Page 679 of Love Bites

CHAPTER13

The sheriff’s departmentbustled as the cataloging of citizens and visitors continued. They hadn’t made much headway on my kidnapping, but since I’d been there and had no idea who had taken me, I guess I couldn’t really blame them. What I could blame them for was the immediate cessation of talking and the obvious gawking as Billy Bob and I walked in.

I crossed my arms and glared at every person with the nerve to meet my eyes. I almost shrugged Billy Bob’s hand off the middle of my back as he guided me to Sheriff Taylor’s office, but really, that small display of affection was nothing compared to me climbing him like a greased pole at the fair.

Sheriff Taylor beckoned us into his office. He closed the door behind Billy Bob and me. “Take a seat.” His shoulders slumped, and his voice sounded weary. He shook his head as if to clear the cobwebs, then met my gaze. “Dr. Smith says you have more information. Did you remember something new?”

“Not exactly.” I wasn’t sure how much to tell. He’d barely believed Sunny last year about her psychic ability. Telling him I was talking to spirits might not make me the most credible witness. I decided to go with a half-truth. “Sunny came over to Billy Bob’s this morning around six.”

Sheriff Taylor raised a questioning brow. “She’s planning on staying in tonight, right?”

“Yes. She’s not dumb.” Which is not to say that she always makes good choices, because, I’m pretty sure everyone knows that’s not true. “She had a vision.”

“Yeah? I thought her radar was on the fritz.”

“Apparently, it got a jump start this morning.” I let my exasperation shine on my face. “This would go a lot faster if you’d just let me get through it.”

He rolled his hand at me as if to say, “It’s your show.”

“She saw a man with a curved skinning blade.” I gagged as I thought of him. “He had an eight-point star tattooed on his back.” For a moment, I was afraid to even blink. Afraid that I’d be back in that room again with the monster. “She couldn’t see his face. He was wearing his victim’s half-form face. It was a black bear.”

“Does she think it could have been Mike? Or a new victim?”

I frowned. I hadn’t even thought about a future prediction. I’d just assumed it was a past killing. How could I be so presumptuous? “Honestly, I don’t know.” My phone rang. It was Sunny. “Hold on, I better take this.” I tapped my phone. “Hey, everything okay?”

“Have you seen Jo Jo?” she asked.

I tucked my chin. “No. I called him after you left to tell him we wouldn’t be opening today. But I haven’t seen him. Why?”

“Brady called. He said he’s been trying Jo Jo’s phone and can’t get an answer. He was hoping we were keeping him busy.” I could hear the worry in her tone.

“I’m sure he’s fine, Sunny. He’s young and full of…well, youth. He’s probably on some secret rendezvous with Michele Thompson.”

“I hope so. Call me if you hear anything.”

“You got the doors locked?”

“Yes, mother.”

“Good. I’ll call you later.” I hung up.

“Jo Jo’s missing?” Billy Bob asked.

“Not sure. His dad can’t get ahold of him by phone. It could be a case of dead battery.” I prayed like hell it wasn’t a case of dead kid.

Sheriff Taylor leaned forward. “You think he might be with Michele? Maybe you should call Ruth and see if the girl is home or not.”

The sheriff’s worry increased my anxiety. I called Ruth. “Hey,” I said when she answered. “Is Michele at home?”

“She went out early today, Chav. What’s up?”

I didn’t want to alarm Ruth, especially if this turned out to be a lovers’ tryst. “I thought she might be interested in a job. We have the whole Tri-Council to feed tomorrow, and I can use the extra help.”

“I’ll let her know.” I could feel Ruth’s pride through the phone, and it made me sick with guilt.

“Can you give me her phone number? I’ll call her myself.”

“Sure! And then maybe later you can tell me all about you and a certain leggy werewolf doctor.”

---