Blood Crazed

4. Meet the Sheriff

Chapter 4

Meet the Sheriff

The sheriff’s office was located inside the courthouse at the town square, the heart of the town. It was the tallest building, with an impressive clock tower that hovered over the square.

I thought I should get acquainted with the law officials. Liquor establishments didn’t always have the best relationships with the local authorities. More often than not, a bar in a small town spelled trouble with a capital D. Drunks getting in a fight, folks driving under the influence, a husband getting caught with another woman. All sorts of reasons why the law frowned on bars.

I intended to set the sheriff’s mind at ease or, at best, make friends with him. I didn’t want any hassle, and I certainly didn’t need my cover blown. John would have my neck if I ruined the assignment.

I mounted the three flights of stairs before I came to a halt. I supposed in this little Podunk town, they hadn’t heard of elevators. I noticed the ink on the door that read,

Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Justin Winters

I stopped at the front desk and was greeted by a heavyset man. He was as tall as he was wide and didn’t have a lick of hair on his head. Judging by his badge, he was the sheriff’s little helper. It read Deputy Lester Duet.

“What can I do fer you, miss?”

“Good morning. I’m the new bar owner. If the sheriff is available, I’d like to speak with him.”

“Do you have an appointment?” His voice came across gruffly.

“No. Sorry, I don’t, but I think he’ll be interested in speaking with me,” I smiled sweetly. A pretty smile could melt a man’s brain. Forget his good sense and lose his heart. I doubted the sheriff would pass up a chance to meet me. I attracted human men as much as I attracted vampires—part of my genetic blueprint. Hormones were as mad as a March hare but very effective.

“What’s your name?”

“Phoenix Brown.” I purred, batting my eyelashes.

“Just one moment.” He dialed his phone and spoke low. I was pretty confident he didn’t want me to hear their conversation. It wouldn’t do him any good. I could hear a cat’s meow ten miles away. One of my many supersoldier gifts. I listened as I thrummed my fingers over the counter …

“Hey, that new bar owner you’ve been talkin’ about is here. It’s a woman. She’s young. Real pretty little thing. Can’t weigh no more than a basket of eggs.”

“She’s good-lookin’, huh?” his voice heightened. “Damn, that’s a shame. She’s gonna be as useful as t**s on a bull. The girl won’t last. No female can run a bar in this redneck town. These folks around her’ will eat her alive,” he chuckled. “Send her in. I gotta meet this gutsy gal.”

Eavesdropping on a private conversation wasn’t always the virtuous approach. But a girl’s gotta do whatta girl’s gotta do! And after the sheriff’s sexist comments, I flew off the handle, mad to the moon and back. I might be a ditzy broad, but I wasn’t a p***y.

Before the deputy hung the phone up, I’d marched into the sheriff’s office without waiting for an invitation. “I’m the pretty gal you asked to meet. Phoenix Brown. You may call me Miss Brown.” I leaned over his desk, offering my hand.

The sheriff’s pleasant appearance took me by surprise. He leaned back at ease in his chair, boots propped on the desk. I’d imagined him as a middle-aged man with a barrelled belly to match. This guy was lean with soft brown hair and deep hazel eyes that sparkled with amusement. Unlike his desk help, this guy was a looker. I bet he was a charmer too. “Miss Brown, it’s a pleasure meetin’ you.” He eyed me like I was in a line-up. “I am surprised to see a woman take over Mike’s Bar and Grill.”

Steam blew through my nose. “Oh? And how successful was Mike? Didn’t his bar go out of business?”

He flashed a lopsided grin. “Touché, Miss Brown.”

“Sheriff, I assure you the bar is in capable hands. Even if I am a female.”

“You’re awfully cocky to be such a little thing. Why you’re not much more than a snack to some of these wranglers in these parts.”

“I can handle myself, and I can promise you there won’t be any trouble. Any signs of a problem, I’ll be on top of it like a duck on a June bug.”

He laughed, revealing a dimple on his left cheek. Cute. “I hope that confidence doesn’t get you killed.”

“I’m sorry. What is your name?”

“I didn’t say,” he paused, holding my gaze. “Forgive my manners,” he drawled, “I’m Justin Winters. My name is on the door in case you missed it.”

I got the impression the man was a bit smug. And not offering his hand back sent a message loud and clear. Dudley Do-Right didn’t like playing with girls.

Keeping his boots crossed on his desk, leaning back leisurely in his oversize chair, he left no doubt in my mind how little of importance he considered me. “You got anything to tell me about this town that might help my bar run efficiently? I plan nothing but smooth sailing.”

The sheriff chuckled. “Watch your back and stay inside your home at night. And whatever you do, don’t invite a stranger inside.”

Sarcasm spilled over into my curt laugh. “That means pretty much every person in Witch Haven, Sheriff. Have you forgotten? I’m new to town.” Call me skeptical but my nagging gut warned me not to broach on my encounter with the de Soto brother, Hernando. Strange that Sheriff Winters mentioned stranger danger. Did he know about the vampire problem? Or did he think a serial killer was running amok? Which made me wonder… “By chance, do you know whose name is on the deed of the apartment over my bar?”

“Hernando de Soto is pretty much the landlord of the whole Parish. He and his brother are long-time residents. The brothers come from old money and own this little speck on the map. I hear it’s sentimental to the de Sotos. Got me on that one. I hadn’t a clue to why.” He shook his head, appearing baffled.

I didn’t care about the brothers’ soppy attachments. I just needed the facts. “I thought the apartment came with the bar.” Since I didn’t handle the transaction, there was no way I would’ve known. I must be looking pretty stupid right now. I just bought a bar, and I somehow missed that little detail. Thanks, John!

“Nope. Check your deed of trust. Mr. de Soto doesn’t sell his apartment properties.”

“It sounds like you know Mr. de Soto well.”

“Huh … I reckon I know him fairly well since he’s the mayor. Señor Hernando is a bit strange with those translucent eyes of his, but he’s a good man. He cares about the locals. Now his brother is another story. I’d stay clear from that crazy bastard, Damián.”

“I see. Thanks for the warning. Well, Sheriff, it’s been nice meeting you. I hope you’ll visit Phoen's Pub when I open.”

“Thank you kindly for the invitation,” he flashed a set of white teeth. “I look forward to it.” He tipped his hat but still did not bother to stand up.

“You have a good day, Sheriff.”

I stomped all the way back to the bar in a fury. John must be getting forgetful in his old age. Another vital detail that he failed to mention. I got news for him … no way in hell was I sleeping with the enemy. I needed my beauty sleep, and I had no plans to wake up next to some cretinous fanger ready to devour me for breakfast. I guessed I’d have to set up quarters in the pub. It wasn’t much better. It was a public establishment, but in the meantime, it was my private home. Not open to the public just yet. I guessed I’d worry about where to hang my hat when I crossed that bridge. Where was a good question? I didn’t care where as long as I was out of harm’s way and could sleep and recharge. This supersoldier needed her beauty rest.

Something else that pestered me like a bug in my shorts … did the Sheriff know about the vampire problem? I got a sneaky suspicion he wasn’t oblivious to their nesting locally. Why else would he warn me about inviting strangers inside my home? Too many variables promised uncertain outcomes. I needed to get to the bottom of this where the Sheriff was concerned. The fewer people knew, the easier I could do my job.

First things first. I had to find a safe place to sleep.