Free Lions and Tigers and Bears by Kit Tunstall, Kate Steele, Jodi Lynn Copeland Page A

for some time and failed to come forward. Abetting a felon is a crime, Ms. Freeman. Depending on exactly how much you know and how much you’ve taken part in these attacks, a jail cell could be the least of your worries.”
    A jail cell… “Oh God, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I know nothing about the attacker. I’ve told you that a hundred times.”
    The cop’s lips firmed into a smirk. “You know nothing about Kevin Montcalm? Way you two were carrying on when I walked in to ask for a jump the other day, I find that hard to believe.”
    Shock. Horror. Disbelief. Denial. They all clawed at Liddy’s stomach as the detective’s words sank in. She gasped, “Kevin?”
    Tanner nodded. “He is the shifter responsible.”
    “Oh Liddy,” Annette moaned. “What is wrong with you? It isn’t bad enough to be dating a white man, but he has to be a shifter on top of it? I know I raised you smarter than that, baby.”
    The detective’s eyes narrowed and Liddy caught the flicker of amusement as he added, “You forgot the part about him being a killer.”
    “No.” Liddy gave her head a fierce shake. “Kevin is not a killer.” He couldn’t be. She would know. After all they had shared, she believed in him, trusted him. “Kevin only wants equality for everyone.”
    “I hate to be the one to break it to you, Ms. Freeman, but DNA doesn’t lie. After coming up empty on matching the DNA we pulled off the last victim with anyone on file, we started doing random checks. There was blood left behind on my hood latch from when Mr. Montcalm cut his hand. I noticed it last night and had the lab run it. Results came in this morning, a perfect match.”
    Liar. He was lying. The truth was in the gleam of his eyes. The sarcastic curve of his lips. Somehow Tanner had learned about Kevin being a shifter and was now trying to blame him for the attacks as a way to expunge him and the entire pride from the area. “Someone set him up. They had to have. Kevin is not a killer. I would know.”
    “I look forward to hearing how as soon as we get back to the station.” With a last smirk, the cop looked down at his hip where a pair of cuffs dangled. “Now you planning to go freely, or do I need to assist?”
    * * * * *
    I’m not responsible for the attacks. You have to trust me, Liddy.
    Liddy’s heart squeezed painfully at the sight of Kevin behind bars. Before he’d always looked so clean cut and put together. Now he looked tired and, if she was to admit the truth, worried, like he thought he might not get off. Or maybe like he was guilty.
    Chastising herself for that faithless thought, she started to reach for his hand through the cell bars, then stopped. Touching of any kind would have the guards pulling her out of here before she even had a chance to share anything important with Kevin. I believe you. It’s just that if you didn’t do it…who did? And why did your blood match the DNA they found on the dead woman? Detective Riggs—
    Whatever he’s saying is wrong. The DNA had to have been planted there. By who…? Remember that lion who came to the gathering last week? He made it clear he thought shifters should rule humans. He also made it clear he thought I was running the pride wrong, that taking human lives should be okay. My guess would be he has something to do with this.
    Maybe. And if it was that lion responsible, then Liddy had no idea how to do anything about getting him to own up to the truth. She didn’t even know where to look for him, or what he looked like in his human form.
    Helplessness brought tears to the back of her eyes. She’d felt alone many times since being turned, but she’d never felt this powerless to help someone she cared for. I don’t know how to help you, Kevin. The cops are already trying to lock me up right beside you. They think that I know something, that I covered for you. They don’t have anything to hold me with, but if I start snooping around and get caught, they’re going