BirthMark (5 page)

The next morning Rose walked into the main nursery and stared at Adam and Jackie. The two babies were fast asleep. “They look like little angels,” she said to Jasmine, who stood near the cribs with David in her arms.

“Yeah,” Jasmine scoffed. “Asleep, even demons look like angels.”

Rose laughed and walked to Renee’s crib. “When’s Aunt Renee and Mandy coming?”

Jasmine thought of her last conversation with her sister while she changed David’s diaper and dressed him in a green and white short set. “In a month I think, during one of her school breaks. I can’t remember which one.” She laid David in his crib while watching Rose from the corner of her eye. The petite female had pulled her jet black hair back into a bun and wore a cute short-sleeved cinnamon color dress that made her already large eyes appear larger. Jasmine had fallen in love with the feisty Latina when her son Tyrese introduced her to the young girl months ago. He’d rescued Rose and her younger brother Thorne from some rogues who had killed their mom. Things were a little crazy for a while, both twins thought she was their mate, and Rose wasn’t sure either. They finally got things settled, with Tyrone being mated to his Rose. Jasmine was ecstatic her son had found such a sweet, loving girl and thought of Rose as her daughter. Right now, something was on her daughter-in-law’s mind. Jasmine waited, she knew it wouldn’t take long.

A few minutes later, Rose released a long sigh. Jasmine looked up at her. “What’s the matter?”

Rose turned away, blinking fast as her shoulders slumped forward. Her demeanor concerned Jasmine. She rushed to Rose and held her face between her palms. “Rose, what’s wrong? Is it Rone?”

Rose shook her head and looked off.

Jasmine relaxed a bit since it wasn’t her son. “Is it Thorne? Your sister?”

“No.” Rose inhaled and looked at Jasmine. “I’m being silly. I know it, but I can’t get my stomach to settle down. I’m so nervous.”

Confused, Jasmine’s hands fell away. “Why are you nervous? What’s silly?” She had no idea what Rose was talking about.

“Silas turned over the office administration to me today. I got a promotion and a raise. First order of business… handle the police investigator who’s coming by in about…” she looked at her watch. “Ten minutes to ask questions regarding the death of Robert Merriweather,” she said in a deep voice, mimicking Silas.

Jasmine chuckled, but understood why the younger woman would be nervous. Robert Merriweather, aka Robbie, along with his partner Mitchell, had kidnapped her. Silas and Tyrese had killed both men during the rescue. Now the long hand of the law was knocking on their front door and Rose had been designated to handle it.

“Just tell him or them the truth, you don’t know anything. No matter what he asks pertaining to that day, just say you don’t know. I assure you, we will all back you up.” She patted Rose’s shoulder, wishing she could help her in some way. “Congratulations on your promotion, you deserve it. You work long, hard hours every day.”

“I know, Rone was complaining the other night but I had to get payroll done.” They both turned as the door to the nursery opened and one of the housekeepers stuck her head in.

“Rose, there’s a Detective Jenkins here, he says he has an appointment with Mr. Knight.”

Rose nodded. “Thanks, I’ll be right there.” When the door closed, she looked wide-eyed at Jasmine. “He thinks he’s meeting with La Patron. What will I do?”

“Tell him Silas is unavailable and in another meeting. But think back, who would set an appointment with Silas and this man? Did you?”

Rose shook her head.

“He’s lying,” Jasmine said, already disliking the detective.

“What? You’re right. I can’t stand liars.” Rose straightened her spine and winked at Jasmine. “I’ve got his number.” She walked out with her head high.

Concern warred with pride. Jasmine checked on her babies, and spoke to the nurses hovering nearby. “I’m got a few things to do, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

The four women bowed. “Yes, Mistress.”

Jasmine hid a grimace as she left the room. As many times as she’d asked them not to do the bowing thing, they still did it, and each time felt awkward. Just as she reached Rose’s office she overheard the rude comments from the detective and decided to stay close just in case. Listening to the disdain in his tone, her blood boiled.

“I don’t understand why you’re meeting with me, Ms. Bennett. You weren’t in the forest the day Mr. Merriweather died. You have no knowledge of anything. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to hide something, or are you covering for someone?”

“It’s Mrs. Bennett,” Rose corrected sharply. “And I’m meeting with you because your office called requesting an appointment to discuss the deceased. We agreed. I am answering your questions and you are not pleased with my cooperation. Tell me Detective, just what were
you
expecting from this visit.”

Jasmine beamed in pride as she listened. Although Tyrone and Rose hadn’t been married according to human law, Silas had blessed their union which gave Rose the right to take on Tyrone’s last name if she chose.

Down the hall she watched Silas, Hank, Tyrese and Tyrone enter Silas’ office. He stopped and gazed at her for a moment. “
What are you up to
?” he asked through their link.

“
The detective is giving Rose a hard time, I’m her back up. Kinda like good cop, bad cop. In case you’re wondering, I’m the bad cop.”

“
Never doubted it for a minute
.” He broke the connection and she focused on the conversation in the room.

“Robert Merriweather’s parents are prominent citizens in the community and they are not going away. They are convinced he was the victim of foul play and have offered a substantial reward for information regarding his death. How long do you think it’ll be before someone comes forward?”

“I hope soon, Detective. Especially if it will help that grieving family,” Rose said, sounding sincere.

There was a moment of silence. “There are rumors, Rose.”

“You will address me as Mrs. Bennett or this conversation is over.” The chill in her voice could be felt in the hall. Jasmine applauded the younger woman for her stance.

“Mrs. Bennett, there are rumors that strange things are happening up here. I’ve only been on the local force for three months and no one was willing to handle this case. Actually, no one was willing to talk to Mr. Knight. Why do you think that is?”

Jasmine smothered a groan. A new cop out to make a name for himself.

“I have no idea, Detective. You need to talk to your associates, ask them why they’re so reticent. I don’t see what that has to do with this investigation, and since that’s the purpose of this meeting, does that mean you have no more questions?”

“I’m just getting started,” he snapped. “There have been sightings of wolves in these mountains, is it possible a wolf killed Merriweather?”

“I don’t know, I work in an office. That’s your area of expertise, Detective. Do you think a wolf killed that man?”

Jasmine sat in the chair near the door, grinning. So far Rose had put the little twerp on the defense without being rude. If Jenkins was taping the conversation, and she suspected he was, there’d be little aggression on Rose’s part.

“I don’t know. Have you seen wolves in the area?”

“I suppose so, wolves roam the forest right? Was this man killed by a wolf?”

“The autopsy report says Merriweather was beaten and eventually died from his injuries. His partner, Mitchell Tyson, was found dead at the bottom of the cave with a bullet in his chest. Both men had been snacks for some of the animals roaming the forest before we recovered their bodies.” He paused before continuing.

“Who do you think beat that man to death? The man you work for perhaps?”

“Mr. Knight?” Rose tittered. Jasmine smiled, the girl was working this. “No. Mr. Knight didn’t beat anyone, let alone kill them.”

“Why do you say that? You sound so sure.”

“Because if someone disturbed Mr. Knight, he’d call the police and allow Southerland’s finest to handle it for him.”

Jasmine’s hand flew to her mouth to prevent the bark of laughter that bit of drivel produced. She gave Rose high props for being able to speak such utter bull without laughing in his face. Silas calling on or asking human authorities for anything was a joke.

The murders occurred on Mr. Knight’s property –”

“It did not and you know it,” Rose snapped. “The least you can do is get your facts straight. You are not the first officer to discuss this horrible crime with us, Detective. We know the bodies were found on government protected land. If this is a witch hunt, this meeting is over.”

“Sit down, Rose. I’m not done talking to you.”

Jasmine had had enough. “But she’s done talking to you. I have been listening and you have completely disregarded the courtesy afforded you as an officer of the law. You need to get the hell out of here before I call security and have you taken out.”

“And you are?” he asked in a condescending tone.

“The woman who is tired of listening to you disrespect her daughter.” She looked at the tall, deeply tanned male with his slim muscular build with contempt. His faded blue eyes which looked as though they had seen way too much, narrowed at her.

“I have not disrespected her. You heard wrong.” He waved his hand as though her words were pesky bugs, of little consequence.

“If her husband were in this room you wouldn’t have called her by her fist name, especially after she asked you not to. You have lied and stretched the truth in so many ways it may never see the light of day again. This conversation is over.” Jasmine stared at him, telling him with her eyes and posture to get out.

“No…I am not done.” He ran his long narrow fingers through his thick, unruly dark brown hair, pushing it back from his eyes. He looked at Rose and then back at her. “Look, I don’t know who you are, but you can’t just come in here and interrupt our discussion.”

Jasmine crossed her arms and looked at Rose. “This is over, if he or his department has any more questions, they’ll need a warrant, and this jerk will not be allowed back on this property.” Turning, she winked at Rose. If she handled the man physically in any way, Silas would get involved and that would not be good for anyone, especially the detective. “Call Tyrone,” she mouthed to Rose.

“Yes, Ma’am.” Rose picked up the phone. “I need security to my office.”

<<<<>>>>

Silas strode into his office thinking life with Jasmine was never dull. He hoped the detective was on his ‘A’ game because those two women would have him on the ropes if he wasn't. Taking a seat at his desk, he motioned to the twins and Hank to do the same. He looked out the large picture window at the forest and longed for a brisk run. It had been too long. These days it seemed he was constantly putting out fires instead of preventing them.

He gazed at Tyrese. “Okay, tell me how a night of drinks with the boys turned into a scouting expedition?”

Tyrese crossed his legs. “I was going to meet Hank and Brad for drinks at the club I'd told you about. We planned to keep our eyes and ears opened for anything, but for the most part I just planned to unwind. I’m standing at the bar and this guy walks up, starts babbling and tells me he can smell that I’m a Bennett.”

“You didn’t tell me that,” Tyrone said.

“It happened before I contacted you. Anyway, that’s when I started paying attention.” Tyrese recounted everything that'd happened.

“Where’s Boggs now?” Silas asked, leaning back in his chair, digesting everything he had heard.

“Brad has him sedated in one of the condos. He won’t wake him up until you clear it,” Hank said.

Silas nodded. “Alpha Chan warned me that the Bennetts had left his area and were planning an attack against my mate and her sons. Seems he was right, they are recruiting, and in my back yard. Bold fuckers.” He glanced at Tyrese. “What did you think of the group who met with you? Can they be turned? Or will I need to destroy them as well?”

Tyrese placed his finger to his lips, took a moment before answering. “That’s a tough call. Before the fight, they were all, let’s get the Patron. But afterward, they were like, we want no part of him or any plan to overthrow him. They scared Boggs shitless telling him about exploding wolf parts. I thought the dude was going to piss himself.”

Tyrone chuckled. “Seems like their gripe is about the Alpha and the challenge.”

Hank leaned forward in his seat. “Yeah, is there something they can do to affect the outcome of the fight? They sounded bloody confident.” He flicked worried eyes over Tyrone.

Silas thought about it. Even though the twins didn’t mention it in front of Hank, he knew they had merged during the fight the previous night. Was it possible Gregorio possessed the same skill? Silas wasn’t sure, but he would run a scan before the fight just in case.

“He didn’t when he trained here but that was years ago. Besides, it sounds as if these rogues have done something themselves to insure he wins.”

Tyrese nodded. “That was the impression I got. It was hard standing there listening to them talk about destroying my twin and taking my brothers and sisters hostage. I didn’t think I’d last to the end of the meeting.”