Chicago

Lara was pacing. As soon as Michaela stepped through the door, she turned, but Scarlett and Angel each took an arm, and Elisabeth stepped ahead. “Let her wash up.”

Lara paused a moment, then nodded.

“Scarlett,” Michaela said. “I don’t like the story about vermin. We built those sheds for a particular reason. That reason has been fulfilled. I want to put a garage there. How long will drawings take?”

“It depends on what you want.”

“Six cars. Heated. And it needs to fit the setting. Can we get drawings and a permit pulled today? Bill of materials. All of it?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Head Enforcer, will it stretch your abilities to protect Scarlett while she sees to this?”

“No.”

“Scarlett, I want the permit pulled today. If it won’t affect your ability to do that, then please use this as an educational opportunity for the kids.”

“No problem, Michaela,” Scarlett said. “This is easy.”

“Thank you. Angel, I need your help. Lara, hands off until I’m clean.” She turned. “Elisabeth, warn me when Jared is nearly here. Carissa, will you be able to verify he’s not lying?”

“Yes.”

“All right then.”

* * * *

Space was tight, and we actually met with Jared in one of the bunkhouses. Michaela greeted him warmly, although he eyed the rest of us cautiously, and I could see his nostrils flaring, trying to figure out what I was.

I was impressed he didn’t lead with questions. But Michaela held out her hand, and Carissa stepped forward. “Step back, Michaela,” she ordered, and then she moved into place before the Chicago wolf. “Jared Grant, do you know who I am?”

“I’m sorry. Should I?”

“My name is Carissa. I am from New Orleans. Does that help?”

His eyes widened for just a moment, and then he averted his gaze.

“Ah, I see it does,” Carissa said. “Chicago Alpha, as you can guess, Very Bad Things happened here. We can eliminate any possible distrust very easily. You need only meet my gaze and then allow me to ask a few simple questions. Will you do that?”

He paused and then, somewhat slowly but deliberately, his eyes traveled back to the vampire’s. There was a pause, and then I could see him drawn into her gaze. It only took her a few seconds.

“Jared Grant,” Carissa asked quietly, “Do you know anything about a paramilitary group that attacked this compound late last night?”

“Yes.”

There was a hiss, but Carissa held up a hand. “Did you know about it before Michaela called earlier today?”

“No.”

“Before Michaela called, did you have any particular reason to believe she or her daughters were in danger?”

“Only the usual dangers.”

“Any specific dangers?”

“No.”

Carissa asked a few more questions. By the time she was done, everyone was breathing a little more easily. Finally Carissa stepped away, and Michaela replaced her. The fox looked up into wolf eyes, and slowly they focused on her.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“It was necessary,” Jared replied. “Chicago is the closest suspect. What happened, and how can I help?”

“Head Enforcer,” Michaela said.

Elisabeth gave a two-minute overview. She wrapped up, and then Michaela said, “We need to dispose of the bodies, and we don’t want to do it locally, but we don’t want to ship them too far, either. There is no obligation, Jared.”

“Getting rid of 30 bodies is going to be tricky.”

“Not 30. Only 8,” Michaela said. “We want them burned.”

He nodded. “Rockford,” he said. “I can get rid of them in Rockford. But I would rather not transport them.”

“We can handle that part,” Michaela said. She clasped his arm. “Thank you, Jared. We owe you.”

“No you don’t,” he said. “Chicago is starting to recover from my father. I’m not sure when we’ll pay off that debt. And this isn’t that big a favor, if I’m not responsible for transportation.”

“Thank you,” Michaela said.

* * * *

Greg, Carissa, and Jared worked out the details, and twenty minutes later, he was on his way back to Chicago.

I was left awed by the little fox, loyalty coming from every direction, including some that were most unexpected.

The rest of the day was largely a blur. Greg’s people reported more information, but it was mostly background on Mid-Star Aviation and Dark Gorge Consulting. Kristian and Raphael disappeared for several hours; when they returned, they brought a white paneled van with them, filled with what appeared the contents of a small apartment. The wolves emptied the van, piled the body bags inside, then disguised them by reloading the van. Carissa selected two of her new thralls, gave them careful instructions, and sent them on the way. That would be the last we would see of the bodies or that van.

In the meantime, Carissa bought a used pickup for sale in Ashland. It included a topper. Greg’s crew filled the back with the captured equipment and disguised the contents. Two of his men climbed in and drove off.

The previous owner was left with cash and a bill of sale under a fake name. If pressed, he would remember a middle-age, balding farmer. If the shipment made it safely to Colorado, Greg could keep or sell the truck, but if they were forced to abandon the contents, they could. Once it was far enough from Bayfield, it would be impossible to trace it here.

More of Greg’s crew sanitized the sight. The wolves found every drop of blood, and Greg’s crew cleaned whatever needed cleaning. The lodge received a good scrubbing, and every article of clothing was checked. Anything with so much as a drop of blood would go on the bonfire later tonight.

Conversation over dinner was subdued, but then Lara stood, garnering instant attention. “We still need more answers,” she said. “But in times like this, we see who our friends are. Thank you.”

Carissa lifted her own glass and said, “To durable friendship.”

“Durable friendship,” we echoed.

We pulled down the sheds. We burned every scrap. We burned the soiled clothing. And then Greg’s pilots left for Madeline Island. They would wait until well after midnight before leaving with the helicopters.

Michaela watched after them as they drove away, Monique and Angel along to bring the car back. Lara waited before stepping up behind her and wrapping her in a hug.

Elisabeth made the rounds, talking to the enforcers. Michaela made rounds, talking to the kids and their families. Carissa stepped to me. “You need sleep.”

“I’m waiting to see when Elisabeth needs me.”

Carissa nodded, and Elisabeth made her way to me. “I want you fresh,” she said.

“I can take a watch.”

“I know you can, but if there’s more trouble, I want you rested.”

“Yes, Head Enforcer.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

Carissa took my arm, and together, we turned for our bedroom. Arriving, we saw Deirdre, Anika, and Joanna were already in bed. I eyed the bed. It was a big bed, and they were small. Carissa wasn’t any bigger, and if she needed rest, she could easily join them. But there was no room for a jaguar.

“I’ll find somewhere else,” I said.

The three in the bed woke and turned to us. I had my hand on the knob when Carissa put her hand on my arm.

“There’s camping gear,” Anika said. “Take our place, Anna.”

“I’m sure there’s room somewhere,” I said.

“Anna, we’ll all sleep better with you here,” Carissa said. “I’ll help Anika and Joanna sleep, but could you help them set the gear out?”

I nodded. Joanna pointed to the corner. I moved there, looked at what we had, and then began setting down ground pads. Joanna joined me, making a little nest for herself and Anika.

“I can sleep here,” I said.

“No,” Joanna said.

“You haven’t had any more sleep than I have.”

“Carissa already told us to sleep on these mats,” Joanna said. “But Deirdre was lonely. We were talking and fell asleep.”

“But-“

“Anna, Carissa told us...”

“Right,” I said after a moment. I wasn’t going to come between the vampire and her humans.

I helped get them settled in. Then Carissa stepped over, kneeling beside their makeshift bed. “Please take the place nearest the window,” she said. I nodded and stood. The vampire stayed behind and murmured to her humans for a minute. Then she kissed them, turned off the nightstand light, and climbed into bed. We got settled, and then Carissa said, “Unless Michaela beats me to it, I am going to destroy whoever did this.”

There was a pause, and then from the floor, Joanna said in a subdued tone, “Good.”

I lay awake thinking about that before sleep claimed me.

* * * *

They let us sleep, and it was dawn before I woke to a touch on my arm. I opened my eyes to see Monique’s face on a level with mine. “Anna.” She looked exhausted.

I glance over her shoulder at the window. “Good morning, Monique,” I whispered.

“I’m sorry to wake you,” she whispered back.

“It’s fine.” I carefully slid from the bed then looked back. Deirdre and Carissa were still asleep, and then I searched and found Joanna and Anika, also still asleep. I leaned to Monique and whispered into her ear, “You’re very quiet.”

She nodded, then tugged my sleeve. I followed her from the room. She closed the door very quietly then tugged me down the hall a little further. “Are you all right?” I asked her.

“Long night.”

“Trouble?”

She shook her head. “Did you have enough sleep?”

“Yes. You haven’t.”

“I’m supposed to go to bed next,” she said.

“Do you have a bed?”

“Somewhere,” she said.

“Take my place,” I said. “If your head enforcer won’t object. I don’t know if Carissa will wake if there is trouble.”

“You would trust me?” Monique asked. “She would?”

“Yes, Monique.”

“Thank you,” she said with a weak smile. “You have time to shower, and then if you can report to whomever is at the front door.”

“Where is Elisabeth?”

“She went to bed about an hour ago.”

“The alphas?”

“Bed a few hours ago.” She glanced away for a minute. “Anna?” She looked back at me. “Would you answer a question?”

“You can ask.”

“Why would someone do this?”

“Monique, that is a very good question. I don’t know. I’m a businesswoman. I’ve never been involved in anything like this. I worry about my own safety, and sometimes I’m asked to help escort someone in New Orleans, but Greg Freund’s people have a much better idea than I do.”

“I asked Portia. She just shook her head and didn’t answer.”

“What do you think?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you think, Monique? What guesses do you have?”

“Those humans didn’t have a clue what they were facing. Someone murdered them, and it wasn’t us.”

“No, it wasn’t,” I said firmly.

“If we were less prepared, they could have hurt us,” she added. “Do you think whoever sent them thought this was going to happen differently than it did?”

“I don’t know. What are your guesses, Monique?”

“Someone wanted the humans dead. That’s my first guess. Maybe revenge.”

“That’s a good theory,” I said. “Or eliminating a troublesome competitor. Maybe there’s a very large contract available someone wanted.”

Her eyes grew wide. “That’s horrible!”

“As horrible as attempting to kidnap Michaela and the pups?”

She thought about it. “Yes and no. I mean. I don’t know. But it’s horrible.”

“Perhaps,” I said. “On the other hand, they were the sort of people to take this job.”

“They deserved what happened to them,” Monique said with every conviction in the world.

“I agree,” I said. “Do you have more theories?”

“Someone wanted us weaker. If so, they failed.”

“Most definitely.”

“It could be one of our neighbors. We’ve had bad experiences with one of the packs in Iowa. Or...” She turned away.

“It could be almost anyone,” I said. “It could be someone who is offended this pack is led by two women, and one not even a wolf.”

“Or just someone who wanted Michaela.”

“Yes. Anyone, Monique.”

“It’s wrong,” she said, looking back at me again. “Anna, it’s wrong! This isn’t what the world is supposed to be.”

“I know,” I said.

“I heard some of the things you did.” I didn’t say anything. “Thank you for being here, Anna, and for... helping.”

“You are welcome, Monique.”

“Do you think we’ll get to the bottom of it?”

“That depends upon what happens to the leads we have,” I said. “I wish I had better answers, Monique.”

“Thank you for talking to me,” she said.

* * * *

I showered and dressed then headed for the kitchen to find several teenagers present. Cassie was watching over a griddle of bacon, tongs in hand. Ember seemed to have responsibility for pancakes and waffles. Parker was manning coffee, and she had it just the way I liked it by the time I reached her.

“We have plenty of food,” Ember said. “We’re supposed to feed anyone who comes in.”

“You’re good girls,” I said. “I think someone is waiting for me.”

“Elisabeth told us that everyone eats,” Cassie said. “She specifically mentioned you and reminded us how much energy we’re all burning. We have sausages, too.”

“I’ll make a plate for you,” Parker said. “You can pull up a stool.”

I let the girls take care of me. They were efficient about it, and the food was hot and filling.

“Thank you, girls,” I said after refusing more food.

“Ms. Delacroix?”

“Anna,” I said.

“Have you ever heard of anything like this before?”

“No,” I said. “During a time of stress, you honor your pack helping this way.”

“Not like Monique does,” Ember replied.

“It takes all kinds,” I said. “Monique serves the pack one way. You girls serve the pack in other ways.”

“We’re just students,” Parker said. “I’m not even a regular student here.”

“You’re all valued pack members,” I said. “But perhaps incidents like this help drive home how important it is for pack to honor pack.”

They looked at me for a moment and then nodded.

“Good,” I said. “Thank you for the food.” Then I took one more piece of bacon. There was always room for one more piece of bacon.

* * * *

I accepted whatever duties and responsibilities anyone asked of me. Nearly everyone was grim, and if I’d asked, I think they might have admitted they were waiting for the other shoe to fall.

Lara was undoubtedly spending some significant money with Lima Consulting, but then I wondered if the pack could actually come out financially ahead. After all, we had capture intact two very expensive helicopters and a significant amount of high quality weaponry.

So far, the Madison Pack had come out of the exchange ahead. Angel and Elisabeth had both been shot, but they had been clean, and they were already as good as new. No one else had taken so much as a scratch. That was incredibly lucky, given what we’d been facing.

And we’d gotten rid of the evidence. The bodies had safely arrived in Illinois, and they’d been turned to ash within an hour of arrival. The weaponry and equipment was outside Wisconsin borders, and no one anticipated trouble. And the helicopters were in a secured, remote location, far from Bayfield. The sheds were gone, and with them, any evidence they might have held.

But the emotional impact to the pack was significant.

Information came in, sometimes in a trickle, sometimes in a burst.

And things settled down.