Mind Sweeper (21 page)

“It’s nice to see how much you care for each other.”

“They’re my family,” I answered automatically. I sat back for a second, stunned. I hadn’t ever said it out loud.

Dalton took a sip of water and stared at me for a moment, as if wanting to choose his next words carefully.

“Spit it out, Dalton. I can smell the wood burning.”

“Do you mind me asking about your biological family?”

My chest tightened. We were not heading into happy territory, but I reminded myself normal people talked about this kind of thing all the time. “I never knew my father. My mom got pregnant when she was a teenager. I ended up having to take care of both of us while I grew up, and by the time I hit eighteen I was on my own.” I patted myself on the back. In four sentences I had succinctly answered his question.

He gazed a little too long at me. “Sorry to hear that.”

I squirmed a bit under his turquoise scrutiny. “It is what it is. What about you?”

“My maternal grandmother raised me. My parents were killed when I was six.”

“That’s awful. I’m really sorry.”

He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “We were talking about you. What about your friends? What do you do when you’re not working?”

I pushed the plate with the half-eaten slice away. I wasn’t hungry anymore. “What’s with the twenty questions?”

“I’m just curious about you.”

“Misha, Jean Luc and Sabrina are my friends…and I don’t have any hobbies, if that’s what you mean.” He frowned slightly and I plowed on. “I know, all work and no play makes Kyle a dull girl.”

He shook his head. “I would never say you’re dull.” He paused. “So, no human friends, huh?”

“No, what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing. I was just noting it.” He grinned. “I’d like you to consider me a friend. Now that we’ve called a truce and all, I was hoping a treaty would be next on the agenda.”

I chuckled. “You are a slick operator. I need to remember that.”

My phone rang, interrupting any response from Dalton. “It’s Nicholas. I’m going to take this outside.” I walked out of the restaurant and hit the button. “Hello.”

“Hello, Kyle. I was calling to see how the discussion with Josiah Akers went.”

Right.
“I’m sure you’ve already spoken to Jean Luc and Akers, so can I just hit the highlights?”

He paused for a moment and I held my breath. Not being able to see his face was a bit nerve-wracking. I wasn’t sure if he was amused or pissed. After a second, he chuckled. I let out my breath.

“I will say I’m surprised you waited as long as you did before insulting Josiah. He can be a little…”

“Pompous, arrogant, bigoted…would you like me to continue?”

Nicholas ignored my comment. “What was your take on his responses?”

“He knows more than he’s letting on. He tried to argue we have no proof a Pavel was involved, but it was all subterfuge. He knows a Pavel was working with Hampton. I’m just not sure whether Akers was the one calling the shots or not.”

“And the money?”

“If I was a betting woman, I would say he is the one offering the money.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Rumor is the vamps may already have the head. Since the Pavels are also interested in Hampton, I would say they are the front runners.”

“Thanks for the recap.”

“Before you go, have you been able to speak to Griffin yet? Is he back in the states?”

“How did you know he was traveling?”

“I have my sources.”

“Griffin arrived last night, but his assistant said he had some important matters to handle today, and he has not returned my call yet. I will let you know when I can set up a meeting. Griffin has been told about the bartender’s death. I understand you let the cat out of the bag with Josiah about Byron being dead.”

“I don’t think he was all that shocked to hear it.”

By the time I hung up and walked back into the restaurant, Dalton had finished eating.

“How did it go with Nicholas?”

I quickly relayed the conversation.

“So, we are on hold for today, until Nicholas can hook us up with Griffin?”

“Yep, looks that way.”

Dalton motioned for the check. “I’m going to go into the station this afternoon and take care of some things, then. Okay with you?”

“Sure.”

We were only a few blocks from my office, so I decided to hoof it back so Dalton could go directly to the station. Dolly was still at lunch, so I unlocked the door and walked into the back room. The white board called my name. I added notes under Akers and then paced in front of it. What was the next step?

I really wanted to talk to Griffin. Maybe I could track him down. Nicholas had mentioned he was dealing with important matters when he returned. Maybe one of those matters was how Trina Connor was doing after her abduction. If not, I could find out if Tim or Stephanie would be willing to hook me up with him sooner rather than later.

I took off for the suburbs. While I drove, I clicked on my sync, trying to call Dalton. His cell rang but never went to voicemail, which was strange. I called the police department next.

“Cleveland Police Department.”

“Yes, can I be connected to Lieutenant Joe Dalton?”

“Hold please.” Muzak filled my ears while I waited. “I’m sorry but the lieutenant is not in today.”

“I spoke with him this morning, and he said he would be working there this afternoon.”

“Sorry, ma’am. He’s not here. Can I take a message or direct you to someone else?”

“No, thank you.”

I hung up, and checked my watch. He hadn’t left very long ago. Maybe he got sidetracked.

It didn’t take me long to reach the Connors’ house. I pulled next to the curb and parked when I spotted a black Audi sedan in the driveway. Maybe my hunch had paid off.

Stephanie answered my knock. She looked a lot better than the last time I saw her.

“Kyle. What a surprise.”

“Hello, Stephanie. I’m sorry to drop in unannounced, but I wanted to see how Trina is doing. Is this a bad time?” Just a small white lie. I did want to know how Trina was—I wasn’t heartless, after all—but it would be an added benefit if I ran into Griffin in the process.

She hesitated for a second and then beckoned me in. “Trina’s in the back yard. Griffin is back in town. He’s with Tim in his office.”

I stepped over the threshold. “Tim isn’t in trouble because I helped Trina, is he? I can speak to Griffin if you want.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary.”

We walked toward the back of the house. Tim’s office door was shut.
Damn.

“I was just going to get some lemonade and cookies for Trina, would you like some?”

“Sure.”

“Go on out back, Trina is playing.”

I opened the screen door and walked out into the fenced-in back yard. It was a kid’s dream. A wooden swing set and jungle gym sat to one side. In the middle of the yard was a large tree with a tree house. And it was not one of those houses with a simple floor and stairs made of wooden planks nailed into the trunk. It was a mini replica of the main house. How awesome was that? I stared up for a second longer and noticed small legs dangling from the side.

Walking over to the tree, I hollered, “Permission to come up?”

Trina’s head popped over the balcony. “Hi. Yeah, come on up.”

I climbed the ladder and plopped down next to her. My legs kept time with hers as they swung back and forth and we peered out over the yard.

“This is a great tree house.”

“Thanks. My dad made it for me and my sister. You’re Mommy’s friend.”

“Yep. I’m Kyle. Are you feeling better, Trina?”

“Yeah, much better.” She reached for my hand and grinned. “You’re still wearing the nail polish.”

“Of course. It’s an awesome color. I told you I might dye my hair purple to match it.”

She giggled. “Really?”

“Yeah. I’ve had it black for a while now. I think it’s time for a change.”

“Has it been other colors?”

“Yes. Let’s see…it’s been red, blue, green, orange, um…pink, and burgundy.”

Her eyes got bigger. “What was your favorite?”

“Blue. My least favorite was green. It made me look like a refugee from a St. Patrick’s Day float.”

“I bet you look pretty with any hair color,” she said.

A deep male voice chimed in from below. “I would have to agree.”

Chapter 21

I gaped down at the man who stood at the foot of the tree. He was tan, as if he worked outside all day, but his tailored pants and button-down shirt squashed that notion. His brown, wavy hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck and his large green eyes twinkled with amusement. My stomach lurched slightly. Shit, he was the shifter version of Jean Luc.

“Uncle Griffin!” Trina squealed, jumping up and leaning over the balcony.

“Trina, be careful,” I cautioned, but she scrambled partway down the ladder and then leaped into his arms.

He smiled and twirled her around. “Hello, pet, how are you feeling?”

“Much better now. Kyle is here to visit me, too.”

“So I see. Should we ask her if she needs any help getting down?”

“I’ll be fine, thanks.”

I walked over to the ladder and turned, knowing full well my ass was going to be the main attraction while I climbed down. When I reached the ground, I expected to find Griffin standing behind me. Instead, he and Trina were already halfway to the picnic table, where Stephanie was in the process of setting out lemonade and cookies.

Stephanie handed me a glass when I walked up. “Would you like an oatmeal cookie? They’re fresh from the oven.”

My mouth watered. “I never say no to warm cookies.” I helped myself and took a bite, the cinnamon bursting in my mouth. “These are amazing. I have a friend who would kill for these cookies.”

“I’ll send some home with you, then.”

“Mommy, Kyle is going to color her hair purple.”

“Is she, now?”

“Yeah. Can I see it when you do?” Trina asked.

“Sure,” I nodded. “You’ll be the first person I show.”

We sat for a few minutes, listening to Trina chatter away. It was hard to believe she was the same girl I had spent time with less than a week ago. When I finished my second cookie—I couldn’t help myself—I turned to find Griffin watching me. I stared right back at him until he had the nerve to wink at me before addressing Trina.

“Trina, do you mind if I borrow Kyle for a few minutes? We have something to discuss.”

“No problem. Are you going to come back and tell me about your trip, Uncle Griffin?”

“Yes, I have new adventures to share with you.”

We walked toward the house. Griffin opened the screen door and ushered me inside, then led the way down the hall and into Tim’s office, shutting the door behind him. I guess it was time to get down to business. If he thought I was going to apologize for helping Trina, he was mistaken.

“I want to thank you for what you did.”

I stared at him in confusion. “So you aren’t angry with the Connors for asking me to help her?”

“No, I’m angry with myself.” He gestured for me to take a seat. Instead of sitting in Tim’s chair, he surprised me by sitting down in the other guest chair next to mine. “I wasn’t here when Trina was taken. When the pack retrieved her, I instructed them to keep a low profile. I didn’t realize how traumatized she was until later.”

“I’m glad you didn’t punish them.”

His eyes widened and then his mouth curved up slightly. “I don’t punish people, Ms. McKinley.”

“I’ve worked with the supernatural community long enough to know there are established hierarchies you do not ignore.”

“True. In my case, pack rules are established to protect our anonymity.”

“It’s also the aim of the BSR.”

“Yes, Nicholas works hard to hide our community.”

His tone when speaking Nicholas’s name was not one of admiration. “I take it you’re not a fan of his?”

His eyes held mine for a second, as if gauging how honest he could be. “Nicholas has done more than most in our community to protect us. However, I am not always sure of his true agenda.”

“He can be
ambiguous
at times”—I shrugged—“but he’s my boss.”

“And yet I have a feeling he doesn’t have much control over you. Correct?”

I decided it was best not to answer, so I played to his vanity instead. “So what’s it like, being responsible for half the U.S. shifter population?”

He paused, as if seriously considering his response. “Not to sound cliché, but it can be a blessing and a curse. My people are thriving, and when I look at Trina, I see our future, and I’m humbled to be leading them. But with power comes responsibility. I have to make decisions not everyone supports.”

I wondered if those decisions included offering big bucks for a vamp’s head? But it was probably not the best question to ask at this point. “Do you know Dolly Thompson?”