Page 23 of Secret Admirer

“No, not that I know of.”

“Okay,” Officer Superman speaks up. “On most occasions we wouldn’t need to come inside, but I don’t think any of us want to keep looking at a dead animal.”

He is most certainly right. From the moment, I saw it, I’ve tried to keep my eyes away from it so I don’t throw up. It’s been mutilated with its head barely attached to its body.

“Why don’t come in, so we don’t have to stare at the dead cat.” I step back and hit the front of Bodhi’s warm, hard body. I want to sink into him, but now is not the time and I’m not sure how receptive he’d be. I get so many mixed vibes from him; I don’t know where I stand.

“And you are?” Officer two asks Bodhi, eying him up and down.

“Bodhi Rivers.” He extends a hand out to the police officers. “I was here when everything happened. I’m not sure if it has anything to do with earlier when Coco was attacked—”

“You were attacked earlier?” Officer two asks with concerned eyes.

“Yes, let’s go into the kitchen and I can make some coffee and tell you all about my night.” The last thing I want to do is go over everything again, but they need to know to do their job. I look at his badge and it’s some long name I’ll never be able to pronounce so I decide to keep calling them Officer One or Superman and Officer Two in my head. Walking to the kitchen, I answer over my shoulder. “The police and paramedics were called out. It was at Tricks Salon. Is it not in the system?” I ask alarmed.

“Ma’am, it is but it will still be helpful for you to tell me in your own words what happened. My partner can talk to your friend about what he saw too.”

Startled they’re separating us; I look to Bodhi for assurance.

“It’s okay.” He nods.

Officer Two escorts Bodhi into another room. I can’t hear them and for some reason anxiety fills me. What if they’re not really cops? “Can I see some form of identification?”

Superman laughs but pulls out his badge and I examine it. I have no idea if it’s real or not.

“How would I know if your badge is real or fake?” I bite my bottom lip and scrutinize the ID picture with the man in front of me.

He smiles and then sobers. “I’m sure tonight has been difficult for you, but why don’t you sit down and tell me what happened so my partner and I can investigate.”

“Do you want a cup of coffee?” I place a K-cup in the Keurig and try to relax.

“No, thank you, ma’am”

Sitting down with my coffee in hand, I retell the events of the night starting with leaving Tricks, Bodhi saving me, the lights coming on every night since I’ve moved in, and the shadow that was outside.

“Have you had any other dead animals or objectionable objects left on the premises? Any messages of any sort?” He scribbles down his notes with a look of concentration on his face. At least he’s taking me seriously, but why wouldn’t he? There’s evidence right outside on my front doorstep.

“Nothing. The only thing that’s been off is the security lights and the feeling of someone watching me, but that started before I moved here.”

“And who all knows you moved to this residence?”

“Only my friend and boss, and the movers, who I’d never seen before. Why? Do you think it’s someone I know?” I pick at the hem of my shirt underneath the table.

“Have you had a disagreement with anyone recently? Maybe an ex-boyfriend or someone you’ve turned down for a date?”

“Oh, no one’s asked me out in…forever. My ex-boyfriend did start showing up recently asking me to take him back, but I don’t think it could be him.”

“You’d be surprised by the number of people who think that. Give me his name and we’ll check his alibi. Better safe than sorry.”

“True.” I give him Dwayne’s name, physical description, and address. Dwayne’s an asshole, but I don’t think it’s him. He always thought he was too good for me and that had been the downfall of our relationship.

Bodhi and Officer Two walk into the kitchen and instantly Superman stands up. “We’ve already checked outside before we came up, but we’d like to check inside before we leave.” Officer Two says with his fingers hooked in his vest.

“Thank you for everything.” I look back and forth between the officers. The one who had been with Bodhi is giving the other a strange look. I find a hole in the hem of my sweatshirt and loop my finger through it. “What’s going on?”

“Miss Beckett, when I spoke to the gentleman,” he nods toward Bodhi. “And asked his address—”

I cut him off not wanting him to shame Bodhi for his living arrangement. “I know where he lives. Thank you for your concern, but none is needed. If it weren’t for Bodhi…” I tear up and just want this horrible day to end. I want to forget about everything except for the man standing in front of me with concern in his eyes.

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