I watch her take a deep, bolstering breath. “It was just a normal afternoon, nothing out of the ordinary that I was aware of. My girlfriends came over to help me with the salads and such. The men cleaned the deck and around the barbecue area and set up out there.
“We swam, hung out, eventually we barbecued, and then settled in for some board games. I came into the kitchen to get some ice about thirty minutes ago, and the gift box was there.” Her voice wobbles for a second. She clears her throat and carries on. “I thought it was from Knight – he’s always doing sweet things like that. He’ll leave a little gift or my favorite chocolate or flowers. He’s so thoughtful.
“So I opened it. I lifted the card out of the box to read it, and that’s when I spotted the dead stuff inside. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I screamed – God, I got such a shock when I saw the contents. Everyone came running, and Knight opened the card. I can’t be sure who, but someone called you guys. And now, here we are.”
“No one saw anything suspicious or saw anyone hanging around that looked out of place? Nothing out of the ordinary? Heard anything? One minute it wasn’t here, and then it was?”
“No, nothing. Whoever it was came in completely undetected. It’s like it literally just appeared out of thin air.”
I ask a few more questions, making notes as we go. Finally, I ask, “I’d like to ask the others some questions, take their statements, please.”
Knight stands. “I’ll go call the others.”
Their friends enter the room as a group, and I realize I recognize most of the faces from a while back when the author, Agatha Traeger, was knocked down in a hit and run. But it’s the last face, at the back of the group, that makes me heart stutter and my belly quiver. Quite possibly the sexiest man alive – Xavier Dermot, better known to his friends as Bear – and the man who did things to my body no one else ever has, then walked away.
I’ve not seen or heard from him since the morning he left my bed. Even as I gave him my number that day, I think I knew he’d never use it. For different reasons, I think we’re both in the mindset about relationships. Although, I’ve gotta say, I wouldn’t mind having him around as a friend with benefits.
His eyes meet mine, and he has the good grace to look sheepish. While I may have no interest in a long-term relationship, it still hurts that he said he’d call and never did. Like I said, I think he and I could be good friends if he’d just give it a chance. But Bear’s made his choice very clear, and I respect his decision.
Turning my attention back to the matter at hand, I start asking questions. Hunter, done with bagging and tagging, comes over to help with taking statements. I finish a statement and look up to find that Bear’s the last one. I’m sorely tempted to leave it to Hunter, but just the thought alone makes me feel like a coward.
As Gramma always used to say, when things get difficult or unpleasant, put your big girl pants on and get on with it. With a deep sigh, I indicate the chair opposite me, and he takes a seat.
10
BEAR
It never dawned on me when Scooter called the cops that Eloise could be the one to respond to the call. Seeing her sitting at Knight’s table hit me right in the gut. I wanted to rush over and yank her out of the chair and devour the hell out of those kissable lips of hers. If the guys knew how I’m feeling right now, they’d have a field day giving me shit.
I can feel Lucky’s eyes on me, but mine are locked on Eloise, just watching her as she talks to my friends. Lord only knows what’s going on in that brain of his, but I’m willing to bet if I look over at him, there’ll be a knowing grin on his face. That man is far more in tune with me than is comfortable. But there’s no more loyal friend than Lucky.
One-by-one, Eloise and her partner interview the group until it’s just me left. As Digit’s chair scrapes back from the table, she lifts her head from the notebook in front of her, and our eyes lock. That soulful gaze of hers has the same impact as running into a brick wall – it leaves you dazed and confused. Exactly how she makes me feel.
She hesitates a moment and then indicates the chair across from her. Our gazes hold as I take a seat and, for a long moment, neither of us say anything. Then she clears her throat. “Mr. Dermot, can you give me your account of events this evening?”
Right. Straight to business then. To be fair, what did I expect? That Eloise would break down and beg to know why I never called? Why I’m such an asshole? Finding myself on the receiving end of disinterest doesn’t feel great. In fact, it feels pretty crappy. I guess now I know how my casual flings felt, and isn’t that a kick in the pants?
“Unfortunately, Officer, I can’t be of any assistance. I neither saw nor heard anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. The first that I was aware anything was out of place was when Indie – Ms. Jones – screamed, and we all came running to investigate what was wrong.”
“I see. Nothing and no one out of place outside the property when you arrived either?”
“No, ma’am. I wasn’t looking, truth be told. None of us expected anything like this to happen.”
I glance over at Indigo. She’s still pretty pale, but at least it’s not that ashen, bloodless look of shock she had earlier. When I turn back to Eloise, her gaze is on me. It flits over to Indie briefly, then returns to me, and I can’t help but wonder at the emotion that flashes in her eyes before she shuts it down.
“All right, well, if you can think of anything to add, you have my number. Thank you for your time.” She nods politely. She turns to her partner. “I’m all done here, Hunter.”
“Yeah, me too,” he replies. “Just one last quick note.” He scribbles something in his little notebook, then shuts it.
Eloise tucks her own back in the pocket of her uniform shirt and gets to her feet. The woman is all grace and elegance, despite the androgenous cut of her uniform. All that glorious hair I had my hands in not so long ago is neatly subdued in a low bun at her nape. Makes my hands itch to yank all the clips out and watch it cascade down her back.
Dutch’s phone rings, and he frowns down at the screen before moving away to answer it. It’s brief and seems fraught with tension. Once the call is over, he comes over to Knight, murmuring something to him. Knight nods, and Dutch calls out a rather abrupt goodbye before making a dash for the door. What the hell?
“Bear.” My attention snaps back to the present at the sound of my name. By the exasperated tone, I’m guessing it’s not the first time. Turning to Knight, I see his gaze bounce between Eloise and me.
“Yeah, boss. What’s up?”
“Can I please ask you to see the officers out?” He tips his head in Indie’s direction, and I get what’s left unsaid.
