Yeah, and she’d take an oath and then have to break it almost immediately. She knew what had happened to Pete and that more than half the town wasn’t human. If Seth got his way, none would be soon. Maybe then she’d consider taking the job; at least she wouldn’t have to lie. “Since I still work for the county, at least for another day, I need to head back to the office and make some calls.”
“Fine by me,” Seth said.
Perhaps the FBI could intercede and at least get her some information. She didn’t want to call Kurt, but he had reached out a few weeks ago about a couple of cases that might be related to this one, so maybe he’d help her out.
Their breakup had been fairly amicable. Of course, the FBI had fired her, and he’d chosen his job over their relationship. Still, that could be considered cordial as far as she was concerned, especially if he gave her information now. That could go either way. Her sinuses tickled, and she turned to the side to sneeze.
“That’s it.” Seth reached for her arm. “Let’s go. There’s no need for you to be in the rain.”
She turned toward the psychologist, consciously choosing to address him by the name he preferred. They’d met during the last murder case, although she couldn’t quite get a read on him. “Jeremiah, did any of the patients or staff inside the asylum see anything?”
Jeremiah shook his head. “No. The police tried to interview everybody, but this area isn’t visible by window, and the rear door is locked to everyone but staff. Nobody heard anything, either.” He hunched his shoulders against the wailing wind, ashes from his cigarette falling to the wet earth.
Seth partially pivoted to protect Mia, his broad body blocking the rain and wind. “Did the police talk to everyone?” he asked.
“Everyone who can talk,” Jeremiah admitted. “We have a few sedated patients, and I’ll question them tomorrow for you, Mia. If I discover helpful information that will be of assistance, I’ll let you know, of course.”
“Thank you,” she said. When had he decided to call her by her given name instead of her title? That was new, and by the tightening of Seth’s jaw, he didn’t like it. “I really appreciate any help you could give,” she murmured.
Jeremiah rubbed his jaw, briefly covering the cleft in the middle of his chin. “There have been too many murders in our little slice of the world, don’t you think, Seth?”
Was that accusatory? Mia swallowed and tried not to cough around her scratchy throat. “Thanks for your help, Jeremiah. I’ll be in touch.” Then, hunching her shoulders, she started to move toward the truck. She should’ve worn a heavier jacket.
Seth followed her and opened the passenger-side door, partially lifting her inside. His hands were heated, and the cut muscles across his chest shifted as he moved. “Are you all right?”
“It was one sneeze,” she snapped, trying not to be defensive.
His gaze was relentless and seemed to drive deep. He reached out and ran his index finger over the spot where her neck met her shoulder.
Lust shot straight from the bite to her core, nearly doubling her over. She glared.
His smile was a quick flash of teeth, and then he stepped back, shutting the door. She exhaled and tried to wipe her damp hands on her wet jeans.
The hold he had on her was frightening—and oddly seductive. How could she want to punch him and kiss him at the same time?
Soon, he sat inside and ignited the engine, driving away from the somber structure and place of death. “I’m trying to be as patient as I can figure out how to be, but I won’t allow you to push yourself again and get harmed. We have to figure out your health.”
She jerked. “Did you just sayallow?”
“I believe I did,” he said thoughtfully.
“I would truly hate to shoot you, Seth,” she stated, just as contemplatively.
His chuckle was low, and it shot butterflies through her abdomen.
Once she had her body somewhat under control, she turned toward him, letting the heat blast her and dry some of her clothing. “Could you get any idea of when the murder occurred?” As a wolf shifter, his senses were shockingly impressive.
He shook his head. “No, I just smelled death and blood and terror. I couldn’t give you a time estimate. It was recent, but that could be any time in the last couple of days. The last thing I want you to do is get involved with another murder right now.”
“I know, but I have to find the truth,” she murmured, looking out at the rain battering the truck. She didn’t have a sense of this murder yet, but everything inside her whispered that Delaney had had a partner. She’d felt it from day one in his case, and nobody had believed her. The evidence certainly hadn’t backed up her claims. All she had were her instincts, and now she doubted those. She’d trusted Pete, and she’d been wrong. Maybe she was wrong about this, too.
Seth wiped rain out of his hair. “TJ isn’t buying the story about Pete being killed in a hunting accident.”
“I know.” Mia gulped, shivering. “Could we please agree to call him Jeremiah? It’s his chosen name, and that’s how I met him.”
“Fine,” Seth said. “But only because you like it. He’ll always be TJ to me.”
Mia cocked her head. Jeremiah and his flock had staged several protests already about Pete’s death. “The body is gone, and so is any proof.” Pete had tried to kill Mia, and Seth had ripped him apart while in wolf form.
