NocC 014 - Elle James - Hot Demon Nights - Harlequin 2012-05 by Nocturne Read Free Book Online Page B

prove myself as a valuable member of the detective force—a contributing part of the PIT crew’s efforts to keep the streets safe for humans and paranorms. I’d thought I enjoyed being a street cop, but now that I’d been investigating, I had to admit I kind of liked it. It was like solving—
    “—a puzzle,” Blaise completed my thought.
    “I find that extremely annoying.”
    “I find you endearing.” He leaned back against the seat, a smile on his lips. “Are you ready to admit you want to be with me?”
    “Not in this lifetime.” I crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to look at him. It was hard enough to concentrate when I was this close to him. I had been in the habit of going months without sex and never missing it. Since I’d met Blaise, I was in a constant state of arousal with no end in sight.
    “Just say the word, and I’ll relieve your frustration.” He waved his hand as though he wielded a magic wand that could erase all my sexual angst.
    “I hate you.” I stared out the window. “When this investigation is over, I’m requesting a different partner.”
    “Can’t stand the heat, sweetheart?”
    “I can’t stand the bullshit.” Oh, he had me all right. But like hell was I going to admit it.
    The taxi pulled up outside an impressive ten-story building of steel and glass with a huge F&L logo on a sign affixed to the top corner.
    “Any chance they have a night crew on duty?” I glanced toward the lit entrance. “Otherwise this could be a waste of time and taxi fare.”
    “I called ahead. They have a nightshift and supervisor on duty. Apparently some of the experiments have to be monitored twenty-four-seven.”
    “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to speak to both shifts. Just means we’ll have to make another trip out here in the morning.” I shoved the door to the taxi open and stepped out. My stomach let out a low growl.
    “Hungry?”
    “Past hungry.” I sighed. “Well, let’s get this over with and then get to a diner before I keel over.”
    The guard on duty jerked to attention when I flashed my detective badge. “We’d like to talk to the supervisor in charge of company vehicles.”
    A few minutes later, a man appeared in a mechanic’s jumpsuit, his hair standing on end, rubbing grease off his hands onto a dull red shop towel. He frowned at our display of badges. “What’s up?”
    “We need to see your vehicle log. Also, have you had any unusual incidents involving any of the F&L company vans?”
    “I can show you the logs, but if you want to know about unusual incidents, I had one of my vans stolen during the day shift while out on a delivery. The driver parked it beside a building, locked it and went in. When he came back out the vehicle was gone.”
    “Was it a black van?” Blaise asked.
    “As a matter of fact, yes.” The supervisor stuffed the hand towel in his back pocket. “Why?”
    “We think it was used in an attack earlier.” I turned toward guard at the desk. “Is there anyone here who had a lot of contact with Mr. Felding?”
    “The only people who saw Mr. Felding on a regular basis were his secretary, accountant and the scientists in the research department.”
    “Any of those people happen to be here now?” I asked.
    “One of the scientists on the night shift.” He glanced down at his computer screen. “Want me to call him up?”
    “Can we go to where he is?”
    “Sorry.” The guard shook his head. “Not without proper clearance or a search warrant.”
    I was more than curious now as to what they produced at the F&L corporation. “Then we’d like to talk to your scientist out here, please.”
    While we waited, I leaned toward Blaise. “Can you read anyone’s mind?”
    “Not actually. Yours seems to be the only one I have a direct link into.”
    “How did you make the taxi driver agree to take us?”
    “I can occasionally push a thought into someone’s mind, but it depends on the individual, and how strong-willed he is.”
    A man in a