A Deadly Cliche (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

relieved she didn’t witness how this played out. By the time she comes back into the house, the Donalds will be gone and I’ll have this mess cleaned up.” She briefly gestured at the bloodsplattered floor and countertop.
    She and Rawlings watched as one of Rawlings’ brawny officers fastened Ellen’s limp wrists together in front of her body using a plastic restraint and then the officer sat down beside her to wait for the paramedics to arrive.
    “I like Ellen much better when she’s unconscious.” Olivia stood and wrestled with the child lock of the cabinet beneath the sink, searching for cleaning supplies.
    “Get back in that chair. The only thing you’re doing is going to the hospital,” Rawlings commanded and waited until she was seated again. “This place is about to be invaded by EMTs and an army of cops. The scene must be thoroughly documented.”
    “Then let Laurel take me to get stitched up,” Olivia said. “You know how slow emergency rooms are. By the time I’m finished, your team should be done here.”
    Rawlings got down on his knees and put his hands on her shoulders. “Only if you promise to go straight there. No stopping to purchase a pound of raw liver for Haviland, though God knows the dog deserves it.” He glanced over at the poodle. “Well done, sir. You could show our K-9 unit a thing or two. Our department might need to look into those advanced canine training classes you took.”
    Olivia was overwhelmed by the urge to kiss Sawyer Rawlings. She raised her good arm and put her palm flat against his rough cheek. “Haviland’s not my only hero,” she whispered and pulled his head toward hers. Closing her eyes, she pressed her lips against his lips and felt his hand slide up the skin of her neck. It came to rest at the nape but his fingertips stretched a bit higher, gently grabbing her hair and sending a ripple of heat through her body. She responded by opening her mouth more fully, inviting him to kiss her more deeply and with more urgency.
    The tread of heavy footsteps reentering the house ruined the moment. They hastily broke apart, flushed and glassy-eyed with desire.
    “Put your arm around my waist,” Rawlings directed huskily.
    “I am perfectly capable of walking outside without assistance, thank you,” she answered stiffly, noting that the officers were watching their chief with interest.
    Rawlings frowned. “Do as I say or I will carry you out.”
    Feigning reluctance, Olivia allowed Rawlings to support her, but in truth she wanted to feel his touch, no matter what the circumstances were. She leaned into him, smelling coffee and soap and the sandalwood of his aftershave, and Haviland brought up the rear, looking as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
    Outside, Laurel was pacing back and forth on the lawn. The cruisers bearing the Donald siblings were already gone.
    “Oh, Olivia ! Thank God!” Laurel ran to them, her eyes puffy from crying. She stared at the bloody dishtowels Rawlings held against Olivia’s upper arm. “What happened?”
    “She has a deep laceration and needs to be taken to the hospital,” Rawlings said with perfect calm. “Can you drive her? I need to stay on site until the other officers arrive.”
    Laurel nodded vigorously. “Of course!” Taking Olivia’s purse from the chief, she sprinted to the Range Rover and hopped into the driver’s seat.
    As Rawlings opened the passenger door, Olivia leaned toward him and whispered, “Please make sure everything looks normal before she comes home. I know that’s not exactly your job, but I’m asking as a favor to me.”
    With Laurel busy digging through Olivia’s purse for her keys, Rawlings felt free to brush Olivia’s neck with his lips. “Since you asked so nicely . . .” He then eased her into the car and opened the back door for Haviland.
    “No stopping,” he told Laurel firmly. “No matter what she says.”
    Laurel squared her shoulders. “Yes, Chief. I promise.”
    Olivia had no intention of avoiding the hospital, but she asked Laurel to drop her off at the emergency room and take Haviland to the park.
    “He’s not allowed inside anyway,” she reminded Laurel when her friend began to argue. She insisted on waiting until Olivia had registered and moved back to the triage area before driving off with Haviland.
    The entire ordeal took over two hours. Olivia’s cut was deep enough to merit a layer of dissolvable stitches to help the rent tissue mend, followed by