Page 10 of Ruthless Beast

What the hell? Who’s calling at this hour? I don’t recognize the number.

“This better be serious,” I answer groggily.

“Is this Emily Thornton?”

“Yeah, this is she. Who is this?”

“I’m sorry to wake you, Miss Thornton. My name is Detective Cox.”

Detective! What? I sit bolt upright.

“What’s happened?”

“Could you meet me down at the precinct, Miss Thornton?”

“Look, what the hell is going on? Why? Am I in trouble?”

“No, you’re not in trouble. I’d prefer to discuss the matter at the precinct, though. I can send an officer to collect you if you like.”

“Uhm. No. Thanks. I can drive myself. I’ll be there in a bit.”

“Ask for me at the front desk.”

I end the call and wipe the sleep from my eyes. What the hell is going on? I get dressed at lightning speed after I’m more awake. The last time we got a call in the middle of the night, David and I learned that our parents had been killed in a car wreck. So, naturally, I’m not a fan of late night calls.

“Ems? What are you doing up so early?”

Dannie is standing at the door in her nightgown, her hair all over the place. She always looks like she’s just stepped out of a wind tunnel when she wakes up.

“Sorry, Dannie. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“That’s okay. Is everything okay? Who called?”

“A detective. He wants me to meet him at the precinct.”

“A cop? Did he say why?”

“No.”

“I’m coming with you,” she says, heading for her room. “I’ll be ready in four minutes.”

Ten minutes later, Dannie and I are on our way to the police station. The streets are quiet. My heart, however, is racing like a greyhound rounding the track.

“I don’t like this, Dannie. I have a terrible feeling.”

“Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together.”

Daniella takes my hand in hers and squeezes it.

The precinct is busy despite the early hour. I guess crime doesn’t keep a regular nine to five like the rest of us. I park outside on the curb. Dannie and I exchange glances before we get out of the car and walk into the building.

“Can I help you?” an officer behind the counter asks me.

“Uh, yeah. I’m here to see Detective Cox.”

“Is he expecting you?”

No! I make it a habit of driving down to the cop station before dawn!

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