“Sorry.” His lips brushed the bruised skin, a barely there skim of his mouth that sent both pleasure and longing through her.
“Jonno,” she murmured, her fingers massaging his scalp and slipping through his hair.
Their lips met, unhurried and gentle. When Jonno pulled away, her breath quickened, his intense scrutiny making her wet and ready for him. So attuned to him that heat blossomed with a mere look and a kiss. Sensual energy arced between them, twists of sensation darting through her pussy.
“I love you,” he whispered, taking tiny bites along her jaw and down her neck. She arched against him in silent encouragement, whimpers she couldn’t contain escaping. “Spread your legs for me.”
The raspy command sent a flush across her breasts. They ached for his touch and cupping one, she silently offered it to him. Smiling faintly, he lowered his head and the warmth of his mouth surrounded her tip. The suction of his mouth brought a soft cry to her lips. Heat flowed from her nipple to settle between her legs. Laura sucked in a sharp breath as he pleasured her. One hand slipped into her heat, stroking across her distended clitoris while his mouth continued to tease and suckle her breast. The ardor heightened between them.
“Jonno, I need you.”
He lifted his head, his eyes dark and full of passion. “My pleasure.”
With a face taut with want, he slipped between her legs, spearing her with his cock. Her eyes fluttered closed, a sigh releasing at the friction between them. They rocked together, the heat flaring until orgasm buzzed through her, boiling over into intense pleasure.
“Jonno.” Laura drew his head down and kissed him. The scrape of his stubble against her cheek brought a shudder of enjoyment. She gripped his shoulders, holding on tight as he thrust his hips, large body convulsing with climax.
His arms wrapped around her, holding her so tight she could scarcely breathe. Laura wriggled, and he eased back, brushing a gentle kiss on her lips. She settled against his side to enjoy the warmth and comfort his touch brought. It was the last thing she remembered before she fell asleep.
* * * * *
Laura’s step held a bounce despite the early hour and the lack of sleep. This capture of part of the gang of thieves appeared great on paper and a step in the right direction for possible promotion. Her mind wandered to Jonno’s declaration and her good mood dissipated a fraction. He’d said he loved her.
Not once but several times.
How could he be so sure?
Although she liked spending time with him, surely he realized Middlemarch was a stop for her, not a destination. Had she mentioned it to him? She was sure she had. Maybe she’d tell him again so things were clear between them. Her conscience piped up and told her she lied to herself, that she cared more than she admitted. Laura shoved the thought aside and concentrated instead on what she needed to do during the rest of the day.
She’d checked on the prisoners, who were well albeit sulky and shouting of police persecution. She’d allowed them to ring their lawyers, had done the paperwork for a search warrant and was on her way to Storm in a Teacup to get them breakfast.
Charlie fell into step beside her.
“What are you doing here so early? I told you to sleep late.”
“Too wired,” he said. “My mind kept going in circles. I thought we could go to the campground once you’ve fed the prisoners and do a search, check for fingerprints. It occurred that some of the other crime scenes might have mystery fingerprints. If we could match them to our thieves, we might get them on other charges.”
“Good thinking, Sherlock. I need a coffee first. Besides, it’s possible the remaining teens at the campground have done a runner after their friends didn’t return.”
“No, they’re still there. I drove past and checked,” Charlie said with smug satisfaction. “I wonder if they’ll consent to a search without a warrant.”
“Probably not, which is why I’ve done the paperwork and sent it off to Dunedin. It could take a day or two though.” Laura pushed open the front door to the café. Even at this early hour three bicycles stood in the cycle stand while their owners ate breakfast. The bell tinkled their arrival.
“You’re early after the excitement last night,” Emily said.
“We need two breakfasts to go for our guests at the police station,” Laura said. “What do you send over?”
“A cooked breakfast. Anything for you and Charlie?”
“Latte for me, thanks,” Charlie said.
“Same for me plus a blueberry muffin to go.”
Twenty minutes later and feeling awake after the coffee, Charlie and Laura returned to the station.
Isabella met them outside. “Reporting for duty.”
“Oh we—”
“Yes, you do. At the least you need someone to keep an eye on your prisoners.”
“Thanks,” Charlie said. “We appreciate the help. The guys from Mosgiel are meant to collect them today, hopefully this morning. They couldn’t give us an exact time. Come on, Laura. Let’s hustle and get to the campground.”
“I wish we had the warrant,” Laura said. “It’s frustrating knowing they’ll leave once we show interest.”
Charlie thumped his fingers against the doorjamb, his body coiled ready to spring. “Maybe they’ll stay because we have their leader.”
“Solidarity amongst the brothers,” Isabella said. “Stranger things have happened.”
Laura snorted. “We don’t want strange.” She cast a quick glance at Isabella. “There’s enough weird in Middlemarch without adding to it.”
Isabella’s chuckle of amusement followed them out the door. Laura figured breaking a few more rules and leaving Isabella in charge wouldn’t matter. The only locals who knew the full situation were shifters. Not likely that they’d tell. Charlie drove to the campground, to make the visit appear more official, and Laura thought of the coming confrontation, hoping it’d go well.
“Good, they’re still there.” Charlie turned the police car into the campground and drove along the access road to the campervan. He parked, and they both studied the area.
“I’ll do the talking,” Laura said. “Don’t get too close to them. I’m thinking they’ll have concealed knives like the two we caught last night.” Laura climbed out of the police car, adrenaline pumping through her as it always did when she walked into a dangerous situation.
“Whatcha lookin’ at, lady?”
The leather jacket should have made the kid appear tough. It didn’t. Topped with the pale face and scowl, his attention skittering and never stopping, he seemed young and scared. All the bravado in the world couldn’t cancel out the silent language his body screamed. Good. He looked worried and nervous. Laura scanned his friend before turning her attention back to the first belligerent male.
“We want to search your campervan.” Laura paused, staring at the male until he lowered his gaze.
“Why?” the second male asked, his tapping foot and fidgeting sure signs of uneasiness.
Confidence built in Laura. They’d confiscated their vehicle—the one the thieves had left parked on the roadside, near the Mitchells’ land. They had to have their stash hidden somewhere because there was nowhere to sell or dispose of the stolen goods here. They’d require a large town or city to move stolen merchandize. Of course they might have driven to Dunedin or Queenstown between burglaries. Laura didn’t think so. Some of the dates were too close together. These kids had planned the robberies, staked out properties to hit.
“Because we believe you and your friends committed several robberies in the area,” Laura said, fixing the male with an intent stare.
“We ain’t done nothin’.” Leather Jacket refused to look her in the face.
“Don’t ya need a warrant?” the other asked.
Laura turned her attention on him, taking in the tattoo snaking down his arm below the sleeve of his faded yellow T-shirt. “Not if you give us permission to do a search.”
“We don’t give no permission.�
� A tinge of triumph crept into Leather Jacket’s voice, as if he felt more confident. He smoothed his jacket, reminding Laura of a preening blackbird.
Laura pulled out a notebook and stalked away from the two males. She rounded the campervan, jotting the name of the rental company plus the registration number. These vehicles were expensive to hire. There must be good money in the breaking-and-entering business.
“What are you doing?” Leather Jacket demanded.
Not so much bravado now. She should have felt like a bully but enjoyed it too much. “Noting a few details. We’ll be back with the search warrant.” The kid didn’t need to know she’d recorded the details earlier and included the registration numbers of both the campervan and the car in the warrant. “Where are your friends?”
“Out,” Tattoo said.
“None of ya business,” Leather Jacket snapped, almost at the same time. They glared at each other, uneasiness passing between them despite the bravado they tried to project.
“When they turn up, tell them we want to see them.” Laura jerked her head at Charlie and they headed back to their car. Neither spoke until Charlie pulled out of the camping ground.
“Why didn’t you tell them we had their friends at the station?”
Laura smiled with little humor. “I figured I’d give them a reason to hang around. They didn’t seem concerned at their friends’ absence. Not yet. Let them stew.”
“Good thinking. How long do you think the warrant will take?”
“A day, they told me. We should get rid of our prisoners this morning.”
“It would be easier all round,” Charlie agreed.
Back at the station, Isabella reported no problems. Laura rang Mosgiel again to receive an update of when they could expect the pick up for their prisoners and learned they were on their way. The paperwork involved made her want to tear out her hair. She settled down to attack it, pausing to answer a phone summons.
“You fuckin’ bitch!” a woman screamed.
Laura winced and moved the phone away from her ear. “Can I help you, ma’am?”
“Whore.”
Laura glanced at Charlie then Isabella. The other woman stilled, her attention caught by the viciousness layered into the speaker’s voice. Shaking her head, Laura hung up and concentrated on her paperwork again. Her heart beat faster than normal, her mind on the phone call. The woman’s voice sounded familiar. Given time, she’d remember where she’d heard it before. She continued to fill out the form she was working on until she realized her concentration had gone. Her mind kept going back to the plain ferocity in the woman’s voice.
“Do you think that phone call was for me?” she asked, giving up the pretense of work.
“She didn’t mention your name,” Charlie pointed out.
Isabella shrugged. “A wrong number.”
The phone rang in that instant and they stared at it for three rings.
“I’ll answer it,” Charlie said in a firm voice.
Laura indicated he should with a wave of her hand, having no intention of answering it herself.
Charlie picked up the phone, silencing the loud rings. He listened. “Hi, Tomasine. She’s gone again? Okay. We’ll watch out for her. Is Ramsay still there? Yeah. We’ll call you as soon as we locate her.”
“Terry?” Isabella asked.
“Yeah, she’s disappeared.” Charlie stood.
“It’d be better if I went,” Isabella said. “I can track better than either of you.”
“A feline thing?” Charlie asked. Laura noticed he exhibited the same fascination as she regarding the Middlemarch shifters.
“I’m not feline,” Isabella said. “If you stick around long enough, one day I might tell you.”
Before Laura could ask questions, Isabella disappeared out the door, her body moving with sinuous grace. “What do you suppose she meant by that? It sounds as if there are other supernatural creatures around the place.”
Charlie’s wide shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. “No idea. I’m still getting used to the idea that some of them turn into cats. Although I’m tempted to tell someone, I don’t want to end up inside a padded cell.”
“I should check the campground to see if Terry heads over there.” Laura stood, pausing as a thought occurred. “Did Tomasine say if Terry knows we arrested her boyfriend?”
“Good point. If Terry knows, she might head here to the station. I’ll ring Tomasine and check.” Two minutes later Charlie turned to Laura. “She knows. She overheard Tomasine and Felix talking and screamed at them. I’d say we’ve solved the puzzle of your mystery caller.”
The front door opened and two uniformed officers strode inside. “We’ve come to pick up the prisoners.”
“Good,” Laura said.
By the time they’d loaded the two men and exchanged the paperwork it was almost two o’clock. Laura’s stomach growled.
“How about we switch the phones over to mobile and go to the café for a late lunch?”
Charlie leaned back in his chair until it seemed in danger of toppling. “Works for me.”
“I thought I’d die of boredom when I learned of the Middlemarch transfer,” Laura said as she and Charlie left the station. “It’s surprising how much I’m enjoying it.”
“And it’s nothing to do with the locals,” Charlie said, sending her a sideways glance.
Laura considered Jonno, the Mitchells, and nodded. “Maybe.”
“Are things serious between you and Jonno?”
“What are you? My girlfriend?”
Charlie laughed. “I’d like to think I was a friend. I’m offended you think I’m a girl.”
They paused for a car to pass before crossing the road to the café.
“You arrested Max!”
The feminine shriek rang down the street, halting both Laura and Charlie mid-stride. Laura turned and seconds later, Terry flew at her, fists swinging. The first punch grazed her chin, the second connected, whipping back her head. Before Laura could move, Terry sprang, feline genes giving her a distinct advantage. Damn, she was quick. Laura rolled, thankful when Charlie grabbed Terry and hurried footsteps heralded Isabella’s arrival. Together they pulled Terry off Laura before the teenager slugged her with another punch.
With unsteady legs, Laura climbed to her feet and surveyed the blood trickling from the gravel rash on her arm and elbow. Her face ached, her bottom lip feeling tender. Gingerly she probed her inner lip with her tongue and tasted blood.
“You okay?” Isabella held Terry with ease, her strength no match for the younger girl.
“She arrested Max. He hadn’t done anything,” Terry screeched, her face scarlet, dark hair flying wildly while she fought for freedom.
“I’m fine,” Laura said. Not quite the truth. She’d have a few aches and pains tomorrow.
“I’ll take Terry back to my place,” Isabella said.
“Do you need a hand?” Charlie asked.
“Nah, I’ll be fine.” She marched Terry off, making short work of the teenager’s struggles.
“I’m starting to believe Isabella was an assassin,” Laura muttered. “Glad we’re on the same side.”
“An assassin?” Charlie’s head snapped around so fast it was a wonder he didn’t get whiplash.
“Another secret.” Laura wrinkled her nose. “I’m sure they’re kidding me. Like I said, we’re on the same side so we should be okay.”
“I’m liking this job more and more,” Charlie said, his blue eyes glinting with curiosity while he stared after Isabella.
“It hasn’t been dull, that’s for sure. Still up for lunch?”
“Yeah. Looks as if Jonno is joining us.”
Laura turned toward him, both pleasure and excitement filling her. The grin on Jonno’s face brought warmth and the moment in which she knew perhaps she felt something other than lust for him. She wasn’t certain how to define the feeling, just knew it was there inside her—a glowing ember. Her hand lifted in a wave of welcome.
&nb
sp; Behind Jonno a figure appeared. A shot fired, the sound loud and explosive like a car backfiring. Fire hit Laura in the chest. It stole her breath, her limbs jellifying as she gasped for air. Sound echoed inside her head, vision blurred and she felt herself crumple. The ground rose to meet her, hard and unforgiving. Her head thumped against the bitumen and the world went dark.
“No!” Jonno shouted, sprinting toward Laura. Fear grabbed him by the throat. Another shot rang out, but he didn’t stop until he reached her.
“Police,” Charlie yelled. “Put down your weapon. Now.”
A woman screamed, the notes high and carrying hysteria. A child wailed. The revving of an engine and the shriek of tires, followed by an indignant shout from the postmistress. Jonno heard the pounding of feet and didn’t remove his attention from the still form of his mate.
“Blast. She’s getting away.” Charlie grabbed a notebook from his pocket while reading the number plate aloud. Charlie continued to mutter the combination of letters and numbers while he scrawled it on paper.
“Laura. Laura?” Jonno knelt beside her in the middle of the road. She didn’t move, her stillness adding to his growing terror. “Laura.” He checked her pulse. Faint. A smear of blood came away on his hand as he smoothed it over her hair. She must have hit it when she fell. Gentle fingers probed her head and found a slight bump. His fingers were bloody when he raised them. He turned her onto her back. A shocked gasp escaped. Damn. She was bleeding from a wound on her chest.
Charlie hurried to his side, crouching beside them. “Is she all right? Aw, shit. She’s bleeding bad.”
“Ring Gavin.” Jonno unfastened her shirt, revealing the gunshot wound in her chest. Blood soaked into both her shirt and the white bra she wore. Jonno ripped off his shirt and tore it into pieces, wadding a large scrap of fabric and pressing it against the wound. “Now.”
“But he’s a vet,” Charlie protested. One look at Jonno’s face stilled further protest “What’s his number?”
Jonno fumbled for his cell and tossed it to Charlie. “It’s on speed dial. Number three. Gavin’s the closest thing to a doctor we have. We’ll go to Gavin’s surgery.” Jonno scooped up Laura and hurried along the road toward the house where Gavin lived and had a surgery for both animals and felines. “You’re going to be okay. You will not leave me.” Harsh breaths seared his lungs and burned his throat. His heart raced. “Laura.” He could scarcely force her name past the thickness barricading his throat.
My Cat Burglar Page 17
