Joy to the Wolves (Red Wolf #1) - Terry Spear Page 0,38

started to come around the trunk and saw me, but I knocked him down before they started shooting. And I hid back there.” She pointed to the crates where she’d hidden. “Then they broke the window and escaped right before Josh arrived.”

“That works. When you can, I’d like to have you give a description of the men to our sketch artist. We’ll be able to recognize the men by scent, but we need a visual sent out to everyone. I’ll have the artist come to your house. Why don’t you go there and take it easy.”

“Thanks.”

“We’ll see you later,” Maverick said to Adam.

A couple of men were coming up the stairs, and Brooke and Maverick had to wait until they reached the attic and moved out of their way.

Adam told them who she was, but everyone knew Josh’s brother. Then she started down the stairs while Adam gave orders to the policemen. Other police officers were checking out the mess downstairs. In disbelief, Brooke stared at the breakage and was totally disheartened, wanting to cry and scream out in frustration. Though the passing thought crossed her mind that tearing into them as a wolf would make her feel even better. The intruders had thrown everything everywhere, glass and pottery broken all over the floor. Despite being angry and not wanting to show how bad she felt, she couldn’t help it when her eyes puddled up with tears.

“What are you doing here, Maverick?” one of the officers asked. He wasn’t a wolf.

Brooke recognized his voice. He was the officer who had hung up on her at the police station when she had reported she had a reindeer calf at her shop.

“I’m just here helping a friend.”

She wanted to tell the guy off, but then again, she didn’t want to cause trouble for herself later, in case he decided to hassle her.

Brows raised, the officer snapped his fingers. “You’re the woman who called about the reindeer calf in the shop. I remember the name of the shop now.”

“You’re the officer who dismissed me as a crank caller and hung up on me.” Oh well, he’d brought it up, and she was feeling too much pain and not in the best mood to deal with someone like him.

The man’s face turned a little red.

Maverick said, “The calf was one of ours. We’re still trying to figure out how it ended up at Miss Cerise’s shop.”

“Uh, sorry, ma’am. You wouldn’t believe how many crank calls we get about Santa and his reindeer around Christmastime,” the officer said, sounding truly apologetic.

She was grateful the officer had told her the reason for his rudeness and had apologized. “I was just glad I found where he belonged.”

“Josh and Maverick are good friends of mine, and I had no idea.”

“No problem.”

“Any word on Detective Wilding?” she asked the officer, worried about Josh.

“He said he’s headed back to the store. He lost sight of the men about a mile from here.”

That was bad news. If the thieves didn’t get what they were coming for, they’d surely be back again. But she was glad they hadn’t shot Josh too.

“Adam told me to escort Miss Cerise to her home so she can take it easy for a bit,” Maverick said. “She’s feeling pretty shaky.”

“All right.”

She and Maverick left the shop as she tried not to limp too much, but the wound on her leg was hurting like crazy. Her arm too, but as long as she didn’t have to use it, it wasn’t as bad. Maverick held onto her good arm, keeping her from stumbling. At least the intruders hadn’t shot bullets through the fabric of her sweater and skirt, which would have ruined them.

She fished out her keys and unlocked the door of her house, then hurried inside to turn off her security alarm. “Would you mind starting a fire in the fireplace and turning on the Christmas lights on the tree?” She wanted the cheerfulness to help block out what she’d gone through. “I’m going to put on something else.”

“Right on it.” Maverick locked the door after her. “Did you need my help to change?”

“I’m good.” Once she was in her bedroom, trying to pull off her sweater, she hurt way too much. She could kill the men for breaking into her place, breaking her things, and shooting her! Worse, she was certain they would return for whatever they’d been looking for.

Chapter 10

His blood hot with anger, Josh raced after the two intruders who slipped down a side street.