Chapter 19
Lelandi inhaled deeply and gave herself permission to smile contentedly. Darien could have grilled the Green Valley deputy sheriff all he wanted, but she gave him no information about herself that would have allowed him to track her back to the pack.
When Ritka entered, she pulled her donut off the tray, her damaged and swollen eye returning to normal — too terrible.
You should be eating the breakfast that Doc ordered for you, she said. Lelandi’s donut was yanked from her grasp, and she threw it in the garbage.
Lelandi was stunned into stillness and her mouth gaped as she fixed her gaze on the trash can.
Ritka measured her body temperature. “Ninety-nine and a half. I heard that yesterday night your room was broken into. Not a bag. A single rifle and some silver bullets. The most intriguing news, though? That deputy sheriff who drove you here after picking you up? He snapped a photo of you with his cellphone and looked it up in his database. It appears that one irate pack leader is searching for you and has promised a prize for your quick return. A large prize Ritka gave her a smirk. Probably won’t be here for long, I guess.
Lelandi’s heart beat irregularly. Since Crassus wasn’t beating her up anymore, she would have to murder him if he managed to get hold of her. Ever.
Ritka shoved her in the face. What are your thoughts about that? She sat up straight and put on a fake expression of sympathy. “You are somewhat drab. You don’t want to return? Oh well. Now, bitch, you can’t have Darien.
Silva entered the space carrying a milk glass and wearing a frown on her face. Ritka, are you done with the nursing business?
“Stuff it; you’re a visitor. Your butt can be tossed out of here in an instant. Ritka quickly curled her fingers.
“Larissa, how are you, sweetie? You don’t appear very well. A hasty Silva walked over to the bed.
Lelandi’s cheeks were dripping with tears. She was powerless to stop. It was probably the analgesic. Perhaps it was the fact that she lacked the strength to defend herself or get away. She was certainly not like this!
What exactly did you say to enrage Larissa? Silva berated Ritka in her accusatory tone.
She cried out, “Lelandi.” They could at least spell her name correctly!
You’re simply a stupid bartender trying to feel smarter by reading literary works. Much of what you read probably isn’t clear. Nevertheless, you’re a—
Lelandi gritted her teeth as she took the IV out of her arm. The drug has to be removed. She was saying things because of it that she knew she shouldn’t. She was becoming depressed, drowsy, and lethargic due to it. When she had to run, it allowed her to stay in bed. She wanted her blasted chocolate donut back most of all, though.
What in the name of God are you doing? Ritka yelled and seized Lelandi’s arm.
Lelandi felt a sharp pain in her arm and chest. All went dark after she swung her free arm and punched Ritka’s other eye.
Deputy Sheriff Smith, a tall, slender guy in uniform, was seated on the leather love seat in Doc’s office when Darien entered. He was rearranging the brim of his hat.
Stetson. He sprang up in a flash and walked across the carpet to shake Darien’s hand.
He gestured for the deputy to sit down, but Darien was still standing. Inform me of what you know.
Smith described how, out of concern that she might be in trouble, he had run a trace on her. He was concerned that someone might take her because she was a pretty red lonely lupus garou. “Before I could react, this urgent appeal for information on the missing girl appeared. Leidolf, according to the pack leader.
The news that Leidolf was her pack leader and demanded her immediate return should have made Darien happy. So why in the world did Darien want to write it off as an identity mistake?
Did Deputy Peter Jorgenson discuss anything with you on what is occurring with Larissa?
Smith made a single head bowed. “I hear that the woman may have been shot by one of her own people or one of yours. Chester McKinley, the assistant mayor of Green Valley, was present when the shootings occurred, and because he is a licensed private investigator and worried about the welfare of the woman, he requested that I keep this between just you and me. Lelandi was her given name, by the way, according to the leader.
The sensations of sadness once more engulfed Darien, causing his stomach to churn into knots as he stared at the ground. He is unaware that she is deceased.
Evidently not. Nevertheless, I couldn’t discover a comparable request for a female who had the same appearance as her. Most likely misplaced.
“From where is he?” Oregon’s “Portland.”
Darien lifted his eyebrows in wonder. Why on earth had the two women traveled so far to get to Colorado? Also surprised me. She seemed like a local girl to me. I began listing some of the native flora to Colorado in an effort to learn where she was from. She gave me the names of some people she had seen. She responded, “No, Colorado,” when I questioned if she was from the South. I was therefore somewhat shocked to learn that a man in Oregon was reporting her missing from his pack. What are you expecting of me?
“Sit down. Before she returns home, I need to learn more. Darien was in shock after saying it. But, there was something off about this Leidolf figure. And until he identified the gunman, Darien wouldn’t let her leave his line of sight. “Let me know if you hear anything else,” she said.
Certainly will. The deputy grinned slyly at him. “If I were in your position, I wouldn’t let her go either.”
Darien ignored the remark because he believed the deputy lacked sufficient context to understand. Peter was summoned by Darien as soon as Smith left. “I understand how challenging it is to find packs or anything about them given how covert we must be, but I’ve got a lead. Find a Leidolf based in Portland, Oregon, if you can. Everything about him and his pack must be known to me.
Sure, sir, that’ll work.
Darien went to the lounge where three of his cousins were chatting with the doctor, eager to find out what Doc needed to talk to him about. Everyone ceased speaking when his cousins noticed him.