He chuckled at something Garret said, the sound a little strained, yet I found myself laughing with him. True laughter. Uninhibited. He heard me and glanced over. I had to bite back a gasp. His eyes…even from this distance I could tell they were no longer the deep brown of before. They were lighter. Almost blue. Like Kyrin’s.
“Mia,” he said, dropping his fork and returning my smile. “Damn, but it’s good to see you.”
I rushed to his bedside and clasped his hand in mine. “Welcome back,” I said. “Welcome back.”
He gave my palm a squeeze, his grasp weak. “Glad to be back. Dr. Hannah said I should be dead, but the gods must like me.”
I blinked up at Garret. “Will you excuse us?” I asked. I didn’t give a shit if I was being rude. I needed some time alone with my friend. My best friend.
Garret gave me an appreciative grin, nodded, then strode from the room.
When we were alone, I turned back to Dallas and said, “How do you feel?”
“Better every hour.” Suddenly the smile fell from his lips, and he eyed me with concern. “You missed Jaxon by ten minutes. Something’s going on, Mia, and it has to do with you.”
I didn’t want him to worry. “I’ve been out of touch for a few days, that’s all.”
He shook his head. “It’s more than that, and—” He paused, like my words had only just reached him. “What do you mean you’ve been out of touch? You’re never out of touch. Your job is your life.”
“Long story, and I don’t have time to explain. What did Jaxon tell you?”
“He wanted to know if I’d spoken to you since I’d come out of the coma last night. And of course I hadn’t.”
“That it?”
“Well, it’s what he didn’t say that threw me. Jack called on Jaxon’s cell. Another body was found this morning. I don’t know who. Jaxon wouldn’t tell me. Anyway, while Jack was talking, Jaxon turned pale. He whispered your name, and at first I thought you were the one dead. But when I asked Jaxon about it, he said I’d misheard and to call him if I spoke to you.”
That didn’t sound good.
“Jaxon bolted after that. I called your house and your cell, but couldn’t reach you. Your unit didn’t even pick up.”
Trying not to reveal my trepidation, I kissed his cheek. “I’ll explain everything once I’ve spoken with Jack, okay?”
He reluctantly nodded and tugged on my hand to keep me by his side a moment longer. “Be careful.”
I managed a grin. “Always.”
By the time the station house came into view, my unease had grown to unimaginable proportions. I refused to be a coward, however, so I maneuvered into the parking lot. I watched the building as agents came and went. Nothing seemed unusual. Resigned but still unsure, I slipped inside the lobby.
Several agents greeted me normally with a quick “Hi” and a smile. Some rushed to my side, patted me on the shoulder, and asked how I was doing. I answered politely but sternly, “I’m fine,” and kept moving. Others eyed me with leery distrust and maintained their distance.
When I reached Jack’s office, I paused, hand raised midair. I’d never knocked before. Why start now? I pushed open the door. Jack was in the middle of a sentence and cut himself off abruptly when he saw me. Jaxon, Jaffee, and Mandalay were seated in front of his desk, and all turned their focus to me.
Jaxon jumped to his feet. He strode one step toward me, then stopped. “Are you okay?” he asked, concern dripping from his words.
I gave him a weak smile. “As good as can be expected.”
“He didn’t…hurt you, did he?” Jaxon asked softly.
“No. He didn’t.”
A moment of silence encompassed the room. Silence tight and heavy, unnatural.
Finally Jack said, “What the hell are you doing here, Mia? We’ve had PD and agents scouring the countryside for three days. Three damn days, and you stroll oh so pretty into my office, as if nothing ever happened.”
There was no time to explain. “I know who killed Steele, Jack. And the others.”
“Yeah,” Jack said, easing back in his chair and popping antacids like candy. “So do we. Kyrin en Arr.”
I opened my mouth to utter a determined, “You’re wrong,” but Ghost and Kittie rushed inside, halting my words. They flanked my sides and ground to a halt when they saw me.
“Dallas called my cell,” Ghost said, dragging in breaths after every word. “He said you were on your way here.” He enfolded me in his arms. “Kyrin didn’t hurt you, did he?” he demanded, repeating Jaxon’s question. “Because I will personally find him and kill him—if you haven’t already.”
“He’s still alive,” I answered, “and I’d like him to stay that way. He isn’t violent.”
“Oh, he’s not, huh?” Jack threw back a few more antacids. “Then why is his voice DNA recorded at the scene? And why,” he added darkly, “are your fingerprints there?”
There was something in his eyes, a gleam I’d never seen directed at me before. They knew I’d been at the scene, but did they know about my origins? Did they suspect? My attention moved to Mandalay. She hastily glanced away. Next, I focused on Jaffee. He, too, couldn’t face me for long. Jaxon, Ghost, and Kittie all watched me, each with equal expressions of concern and dread.
I faced Jack. “What are you getting at?”
“Think back to the day you were taken, Mia. One minute I’m watching you have a pleasant discussion with an invading Arcadian, and the next you simply disappear. We don’t hear from you for three days, and then we discover your fingerprints all over a crime scene. How does that look to you?”
I didn’t answer his question, but spoke one of my own. “Do you think I’m guilty of murder? Is that what you’re saying?”
Defeated, he slumped back in his chair. “No,” he said firmly. “I don’t. You’re the best hunter I’ve got. You’ve saved God knows how many lives, and taken God knows how many alien lives. But the top guns are out for your blood. They think you’re guilty, that you’ve helped Kyrin every step of the way.” He pushed out a sigh. “They want your badge.”
Dread uncurled inside my stomach and launched a path through my blood. “Neither Kyrin nor I killed those people.”
“I know you weren’t involved, but this Kyrin—”