Chapter 17

Sheriff’s Department

Wednesday 9:00 a.m.

The following week, with a little help from higher-ups, they started receiving images from the traffic cameras. Killian was halfway through the first one when a jaw popping yawn had him pressing pause and taking another drink of coffee.

“You look like you’ve been ridden hard and put away wet.” Rusty dropped a box from Paula’s Pastries on the desk.

Killian moaned when the yeasty smell hit and reached for a fresh sweet roll.

“By the way,” Rusty pushed Killian’s hand aside to snag a chocolate confection. “Paula sends her love.”

His sing-songy style meant to imitate the pastry shop owner, had an image of the petite sexagenarian forming in Killian’s head. “Did she send extra frosting for me?”

Rusty fished a small container out of his pocket. “You’re such a child.”

“You’re just jealous,” Killian taunted, peeling off the lid and licking the frosting that had adhered to it. “Thanks, Mate.”

As the sugar combined with the caffeine he’d consumed worked their way through his system, Killian could feel his energy returning. “Anything new?”

“I have a call to make and then, maybe.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?”

Rusty flipped him off and left the office, presumably to make his phone call.

While he was gone, Killian continued zipping through the footage. “Bloody hell,” he snapped, after coming up blank.

“Nothing new?” Rusty slid into his desk chair.

“No.”

“Wrong camera angles?” Rusty guessed, “or poor quality?

“Neither,” Killian twisted his chair around to face his partner. “It’s location.” He hesitated several seconds, “It’s as if our killer knows where the cameras are and which way they face.”

Rusty nodded in understanding, “That makes sense, but …” He pulled a small notebook from his pocket and flipped to a page.

“What?”

“Hold your horses,” Rusty groused, “I’m looking. Here,” he pointed excitedly, “Shawn Jackson. Turns out his neighbor, Krystal Salas, has a security camera attached to the front of her house.”

“Krystal Salas?”

“Swan’s Spirits,” Rusty reminded him. “Wears spandex, has high blonde hair and really high heels. Knows just as much about the comings and goings in this town as Sally.”

“And that’s saying something,” Killian nodded. “I’ve seen her around town.

“Don’t tell me she was another one of yours,” Rusty snorted.

“Wanker.”

“Nutter”

“Tosser.” However, knowing they could insult each other all day, Killian circled back. “Did you get the tape?”

Rusty shook his head, but held his hand up before Killian could explode, “She said she would email it to me sometime after noon today.”

“After noon?” Killian grunted. “Why the bloody hell do we have to wait? Can’t she just go to her computer and punch, beep, bip, boop and hit send?”

“Beep, bip, boop?” Rusty laughed. “What kind of gibberish is that?”

“Or whiskey, scotch, rum,” Killian countered. “We need those images.”

“She’ll come through.”

“Bloody hell, I hope she can be trusted. I hate that the dick who is doing this has gotten away with it for so long.”

“And it’s making you bloody frustrated.”

“Don’t be cheeky,” Killian scolded. Then his phone buzzed, and he switched directions. “Hello.”

“Killian, it’s Claudia Joyce. I finished my examination of the dog’s remains. Do you want a report, or can I just tell you?”

“You found something?”

Her answer had Killian’s pulse speeding up. “I’ll be right there.”

Veterinarian Clinic, Monday 4:00 p.m.

Ava had stayed four days and, while their relationship wasn’t perfect, it was better. They had spent most of their time in Emma’s apartment, cooking simple meals, and talking. It had been a cathartic time for both, and she’d even shown her mother the letter from her father. Her mother’s response had given her more food for thought, rather than the answers she craved.

“Emma, while some of your Grandfather Leo’s behaviors made me angry, I never doubted he loved me. But love to him had a different definition than what I wanted or needed. Would I be a different person had he been different? Possibly. But my health scare showed me I can’t change what’s happened, or go forward, unless I dig inside and let go of the negativity. Does that make sense?”

“So basically, what you’re saying is I’m in charge of my destiny?

“Yes,” her mother’s blue eyes held her attention. “Your father’s letter has given you an opening; the question is whether you’ll walk through.”

Yet a week after her mother’s departure, Emma still hadn’t decided what to do about her father. Between the clinic, worrying about the dog killer, and trying to make sense of the emotions inside of her, she’d almost come to the decision that one wayward parent was all she could handle. The fact her mother had shown up, forcing her to confront those ghosts was something she was thankful for, but the rest ….

The ringing phone saved her from making heavy decisions about one facet of her life. However, the pounding of her treacherous heart when she saw who it was, told her she wasn’t completely free.

“Hello,” she answered breathlessly.

“Good afternoon, Doc,” Killian’s melodious voice sent a little thrill through her system. “Busy?”

“Not right now. Why? What’s going on?”

She hadn’t seen much of him since he’d picked up Trudi and Nina, especially with her mother in town, but they’d texted daily. While his messages had served to keep her apprised of the investigation, she was pretty sure his goal was a little sneakier. And darn, if it didn’t work, as he’d popped into her mind over the last week more times than she wanted to admit.

Killian’s laugh was low and sexy, adding to the shivers working their way up and down her spine, “Why, Doctor Foster. Can’t a man just call to say hello?”

“That’s not something you would do.”

“I wouldn’t call you to just say hello?”

“No,” Emma chuckled at his confusion. “You’d send me a kitten picture or try to stump me with an animal fact first.”

“Oh.”

His succinct response was so unlike Killian, Emma felt the need to reassure him she enjoyed his unique style of communication. “I like your pictures, and you’ve not stumped me yet.”

“I’m glad, Doc, but …” he hesitated for several moments before continuing in a huskier voice. “Seems I’ve been remiss with how friends treat friends.”

“Killian,” Emma sighed, “it wasn’t a critique.”

“Maybe not, Doc, but I can be such a git sometimes. And as your friend, I plan to do better. Alright?”

Emma was sure he was saying something without saying it. “I would like that.”

His quick intake of air had her heart doing a mini-flip.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she replied, her heart racing.

“Good. I wondered,” he cleared his throat, “if you were available to meet me?”

“You need me?” Her stomach swirled. “Are you going to tell me why?”

Killian chuckled. “You sound suspicious, Doc. It’s important, trust me.”

“Another rescue mission, Killian?”

“You could say that,” he acknowledged. “I’ll text directions, alright?”

“Okay. What do I need to bring?”

“Your bag and a cage … or two.” And then his voice dropped an octave, “I’ll be waiting.”

“Damn that man and his sexy voice.” Emma slid into her boots and grabbed a coat before heading back down to the clinic to gather supplies.

On the way to meet Killian, she kept asking herself the same question. How was she to continue to ignore their connection when each new trait she uncovered made him more irresistible?

Tiny kittens turned him into a big marshmallow, and his Valentine’s Day gift had been thoughtful. He’d shown her several sides of Killian Reade, causing her to leave her cape off more and more. Even her mantra of no detours, Emma and remember the list, no longer worked. He kept creeping closer, pushing her to rethink her life … her goals. Making her wonder if a small-town veterinarian could someday have it all.

Her visceral reaction to the cocky Killian she had first met and spoke with at Molly’s party still surprised her. It had been strong and unexpected, sending her into a panic. But had the response been because some part of her knew he was a danger to her plans? And was she strong enough to heed her mother’s advice and grab tightly to Killian?

When she arrived, he was leaning against his car, and her body stood up and took notice. Her heart skipped a beat, dropped to the bottom of her stomach, then galloped back to lodge in her throat.

Killian started her direction, and his swagger was on full display, causing her mouth to water. Yum, she thought looking away to keep from moaning with pleasure.

“Everything okay, Doc?”

“Everything’s fine.” Emma took her time removing the keys and unfastening her seatbelt. It gave her racing heart time to slow down.

“Need some help?” Killian took her hand as she stepped from the clinic van. “This is much larger than that other vehicle you use to zip from one end of town to the other.”

“Hey.” Emma eased her hand from his and immediately noticed the loss of the current that had zipped up her arm. “Don’t make fun of Elli. She’s been a good friend for a lot of years.”

“Elli is,” his eyes twinkled, “short for Coccinellidae?”

“Very good, Investigator Reade,” she giggled. “One of the first texts you sent me.”

“Guess I should have expected your car would be named after a ladybug.”

“Perhaps. Are you ready to tell me what we’re rescuing?”

“A family.” Killian took her hand and led her away from their cars.

“A family?” Emma gave his hand a little tug. “Come on, Reade. You can do better than that.”

With her hand still in his, Killian allowed himself to breathe again. He couldn’t get over just how right it felt, holding it as they walked side by side. Something had changed since the last time they were together, and while he wondered what, he didn’t care.

“A family of Canis lupus familiaris,” he finally capitulated.

“Hmm,” Emma grinned, “so it’s a family of dogs?”

“Right.”

“But they aren’t in danger?”

“Detecting, Doctor Foster? You don’t trust me?”

“Oh, I trust you,” she assured him. “I’m just nosy.”

He laughed at her confession, completely charmed with her flirting.

“So …”

“Remember the night I picked up Trudi and Nina?”

“The night my mother showed up?”

“That’s right. I was on my way home and had to slam on the brakes when a white dog ran in front of the car.”

He left out the part about why he couldn’t go searching for the dog. Some things, after all, were better left ….

“Could you tell if the dog was running from anything?”

“It all happened so fast,” he answered, his thoughts going back to the dark night. “As soon as the dog disappeared, I was blinded by the headlights of an oncoming car.”

Her quick inhalation told him her thoughts had gone in the same direction as his. “You don’t think …”

Killian gently squeezed her fingers, acknowledging the unspoken conclusions, before moving on to something positive. “After that night several of us began actively looking for her and …”

“You got lucky?”

“Aye,” he agreed. She didn’t need to know that one of the other guys had found the dog and it had taken trading shifts to get where he was today. “I’m glad you were available, Doc. I tried to get closer, and the little dam wasn’t happy with me.”

“I bet. Mother dogs are quite protective.”

They walked in silence for several minutes before Killian spotted the broken branches. “There,” he whispered, and pointed toward a clump of bushes. “They’re in there.”

Emma slowly walked toward the nesting area where the mother dog was hiding. When she was about two feet away, a black nose appeared, followed by the same low growling he had been privy to earlier. Killian took a quick breath, ready to say something, but a frown from his dog whisperer had him biting his tongue as she took another step. This time, the sound from the bushes was lower, more menacing, causing him to rethink inviting Emma. He’d once wondered if it was a dog or a wolf? What if it wasn’t a dog? Wolves lived in Maine, didn’t they?

The growling grew louder, so sinister, fear rippled along his skin. The image of an animal flying from the bushes, aiming straight for Emma’s throat coalesced in his mind, becoming so realistic he blurted, “Emma, be careful.”

His voice, albeit soft, shattered the silence around them causing the animal to disappear back under the brush.

“Killian,” Emma took several steps away from the family, “you have to let me do this.”

“But …”

Emma stepped into his space, close enough for him to smell her unique fragrance. Near enough he could reach out and touch her. Her eyes begged him for trust.

“I’m okay.” She ran one hand down the lapel of his leather jacket, her touch settling his fears and raising awareness of another kind.

Killian’s heart raced and before he could second guess his actions, he had taken her hands and pulled her flush against his body. “Emma, what if it’s a wolf?” he murmured, resting his hands on her hips.

The corners of her eyes crinkled, “Is that what you’re worried about?”

“Well,” he peered around her toward the plants that were still rustling. “I didn’t get a good look when it ran in front of my car the other night.”

“Oh, Killian,” Emma grinned. “It’s not a wolf.

He gazed down into her green eyes and realized he was where he’d dreamed of being for months. “Emma,” he took a step closer, forcing her to lift her chin another notch to maintain eye contact. “How can you be so sure?”

Her eyes flared, her voice softened, “I just know.”

“And just how exactly,” he hesitated a heartbeat, “do you know?”

With every word, Killian leaned a little closer, until his lips hovered over hers. Their breaths mingled, and while he’d been this close before, he’d never had the pleasure of a taste.

He wanted to kiss her and had for weeks. But the first missed kiss had been because Leroy burst in, effectively breaking the spell. The second had been at the park after their talk. Except that time, it was Buster who’d gotten in the way.

Bloody hell, Reade, he silently shouted. You’re not why she’s here.

Killian pressed his molars together, feeling the little tic in his jaw start to jump. “I’m sorry, Doc.” He took a step back. “This wasn’t why I brought you here.”

The look of frustration on Emma’s face had to have mirrored his own. Timing, he kept thinking. Soon, he promised himself, very soon.

“You didn’t answer my question, Doc.” He swallowed. “How do you know it’s not a wolf? Don’t tell me you can discern the growl of a Canis lupus familiaris from a Canis lupus?”

Emma laughed, stepping back even farther, “No, nothing like that.”

“Then what?” Killian took a step toward where the animal was hidden, its growl beginning again. “That’s not the sound of a friendly sort.”

She placed her hand on his arm, whether it was meant to stop him from moving closer to the animal or to calm him, he wasn’t sure, “I saw her face, okay? Here.” The keys to her van were handed to him. “She’s a scared dog … terrier mix, maybe 25 pounds or so. Can you go back to the van and bring the large cage, the blue blanket, and a leash?”

“Be careful, Doc.” Killian gave her a small nod and left to do her bidding.

Once she was alone, Emma gradually eased closer to the mother dog. She hoped by the time Killian returned the dam would be accepting of help. That the momma was scared was a given, but her behavior was atypical of a stray. Was there a family close by looking for her?

“Here, Doc.”

Emma took the leash and, murmuring nonsense words, gently clipped it around the mother’s neck. “Now, let’s see those babies.”

The dog’s black eyes bore into hers for several seconds and then, as if deeming the human trustworthy, moved aside. Emma carefully reached into the nest, and one after another removed six puppies and lay them on the ground.

“Here,” Emma handed one puppy to Killian. “Let’s see if mom will come out of her hiding place.”

“It’s so small,” he whispered, holding the puppy as gently as he’d held the kittens.

“They’re not very old.” She murmured, positioning his hands so the momma dog could see her puppy. After several minutes of crooning and gently tugging on the leash, the larger dog began to move. And once she did, she didn’t stop until she’d determined all her puppies were safe.

Emma used her phone light to double check the brush. Once she ascertained there were no puppies left, Killian helped her transfer the family to the cage and carry them back to her van.

“They should be fine now.”

“You sure?” He frowned. “Maybe I should follow you back to the clinic and help you get them settled.”

“I’d like that,” she replied shyly. “Ready?”

On the drive back, Emma gave herself a stern lecture about what would transpire once inside. He’d made her giddy on the phone, and breathless when he’d offered to help. And when she’d been in his arms and he’d ….

“Focus!” she scolded, pulling the van into its parking place. “He’s just a man.” But watching him stroll toward her was causing the butterflies in her stomach to flutter. Had she made a mistake by inviting him to help?

Her question was answered when once they went inside, Killian was quiet and followed her directions. While he weighed the puppies, she bathed the mother. And since the older dog stood calmly while being washed, Emma surreptitiously studied Killian. Since the rescue, he’d been brooding about something. But what, she wasn’t sure.

“All done, Doc. Where should I put them?”

“Go head and put them in that bottom cage,” she nodded toward the one she meant, “and come hold the mom for me. I want to scan her for a chip.”

Her eyes kept drifting to Killian as he transferred the six puppies. He was just as careful and meticulous with them as he’d been with each kitten. A few soft words, a gentle rub against his jaw, and he’d place them into the cage. No wonder she had such trouble staying aloof. He drew her.

Once the puppies had been taken care of, Emma left Killian with the mother and went to get her microchip scanner. She wasn’t expecting anything, but there was something about the way the dog behaved with her that made her wonder...

“There now,” Emma heard Killian murmur, “don’t you feel a lot better?

The mother nudged his face and Emma’s heart flipped.

“Your puppies are doing well,” he continued. “You have three lads and three lasses. Did you know that?”

The murmured words had her knees feeling weak.

“Let’s see.” Emma stepped close and aimed the scanner over the dog, moving it around, until …. “Well, look at that.”

“What is it?” Killian’s eyes brightened when he saw the scanner. “Her name is Summer?”

“Yes,” Emma grinned. “I wonder where her family is.”

“And,” Killian added, “why Summer was running free?”

“Where’s your home, Summer?” Emma placed the dog in the cage with her litter.

The dog whined, a mournful sound making the hairs on Emma’s arms stand up, “What’s she trying to tell us?”

“I don’t know, Doc.” He wrapped an arm around her and drew her tighter against his side. “I promise you though, I’m going to find out.”

“I know you will. At least you saved Summer.”

“Emma, I …”

She placed a finger over his lips. “I don’t care what the reason was that kept you from going after her the night she ran in front of your car.”

The way his eyes skittered away from hers confirmed her suspicions there was more to the story.

“But, I …”

“What matters is that,” Emma nodded toward the puppies, “and the fact they’re safe from the sick person out there.”

Since arriving back at the clinic, Killian had been worrying about something, but Emma needed them to celebrate this victory.

“I know, but I,” he ran his hand through his hair, “I’m not quite the hero you’re making me out to be.”

“Maybe not,” her eyes twinkled, “but I do think it earns you a mark in the hero column.”

Killian smiled, one of those smiles that had a way of causing her heart to somersault and her knees to have to lock to keep her upright.

“It’s all about timing,” he murmured so softly, she got the feeling the conversation was no longer about the dogs.

“Agreed,” she swallowed, her throat suddenly parched. “How’s yours?”

How is my timing? Killian’s nerve endings were still singing from her closeness.

Since when had he cared about bloody timing? In the past, if he wanted, he took … until Violet. Then outwardly, he’d behaved the same. Until Emma.

“My timing?” His voice dropped, “It’s an area I’ve been working to develop some patience.”

“That’s ah …”

Their eyes locked, and Killian fought the urge to step forward …. The one of the puppies squeaked as it pushed its way closer to its mother’s warmth, interrupting the moment.

“Killian,” Emma grabbed hold of his arm, “tell me about Buster and the morgue.”

Wait! his thoughts bounced back from some invisible wall she’d just thrown up.

“What did you say?” he blurted, but then realized how he sounded. “Forgive me, Doc. That was rude. What I should have said was what brought on that question?”

“See that puppy?” Emma indicated the one she meant. “It’s coloring reminded me of Buster.”

He glanced at the little family then back to her with a resigned sigh, “What do you want to know?”

“Why take him to the morgue?” she asked the question he’d anticipated.

Killian knew she deserved answers, and that he could trust her. “Evidence,” he settled on. “We saw something stuck to Buster’s fur, and so …”

“Really?”

“Aye,” Killian barked, “our killer got out of the car and stood over that dog! Bloody hell, I want to know why!”

Once he wound down, he was embarrassed … frustrated he’d let his emotions get the better of him. Stupid move, Reade! “I’m sorry, Emma. I should go.” He grabbed his leather jacket and slipped it on before working up the nerve to look at her.

“Feel better?”

“Maybe.”

“You’ll find the answers, Killian.”

“I hope so. My patience is wearing thin.” In more areas than one, he couldn’t help but think.

Emma studied him as if she wanted to say more, but then turned to check on the dog family again and led the way from of the room. “Hungry?”

“Why?” he frowned, “are you wondering if that would tame the beast?

“No, I just wondered …” Emma’s eyes dropped from his to study a spot on the floor.

“What is it, Doc?” Killian placed a finger under her chin, tilting it up. “What did you wonder?”

“Well,” she took a deep breath, “I was going to make something easy to eat and watch the movie Grease. Interested?”

“One friend spending time with another,” he mused.

“Yeah … if you don’t have any plans.”

“I think Trudi and Nina will be alright for a few more hours, so … I’d like that.” He sounded like a breathless git but right then, he didn’t care.

“Good,” Emma started up the stairs toward her apartment, “follow me.”

Killian watched her hips sway as he climbed behind her. “Anywhere, Doc. Anywhere.”