Under Wraps Read Online Free Page B

men—actual, dead people—outlined in chalk and crime-scene tape. I gripped the sides of the chair and sat down again. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.” Besides, I was really more flannel pajamas and bunny slippers than leather duster and stiletto boots.
    “You’ll be fine,” Mr. Sampson said, obviously unconcerned. “I have no doubt that Chief Oliver will keep you safe and Detective Hayes here will teach you everything he knows.”
    “Great,” Hayes and I both muttered.
    Mr. Sampson smiled, but my stomach was too busy playing the accordion to revel in the warm creases at the sides of his eyes.
    “All right then, everything is settled. Sophie will help you with whatever you need. You’ll have access to all of the Underworld files.”
    I forced a smile. “I’ll start gathering them up.”
    The room fell into silence as we all sat, smiling politely and staring at each other.
    “Oh.” I stood up quickly. “Will that be all?”
    Detective Hayes stood, reluctantly tucked his notebook in his back pocket. He reached out and shook Mr. Sampson’s hand.
    I led Detective Hayes from Mr. Sampson’s office. “So,” I said casually, “I guess we’re going to be working together. How are we going to work this? Should I come up—”
     
    “Like I said, Miss Lawson,” he started, cutting me off smoothly.
    “Sophie,” I interjected.
    “Sophie.” Detective Hayes seemed to bite out my name, his lips held tight. “I don’t know about this veiling and shielding stuff, but honestly, I don’t know how much help you’re going to be. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate you wanting to help, but I really think you’d be better off staying down here. Nobody wants you to get hurt, and this is police work.”
    All that was missing was a lollypop and a placating pat on the head.
    I crossed my arms and stopped walking. “Police work? Don’t you mean man’s work?”
    “You said it, not me.” Hayes’s eyes scanned me and his big hand cupped my shoulder. “This is dangerous. Whoever is doing this is not playing games, and the last thing I want—or need—is anyone else getting hurt. No one is going to be helped if I have to worry about my ‘partner.’ I appreciate your offer, though.” Hayes turned around, striding down the hall.
    My skin bristled. “Do you know how vampires feed, Detective? Or that werewolves have the ability to change every night—not just at the full moon?”
    Hayes’s pace slowed, and then he stopped, turning slowly. “Excuse me?”
    I jutted out one hip, resting a hand on it. “You don’t know a thing about the Underworld or the people living in it. All the detective training in the world isn’t going to help you against one of them.”
    The detective’s cheek pushed up in an amused, gorgeously annoying half smile. “Is that so?”
    “Have you ever seen a zombie, a hobgoblin, a troll?”
    I could practically see the wheels turning in the detective’s head, working it out.
    “No,” he said slowly. “But—” Hayes started and then stopped when I raised both my eyebrows, expectantly.
    Hayes’s grin went full. “All right, Lawson, looks like you’ve got yourself a partner. Meet me up top at noon.”
    That’s right, I thought, grinning smugly to myself. Sophie Lawson, CSI.
    Hayes spun on his heel and called over his shoulder. “Just do me a favor and try not to get yourself killed, okay?”
    I took a step forward and realized my knees had gone rubbery.

Chapter Three
     
    I returned to my desk, the rapid beat of my heart having slowed to a near normal pace, my revelry in wild, gun-toting crime raids with Parker Hayes almost over. I plopped down on my chair and cracked open a Diet Coke, then dropped my head into my hands.
    “Well?” The voice was cool and right next to my ear, and I almost jumped out of my skin.
    “Holy crap, Nina, you should wear a bell or something!” I gripped my thundering heart with my hand, and Nina sat down on the edge of my desk, her long,