Page 53 of Graced
“As well as your car,” Oldstein confirmed.“This is a known drug area.I was on regular patrol when I spotted the vehicle.Then when I noticed you two climbing into the vehicle, I called for backup.”
Glancing back at where Rhyne was surrounded by the three male officers, Grace noticed he remained calm as he explained everything.Like her, he was handcuffed and leaning against the hood of one the officer’s cruiser.
“What happens to us now?”she wondered.Turning back to the woman, she noted, “He didn’t steal the car.He and his roommates take turns using it.Otherwise he rides a bicycle.This was Rhyne’s month to have the car.And since Welsh and Nash couldn’t scour the city looking for us on their bicycles, they called you to report the car stolen so you’d do the leg work for them.”
Oldstein made a face but didn’t reply.Her expression was all Grace needed to see to know the woman agreed with her.
After a few more minutes, Lepos strolled back over to where Grace and Oldstein were waiting.“Uncuff her,” he ordered the female officer.As Oldstein complied, he addressed Grace.“Your story and Mr.Castille’s story are identical.The car’s registered in Mr.Castille’s name, so he obviously can’t steal what’s legally his.Plus the call log on his phone confirms he received a call from a person named Nash at four fourteen p.m.”Lepos looked at Oldstein.“The car was reported stolen at three fifty-eight.”
“So Welsh called you guys first and waited a bit before calling Rhyne,” Grace surmised.“He was deliberately stalling us to give you time to find us.”
“It sounds that way,” Oldstein agreed.
Movement off to the side caught her attention.Grace looked up to see Rhyne being led over to join her.She noticed he’d also had his handcuffs removed.She scooted over to make room for him to stand next to her as the officers made a semi-circle in front of them.“What happens to us now?”she asked him.
“We’re aware of what’s happened at the hospital,” an officer by the name of Tolmoss informed them.“It’s good to know you made it out safely.”
“So far,” Rhyne interjected.“We have to get her to someplace where she can remain safe until you catch Welsh.”
Lepos addressed Grace directly.“Are you requesting we place you in protective custody?”
“Yes.Please.”
The man gave a nod.“Oldstein, take her to the station until we can get this settled and find her a safe house.”
The female officer smiled at her.“Let’s get you in my car.I’ll take you to the precinct.”
Grace turned to Rhyne.“What’s going to happen to you?”
“I’m going to help them find Welsh.”
“But…” She cast a wary eye at the officers.“But what if he’s already left the city?”She wanted to ask him whether Welsh being a vampire would be a problem for the police, but she knew she couldn’t ask him outright.Not now.Not until they were alone again.
Alone.But they were taking her someplace safe.Rhyne would go with the other officers, and…
“Where are you going?When will I see you again?”
He leaned over to give her a quick kiss.“You will.I just don’t know when.Until then, be careful and stay safe, Grace.”He snickered.“My saving grace.”
Lepos cleared his throat.“We need to get moving.Mr.Castille, will you follow us to the station?”
“Gladly.”Turning to her, he smiled that smile that said so much.“See you again soon.”
“You’d better,” she lightly threatened.
Another quick kiss, and she followed Officer Oldstein over to her vehicle and got into the back seat.As they drove away, she turned around to stare out the back window and watched Rhyne get into his car to follow the lead police cruiser away from the motel in the opposite direction with the other cruisers tailing close behind him.
CHAPTER26
Ruse
Grace paid no attention to the chattering coming over Officer Oldstein’s car radio.She kept her head bowed, her thoughts turned inward as the events from the past few hours rolled through her mind.
There was something bright and hopeful happening between her and Rhyne.In spite of what he was, his actions spoke louder than his words, just like the old saying went.When he told her there were good vamps as well as bad vamps, the same as there were good and bad people, she believed him now.
But the future continued to be too hazy and too uncertain to make any sort of prediction as to whether or not they could ever be a permanent couple.There still remained the possibility that her feelings were the only ones involved.That he had no intention of taking their relationship beyond what it was.
Didn’t want to?Or couldn’t afford to?
