robbing the banks.

  “Well that’s certainly exciting! I’m happy to help in any way I can.”

  “We are getting a new detective from the city who has been following this case for years. I was hoping you could work with him in anyway he needs. Your fee is the same?” Capt Merryweather asked.

  “Yes.” Callie agreed but something told her she should ask for more. This case sounded complicated.

  “Now, Detective Michaels is a shifter from the city, he isn't used to the way we work. But I am sure if you are your usual charming self, you two will be thick as thieves in no time.” The Captain cleared his throat.

  Alarm bells went off for Callie. “Does the Detective want to work with me?”

  “He will warm up to it. As soon as he sees how much you can help. The Gentleman Burglar hasn’t left very many clues behind and it’s just the sort of case you can crack open.”

  Callie rolled her eyes. Non-believers were the worst. They were always trying to trip her up, as if she was faking the whole thing. She had never come across a shifter non-believer before. That was new.

  “Come back tomorrow. The detective arrives tonight, he will debrief you tomorrow.”

  “Aye-Aye, Captain!” She saluted him as she walked out the door. It was her favorite joke.

  It was getting late but Callie didn't feel like going home so she wandered down to The Lamb’s Tail, the local pub. She was craving a nice cool beer to cap off her day. It wasn’t very busy so she took a seat at the bar. She ordered her beer and sighed with happiness when the bartender brought it over. He was a handsome shifter named Max.

  “Hey Callie, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes! How was your day?” He smiled at her.

  Max always flirted with her. She flirted back, but always refused to go out with him. Callie was waiting for her soul mate. When she was a little girl she got an impression of her soulmate. A man with unusual eyes. He was twirling her as diamonds rained down from the sky. She felt complete love envelope her. She had never felt so loved in her day to day life. Even though the impressions had seemed fantastical, she had made a pact to wait for him. No matter how long it took. I mean, she certainly had her fun, she wasn’t nun! But she avoided relationships, wanting to make sure there was room in her life for that magic love.

  “Same old, same old.” She was dying to spread the news of the Gentlemen Bandit, but she kept her mouth shut. Utmost discretion.

  The bar had one other patron, a very handsome man, so Max moved on to serve him. Callie couldn't help checking the man out. He seemed dark and maybe a little dangerous. He was wearing a grey suit and looked out of place. Callie tried to make eye contact but the man ignored her.

  Callie got up to go to the bathroom. The bathroom was down a hallway beside the bar. It only held one person at a time and there were two girls already waiting outside. Callie stood at the end of the line and leaned against the wall. She was out of sight from the bar but well within earshot.

  The customer at the bar was a man and he was asking if there were any attractive available ladies in the bar. Callie giggled to herself.

  “Well, what about Callie? The young woman sitting at the end of the bar?” Max replied. Callie made a mental note to throttle Max later.

  The man snorted. “Too plain for my tastes.”

  Well, excuuuse me! Who did that man think he was? Her cheeks burned bright with embarrassment.

  At that moment a neighbour of Callie’s walked up to the bar and spotted Callie. “Hi, Callie!” she called out loudly.

  Oh God. Callie peeked her head around the corner and found the horrified faces of both Max and the rude man as they realized she had heard everything they said. At least they had the decency to look upset. “Line up for the bathroom.” She managed to say with a bright smile as she gestured to the line. It was the most embarrassing moment of her life. Probably for that man too. He looked like he wanted to crawl in a hole and die. Thankfully, at that moment, the bathroom opened up and she ducked inside.

  She used the facilities and then splashed cold water other face to try to make the redness of her embarrassment die down. She didn’t want the man to know he had upset her.

  When she came out of the bathroom she saw that the man had left. She breathed a sigh of relief. She drained her beer and gestured to Max for the bill. She didn't feel like hanging around the bar anymore.

  “You know,” said Max “I think you are very sexy.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. She laughed at him half heartedly.

  She walked outside and noticed the moon was almost full. It was big and bright in the sky, making everything seem magical and otherworldly. It was a beautiful night. She rounded the corner the parking lot and almost bumped into the man from the bar.

  “I’m sorry.” He said. “I think I’m lost. I just got here and I need the find The Renaissance Hotel. My GPS doesn't seem to be working.”

  “Here.” Callie sighed. She pulled a paper and pen out of her purse and drew a map for him. He leaned over to see the map, to see it better in the dark. Their faces were inches apart. In the moonlight he seemed like the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He made eye contact with her and invisible sparks exploded between them. Something in his eyes changed and he grabbed her face in his hands and pushed his mouth on hers. She wanted to push him away but instead her body betrayed her and melted into the kiss. No one had ever just taken her out of the blue like that. She was surprised by how much it turned her on. She moved her tongue with his, making the kiss deeper. She wanted the kiss to last forever, but they were interrupted when a car beside them chirped as the owner turned on the alarm.

  They both instantly pulled away. The magic of the moment had dissipated and reality flowed in. Callie put her head down and walked quickly to her car. She got in and drove away as fast as she could. What had happened? It wasn’t even the full moon yet and here she was, acting crazy. She had never made out with a stranger like that before. She was shocked by her behavior. She put herself to bed immediately, hoping a good night’s sleep would wash away the effects of the moon.

  Just as she drifted off, the memory of the kiss came back and she fell into slumber with a smile on her lips.

  Chapter 2

  Callie woke up with the sunrise. It wasn't unusual, she loved mornings. It also gave her time to work in the greenhouse before she opened her shop. She sold all natural beauty and food products that she made from her herbs and plants. It was more a labour of love than a money maker, but she was happy and always made ends meet.

  She worked in the greenhouse for a few hours, getting her hands in the dirt made her feel a connection to the Earth. It also helped to boost her gift. She wanted to be in tip top shape when she met the detective today. She had a feeling he wasn't going to take her seriously despite the Captain’s insistence otherwise. She sighed and cleaned up the greenhouse and made her way upstairs to shower. The shop would have to open a bit later today. She never managed to have regular business hours.

  She dressed in what she hoped was a professional looking outfit, a conservative black cotton dress and heels. She even pulled her hair back in a smooth ponytail. Callie firmly believed in the power of first impressions.

  She arrived at the police station feeling ready for challenge a
head of her. She walked to the Captain’s office and knocked on the door. The Captain called for her to enter. She opened the door and was shocked to see the mysterious kisser from last night! He seemed just as shocked.

  “Callie Day, meet Detective Thorne Michaels.” The Captain introduced them.

  Callie and Thorne just nodded at each other. Callie had not recovered enough from the shock to speak yet. She felt the hot burn of embarrassment on her cheeks.

  The detective seemed to recover quickly. “I am have to be clear here. I have severe reservations about using a psychic in a criminal case. I prefer straight facts and clear evidence.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  Callie finally spoke up, “Well in the past, I usually lead the detectives to evidence. I am not ridiculous enough to think you can convict a criminal based on my impressions. But I can help give you a lead if there is a lack of evidence.”

  The Captain spoke up, “Callie has been invaluable in the past. In this case the only piece of evidence is a gold lighter with engraved initials Detective Michaels believes that the lighter belongs to the Bandit. It has no fingerprints, and the initials pulled up hundreds of hits from the police database. But it is still the main clue in the case.”

  “I believe the Bandit dropped it, so far it has been his only mistake. I think it will be the thing that cracks the case.” Detective Michaels added.

  “I think I can help. I just need to hold the lighter.” Callie suggested.

  Detective Michaels seemed reluctant. The Captain spoke up, “Take her to an interrogation room, Detective. I will retrieve the lighter from evidence.”

  The detective did as he was instructed and led Callie to an interrogation room. As soon as they were alone, the detective turned to Callie.

  “I’m really sorry about the other night. I’m a wolf shifter and the moon does a number on me. I should have had better control. I hope you understand. It won’t happen again.” His tone was businesslike, but there was electricity in the air. Callie felt an intense attraction to this man. She was a little disappointed that he didn't seem to return it. He blamed the moon for their kiss.

  Callie was equally businesslike, “I appreciate the apology.” She looked into his deep grey eyes and felt her heart skip.

  The Captain returned with the lighter. He sat down across from Callie. He took out a notepad and pen. He handed Callie the lighter. Callie took it in her hand and focused all her concentration on the object.

  She closed her eyes and felt the impressions coming.

  “I see an expensive grey suit hanging in a hotel closet. Someone is reaching in the pocket, they pulled out the lighter.” Callie said aloud.

  “Can you see anyone’s face?” The Captain asked her.

  “I’m not sure, I can see the hotel stationary. It’s called the Bishop Hotel. Wait, yes, I do see a face. It’s a man. He has grey hair but a young face. That’s all I can get.” Callie put down the lighter. The Captain was taking notes.

  Detective Michaels look unimpressed. “Well, everyone knows the Gentleman Bandit wears a grey suit. It was in the papers. Anyone can make up a hotel and describe a person. I don’t see how this helps us.”

  Captain Merryweather dismissed the detective’s concerns. “Let’s get the sketch artist in and have Callie describe the man she saw. We’ll see if anything comes of it. You can check and see if there is a Bishop Hotel in any of the cities the Bandit hit.”

  The detective got up and left the room with little more than a nod at Callie.

  “I think he liked me.” Callie joked to the Captain after Det. Michaels left.

  “He is a good detective and he wants to solve the case. He may be a bit gruff but he will follow up on any lead we get, no matter how silly it seems to him. Thank you, Callie. I think you gave us some great leads. I’ll leave you with the sketch artist. We’ll be in touch.”

  Callie spent a half hour with the sketch artist and in the end they came out with a face that was exactly as Callie had seen it. Grey hair, high check bones, a strong jaw and piercing blue eyes. He was quite a looker.

  Callie left the station while the sketch artist delivered the sketch to the Captain. She returned home and opened her shop. She was surprised when the traffic in the shop was fairly steady all afternoon. She kept the shop open late. It was almost nine 0’clock when Callie finally locked the doors and headed upstairs to her apartment. She poured herself a glass of wine and was just about to curl up on the couch with a movie when she heard the buzzer for her apartment go off.

  Surprised, she headed to the intercom, “Hello?” she called out.

  “It’s Detective Michaels, I need to speak with you.”

  Well, well. This certainly wasn’t business hours. She buzzed him up.

  As soon as he walked in the room she could tell he wasn’t happy. He had the sketch of the suspect she described in his hand.

  “Where did you see this man before?” He demanded.

  “Just from my vision.” She was starting to wonder if she should have let him up. He seemed agitated.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Who told you about this man?” His eyes flashed.

  “I don’t understand. What is the problem?” She cowered beneath his stare.

  “You know! This is Reginald Covington. I think he is the Gentleman Bandit, but I have nothing concrete to connect them. Did someone from my precinct in the city tell you this to mess with me?” He practically growled.

  “What? No! I have no idea what you are talking about! That is the face from my vision.”

  “I don’t buy this psychic crap for a second! Tell me who told you. You think you can get away with fooling with people because you are attractive?” He grabbed her arms and almost shook her.

  “I don’t lie! Attractive? You said I was plain just yesterday.” She shouted at him. Maybe not the best tactic on an angry werewolf this close to the full moon.

  “You want men to notice you. You want me to notice you. Is this what you want?” He grabbed her by waist and pulled her close, his lips descended on hers. She struggled against him. But he tightened his grip and kissed her more forcefully. His tongue forcing its way into her mouth. Her heart started beating faster with desire. She was practically panting now. Her breasts were pushed against his hard chest and she felt them get tender with desire as they rubbed against him. His kiss deepened and became more forceful. She felt her underwear get wet. She had never been in this situation before, he was so strong, she couldn't get away. Whatever he decided to do to her he would. She had to submit to him, she had no choice. Shifters’ libido shot up leading to the full moon and Thorne had lost control of his beast, lust had taken over.

  He growled as he slid his hand under her dress and into her underwear. He felt her wetness and groaned. He shoved a finger into her hole and she gasped. He slid the finger out and slid back with two fingers. Then three. He pumped his fingers a few times. She felt herself getting even wetter. She stopped struggling and he moved his mouth down her neck. Her skin was hot from arousal. His pushed the wide neck of her dress down to her waist. With one flick of his finger, the front clasp of her bra opened, exposing her breasts. He slid his tongue down from her neck to her nipple and teased it with the tip of tongue. She moaned involuntarily. He sucked on her nipple while his fingers rubbed at her clit. She felt the tingle start in her sex that would build into an orgasm. Her knees got weak. He took his mouth of her breasts and pushed her back against a nearby wall. He went down on his knees and ducked under her dress. He pushed her legs apart and his tongue found her lips. He began to lick and suck with skill. He tongue now teased her clit. She felt the orgasm build and she longed for a release.

  “Oh please.” She whispered.

  He pulled his head up, “You want me to make you cum?”

  “Yes.” She begged. “Please.”

  He moved his head back down and began furiously working with his tongue driving her into a frenzy. She was on the brink of ecstasy when he sucked on her clit causing her orgasm to
explode through out her body. She cried out, her legs gave way and she slid to the floor.

  As the sexual haze fog cleared she felt the shame creep in. She quickly pulled on her bra and adjusted her clothes.

  Thorne looked pained. “I’m sorry, I-I can’t seem to control myself around you. I didn’t come to Ravenswood to get entangled in anything. I am close to the Gentleman Bandit and my priority is to catch him and then I am going back to the city.”

  “Excuse me? Did I ask you for anything? You just barged into my house! You accused me of lying and being involved in some sort of conspiracy, and you think I want to be entangled with you?!”

  Thorne look embarrassed. “You’re right. I can’t seem to act appropriately around you. I should explain to you. I believe the Gentleman Bandit is a man named Reginald Covington.”

  “Covington, as in the Covingtons? One of the richest families around? They own banks! Why would he need steal anything? “

  “He doesn’t need to, I think he wants to. He gets off on the thrill. But the rest of precinct thinks I’m crazy. When I saw that sketch, which is the spitting image of Reginald Covington, I guess I flew off the handle.”

  “I swear to God that I saw that man in a vision when I touched the lighter. But the initials on the lighter were E.L. not R.C. Why do you think it’s Reginald?”

  “Reginald was engaged to an heiress named Ellen Lessings a few years ago, something happened and the engagement ended. I think the lighter is a token of hers.”