Cyrus (6 page)

“I need to shower, get some coffee. How about an hour?” I glanced at the stairs, hating to leave Claire, but there was no choice. Two women who’d hired me were in danger.

“I can work with that.” Chase ended the call, and I reached for the coffee pot.

Five minutes later, I was upstairs waking Claire and then loving every inch of her in the shower.

***

C
hase made a show of glancing at his watch right after I walked into Melinda’s house. “Looks like your hour turned into almost two. What the hell were you doing?”

“None of your business.” I brushed past him and strode into the back of the house to the sunroom, where I knew Melinda would be waiting.

I found her and Katrina each holding mugs of coffee while they huddled together on the loveseat, sharing a blanket. I sat across from them on the coffee table and clasped my hands together. “Want to tell me what happened?”

Katrina averted her eyes and turned her head, hiding the fading yellow bruise beneath her eye that had been black a week ago.

“That bastard almost got in,” Melinda said. “The flood lights didn’t come on and the alarm didn’t go off when he broke the window in the guest room. What kind of security place are you running when a window is broken and the alarm doesn’t go off? If the dog hadn’t scared him off, who knows what would’ve happened.”

I turned and eyed her small shih tzu. The tiny thing was curled up in her dog bed, snoring softly. “Peaches scared him off? I thought you used your panic button?” The dog couldn’t have been more than twelve pounds and wore a dog dress and a bow in her hair.

“Peaches is vicious when she’s upset. She got to him first, and then I hit the button.” Melinda held a hand out to the little dog. “Come here, sweet girl. Give mama loves.”

The dog continued to snore.

“She’s worn out after her excitement.”

“I can see that,” I said, making no effort to hide my sarcasm as I stood and motioned to Chase.

“Where are you going?” Melinda demanded.

“To inspect the property. No one short of a security expert should’ve been able to get past our systems.” I glanced at Katrina. “You said your ex is a delivery driver, right?”

She nodded. “He doesn’t know anything about anything except beer and gambling. The only thing he cares about is poker night with his buddies.”

“I see.” I frowned. A delivery guy who spent his time hanging out with his buddies wouldn’t be likely to know anything about security systems. Though one never knew what kind of friends he played poker with. They could be anything from high stakes players to card sharks.

Chase walked over to Katrina and kneeled in front of her. “It would help if you gave us a few more details about him. His background check was lacking in information.”

She pierced him with her dark gaze. “What exactly is it you want to know?”

Chase turned his attention to her bruised eye, and his shoulders tensed as he gestured to his own. “He did that to you?”

“I didn’t do it to myself,” she said flatly.

“Bastard,” he spit out.

“More like coward,” Katrina said and turned to look out the window. “He couldn’t stand the fact that I wanted to leave.”

“Is this the first time you’ve tried?” Chase asked gently.

She jerked her head back and stared him in the eye. “Yes. It’s also the first time he’s ever struck me, so stop looking at me like I’m some sad victim.” She pushed the blanket off and stood. “I don’t know what’s going on with him, but he’s had a personality change recently, and that was the reason I was leaving. No one deserves to live with someone who’s angry all the time. Only now he’s upped the stakes by using his fists, and all I want is for him to go away and leave me alone so I can get on with my life.”

Admiration filtered over Chase’s expression as he watched her. I’d already learned that she was tough as nails and wasn’t taking shit off anyone. In a way her attitude wasn’t that different than Melinda’s, but they expressed it in very different ways.

“Anything else I can do to help you with your job, Mr. Doucet?”

Chase’s expression went blank as he jerked back, likely surprised by her sudden jab. “Not right this moment, but if I think of something I’ll let you know.”

She nodded, grabbed her mug, and with her head held high, she disappeared into the other room.

“She’s a little touchy,” Melinda said in a hushed tone.

“I can’t say I blame her.” Chase straightened and met my eyes. “Ready to take a look at the damage?”

“Sure.” I cast a glance at Melinda. “We’ll be right outside if you need anything.”

She waved one perfectly manicured hand. “I’m sure with you two prowling around the grounds, no one will be stupid enough to bother us girls.”

Shaking my head at her apparent lack of concern, I followed Chase outside and over to the electrical box.

He pointed. “The wires have been cut. But only the ones for the security system. Nothing else. Whoever did this knew what they were looking at.”

I crouched down and studied the snipped wires. He was right. A pro had been here. The lock on the box had been picked, leaving it perfectly intact, and the wires had been cleanly cut. Neither the box nor the system had been damaged in any other way.

“And what about the window?” I asked Chase.

“Also professional.” He jerked his head and I followed him around the corner. “It was scored before they broke it using a crowbar.”

“Surveillance?” I asked. 

“We got them on video. It was two guys, but they both wore ski masks.”

“And they took off when Melinda hit the panic button?” I studied the ground, looking for any clues they may have left.

“That’s what she said. Unless you want to give that dog credit.” He gave me a wry grin.

“Yeah, I doubt it.” Everything about the attempted break in felt off. There was nothing in Katrina’s husband’s profile to indicate he had any sort of the sophistication required to pull off an organized break-in. I’d expect something closer to a brick through the window accompanied by a dash-and-grab if he was going to go after her.

“What do you think?” Chase asked me.

“I want to see the surveillance footage. There have to be some clues somewhere.”

He nodded. “That’s what I thought you’d say.”

As we made our way back around to the front of the house, Chase pulled his keys from his pocket. “I’m going to do some field work; go see that husband of hers and find out what he’s been up to the last twenty four hours.”

“Don’t be surprised if you find him passed out after a night of binge drinking,” I said. “My gut tells me he had nothing to do with this.”

“I agree. But the first step is to rule him out, right?”

“Yeah.”

“All right then. I’ll call you when I know anything.”

As Chase climbed into his black Chevy truck, I headed back into the house.

Melinda was waiting for me just inside the door. “Where’s your brother going? I thought after last night you’d beef up the protection around here.”

“He’s doing some research. He’ll be back. In the meantime, I’ll be here putting puzzle pieces together.”

She frowned. “What if the intruder comes back?”

“Then I’ll take care of it.” I brushed past her into the study where we’d set up the security equipment.

“I want more protection.” She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at me.

I swallowed a sigh. It was going to be one hell of a long day. “I can call Cole, but then you’ll have all three of us on your payroll. Are you prepared for that?”

Her nostrils flared in an unattractive fashion. “I can’t believe you’re talking to me about money after the trauma we’ve had.”

“Sorry. I’m sure you’re still upset, but it’s better to not have any surprises. Did you want me to call him?”

She glared at me for a moment and then gave me a curt nod.

Katrina stood behind her, shaking her head in mild exasperation. “Melinda, Cyrus is here now. I’m sure no one is going to bother us.”

“You don’t know that,” Melinda snapped. “They were here once before. There’s no reason to think they aren’t coming back.” She brushed back her thick, dark hair. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go break the news to Mathew. He is not going to be happy we have to replace a window.”

After she left, Katrina stepped into the study and sat down, blowing a lock of auburn hair out of her eyes. “You’d think he’d be more upset someone almost broke in.”

I let out a sardonic chuckle. “You’d be surprised at what people choose to focus on when they’re upset.”

She was silent for a moment, and then she nodded. “That’s probably why Peaches ended up in a dress with a bow in her hair.”

“She doesn’t usually wear clothes?” I asked, mildly amused.

Katrina shook her head and grinned, the smile lighting up her entire face. “No. That dress belongs to a teddy bear Mathew gave Melinda last year for Valentine’s Day.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Figures.”

N
ot long after Cyrus left, my house phone rang. I picked it up, once again finding Elder Greyson on the line.

“Good morning, Claire,” the older woman said after I answered. “I’m sorry to bother you so early, but we’re kind of having an invitation emergency. The proofs came in and the paper stock isn’t right. They’re gray and are supposed to be bright white. I need you to get down there right away and get it straightened out. The invites go out next week and this isn’t going to work.”

“Sure. I have notes about what you ordered in the file. I’m sure I can handle it. If I have any questions I’ll call you.”

“You understand we need all new invitations and we’re not paying for their mistake.” Greyson’s sharp tone normally would’ve irritated me, but I was in far too much of a good mood to care.

“Got it. I’ll let you know when it’s taken care of.”

“I expect a phone call by the end of the day,” Greyson ordered.

I opened my mouth to agree, but was cut off by a beeping sound as the line went dead. I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it in mild surprise. Greyson really was a piece of work. Thank the heavens the woman only had one daughter. I had a feeling coordinating one wedding with her was going to be enough to last a lifetime.

***

I
walked into Bayou Basin Printers ready to battle. I’d dealt with Magnolia Mason more than a few times over the past few years, and when she had her back up, it was almost impossible to get her to budge. But Greyson was clear. They weren’t paying for a redo. And it was my job to make it happen, no matter who was at fault.

“Claire!” Magnolia said brightly. “What brings you in today? A new bride?”

I cleared my throat. “Sort of. New to me, but not to you. I’m here to talk about Melinda Greyson’s invitations. It appears her mother thinks the cardstock is off.”

Magnolia frowned and started digging through some papers on her desk. “The new ones?”

“What new ones?” I flipped my folder open and pulled out an order form. “It says here she ordered white, but Mrs. Greyson says they came in gray.”

Magnolia shook her head, exasperation radiating from her. “They did come in gray, and we already reordered them. Last week. I have no idea why she’s sending you in now.”

I scanned her desk as if the invitations would magically appear. “Did they already come in? Are they wrong again?”

“They did, and no they aren’t. Although, they just came in yesterday, so Elder Greyson hasn’t even seen them yet.” She held up her hand. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” I turned and leaned against the counter, feeling the tension already draining from my shoulders. Weddings were stressful, and this wouldn’t be the first time I’d been sent to fix something that had already been handled.

“Here it is,” Magnolia said, waving a crisp white invitation. “Looks perfect to me.”

I scanned it, noting that the names, dates, and location all seemed to be spot on. “Huh. You’re right. Unless she had some other changes, this appears to be in order. Can I take this as a sample?”

“Sure thing, Claire. Set her mind at ease. As soon as Melinda approves them, we can send them out.”

“Great. Thanks. I’ll call you and let you know the verdict.” I winked at her, stuffed the invitation in my folder, and walked out, pleased the first crisis appeared to be averted. I was already dialing Elder Greyson when without warning, someone grabbed me from behind.

My phone and the folder went flying as I let out a cry of distress, but it was cut off by a large hand.

“Shut up, Claire,” the man ordered.

I kicked and bit and struggled with everything I had to break away, but he was too strong. Stronger than me. Definitely not a human and almost certainly another bear shifter.

“And stop struggling, or I’ll be forced to hurt you,” he said into my ear.

His words only fueled my anger as I lashed out, clawing at his hand and kicking back, praying I’d connect with his groin. Anything to get away from him.

“I said to stop struggling!” He growled and wrapped a thick arm around my neck, squeezing the life right out of me.

Gasping for air, my eyes bulged, and panic took over. This was the end. I was going to die right there in the back parking lot of Magnolia’s print shop.

“Go to sleep, sweet Claire,” he said into my ear, as my vision turned black and the world slipped away.

***

I
woke with a start, shivering on a cold cement floor. My head was throbbing and my mouth felt like it’d been stuffed with cotton. I sat up and glanced around, holding my aching head.

Thick iron bars filled my vision.

Son of a... I was in a large cage. No doubt, it was to keep me contained if I decided to shift.

“Good evening, Claire. I’m glad to see you’re awake.” The familiar voice came from across the room.

“Vince! Is that you?” I peered through the darkness, trying to make out his form in the shadows.

“Don’t be angry, love. I’m doing this for your own good.” He rose and moved into a beam of light.

I stood and grabbed the bars, shaking them. “Have you lost your mind? You can’t hold me here. People will be looking for me.”