Her heart warmed. How could she deny the request? Seth had done nothing but trust and protect her since they’d first met. She owed him that much. “I won’t do anything until I hear from you.”
He kissed her and returned to the truck, where they spun out and furiously drove away. Now they were heading out to take care of another pain-in-the-butt Barnby. She really didn’t understand this new world. Yet what if Barnby didn’t do it? No doubt everyone had already heard about the altercation between Seth and Frank, and they probably knew that she’d brought Frank in for questioning. His brother would make a good fall guy for some killer, and it seemed like intrigue surrounded the wolf world. Different packs, different alliances, different coalitions. Evidence mattered.
Weakness trembled down her legs. Her head spun. When would the transition be finished? She leaned against the side of the cabin and sucked in several deep breaths. Cramps attacked her stomach.
A car engine echoed from around the bend. She straightened.
Pete’s police Mustang emerged through the trees and rolled to a stop.
She opened the passenger side door and jumped inside, slamming it. She could trust Seth and still make sure he didn’t make a colossal mistake and kill the wrong guy. “Do you know where the Barnbys live?”
Pete scratched his chin. “Sure. They have a family ranch about five miles out. Why?”
Loyalties clashed. Her mind spun. Well, wolf mating or not, she was a cop. “One might’ve shot Ben Volk last night, and the Volk boys are headed his way.”
Pete stilled. “Ben was shot? Where is he?”
“Recuperating at home. Their doctor is taking care of him.” Well, that was true. “The housekeeper said that Fred Barnby probably shot him.” That was also true. Maybe balancing the two worlds wouldn’t be so difficult. “I think she saw him on the property but did not see him actually shoot. I was hoping you’d make this my case.”
Pete freed his phone from his pocket. “Doc’s good. If he says Ben doesn’t need the hospital, then he doesn't. And, sure. It’s your case.” He speed-dialed a number. “It’s Pete. The youngest Barnby was heading down to bail out his brother. Keep them both at the station for questioning. I don’t care what reason you give them. Call me back when you get this message.” He hung up the phone and started the ignition. “I hate that answering machine, but we just don’t have enough employees.”
Mia started to breathe evenly, even though her muscles still contracted from the mating. “Barnby’s brother was heading to the station?”
“Yeah.”
So Seth and Erik wouldn’t find the guy at home. Good. Her shoulders relaxed into the leather. “To the station, then?”
Pete frowned. “No. We’re interviewing Eddy Johnson today, remember? The doctors made him lucid, just for us. One-shot deal.”
Oh, yeah. She’d completely forgotten about Ruby’s and Mandy’s cases. What was wrong with her? “Of course, I remember. Geez. I’m ready for the interview.”
Pete cut her a look. “Uh-huh. So tell me about Ben Volk getting shot.”
The trees sped by outside until they merged onto the interstate, and Mia gave the details she could about the case.
Pete eyed the GPS set into the dash. “Any chance the shooting is related to our current case? I mean, there hasn’t been a murder in Lost Lake for decades, and now there are two murders and an attempted murder?”
“Maybe.” Of course, Pete didn’t know about the wolf dynamics and what taking down the Alpha could mean. But as a cop, she couldn’t overlook the possibility. Also, the fact that Ruby had been meeting with an informant kept sticking in Mia’s head. Just what kind of intrigue was she dealing with here?
Pete exited the freeway and headed along breezy meadows to the north. “What about Seth and Erik? Where were they when their dad was shot?”
Mia stiffened. “They, uh, wouldn’t talk without their attorney.” Yeah, it was a complete lie. Seth had been in her bed. But where was Erik when someone shot Ben? If he’d wanted to shoot his father, he’d know exactly who to frame. Alice had said that she smelled Fred Barnby, but what if she’d been lying to help Erik? If he were to be the new Alpha, she’d no doubt give her loyalty to him. Seth hadn’t mentioned smelling anyone in particular.
“They inherit a bundle if Ben dies.” Pete leaned forward to peer at the darkening sky. “I still like one of them for Ruby’s murder…and Erik doesn’t have an alibi for Mandy’s. It seems so odd that the girls were killed just like Mrs. Volk. Too much of a coincidence.”
As a profiler, Mia had to agree with that premise. “You think Erik is killing women in the same way his mother was murdered?” Creepy but possible.
“Maybe Erik is nuts. Don’t psychotic serial killers do weird stuff like that? Or maybe he and Seth are working together. What’s going on with you and Seth, anyway?” Pete asked.
Mia coughed. “What do you mean?”
“Come on. I’m a cop, remember?” Pete turned the vehicle down a newly asphalted drive lined by tall pine trees.
“Nothing is going on.”
“Okay.” Pete shrugged. “Just be careful. That man is dangerous.”
If he only knew.
