He dressed quickly, grabbed the note in the plastic bag from the coffee table and then left the shanty. He would have left her a note but he didn’t know where to find paper or a pen.
It felt a little boorish after the night they had shared just to sneak off in dawn’s early light. He would definitely call her later when she would be up and around.
Shock and awe rode with him as he headed back to his house. The shock came from the fact that she’d pulled him into her bedroom and made love with him. The whole thing had been sounexpected, and he was shocked by how easily he’d capitulated to his own desire for her.
The awe came from the fact that she’d been an amazing lover. She’d been passionate and giving and everything he would want in a partner. But of course, she wasn’t his partner. She’d made it very clear that what they had shared really meant nothing to her except for a single night of pleasure.
He wasn’t just drawn to her physically. He admired her inner strength and how she was facing the danger that surrounded her. He enjoyed her sense of humor and how easy their conversations were.
He was even more intrigued by her than ever. She’d said she hadn’t been with anyone in a long time. So, why now? Why him? He had a feeling that some man had hurt her badly. He had a good idea it wasn’t George, so had it been Jason Webber? Or another man altogether?
Had she decided to make love to him to make sure he stayed focused on her cases? Had she really wanted him or had she merely wanted to make sure he remained working hard for her?
These questions continued to whirl through his head when he reached his home. He immediately headed upstairs for a shower and after that he pulled on a clean uniform.
Chief of Police Daniel LeCroix was back on duty. It was time to stop thinking about the night that had passed and the woman who intrigued him. It was time to focus on the two crimes he was desperate to solve.
“Morning, Gus,” he greeted the officer at the reception desk.
“Back at you, boss,” George replied. “You’re here early.”
“I woke up a little early this morning and decided to come on in. If there’s nothing you need to talk to me about, I’ll just be in my office.”
“I got nothing except to tell you the coffee is fresh in the break room. I made a new pot about twenty minutes ago, so you’d better get it while it’s good.”
“Good to know. Thanks, Gus.”
Daniel headed down the hallway but before he reached his office, he turned into the break room, where the scent of the rich coffee filled the air.
The room was just big enough to hold two round tables, a counter with a small sink and two vending machines. One offered sodas, juices and water and the other one had everything from nuts to sweet rolls and candy bars.
He walked over to the coffee machine and grabbed one of the foam cups that were stacked up next to it. He filled it with the fresh brew and then continued on to his office.
He sank down in his chair and turned on his computer. As he waited for it to load, he sipped the coffee and tried not to think about the night with Angelique. But it was difficult. Despite his shower, he could imagine he still smelled her scent on his skin. He still remembered the feel of her soft skin beneath his touch.
Once his computer was up and running, he checked his official email and was pleased to see the warrant he needed to search Charles Landry’s home. He printed it off and then set it aside to take with him when it got a little bit later.
That would be the next step in the investigation of Mystique’s murder, but in the case of the attack on Angelique he had no place to go, no next step to take. He could only hope that with more thought, she’d be able to remember somebody from her past that might have a beef with her.
In the meantime, he’d wait for Luke and Clay to arrive at work, and then they’d execute the search warrant on Landry’s place. He hoped they would find something there that would incriminate him in Mystique’s murder.
To begin his day, he needed to read the reports from his officers on what had happened in the past twelve hours around town. Mystique’s murder and Angelique’s attempted murder weren’t the only crimes that occurred in the small town.
A shoplifter had been arrested at the convenience store and a break-in had happened at one of the houses just off Main Street. The robbers had gotten away with ninety dollars cash, a computer and a television that would probably show up at the pawnshop. Rob Brighton had been arrested for drunk and disorderly outside the Voodoo Lounge.
It wasn’t the first time the thirty-year-old plumber had been arrested for that offense. Rob was a great guy when he was sober, but when he drank too much he got mouthy and picked fights.
Not for the first time, Daniel thanked his lucky stars that the officers on the small police force were all good at their jobs. They could take care of these kinds of things, leaving Daniel to remain focused on the Santori cases.
It was eight o’clock when Daniel, Luke and Clay prepared to go to the Landry home for the search. He also tapped Officers Sam Summers and Roger Teasdale to go with them.
They took off in two cars and headed to the Landry home. Daniel knew Charles Landry had made a small fortune in the stock market. He also owned a textile business that was quite successful. The man was wealthy and yet had needed a love spell cast to help out his romantic life. Unfortunately, the love spell hadn’t worked. Had that turned Charles Landry into a killer?
His home was the largest one on Cypress Street. It was a large, two-story painted white with green trim. They pulled up in the double driveway and parked and then got out of the cars.
“I don’t expect any trouble, but it’s important we be ready for anything,” Daniel said before they approached the front door.There was no telling what a murder suspect might do in the name of self-preservation.
“We’re ready, Chief,” Sam replied. The others murmured their agreement.
