Scorched Heart (The Firebrand Series Book 4), Helen Harper [free ereaders .txt] 📗

with several police officers following behind us. It wasn’t until we reached the gate of the cottage that he turned to me. ‘Does she know about you? About what you can … do?’

My response was swift. ‘No, sir.’

Boateng ran a hand over his head. ‘So you were right. Our killer is taking it personally that he strangled you and you came back to life.’

‘It appears that way.’ A sombre satisfaction settled in my chest at the thought that I’d pissed off the bastard. He’d succeeded in murdering Patrick Lacey and Julie Mackintosh, but he’d made a serious error of judgement when he targeted me.

‘He knows you’re a supe,’ Boateng said.

‘He does.’

‘He might not be working alone.’

‘He might not be.’

‘And it sounds like he’s a supe himself, despite what we thought earlier.’

‘Indeed.’ I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek. ‘But what kind of supe is yet to be determined. One of my colleagues emailed me a file with a list of supernatural beings that might fit the profile of our killer.’ I paused. ‘Or killers. I’ve not looked through it yet. I was sure that he was human, so I didn’t consider it a priority.’

‘It’s a priority now.’

Yes. It was. ‘I’ll check the file as soon as I get back to my laptop.’

Boateng paused for a beat before speaking again. ‘You could be in grave danger, Emma.’

‘I can look after myself.’

His expression was dubious. ‘There can be worse things than death, you know.’

I shifted my weight from foot to foot. ‘I’ll be careful.’ I drew in a breath and held it for a moment. ‘It could be a good thing if he’s targeting me. It’ll keep him away from anyone else.’

Boateng’s mouth flattened. ‘Mmm.’

A police van appeared from the other end of the road. The road here was so narrow that the hedges on either side skimmed its sides. I glanced through the windscreen, mildly amused that Barry and Larry appeared to be sucking in their stomachs and wincing at the constricted approach.

When they pulled up alongside us and wound down the window, Barry popped his head out. ‘I hate…’

‘…country lanes,’ Larry finished. They grinned at each other for a moment before sobering up as they gazed at the cottage beyond the hedge. ‘What are we expecting to find here?’

Hopefully no more dead bodies. I shuddered. ‘We think our killer was here.’ I didn’t want to mention anything to do with supernatural bears; it would be better if they approached the scene cold so they could keep an open mind.

I considered telling them that there might be two killers, and decided against that too. I wanted Barry and Larry to come to their own conclusions. None of the evidence so far had pointed towards two murderers.

Fortunately, Boateng appeared to agree with me. ‘We’ll suit up and check the area to make sure it’s safe and secure,’ he said. ‘Then we’ll give you free rein. Anything you find could be useful.’

Both men nodded.

I cleared my throat. ‘Uh, I’ve been here a couple of times over the past few days. It’s likely that you’ll come across evidence of my presence both inside and outside the cottage.’

Boateng gave me a sharp look, although he didn’t say anything.

‘Noted,’ Barry said with a quick smile. ‘We’ll take samples from you so we don’t get mixed up. In the meantime, you still need to follow precautions. We’ve got disposable suits and booties in the back.’

While he retrieved the gear, I sent a quick text message to Lukas to let him know that I was delayed but that I’d return soon. I didn’t want to call if he was sleeping, but I was growing anxious about how he was doing. It was my fault he was injured; if his wounds were serious, I’d never forgive myself.

When he didn’t reply immediately, I pulled a face. Then I spotted PC Rothsay hovering at the back of the assembled police officers and hailed him.

He gave me a boyish grin, clearly delighted to be singled out. ‘What’s going on? I only just got here and heard something had happened.’ His eyes were wide and he was breathing heavily, either because of excitement or because he’d run all the way here. ‘What’s happened? What can I do?’ He thrust a takeaway coffee at me. ‘And would you like a coffee while you work?’

I shook my head, indicating that he should keep the coffee for himself. ‘I need to ask you a big favour,’ I said to him. ‘Lord Horvath is at the Bird and Bush. It would be really helpful if you could nip over there and check that he’s alright. He’s, er, not feeling very well.’

Barry appeared in front of me and passed over a bundle of disposable clothing. I thanked him as I watched Rothsay’s face fall. ‘But he’s a vampire.’

‘He’s perfectly safe,’ I said. ‘He’s not a monster. I’m worried about him, that’s all. I have to stay here, but I’d really appreciate it if you could make sure he’s okay.’

Rothsay glanced over my head and towards the cottage. ‘But…’

‘I doubt you’ll miss any of the action here, Robert,’ Boateng said drily. ‘Forensic examination isn’t exactly a thrilling process. Help DC Bellamy out. It won’t take long.’

Rothsay’s shoulders dropped and I felt a flash of guilt. ‘Fine,’ he muttered. He turned round and trotted off in the opposite direction.

‘You did me a favour there,’ Boateng said, pulling a white suit over his clothes. ‘Rothsay is as keen as mustard but he’s a little over enthusiastic and tends to get in the way.’

I raised my eyebrows. ‘Is that why you keep sending him to babysit me?’

‘Two birds,’ Boateng said, ‘one stone.’

There was a sudden loud caw from over our heads. I stiffened and glanced up. That damned crow. Again.

‘Besides,’ Boateng continued, ‘it’ll do him good to come face to face with a vampire and realise that they’re not the evil beings he thinks they are.’

‘You’re quite enlightened compared to a lot of police detectives I meet,’ I commented.

Boateng