Paradise rubbed the gooseflesh on her arms at the thought of being shot with a dart and left in the tiger enclosure. “What was the actual cause of death?”
“The ruling is that Raj delivered the killing blow, but she would have died anyway from an overdose of the sedative. That’s why they’re calling it murder. Even if Raj hadn’t been there, she’d still be gone. At least there probably won’t be an outcry to put down our tiger. Greene’s coming over to question you.”
“Of course he is. He loves throwing his weight around. Noneof the employees will feel safe around Raj since he, well, you know.”
“I’ve already made inquiries to a zoo. I hate to lose him, but with the boys living on the premises, Mom would be a nervous wreck. Me too.”
“Isaac especially likes the tigers.” She shuddered at the memory of the five-year-old’s visit to the tiger enclosure. They could have lost him that night.
“Social media is already full of the news. This won’t make the job of rebuilding any easier.” He ran his hand through his hair and the thick dark brown strands stood on end. “You sure you want to stick around, Simba? None of this will be easy. I thought we’d start by talking to Ivy’s grandmother. We can go after church on Sunday.”
She loved his nickname for her because of her lion’s mane of hair. She stood and wrapped her arms around him. He buried his face in her neck, and she held him tight. “You’re stuck with me,” she whispered.
“Good. I kind of like you even if you do smell like dog poop and kitty litter.” He kissed her on the nose.
Chapter 8
The kittens explored the apartment while Paradise answered questions from Greene and his partner. The room smelled of garlic and tomato sauce from the untouched pizza she’d ordered before the officers showed up. Square jaw tight and shoulders tense, Blake sat close beside her on the sofa. A tiny black furball leaped at her bare feet, and she scooped up the fluffy kitten for even more moral support.
Though Blake had brought in kitchen chairs for the two officers, they ignored them and continued to stand, most likely as an intimidation tactic. She lifted her chin and stared at Greene. There had been far more intimidating characters to come at her than him. He was like a banty rooster, all feathers and no substance, and she refused to look away from his accusing eyes.
“Why would Ms. Cook have a file containing your life’s history?” Creed demanded.
The kitten kneaded her lap, then curled into a ball to sleep. Paradise tipped up her chin to meet his glare. “I have no idea. I had the briefest encounters with her. My primary job is caring for the animals’ medical needs, and as far as I recall, I might havesaid hello to her a total of three times in passing. I never met her before she started working at the park, and her name wasn’t familiar—in other words, her surname wasn’t one I recognized.”
“Did you feel threatened by her? Was she blackmailing you about something?”
Blake tensed beside her, and she put her hand on his forearm. “Detective Greene, listen to yourself. Do you realize how ludicrous your questions sound?” She ignored the flush making its way up his neck and his tight mouth. “I’ve had enough of your accusations over the past few months. I’m done answering questions.”
“I can take you down to the station.”
She set the kitten on Blake’s lap and stood. “Fine. Let’s do that. I’d love for Rod to see how you treat a victim.” Her cousin Rod McShea was the sergeant in charge over at the Bon Secour sheriff substation. “It’s about time you let go of your vendetta and focused on finding out who is behind the attacks on The Sanctuary—and on me personally. I’m not going to tolerate your behavior any longer. I’m this close”—she held her thumb and forefinger an inch apart—“to filing a complaint with Internal Affairs. I’m not kidding.”
He took a step back at her belligerence. “You have no grounds.”
“I think I do,” she shot back. “Sexual harassment for starters.” His partner startled and gave Creed a questioning stare. “This vendetta started when I turned down your overtures.” She gestured at his left hand where a gold ring glinted. “Don’t make me go to your wife and let her know what a sleazeball you are.”
The angry color fled his cheeks, leaving his green eyes to stare out at her from a pasty face. “You’d better not do that. I don’t take kindly to threats.”
“I’m not making threats—I’m making promises of what I’lldo if you don’t stop this.” She took a step toward him. “Findthe person behind all this. That’s your job—not wasting time by accusing the victims.”
Her lungs heaved in and out, and she couldn’t remember ever being so angry or fed up. Deep down she knew she and Blake would have to solve this. The police would be no use. Rod might want to help, but he was short-staffed and harried with other cases.
Greene’s partner headed for the door without a word. Greene’s fists clenched and he turned and stomped after him. The kittens dashed under the sofa to hide when the door slammed.
Still holding the black kitten, Blake stood and reached for her hand. “Wow, you were amazing. I wanted to do the same but you stopped me, and after you took care of it, I could see why. Only you could point to the sexual harassment.” The kitten struggled, and he put it down where it pounced on one of its littermates. “Has he made any more advances since that day you arrived in town and he pulled you over?”
She didn’t want to answer, but anger pushed the words out anyway. “He leers all the time and made another pass when he came to pick up the blasting materials we found the day we were taking care of the hippo.”
His lips flattened, and a dangerous glint sparked in his blue eyes. “I see. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I love you, Blake, but I can handle my own battles. I’m no damsel in distress, wringing my hands while a train barrels down on me.” She managed a smile at his somber expression. “Most bullies turn tail and run when you hit back at them, and Greene is no exception. I meant what I said too. I’ll file a complaint if this continues.”
“He’s not the type to back off, Paradise. His kind gets meaner and sneakier. If he can’t wear you down, he’ll go at you another way. I think he’s out for revenge.”
“And I’ll be ready,” she countered. For all her bravado, she couldn’t forget the hatred in Greene’s eyes as he stalked away. Maybe she’d better be prepared with more than a dart gun. “Would you teach me to shoot a gun?”
He pulled her into his arms. “I’ll teach you. I might sleep easier at the thought of you here alone if I know you’re well armed.”
