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

“They’ll say he’s a danger to others.”
    “We’ll get the lawyer to work on bail and to learn the details of the charges,” Saber said. “If we run into problems, we might have to break him out.”
    Saber wasn’t joking and the grim reality slapped them all. Jail was the least of Henry’s problems. If he turned wolfish, the government agencies would line up to take custody of Henry. His friend would never be free.
    London ignored the peal of her cell phone in the other room. Instead, she continued her shower. No matter how much she increased the hot water, she couldn’t get warm. Using Jenny’s laptop, she’d done an internet search on arriving back at the bed-and-breakfast. Then, following the instructions she’d found, she’d rung the British High Commission in Wellington to inform them of Jenny’s death.
    They’d told her they’d locate Royce and inform him. The man she’d spoken to had been helpful and explained that since the manner of death was suspicious, an autopsy would take place. After this, which might take time, they’d release her body. London could then repatriate Jenny home to England or have her buried in New Zealand.
    He’d referred her to a website for further details and told her how to register the death online. She’d scribbled notes, her tears blurring her sight and making the ink swirl on the page. He’d been blunt, yet helpful too, and told her to call again if she had questions.
    She swirled her fingers over her arm and the bubbles created by the shower gel and held up her right hand to stare at her wrinkly skin. Her chest and throat throbbed with tightness. She kept swallowing and swallowing. Nothing eased the pressure.
    With Jenny gone, she felt so alone. Truly alone and indecisive.
    She’d been so happy at her and Jenny’s reconciliation and had let her sister plan the trip, London’s one stipulation that she pay for her own accommodation and meals. Backpacker accommodation had been a novelty for Jenny and she’d enjoyed the people they’d met, fellow tourists. Now, London wasn’t sure what to do. Of course, she’d stay for a short time, but eventually she had to go home.
    Jenny had wanted to stay. She’d trusted Henry, and the more London thought of the relationship the more she doubted her initial reaction. Henry hadn’t acted guilty or in any way suspicious. He’d been distraught.
    His friends believed him innocent, and if that was the way she leaned too, that meant Jenny’s real killer still roamed free. Perhaps they’d left Middlemarch already.
    Why? Her mind kept circling the motive. Everyone liked Jenny. Oh, she could be judgmental and impatient and a plain bitch. London knew her sister’s weaknesses as well as she knew her own. But none of that had been present during their holiday. For the first time in ages, Jenny had returned to her normal self, her happiness bubbling over and spreading to everyone they met with an infectious joy.
    Her phone rang again. London frowned, wondering who could be calling her. Her friends knew she was away on holiday, and she hadn’t given her number out to many—
    Gerard?
    London stepped out of the shower and dried off with a towel. On unfastening her hair from the knot she’d secured it in to keep dry, she scowled at the scratches on her cheek. She’d looked better. Once dressed in dry jeans, a thick sweater and wooly socks, she checked her phone. It was Gerard.
    She hesitated, then hit redial.
    “London.” Gerard’s deep voice sent a quiver through her. “Are you all right?”
    Not really . “I’m fine. Just had a shower to warm up.”
    “I wondered if you’d have dinner with me. You shouldn’t be alone.”
    “No, it’s…” She trailed off, uneasy at his words. “Why?”
    “The cops might think they have their guy, but they haven’t. He’s wandering loose, maybe in Middlemarch. We don’t know what he’s thinking. I’d feel better if you weren’t alone.”
    And now she was cold again because his