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It seemed wrong to simply sit and wait, with the body of a woman he’d been rather intimate with just hours ago on a bed a half dozen feet from him. He didn’t have a choice, however. Tad tried not to fidget or do anything that might make him appear guilty.
What does guilty look like? Tad really didn’t have a clue. He’d been a good, rule-following child who grew to a good, rule-following adult.
Years of therapy graced him with tools to keep his anxiety in its place. He couldn’t get up, walk around and closely observe his surroundings but he had other skills at his disposal. Besides, he’d observed enough in the time since he’d woken up. Werewolf hearing allowed him to hear beyond what was happening in this room. He silently recited three sounds and moved three body parts.
The rustle of the patrol officers’ clothing as they moved. Tad stretched his fingers. A car pulled into the parking lot. He moved his feet in small circles for a few seconds. Scratching of a pen against paper as one of the officers took notes. Tad wiggled his toes. He had a prescription—three actually—if his thoughts got out of control, but he needed to take so much of the medications for them to work, he preferred to try other methods first. Meds were a last resort.
I’m not guilty and didn’t do anything wrong!
The way Raul lifted an eyebrow and looked at Tad made him wonder if he’d heard Tad’s thoughts. Maybe a few deep breaths were in order, too. When completely changed werewolves could communicate simple thoughts and phrases with each other if they were physically close enough. He’d never known of anyone doing the same thing in human form. Hell, he’d barely had it happen during a full change and then only with the one male who’d knotted him during sex.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the detective arrived. Tad looked up and his heart skipped a few beats. Raul definitely heard Tad’s change in heartrate. He gripped Tad’s shoulder for a few seconds then let go and gave him a few gentle pats.
Raul stepped forward and as usual, took charge and held out his hand. “I’m Raul Fierro, I represent the owner.”
The detective nodded and offered him a small smile. “I know who you are. And who owns this business.” He looked down at Tad. “I’d say it’s good to see you again, but I’d rather it be under different circumstances.” He turned back to Raul and shook his hand. “Deputy Sheriff Elian Nash. I’m the detective who will be handling the initial investigation.”
“You’ve been here before? Were you a client of Tadeo’s?” Raul asked.
Elian shook his head. “No. I did however request this case because I know a bit about the werewolf culture, and I’m not easily offended.”
Raul smiled at that. He offended a lot of people. It was only Raul’s family who knew his more amiable side well.
Tad tried to swallow, but his lips and throat were dry. “Remember when I was skipped ahead a few grades in school and took classes at the college?” It was the start of Tad’s anxiety disorder in earnest.
Raul nodded.
“Elian was in one of my study groups. I think he was the only person on campus who would talk to the geeky, awkward, werewolf kid.” And the man who Tad gave up his virginity to, but that was long ago and not relevant to what was happening now.
If you'd like to read book 1 of the El Corazon series check out Scintilla.
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