Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(17)

As soon as he left, Miranda met Burnett’s gaze. “Thank you.”

He frowned. “Don’t thank me yet. We still have to prove you didn’t have anything to do with the drugs.”

“So it was really a drug house?” Miranda winced.

“I’m afraid so.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Shawn said. “Why would a witch be working out of a drug house?”

“We don’t know,” Burnett said, his frown punctuating his statement.

“The witch?” Miranda asked. “Did you find…” She couldn’t say it, but heaven help her, she couldn’t say it. Had she left the elderly

witch in the house to die?

“So far no human or non-human remains have been found. It appears she got out. No sight of the armadillo, either.”

“Burnett?” The voice came from the door. Holiday stood there. Miranda immediately picked up on her frown. Then Holiday’s faded gray aura,

that usually meant worry, caught Miranda’s attention. Because Holiday was a mother and shouldered the responsibility for all her students at

Shadow Falls, worry always tinted her aura, but this … this was stronger than usual.

Fearing the worst, Miranda’s sister’s name slipped from her heart and then from her lips. “Tabitha?”

Holiday walked in, her caring gaze stayed on Miranda and she smiled but it came off more as a mask. “She’s fine. You gave us all a scare.”

She pressed her hand on Miranda’s shoulder.

The calm of a fae’s touch eased some of Miranda’s fears. Everyone had assured her Tabitha was okay, so why did she not want to believe it? “

I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for,” Holiday said. “I spoke to your parents. They’d tried to call you, but you didn’t answer. I assured them you

were okay and told them you were probably asleep. They should be here in about four hours.”

“And Tabitha’s mom?” Miranda asked.

“She was in Galveston. She’s on her way, too. She and your father did speak with Tabitha.”

Holiday’s gaze slipped back to Burnett and her stressed aura got stronger. “Can I see you a minute?”

“What’s wrong?” Miranda asked.

“We’ll be back,” Burnett said, his tone deepening as if he too sensed something was wrong. Something that Holiday hadn’t wanted Miranda to

hear. And that just worried her more.

Burnett and Holiday walked out of the room. Shawn sat down on the foot of her bed. After several silent moments, Shawn blurted out, “I’m

sorry I upset you. I was scared.”

She nodded. He moved up to the front of the bed and leaned down. His kiss was soft and it told her how much he cared.

When he pulled back, he brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I hope so,” she said, but that feeling kept brewing in her gut. The feeling that said it might not be okay.

Five minutes later, after casual chitchat, Shawn’s phone rang. He slipped it out of his pocket and looked at the screen. “Burnett,” he said,

meaning he had to take the call. Very few people would ignore Burnett.

“Yeah?” Shawn answered and paused. “Now?”

Miranda studied Shawn, wondering if Burnett’s call was about her.

Shawn frowned as if whatever Burnett said didn’t sit well with him. “Yeah, but can’t you find someone else? I know, but I kind of wanted to

be assigned to Miranda’s case.” His frown deepened.

Miranda could hear Burnett’s voice, but couldn’t distinguish his words.

“Fine,” Shawn said. “Where’s it at?”

She watched frustration fill his eyes, and then those baby blues widened.

“I was just there,” he said. “No, it’s beside the restaurant where I was meeting Miranda and Tabitha.” Pause. “Yeah, Anthony and I walked

into the store.” Pause. “I’m not sure. I’d just gotten there, so about ten minutes. Yeah, he came with me. Why?”

Miranda sat up a bit, now even more curious.

“Fine. Was … anyone hurt?” Shawn asked.

Concern filled Shawn’s expression. “Who? Yeah, well, no. I met the clerk.” His frowned deepened. “Yes. A mix-breed.” Pause. “Okay. I’ll

call you as soon as I got something.” He hung up and sent her an apologetic look.

“What?” she asked.

“The jewelry store beside Maxi’s Burgers was robbed. Anthony and I walked in while we were waiting on you two.”

“Is it an FRU case?”

“Could be. He wants me to go check it out.”

“Was someone hurt?” she asked.

“He said there were injuries, but no causalities.” His frown deepened.

Miranda recalled other questions she had from her little eavesdropping. “Who did you say came with you?”

“Anthony.”

“Why was Burnett asking about him?”

“He didn’t say.” His gaze softened. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. Go.”

Alone, Miranda sat for two seconds, wanting to believe the nagging feeling of doom was simply leftover from the chaos. But doubt ate at her