Welcome to the Neighborhood (12 page)

“What did you do after you noticed the door was unlocked?” the short cop asked while his partner jotted notes.

“We walked through the house and saw a large hole cut in the patio glass door,” Greg said.

“In the back of the home?” the short cop asked.

“Yes,” Greg answered.

“We’ll need to check it out in a bit.”

Greg lowered his arms. “Not a problem.”

“His roommate is going to cover it with a board until I can get someone out tomorrow, or today, to fix it,” Alexi said. “Will that be all right?”

The tall policeman looked up from his pad. “Well, we may need to dust for prints.”

Alexi looked at Greg.

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t touch it. If he does, you can find his prints in the city database. He’s an attorney too,” Greg said.

“Oh,” the tall policeman said. “Perfect.”

The short cop took a few steps back, then peered toward the back of the home. “After you saw a hole in the glass, what did you do?”

“I noticed tire marks on the floor running from the patio to the basement door. Alexi suspected someone stole her safe. She rushed down the stairs and fell.”

The uniformed officer with the mustache faced her. “You fell down the stairs? Do you need a doctor?”

“She hit her head and blacked out.”

“I’ll be fine,” Alexi said.

“You might have a concussion. You really should see a doctor,” the tall cop said, holding the tip of his pen to the paper.

“Perhaps I will after you leave. I wanted to file this report quickly. I need my safe back.”

The tall cop nodded and turned to his partner.

“What happened after you woke up?” the short policeman asked, moving closer.

“We checked her office and noticed the safe was missing,” Greg replied.

“How big was it? Can you give us a description?” the tall cop asked as he wrote.

Greg lowered his gaze to Alexi. “It was black with a touch of red-and-gold trim, and it was built in 1892.”

The short cop let out a whistle. “Wow, that must be pretty heavy.”

She nodded. “It would’ve taken several people to move it.”

“And the movers put it in your basement?” the short policeman asked.

“And had to remove it. So the thieves obviously knew about the weight issue,” Greg said.

The cop rubbed a hand over his mouth and mustache. “Makes sense.”

“Do you have any enemies, or ex-boyfriends with a grudge?” the tall policeman asked while he wrote quickly.

“No, no one.” She lifted her gaze to Greg and smiled.

For a minute, no one spoke. The short cop glanced around the home while the other wrote in his notebook. When the officer finished writing, he looked up at his partner.

“Mind if we look around your house?” the short cop asked.

“Not at all.” Alexi braced her hands on the armrests and pushed herself up.

Greg bit his lip as he watched her rise slowly from the recliner. Seeing her in pain brought more agony to him than she could imagine. “I can show them around. Why don’t you stay here?”

“No, I’ll show them.”

Her answer didn’t surprise him. If they had been alone, he would’ve picked her up and carried her to wherever she wanted to go. Of course, he would’ve forced himself on her so she’d drink from him. That would come later.

Alexi limped as she led the way to the back of the house.

“Ms. Cartwright, I highly recommend you go to the emergency room to see a doctor,” the tall cop said, following her.

She gave a casual wave of her hand in the air. “I will, don’t worry.” She passed the table and stopped near the patio door.

Both cops peered at the hole. The short one crouched in front of it.

“That is one precise cut,” the tall policeman said.

“Professional.” The short cop straightened. “Whomever took your safe was prepared with the right tools.”

Greg pointed down. “If you look close enough, you can see wheel marks.”

As the two bent and studied the floor, Greg glanced at Alexi. She held her arms over her ribs and her lips together. He longed to reach out to her and touch her, comfort her, but he fought the urge knowing the cops might see and question them.

“Look at this,” the short cop pointed out with his finger. “Two sets of tracks.”

“Yep, I see it.” His partner stood up straight. “I think we should get forensics out to test for prints. They might be able to get something from these tracks too.”

The short policeman moved to stand near his partner. He faced Alexi with a red face from having bent over too long. “Do you have somewhere you can stay for a day or two?”

Alexi’s eyes grew wide. “I can stay at hotel. Why?”

“It would give us time for a team to come in and gather evidence,” the short one replied.

Alexi looked at Greg. A touch of panic reflected in her eyes.

“I know someone who might be able to accommodate you,” he said calmly. “Phillip has room.”

A hotel couldn’t benefit her. She needed a safe place away from the rays of the sun. Phillip had said it wouldn’t destroy them, but it would hurt them. Since the vamp was single, he had plenty of room in his ranch home. Why couldn’t he help his neighbor?

The tall cop met Alexi’s gaze. “We really do need a good two days.”

She gave him a nod. “I will make arrangements. Greg will know how to reach me if you need anything else.”

“Great. Shall we head downstairs?” the tall policeman asked.

Alexi led the way to the basement door. Greg couldn’t see the expression on her face, but he imagined it was one full of pain and discomfort.

“Is that a bloodstain?” the short cop asked when they reached the bottom of the staircase.

“I’m afraid so. I need to get it cleaned soon before it settles,” Alexi said.

The cops stood above the dark splotch and peered at it. Then they both looked at her.

“Ms. Cartwright, no offense, but I find it difficult to believe you don’t have any broken bones. The fact you’re standing is a miracle in my opinion,” the tall policeman said.

“Does this blood belong to anyone else?” the short one asked.

“No, it’s mine.”

The policeman gazed at each other. Greg had hoped not to mention what they were, but clearly, they men were speculating. Better to come clean than to cause more trouble later.

“Officers,” Greg said. “Ms. Cartwright is a vampire. She was injured, as you can see by the mark on her forehead and the way she walks. But she healed. That is why she is able to stand before you.”

Alexi kept her arms wrapped over her ribs and her lips together. Pain and worry tightened the features of her face. Greg gave her a nod of confidence, hoping it would offer her some tiny bit of comfort.

The two policemen stared at her.

“You’re a vampire?” the short cop asked.

“Yes.”

The short policeman looked at Greg. “How hard did she hit her head?”

Greg inhaled a deep breath as irritation pricked at him. He’d hoped they were part of the one in ten who believed in the existence of supernatural creatures. To avoid further questions that would delay Alexi’s feeding, he ignored their question.

“Would you like to see the office where the safe was kept?” Greg lifted his arm toward the hall.

“I think we should.” The tall officer met his partner’s gaze and gave him a tilt of his head.

Alexi led them into the office and stopped near the bookshelf where her safe should’ve been. “This is where I had it.”

“That’s a perfect spot,” the tall cop said, staring at the three feet by three feet empty space. “Did you have these shelves built?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Very nice.” The tall one turned to his partner. “I think we’ve seen enough. Forensics needs to sweep for prints ASAP.”

His partner stepped back and looked at Greg. “Can you stay here until the team arrives? We can take Ms. Cartwright to the hospital.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Alexi said strongly.

“I’ll stay here with her and make sure she’s cared for,” Greg said to appease the cops. He didn’t think Alexi’s face could tighten any more, but it had and it took on a pink tint too.

“All right, we’ll phone this in and get someone out here within the hour,” the tall cop said as he stuffed the notepad back into his chest pocket. “Can you give us the names and numbers the movers gave you?”

“I’ll have Greg contact you with the information.”

Greg placed his hand on Alexi’s shoulder. “Stay here, I’ll show them out.”

She nodded, clenching her jaw.

The short officer withdrew a couple of business cards. He handed one to her and another to Greg.

“I assume you will notify your insurance company right away,” the short cop said.

“Yes, I will,” Alexi answered. “The contents of my safe are extremely valuable. I need it returned right away.”

“Do you think the thieves will be able to break into the safe?” the tall cop asked.

“If they have enough time, maybe. I don’t know what kind of tools they have, or their experience with cracking open safes. If they don’t have the skills, then it will take time.”

The tall officer nodded. “Good.”

“You may give your insurance agency our number if they have any questions. I would contact us in two days to make sure the team has gathered all the evidence they need. It shouldn’t take longer, but sometimes it does,” the short one said.

Greg withdrew his wallet from his pocket and pulled out a card. “Here’s my contact information. I’ll contact you soon with the names and numbers.”

The tall cop took the card and slid it into his chest pocket. “The sooner the better.”

“If there’s nothing else…” Greg tucked his wallet in his pocket.

“Ms. Cartwright, I hope you feel better soon. Please go to the hospital and see a doctor,” the short cop said.

Alexi looked away from the cops. “Thank you for your concern.”

Greg glanced at Alexi one last time before he left the room. He inhaled a relieving breath; glad the initial investigation piece was over. In all, it hadn’t gone too bad. Now, he could focus on the most urgent matter at hand–feeding her.

As he ascended the stairs, he made a mental list of things to do. He needed to contact Corey about the glass door, ask Phillip if Alexi could stay with him for a few days, and notify the officers of the mover’s names and numbers. All would wait a little longer until he took care of Alexi. He hoped she wouldn’t put up another argument. Damn it, what caused her to reject him all the time?

Resolve filled him by the time he reached the top of the staircase. He would find the answer to his questions about Alexi. Somehow, someway, he’d talk to her and get her to break free, no matter how long it took. Determination was one of his greatest strengths, and she’d soon find that out.

11

Alexi gritted her teeth as she walked out of her office, laptop and power cord in hand. Cramping in all her muscles brought her intense pain, which made it difficult for her to think straight, let alone move. With each step, she felt like she weighed a ton. Soon, she’d feed and the ache would go away. The reminder repeated in her head, motivating her to hurry the hell up.

She paused near the stairs and listened to Greg talking to the police officers. They kept insisting Greg take her to the hospital and he kept assuring them he would get her help. If only they had believed she was a vampire. Life would be much simpler. Less questions anyway. But some still refused to acknowledge supernatural creatures existed.

Alexi continued down the hall and rounded the corner with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for Greg. He’d acted like the perfect lawyer, and in a way, he protected her. After she’d informed the cops about her age, their expressions made it clear they wanted to question
her
personally rather than talk about the robbery. Greg had stepped up to the plate quickly and set them back on the right track. The werewolf’s quick wit and guardian attitude took her by surprise, yet again. She owed him for his help.

She returned to her bedroom and set the laptop and cord on the mattress. Her thoughts drifted back to the moment in the bathroom at the party. Each stroke of his tongue against her clit gave her wave after wave of pleasure. A shame he didn’t get to finish the job. Would she ever get the chance to feel so alive, feel such erotic bliss again? She wondered, especially now that she was in debt to him. Men typically took what they wanted and didn’t give in return. But Greg seemed different. Since she owed him for helping her, she’d probably find out soon if he was like all the other greedy, lust-filled bastards or not.

Scrubbing her hand over her forehead, she stepped into the closet. Sweat coated her fingers, yet her temperature matched that of an ice cube. Not good. She scolded herself for not feeding properly before moving to Westport. Had she done so, the stress along with the tumble down the stairs wouldn’t have drained her so much. She paid the price now for her stupid decision.

Letting go of her frustration, she grabbed an empty suitcase and dragged it to the bed. She had to steer clear of her house for two days. Greg mentioned staying with Phillip, but she didn’t want to impose on a neighbor she hardly knew. Besides, she didn’t want to be indebted to the vamp and she certainly didn’t want Greg owing any favors to Phillip. The two didn’t appear to have hit it off so well earlier. Her best option was to find a hotel with dark shades and wait there.

She unzipped the bag and set her laptop inside the plastic lining. A quick glance at the clock near the bed showed it was past 2:30 a.m. By her estimate, she had four hours to feed and find a hotel. She snatched clothes from the closet as quickly as she could, then filled the suitcase in case she had to stay more than two days.

“They’re gone,” Greg said, and she turned to find him standing in the doorway.

She closed her bag and tugged on the zipper. A bead of sweat dripped from her forehead and into her eyes. “Thank you for talking to them and handling the situation. I’ll pay you back.”

He walked into the room as she straightened. “You’re sweating.”

She rubbed her arm across her forehead. “Yes, but I’ll be all right.”

“Alexi, let me help you.”