Best Friends (New Species #15)(39)

The door opened, and Deputy Tommy entered. He glanced at the New Species, his co-worker, and whistled low. “Is it just me or is there tension in here?” He stared a little too long at Mel and Snow, saw them touching, and then smiled. “Oh.” He walked closer. “Get over it, Danny. I told you she’s never going to take you back. Especially now that it seems she’s dating Snow.”

“Goddamn it!” Dan spun and stormed toward the back of the office.

Tommy smirked, watching Dan until he was out of sight, and then addressed Mel. “Your apartment was trashed, Mel. Sorry. The TV still works, though. The landlord, Mr. Chester, is over there now fixing the broken window lock. None of your neighbors were home when it happened, and no one around there saw the guy you described.” Then he faced Brass. “Your team tracked the assailant. It seems that he parked behind that field at the back of her apartments. There was a flattened area where a car had sat for a bit. He was long gone, though.”

The office door opened again and Sheriff Cooper returned. “I was able to reach the owner by phone instead of having to drive all the way over there to check out Mary’s apartment myself. Paul, her landlord, lives on the premises, and he did a walk-through while I was on the phone with him. Someone had forced her slider open on the back patio. There’s no sign of any damage though. Just some dirty footprints on the tile right inside the door in the kitchen. Whoever was there is gone now.

“I called her parents and informed them of what happened. I asked Mary to avoid her apartment for right now. It might be best if you go out to the Muller house to stay with her parents, too, for a few days. I told them I might send you that way.” Then he looked at Deputy Tommy. “Paul is waiting for you at Mary’s. Take pictures and gather whatever evidence you can.”

“On it.” Deputy Tommy rushed out of the station.

“Mel is coming home with me,” Snow announced.

Sherriff Cooper blinked. “I see.” Then he stared at Mel. “Are you agreeable with that?”

She nodded, barely paying attention. Someone had broken into her place and Mary’s. That was terrifying.

“Mel?” Snow sounded concerned.

She peered up at him. “I need to stop at my place to get clothes.”

“No,” Sheriff Cooper instantly responded. “It’s a crime scene. I called Clovis to come in to take photos and collect samples of the blood found. Clovis has been specially trained in forensics. It’s why I hired him part time after he retired from Fresno. We might never catch the perp, but we’ll try our best.”

“Blood?” Snow started sniffing at her again.

“I got a few small cuts on my foot but I’m fine.” She gave him her most reassuring look.

Sheriff Cooper cleared his throat. “Mel here put up a hell of a fight. My deputy found blood drops in her living room floor, on the broken table, and on the couch. He also spotted some drops right outside her front door. That might have been hers, though, since her foot was cut.” He sucked in a sharp breath and smiled. “There was also blood smeared on her bedroom wall next to her bed. That’s where he fell after he broke through her bedroom door, according to Mel. I told Clovis to get samples there for sure.”

He looked at Mel next. “That little plant stand you had next to your bed was in pieces. I’m thinking when he got up, he used the wall to brace against, and his hand must have bled through the glove enough to smear on the wall.”

Snow’s hold on Mel tightened, and he pulled her closer to his body.

“We’re going to do our best to catch him,” Sheriff Cooper promised.

“The NSO is more than willing to help in any way you need,” Brass informed him.

“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Sherriff Cooper sighed, gazing at Mel. “You might want to stay with them for at least a month or so. You’ll be safe at Reservation. Until this perp is caught, he might come back. We’re understaffed. I just don’t have the manpower to keep someone on you around the clock. I know Joel will be pissed since he depends on you so much, but that’s what family is for. I’m sure some of his nieces or sisters will appreciate covering your shifts to earn extra money. Once Clovis is done, I’ll let you go inside your apartment to pack some of your personal things. It won’t be until tomorrow at the earliest.”

Mel knew Sheriff Cooper was probably right about it being better if she stayed with Snow for a while. She also understood her place being a crime scene and having to wait to go back inside. The person who broke in might come after her again.

Her mind worked. She’d be safe…but the same couldn’t be said for Mary. Her parents were only in town for a few days. They liked to travel. Once they were gone, her best friend would be alone and vulnerable to attack. The sheriff just said he didn’t have the manpower to babysit anyone.

“Mel? I will get you new clothing. It will be fine. Come with me.” Snow tugged on her arm gently, trying to lead her to the door.

She resisted. “Wait. I’m thinking.”

“There’s nothing to think about, young lady.” The sheriff frowned. “The NSO will keep you safer than I can. I hate to admit that, but I’m no fool. And I don’t believe in coincidences. A reporter shows up, asks you questions at work, and then someone breaks into your apartment. If that reporter is behind this in any way, his source not only blabbed about the shooting, but he could have learned that Snow took you to Reservation after you were clipped by a bullet. Even if it isn’t him responsible for your attacker, maybe this reporter told the wrong person that last bit, someone who hates New Species.