“Right. The assassin kills the Fae and then slips away, leaving the rogue to take the blame.”
“And the rogues can’t defend themselves because Rogue Retrieval kills them first.” Rafe growled and shook his head. “I didn’t think Adrian Somerset had it in him to pull this off.”
“Somerset isn’t in charge. He’s a dupe who hasn’t a clue about what’s going on. No one’s exactly sure who is in control, but we do know that the Anti-Fae have infiltrated several departments within Lycan Link.”
Rafe eyed the three Trackers. “Are all the Trackers in on it? Or only a select few?”
Damien shrugged. “My best guess is a core group of six. It seems that a combination of that group has been sent out on each case that involved the murder of a Fae.”
“Why not take the Trackers in for questioning?”
“Reno and Captain Fielding were hoping to catch one of the assassins as well; the more different levels of the group they pull in, the greater the chance of being able to put enough pieces together to lead them to those pulling the strings.”
Rafe slid a sideways glance at Damien. “So, you’re not really a rogue. Reno planted you here.”
Damien gave a brief huff. “Something like that.”
Rafe digested the information for a while as he watched the Trackers. Clement was still talking on his cell phone and the other two were standing with folded arms, likely awaiting orders. He nudged Damien and jerked his chin towards their captors.
Damien nodded. “This might be our only chance. The odds suck though since they have guns.”
“Maybe…or maybe not.” Rafe felt the two vials of tranquillizer he still had with him and then surreptitiously showed them to Damien.
“You always carry drugs on you?” Damien looked at him askance. “Exactly what kind of doctor are you?”
He ignored the latter question. “I was going to use them on you.”
“Me?”
“Long story. I’ll tell you later. If we can administer this, our odds will increase.”
Damien eyes lit with interest. “I like how you think. Question is, how?”
Rafe frowned. He hadn’t proceeded that far in his reasoning. A bug flew by, and an idea came to him. “Do they teach you about bees when you train to be an Enforcer?”
“Bees? No.” Damien cast him a questioning look.
“Good. Then they probably don’t know much about them either.” Rafe handed one vial to Damien and then carefully slipped the syringe from the container he’d kept. “This is a completely insane and improbable scheme.”
A grin split Damien’s face. “Sounds like my kind of plan.”
Rafe chuckled softly, noting how the lines of weariness disappeared from the man’s face. “I hope you’re good at acting. Follow my lead.” With that, he gave a loud cry and jumped to his feet, rubbing one arm and waving his arm about wildly. “Damn, that hurt!”
Aiden and Samson hurried over, their guns at the ready. “What’s going on?”
“Bees! We must be sitting near a hive.” Rafe swatted at the imaginary bugs, and Damien leapt to his feet doing the same.
“I don’t see any.” Aiden narrowed his eyes and looked about suspiciously.
“There’s one on your shoulder!” Damien shouted a warning and moved to brush the non-existent bug from Aiden’s shoulder. As his hand passed near the man, he quickly jabbed the syringe into the Tracker and then tossed the empty casing away in one smooth move.
“And on your neck!” Rafe repeated the move with Samson.
“Hell, I got stung!” Aiden jerked away.
“Me too!” Samson grabbed the back of his neck.
Clement stormed over. “What’s the problem?”
“I got stung by a bee.” Aiden was holding his shoulder, his eyes watering.
“Don’t be such a wuss.” The leader of the group gave the man a shove. “We’ve got work to do. I just received instructions to kill Masterson and McRae.”
“What about the bodies? And the Fae?” Samson queried still rubbing the supposed sting on his neck.
“We’re to let the Fae go this time. She’ll be put back on the list of targets. We’ll have to take these two with us and dump the bodies somewhere.” Clement eyed the wolf on the ground. “We’ll take that one with us, too. Show him to the local cops so they know the wolf problem’s been taken care of.”
Aiden nodded. “Sounds good.”
“Maybe we should kill these two closer to where we left the car,” Samson suggested. “We can’t leave the bodies here while we go get it in case someone comes by, and they’ll be heavy to carry.”
Clement agreed and pocketed his phone, then hefted the wolf in his arms. “I’ll carry this one. You follow behind. Keep them in front of you, and be careful; Masterson’s got tricks up his sleeve you’ve never even heard of.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m only a simple doctor.” Rafe held up his hands, but the Trackers didn’t seem to appreciate his humour. They gave him a shove and he and Damien set off, following behind Clement while their guards trailed behind.
Rather than following the road, Clement travelled cross-country. Rafe tried to calculate the distance, the weight of each guard, the amount of tranquillizer and the length of time before it took effect. With any luck they might just make it before getting a bullet in their brains.
Chapter 41
Eve rested her head against the door of Gordie’s truck, her eyes closed as she tried to ignore the waves of pain from her mangled arm. She didn’t dare look at it, knowing the mere sight of the torn flesh would likely make her sick. As it was, her stomach was threatening to go into reverse each time the truck hit a bump in the road. She clamped her lips together tightly and tried to take deep calming breaths.
She couldn’t wait to be someplace safe and warm. Her clothing was blood stained and smeared with dirt and bits of saliva from the wolf. Just the idea that the filth was touching her made her shiver. The feeling of evil continued to cling to her, and likely would until all remnants of the horrid experience were washed away.
It felt as if they’d been travelling for quite a while. Surely the Grassy Hills medical clinic wasn’t that far away. She turned her head to look at Gordie. He seemed focussed on the road and was humming away to the music on the radio. Something classical though she wasn’t sure what the name might be.
“Are we almost there, Gordie?”
“You hurting, Eve?”
“Yeah.” She bit her lip and nodded.
“There are some pain killers in the glove compartment.” He reached over and opened the little hatch. His awkward angle caused the truck to swerve on the road. An approaching vehicle blared its horn as they veered into its path. Eve gave a gasp of surprise, and Gordie swore. Jerking the wheel, he brought the vehicle back under control. “Sorry about that.” He handed her a small bottle he’d somehow managed to snag. “These will make you feel better.”
Eve took the bottle and turned it round and round in her hand. There was no label on it. “What are they?”
“Just pain killers. Take one. It’ll make you feel better.”
The truck hit another bump, and her arm protested vigorously. Deciding one pill wouldn’t hurt, she awkwardly removed the cap one handed and swallowed a pill. It stuck in her throat causing a bitter burning sensation. She coughed and tried to create more spit in her mouth to wash it down.
“I think there’s some soda left in the can in the cup holder.” Gordie suggested.
Gratefully, she grabbed the container. She downed some of the tepid liquid, trying not to think that Gordie had also been drinking from the can. About to take one more drink, but they hit a bump in the road, and the soda splashed all over her.
Gordie made a tsking noise and grabbed a napkin from a stash he had somewhere and began dabbing at the spill one handed.
“I can do it. You drive.” Eve took the napkin and finished the cleanup, wanting Gordie to keep two hands on the wheel after their near accident a few
minutes earlier. It was small spill, but a damp spot still marred her shirt. Giving it a final dab, she set the wet napkin aside.
Gordie picked it up and tossed it out the window.
“That’s littering!” She chided.
“It’s soft paper. It’ll compost.” Gordie shrugged and cast an inquiring look her way. “That pill still stuck in your throat?”
“I’m better now, thanks.”
“It’ll take effect real soon. By then we should almost be at my place.” Gordie negotiated a turn, and they began to travel down a gravel road.
“Your place? I thought you were taking me to the clinic?” Eve sat up straighter and looked out the window, taking more careful notice of her surroundings. Trees grew thick on either side of the road, the tips of the branches almost brushing against the sides of the tow truck. This was definitely not the way to the Grassy Hills Medical Clinic!
“The clinic isn’t open today. But I have my first aid certificate and a fully equipped medical kit at the house.” Gordie glanced at her briefly. “I can splint your wrist, clean up those wounds and bandage them for you. And if you need stitches, I can do that, too.”
“Stitches!” She sat up straight. Getting stitches from someone who wasn’t a doctor, and without a local anesthetic, definitely wasn’t one of the things she wanted to experience in life!
Gordie chuckled. “I’m just teasing you. Laughter’s the best medicine, you know.”
“Oh.” Eve eased back in the seat, not really appreciating his humour. She added that to her list of reasons she’d never accept his offer of a date.
“I always wanted to be a doctor, you know.” Gordie glanced her way and grinned. “I love medical stuff, but I couldn’t get into med school. I’ve studied a lot on my own though. All the shows on TV with doctors, I understand what they’re saying. How about you?”
“Me? No. I’m more interested in art.”
“I know. I checked up on you last week when I didn’t see you around. I even went to Calgary on the weekend and found a gallery with some of your stuff. You’re good.”
“Thanks.” The idea that Gordie was checking up on her made her uneasy. Eve blinked and was going to comment then ended up rubbing her eyes instead. They kept going out of focus, but at least her arm wasn’t hurting any more. “I think those pills are working.”
“Feeling sleepy?”
“Yeah.” She gave her head a shake, but it didn’t help. The pine tree shaped air-freshener that hung from the rear view mirror wavered before her eyes.
“Don’t fight it, Eve.” Gordie’s voice sounded distant and soft. “Sleep is the best thing when you’re sick or injured. It lets your body focus on healing.”
She licked her lips and tried to respond, but a fog seemed to be engulfing her, slowing her thinking, making her tongue feel thick and uncooperative. Her eyes drifted shut, and her head fell forward as unconsciousness overcame her.
Chapter 42
Reno cursed, his enjoyment of the Canadian scenery disrupted by a tow truck swerving into his lane, nearly forcing him off the road. “What the hell was that about?”
Brandi twisted around to look out the rear window. “Privet’s Towing is the name on the truck.”
“Idiot driver must be trying to drum up business by causing accidents,” he grumbled, regaining control of the vehicle before glancing at the map he’d placed on the dashboard. “The next turn is coming up soon. It’s a private road that leads on to Rafe’s land.” He began to study the wooded area on either side of the highway. It wasn’t as mountainous as the area Brandi came from, but the stands of trees and underbrush still appealed to the wolf in him. Rolling farmland had eventually turned into forests, small streams and lakes scattered about, with the foothills of the Rocky Mountains visible in the distance. Yeah, Rafe had chosen well. Too bad he’d kept the exact location such a secret; with no real idea of what the area looked like, they hadn’t known if there was a suitable landing spot for the chopper or not. Driving from the nearest airstrip was adding time onto the journey.
“I wonder if Damien is still at Dr. McRae’s.” Brandi turned to face forward again.
“He’ll be near the target—Eve—watching for when the killer makes his attempt.”
“I’m still not comfortable with that part of the plan.” A vertical line appeared between her brows. “I think the captain could have set things up differently. Removed Eve and put a decoy in her place. She’s basically an innocent bystander, after all.”
“But who would we have put in there? Another Lycan would be identified immediately due to its scent. And there aren’t that many humans or Fae working for Lycan Link.” Reno negotiated a slight curve in the highway and began looking for a private road. “Besides, if they’ve had Eve under observation—and based on what Rafe told me, they have—then they’d notice if we did a switch.”
Brandi made a face but nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
“I’m sure Damien’s doing his best to minimize the risks to everyone.” Reno reached out and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “Here’s our turn off. We’ll check with Rafe first, and see if he can give us any idea of where to find Damien.”
“It’s strange that Dr. McRae didn’t answer his phone when you tried to call earlier.”
Reno shrugged. “He might have forgotten it. Not everybody is married to technology.” He flicked a glance at Brandi, noting how she was tapping out the beat of the song that was playing on the radio. Her hair was up in some sort of knot with curls spilling haphazardly about her face. When they were done with his assignment, he was looking forward to spending some downtime with her. Ever since they’d officially become mates, life seemed to have been on permanent fast forward.
“Perhaps. I wonder if Damien…” Brandi stopped mid-sentence and pointed to an area just ahead. “Reno, slow down a bit. What’s that?”
Reno eased up on the accelerator and then brought the vehicle to a complete stop. He didn’t see anything amiss but trusted Brandi’s instincts. A car was parked to the side of the road, the driver’s door partially open, but no one was in sight. “Could be someone peeing in the bushes,” he suggested.
Brandi rolled her eyes. “Of course, a man would think that way.”
“What’s wrong with that? Haven’t you ever had to pee when there was no bathroom around?”
Rather than answering, she got out of their rental truck and started walking towards the car. With a sigh, Reno followed her. When Brandi got an idea in her head, it was best just to follow along. By the time he reached her side, she was already peering inside the apparently abandoned car.
“There’s a purse on the passenger seat and a cell phone.”
Reno narrowed his eyes as dark red smears along the side of the car caught his attention. “And blood.”
“Maybe someone hit a deer?” Brandi suggested.
“No carcass around and the vehicle isn’t damaged. Besides,” Reno crouched to examine the blood more closely. “The scent’s human.” He stood up and tested the air. “Damien’s been here as well.”
“Could it be Eve’s?” Concern laced Brandi’s voice as she glanced about.
Reno exchanged a worried look with her, and they both began to examine the area in detail. The private roadway was narrow, dirt covered and rutted, running through a minor gulley between gentle swells of land. Trees grew on slopes on either side as well as small shrubs and long bits of grass. The occasional faint chirping from local birds and the trickling of a small stream provided soft background sounds. It didn’t have the appearance of a possible crime scene, but they both knew that meant very little.
It didn’t take long to find something amiss. A short distance from the car, definite signs of an altercation could be seen.
“There’s been a fight here.” Brandi indicated a place with definite claw marks on the ground.
Reno joined her and hunkered down, scanning the surface with an experienced eye. “I can see three distinct sets of prints. From the blood s
platters I’d say all the participants were wounded to some extent but this one…” He reached out and touched a large dark patch on the soil, “definitely took the brunt of it.” Bringing a sample up to his nose, he sniffed carefully. “Not Damien’s.”
“Dr. McRae’s then? Maybe that’s why he wasn’t answering his phone.” Brandi frowned and worried her lip.
“Or the scentless Lycan Rafe reported. There’s a telltale hint of flowers.” He got to his feet, wiping his hand on his pant leg. Motioning for Brandi to follow him, he headed towards their truck. “You try Rafe’s cellphone again while I drive. Maybe Damien’s contacted him about whatever happened here.”
Just as he was climbing into the truck, a sound caught his attention. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a flash of fur through a break in the trees and then a pair of wolves came racing into sight. One black, the other a deep chocolate brown, they wove their way through the woods, dodging shrubs and leaping over moss encrusted logs.
He pushed his door shut again. “Brandi, I think we’ve found Damien and Rafe.”
She looked in the direction he indicated then circled around the truck to wait at his side. “That’s one mystery solved.” There was no denying the look of relief on her face.
Reno wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. He was equally happy to see his old partner again and, just then, that feeling outweighed his other concerns.
Skidding to a stop in front of him, Rafe shifted into human form first, with Damien following suit a moment later. The slight delay had Reno narrowing his eyes and studying his old partner. He could have sworn Damien had had to struggle to wrench control back from his wolf. Hmm… He tucked the tidbit of information away for the future and instead focussed on a more immediate concern.
“What’s going on?” Reno asked the question before the either of the two men had a chance to speak.
“The attempt was made on Eve. We have the would-be murderer and three Trackers drugged and trussed up like turkeys at Rafe’s place.” Damien was leaning forward, his hands braced on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.