4. Elrik

4

ELRIK

W hy was I so eager to include Melly in this investigation? As I told her, I always worked alone. I wasn't eager to take on a sidekick in a case like this. And I hadn't even asked Katar if such a thing was allowed.

But this case shouldn't be dangerous. We were talking about someone slipping Xylitol into a punchbowl, not arsenic. Someone probably did it as a prank, not realizing the substance could be toxic to someone with kidney disease. They'd come forward soon and confess, and we'd close the case. There was no reason I couldn't take some time during the investigation to get to know her better.

Despite telling myself I wasn't going to get involved with anyone else again, I liked her. She was gorgeous. Extra curvy—just the way I liked a woman. I couldn't decide if her eyes were green, gray, or brown, and I wanted to stare into them for hours until I decided. It was all I could do not to get out of my chair, round my desk, and tug her up to face me. I'd run my fingers through her dark hair gleaming in the muted light, stroke her cheeks, and tease the pad of my thumb across the tiny dimple in her chin.

Kiss her.

Hold on. I couldn't kiss her. I'd promise myself I wasn't going to date anyone, be with anyone, or kiss anyone for a while. It had only been a few months since Brittney ditched me for my brother. Rebound relationships never worked out.

Yet here I was . . .

I hadn't made a true vow not to go out with anyone. It was a mental suggestion, one that my heart and body were rebelling against already.

For now, I needed to focus on this investigation.

"I'd like to speak with your grandmother about this," I said.

Melly lifted her phone. "Do you want me to call her again?"

"In person might work best. Do you think she'd be willing to talk to me now?"

"I'm sure she would." Melly stood. "Do you want to ride with me or follow my car?"

"I'll ride with you if you can bring me back here afterward."

"I can do that."

We exited the building and crossed the street to the public parking lot on the opposite side and climbed into her car.

"Tight fit," she said, shooting me a smile as she buckled. "Sorry."

"I'm used to it. Once I moved to town, I bought a pickup truck." Slouching lower to keep my head from grinding against the roof of her car, I buckled as well.

"All the monsters in the area drive them." She started the vehicle and backed out of her spot, taking us out onto Main Street and through the downtown area.

"Many of the vehicle manufacturers have come out with new lines built specifically for monsters."

"I don't believe I've ever ridden in a truck," she said.

I flashed her a smile. "I'll be happy to take you out in mine whenever you'd like."

"Can we go off-roading and splash through mud?"

My laugh burst out. "You just want to get my truck dirty."

She winked my way. "I do love getting dirty."