Tameka's Smile

Chapter Twelve

Chad looked at Bull. “I need to call this in. We probably won’t get any usable prints off of it—too many handlers—but it still needs to be entered as evidence.”

“While you’re doing that, I’ll go up front and see if the receptionist remembers who delivered them. Someone had to sign for it. Flora’s Flowers…isn’t that the name that was on the flower box left on Meka’s porch?”

“Yeah, but it may not mean anything. Over half the deliveries in this room came from that particular florist,” Chad said in disgust.

“Maybe, maybe not. At this point, doesn’t hurt to check.

Hey, my succulent piece of rich, dark chocolate, you want to come with me? After I handle business, I’m headed over to the diner to pick up dinner. You can help me carry the food.” He waggled his eyebrows at NeeCee.

Chad laughed, knowing that despite his antics, Bull had it bad for NeeCee. He’d never seen him work so hard to get a woman’s attention.

NeeCee rolled her eyes. “He’s full of it. I don’t know how you stand to work with him.”

“Are you coming or not?”

“Yeah, hold your horses. I’m coming. It will do me good to get out of here for a bit, and I’m getting hungry.” She grabbed her purse off the end of the bed.

“So I’m full of it, hmmm? Full of charm, sex appeal, animal magnetism? So good of you to finally notice,” Bull commented as he escorted her out the door.

“Actually, you’re full of sh…” The door closed on her answer.

Tameka groaned. “You know they’re going to drive us crazy, don’t you?”

“Nah, they’ll have sex and that will be the end of it.

NeeCee’s only fighting because she wants him as much as he wants her,” he pronounced sagely.

“Whatever.”

Obviously his mate didn’t believe his analysis of the situation. He grinned as he pulled out his phone and called Rome.

“Rome.”

“It’s me. Meka got a delivery. Send someone to tag it for evidence.”

“So this woman knows where your mate is.” Chad’s heart thudded. “Shit, I didn’t even think about that.

It’s from Flora’s Flowers and has a note attached, threatening to eliminate those closest to Meka until she gives her what she wants.”

“’Bout like we’d expected. Flora’s Flowers, you said? Hold on.” He could hear Rome rustling through papers.

“Bull thinks there may be a connection. I’m not so certain.

Half the deliveries in here are from them.”

“Bull just may be on to something. A Flora’s Flower’s delivery van came through the roadblock we set up after your ambush. It was one of the ten vehicles that did, and the driver was an older female in her late forties or early fifties. The age range fits our suspect,” Rome mused.

“Yeah, but…you really think this could be the woman we’re looking for?”

“It makes sense. A delivery truck driver could get in and out of places unnoticed that the average person can’t. I’m headed over to Colbyville to check this out.”

That was one thing he liked about Rome. He wasn’t a desk jockey. He got right out into the field with his men and did what needed to be done. “Before you go, you find out any more from the elders about the woman we’re looking for?”

“Got a name. Someone found an old yearbook and it sparked a memory. Her name was Emily Carstens. I’ve got Reagan on the computer now searching for her. I’ll let you know as soon as she gets a hit.”

“Alright.” He sighed deeply. It really burned him that he was sitting back taking it easy while everyone else was doing the work.

“Chad, I know you want to be out here hunting, but protecting your mate is the most important thing you can do. We don’t know what this woman’s capable of,” Rome reminded him.

“Roger.” He flipped the phone closed, knowing Rome was finished.

“Sounds like you’re getting close,” Tameka murmured.

“They’re the ones close to finding the truth,” he grumbled.

“Awww, poor baby. Stuck babysitting when he wants to be out playing with the big boys.”

“I’ll show you a big boy.” He wrestled her down to the bed and covered her. Once he had her pinned, he asked, “You were saying?”

“I missed you while you were gone,” she confessed. She went all soft and womanly beneath him. He was instantly hard, but then, with Meka it didn’t take much.

“Not as much as I missed you.” He settled in closer, nestling his hardness against the warm heat of her crotch.

She arched into him, rubbing his erection in a manner that made him hiss in pleasure, especially since he was still at a low burn from earlier. “Lock the door and show me how much.”

“Gladly.” He rose and secured the door, stripping his clothes off as he returned to the bed where an already naked Meka was waiting.

She opened her arms and spread her legs, revealing her glistening slit. “Forget foreplay. I need you in me now.”

“Yes, ma’am. Whatever you say.” He dove onto the bed and into his mate in one fell swoop, taking her with the ferocious need that had been building all day.

By the time NeeCee and Bull returned with the food, they’d showered and dressed, and were once more relaxing on the bed, watching television. Chad was glad he had the foresight to hand the plant and card to the guard at the door, just before locking it.

It was amazing since all the blood in his body had been centered below his waist. That was one less interruption to deal with when every moment alone with his mate was precious.

While they ate, Chad told Bull about his conversation with Rome and Bull relayed the results of his talk with the receptionist. “I spoke with Alice. Caught her right before her shift ended. She doesn’t know the florist’s name but said it’s the same woman who made all of the deliveries. Get this. She said that originally, the driver said there was only one flower arrangement to be dropped off. But, before Alice could sign for it, she remembered that there was another one on the back of the truck and went to retrieve it. Alice thought it was odd because when she signed the form, there was still only one delivery listed.”

“Does she remember which one was added?”

“Sure thing. Ten guesses which one?”

“The peace lily.”

He pointed his fork at Chad. “Ding, ding, ding, ding. Give the man a cigar. Got it on the first try.”

“We need to tell Rome.”

“Already ahead of you. Called him soon as we left.”

“So what happens now?” Meka asked.

“Now we wait. She’s beginning to make mistakes. One of them will lead us to her,” Chad told her with more confidence than he was feeling.

The next day was quiet. Chad was underfoot all day, refusing to leave the room, which seemed to shrink by the hour.

Alex still wouldn’t let her check out of or even leave the clinic, stating he wanted her under constant observation, just in case. If she didn’t get out of the room soon, she was going to lose it.

Alex must have realized it. “Look, I can’t let you leave, but the clinic is built in the shape of a square around a center courtyard. You can go out there and sit, feel the breeze on your skin and the sun in your face and still be protected.”

“At this point, I’ll take whatever I can get, as long as it gets me out of this room.”

It helped tremendously, but it still wasn’t home.

“I want to go home,” she whined for the fourth time in an hour. “I want my house, my space, my things. I’m sick of being stuck in this place.”

“Well, you can’t. Not until Alex says it’s safe.”

“I don’t see why I have to stay. I’m perfectly healthy. Alex said so himself. Why won’t he let me leave? What can they do for me that you aren’t already doing? If something happens—

which I seriously doubt—you can pick up the phone and give him a call,” she complained as she paced back and forth, kicking at the occasional obstacle in her path.

“You’re just bored.”

She threw up her hands. “And you’re not?” He sighed. “Meka.”

She knew she was being a bitch, but she felt like a prisoner.

Her skin was crawling with the need to do something—anything.

“You want something to do? Fine. Let’s see if you can shift into your wolf form.”

“What?”

“You heard me. You have to do it some time. Might as well be now. Take off your clothes.”

She looked around nervously, feeling like there was thousands of eyes watching her. “Here? Now? What if someone sees me?”

“There’s no one around and even if there were, nudity doesn’t bother shifters. We spend half our time in the buff.”

“Well, it bothers me.”

“Meka.” The way he growled her name cautioned that she was trying his patience. She reluctantly began to strip.

See what happens when you complain, Meka.

Not now, Momma E.

Momma E.’s chuckle slowly faded away.

“You smell that?” The expression on his face was the same one in the truck that day when Momma E made her first appearance.

Playing dumb, she sniffed the air and gave Chad an innocent look. “Smell what?”

When Chad narrowed his eyes at her, she remembered that shifters can smell lies. Oops!

“Never mind,” he told her. “It’s gone now.” She slowly let out the breath she’d been holding. Explaining about her dead grandmother was not on today’s ‘to do’ list.

“Take off your clothes,” she suddenly commanded.

“Why?”

“’Cause you’re not going to have me out here naked by myself. Now strip.”

He took off his t-shirt and jeans and tossed them to the side.

As per usual, he went commando. When she saw his erection, she reached out a hand to stroke it and suggested, “You know, we could just go back to the room and make love again.”

“No.” He knocked her hand away before it could connect.

“Stop trying to sidetrack me.”

“Fine,” she huffed. “Now what?”

“Think about your wolf. Remember that sensation when we were on the bed and you felt it move? Concentrate on that.”

“Is this going to hurt? ‘Cause I really don’t like pain,” she warned him.

“It only hurts if you fight the change, so don’t fight it.”

“Easy for you to say,” she muttered.

“Meka, concentrate.”

“I’m concentrating, or I will as soon as you quit talking to me.”

He huffed at her and placed his hands on his hips. “You’re stalling. We’ll stay out here all day if we have to.”

“All right already. I’ll do it, just don’t look at me. I can’t think with you—and that—staring at me.” She waved a hand at his straining penis.

He rolled his eyes, then turned his back. “Is this better?”

“Not really,” she muttered. The man’s rear was just as luscious at the front. Knowing she had no choice, Meka stopped playing around and got serious. She closed her eyes, trying to recapture the feeling she’d had yesterday.

Here, wolfie. Don’t you want to come out and play, wolfie?

Nothing.

She shook her shoulders to loosen the knots and tried again.

After a few minutes passed, she gave up. “Chad, it’s not working.”

He turned to face her. “Are you really trying, Meka?”

“I said I would, didn’t I? Yes, I tried and nothing happened.”

“Hmmm, maybe you’re too self-conscious about being naked. Those times when you felt it stirring, what were you thinking about?”

“You.”

“Come here.”

She walked over to him.

“Come closer.”

She stopped when their toes touched.

“Now, open up your senses like you did yesterday and smell me.”

She leaned in so that her nose brushed his chest.

“Don’t think about anything but my scent,” he said in a soft voice.

Her hands came up to hold him by the waist and she rubbed her nose against him, wanting to wallow in his essence.

“That’s right, baby. Rub yourself against me. I’m your mate.

You want my scent covering you, don’t you?” She did. He smelled so good, but lower smelled even better.

He dropped to his knees and she followed, bending on hands and knees until her nose was buried in his pubic hair, sniffing all around his root and balls.

“Meka, look at me, baby.”

She rolled her eyes up until she could see him.

“Your eyes are glowing. Follow me, babe. Just let it happen.” He rolled over onto his side and shifted.

Meka felt a searing heat, saw a flash of light, and then a tingling sensation engulfed her from head-to-toe. When her eyes opened, the world looked funny, all variant shades of gray.

You did it, baby. You’re a wolf.

Yeah, yeah, that was nice, but back to that luscious scent.

She went back to rubbing her muzzle in his groin.

Muzzle?

She plopped onto her behind and looked down. She had fur…and paws. She brought her right paw up felt her nose. She was a wolf. She did it.

Now how do I change back?

Chad laughed. One thing at a time. First I want you to get comfortable in your wolf body. Take a few steps. Run and play.

Don’t be in such a rush to change forms.

You can hear me?

Yes, this is how we communicate. Normally, I have to project my thoughts. With you, it’s like you’re right in my mind.

Meka stood and took a few wobbly steps. It was easier once she stopped thinking about it and let instinct—or her wolf—take over. She walked all around the courtyard, sniffing the plants and getting used to being on four legs instead of two. Then she and Chad played a game of chase. She was IT. He chased her until she dropped to the grass covered ground, panting.

He settled down beside her and licked her muzzle. It was nice, but she much preferred kissing as a human. As quick as the thought, she was back in her human body. Chad changed a second later.

Meka laughed, pleased with her accomplishment. “That was pleasant, but I’d rather do this…” She leaned over and kissed him, sticking her tongue in his mouth.

He turned until he was lying on his side facing her, and dragged her against his hard body. Meka wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled, rolling back until Chad settled on top of her. She moaned in approval when he nudged her legs apart with his knee and settled between them, sheathing his erection in one plunge. “You’re right. This is much better.” She grabbed him by the ears and pulled his face back down.

Against his lips she muttered, “Talk later. Fuck now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The next day, Alex came to her room. “Now that you’ve had your first change, you can go home.”

“You mean that’s it? That’s all you were waiting on?” she exclaimed in shocked disbelief.

Alex slanted a quizzical glance at Chad. “Well, that was my primary concern. As your alpha, it’s my duty to make sure your transition from human to shifter runs smoothly. Overseeing your first change is a large part of it. You shifted, things seemingly went well, and now you can go home.” He said it like he didn’t see what the big deal was.

“And you couldn’t have told me this before?”

“No.”

Meka wanted to push the issue, but Chad was giving her a look that said, “Shut up, woman,” as clearly if he’d shouted it.

She closed her mouth, inwardly fuming. If she’d have known that’s all it took be cleared to leave, she’d have shifted days ago, or least tried. She still wasn’t exactly sure how she’d transformed into her wolf, or if she could do it again.

She gathered her belongings, still seething at the injustice of it all. In the background, Alex asked Chad about her change. Did she do it on her own or did he have to guide her through it? Did she retain consciousness of who and what she was while in wolf form? Was it painful for her? Was Chad able to communicate with her in wolf form? What about the shift back to human, did it leave her weak and drained? By the time Alex finished his inquisition, she was packed and raring to go.

“Meka, I want you to come back in four weeks for a checkup. I’ll have my nurse schedule you an appointment.” She gave a brief nod of acknowledgment, still frowning ferociously.

Chad whispered, “What is wrong with you? Show some respect. He’s the alpha.”

She twirled her finger in a whoop-dee-do motion and rolled her eyes.

Alex caught their little byplay. “I’ll speak to Carol and make sure she schedules your next lesson—the one that deals with pack hierarchy—soon,” he informed her with narrowed eyes.

Meka growled in response and Chad snatched her back against his chest, wrapping both arms around her. “We’d appreciate that.”

Meka bit her lip and looked away.

“While she’s at it, she can teach Meka how to handle the aggressiveness she’s feeling.”

With a start, Meka realized she wasn’t being her normal, peaceful self. She wanted to attack, wanted to challenge Alex’s supposed authority over her. Suddenly, she was confused. She raised a shaky hand and pushed her bang out of her eye. “Alex, what’s wrong with me? I’m not naturally combative, but I wanted to fight you and I’m not sure why.” Actually, she wanted to rip his throat out, but didn’t think confessing that would go over too well.

Alex placed his chart on the table and leaned back against the bed, arms crossed over his chest. “What you’re feeling is natural. You’re a strong wolf. It’s the nature of the beast to pit itself against others to establish pecking order. From what Kiesha told me, Chad already established his dominance over you, so that’s why you’re not feeling the need to confront him.

You still need to find your way with the rest of us. Carol will teach you how to control the urge.”

Knowing why she was behaving the way that she was didn’t make her feel better about.

“Don’t worry. You’re still new at this and have lots to learn.

You’ll adjust. You’ve already made a great start,” Alex assured her.

“Ummm, what happens if I don’t?”

Chad stiffened behind her. The room was so quiet she could have heard a pin drop on carpet.

“I’m going to go sign off on your discharge paperwork. The nurse will bring it in here shortly along with the date of your next appointment.” He collected his clipboard and left the room.

Well, shit. Talk about pressure. She wrapped her arms around Chad’s, gripping him tight as she leaned her head back against his chest and relaxed into the safety his arms represented.

Chad rubbed his chin on the top of her head. “I won’t let anything happen to you, babe.”

“This is going to take some getting used to.” She just prayed she was given enough time to adjust.

“Getting out of here will be a big help. The beast doesn’t like to be caged.”

“I think I figured that one out already.”

On the way home, Rome called and instructed Chad to stop by the station. “And bring Meka. I want to know what she thinks of this.”

As they went inside, Meka looked around with interest. It looked a lot like the various police stations she’d seen in some of her favorite movies, just on a smaller scale. She guessed they really all were the same. Chad walked straight back past a room full of cubicles to a small, glass enclosed conference room near the back. Despite the multitude of keyboards clacking and phones ringing, she could feel the curious stares of the other deputies as they walked through.

Chad escorted her to the table and pulled out a chair. Once she was seated, he settled beside her. “Rome will be here in a minute.”

She hoped he hurried. The place smelled like stale coffee, cigarettes, musk, cologne, and office equipment. Funny how she never knew office machinery had a scent.

A very attractive Latino male with shoulder length, curly black hair and smoldering black eyes came strolling in and closed the door. He smelled…off. “What the hell are you?” she blurted, then slapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, God. I am so sorry. That was rude.”

“Meka, this is Sheriff Rome Barrio, my boss. Rome, this is my mate, Tameka Jones.”

Rome held out his hand. She sheepishly reached out and shook it.

His eyes twinkled at her. “No apologies necessary. Good nose. I’m a feline shifter. Up until now, you’ve primarily been surrounded by wolves. I can understand your surprise.”

“Feline as in cats?”

“Feline as in lions, tigers, panthers, etc. Not furry little house cats.”

“Big, man-eating kitty cats. Got it.” She winked to show she was just teasing and he laughed.

“What’s up, Rome? Meka just got released from the clinic.

I’m sure she’s ready to go home,” Chad asked shortly as he blatantly placed an arm around the back of her chair and leaned in real close.

She kicked him under the table. “Don’t mind him. I’m in no particular rush to trade one prison for another,” she assured Rome.

He smiled and set the bulging folder in his hands on the table before being seated. Oh my, he has a dimple. She let out a dreamy little sigh.

“Watch it. You’re a happily mated woman, remember?” Chad muttered in her ear.

She patted his knee. “Of course, baby. Doesn’t mean I can’t look.”

He captured her hand and held it tight. “That’s exactly what it means.”

Rome ended their little byplay by getting down to business.

“I want to discuss two things. We found Emily Carstens, but she’s not going to be much help. She was shot, execution style, almost a year ago. Reagan was able to find the birth records.

Emily had a boy named Franklin. He’s wanted for questioning as a person of interest in the death of his mother.”

“A boy? You’re sure?” Chad asked.

“We got a copy of the birth certificate from the Vital Records Unit,” Rome assured him. “The son was in therapy before he went missing. We’re trying to contact his therapist now to see what he can tell us.”

“Not much. It would be a violation of doctor/patient confidentiality,” Tameka informed them.

“That’s where you come in. He might be willing to speak off the record with another professional,” Rome stated.

“I’ll see what I can do,” she hesitantly promised. She’d took a solemn vow when she got her license and wasn’t comfortable with the idea of helping someone else circumvent theirs. “What has this to do with my case? I thought we were looking for a woman?”

“We are. I’m not sure yet how the two are related. I just feel in my gut that they are,” Rome answered.

Never argue with a cop’s intuition, she reminded herself. If he really felt that the situation warranted it, she’d do what she could to assist, despite her personal feelings on the subject.

“What about Flora’s Flowers?” Chad asked.

“That’s the second thing. The driver’s name is Francis Carter. She’s been working for Flora’s Flowers a little over two years as a delivery driver. Deb Turner, the owner, said she’s very quiet, keeps to herself. She’s a dedicated employee, always shows up to work on time and stays ’til her shift is finished.

Francis never mentioned having a boyfriend and the owner didn’t think she was involved with anyone. She did mention one thing that I found very interesting. Ms. Carter is a member of the National Skeet Shooting Association. She routinely takes off to attend tournaments.”

“Damn,” Chad muttered.

“My sentiments exactly.”

“What does this mean?” Tameka asked, not sure why the men were looking so grim.

“If she’s got any experience with the sport, she would by necessity be an expert shooter. The person that ambushed me the other day knew how to handle a rifle,” Chad explained.

“She had time and opportunity. Now we need to see if she had motive,” Rome added. He continued with, “When I asked to speak with her, I was told she’d returned from her route early that day citing a medical emergency. Seems her mother is deathly ill and Ms. Carter will be off indefinitely.”

“Well isn’t that convenient?” Chad stated with disgust showing in his expression.

“Sounds suspicious if you ask me,” Tameka stated.

“I got her home address from the owner. Told her Ms.

Carter may have witnessed a crime and we’d like to question her.

I drove by her place. No answer at the door and the landlord wouldn’t let me in without a warrant.” Rome closed the folder.

“At this point, we know Carter is involved, but not in what capacity.”

“She may be Carstens’ lover,” Chad suggested.

“I’m sure Raleigh police would love to know where he is,” Rome said.

“Is that where Emily relocated to?” Tameka asked.

“Yeah. She and Franklin. Emily bounced around a lot after leaving Refuge, but spent the last fifteen years in Raleigh,” Rome stated.

“So basically, we’re back to square one,” Chad said.

“Not really. We have a definite suspect in your shooting.

We just need to find the connection. We’re close. I can feel it. In the meantime, you stick close to Tameka. I don’t like it that this woman has disappeared. She’s already proven to be dangerous.

Watch yourself.”

Chad nodded his agreement and motioned for Meka to stand.

Rome slid a piece of paper across the table to her. “This is the therapist’s name and number. Wait a day and then give him a call.”

She took the paper, folded it and put it in her pocket. “I’ll call him tomorrow.”

Rome stood, grabbed his folder, and waited for them by the open door. “We’re going to tap your house phone. At this point, we need any help that we can get.”

“All right.” She mostly used her cell phone anyway, so it was no big deal.

“Hang tight. We’ll catch her,” Rome promised. The grin he gave her showed a bit of fang. She shivered. Between him and Chad, she was sure they would.