Catching a Coyote

by Serenity Snow

  “I’m sorry I wasted your time.”

  “Why the sudden change?”

  Cordelia tightened her lips and looked away.

  “She sent you a message,” Mallory said. “What was it?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it. Can we go?”

  Mallory nodded. “You should stay on this. Report the threat to Jenner.”

  “I saved the message and the picture she sent me,” Cordelia replied quietly. “I don’t think there’s much he’s going to do.”

  “Because you work for us,” Mallory said, taking her arm. “If she pulls another stunt like last night, I think you should move.”

  “Housing is really pretty limited, didn’t you know? And I don’t want to move here. It’s not that long a drive to the club at night, but I don’t want to have to make it after work.”

  Mallory sighed as she pulled open the car door for Cordelia. “I’ll get you a ride. You can’t be riding around town at night on a bike. I’ll bring you home. In fact, I’ll put a vehicle at your disposal.”

  Cordelia looked up at her, her blue eyes searching Mallory’s gaze. A hint of fear came off her that made Mallory angry with herself and Larue.

  No one should be victimized this way.

  “Listen.” Mallory rested her hand on the car’s roof. “I’m not going to ask you for anything. I just want to be there for you, to help.”

  “Okay.” Cordelia gave her a faint smile.

  “Anyway, I owe you. Jenner’s a decent guy caught in an impossible situation,” Mallory said. “He’d normally be all over something like this, but you just have the misfortune of working for me and Sam.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Cordelia put her hand on Mallory’s arm and her coyote growled softly. “But I’m not going to refuse your help.”

  “Let’s go then.” Mallory gave her a smile and withdrew.

  God, the woman’s touch was like a brand, hot and alluring. The animal inside her was straining to get closer to the cat, but she held it in check with a firm grip.

  Mallory climbed in on her side and Cordelia was buckling up. She started the car and got them on the road.

  “I’ll tell you what I heard,” Cordelia told her. “And what I saw that night Isa was killed.”

  Mallory gave her a startled look. She’d been planning to work her over dinner tonight.

  “What did you see and hear?”

  Chapter Ten

  Cordelia steadied her breathing. She couldn’t believe she was going to break her word to herself. Part of it.

  “I saw Ella at the employees’ entrance that night. She let in that guy who got killed.”

  “Cadillac?”

  “That’s what she called him,” Cordelia said allowing the memory to play through her mind. “She said she’d stolen the shirt, the tie, the cuff links, and the handkerchief and had them ready for whatever Jerry had in mind.”

  “What?” Mallory’s jaw dropped. “Whose stuff?”

  “Yours. The shirt he used to wipe Isa’s blood on. He said he needed her to stash the knife and the bloody shirt in your playroom. Put them in a plastic bag so it wouldn’t be obvious that they were planted.”

  “Damn it. Why are you just telling me this? Shit. Where in my room?”

  “I don’t know. She said she knew the best place for them.”

  “Call Sam and put it on speaker,” Mallory ordered.

  Cordelia gave her a confused look as she opened her shoulder bag. “It’s not like you can’t just go to the club.”

  “Jenner is going there. He might beat us there.”

  She hit speed dial. Both of her bosses were there in case she had to call in.

  “Hello Miss Harcourt,” Sam said coolly. “What can I do for you?”

  “Sam, have Jenner’s boys arrived yet?” Mallory asked.

  “Not yet,” she said. “What’s going on?”

  “I need you to go to the playroom and search it with a fine-tooth comb. You’ll probably smell the reason why.”

  “On it. You can explain to me later.”

  The line went dead, and Cordelia disconnected. “I didn’t know.”

  “No one could have known,” she muttered. “You said you saw Ella?”

  “Yeah. She said Candy was in on it, too.”

  Mallory blew out a breath. Candy had been their bartender, but she was now in jail for killing one of her packmates.

  “I can’t believe those fucking wolves,” Mallory muttered. “Did they say anything else I need to know?”

  “Ella asked why Jerry wanted to set you up for killing Isa. He said Isa had something on Jerry and probably Bradley.”

  “Bradley! That turd. What is he up to?” she mused out loud.

  “I don’t know,” Cordelia told her.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart,” Mallory murmured. “I’m going to find out.”

  ****

  Bradley looked at himself in the mirror over the dual vanity sink. His skin seemed a little brighter this morning and his eyes glowed.

  He knew he was sick, but last night had been exactly what he’d needed. Even without Jerry, last night had been as much fun as it had been the first time.

  He had been careful, but he hadn’t planned for her to be so feisty. He ran his fingers over his side and the bandage there. She’d gotten him good, but that had excited his wolf even more.

  His phone rang, and he tore himself from his reflection to trip into the bedroom where the device lay on the nightstand. He grabbed it after picking up the earring. He stared at it and his cock got hard.

  He groaned as he connected. “Yes.”

  “Everything is set. Jenner got his warrant. Do you need me to do anything else?”

  “Not today. I’ll let you know after the Coalition meeting tonight.”

  “I’ll talk to you then.” The line went dead, and he smiled as he set the phone aside and pulled open the nightstand drawer. He dropped it inside along with a few others he had there. He would be able to relive the moment later.

  For now, he had to get showered and get to work. He had more plans to put in place to ensure he got that land.

  ****

  When they reached the club, the police were already there. Mallory headed inside to find Sam with Adalyn, her mate, along with Kamari and Mica.

  “Go hang out at the bar,” Mallory told her quietly. “I’ll take you home later, okay?”

  “Mallory, try to stay cool,” Cordelia said as she caught hold of Mallory’s arm. “Getting in Jenner’s face won’t do much good.”

  “I know,” she murmured, her voice a low rumble and her eyes flashing a darker blue-gray. The coyote was staring at her with interest, making her blood heat.

  Mallory withdrew from her, and Cordelia stepped back holding her gaze. Desire was a blooming flower in her belly, but she turned away and headed to the bar.

  “I thought you were taking a few days off,” Adalyn said. “Are you okay?”

  Cordelia met the other woman’s gaze. Adalyn was pretty, and her power was understated unlike Kamari’s. She felt the animal beneath the woman’s skin and knew she was a wolf.

  “I’m fine.”

  Kamari looked at her. “Mallory’s pretty hot. You guys going out?”

  “She just gave me a ride,” Cordelia replied. “Larue, the cop that grabbed me off the stage, messed with my moped.”

  “You have proof?” Kamari asked.

  “No, but she’s kind of stalking me.”

  “Kind of stalking you?” Adalyn asked with a frown.

  “There’s no such thing. That dog is stalking you, or she’s just getting back at you,” Kamari said. “Why would she be doing either? Did you date her?”

  “I went out with her, okay? I thought when I was in heat she’d come in handy. I didn’t know she was a psycho dog who wouldn’t take no for an answer,” she snapped.

  “You’re in heat now,” Kamari said. “You know you should just go out with Cam or one of the other bouncers and get
that taken care of.”

  “Or Mallory,” Adalyn said with a smirk. “The way you two were looking at each other just now, I’d say there was enough heat for at least one round.”

  Kamari laughed. “I’d put even money on a few days.”

  “I don’t know,” Adalyn said. “Mallory’s been super cautious lately.”

  “We’re talking about sex and Mal’s in heat, too. I think if you push the right buttons, Cordelia, you’ve got your problem fixed tonight.”

  Cordelia snorted. “She wouldn’t touch me with a ten-foot pole. Anyway, I’ve already propositioned her, and it was a no go.”

  “After today, I think it’s happening,” Kamari said. “She’s generally pretty controlled, but Jenner is pushing hard enough for Mallory to need to blow off some steam.”

  “It’s too bad there’s no real proof she didn’t do it,” Adalyn said pensively. “Mallory might actually go down for this.”

  “There is, but I don’t think Jenner will listen,” Cordelia told her.

  “What is it?” Kamari demanded. “Even if Jenner won’t listen, we might be able to use it to get more evidence to help clear Mallory.”

  “I already told Mallory. I’m sure you’ll both know before the day’s over.”

  Kamari studied her a moment and then looked at her watch. “Where is that damned shipment?”

  “You didn’t get it yesterday?” Adalyn asked with a frown. “Sam said it was coming and that’s why you were here all day.”

  “It was supposed to.”

  “Maybe Candy made sure it wouldn’t,” Cordelia commented. “Didn’t she handle this stuff?”

  “Mallory handled some of it, but she was allowing Candy to have more responsibility,” Adalyn said. “Why do you think she’d mess with that?”

  Cordelia sighed. “She was working with Jerry.” She leaned on the bar, the snippet of the conversation she’d heard replaying in her mind. “You should probably get another supplier.”

  “Sam called the supplier yesterday.”

  “Maybe her office was bugged,” Cordelia said, recalling her past life. Yamamoto always warned her father about the bugs and the feds.

  “Damn it,” Kamari said. “I’ll make some calls and find out if any of my contacts can help. Then, I’ll get Mica and the girls to sweep for bugs.”

  “How?” Adalyn asked.

  “I’ve got some equipment. The important part will be to jam them.”

  “Or use them to their benefit,” Cordelia said. “I mean, if you find any.”

  Kamari nodded. “I’ll make the calls outside. Adalyn, can you find Mica and tell her I need her?”

  Adalyn smirked. “Yeah. Right. We don’t have time for that.” She wiggled her brows.

  Cordelia smiled, and Kamari glared at her. The two hadn’t been together that long and it showed. Whenever they were in the same room, it was like watching a fire start.

  She wanted that kind of heat in her life, but Cordelia wasn’t counting on it happening in this lifetime.

  Chapter Eleven

  “I don’t know if we can make this work,” Mallory said as she sat perched on the edge of Sam’s desk.

  “We’ll have to. He’ll be down here to search my office any minute. So, move your ass, Mal.”

  Mallory got to her feet and took the bag from Sam’s desk. “What does the warrant cover?”

  “Not your car or mine,” Sam said. “So, take it out of here.”

  Mallory headed from the office with the bag in hand. Sam had just gotten the evidence out ahead of Jenner’s arrival. She’d been lucky, but if she didn’t get the bag out of here, Mallory was looking at some serious time over something she hadn’t done.

  She took the stairs down and headed to the bar where Cordelia sat alone on a stool.

  “Where are the girls?” Mallory asked.

  “Adalyn went to get Mica for Kamari. “

  “Why?” she demanded.

  “She’s going to sweep the club. It might be bugged.”

  “Oh, fuck,” Mallory muttered and reached for Cordelia.

  Cordelia climbed off the stool, and Mallory led her outside.

  “How did Kamari come to that conclusion?”

  “She said the shipment hadn’t arrived and Adalyn said Sam had checked on it yesterday.”

  “Candy did something,” Mallory said angrily.

  “Which is what I suggested,” Cordelia said. “I also suggested the place might be bugged if Sam had some alcohol coming but nothing’s arrived.”

  “Mallory.” Jenner called from the door. “Nice purse.”

  “Take this.” Mallory thrust the bag at her, and Cordelia slid the strap onto her shoulder. Mallory was glad Cordelia had left her purse in the car.

  “What do you want, Jenner?”

  “I want to talk to you, and I want a look in that bag,” he said.

  The place wasn’t just bugged. There were cameras if he’d tracked her out here after that bag.

  “What’s your warrant say?” she asked, and Cordelia headed to the car.

  “I know you brought that out of the club,” Jenner snapped. “Everything in that club was fair game.”

  “Except a lady’s purse,” Mallory said as she threw a glance over her shoulder to find Cordelia inside the car.

  “I can prove you brought that bag out of there. I had a man in your camera room. So, tell the girl to bring it back.”

  Damn it.

  “Cordelia.”

  Cordelia got out of the car. “Yes?”

  “Bring the bag.”

  She got the bag from the front seat and strode over to them. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  Jenner jerked the bag from her, pulling her off balance, and Cordelia was about to kick him when Mallory stopped her.

  An icy breath slid past her, and Jenner let out a cry and dropped the purse.

  “Shit.” He leveled a look across the parking lot to where Kamari and Adalyn were standing with Mica. The three were engaged in conversation.

  Then he looked at Mallory, his eyes flashing wolf-gray. He picked up the bag and opened it.

  “There was something bloody in here.”

  “It’s that time of the month.” Cordelia shrugged, giving him a saccharine smile.

  He dumped the contents onto the ground sending the few small items plopping and rolling across the lot.

  Mallory just caught her gasp at seeing a couple of small containers and a billfold.

  “You never know what you’ll find in a lady’s purse,” Cordelia said and bent to pick up her things. “You’re an asshole for scattering my stuff like that. Someone should bitch-slap you.”

  He growled and reached for her, and Mallory shoved him back.

  “Watch the hands, asshole,” Mallory warned. “There’s a law against police brutality.”

  He sneered at her. “This time you get a pass, but the next time you lay hands on me, we’re going to the mat.”

  “You’re thinking I won’t be in heat, so you’ll have the upper hand? Don’t fucking count on it.”

  He glared. “I’m getting a warrant to search your car.”

  “Try it. I’m sure our lawyer will block it. You can’t just pout like a child because your search came up empty.”

  “We’ll see,” he snarled and stalked up to the building as he whipped his phone from his pocket.

  “Have them turn off the cameras,” Cordelia suggested. “We can take my purse back inside the club, or I’ll stick it in the—”

  “Mallory,” Sam called from the club. “Come in here.”

  “Don’t do anything,” Mallory told her. “Just sit tight.”

  She nodded, and Mallory growled as she headed to meet Sam.

  This was going to be a nightmare day for her.

  ****

  “What was that about?” Adalyn asked, coming to help her pick up the rest of the items.

  “Jenner thinks Mallory’s hiding something. I need to put some of this in the garbage. Is there a dump
ster around here?”

  “Out back.”

  “Can I get to it from out here?”

  “Yeah. Mica has a key. I’ll get it.”

  “Thanks.” She went to the car and grabbed her purse. Tucking it into the bigger bag, she headed around back.

  Adalyn unlocked the gate, and Cordelia went through. She glanced up at the camera and exhaled roughly. Her breath came out frosty and covered the camera.

  “Does that key unlock the back gate?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Let me hold it.”

  Adalyn gave her the key and Cordelia raced out to the back and unlocked the gate. She ran into the woods and stashed the purse in some brush and hurried back. She was walking away from the dumpster when the frost cleared from the lens.

  “What were you doing out there?” Adalyn asked with a frown, her stare suspicious.

  “Nothing much,” she said. Maybe when she was ready to leave, they’d help her if she needed it.

  A cop car arrived as they joined Kamari and Mica, who were practically in each other’s arms. Adalyn grunted, and Cordelia grinned.

  “You guys ought to get married,” she teased, knowing they were mated and that was more binding than a piece of paper.

  “We already did that,” Mica said sliding her hand up Kamari’s back to her nape. “What were you doing back there?”

  “Nothing of importance.”

  “Ladies.” Rowel gave them a nod as he came over. “I hate to do this, but I have a warrant to search all the cars in the lot,” he said.

  “Then you should do your job,” Mica muttered. “Let’s go inside girls.”

  “Uh, Cordelia, you have a minute?” he asked.

  “Sure.” She nodded.

  When the others were gone, he said, “How are you?”

  “Okay, and you?”

  “Good. I checked out the club last night, and the bouncer backed up your story. He’s a cop. He was freelancing.”

  “Freelancing?”

  “Working a part-time job,” Rowel explained.

  “Oh. He thinks I should report it?”

  “Yeah, and he’ll back you up. He even had the footage pulled from that night for me, so there’s proof. You can get her off the streets.”

  “Not likely,” she said. “I know how this scenario goes. I’m a stripper so I must have been asking for it.”