The Shifter and the Dreamer (3 page)

“Let’s go,” she said sharply.

Outside she stopped in front of the rental car.
“This yours?”

“It’s what we could rent.”

Katy laughed and for a minute, Cameron felt like he was back in her old apartment sharing dinner on the coffee table. The sound went straight to his cock and he was immediately hard. It had taken months before Katy had learnt it was okay to laugh in bed. But once she’d started to enjoy sex instead of merely using it to release stress, she’d been insatiable. He shook his head to dislodge the thought. He didn’t need his partner to bust him again.

“That’s not going to do you much good here. You need a good four-wheel drive,” Katy told them before heading to a black SUV. “You can ride with me.”

Cameron got in the passenger seat next to her, and Katy took a deep breath. He knew her moods better than anyone else. Her scent was programmed deep inside him. She kept looking at him from the corner of her eye, but he ignored it. There was a time and place, he repeated inside his head.

 
She’d run. Run from him and from
herself
. He’d let her go. Not only had she kept things from him, but he had secrets of his own. It had been too soon to tell her before. But after a year of being apart, he knew it was time. He wouldn’t leave after this case without his mate by his side.

Business first—pleasure later.

She drove five blocks to the neat and clean townhouse that had been Amanda Caldwell’s home. When she pulled to the kerb, Cameron looked over at her, surprised.

“This it?”

Katy nodded, turning off the vehicle.

“You were right—it wasn’t far.”

“Small town,” she mumbled, before opening her door.

On the kerb, Cameron looked over at his partner who had remained silent. He knew Ryan had some idea of what happened between him and Katy, but not everything. Both men had been at his Alpha’s house when he’d asked permission to claim Katy. The permission had been given. But he hadn’t had time to take her before she ran.

“What do you think?” Cameron asked him quietly as Katy walked up the drive.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Ryan answered. “Tonight I want to come out and search.”

Meaning he wanted to change forms. Cameron understood and agreed.

“If it is him, there will be something. Although I already think he’s come west,” Ryan commented.

Cameron watched as Katy picked up the newspaper on the stoop, her backside looking yummy and round as she bent. “I know what you mean,” he said before following her up.

Once inside the townhouse, Cameron had to admit it felt homey. Amanda Caldwell had simple but nice taste in decorations and fabrics. The living room was painted a pretty yellow.

Everything seemed in place and orderly like Katy had said until he entered the kitchen. Cameron felt his breath rush out when he saw a dozen yellow long-stemmed roses on the kitchen counter.

“Fuck,” Ryan muttered from behind him.

“What?” Katy asked, right beside him.

Cameron turned but looked at Ryan, not her. “There’s no way anyone else would have known.”

“What?” Katy asked again.

“Not even the family knew it meant anything,” Ryan agreed with him.

“What?” Katy asked, raising her voice and stomping her foot.

“Our killer sends the victims a dozen long-stemmed yellow roses before he takes them.”

Katy looked from him to the flowers. “Ah, shit.”

Chapter Three

Two hours later, they still hadn’t found anything to tie Amanda’s killer to inside her house. Getting back into her vehicle, Katy looked up at the sky. “If you want to see the dump site, we’d better go ahead and head that way.”

“A local rancher found her on his property?” Cameron asked as she pulled away.

“Actually, the Lamberts own Lambert Oil. They are old money around here and have been around for ages. The oldest son, Clint, found her as he was driving down their private road to the creek.”

“Private road?”
Ryan asked from the back seat.

Katy nodded and glanced at the rear view mirror. “There must be a dozen roads that lead to that creek. One goes through their property and has a gate.”

“So he had to go through the gate to get in?” Cameron asked.

“Yes. I asked Clint about that, but they rarely lock the gate anymore so it was standing open,” Katy explained.

“Do you know this Clint Lambert?” Cameron
asked,
his voice normal and low. Katy still shivered. Cameron had always had a possessive streak.

 
Katy’s hands tightened on the steering wheel but when she answered her voice was just as calm and professional, thank God. “We went to high school together.”

Neither man commented. While she was used to that from Cameron, she couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the two men. Cameron had been able to pick up more from a victim and suspect by just listening and watching than anyone she’d ever met. The way Ryan remained quiet most of the time but still watched her closely gave her the impression he could do the same. It was a little unsettling.

“Can you tell me about the cases in Dallas?” she asked, changing the subject.

Cameron nodded and Ryan started to fill her in. A lot of information filtered in, and she tried to piece it all together. Why would a serial killer change his modus operandi so much and leave Dallas? It didn’t make sense.

Katy bypassed the house and drove to the area where the body had been discovered. Cameron and Ryan got out immediately as Katy sat a moment longer in her vehicle, trying to catch her breath. Being so close to Cameron was driving her nerves into overtime.

She could feel him watching her and it was all she could do to keep her eyes on the road. Not that she needed to give it as much attention as she was, but she hadn’t wanted to look at him.

From the windshield, she watched as he and Ryan walked around. They spoke then looked back at her. She took a deep breath, opened her door and stepped out into the
Texas
heat.

They’d already seen pictures of the scene from the file. She grimaced as she walked over to them, her sunglasses barely making a difference in the glare of the early evening sun.

“Lay it out for me,” Cameron told her as she reached them.

Falling back on the old days when she’d worked with him, she went over everything, thinking out loud as they’d done on so many cases.

It felt so familiar…so right. She tried not to think about that too much.

* * * *

They reached the Lambert house a little after seven. Katy had asked Davis to call ahead and tell Clint they would be by, so she wasn’t surprised when he opened the door before they’d exited the vehicle. He stood and watched them approach.

“Sheriff Katy,” he greeted with a confident smile she knew only too well.

“Mr. Lambert, these are Special Agents Morris and Waters,” Katy introduced.

“Well.
Feds, huh?”
Clint looked both men up and down before offering his hand. “I heard we’d have the big guns coming to town.” Both agents shook his hand while Katy watched. She could only hope Clint behaved himself. But the first words out of his mouth proved she wouldn’t get that wish.

“Well, honey, you know I’m more than willing to help if I can,” he said with a wink to her, and she felt Cameron stiffen beside her.

“They just have some questions for you,” she told him, trying to head off a confrontation between the men.

“Sure.” Clint motioned into the house. “Please come in.”

Katy nodded and followed the agents inside. She looked around and noticed nothing had changed since the last time she’d been inside the Lambert home, many years ago. She’d always been intimidated and this time was no different. It wasn’t homey by any means, more like a museum than a place you’d raise children in. But then, Mrs. Lambert never had raised her children. She’d had nannies, cooks and housekeepers to do all that.

They took seats in the formal living room and Cameron didn’t waste any time.

“Mr. Lambert. You were driving a private road on your property when you found the body?” he asked.

Clint smiled as he scratched his chin. “Yeah, that’s right. I often visit the creek when I’m in town. I decided after dinner to wander up there.” He looked over at Katy. “Remember when we stole my dad’s truck and beer and drove up there?”

Katy narrowed her eyes. She knew what Clint was doing. Adding a strong accent and flirting with her.
Playing the dim-witted redneck.
If she got him alone anytime soon, she was going to skin him alive. “Answer the question, Clint.”

He laughed, full and rich.
“Guess you do.” Then he looked back at Cameron.
“Got grounded for a month for that.”

Katy growled. “Clint, this is a murder investigation. Answer the agents’ questions.” She narrowed her eyes.
“And
only
their questions.”

He smiled and pulled out a cigarette.
“Sure thing.
Yes, Special Agent, I was driving down the road and that’s when I saw it…her.”

By the time they left, Katy was seeing red and she was pretty sure Cameron wasn’t any happier. Clint had made a point of imparting every memory they might have shared as he answered questions. Cameron had also been tougher on him than he would have been with a normal witness.

As she made her way to her vehicle, she felt Cameron at her back. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop before she reached the driver’s door.

“I didn’t realise he was such a dear ole friend,” he whispered angrily.

Katy pulled her arm from his grasp. “I told you we went to high school together.”

He looked at her for a long time. Katy held herself perfectly still. Cameron had always read her better than anyone else. It had been hard to keep
herself
from him. When their relationship had got more personal, it had been even harder. That was one reason she’d left.

 
Finally Cameron nodded, going around to his side of the vehicle. She actually started to reach out for him before she caught herself. It wouldn’t do any good. If he were still angry with her for leaving, then it would be easier when it came time for him to leave.

No, she hadn’t told him everything, but he’d kept his own secrets. She knew deep down in her bones that there was more to Cameron than he’d let her see. There were times when he’d been almost a different person.

She’d tried not to ask too many questions, not wanting them back at her, but she just knew Cameron hid himself, as well.

Ryan didn’t say anything as they both got in. Katy’s stomach turned. She was caught in a web of secrets and hidden fears she would never be able to part from. Cameron didn’t deserve to be embroiled in her life. No one did.

The car ride back into town was awkward and strained. Cameron knew there had been more between Katy and Clint Lambert than just high school friends. Clint had made that perfectly clear. It had been all Cameron could do not to step over and knock the other man down and pound on him.

He tried to tell himself it was a long time ago, but it was just another reminder that he hadn’t known Katy as well as he’d thought. She had a past he knew nothing about.

The thirty-minute drive only fuelled his anger, and by the time they’d reached the station he was fuming. They walked in without speaking.

“Another minute, Sheriff,” he said as he grabbed her elbow.

“I need to catch up with…” she protested but he pushed her towards her office. He noticed Ryan hanging back and was grateful to his partner.

He didn’t slam the door after he pushed her through, but he came damn close.

“Cameron, you can’t just manhandle me through my own…” she trailed off, looking up at him.

Cameron knew she saw the anger in his eyes.

“Cameron…”

He shook his head. He didn’t want to hear excuses.

“Nine months, Katy,” he said, his tone dangerously low.

“I…”

“Nine months ago you walked away from me.” He laughed bitterly. “Walked…hell, you ran.” He started to pace.

“I know how long it’s been, Cameron.”

He
span
to face her. “I never knew you!”

Katy shook her head to deny it, but deep down
they
both knew it was true.

“Oh, I knew your body. I knew you were good at your job, and you cared…” Cameron grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. “You’re good. I accepted whatever you said and whenever you changed the subject when we talked about your past…” He shook
her a
couple of times gently. “I didn’t know you.”

Katy stepped away from him when he released her. “No, you didn’t, Cameron,” she confirmed. “You knew what I wanted you to and that’s all. That’s all you’ll ever know.”

He smiled.
“A challenge, then?”
He was up for a challenge.

“No. The truth,” she responded.

“I would almost believe you,” he said, walking towards her again. Katy backed away with each step he took forwards. Once her back hit the wall, she raised her hands to stop him. His chest pressed against them. “Almost could convince me if it wasn’t for the catch in your breath when I’m close.”

Katy swallowed and looked away from him.

“Or the way you quiver when I touch you,” he continued as one hand brushed over the pulse in her neck. “The way your eyes go unfocussed when my lips brush yours.” He mimicked what he described to her.

“You want to keep your secrets, sweetheart, you’ll have to try harder,” he whispered close to her ear. “I let you walk away once. I won’t do it again.”

“I don’t have to walk away,” she told him breathlessly. “You don’t have me anymore.”

He laughed again.
Then crushed his lips against hers.

He took, consumed, demanded, and she responded. Katy’s mouth opened, accepting his tongue thrusting inside her mouth, making them both groan.

He made love to her mouth like he had done before to her body. She was moaning and shaking when he pulled away and rested his forehead against hers.