Cry Wolf (Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series Book 4) Read online

“So if the stake didn’t kill him, what did?” DeeDee frowned.

  “Not sure yet.” Ursula signaled the EMTs to take the gurney to the ambulance. “I’ll have to complete the autopsy to find that out.”

  “Right.” Distracted, DeeDee waited until Ursula and the ambulance left, then wandered back toward the crime scene. Garlic, wooden stakes. All classic gear, yet no actual vampire killed. Deep in thought, she nearly ran into Stan, who stood staring at the scene, hands on his skinny hips.

  “Don’t you think this is odd?” he asked DeeDee.

  She looked up and frowned. “What?”

  “They’re shooting a vampire movie, then some guy turns up dead with all the signs of being a vampire?” He gave DeeDee a side glance that raised her hackles. “Makes a guy wonder.”

  She bit back a sarcastic retort and looked away from Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dorky. “Yeah. Except there’s no such thing as vampires.”

  “Maybe,” Stan said as he strolled away toward the mansion.

  Dex walked over to her next, his phone in hand again. This time, though, instead of talking to Issy, he was scrolling through stuff on the screen. “Check this out. Turns out the victim played the lead in the movie. He’s an actor by the name of Tucker Rockwood.” He showed her the screen. “You think maybe the killing’s symbolic?”

  “I don’t know. Symbolic of what?”

  “Maybe they were trying to prove a point?” He shrugged. “Perhaps one of the crazy protestors took things a step too far?”

  “Could be.” When DeeDee had interviewed the others, more than a few had said the victim had been something of a diva. They’d also said no one got along with Tucker and he was threatening to quit because of a contract dispute over more money. Given public interest was high in the film, despite its stupid title and outlandish plot, maybe the film’s leading man had seen all the attention as a golden opportunity.

  The crowds chanted in the distance as the ambulance pulled away. Owen was still with the crime scene techs, searching for any last bits of evidence, and she and Dex walked over to help them clear the area before returning to her squad car.

  DeeDee had just gotten all the gear loaded into her trunk once more when an expensive Mercedes pulled in behind her cruiser, blocking her in. She scowled, ready to tell the driver to take a hike, when Caine Hunter emerged, along with a gorgeous, regal-looking blonde. He guided the woman by the elbow to where DeeDee stood behind her squad car.

  “Deputy Clawson, always a pleasure to see you.” Caine gave her a slight bow and a dazzling smile that made DeeDee’s toes curl inside her boots. Darn him. It should be illegal for a man to look that hot at a crime scene. His warm amber gaze caught and held hers for a moment before he gestured toward the woman beside him. “This is my sister, Carletta.”

  “Deputy DeeDee Clawson. I work for Sheriff Gleason,” she said, shaking the other woman’s hand, feeling bulky and out of sorts next to such a delicate queen. Not that DeeDee was bad looking. She was okay, she supposed. Better now that Gray had given her a bit of a magical boost in the appearance department. Her curls bounced and sparkled despite the overcast day, her skin glowed with health and vitality, and her smile all but twinkled with whiteness. Still, under all the glitz and glamour, DeeDee still sometimes felt like the insecure tomboy she’d always been growing up, hardly worthy of standing in the presence of such beauty.

  And yeah, Caine Hunter was beautiful, for a guy. All tall and broad and muscled, with his thick tawny-blond hair. Even his clothes—all designer, all cashmere, and all tailored to perfection—exuded the natural confidence and grace he seemed to carry with him wherever he went.

  It wasn’t fair. It was, in fact, downright annoying.

  Maybe even more so today, because of all the red, itchy hives lurking beneath her drab brown work jacket. Not exactly cover-girl material or the kind of thing that made men beg to ask her out on a date. Not that she wanted to date Caine Hunter. Even if he did make her whole traitorous body light up like a Christmas tree whenever he was around.

  Nope.

  What she really needed was a good midnight run. They always helped tire out her inner wolf and clear her head and heart.

  The only problem was, it was only midmorning at the latest. Plus, she now had a murder to investigate, and her number-one suspect was the guy standing before her now. Because, after all, if the top star of the movie had threatened to quit, who stood to lose the most if the film went under? Caine Hunter. That was who.

  The same Caine Hunter whom DeeDee found inconveniently, impossibly attractive.

  Not good.

  Not good at all.

  CHAPTER 2

  C aine narrowed his gaze, trying to get a read on DeeDee. The few times they’d met since his arrival in Silver Hollow were under less than ideal conditions. Usually, the only time they saw each other was when she responded to a disturbance call on his movie set or to noise complaints from the neighboring homeowners. Which, given her slight frown and flat expression, hadn’t exactly endeared him to her. And that made things…difficult.

  Because DeeDee didn’t know it yet, but Caine was her soon-to-be fiancé.

  At least, that was his father’s plan, and if Caine wanted to maintain his standing and approval within his pack, he was honor-bound to abide by his alpha father’s wishes.

  “She doesn’t seem to like you,” Carletta said, her tone amused. “I think you’ll have your work cut out for you this time, brother.”

  He snorted, watching as DeeDee crossed her arms over the top of that hideous brown coat. It was dull as dishwater and gave no indication of her shape underneath. Which was a shame, because his bride to be was quite pretty, beneath all her professional police procedures and bravado. Even in the deep chill, her thick golden curls shimmered, and her hazel eyes sparkled. Her skin was creamy, and her cheeks were flushed a delightful shade of pink from the cold. And her lips—soft and full and slightly tipped upward at the corners, as if she were constantly in on the joke—made him wonder how they’d feel against his mouth if he leaned in and kissed her.

  Caine coughed to clear the sudden constriction from his throat. This was silly. He was marrying her because it was the right thing to do for his pack, because it was his duty as the heir apparent of the MacPherson alpha to seal the deal with the Clawsons and ensure no more wars would occur.

  Still, as DeeDee continued to watch him, her booted toe tapping on the frozen ground and those delectable lips of hers pursed, he couldn’t help thinking marriage to her might not be such a bad experience after all. The fact she responded to each of the calls about his property in a timely and thorough manner showed she was trustworthy and loyal and dedicated to justice. Plus, yeah. She was hot. Even as she glared at him across the few feet separating them. Perhaps her hostility toward him masked a stronger attraction. He called on his inner wolf senses and picked up clear pheromone signals and physical indications that might be the case—rising body temperature, increase in breath and pulse rate, pupils slightly dilated.

  Good.

  Physical attraction was a start. Now, they’d have to build on that and make their relationship into one tolerable for an eternity. Wolves mated for life, and werewolves like him and DeeDee, while not immortal, had a life expectancy far beyond human years—as long as they didn’t meet with a silver bullet or another untimely demise.

  Nope. Deal or not, when Caine took DeeDee for his bride, he wanted it to be far more than a business arrangement. He wanted a wife who would love him completely as a person, not for his money or for his family prestige or for his looks. But for him, the real Caine Hunter.

  Transforming this contentious relationship from a battle of wills into a true partnership of respect and trust and love, however, would be tricky. Because right now, he had no doubt DeeDee saw herself as in charge—of this case and their upcoming engagement. And Caine was an alpha through and through, strong and tough and loyal and committed, born to lead. The last thing he wanted was to get into a power struggle with his a
s-yet-unaware new wife. But he also refused to sit back and let her and her department run roughshod over his movie set without keeping a close eye on them. His business depended on finishing and distributing this film.

  “If you’ll excuse me, Carletta.” Caine moved to stand before his wife to be. “I’d like to see the crime scene, Deputy Clawson.”

  She raised a brow at him. “We’re done collecting evidence.”

  “I’d still like to take a look.” He grinned, the one that made most women fawn all over him. DeeDee just stared. No reaction. Tough crowd. Undeterred, Caine took off for the field behind her. “It’s over here, correct?”

  “You won’t find anything,” DeeDee said, rushing after him, her tone brimming with annoyance. “I never leave anything behind. Full, properly collected evidence means the difference between conviction and acquittal.”

  He stopped abruptly, and she nearly ran right over the top of him. Caine reached out a hand to steady her, but DeeDee pulled away before he touched her. He bit back a smile at her supremely irritated scowl. I’m getting to her. Good. In his experience, there was a fine line between love and hate. “Thanks for the law lesson, but I minored in criminal justice at Stanford.”

  “Really?” There went her crossed arms and tapping toe again. She looked adorable, but he refrained from saying so, thinking this would probably earn him a punch to the face. “Then you know how important it is to keep people from traipsing all over the crime scene.”

  “I do.” He scanned the ground, picturing the way it had looked the day before when they’d shot scenes there. He didn’t have a photographic memory, but his was still sharper than the average person’s. His wolf instincts helped too, honed from years of training by his father. He sniffed the air. “Is that garlic I smell?”

  DeeDee’s hazel eyes widened. “Yes. I smelled it too. Didn’t find any on the victim or around the area, though. Figure someone must’ve ordered Italian food or something for lunch.”

  “Hmm.” He walked the perimeter of the still-cordoned-off area then bent, squinting. “These marks are new. My crew and I shot footage here yesterday, but per our agreement to use this property, we always use plywood beneath our equipment to keep from tearing up the soil.”

  Her stony exterior fractured slightly as she moved in beside him. “I wondered about those when I saw them. Thought they could’ve been tire tracks, or maybe a sleigh.”

  “Those would have to be narrow tires, given the width of the marks left behind. I’d say a sleigh is more likely. Haven’t seen one on the property, though.” Caine looked up and found DeeDee’s face only inches away. Her warm, minty breath fanned his skin, and her lips looked even more tempting from this close range. Her gaze flicked from his eyes to his mouth then back again, indicating he might not be the only one contemplating a kiss. And was that a gleam of respect he saw in her lovely gaze? Hope flickered anew inside him.

  Then, as if realizing how near she was to him, DeeDee blinked and frowned, backing away fast. “While your expert opinion is invaluable”—her sarcastic tone said the exact opposite—“the Silver Hollow Sheriff’s Department has this under control.”

  Caine straightened and dusted off his hands as several minor actresses from the film flocked to his side, sobbing and clinging to him. In the past, he would’ve gone along with the situation. Actresses were attractive, after all, and eager for the attention—even though they were more interested in the size of his bank account than of his brains. But over the years, he’d had enough women climb into his bed because of family connections.

  Now, he wanted a life mate who appreciated him for who he was inside.

  “Well.” He gently removed himself from the grasp of the sniffling girls who dampened the lapels of his cashmere coat, and headed back toward his Mercedes and his waiting sister. “I need to get back into town for a meeting.”

  DeeDee trailed behind him, silent, though he felt the weight of her stare tingling through his back. At the car, Caine turned and glanced at his soon-to-be spouse once more, giving her a curt nod. “Deputy.”

  “Mr. Hunter.” DeeDee watched him as he climbed inside the car.

  His sister slid into the backseat beside him then whispered, “Aren’t you going to tell her?”

  “Not yet. She’ll find out soon enough who I am.” Caine shrugged as the driver shut the door then jogged around the front of the car to climb behind the wheel. “Besides, when has telling the truth ever helped me in this business?”

  Carletta sighed. “I was just thinking how awful it would be for her to hear it from the gossip mill. I know you’ve got trust issues after what happened with Brenda, but as a woman, I’d hate to find out who the man I’m going to marry is from a stranger.”

  Caine looked away, watching the image of DeeDee grow smaller in the side mirror as they pulled away. His sister was right. He did have trust issues. All because of Brenda, his first love way back in high school. She’d been everything he’d wanted—beautiful, popular, fun loving. He’d fallen head over heels, only to discover later the only reason Brenda had agreed to go out with him was because of his position in the MacPherson pack. It didn’t help that she’d also cheated on him with the older alpha from another, competing pack. Since then, he’d closed off his heart. He never wanted to be betrayed like that again.

  When his father had proposed an arranged marriage, Caine had thought it would be a safer alternative—all the benefits, none of the messy emotions. But given the way his body had just reacted around DeeDee today, the whole thing now seemed like a very bad idea. Yes, he was into her physically, but what if he’d read her wrong? The last thing he wanted was to be shackled to a woman who found him repugnant. And yeah, there’d been a few signs that maybe she didn’t consider him completely hideous, but her defiant reactions led him to believe his union with her would be nothing but forced.

  And forced was not what he wanted.

  When the time came to admit to DeeDee who he truly was, Caine wanted DeeDee to agree to be his wife because she loved him, not because of some obligation to her pack. As much as it might rile his father’s anger and put the peace between their packs at risk, if she truly didn’t want to marry him, then he’d put measures into place to let her break the contract and their engagement. He wasn’t a jerk, even if the reputation he’d cultivated in his wilder days said otherwise. Caine had grown over the years, matured, become a man he hoped one day would be worthy of pride and respect.

  Not that he was ready to share that with anyone, not even Carletta.

  Instead, he shrugged and settled back into his seat. “Don’t worry about it. Or me. I can take care of myself.”

  CHAPTER 3

  O nce Caine’s Mercedes turned at the end of the driveway, DeeDee found Owen and Dex huddled near the front of her cruiser.

  “I’m heading back to the office,” Owen told her as she walked up. “Need to notify the victim’s next of kin. From what I found in the victim’s wallet, he’s married. Tucker and his wife rent a house down the street from here.”

  “I’ll ride with you, if you don’t mind,” Dex said. “I want to pull some more of the victim’s records from the FBI database and see if I can formulate a better motive for his murder. That might help us narrow down a list of suspects.”

  “I guess I’ll stay here a bit longer then,” DeeDee said, hunkering down inside her coat. “Maybe I can find out if anyone heard or saw anything suspicious.”

  “Fine.” The guys gave her a brief wave then climbed into Owen’s squad car and took off.

  Great. DeeDee glanced around and saw Stan still lurking near the side of the house. Not exactly the partner of her dreams, but apparently all that was left since everyone else was gone. She headed over, pad and pen in hand, and stopped near where Stan was talking to one of the sniffling actresses who’d been draped all over Caine minutes earlier.

  “Right, ma’am,” Stan said, frowning. “I understand you thought Tucker Rockwood was hot. But did you ever see the victim go outsi
de during the daytime?”

  The brunette actress gave Stan a strange look then nodded.

  “Huh, okay,” Stan said. “What about noticing his reflection in a mirror?”

  Yeah. That line of questioning would get them exactly nowhere. Any true paranormal knew better than to discuss their various “quirks” with humans. And Stan stood out like a sore thumb in that regard around here. She moved several feet away to question a redhead who’d all but stumbled over herself to get close to Caine. Shoving her biases aside, DeeDee forced a polite smile. “Do you have any idea who might have wanted Tucker Rockwood dead?”

  The redhead dabbed her wet cheeks with a tissue then pointed toward the front gates of the mansion, where the knit-hatted protestors still milled about. “Why don’t you ask them?”

  After a few more minutes of unfruitful interrogations, DeeDee did exactly that, making her way down the drive and back to the Sunrise Group. Mr. Red Demon Horns made a beeline to her side and seemed eager to tell her anything she wanted to know. “Did you know Tucker Rockwood?”

  “We knew of him, yeah,” the guy said. “Not sorry to hear he’s gone, either.”

  “Why’s that?” DeeDee asked.

  “He was a nasty piece of work, that guy was,” the protestor said. “Used to stand here and yell insults at us all day long. Got so bad, Levi Harding stepped in and got into a shouting match with Rockwood. I thought those two would come to blows about it too, screaming at each other nose to nose.”

  “And who’s Levi Harding?” DeeDee didn’t look up as she furiously scribbled notes onto her pad.

  “He’s the leader of the Sunrise Group.”

  “Do you think this Mr. Harding held a grudge about his disagreement with Tucker Rockwood?”

  “What?” The guy gave her a startled look. “Oh, no. I see where you’re going with this, but there’s no way Levi would’ve killed Rockwood. We don’t want the vamps and werewolves dead—we just don’t want them normalized or glorified, that’s all.”