For now.
After the packexited the Volk property, Mia headed to her cottage, promising Seth she’d be safe.They still had a killer, maybe more than one, out there. The Barnby brothers were on the run, and Ruby’s and Mandy’s murderer was still close. She had to do her job and find the psychopath who’d taken their young lives. She knew, without a doubt, that Seth wasn’t the murderer.
What about Erik?
After a hot shower, she strode into the kitchen of her cottage to see her mom and Dotty waiting for her at the kitchen table. “I’m sorry things have been so crazy lately,” she said, accepting the cup of coffee from her aunt.
“Romance will do that,” Dotty said dreamily.
Romance? Right. That word didn’t come close to describing Mia’s current situation. She was mated to a wolf, which was stronger than any marriage, but they’d only publicly been on one date. Blending her human and now wolf worlds would take some time, and gut instinct told her that Seth wasn’t the patient type when it came to her. “Hmm.” She took a seat.
Her mom rolled her eyes. “We know you’re with Seth, and while it’s fast, I can’t really judge.” The woman had been married multiple times. “But you shouldn’t get too serious until he makes some type of commitment.”
Mia coughed into her coffee cup, barely keeping the liquid from coming back up. Did a deep bite and partial immortality count as a commitment? “I’ll keep that in mind,” she agreed.
“How are the cases going? I was so sorry to hear about Benjamin Volk,” Dotty said, twirling her mug in her bony hands. “His death was announced in the paper this morning.”
“Not good,” Mia admitted. “I know who killed Ben, but they’re on the run. I still have no idea who killed the young women.” Her mind reeled. She was missing something. A piece to the entire puzzle didn’t fit, but she couldn’t quite figure it out. What was it? The thought nagged at the back of her brain, scratching her.
Gena looked her over. “At least the flu is gone. You’re glowing.” She sighed. “Young love. There’s nothing like it.”
Love. Mia sipped her coffee. While she’d made light of Seth’s veiled threats earlier, she was aware that he’d meant every word. She wasn’t a woman who kept herself safe at all costs. She was a cop, and she hunted predators—or at least she had until she left the Bureau.
Who was she now? Well, she was still hunting killers, at least for the time being. She stood. “I have to get to work. Are you two doing all right?”
“Yep. We’ve joined a Mah Jong club in town,” Gena said proudly. “We’re both getting out in the world. Slowly.”
Mia paused. “Oh, Mom. That’s fantastic.” Were things really getting better? Maybe moving to the cabin by the lake had been the best thing they all could’ve done. But now, they had to leave. Or at least, she did. They were just getting settled in. “I’m proud of you both.”
Dotty hitched her bulk back in the chair. “Get to work, Mia El. You have killers to catch.”
True statement. Mia suited up with her gun and badass boots, taking her car to the hospital. The smaller Glock felt solid against her ankle.
She had to wind through several hallways to find the woman, but finally she walked into Alice’s room.
The woman sat up in bed, eating what looked like pistachio pudding. Bandages covered her neck and part of her arm, and the swelling on her face had already gone down. Her eyes were vacant, and she ate robotically.
Mia walked inside and handed over a flowering plant she’d purchased at the small hospital gift shop. “You look like you’re healing quickly.”
Alice jolted and then set down the pudding, her gaze on the plant. “Thank you.”
Mia sat in the one guest chair, its leather already soft from what appeared to be years of use. “I wanted to run you through the night again.”
Alice sighed and looked at the white blanket covering her. “I told you everything.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “Benjamin…he was so brave. Even though he was injured, he tried to save us. To fight.” Her nails shredded the cotton. “It wasn’t fair. He could’ve easily taken both Barnbys just a week later. They knew that. They struck when he was down. Cowards.”
Mia nodded. “I agree.” She sat back and studied the woman. Wolves healed faster than humans. Something to look forward to—if she gained that ability. “How did they get in the house?”
Alice pursed her lips as if remembering. “They rang the doorbell. Jay answered it, like usual, and I heard a fight. Then the firing of a gun.” She lowered her voice. “Seth came to visit me here earlier and confirmed the bullets were silver. The coroner in town is one of ours, unlike the one in Seattle.”
That explained how easily Seth had thought he could get Ben’s body for the ceremony tonight. Mia patted Alice’s hand, stopping the ruination of the blanket. “I figured.” The bloody mess stuck in her head. “They really fought first, though. Why didn’t the Barnbys just shoot you all?”
“Wolves like a good fight.” Alice sighed, putting her head back. “Bastards thought they could take me out without silver. Or…” Her voice lowered and saddened. “The pricks just didn’t want to waste the bullets on me.” She looked at the bandages. “There was a time I could’ve taken both of them without any help. So long ago. Getting older sucks.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “Although, Frank…he said something. Something weird.”
“What?” Mia leaned forward, her interest piqued.
Alice shook her head, her gaze searching. “What was it? Something that stuck with me.” She breathed out and closed her eyes. “Something about women and necks. About shutting us up for good.” She swallowed, her eyes opening again. “I don’t know. It just struck me as odd.”
Mia nodded, her mind spinning with the new information. “Agreed. Do you think Frank knew either Mandy or Ruby?” There was no doubt that the silver through the throat had stopped all sound for the female victims. Had Ruby’s death merely been one of opportunity? And Mandy’s because she’d discovered something?
