Alpha Bear Detective: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance Read Online Free

was. Roger Sutherland.”
    Laura’s eyebrows went up. “Are you sure?”
    The big detective had pulled out a notebook and was writing it down. His partner looked less than convinced.
    Maria nodded firmly. “It was him.”
    “It’s understandable if you’re not totally sure,” the shorter cop said. “It was dark—”
    “—and he was running away, and his face was only lit up for a second,” Maria finished. “I know what Roger Sutherland looks like. I spent a few hours the other day memorizing faces from his anti-shifter group. I know it was him, and I also know that he works for George Lisle. I don’t think he does anything without Lisle’s approval.”
    “You’re suggesting that he was ordered to kill Senator Davis by this Lisle person.” The shorter cop was looking more skeptical by the minute.
    “Lisle runs a radical anti-shifter group,” Laura put in. “They’re very hierarchical.”
    Maria nodded. “And very militarized. There’s no way Sutherland would have done this on his own.”
    The big cop moved a little, bringing Maria’s focus back to him. She wondered if that was on purpose, or if she was just hyperfocused on the hot guy.
    Adrenaline did weird things to your body, that was for sure. She would never have guessed that right after almost being killed, she’d be ignoring her bleeding arm in favor of feelings…lower down. But she couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Detective Tall, Dark, And Handsome. With his—shoulders, and his big hands, and she bet if he turned around, he’d have a very nice—
    “After you’ve received medical attention, we’ll have you come down to the station and make an official statement,” he said.
    Wow, so romantic . Just more confirmation that all of those fight-or-flight chemicals were affecting her brain. There was no mutual chemistry happening here—the detective just wanted to do his job, for God’s sake! Her body was probably reacting to a near-death experience by wanting to make lots of babies, just in case.
    “Of course.” Maria kept her eyes on the detective’s face and her voice professional. Keep it together. “Meanwhile, could I get your names and badge numbers? Senator Davis will want to be sure she thanks you later.”
    And I’ll be happy to thank you personally any time…stop it, Maria. He’s not interested.
    She kept the professional smile firmly on her face. She wasn’t going to mess up this guy’s workday with her stupid hormones.
    *              *              *
    Levi couldn’t believe he’d forgotten to by-God identify himself to the two women before he’d started what amounted to an interview.
    Yeah, because if there’s anyone you don’t want to remember you helping them out, it’s a state senator and the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen.
    His attraction was making him self-conscious—he was trying to be as professional as he could, avoiding any personal conversation at all, because he didn’t want to be the sort of creep who took advantage of vulnerable victims, and as a result, he was actually fumbling standard procedures.
    Not that Maria seemed that vulnerable. On the contrary, she was focused and observant, even in a stressful situation like this. It was truly impressive.
    “I apologize.” He tried to keep the professional tone firm in his voice as he said, “I’m Detective Levi Hale, and this is my partner, Detective Danny Sadowski. But there’s no need to thank us, ma’am,” directing this at the senator, “we were only doing our jobs.”
    “I’ll thank you if I please.” The senator’s tone was final. “You risked your lives for my assistant and me, and that deserves some recognition.”
    “I still need your badge numbers—oh, damn, my purse.” Maria looked around herself, as though it might be sitting on the ground somewhere. “I must have dropped it back on the stairs.” She glanced back at the building. “I suppose—I suppose I could just go get it now that