All's Fair in Love and Wolf

  “He returned with the TV?” Sarandon asked.

  “Yeah. I knew he was making pretty good money as a cameraman for the ghost-hunter show, but the TV was really expensive.”

  “Are you sure he really wasn’t trying to make up for the years of not getting your mom anything?” Jenna asked.

  “And to show me up. I just didn’t think he could afford anything quite that expensive, nor would he get her anything that cost that much. For himself, yeah, and then go into debt over it.”

  “Unless he was using someone else’s credit card,” Sarandon said.

  “Yeah. That’s just what I was thinking. The TV came from a computer and office supply store near us. Office Warehouse. I was in there shortly after that, like the next day, looking for some printer paper, and I checked out the TVs for curiosity’s sake. I wanted to find out the price of the brand he bought. It was the 4K HDR Elite, curved panel, 75-inch screen, and cost nearly $7,000.”

  “That’s a lot of making up to your mother,” Jenna said.

  “And not like Burt at all.”

  “Why were you running as a wolf around here?” Jenna asked.

  “I wanted to talk to you and Sarandon. I was afraid to. I couldn’t get up the nerve to call. I had to see you in person. To see if you could really help me out.”

  “We will. We’ll do everything we can,” Sarandon assured Alex, damn glad they’d finally caught hold of him.

  Chapter 18

  When Sarandon, Jenna, and Alex arrived in Colorado Springs, they met with Jeb at the Antlers Hotel. The lawyer spoke with Alex about everything. Sarandon and Jenna went with them afterward to turn Alex in to the police, and he was locked up until the trial the next morning.

  Jenna couldn’t believe how much she hated that Alex had to be locked away, when from the beginning, that had been her only goal. She was glad she could let her mother know they wouldn’t have to pay the bond.

  “Okay, thanks, Jenna. Let us know how the trial goes,” her mom said.

  That was a first, but Jenna realized if Sarandon was going to be family, so were Alex and his twin sister, Faye. And Christina, if she mated Alex. And Faye’s husband and kids.

  They were there too, staying at a hotel nearby, along with Alex’s parents. Jenna was glad they had all come to support him.

  In the meantime, they got a call from Monty. “I presume you want to stay and learn what you can about the trial. Some of Alex’s coworkers are going to testify on his behalf. His boss even. Several of his pack members too.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful. Thank you,” Jenna said.

  Sarandon agreed.

  “The Silver pack isn’t the only one that takes care of its own,” Monty said, sounding proud of his pack.

  “What about Burt?” Sarandon asked.

  “He’s the Silver pack’s problem. We don’t have a jail of our own here. If I learn of him being in our territory, I’ll turn him over to you because of what he did to CJ Silver. No word on his whereabouts yet.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Jenna really hoped they’d catch up to him soon.

  * * *

  The next afternoon, during a break in the trial, Jeb came out to talk to them, looking reasonably pleased.

  Sarandon asked him, “How do you think it’s going for Alex?”

  “It appears to be going well. His financial records show the only deposits he’s made have been from his construction job wages. He wasn’t anywhere near the location where several IDs went missing, and he has witnesses to verify he was working during the time. His fingerprints weren’t on any of the stolen items. Not on your driver’s license or credit card either. The items weren’t wiped down. They still had several sets of fingerprints.”

  “Hell, that’s good news.” Sarandon was relieved, not having considered that possibility, though Alex might have worn gloves. “What about Burt’s fingerprints?”

  “That’s the thing. If Burt swiped the stuff and his fingerprints are on them, would anyone even have his fingerprints on file to compare them to?”

  “Maybe not. Most of us have never been fingerprinted,” Sarandon said.

  “He’s not in the police database. I’ve talked to Stanton Wernicke about the wages he pays Burt. Sarah Dreyfus is listed on his bank account, so she checked the bank balance and discovered he’s made some hefty deposits into his account. She’s also on Alex’s account and found nothing of the sort there. When your brother CJ and I began cross-checking missing credit cards and passports with the locations Burt was at when they went missing, we found a pattern. Seventeen matches—all hotels where the victims had stayed—and the ghost hunters were at each of the locations filming a show.”

  “And Burt was serving as their cameraman,” Sarandon said.

  “Yes. The police checked guests and the staff at the various locations. No one thought of investigating the ghost-hunter group. They had left by the time guests discovered the items were missing.”

  “Could it have been any of the ghost hunters?” Sarandon asked, really hoping none of them had been involved.

  “It could have been, but Burt seems to be the most likely suspect because of his past criminal behavior and the extra-large deposits in his bank account.”

  “How are Alex’s parents holding up?”

  “They’re hopeful Alex’s name will be cleared. We have two wolves on the jury.”

  “I’m glad to hear Alex’s parents are doing well. And that’s great that we have wolves on the jury.” Sarandon thought there couldn’t be better news than that.

  “The only problem I see is that the wolves could work against us if the two jurors suspect Alex is a wolf who is involved in criminal activities. I’m hoping everyone sees the situation for what it is. Someone else has framed him. The only good thing is they could worry that he couldn’t keep from shifting during the full moon and not want to convict him. They don’t know him, so they’re not part of his pack. I asked Alex.”

  “Don’t let on that he’s a royal. Will you defend Burt if we can catch him and learn he’s the one responsible for all this?”

  “Yeah. My goal would be to get him off on all the charges and turn him over to your pack or Monty’s, whichever feels the greater need to deal with him.”

  “We have a jail. And the charges of assault and battery and stealing CJ’s car and gun and everything else is in our jurisdiction. We won’t be dismissing those charges. He won’t get a jury trial, but even if he had one, you know how that would go. I’m not sure Monty would be able to incarcerate him properly if we turned Burt over to his pack for disposition. Monty has already said he’ll turn him over to us if he catches him in his pack’s territory. We have another option, a jaguar police force that has facilities for jaguars and wolves who need long-term incarceration.”

  “We’ve heard of them. Haven’t met any of them yet though. Okay, that sounds like it might work well. I’ve got to go back in.”

  “Good luck.”

  Jenna took Sarandon’s hand. “We need to find him. Burt.”

  “Your job is done,” Sarandon said, pulling her into his arms, surprised she wanted to continue with this case.

  “I don’t have another case right this minute. This situation with Alex and Burt made me realize that I want to see real resolution. Normally, we only make sure the fugitive is returned for trial. And that’s it. We might see the news of the verdict—guilty, not guilty—and, if guilty, the sentencing phase. But this time…”

  “This time, it has to do with me.”

  “Well, true.”

  “And maybe because they’re wolves.”

  “True. And Burt hurt your brother. I’m involved. I want to see it through.”

  Sarandon understood and agreed.

  Three hours later, the jury found Alex not guilty, and he came out with his family and Jeb, all of them smiling. Sarandon knew the par
ents would be upset if Burt was the one responsible for all this. It would be bad enough if someone they didn’t know had tried to implicate Alex, but their own son, his brother?

  Sarandon offered his brother a hand, which Alex took, and pulled him into a hug.

  “Thank you, for everything,” Alex said. “I would never have proved my innocence if it hadn’t been for your help.”

  “You’re welcome. And don’t be surprised if you hear from the rest of your brothers and your cousins,” Sarandon said.

  “I’ll welcome it.”

  Faye gave Sarandon a hug too. “Thanks for being such a good brother to Alex when Burt hasn’t been.” She hugged Jenna next. “And to you and your family for providing a lawyer and helping so much.”

  Alex’s boss joined them. “That means you’re ready to come back to work for me.”

  Alex smiled. “I sure am.”

  “I’ll see you at this address at eight tomorrow morning,” his boss said.

  “I’ll be there. Thank you.”

  When his boss left, Sarah asked if Alex would come home for supper with them.

  “I will, thanks.” Alex thanked his lawyer, Jenna, and Sarandon one last time before he left.

  Sarandon was glad his brother had been cleared of all charges.

  “Now what?” Jenna asked.

  Sarandon settled his hands on her hips. “I have another week and a half before I need to take the tour group out. Do you want to come with me when it’s time?”

  “I would, if I don’t have a case. What about in the meantime?”

  “I’m on vacation.”

  “Good. I’m not, but while I’m not chasing down fugitives, we can have fun.”

  “A run after dinner tonight?”

  “You’ve got it.” They headed for her car, and he thought this was the best vacation plan ever. As long as he got to spend the time with Jenna. “What about us?”

  “You have six months of tour groups to guide. Once they’re done, we can think of us.”

  He groaned. “Not happening.”

  “I know it’s important to you.”

  “You are what’s important to me.”

  “What about Burt?” she asked.

  “We’ll keep looking for clues of his whereabouts.”

  They arrived at her house and planned to run next. But the wolf’s howl rang out on Jenna’s phone.

  She groaned.

  “It doesn’t mean your mom’s got a case for you,” Sarandon said.

  “Yeah, well, the ringtone says it’s important.” She sighed and took the call. “Yes, Mom?”

  “I have a case for you. Maybe you can take Sarandon.”

  “I’ll ask him. Is it a bad case?”

  “Jerome Jeffries is suspected of stealing a coin collection. The man he stole it from is missing, but no evidence of foul play, no body, and no crime scene. He has no priors, so the judge set his bail at two fifty. And he’s run. I’m sending you a copy of his driver’s license and mug shot. And the location of his parents who put up the bond.”

  “Okay, thanks, Mom. I’m on it.”

  “And Sarandon?”

  She smiled at Sarandon. “I’ll ask him. This is supposed to be his vacation.”

  “Tell her I’m helping you, if this is a case you’re on.”

  “You hear that, Mama? He’s going.”

  “Good. You mate him. He’s the one for you.”

  Jenna let out her breath and smiled. “All right, talk later. Hopefully, I’ll catch Jeffries quickly.”

  “So who are we after now?” Sarandon asked, pulling Jenna into his arms.

  She showed him the mug shot and driver’s license. “His parents are in Cañon City.”

  “Maybe some of the pack members who live there will know him. Is he a wolf?”

  “Mom would have told me.” She sighed. “Just a minute.” She called her mom back. “Was he a wolf?”

  “We need to start going to the jail to get paperwork from the suspects in person so we can catch their scent,” her mother said. “We’ve never had a wolf to track down before, and it’s still such a rarity that he’s most likely not one. Identifying a suspect’s scent right away would also help us know he’s the right one when we pick him up. This suspect faxed the paperwork to us. So none of us have actually seen him. We don’t know if he’s a wolf.”

  “Okay. We’ll check with the Cañon City pack and see if anyone knows whether he’s a wolf.”

  “Sounds like a good idea.”

  When they finished the call this time, Jenna started removing her clothes.

  Sarandon raised his brows.

  “I still want to go for a run. Don’t you?”

  “Hell yeah.”

  * * *

  They stripped off their clothes and shifted, then ran out of the house and into the woods. Sarandon chased her, and she turned and leaped at him, both of them rising on their hind legs, playing with each other. She’d never had so much fun playing with another wolf. She couldn’t take him down, as much as she tried. He wouldn’t let her either, which she appreciated. She didn’t want him to make it easy on her. Jumping back, she turned to run but then turned around and jumped him. That time, she caught him off guard enough to knock him to the side.

  He nipped at her neck, and she nipped him back. She tore off, and he chased after her. She loved playing chase with him. She was superfast and could keep out of his reach for the short term, but no way could she keep the pace for long.

  She made a quick turn, and he didn’t turn fast enough. She woofed with joy, but he quickly caught up to her. She loved running with him as a wolf, and after they returned home, they made spaghetti together, ate, and then went for another wolf run, looking again for any sign that Burt had been in the area. They didn’t find any, but they were certain Burt was behind all the thefts. They raced all over the woods and swam across a river, but when they returned home, she got a call from her mother.

  “Jeffries is now wanted in connection with the murder of the coin collector. They’ve just found the man’s body,” her mom said. “Ask Sarandon if he can carry a concealed weapon. We want him armed and wearing a protective vest.”

  Sarandon nodded.

  “We’ll be right over to pick up the vest and the gun. And then we’ll head on out.”

  * * *

  They’d been trying to track down Jeffries for a week when they finally got a lead. They’d already called the police on two other “leads” that didn’t pan out. Jenna’s police friend, Calvin Meissner, was good-natured about it, hoping to take Jeffries into custody before he was gone for good, but this time, Jenna and Sarandon wanted to be sure.

  They’d picked up Jeffries’s scent at a motel in an isolated area four hours from Colorado Springs, just a run-down place on a highway, and they hoped they’d be successful this time. The problem was there were no close towns, just a nearby gas station and lots of farms.

  They pulled into the parking area in front of the motel lobby. There wasn’t anywhere to park where they could remain hidden from view. They were both wearing bulletproof vests, black cargo pants, boots, and T-shirts with Fugitive Recovery Agent imprinted on them. Her sisters had ordered Sarandon one when they knew he was going to be helping Jenna with her cases.

  Jeffries had no criminal record, at least that anyone knew of, so Jenna and Sarandon didn’t know how he would react to them wearing uniforms. The alternative was to pretend to be civilians, but that could get dicey too.

  Sarandon remained outside watching the motel while Jenna walked into the lobby. A man smoking a cigar looked up at her. “Don’t tell me. You’re here to arrest one of my paying clientele.”

  Jenna showed him Jeffries’s mug shot. “He’s wanted for questioning in the murder of a coin collector. Jeffries was found trying to fence the coins. Is that the kind
of clientele you want?”

  “Room ten. Don’t break down my door.” He tossed a key on the counter. “And yes, he’s still there. As far as I know.”

  “Thanks.” Jenna hurried outside to join Sarandon. “Room ten.”

  They studied the front of the motel, a black number one on the blue door of the room next to the office, and the last unit at the end, room ten.

  They saw the curtain in the room’s window move. “He saw us,” Sarandon said. “If that’s him and not someone staying with him.”

  As Jenna pulled out her gun, the door opened. A man inside shouted, “Don’t shoot. I’m coming out. Don’t shoot.”

  “We’re fugitive recovery agents. Come outside with your hands up,” Jenna shouted.

  The bearded man did, his hands held up high. He was wearing nice clothes—leather loafers, trousers, and a shirt with a button-down collar. Not exactly what she was expecting.

  “Down on the ground, now!” Jenna ordered.

  The guy quickly complied.

  Sarandon moved forward to handcuff Jeffries and read him his rights before Jenna could. She recalled Sarandon sometimes worked as a deputy sheriff. He was perfect for her.

  “I didn’t do it like they’re probably saying,” Jeffries said as Sarandon hauled him to the car and set him inside.

  “You’ll have a chance to explain what happened at trial,” Jenna said and called the nearest county sheriff’s office. She identified herself and said who she was bringing in, and then they ended the call.

  “It was self-defense,” Jeffries insisted.

  Sarandon said, “You were selling the guy’s coin collection, and then he’s found murdered.”

  “He tried to kill me. I was going to buy the coins from him, but he wanted the coins and the money.”

  “You can prove that at your trial,” Jenna said again before driving to the sheriff’s office and dropping him off.