Deadly Liaisons Read Online Free PDF Page B

bedroom. Covered in a pale blue comforter, her bed waited for her like a lover with open arms. She realized then how exhausted she truly was. Tired of the kil ings, of chasing the vampire but not cornering him, of worrying about another murderer who might kil more, tired of getting nowhere fast. She fil ed her leather bag with clothes, personal items and two hunter’s swords.
    Bernard’s couch made into a double bed in his studio apartment. She really didn’t want to sleep with him. But the SCU senior staff must have sent him for her, and with Daemon gaining access to her place and another police kil ing—this one too close to home—it was just as wel she stayed somewhere else for the night.
    She returned to the living room where Bernard stared back at her, his eyes tired.
    “Why aren’t you waiting for the police?” she asked, her voice rising an octave.
    “They’re here.”
    No sirens this time? She shook her head and handed her suitcase to Bernard.
    Would the SCU put a real stop to her investigation? She pul ed the door open, planning to go to Bernard’s pad. As soon as he fel sound asleep, she’d leave and find a place where she could investigate undisturbed.
    When she and Bernard left her apartment, she glanced in the direction of her car. No body. “Where’s the crime scene? The tape? The police?”
    “The SCU’s handling it.”
    Bernard tossed her bag into the backseat of his pickup. His blue eyes seemed to hide some deep-seated sorrow. When she tried to read his mind, it was void of any thoughts, just like her mind would blank out when she was real y tired.
    She glanced back at the spot where the officer had lain.
    Damn the Special Crimes Unit. As fast as they’d handled the site, they must have brought an army. “Which officer is handling it now?”
    Bernard didn’t reply.
    With the lateness of the hour, she figured he was as exhausted as she was. Or maybe he was more exasperated with her than usual.
    That something more was amiss didn’t register—not until they were on their way across town to his place, and it final y dawned on her they were going in the wrong direction. As if dipped into a half-frozen lake, her skin chil ed, fear taking root at once. Had the SCU ordered she be put into protective custody for her own safety?
    Tension fil ed every fiber of her being. She wouldn’t be incarcerated ever again if she could prevent it. She’d go mad if they confined her.
    “Where are we going, Bernard?” When he didn’t respond, a dreadful feeling of claustrophobia forced her heart to speed up.
    “Bernard, where are you driving me?”
    “You shouldn’t have taken this job,” he said, his voice emotionless, not like him at al . He should have growled at her, scowled at her.
    Her thoughts swirled with renewed worry, and she rubbed her temple, trying to get her concerns under control.
    “I know, I know, Bernard. You’re so right,” she said, pretending to go along with the charade. “I’m not going to do any more investigating into the matter. Isn’t that what the SCU has decreed?”
    He glanced at her, his look detached.
    Twice now, she’d said something total y out of character for her. And twice he’d responded in the same way: uncharacteristical y. What the hel was wrong with him?
    “Bernard, tel me where you’re taking me.”
    He didn’t reply.
    “The SCU thinks I’l what? Jump out of a moving truck if I discover you’re taking me somewhere safe? Hel , I know that’s what you’re doing.” She crossed her arms with false bravado. “I’m glad you came when you did. What with the visit I had from the murderer…”
    Bernard glanced at her but didn’t say a word. Now she really knew something was wrong. If she’d told him that earlier tonight when he was acting more himself, he’d have thrown a fit.
    “Anyway, then the police officer with the tissue samples was kil ed before he reached me and the samples stolen…”
    Again, Bernard looked at her, but his gaze shifted