The Better to Bite (Howl #1)(50)

Just like that, my certainty that Rafe couldn’t have hurt Granny Helen vanished.

My dad’s office door jerked opened. He came out, jaw tight, and he quickly secured the door shut behind him. I stood and hurried to him. “Dad?”

“He stuck to his story. Said he found the body and tried to help her.” His voice was so low that only I could hear him.

“Do you believe him?” I asked as I leaned close.

“Doesn’t matter. I know I can’t prove anything, either way, not yet.” Frustration boiled in his words. “But I’m heading to that hospital, and I’m staying there until Helen opens her eyes. Then I’m getting the truth from her.”

Because only Helen would be able to tell him what had really happened.

The station’s door flew open. A woman, tall, beautiful, with perfect make-up applied even though it had to be nearing three a.m., rushed inside. “Where’s my son?” she demanded in a voice that dripped ice.

My dad sighed, but immediately pasted on his “Sheriff” face. The bland, semi-genial expression he used when he had to deal with the public. “Brent’s waiting in my office, Mrs. Peters.”

Her gaze snapped to him, and in that instant, she seemed to weigh him, sizing him up kind of like a really beautiful snake would assess her prey.

My dad eased away from me. He headed back across the room and opened his office door. “Brent, your ride’s here.”

Brent appeared in the doorway.

Mrs. Peters walked toward them, her heels clicking. Really? Heels? At this time of night? “Why was my son in your custody, Sheriff?”

“Because we found him at the scene of an animal attack.” My dad crossed his arms and raised a brow. “Alone, unsupervised, wandering the woods at night…bringing him in was the only safe thing to do.”

Her spine straightened. “Right. Then I appreciate your concern for his well-being.” She didn’t sound like she appreciated it. She sounded like she was choking down nails. She motioned to Brent. “Come on, honey, let’s get you home.”

Brent glanced my way. I wouldn’t meet his stare.

I heard him sigh before he followed his mother.

“Mrs. Peters…” My dad’s casual voice stopped her, and her clicking heels. She looked back at him. He cleared his throat and asked, “Aren’t you curious at all about why your son was in those woods?”

Her stare sharpened, and I realized she wasn’t the piece of fluff she pretended to be. “Boys will be boys,” she murmured. “They do like their adventure. Brent’s been prowling those woods since he was a kid.”

Prowling. Pretty interesting word choice.

“Hunting, huh?” Again, my dad seemed casual. I knew he wasn’t.

So did Mrs. Peters. Her plump lips pressed together, and she grabbed Brent’s hand. They stalked out, and this time, neither glanced back.

I sidled close to my dad. “Do you think it was him?” My dad hadn’t given me a straight answer before, and I had to know. His instincts were usually dead-on.

Surprisingly, he shook his head. “No.”

Good but, “Why not?”

He pulled me into his office and shut the door. The better for others not to hear us. “Because he was in human form when he found him.”

Human form, with blood on his hands.

“Why switch?” My dad demanded. “Why not just finish the job and kill her?” He shook his head. “No, he’s not the one we’re looking for. Another wolf is hunting out there, and I will stop him.”

***

Deputy Jon took me back to the house. My dad went to the hospital to see about Helen, and he sent his guard dog to make sure I got home safely.

Jon even came inside the house and did a full sweep. He was kind of sweet about it. Sweet in his pushy, deputy way.

“All clear, Anna.” He held his hat in his tan hands. “Your dad will be back soon. Until he gets here, I’ll stay outside and keep an eye on the place.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do.” He gave me a thin smile, one that showed his super white teeth. “Boss’s orders.”

Well, I wasn’t going to argue with him. I’d seen too much blood lately to argue. I walked him out and locked the door.

I took a deep breath. Another. And I still saw Helen’s bloody body.

Dammit. I hurried into the kitchen. I needed to get a grip. I couldn’t fall apart now. I couldn’t—

Arms came up and yanked me back against a strong body. I opened my mouth to scream for Deputy Jon, but a hand covered my mouth.

“Easy.” A harsh, male whisper. “I’m not going to hurt you.” Brent’s voice.

I didn’t believe him.

“I can’t have you yelling for the deputy. The guy would come in with guns blazing.” His breath blew lightly against my ear. “Anna, relax, I promise I’m not here to hurt you.”

Said the guy with his hand over my mouth.

And how had the deputy missed him during the sweep? Where had the guy been hiding?

“I need to talk to you. Hell, you’re the only reason I was in the woods tonight.”

My knees locked.

“Please, Anna, just give me a chance to explain.” His sigh filled my ears. “I’ll move hand and just…don’t scream, okay?”