Page 5 of Marked

“Sir, I finished collecting evidence,” the small blonde woman says as she ducks under the caution tape. She positively beams when she sees me. “Val! I knew that was your scent in there!”

I can’t help but smile at the twenty-four-year-old bubbly technician. She’s a werewolf, but she reminds me more of a golden retriever. Not just because of her friendly attitude and golden blonde hair, but because she always seems to be bursting with energy. She’s also loyal. Somehow, she knows I’m not any kind of wereanimal, but I know she would never rat me out.

“Hey, Tay. Yeah, I was the one who had the joy of finding her.” I explain with a sigh.

Taylor wrinkles her nose. “I’d hug you, but red’s not my color.” She laughs at her own joke and looks at Scott when he clears his throat in irritation. “Sorry, boss man, I collected what I could. The other detective says he’s almost done examining it.”

I blink at her words, brow furrowing as I glance from Taylor to Scott. “Other detective? Who does she mean?”

Pushing down his ire by taking a few calming breaths, he looks at me again. “We have a new detective that joined our branch. He was supposed to start tomorrow, but then we got this call, so I had him come with me to get seasoned with how things are done.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask with a frown.

“It must have slipped my mind,” Scott brushes me off with a wave of his hand. “Now, are you going to answer my questions?”

“You know I didn’t do this shit, Scott. You may not always admire my oh-so charming personality, but you know I wouldn’t do this.” I raise a brow, daring him to counter me.

“He might, but I do not,” a deep baritone voice says from behind Scott.

I turn to the source and watch a tall man with tanned skin elegantly duck under the yellow tape. His hair is like black silk, the ends just barely touching his brow. When he looks at me with dark grey eyes, goosebumps pebble on my flesh.

Why does the color remind me of Styx’s water?

“You must be Detective Dalton,” he begins with a cool, albeit calculating expression. His gaze dips down to my shirt, no doubt looking at the blood smeared there, I hope. “I’d like to ask you some questions.”

His voice holds an edge of power that trickles down my spine like warm honey. I glance at Scott and Taylor, but neither seem to sense it. Is it my imagination?

“About what? If it has anything to do with my alibi, then don’t bother. I didn’t kill her.” Something about him makes me want to take a step back when he takes one forward, but I refrain. I won’t be intimidated by this newbie.

“Your evasion of questions makes me think you have something to hide.” He states, eyes locked on mine.

“Well, your opinion doesn’t really matter to me.” I manage to keep my cool. Even throw in a shrug for good measure. His aura just barely touches mine, but it makes the hair on the back of my neck prickle with warning. Whatever he is, he’s strong. Maybe he’s an alpha? But I’ve met alphas before and haven’t been affected like this.

“It should, Dalton, because if you’re cleared, Detective Khoury will be your partner on this case. But until then, you’re off work.” Scott interjects before looking between Khoury and I. “It’s appropriate, two werewolves working to catch whatever did this.”

“Hound,” I correct automatically without hesitation.

The new detective narrows his eyes in question but doesn’t comment. He doesn’t have to. I can tell by his stare that he knows I’m not a wolf. But then again, I have a sneaking suspicion he’s not either.

“Detective Dalton, I would like to at least ask you a few questions regarding your time here at the club. That way I am on the same page as you since we might be working this case together.” He holds out his arm, gesturing for me to step aside from the others.

I suppose it’s a fair enough request when he puts it that way. See? Who says I’m unreasonable? With a huff, I turn to Taylor. “Can we postpone our coffee date until I’m free of suspicion?”

“Sure, just let me know when!” She beams. “Ah, and don’t forget I’ll need your shirt for testing.”

Totally forgot already. “Fuck, alright. I’ll give it to a tech before I leave,” I reply then turn to Detective Khoury. “Lead the way, Detective.” I wait until he starts walking to glance back at Taylor.

He’s so hot, Taylor mouths and gives me a double thumbs up. Scott snorts in exasperation before ducking under the tape and disappearing into the crime scene once again.

I shake my head and turn back to follow my potential new partner. He leads us towards the deserted bar, out of earshot from the others. I plop down on one of the barstools and longingly eye the alcohol bottles. “How mad do you think they would be if I helped myself to a glass?”

He leans against the countertop and briefly flicks his gaze towards the bottles before looking at me again. “Considering you’re being questioned for murder, I think it would be frowned down upon, even if someone was here to serve you.”

Oh, he’s a good cop then. Boo. “You’re kind of a tight ass, aren’t you?”

He doesn’t flinch. “And you’re kind of a bitch, aren’t you?”

I blink at him for a moment, surprised by the mirrored blunt response. Then I laugh, unable to help myself. I’m not sure why I’m laughing, maybe the day is finally catching up to me.

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