Runner's Moon Trilogy Megabook Series (35 page)

She couldn't stop shivering. She couldn't tell if it was because of delayed shock or the cold night wind gusting over her nude body. But the rough blanket felt good. She clutched it more tightly around her. "Are you all right?" DeGrassi breathed into her ear. They were sitting inside one of the EMS

ambulances, waiting to get an official release so he could take her home. Or rather, take her to his place. The little cottage was no longer the safe and secure hideaway it once had been, much to their dismay.

"He cut me. A little bit," she reassured him. When his eyes scoured her for signs of a wound, she shook her head. "My true self. On my arm."

"Don't we need to bandage it or something?"

Roni tried to give him a reassuring smile, but the past few hours were starting to catch up with her. A violent shudder overtook her, and a gasp of pain escaped her before she could press her lips together. DeGrassi kissed her hair.

"As soon as we get to my place, I'll take care of it. Just hold on, t'korra."

Nodding, she caught sight of Tayson walking over to them with a strange look on his face. "How are you doing?" he first addressed her directly.

"I'm shaken. I'm covered in blood. And I'd like to sleep for the next two weeks. Otherwise I'm just peachy, Detective."

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DeGrassi motioned with his chin toward the other departing ambulance. "Will he make it?"

"Oh, yeah. The guy's tough. But I'll tell you now, he's probably going to get off on a mental plea." Tayson's attention swung back to Roni. "The man is claiming you're really a green monster with blades for fingers. And get this.

He claims you attacked him and sliced off his hands."

Roni gave him a look of disbelief, one that she had practiced countless times. The man snorted.

"Yeah. That's probably what my reaction looked like, too.

For the record, though, are you ready to tell me what happened out there?"

She took a deep breath. The night air smelled wonderfully clean, with just a hint of rain. Tugging the blanket tighter around her, she gave a semi-shrug. "It happened so fast. I was asleep in the backseat of Thomas' car. He must've snuck up on me. One minute I was asleep, and the next he shoved this foul-smelling rag in my face and in my mouth. And then he cuffed my hands behind my back before he covered my head with a bag. I remember he dragged me out of the car and slung me over his shoulder. I figured he was taking me into the woods by the way he stumbled a lot. There's a lot of dead growth and underbrush out there."

"Did he say anything?"

"Just that he was going to punish me the same way he had punished all the other diseased whores."

"Diseased whores?" DeGrassi repeated.

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Tilting her head to one side, Roni added, "I got the impression that maybe he'd contracted AIDS or something from a prostitute. You might want to have him checked."

"Thanks. I'll be sure to have the hospital run some tests.

What I don't understand is how you managed to cut his hands off."

This time the look she gave the detective was as hard and as cold as ice. "I was fighting for my life, Detective. In my line of work, I've had to learn how to protect myself. Besides, the guy was like a lump of lard. No strength, no muscle, no stamina. He strung me up in the trees and gave me a little lecture about the women of my profession. Then he cut me down so he could deal with me. That's when I fought him for the knife. I didn't hesitate to use it. And if circumstances were to be repeated, I'd do it again. I don't deny cutting off his hands. The bastard thought he could frighten me just like he terrified the others. It just never occurred to him that one day he would meet a woman he couldn't beat."

She could feel her mate's hand where it rested against her back. It was like a pipeline, funneling his warmth and love into her. Giving her silent support. Don't say anything you can't prove or they can disprove. Taking another cleansing breath, Roni glanced toward the cottage. "What took you so long?" she asked him.

"I'm sorry. We were taking notes. Getting the facts straight for our reports. Plus Higginbothem found evidence that Cowven may have been here before. Yeah." He nodded at her surprised reaction. "The man has been scoping out the place. There was also a tap on your phone."

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"He put it there?"

"We're not certain," Tayson told her. "Hopefully we'll be able to get some fingerprints. But it doesn't really matter now, does it? Look, it's been a helluva night. You two go get some rest before tomorrow."

"What happens tomorrow?" She looked first at the detective, then to DeGrassi.

"You'll need to make an official statement," DeGrassi explained.

"Will I need to go to court?"

"You will if this thing goes to trial."

"Which I seriously don't think it will," Tayson added. "The evidence we've gathered is more than enough to convict him of at least one of the murders, if not more. My guess is he'll probably cop a plea bargain for an NGI and get a life sentence in a mental ward instead of the death penalty."

Another shudder ran through her. DeGrassi rubbed his hand over her back and ended on her shoulder, where it gave a gentle squeeze. "If it's at all possible, I want to keep Roni out of the spotlight," DeGrassi told the detective. "And while we're at it, I'm turning in my two weeks' notice first thing tomorrow."

By the grim set of Tayson's jaw, it was clear the news was not to his liking. "Is it because of her?"

She sensed him trying to control his temper instead of letting his anger rule over his better judgment. After letting out a deep breath, DeGrassi slowly nodded. "Yeah. It has everything to do with Roni. I want to take her away from this place, and this city. She deserves a fresh start. And to be 490

perfectly honest, the job was beginning to wear my nerves to shreds. I'm going back to my hometown and applying for a position at the sheriff's department."

"Sheriff's department? A guy with your training and experience?" The question held a trace of humor.

DeGrassi grinned. "Think I'm overqualified?"

"Hayrides in the autumn. Christmas caroling door-to-door.

Summer picnics in the park. Christ, I'm almost tempted myself," Tayson admitted. "Why do I get the feeling you've been debating this move for some time?"

"It's always been a dream of mine to raise a family back where I grew up. It may be a small town, but a person can chase their passions there." DeGrassi drew his arm around Roni. "All I was lacking was the one person I could share it with. Think what you will, Evan. Roni isn't the type of person you think she is. There were circumstances that forced her to start hooking. But it's over. It's time for a new chapter for both of us."

"In your old hometown."

"Yeah."

Tayson chuckled softly. "Where is this Shangri-La, in case I ever want to check it out?"

"Over on the East Coast, about five hours north of here.

It's a lumber town called Tumbril Harbor."

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Epilogue

The seating capacity on the little cardboard sign above the diner's door said "Maximum 84." Obviously, the local fire marshal chose to ignore the violation when an extra chair was placed at the end of each booth, passing that number by another dozen. Because seven days a week, between the hours of eleven and two, Maggie's On Main filled up, with few exceptions.

This Saturday was no different. The lunchtime menu claimed that the special was meat loaf, with a choice of two sides and a total of eight to choose from. And dessert was a choice between coconut cream pie and blackberry cobbler.

Topped with vanilla ice cream, it would cost ninety-five cents extra.

Booth five was currently occupied by a foursome, a man-and-woman couple on both sides of the table. There was a lot of laughter coming from that particular table, and the waitress filling water glasses to take to their booth couldn't help but smile.

* * * *

"Please tell me again you're not joshing me," Wendy Newburg demanded breathlessly. "You're really putting down roots in Tumbril Harbor?" She had reached over the table to take the young man's hands and give them another squeeze. DeGrassi gave his aunt's hands a pat as he chuckled. The woman hadn't stopped exclaiming since he and Roni had 492

arrived in town last night. "Take it to the bank, Aunt Wendy.

And thanks for putting us up at the lodge until we can get us a place."

"When did you say your interview was at the park service?" Sheriff Klotsky asked the dark-haired woman sitting snugly beside his new deputy.

"Wednesday morning at nine," Roni answered. "With Jim Mounds. Do you know him?"

The sheriff nodded. "Jim's a good man. But I gotta tell you, you'd better be a lot tougher than you look."

"Trust me, George. Roni comes from a country that was heavily forested," DeGrassi assured the man. "She was practically born in a tree."

"You know, there's a young man and his new wife who moved here a couple of months ago. He's also from overseas.

Has an accent that sounds a lot like yours, Roni."

Wendy continued to shake her head and sniff away the tears. "I never thought you would settle down, Thom. Have you decided on a date for the wedding?"

DeGrassi stretched slightly, dropping an arm around Roni's shoulders. "We wanted to wait until we got to town before making it official. After all, can't have a ceremony without the woman who practically raised me. Speaking of," his eyes danced back and forth between his aunt and his new boss,

"when are you two going to tie the knot and stop Mrs.

Gottschalk from spreading any more gossip?" He was delighted to see his aunt and the sheriff flush from the suggestion. His uncle had died seven years ago, and the sheriff began to secretly court the widow the following year.

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The twosome had thought they had been keeping their romantic liaisons under wraps. But after six years, DeGrassi felt enough was enough. If he could bite the marital bullet, so could they.

He felt Roni snuggle closer until their thighs were touching underneath the table. Her warmth automatically sent a fist of desire beating at his groin. There was a lot to be said about making love out under the stars in the middle of the woods.

He was beginning to believe that bringing Roni here was the smartest decision he had ever made.

DeGrassi understood why Wendy had been shocked to see them appear at the office of the small motor lodge she ran.

She had been even more astounded to find out that the nephew she had raised after the death of her sister had applied for a job at the sheriff's office. Of course, George Klotsky had practically fallen all over himself at the chance to have someone of DeGrassi's caliber on the force.

But the greatest surprise had been the beautiful young woman he had brought with him. Thirty minutes with the couple, and DeGrassi knew she would see the two of them were deeply in love. They had spent that evening having supper together and catching up on the local news. There was something about Roni that DeGrassi could tell instantly put Wendy at ease. He breathed easier; in the past, his aunt had confessed she harbored fears that she might not be able to get along with the woman Thom finally chose to marry. He understood it was a normal, maternal fear.

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"How long did you say you'd been in America?" Klotsky inquired of Roni in order to turn the conversation into safer waters.

"Five years," she answered.

"What kind of job did you have in Crescent City?"

"She renovated old homes and also did some landscaping on the side," DeGrassi replied smoothly. On their trip down, he and Roni had agreed not to mention the fact that she had once been a hooker. Unless something happened, and that part of her past was made an important part of the case, they had agreed to keep to the credo of "say nothing you can't prove or they can disprove." The fact that Roni had spent nearly five years putting the old cottage to rights was an accomplishment she could be proud of, and DeGrassi wanted her to take all the credit she could for it.

Wendy turned to the sheriff. "When is Thomas's first day on the force?"

"A week from Monday," Klotsky told her.

"My papers have already cleared," DeGrassi added. "I'm officially on vacation leave, but George was kind enough to give us the extra time to settle in. Do some house hunting.

Make a trip over to the Justice of the Peace. Sheriff? Would you mind standing up as a witness for us?"

"What? No big church ceremony?" Wendy gasped in mock shock. She began to giggle as her nephew rolled his eyes.

* * * *

During the exchange, Roni relaxed and happily sat back and savored the friendship and family ties. Last night, she 495

had gone for a long run in the woods behind the lodge. Here in this small town, with the ocean bordering its eastern edge, the forest surrounded the little logging community on the other three sides. Less than a dozen miles away was a national forest and game preserve. Big trees and immense vegetation grew so thick and fragrant that, when she had arrived back at their little cabin and flung herself into her lover's arms, she had sobbed with happiness. He had promised her he would take her where she would be content to remain for the rest of their lives. And he had kept that promise.

Their waitress appeared at the table to give them glasses of water. "Good morning, Sheriff. Mrs. Newburg." She flashed them a genuinely bright smile as she straightened up and placed her hands on her hips.

"Speaking earlier of the devil, good morning, sweetcheeks!" Klotsky boomed. "How's the honeymoon?"

"Still going strong!" The woman giggled, blushing a bright pink.

"How's the house coming along?" Wendy inquired.

"He's working on it every spare moment he can find. If the weather holds out, he hopes to have the roof finished by the end of the month." She glanced over at Roni and DeGrassi.

"What can I get you all to drink? Coffee all around?"

Roni opened her mouth to request some hot tea when she suddenly froze. A scent was emanating off the woman, elusive but unmistakable. And totally impossible. Taking another sniff, she felt her mouth go dry. There was no way...

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The others gave the young blonde woman their orders, but when sapphire-blue eyes locked on her, she couldn't find the voice to answer. There was a nudge in her ribs. "Coffee or hot tea, Roni?" DeGrassi prompted.

"Uh. Oh. Tea," she finally managed to stammer.

"Got it! I'll be right back to take your order," the woman beamed and bounced away, her ponytail swinging with a beat. Roni stared after her in disbelief as she took another deep, tentative sniff.

Another nudge in her ribs caught her attention. "Earth to Roni. What's the matter, sweetheart?"

Before she was aware of what she was doing, she found herself on her feet. DeGrassi tried to grab her arm. "Roni, anything wrong?"

"No, no. It's just..." Throwing a partial smile back at him, she said, "Give me a minute, would you?"

The waitress was behind the counter, getting their drinks order. Roni cautiously walked over to her and took another whiff. The woman became aware of someone standing behind her and turned around. She gave Roni another honest smile.

"Yes? Is there something you needed to tell me? Did you change your mind about that tea?"

Roni breathed her again. Yes. It was there. His scent.

There could be no mistake. She knew his smell and remembered it as clearly as if he had been thrown into her cell just yesterday. She knew she would never forget his gentleness or his scent for as long as she lived, and now here was a human woman with a sunshine smile and sky-blue eyes, wearing it like the most exotic perfume. His woman.

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There could be no other explanation. She was his life partner.

Roni's gaze dropped to the name tag above her left breast pocket: "Hannah."

The woman's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you sniffing me?" she started to ask, then stopped. Her eyes widened, and the waitress moved closer to Roni to stare into her eyes.

"You have flecks in your eyes?" She gasped in stunned surprise. "Are you ... Ruinos?" she barely whispered.

Roni stepped back in shock. Immediately she glanced back at the booth where the others were watching the two of them. Where she knew Thomas would be aware of her trepidation and rising joy. Opening her mouth to respond, she tried to find some way of answering the woman when the door to the diner opened, ringing the little bell above the header. The waitress's attention was diverted to the figure who walked in and stopped just behind Roni. The expression on her face was pure love.

"Sorry I'm late, t'korra. Did you save me some of those flapjacks?" a deep, familiar voice asked the blonde woman.

And then he took a long, noticeable sniff.

Roni slowly turned around to see a tall, powerfully-built, dark-haired man staring at her in undisguised disbelief. His brown eyes were flecked with gold, and his rich scent wrapped around her like a beloved, sorely-missed blanket.

Even in their human forms, they knew each other instantly.

"Tiron?" the man almost stuttered.

"Jebaral?"

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RUNNER'S MOON BOOK 3: SIMOLIF

by

Linda Mooney

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