Page 25 of Cooper’s Passion

Surprise registered on her face. “But why?”

“Like I said last night, when the police have a complicated case, they call us in. And we have a very capable physician and the facilities to examine dead bodies at Scanguards.” He motioned for her to follow him to the door that led down into the garage. “We’ll take my car.”

He took Anita’s hand, and together they went into the garage and got in his SUV. Moments later they were on their way to Scanguards’ headquarters building in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco.

On the short drive, Cooper called the medical center at Scanguards. He knew that Maya wouldn’t be there during daylight hours, when the clinic was staffed by trusted humans as well as vampire hybrids.

Buffy answered the phone. “Med center.”

“Hey, Buffy, it’s Cooper.”

“Hey, Coop. What do you need?”

“I’m coming in with a civilian who might be able to identify our Jane Doe.” Civilian was Scanguards’ code for a human who wasn’t aware of the existence of vampires. “Can you please make sure we can have access to the body right away?”

“Not a problem. I’ll get it ready for you. How far out are you?”

“About ten minutes.”

“See you shortly.”

“Thanks, Buffy.” He disconnected the call and looked at Anita. “You ready for this?”

She nodded.

“Did you know the missing woman personally?”

“I’ve seen Janet Fillmore at her store and spoken to her a few times. She owns a huge furniture store. And I know her husband. I’ve arrested him a couple of times for drunken disorderly conduct.”

“Given his brushes with the law, don’t you suspect him of having something to do with her disappearance?”

“No, he might be scrounging off his wife and living high on her money, but he also knows that if anything happens to her, his meal ticket is gone.”

Surprised, Cooper furrowed his forehead. “But wouldn’t he inherit her store?”

Anita shook her head. “No. The store’s in a family trust, and the way it was set up by Janet’s parents, is so only a blood relative will inherit. Guess her parents didn’t trust her to use good judgement when choosing a husband.”

“Yeah, when it comes to love, people throw all caution to the wind.” He gazed at her from the side. “There’s always the risk that you fall for somebody who’s not right for you. But without taking that risk, you might miss out on the person that’s perfect for you, even if there are obstacles to overcome.” And the obstacles he had to overcome to win Anita were monumental.

She turned her face to him. “We’re not talking about Janet anymore, are we?”

“No, we’re not.” He smiled at her before he concentrated on traffic again. “How come you’re still single? Or are all the men in Elko County blind?” When she didn’t immediately answer, he added, “I mean at least I hope you’re still single.”

* * *

“I wouldn’t have sleptwith you if I wasn’t,” Anita said, glancing back at him.

Cooper surprised her. He was so different from other men. More sincere. More approachable. She still couldn’t believe that he’d offered her to stay with him in his uncle’s house. Who did such a thing? What man invited a woman he’d had sex with for the first time, a woman he barely knew, to stay with him? Was he too good to be true? There had to be a catch somewhere. But so far, she hadn’t found one.

“I’m glad.”

“And you, are you still single?”

“Yes. I would never cheat on a woman once I’ve committed to her. I live by my parents’ example. They’re devoted to each other.”

How she would have loved to have parents like that. But even before her mother’s disappearance, she’d sensed that her parents’ marriage hadn’t always been a happy one. And as a deputy, she’d been called to plenty of domestic disturbances and seen the state of people’s relationships.

“How long have they been together?”