I Kissed a Dog

chapter 54

We were nearing the outskirts of Plum Beach. I rested a hand on Zane’s thigh. My thoughts continued to drift to last night. I’d never felt so cherished, so loved. So sore.

We’d spent the remaining hours until dawn exploring every inch of each other. I hadn’t realized my body could twist and turn into so many positions. I felt like a very happy human pretzel. And I couldn’t wait to do it all over again, sore or not.

Zane was right. Had we made love in Vegas, I would have remembered. He was unforgettable, and I knew without a doubt that he felt the same about me.

“Five more miles,” he stated, breaking the companionable silence.

Grumpily, I groaned, “Five miles too soon.” I wanted to grab the steering wheel and insist that we reverse course, heading back to our lakeside hideaway.

Reading my thoughts, he laughed, “Princess, we have a bed, counter, floor, and any number of potential places at home for me to ravage you. I’m flexible.”

“That you are,” I agreed, squeezing his leg and picturing the tree house on the property. Hum … interesting location.

“What now,” he muttered, his attention diverted to something in the rearview mirror.

Curious to view the object of frustration, I twisted around to see what was behind us.

A charge of adrenaline fired a fresh dose of unwanted anxiety when I spotted the police car. I’d gone from calm to climbing the walls in two seconds flat. Probably because our last interaction with law enforcement, more specifically, Agent Green, hadn’t gone so well. His unveiled threats were resurrected as the flashing lights indicated the necessity of pulling over.

I was relieved to see Officer Tate approach the car. Agent Green was nowhere in sight.

Zane already had the window down and was reaching for his license.

“I’d like both of you to exit vehicle,” he said all business.

“Officer Tate,” I greeted him with a little wave. “Please tell me he wasn’t speeding again.”

“Ms. Carpenter … pardon me, Mrs. Marshall, could you please exit the car with your hands up?”

Zane was standing beside the overweight officer before I could get my door open.

“What’s this about?” Zane squared his shoulders, sending a don’t mess with me or mine message loud and clear.

Officer Tate scanned the area. “I’m sorry, you two, but I don’t have any choice.”

I made my way around the car and stopped next to Zane, puzzled by the normally friendly police officer’s strange requests. “Is every okay? How’s Barney?” I asked, hoping to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand.

“I’m sorry, Chloe, but I have to bring you in for questioning. In fact, you’re under arrest for the murders of …”

I didn’t hear a word he said after “under arrest.” He clamped the handcuffs around my wrists, apologizing in the process. He recited my rights and escorted me to his cruiser.

Zane, who remained at my side, had grown quiet. This is all wrong, Chloe. I can smell his fear and uncertainty. I’ll contact the pack’s lawyers and will bail you out as soon as they process you, okay? Be strong, baby. We’ll be back together by bedtime.

Wishing I could believe it would be that simple, I allowed Officer Tate to guide me into the back, where I was left to stare at the divider that kept me separated from any front seat passengers.

I pressed my face against the side window, my nose touching the glass. Zane followed my example, imploring me with his eyes to stay strong and trust him. I nodded, hoping to reassure him.

Zane, I love you. Please, get me out of here, after you meet with the others. We have to secure the coins and stop Martin.

Stop worrying about everyone else. I’m the pack leader now. I have more resources than you can imagine. My first priority is you. Make sure to send me updates once you arrive. At least we can communicate this way. He pointed at his head.

Knowing I could stay in touch with Zane and the others via mind messages was the one thing keeping me from succumbing to hysterics.

I heard Officer Tate apologize again to Zane, assuring him he’d do his very best to take care of me, and not to worry because the Plum Beach City Jail was small and safe, and clean in comparison to other locations.

I guessed I should be glad. A clean jail was better than the alternative.

Officer Tate slid into the driver’s seat and adjusted his rearview mirror in order to observe me better. “Chloe, I’m out of line saying this, and I’ll deny it if asked, but I know you didn’t do this. But that bastard, Agent Green, has managed to collect some pretty compelling evidence implicating you as a key participant in the murders.”

I gasped. What could Agent Green possibly have to use against me? I’d sent the one piece of evidence that would lead to Jazmine.

Leaning forward, I prayed Officer Tate would remember how I saved his dog and answer one question for me. “Can you tell me, please, what in the world does he have on me? I promise I won’t say anything. I just don’t want to be blindsided.”

He nodded and gave me an answer I wasn’t prepared to hear, “He found a wig. A woman’s red wig with your prints all over it. He remembered your comments at Will’s house about seeing a woman with red hair. You’re the one who mentioned the redheaded female. He doesn’t believe you have any ability to communicate with animals.”

“How …?” I shook my head, overwhelmed by the implications. “I sent that wig. It was supposed to be delivered to you or Detective Davis.”

Valamir — of course — he must be working with Agent Green, who was indebted to Jazmine and her crew in some screwed up way. Like everyone else, the twisted agent wanted me out of the picture so he could focus on finding the coins and discrediting everyone I knew. That way he wouldn’t have to worry about us spoiling his plans.

I needed to inform Zane of my vow to Valamir. I’d have to wait, though; we were pulling into the station, where an onslaught of news reporters hovered like they were waiting for some Hollywood celebrity.

Cameras spun toward the police car; hands with microphones extended my direction.

Dear God, they were waiting for me.

So was a leering Agent Green, along with my parents, Melanie and Luke.

My best night had just turned into my worst day ever.

“Did you kill your coworkers? We heard you hated Rhonda, is that true?” one reporter shouted over the other clamoring voices.

Coworkers, as in more than Will? Rhonda? What was he saying? Was Rhonda dead too? This was way too much information for me to process.

Lowering my head, and refusing to make eye contact with anyone, friend or foe, I allowed myself to be hustled into the station. When my cell door slammed behind me, I called for Zane, hurling a mental fastball his way.

A vicious pain knifed through my forehead, piercing my mind. It was if my message had bounced back, refusing to transmit.

It was then realized my worst fear had come to pass.

Agent Green had somehow erected a magic-borne barrier, efficient enough to keep me from communicating with anyone.

He’d skewered my lifeline.

The shrewd agent believed my powers were real. He’d known all along and had made arrangements to ensure I couldn’t rely on them.

Unsure what else to do, I wept.

Once I released all my tears, I would do what any other innocent person held unjustly by a psychotic, unidentified, supernatural creature would do.

Break out and prove my innocence.