22. Katar

We cooled things down after that. With so much going on, it didn't make sense to keep the heat in high gear until we'd figured some of this out and gotten to know each other better.

That night, we had dinner and sat on the sofa with Mozzie, talking about our lives. I wanted to know everything about her, from her favorite color—orc green—to what she loved doing most in her spare time—reading and taking walks on the beach. We slept together in her bed, and I held her while she cried. I stroked her back when she had nightmares about being locked up in jail.

I wanted to rip the detective's head off, something I was pretty sure would get me in trouble. But he'd hurt her. Made her sad.

Scaredher.

And I wasn't going to allow him to do it again.

Each morning, we had breakfast like a couple who'd been together for years.

I liked it. It was calming. Soothing. As perfect as her.

Two days later, after picking up a larger thumb drive, I finished loading all the footage off the library's cameras and strode into Bailey's office.

"Your computer was stolen, but do you have another one in the library?" I asked, holding up the drive. "I want to go through all the footage around the time the book was stolen and when someone was inside the attic."

"There's one at the front desk." She rose. "Speaking of front desk, I really should relieve Vera." She glanced at the big, tall, wooden clock. "I was supposed to take over for her at eleven."

"I'll start scanning the footage and do more investigating outside." So far, I hadn't found any evidence, and I couldn't figure out why. I was missing a clue, and I hoped it revealed itself soon. I doubted the detective would wait much longer before insisting he had his perp, and it was his duty to arrest her.

Thankfully, we hadn't heard from him yet. If he were wise, he'd let me handle this now.

I doubted he was wise.

"I'll let Vera go," Bailey said. "Carole will be here at noon to take over, but there's a gap in the schedule. I usually have my lunch when Carole gets here." Her gaze slid to her desk.

There was nothing I wanted more than to give her the pleasure I'd promised her a few days ago. And I would, tonight. Our plans had changed. Part of protecting my mate included making sure she was no longer under suspicion. I couldn't imagine why anyone would believe this sweet woman was involved in something like this, let alone that she'd sabotage the library to cover it up.

"What time does the library close today?" I asked.

"Four. That's when the last volunteer leaves. I often stay late to catch up on other things, but I'm wiped out. I'll lock up and we can go home then."

"I'm cooking dinner."

"You did last night and the night before that."

"I love taking care of you."

Her lips curled up on one side. "Please tell me you'll cook naked. That apron was mighty cute this morning, but I do believe you'd look even better without it."

"I'm happy to do everything naked, sweetheart," I purred.

"I like that about you. Very much." With that, she turned and sashayed out of the office. I watched her ass because I couldn't help it, then got up and quickly followed her. Hovered over her, actually, but I didn't want to let her out of my sight. So far, her life didn't appear to be threatened but how far would the real criminal go to make sure she paid the price for their crime?

She relieved Vera, who shot me a look I couldn't define. "Would you like me to let Mozzie out for you on my way home?" she asked Bailey.

"Thanks. He'll appreciate it," Bailey said as she sat at the desk in the main part of the library. She turned on the desktop computer and it hummed.

A woman came up to the desk to check out books, and Bailey gave her a smile.

"Hey," the woman said to me. "I think I know you." She looked over her shoulder. "Rexin, come see who's here." Her smiling gaze returned to me. "I'm Adeline. I'm mated to Rexin, and we run the amusement park in town." She juggled the toddler orcling on her hip. "This little one is Carrie." She kissed the small orcling's cheek while an orc strode from the other room and up to us.

He put his arms around Adeline and leaned over to kiss her neck before looking up at me. "Rexin Tavalog. You're Katar, right?"

"I am."

"Nice to see you again. I believe we met a few years ago at a party."

"I remember." I leaned over to pat his shoulder. "Nice seeing you again."

"You too."

Carrie started to fuss.

"We'd better go," Adeline told Rexin. She shot me a frazzled look. "Nice seeing you!"

They left at the same time as Vera.

I walked over to the window and watched Vera get into a slick blue sports car and drive away. Rexin loaded Carrie into an orcling seat in a large truck, then boosted Adeline into the front seat, rounding his truck to get in on the driver's side.

Movement across the road drew my eye.

Someone stood under a tree across the street, looking this way. Squinting, I tried to see who it was, though I didn't know many people in town. With the sun slanting this way, all I could catch was that the person was tall. Wearing pants. Maybe a male?

Walking back to the desk, I leaned down to speak in Bailey's ear, wishing I could suck on it. Would the elderly male checking out books notice? Probably. Grumbling, I restrained myself. "I'm going to step outside for moment," I whispered.

She nodded, busy with the male.

Because I never let anyone know I was coming, I ducked out the back door and moved carefully to the end of the back wall, peering around, my gaze trained to where I'd seen the person.

There was no one there.

An orc female pushed a stroller along the sidewalk, an orcling inside kicking its feet and squealing. A young human male rode a board with wheels in the opposite direction on the street, and two cars passed the library.

I didn't see anyone who might be the watcher. Assuming there was a watcher. Maybe it was someone who'd stopped and thought of going to the library and changed their mind.

Or they were entering right now . . .

Adrenaline roaring through me, I bolted inside, stomping down the hall to the entryway.

One woman stood there while a second woman was shutting the front door. They both looked my way, one reeling back as if I'd attack her.

"We . . . We . . ." the first said. "Run, Jenny. Run!"

The second wrenched open the front door and they raced out, slamming the door closed behind them.

"Greeting the patrons?" Bailey stood in the opening to the main room, her eyes sparkling with humor.

"They, um, changed their minds," I said sheepishly.

"Maybe they'll change their minds again and come back." Her smile didn't fade as she turned to return to the desk.

I slunk into the room behind her, striding to the front window to look out again.

The person was back, standing beneath the tree.

Male. I knew this in my bones.

I walked slowly to the back door and did the same thing, creeping to the side of the building to peer around it.

Again, there was no one there.