Page 10 of Howl Me to the Moon
She twirled her hand. “Well, it does check out.”
“No, not one bit,” I countered. “Because that didn’t happen. It wouldn’t happen. I have zero interest in stealing anything from anyone.”
She tapped her lower lip as if assessing whether to believe me.
“Back up, Miss Marple.” I raised a hand, palm forward. “Why don’t we start with the facts?”
She lowered her arm to her side. “What kind of facts?”
Like I knew where to start in this scenario. Certainly I had to have picked up on something from crime shows or movies. “Well, first off—when did the painting go missing?”
“Within the last couple of hours,” Marcel provided, his tone curt.
“It was secured in the storage space before my talk,” she said, “so it had to have been here during that time.”
“I was practicing with the band for the last few hours.” I motioned outward toward the door. “You can check with them if you don’t believe me.”
“Perhaps I will,” Piper said, eyes still watching me with wariness. Then she closed her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t have time for that now. I need to find this painting.”
“And I said I can help.”
She groaned. “And how exactly would you do that, Rex? Would you say you have anosefor art?”
“No.” I straightened, composing myself after her retort. “But yes, it has to do with my nose. Wolf shifters have the best sense of smell.”
She snorted. “Debatable. Depends on what shifter you talk to. They all claim to be the best at something.”
“Enough of this pointless chatter,” Marcel snapped. “Shifter.” He gestured vaguely in my direction. “If you can help, go with Piper. Start in the storage space and see what you find.”
Piper turned to him with wide eyes. “Marcel, I don’t think this is a good?—”
“Enough.” Marcel cut her off, waving a hand dismissively as he walked toward the gallery door. “I’m going to talk to the authorities. We need it for the final auction, or else…”
“We’ll find it, Marcel,” Piper declared with more conviction in her voice than what showed on her face.
“Or else, we’re finished.” Marcel stepped out of the door with a flourishing wave.
Piper bit her lower lip, her expression darkening with worry. Then she cupped her cheeks, exhaled, and dropped her hands to her side. She turned to me. “Are you really in, Rex?”
I stepped closer to her. “Of course.”
“Well, hex me sideways.” She blew out an exasperated breath and motioned for me to join her. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 8
REX
Piper led me to a dimly lit storage area, where I was greeted by the faint scent of dust and paintings—until she stepped in and closed the door behind her—then I was enveloped in the fragrance that was pure Piper. Mmm, my wolf and I drank it in.
Focus!
Right. Missing painting. That was the reason I was here in this confined space…alone with Piper…just the two of us…
I said focus!
Not easy when I had her scent wrapped around me and all I wanted to do was get closer to her, touch her soft skin.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
