Free ANGEL'S KISS (A Dark Angel's Novel) by Lynne Stevie

silence while I spoke to Ottie. He didn’t sound happy. The police were keeping him out of the house and questioning Riley. All Ottie knew was that Riley had found someone dead. I told Ottie that I was on my way.
    My morning had been a waste; B’s emergency visit was just a confusing distraction. As I called home, I thought about what she’d said and her peculiar behavior. What am I going to do with her? Immortal creatures! Ha.
    Alan picked up on the first ring. I told him that I was on my way to the scene and B was probably crazy. He tried to assure me that we could take care of B, but I wasn’t convinced that we could handle her. At her best, B was a force to be reckoned with. At her worst she was like Hurricane Katrina—she knew how to clear a path.
    When I arrived at the Janeck residence, yellow crime scene tape had been put up everywhere, and flashing blue lights from cop cars blinked like a Kmart blue light special inviting every neighbor to the party. Getting into the house would take some finesse. I didn’t see Ottie; maybe he was already inside. I put on my game face and prepared to exit the limo when William turned to face me.
    “Miss Alexandria would you like me to get the door for you, or would that put you at a disadvantage in front of the police?”
    I hadn’t even thought about how my arrival in a limo would look.
    “Nah, I’ve got it, thank you. You can go on back to B now,” I said as I opened the door. I hesitated. “William, we have to talk soon about B’s mental state.”
    He was at my door before I could protest. As I got out he said, “Miss Alexandria, I am quite aware of your grandmother’s mental state, and I will be here to drive you wherever you want to go today.”
    This disregard for my opinion annoyed me.
    “I don’t have the time to talk today, William. We’ll speak later. Now please go back to Sera Haven.”
    “I have been instructed to stay with you today until other guards can be arranged.” With that he gently moved me out of the way and closed the door. As any good driver would, he leaned on the side of the car, observing the scene and always ready to open the door at moment’s notice.
    Crap! Why is everything so difficult?
    I straightened my shoulders and prepared to weasel my way into the house. Most of the bystanders were keeping a good distance away from the tape line. So once I pushed through their little herd I could see that only one young officer covered the front door. Good—a newbie. But then my excitement faded as I realized that I didn’t have my investigators license. Hell, I didn’t even have my driver’s license. Shit. Chin up; attitude is everything— that’s my mantra. I slipped under the tape line, and before the officer could protest I barked out, “Where’s the detective in charge?”
    “Ah, Ma’am, you’re not supposed to cross the tape. You have to...”
    “Where’s the detective in charge? I’m a special investigator from Haynes and Haynes. I’ve been working this case for over a week, and I need to see the detective in charge.” Then I waited, gazing at him with authority and indignation. His big blue eyes looked confused; I had him. Sweet. I love to play poker, there’s nothing better than a good bluff.
    “Ma’am,” he stammered, “the detective’s inside, but I…”
    “Thank you. Don’t let any of the press in.” I pointed in the direction of the limo; it was the perfect distraction. Just then Bill Edington from the Daily Journal showed up and hounded the young cop about why I was allowed behind the tape. When the rookie turned to push him back, I stepped through the front door and closed it quickly behind me. Yesss!
    The front door opened right into the living room. I slid a pair of booties over my shoes and grabbed a pair of gloves. I’d never been in the Janeck’s house before, but I could hear Ottie’s booming voice coming from a hallway across the room.
    I took three steps before I was rendered immobile by the