Beautiful Creatures Series

Tyler walked through the station as he escorted one of the drug dealers he and his coworkers had taken down. There had been a big bust tonight, and Tyler had been one of the lucky few to back up the narco division. Once his charge was in processing, Tyler headed for the armoury to remove his bullet-proof vest and other body armour. As he reached the stairs, he came across beet cop Kerklin. He knew him. They often worked the same shifts. But where Tyler was a detective Kerklin was a uniform.

“Winthrop,” Kerklin called to him as they both walked in the same direction. “A minute of your time?”

“What’s up?” Tyler asked.

“You know that woman you bailed out last night?”

“Yeah.”

“I arrested her again tonight. She was really drunk and driving five miles an hour the wrong way down a one-way street. She’s in holding right now. I just thought you might want to know.” Kerklin said, walking away.

“God damn it,” Tyler growled and turned around, heading for the elevator. He would have to remove his armour later. Right now, he had to get Aster out of that cell.

He took the elevator down to the holding cells. He made his way through the red tape and paperwork. With that aside, he accepted the key from the guard and walked down the narrow hall to the holding cell that held six women and Aster, every one of them impaired.

She turned her head and smiled at him. “Tyler.” She laughed.

“We have got to stop meeting like this.”

Aster got up from her bench and sauntered over to him, draping her arms through the bars as she pressed her forehead to the bars and looked him over. “You are looking good all dolled up in body armour. I would like to tear right through it.”

“Clearly, you have been drinking again. Is this a habit of yours?”

“It’s not my fault Sven the Wonder Cop has been following me around.”

“Sven? Officer Kerklin says you were driving slow as shit the wrong way down a one way. What are you doing behind the wheel drunk again?”

“Do you have any idea how much a taxi costs from here to Feral?”

Tyler rolled his eyes and unlocked the cell. “Come on. I am taking you home.”

“Are you not going to take the body armour off?” She laughed as he relocked the cell.

Tyler put his arm around her to help keep her upright as they walked. “Well, you are a bit unpredictable, and I might need it.” As they passed the jailer, Tyler tossed the keys to him, and he walked Aster out to his car and put her in the back seat. She laid down and passed right out. Tyler moved her body, so her legs were inside before closing the door.

Tyler made the long drive to take Aster home. Driving people home was a thing they sometimes did, so he could still say he was on the job. Though if his superiors found out, he knew Aster, they might question this trip and chastise him. It was a long drive, and it was the dead of night when he reached Aster’s house.

He got out and opened the back door. Tyler was leery about trying to get her out. The last time he had woken her, Aster had taken a chunk clean out of him. Tyler inched closer and cautiously tapped her knee, then pulled back quickly. She did not move. He leaned in close once more and poked her, then jumped back. Still no movement. Ok, she was out of it. Tyler took a few quick breaths trying to work up the nerve he needed to get her out of his car. Tyler leaned in and pulled Aster out of the backseat, and hoisted her up over his shoulder.

Tyler carried Aster to the door and removed her house key from his pocket. He had gotten it when he paid her bail. He went inside and shut the door tossing the keys on the table near the door. Tyler walked her down the hall to the bedroom, and he laid her down carefully.

away for the night, Tyler hopped back into his car and headed back into town. He still had four more hours of his shift ahead

***

door. Opening the door, she came face to face with Tyler, who had a to-go tray of coffee and a brown paper bag from a fast food joint in Aspen. He held up both. “Egg and bacon burritos,” he paused,

in. He looked tired, and he still had his badge hanging

taking a seat on her couch as she sat cross-legged on

a disgusted face. “Please tell me we didn’t

as a successful ego deflator, but no, you were arrested again last night for DUI… for the second night in a row.

didn’t ask you

of the other detainees.” He said, pushing up the sleeve of his jacket and shirt to show her the large bandage

She said, offering him one

suggest you deal with whatever it is you are trying to drown.” She sipped her coffee. “Do you want to talk

out drag you from your bed?” She noted

on duty. I work swing shifts. One week of nights. One week of days. Back to nights. It is exhausting, but you get used to it. I

you just get off

left me ten minutes to pick up food and forty to drive out

He just shrugged. “Do you work the night

“Straight through until Friday.”

be

“Now that’s the best offer I

not what I

meant. I just

forty minutes out of your way, knowing you would have

“Calls are so impersonal.”

an unusual

going. My bed is calling me. I need at least a few hours of sack time between shifts. And by the way, your car is in the impound again. So if you change, I can give you a lift to work since I’m heading into Aspen

safe for you to drive this tired. Why don’t you go and catch some Z’s in my bed, and I will bum a ride to work from one of

better idea. Why don’t I catch some Z’s in your bed, and while I sleep, you take my car to work and bring it back? I should be up by

me

you don’t drink to or from.”

agreed taking his keys when he offered them to her. “You know

***

the fondant through the roller, flattening it out. They had an order for a wedding tomorrow, and they were ready to decorate. Katelyn had spent a week handmaking all the little décor, and once they put the fondant on, they could just add each of the hand-crafted décors and then

to your car?” Katelyn said as she put the finishing

“Impounded.”

Were you driving

time, I promise. Tyler says I will go to jail if I

at Aster. “Tyler? As in that cute