He looked disgusted, “What happened then?”
“I got very upset and ran into the woods. I ran really far and started to feel sick again. I called Roland and he came and got me. I've been here since.”
He shook his head, “I see so many bad things everyday but this takes at least one cake. Why would she poison your cookies with cyanide?”
She looked up at him through her lashes, “How do you know it was cyanide?”
He sighed, “It was what we found inside Rebecca, she died of cyanide poisoning. We thought she had been around something radioactive at first. After the autopsy we found out what it was.”
“How could we eat that and not know?”
“Baking is a good place to disguise it. It’s a type of poison I wouldn’t have thought of, it comes from apple seeds.”
“That’s ridiculous apple seeds aren’t poisonous.”
“Oh yes my dear they are highly poisonous. But processing them can be a bother.” Roland laughed as he brought the tea tray into the room.
“You know how?” She asked raising an eyebrow at the old man.
He nodded, “I’ve read a lot of mystery novels in my many years dear girl, the inside of the seed is highly poisonous. One must split it and remove the guts of the seed then grind that very fine. I've never heard of it used in baking I will say.”
She looked at Andy who smirked, “I am almost wondering where you were that night Roland.”
Roland laughed, “Oh officer Paulson you flatter me, I don’t have the energy for such adventures.” He turned to leave the room but turned back and smiled mischievously, “Not anymore anyway.”
Hanna laughed nervously wondering about the old man more than she cared to acknowledge.
Andy laughed, “Well I have to say we have enough for a warrant.” His eyes turned back to Hanna, “Thanks so much for calling.”
She nodded, “I feel so guilty that Rebecca died because of me.”
He put a hand on hers covering it completely, “You can't take the blame for something you had nothing to do with. They made the choice and they committed the crime. You were a victim as much as she was.”
She tried to focus on his hand and not the tears threatening to spring from her eyes.
His eyes grew puzzled again, “Where were you for all those weeks then if you didn’t end up like your friend?”
She frowned fighting her bodies want to tell the truth, “No clue but where ever it was I almost hope I don’t remember.”
He nodded, “Yeah we found GHB in your system, that doesn’t bode well for your missing time.”
“Yeah my thinking too. Maybe its better I don’t remember anything.”
He looked at her putting his hand through her hair and tucking it behind her ear. She shivered against the feel of his warm hand, as it brushed against her face, “I feel anger and disgust when I think about you missing for all those weeks. Scared and alone with strangers or worse your crazy aunt and uncle.”
His blue eyes seemed to grow in color and intensity.
“I feel scared too.” She wanted to stop his fears, she wanted to tell him the truth.
“I never want you to be afraid again.” He leaned in brushing his lips against hers softly. He pulled back suddenly, “Oh my god I’m so sorry. That was so inappropriate.”
She shook her head, touching his face marveling at how beautiful he was, “No it wasn’t. Please don’t be sorry.”
He smiled lifting one side of his mouth slightly, “I’m not sorry I kissed you I just can't do it again until I’m not working your case, its not right.” He looked down at her, “Can I get a rain check for this exact moment?”
She nodded biting her lip, wanting to kiss him again. She didn’t want the light feathery kiss, she wanted everything she could tell he was capable of.
“I will be here the minute this is over and it's not a conflict of interest.” He stood from the couch creating a space of cold air between them, “Like the second its over. But I've got to go. Now.”
She laughed, “Goodnight.”
He waved, “I will call you when the warrant has been executed.”
She watched him leave feeling a burning desire to chase after him. She picked up the throw pillow beside her, hugging it to her body grinning.
“It can't ever be more than flirtation love.”
She turned sharply frowning at Marcus, “What do you know of anything beyond flirtation, you're the devil, I know it.”
He laughed, his booming voice echoed throughout the room.
She frowned at him wanting to throw the pillow, “I get now why my father would want to be able to change on demand, moments like these. What are you doing in my house? Does Roland know you're here?”
He cleared his throat as he sat on the couch next to her. He scent made her want to strip naked and rub up against him, “Contrary to popular belief love I have never driven your father to wish for a change. He and I got along in perfect harmony. I let myself in, as I always have.”
She looked at his blue black eyes regretting it instantly, he had a hold on her the moment she saw the color, “Its those. They make me want you.” She pointed at his eyes shuddering as she forced her face to turn away.
He snuggled against her, “You're quite the little tease Hanna.”
She pushed away from him but his arms encased her, pulling her in, “It can't ever be with the police officer because you can't control yourself. Young officer Paulson would never get out of harms way fast enough.”
Struggling to get free she looked at his arm beside her face. She bit as hard as she could into his bicep. Something very odd occurred, not what she expected, he moaned. She listened to him moan realizing she loved the feel of his strong muscled arm in her teeth. She let go pulling back. She didn’t know what to say. She closed her mouth and looked at the other wall as he started to laugh.
“You're my favorite monster Hanna. Of all the monsters in all the world you're my favorite. You're feisty and spicy but deep down in a place you don't let anyone see, you're sweet too.
She grimaced, “I could never be sweet to you.”
He laughed harder, “I would never want you to be sweet to me,” he kissed her cheek roughly, “I like spice better than sweet.”
Feeling anxious about being so close to him she changed the subject, “How many monsters are there?”
He tilted his head, “Many.”
She rolled her eyes pulling back as he slowly let her go, “So vampires and werewolves and trolls exist?”
He raised an eyebrow not answering her. He examined her carefully making her more nervous.
“What about mermaids?”
He nodded, “Yes its all true. Do you really believe there is a human gifted enough in imagination that they could create beings so amazingly accurate in strength and weakness?”
She nodded, “Yes, Frankenstein.”
“It happened.”
Disbelief crossed her brow, “What, no not Frankenstein.”
“Yes Frankenstein and yes Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde obviously. I find it hilarious you turn into a monster and doubt the existence of other monsters." He pointed to her and continued, "And yes count Dracula and yes the Mummy.” He picked up a piece of her hair smelling it, “You smell delicious for such a naughty beast.”
She snatched her hair back, “You are a pervert. How old are you anyway?”
He shrugged, “What does time matter to me? Only the dying considers time.”
She sat for a moment thinking about other questions he might answer if she let him sit so near enjoying himself, not that she minded much.
“Did my aunt and uncle drug me?”
He rolled his eyes looking bored, “You know they did.”
“How long have you known? Not only that they did but would?”
A snake like grin crossed his sensual lips, “Ah there it is, the right question.” He twirled a new piece of hair, “For some time.”
“Can you read my thoughts?”
He laughed, “As well as you can read mine.”
She frowned, “How did you know then?”
He looked at her sharply, “I pay attention.”
She inhaled rapidly, frightened by the look in his eyes. She proceeded cautiously, “Did you tell my father it would happen?”
“What do you think?”
She shook her head, “I think no, you wanted me to be poisoned. But why?”
“I think I’ve answered enough questions for one night."
"How could you let me turn into this?"
"I never let you turn into anything. I never poisoned you."
"But you knew?"
He grinned, "You assume I knew. How about you answer one for me?” He looked down at her keenly.
“What?”
“How did your mother die?” His question seemed sarcastic, as if he knew the answer and was asking to hurt her.
She answered softly, beginning to see the full scope of the cruelty he was capable of, “She was in a car accident on a freeway. It was a ten car pile up.”
He nodded, “Hmm, did you ever try looking it up online?”
She scowled, starting to grow increasingly anxious, “No, I was seven years old.”
“Did you see anything in the paper?”
“I was seven.” Her words turned firm and adamant.
He stood up from the couch, “Well I must be going, goodnight love.”
She watched as he walked from the room. She loathed him in a lustful and perplexing way.
She sat on the couch wondering where he had been going with the accident. Her aunt was her mother's best friend, surely she had looked into the accident. Surely she would have told her the truth. She thought about the poisoned cookies and sighed, maybe not.
Chapter Seven: The Roses and The Thorns
Hanna sat on the edge of her bed watching the sunrise. Her skin had started to itch, as if it needed something. She couldn’t put her finger on what it was.
