Page 125 of Heart Over Heels

“Make room, sir,” the officer said more firmly. “We need to secure the scene.”

The command snapped Beck out of his stupor, and he turned, vacating the storage area with me hot on his heels.

On the other side of the doorway, Colette was waiting. Her hackles were up, and she rumbled a growl that caused the police dogs to whimper and cower behind their handler.

“Ma’am,” the policeman warned as his hand drifted toward his holstered pistol.

Colette shot him a look sharp enough to flay skin. “If you point that weapon at me, officer, I’ll take it as a personal challenge.”

“Coll,” Beck rasped. “Enough.”

The cops herded us onto the main floor and toward where the dolls had gathered by the stage. Oz, Elliot, and the twins took on shades of panic when they caught sight of Beck and Colette flanked by uniforms. Zephyr started forward, but Beck’s raised hand stopped him.

I went to join them, and Rush made to follow before being held back by one of the officers.

“We have a few questions for you, sir,” one of them explained. “Would you mind going with my colleague overthere?” He motioned to yet another policeman waiting near the entrance.

Rush hesitated then nodded. He went where he’d been sent while the other officers turned to Beck and Colette.

“Mister Beckett,” began the lead officer. “We’ll need to take you to the station for questioning.” He turned to Colette. “And you, ma’am. You’re head of security, correct?”

Colette folded her arms. “That is correct.”

“Then you should come along too. We’ll give you a ride.”

Beside me, Zephyr hugged his arms around his slinky Miss Scarlett dress while staring at where Beck stood between the officers, unmistakably framed for a perp walk.

“Daddy?” Zephyr whispered.

Beck’s expression softened. “I’ll be right back, Beauty.”

Zephyr’s wide eyes darted next to Colette, who smiled gently.

“Ne t’inquiète pas, mon petit Français,” she said. “You’ll barely have time to miss us.”

Despite their assurances, Zephyr let out a petering whine. I tugged him against my side, giving him something to hold on to besides himself.

Beck glanced over one shoulder. “Darby, you’re in charge. Take care of them.”

“Yes, sir,” I replied, though I hardly needed to be told. I had always taken care of them, and I always would. Manager was my position, but watching over the dolls was my purpose.

Two policemen led Beck and Colette toward the front doors while the third officer stayed behind. He turned his attention to the rest of us.

“You all need to return to your homes.”

“Thisisour home,” I replied.

He cast a glance around the empty club. “You live here?”

Everyone except Zephyr nodded.

The cop gave the place another look, then shook his head. “Well, I’m sorry, but you’ll need to find other accommodations while the investigation is underway.”

Colt slung his arm around Callum, who seemed torn between burying his face in Colt’s shoulder and dashing fearful glances at the uniformed man.

“And how long’s that exactly?” Colt asked.

“Hard to say,” the officer replied. “But we’ll be in touch.”