Urien snarled as someone rang his doorbell. It hadn’t been dark for more than ten minutes. If it was Sutton coming to take his fucking blood sample, Urien would kill him, damn the consequences.

He unlocked the door to the basement room, walked up the stairs, and unlocked the door, letting him onto the bottom floor of the house. He walked into the little room where he had a monitor showing the doorstep.

Caddock. The moment he saw him, a hazy image of him crouching before appeared in his mind. Had to be Caddock. And he was holding a tray of coffee. Oh, hell no. He was not letting a cop into his house. He pushed the button for the audio intercom. “Yes?”

He watched on the monitor how Caddock whirled around and searched for the source of the sound. He found the camera and nodded. “Hi. Nick said you had my notebook, and I was wondering if I could have it back.”

Fucking Nick.

“It’s in the kitchen.”

Caddock waited, a smile slowly creeping onto his lips. “Okay, could you get it for me? I’ll trade you a cinnamon dolce something.”

“Taste it.” Urien was not in the mood to get drugged. Caddock widened his eyes.

“Sure.” He took a sip of one of the paper cups.

“The other too.”

With a smile and a nod, he did. “Still breathing.”

“I don’t need to breathe.”

“Handy at times, I’m sure.” He looked into the camera again. “Have you looked at the photo?”

Urien shook his head, only to realize Caddock couldn’t see him. He needed to sleep; his brain wasn’t working. “No, I haven’t had the time.”

Caddock nodded. “Could you? I’ll put the cup here.” He placed the cup on the doorstep. “Is there a patio or something around the back?”

There was, and he made a confirming sound.

“I’ll go there. Could you have a look at the photo and call me?” He rattled off his number.

Urien frowned. “Okay.”

“Okay, speak to you soon.” He stepped away, and Urien followed his movements around the house into the backyard on the monitors. He sat on one of the patio chairs, looking cold as he sipped his coffee. After a few seconds, he took his phone out of his pocket, checked the screen, and placed it on his lap.

Urien grabbed his phone and called the number Caddock had given him. He watched on the monitor how the screen lit up, and Caddock reached for it.

“Hi.” His voice was low and warm, and Urien shivered. “Have you looked at it?”

“Going to the kitchen now.” And since he’d said so, he headed for the kitchen, but not before grabbing the cinnamon latte on the doorstep. He was careful to turn the deadbolts and put the safety chain back on after closing the door. It wouldn’t help, but it would buy him time should someone try to break in. “I believed you were suspended.”

“Good news travels fast, huh?”

Urien didn’t smile, he did not. “Yeah.”

“I’m only curious. Both Hilda and Conri thought he was familiar but couldn’t place him. Conri should if he was from around here, right? But the killer wanted him on Conri’s doorstep for some reason.”

“To get him thrown in the pit.” Urien entered the kitchen and looked at the notepad on the table but didn’t reach for it. He wanted to be where he could watch Caddock.

“It takes more than a body on your doorstep to get you arrested.”

“Not here, Detective.”

Caddock remained quiet for several seconds. “It should take more, but say you’re right --”

“I’m right.” Urien snapped.

“I’m not arguing with you. I only meant if you’re right, and it was the intention, then who wants Adore locked up?”

“Nick?” Someone wanted Conri gone, and with Conri gone, Urien would be in charge or be removed. He didn’t want to be in charge, but he’d die before he allowed himself to be imprisoned. Panic wrapped around him. Fuck, not this again.

“Biast doesn’t own the building. A body on the doorsteps with no clues would not get him thrown in the pit. Adore is the owner.”

“Nick’s human.” Urien didn’t sound too convincing, but why would Caddock doubt him?

“I don’t care what he is. If someone takes Adore, I suspect the town will be painted in blood.”

Perceptive. “Yes.”