My Feline Protector (Middlemarch Shifters Book 6) by Shelley Munro Page A

like a motorboat engine unwilling to start. She inhaled and her pulse jolted to something resembling normal speed. Then shame filled her. She shouldn’t be thinking of sex when her sister lay dead. She managed a nod and forced her legs to move. Her muscles ached from running and climbing and crawling. The mud had dried on her skin and it itched. She couldn’t wait to wash away the day. She wished she could scour away the truth with the same ease.
    Gerard and Henry’s property, outskirts Middlemarch
    “If this zombie that Gerard saw is responsible for the murder, I don’t understand why none of us sensed his presence,” Isabella said.
    “There was so much blood plus the weird stuff the zombies sprayed over themselves as part of their costumes. I tried not to decipher the scents,” Saber said.
    “Same with me.” Gerard paced around the kitchen table where Sam, Lisa and Sam’s cousins had congregated to decide on a plan of attack.
    Sam tipped his chair, balancing it on two legs. “We need to question the other zombies again. You guys said you weren’t able to get to all of them before the cops started their questioning. We have their names and most of them are locals. Who was the scrutineer? We need to check with the makeup girls. They might remember a big guy. They did the makeup.”
    “We need to do a background check on Jenny and London,” Isabella said. “It makes little sense that someone would randomly pick Jenny and stab her. This smacks of something else. Love gone wrong or revenge.”
    Gerard nodded. “The cops think so too. They didn’t hesitate to arrest Henry. I know there was an ex-husband.” He frowned, replaying their conversations. “London lives in Bath and Jenny lives in London. The city,” he added when Sam grinned.
    “Anything else?” Isabella asked. “I have contacts, but the more information we give them the better.”
    “London works as a secretary.” Gerard wrinkled his brow. “Can’t remember what Jenny does. Henry will know.”
    “You should talk to Henry before you speak to your contact.” Lisa reached over to squeeze Gerard’s hand. “This might take time but we’ll get Henry out of jail.”
    “I’d feel better if Hannah wasn’t in charge,” Saber said.
    “Hopefully someone more senior takes over the investigation,” Isabella offered. “First, Hannah isn’t competent and second, he’s lazy. He’ll pass off the responsibility if he can. Gerard, we’ll try to get in to see Henry. If they won’t let us, we’ll ask his lawyer to get the details for you.”
    “I’ll speak with London. Wait…there was something else. When we were in the pub last night London froze. She thought she saw someone she knew. When I asked her she brushed it off, but I felt her panic.”
    Isabella nodded. “You need to ask her again. It might be something that will help us.”
    “I dropped her off at the bed-and-breakfast. I’ll give her an hour then call her and ask her out to dinner. Is Storm in a Teacup open late tonight?”
    “Yes,” Saber said. “Emily wanted to capitalize on the extra people in town. I’ll call her and book you a table. About seven?”
    “Yes, that will work,” Gerard said. “God, I hate this. They were so quick to charge Henry. Henry doesn’t do well in confined spaces.”
    “Is he moon-called?” Saber demanded.
    “Only if he doesn’t shift on a regular basis,” Gerard said in a grim voice. He’d considered this, but they’d get Henry out of custody before the full moon. “Since we’ve lived in Middlemarch we’ve run most days. It’s part of why we based our business here. If he goes for the next week without shifting, his body will force a shift on him once the moon is full.”
    “Crap. When is full moon?” Isabella asked.
    “Seven, no eight days.” Gerard calculated in his head. Easy these days since he lived with a werewolf. “Do you think we can get him out on bail?”
    “Not for a murder charge.” Sam’s voice was grim.