Welcome to the Neighborhood (21 page)

“All right. Let’s go inside.”

Biting her lip, she tried to hide her unease as she led them to her home. At the same time, she dug inside purse, searching for her key. She found it as she stepped onto her small concrete porch.

Alexi unlocked the door and entered her home first. A soft light from a lamp in the living room lit up the room. She stopped a few steps past the door. To her surprise, the pile of boxes was gone.

“Please, have a seat,” she gestured with her arm directed at the sofa.

Greg moved aside as the two detectives entered. “I’ll get the door,” Greg said to Alexi.

She followed the detectives into the living room. As they headed for her sofa, Alexi set her key and purse on the coffee table. Straightening, she noticed they were digging in their back pockets.

“Before we begin, I’m detective James Rice and this is my partner, Larry Smead.” The werewolf handed his business card to her.

Alexi glanced at James’s card, then Larry’s. Both had the same Nightwatch logo with a moon, and both men held the title of detective.

“Am I to understand you work with supernatural creatures?” she asked.

James tugged his jeans as he sat at the end of the sofa, leaving a cushion of space between him and his partner. “Yes. I’ve been with law enforcement for over fifteen years. After P-Day, some of the city and local agencies recognized they needed supernaturals to deal with criminals who have superior strength or other abilities humans can’t handle. For the last two years, I have investigated crimes that involve people like yourself.”

“What do you mean by that exactly?” Greg asked, coming to stand next to Alexi. “Do you investigate crimes made by vampires or against them?”

The same question popped in Alexi’s mind as she placed the cards on the table.

James rested his arm over the armrest. “I investigate vampiric activity as well as any unusual murders or missing person reports.”

Alexi stared at the relaxed wolf, wondering why he would have an interest in investigating her. There had to be some miscommunication in the police force because she hadn’t committed any crimes. She was the victim of one.

“I think there has been a mistake,” she said.

“May I ask where you were two nights ago around three in the morning?” James asked.

“Someone broke into my client’s home,” Greg answered, crossing his arms.

Larry leaned forward. “We’re well aware of the incident, Mr. Holmes. I presume that is your name since you are listed as the attorney in the report.”

“Yes, it is. My client is a victim. She has done nothing wrong.”

“We’re not here to discuss the robbery. The team handling the matter is capable of apprehending the thieves,” James said.

“Are they?” Alexi arched a brow. “They’re humans.”

James’s lips twitched. “I understand your concern, but we’re not here to discuss your pending investigation. We can’t give you any information about it.”

Alexi glanced at Larry. Although he kept his gaze lowered, she opened her mind to his and listened to his thoughts. He was thinking of his wife and daughter. They were at a playground and his young child sat on a swing while he pushed her. Alexi tried to slip deeper into his head, hoping to discover why they wanted to question her if they weren’t interested in her burglary report. All she could find was the same image, same thought of him at the playground. She bit her lip in frustration. Obviously, he knew how to conceal his thoughts. Any human could if they knew how to focus long enough. She wasn’t surprised law enforcement trained their detectives how to do it.

“Why are you here?” Greg asked.

James’s chest expanded as he took in a deep breath. “There have been a couple of murders. Both victims had a very low blood supply and markings on their throats suggest a vampire killed them.”

Alexi felt weak as if life had drained out of her. She’d just moved to Westport. How could anyone suspect her of being a murderer? She’d sipped from a few people who worked at the hotel, but that was it. On top of that, she hadn’t killed a human since she was with her maker, and that was by accident.

“Hold on here. Why would you think Ms. Cartwright is the murderer, other than the fact she’s a vampire?”

“Westport hasn’t received any reports of murders with bites or slashes to the throat in years,” James said.

“At least a decade,” Larry added.

“Then two nights ago, a local resident finds a body with very minimal blood and two large punctures in the neck. A second victim with the same marks and condition was found yesterday morning as well. Considering Ms. Cartwright recently moved into the town, we have an obligation to the citizens in the community to question her.”

“I didn’t–”

“Don’t finish that,” Greg said, placing his hand on her arm.

The nausea she’d felt earlier returned in full swing. What an odd coincidence some vampire had chosen a couple days ago to go on a bloodlust spree. If she found out who the idiot was before the detectives, she’d beat the person senseless. Killing humans for food died centuries ago. Didn’t the fool know that?

“I should mention the report from the officers investigating the robbery noted Ms. Cartwright looked weak and frail.”

“My client is not a murderer. I can assure you of that.”

“Then she won’t mind answering a few questions,” James said, then looked at her. “Right?”

Knees weak, Alexi headed for the recliner in the corner. How could this have happened to her? What were the odds? Regret flowed through her as she sat. If she’d stayed in Chicago, everything would’ve been fine.

She wrapped her arms around her ribs and held herself tight as she debated what to do. Answer questions, which could harm or help her, or remain silent? Surely, if she told the truth, they would check her statement and learn she couldn’t be the murderer. If she didn’t give them some information, they’d either think she was hiding something or would judge her as the guilty party. She had nothing to hide, except the contents in her safe. And she was unequivocally innocent of murder.

“I was staying at hotel outside of Westport.”

Greg jerked his head toward her. “You don’t have to answer any questions. In fact, it’s better that you don’t.”

“What is the name of the hotel?” Larry asked.

Greg shook his head. As he clenched his jaw, she noticed a slight tick over his temple.

“The West End,” she said.

Larry swung his arm and snapped his fingers near James. “That’s the one off the interstate that opened up last year, right?”

James looked at Alexi as if he wanted her to answer.

“It’s off the interstate,” she said.

“When did you check in?” James asked.

“I honestly don’t know. It was early in the morning.”

James threaded his fingers together and held his hands in his lap. “Had you fed before you checked into the hotel?”

Both men watched her closely. She looked up at Greg. He mouthed, “Don’t.”

“No,” she answered, and Greg closed his eyes for a brief moment. She wanted to prove she had nothing to hide. So what, she hadn’t fed before she checked into her room. It only showed she was hungry. If she’d fed, wouldn’t that incriminate her? Unless she checked in early and had time to go out and hunt. Damn, she wished she’d looked at the time when she arrived at the hotel.

“How long did you stay at the hotel before going out?” James asked.

“I never went out after I checked in.”

“You were weak and hadn’t fed before you checked in. And you stayed inside for…”

Greg moved toward her with one of his palms facing her. “I strongly encourage you not to answer.”

“They can check the records.”

“Then let them, and don’t say anything more until they have charges to press. Their job is to investigate. You’ve given them plenty.”

Worry reflected in his eyes and frustration came through clearly in his tone. While his tense body stood close, Alexi heard his infused heart. Maybe he was right. Give them time to investigate so she and Greg could focus on getting her safe back.

“You can find your answer in the hotel records. I’m sure they have video recordings too.”

The two detectives exchanged glances.

“Have you fed from humans recently, Ms. Cartwright?” James asked.

“I decline to answer under the advice of my attorney.”

Greg gave her a reassuring nod, but it did little to comfort her.

“I guess we can go,” Larry said, then stood.

James followed his partner’s lead, then stepped around the coffee table. “Is there any more information you can provide us, Ms. Cartwright?”

“Not at this time.” Part of her wanted to be straightforward and share everything, but Greg wanted her to stay mum. She had no reason to doubt him, and every reason to believe he’d given her good advice.

Larry headed for the door with James in tow. Alexi walked next to Greg a few steps behind the men. The werewolf stopped abruptly and looked at Alexi. “Can I ask…did you move here by yourself?”

She found no reason not to answer such an easy question. “Yes, I came here alone.”

“Where did you move from?”

Sneaky werewolf wouldn’t stop.

“Chicago.”

Greg stepped toward the men and extended his arm toward the door. “I think you’ve asked my client enough questions tonight.”

Larry and James continued toward the exit. As Larry opened the door and left, James stopped in the entryway. “I don’t know if you are aware of this, but a sample of blood was taken from the carpet. According to the burglary report, Ms. Cartwright hit her head and the blood is hers. If her DNA matches with the blood we find from the victims–”

“I’ll expect to hear about a warrant for her arrest,” Greg said.

James stared coldly at him. “Yes.”

“Good evening, Detective,” Greg said as he reached for the door behind the werewolf.

James stepped outside and came to a halt again. “Your neighbor, Mr. Sullivan, claims his dog was last seen around Ms. Cartwright’s house. He’s very interested in retrieving his pet.”

“We’ll keep an eye open for it,” Greg said.

“Take care,” James said with a wave of his hand.

Shortly after Greg shut the door, she buried her face into her hands. The world around her seemed to be spinning out of control. One minute she was happy, moving into her new home where she’d thought she’d fit in. Then, some damn werewolves rob her. A man, her neighbor no less, came to help her with pure intentions and she has the best night she’s had in decades. No, make that close to two centuries. Her world had started to look better until detectives questioned her about two murders. What could go wrong next?

A warm hand touched her shoulder. “Hey.”

Alexi looked up to find Greg smiling, but he couldn’t hide his concern.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said.

She lowered her arms. “I don’t kill people. I made a mistake once when I was under my maker’s control, but that was it. I’m not a murderer.”

“I know. You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“This couldn’t have come at a worse time.”

He chuckled lightheartedly. “Yeah, I would agree with that.”

Shaking her head, she said, “I never would’ve thought this could happen to me. In all my years, I’ve never run into this much trouble.”

“Lucky for you, I can help, and I will. I know the laws extensively.”

His strong words sounded convincing. She had every reason to believe he would help her. But for what price? Yes, he seemed to have a pure heart and honorable intentions, but she truly didn’t know him well enough. After his comment in the car about financial tips, she couldn’t be certain he wasn’t a one hundred percent moral man. Only time would reveal the truth.

“I think you should go home,” she said.

He breathed in deeply. “You’re concerned. That’s understandable.”

“I need time to think, and I have work to do.”

Greg took a step back and stared at her as if he were pondering what to say next.

“Thanks for the date. It was fun.” She reached for the door and opened it.

After a deep sigh, he moved toward her and gave her a kiss. For several seconds, he kept his strong lips pressed to hers. His warm touch comforted her, and sparked a need within her. But she wouldn’t allow it to rise. She placed her hand over his heart and gently nudged him.

“If you want to talk, call me or come over,” Greg said. “Or I can come over.”

She nodded, then he quietly left.

Greg stepped down from her porch and stopped before he reached the end of the pathway. “I’ll call you tomorrow after I get an update from the police.”

“That will be fine. Thank you.”

As he walked away, she closed the door and locked it.

Alexi stretched her neck to loosen it as she headed for the kitchen. Her night out had been spectacular, but now she needed to get back to business. Without a doubt, the forensics team had left a mess behind and she wanted her house clean before sunrise, which meant she had work to do.

Two steps into the room, she stopped. She stared at her patio door and couldn’t believe what she saw. The glass didn’t have a hole. She moved closer and took note of the bar at the bottom and across the center. Did Greg replace her patio door while she was gone?

She studied the glass and floor. Both were spotless. Not a single fingerprint or track remained. If he had cleaned her house, she wondered if he had the carpet treated too to remove the stain.

A sudden rush propelled her toward the basement door. She swung the door open, then skipped down the stairs. As she had suspected, the stain was gone. She stopped on the last step and surveyed the area of the carpet where the blood had been. The room smelled of shampoo and boxes. She really needed to finish unpacking. Pushing that thought aside for later, she smiled in awe of Greg. He’d replaced her patio door and had her carpet cleaned. He’d said he had a surprise for her, and perhaps this was it. The man amazed her with his loving heart and soul. Okay, and body too.

But was there more to him? Perhaps there was something hidden she had yet to discover. In the little time she’d known him, she simply couldn’t be sure. Time would tell, and she had plenty of time to discover the truth. Deep in her unbeating heart, she hoped he was the real deal.