It was an unexpected downpour that pulled down power lines and caused river banks to overflow.
The road was flooding and a curtain of rain obscured his vision as he drove. It took a minute for him to clearly notice a person in the storm, and he almost didn't hit the brakes on time.
Considering how wet the roads were, he was thankful the car didn't skid off when he broke. He sat still for a while, squinting through the windshield to see if he could make out the face of the person who now stood in front of the hood of his car. When he did, he reached for the gun in the glove compartment and pushed open the door.
"I was just coming to yours?!" Albert shouted. "I know it's been you."
"Yes, Albert. You found me out."
Before he could get another word in, the responder shifted into a black werewolf and pounced on him. Gunshots were fired, but none could stop the ferocious beast from tearing out his throat.
Kyla roused quickly, one hand over her speeding heart and another over her forehead as she tried to calm her heavy breathing. She was still trying to make sense of the dream when a loud bang on the door startled her again.
'He's here.' Layla grumbled.
"How did he find my address?!" She threw off her blanket and got out of bed, recognizing who'd arrived even before she went to peek out the window. She saw his rental car parked beside her mailbox.
'I could answer that, but you'll think I'm hating on him." Layla replied.
"Well, technically, you are." Kyla got out of her pajamas and pushed a black gown down her head as she conversed with her wolf out loud. "Shouldn't I be blaming you or something for even imprinting on him? This is kind of your fault."
'I refuse to take responsibility for this.' Layla huffed. 'Blame it on the moon goddess. She tied your fate to this one.'
"Whatever."
'You know you can just leave him out there, right? He's not even sure you're home.'
"I can't just ignore him, and you know this." She reached for his clothes as the knocking intensified. "He's crazy, banging on the door like that!"
She rushed out of her room and down the stairs to the front door, thanking God her grandfather wasn't home to witness the spectacle. She pulled it open to a frowning Albert.
"What the hell are you doing here, Agent Torino?!" He pushed by her and walked in uninvited.
"You might as well make it, Albert. I'm going to be calling you, Kyla, during this interrogation."
"Interrogation? I thought you came to get your stupid clothes." She threw them at him and glared.
"You lied you me." He ignored the clothes which were now by his feet on the floor and came closer to her. "I took you for many things but never a liar."
She lifted a brow and took a step back. "I'll ask again, am I under arrest? Would you be charging me for anything?"
"That depends on the outcome of this meeting."
"Then I should probably get in touch with my lawyer." She turned to reach for the landline, but he stopped her.
"It seems you're not aware of the situation you've gotten yourself in, Kyla. We can find a way around this, or you can call your lawyer, and we'll resume this back at the station. Your call."
Her hands balled into fists. "I'll take my chances."
He chuckled bitterly. "You were found at the crime scene, hiding or doing whatever it was you were doing. You knew what had happened to Tamara even before the cops arrived, and lied about it. I'm aware your grandfather is close friends with the police chief, but trust me he won't be of much help when this gets out. You'll become the prime suspect in the investigation, and the whole town would have a hard time trusting a word from your mouth."
"Don't threaten me." Adrenaline surged through her, pushing her forward until she was nearly nose to nose with him. "I don't need your help or that of the police chief. I didn't kill anyone, and forensic investigations would easily prove this."
"It won't be that easy, trust me. All I need is the truth!"
"Don't yell at me, either!" She tossed back and took a deep breath. "You want the truth? Fine. I was the one who called the cops."
He squinted, took a step back, and began to pace up and down the room as he processed the new information in silence. "If that's true, then why didn't you show yourself? Why hideout there?"
"I just didn't want to be caught up in all this. I was naked, and no one would really believe me if I told them that I'd just stumbled upon her body."
He stopped, turned, and moved towards her. "You're not making sense. I thought you said your clothes were there. You may have been the one who called the cops, but that doesn't exclude your involvement in the crime."
"I didn't kill anyone! I already told you, I went for a swim. I found her body on my way to the river and called the cops."
"Pick a story, Kyla. Were you dressed when you found the body or not? Are your clothes some kind of evidence in this case? Is that why they're conveniently missing from the scene?"
"Get out of my house, Torino!" She yelled. "I've already said all I need to say, so get out! I don't care if you believe it or not."
His head shook disapprovingly as he moved to suddenly caress her cheeks gently. The action was unexpected and shot a shiver down her spine. He held her gaze. "I don't believe you," He said. "But I'll find out the truth. Don't leave town till this investigation is over."
He turned and exited the house without another word. It took a minute for her to regroup and when she did, she ran to the window and watched till his car zoomed off.
Her mind flashed back to the dream she had of him, and her heart was heavy. As a werewolf, one of the gifts she'd been blessed with was an uncanny ability to see the future through dreams.
She'd never been wrong, and thus, was so sure that his life was in danger. He'll be needing all the help she could offer.
****