“Okay. I’ll give him a call.” He looked across the table at Mark, as if sending a message with his eyes.
Mark laughed. “Don’t worry. She’s safe with me. And from me. No way would I make a move on your mate.”
“And no way would I let him,” Dakota said, smoothing her fingers over his creased brow.
Jonah picked up his phone. “Let’s see if I can get a meeting with him right now.”
* * * * *
“I hear what you’re saying, but…”John Denby scratched his head. “It just seems too farfetched. As if an animal like this can actually plan things.”
“All I can do is look at facts,” Jonah told him. “But if you study feral animals, you’ll see that they live their lives in prescribed patterns. They hunt a certain way, mate at certain times, things like that.”
“This just seems too predictable for a wild animal,” Denby insisted. “I just don’t know.”
Jonah leaned back in his chair. “Are you willing to bet someone’s life on it?”
Denby’s face tightened. “Of course not. That’s the last thing I want.”
“Then pretend you agree with me and help me narrow these possible sites down to two or three.”
The sheriff pressed a button on his desk phone. When someone answered, he said, “Find Enoch Brazile and send him in here, will you? And get someone to bring in a pot of that sludge you guys call coffee and some cups.”
Only seconds passed before there was a soft tap at the door, it opened and Brazile came in with a coffee carafe in one hand and a stack of Styrofoam cups in the other.
“What’s up?” Brazile filled the cups, handed them around and sat down in the unoccupied chair. “I got the word you wanted to see me.”
Denby pointed to Jonah. “It seems our Mr. Grey has a theory about this beast we’re chasing. I wanted someone besides myself to hear it. Get your reaction.”
Jonah patiently went over it all again. He realized the difficulty here. These men were faced with solving horrific crimes, and the only clues they had indicated an animal that no one believed in. Now here came Jonah to embellish the theory even more. If they ignored it and someone else died their ass would be grass.
When he finished he leaned back in his chair and waited while Enoch Brazile absorbed everything that had been explained to him. The deputy sipped his coffee slowly, his eyes unfocused as he processed the information. Finally he put his cup down and cleared his throat in a hesitant manner.
“You want my opinion.”
“Yes.” Denby nodded. “I want your take on it.”
“Okay. I can’t say I actually believe in this whole Chupacabra thing.” He took another swallow of coffee. “But the fact of the matter is, something is killing these people in a hellish manner, and it isn’t any kind of thing we’re used to. So if it hunts in a pattern, and there’s a chance to catch it now before it completes its latest pattern, I think we need to give it a shot.”
Denby drummed his fingers on the desk. “Well, then.”
Jonah let out his breath slowly, trying to conceal his gratitude. If Brazile felt this way the sheriff wouldn’t feel quite so much as if he were going out on a limb. He looked at Denby. “Does that mean you’ll set up patrols for the three places I’ve marked?”
The sheriff nodded slowly. “I’m not saying I agree with what you said, but hell! The town—the whole county—has got its collective ass in an uproar over this. I have to do something before they roast my balls over an open fire.”
“That’s the truth,” Brazile agreed. “Since we found Donna Perkins’ body people around here are afraid to go out of their homes or businesses.”
“I’d like to have kept the details under wraps,” Denby said, “but unfortunately my deputies on the scene blabbed and the newspaper got hold of it.”
“It might at least put people on their guard,” Jonah pointed out.
The sheriff’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know about that. Did it help with any of the other cases?”
Jonah stacked his photos neatly and squared the pile. “Not necessarily.”
Denby grunted. “Just what I thought. People are frightened but they don’t believe what their minds tell them is impossible. If I warned them about a rabid dog I’d have a better shot.”
“I’m with you there,” Jonah agreed. “This is a legend people whisper about but refuse to give credence to. So.” He gave the man across from him a hard look. “Patrols at these three places starting at sundown?”
Denby nodded, one brief dip of his head. “But you stay away from it. I’ll let you know what happens either way. I don’t need some writer messing things up.”
Jonah refrained from pointing out the sheriff wouldn’t even have a clue as to what he was dealing with if Jonah had kept his mouth shut, but he didn’t want to rock the boat here.
“I’m good with that. You know how to reach me.”
All three men rose, shook hands and Jonah made his exit. He had no idea how much good the patrols would do, or if the deputies would be too terrified to shoot if they were confronted by the devil beast. But he’d done what he could here. Now it was up to Night Seekers.
* * * * *
“Ric’s sending the helicopter in case we need it,” Mark announced when Jonah entered the cabin. “I also asked for some other Night Seekers.”
Jonah lifted one eyebrow. “Oh?”
Mark shrugged. “I wasn’t sure how it would go with the sheriff and we can’t cover all three places ourselves no matter how fast we run.”
“Yeah. You’re right.” He tossed his folder onto the counter. “So who’s coming?”
“Sophia, Sam, Logan and Chelsea. Dante will fly the chopper.” He glanced at his watch. “They’ll be here about midafternoon for a full briefing.”
“And exactly where is the helicopter going to land? We don’t want to collect a crowd.”
“I told them they could land in that open space past my herb garden,” Dakota broke in. She studied his face. “Is that okay? We’re isolated enough that no one will see anything except the helicopter flying over.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “Yes. Perfect. But what about your friend, Neil Washington? We’re not that far from him.”
“If Neil calls I’ll just tell him your editor decided to pay you a visit.”
Jonah grinned. “Smart. I knew there was a reason I fell for you.” He moved his mouth close to her ear. “But not the only one.”
Mark cleared his throat loudly. “If we’re done with playtime can we take care of business here?”
“How about some lunch first?” Dakota asked. “We can talk while we eat.”
Mark shifted his glance to her. “We?”
“Hey. I’m part of this team.” She grinned. “Get used to it.”
He gave her an answering smile and nodded. “All right, then.”
When lunch had been cleared away they all climbed into Jonah’s truck and drove past the three areas they’d circled. Mark made careful notes about each area. Then they spent the afternoon going over the plans again.
About four o’clock the sound of chopper blades cut through the air outside. All three of them walked out past the herb garden to the somewhat rocky clearing where the helicopter was just setting down.
Dakota hung back to let Mark and Jonah greet the people who jumped down from the open door and bent low to escape the rotor wash. She watched them all shake hands and give each other the half-hug men reserved for each other and for women who were not part of a romantic relationship.
In a moment the rotors stopped spinning, the whine of the engine faded and the pilot stepped out onto the ground.
Dakota took a half-step back, overwhelmed by so many strangers advancing on her at once. For one frantic moment she wondered if she was making a mistake, involving herself in all this. With Jonah.
Then she heard his voice in her head.
Mine!
Jonah reached her first, wrapping his arm possessively around her wai
st and pulling her close to his body. His hand tightened against her ribs.
Mine!
“Dakota, these are more of the Night Seekers.” He nodded at each one in turn. Dante Martello, the former Chicago homicide detective, was shorter than the other men but very lean and dark. His black hair was cut close to his head and he wore a neatly trimmed moustache. The one who wasn’t a shifter. Next was Logan Tanner. The former Montana sheriff, taller than Jonah and more muscular, with sandy hair and pale blue eyes, and a faced lined by the cold Montana weather.
Sam Brody, tall and blond, once with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Chelsea Roland, tall and lithe with a mass of curly red hair and piercing green eyes. And Sophia Black, as blonde as Sam, shorter and more petite than Chelsea, with dimples that flashed as she smiled and held out her hand to Dakota.
“I can’t tell you how pleased we all are to meet you.” Her voice was smooth, melodious. “Craig briefed us on you and Jonah, and, well…we’re very pleased for him. He’s been locked in the tragedy of Jenna’s death for a long time.”
“Thank you. And thank you all for coming.”
One by one the others shook hands with her while Jonah stood with her glued to his side. He was marking his territory, no mistake about it. She led them all back into the cabin and offered everyone coffee or cold drinks.
“So aren’t you a little nervous at the prospect of being in a roomful of wolves?” Logan Tanner seemed to dwarf everyone, towering over her as he filled his mug from the carafe.
She looked up at him, trying not to get a crick in her neck. She knew it was very important to Jonah that these people not only know that the two of them were mated but also that she accepted him…and them…for what they were.
“Of all the things I’m afraid of, Mr. Tanner, that one doesn’t even make the list.”
He studied her for a long moment, reading her face. Then he flashed a brief smile. “Logan. Call me Logan.”
She smiled back, accepting the offer of friendship. “Thank you.”
By the time she served dinner to everyone the nervous tension and energy in the room was so high it was almost palpable. With chairs at a premium they all sat on the floor, maps and notes spread out before them. Dakota tried to give everyone the space they need to plan for the evening. Not to encroach on the business of the team.
But Jonah kept pulling her in. Tugging her down to sit between his long legs. Holding her hand that extra second when she rose to refresh everyone’s drinks. And wherever she moved, she always felt his eyes on her.
“I printed out the lab reports we’ve managed to get,” Logan said, opening the folder in front of him, “and we all read through them again. As you can imagine, there are as many answers as there are reports. Everyone’s different, except…”
“Except?” Jonah prodded.
“Except they all agree that whatever this creature is, it’s an ABE—anomalous biological entity.”
“With nonspecific blood chemistry,” Chelsea added.
“What the hell does that mean?” Mark wanted to know.
“It means,” Logan told him, “that they can’t match the blood samples of those they’ve been able to get to any known animal anywhere on the planet.”
“Where did they get the specimens?” Dakota asked, her curiosity piqued.
“There have been some anomalous animals killed in various places that people insisted were El Chupacabra.” This from Dante. “Each time whoever made the kill thought they’d slain the real devil beast. But no one can actually prove it.”
“Another problem,” Dante added, “is each of these animals is a different size and configuration. Some people say it has bear DNA, others opossum. Still others say it’s deer or ferret.”
“Too big a range for any of it to be accurate,” Sam commented. “A security guard shot an animal in the airport in Austin, Texas. I’ve seen the photos. It looks like a devil breast, for sure, but I think it’s too small.”
“In an airport?” Dakota was astounded.
“Some guy was trying to smuggle it in from Mexico in his suitcase, if you can believe that. He got away so they were left with the dead body of a nightmare. But I still say it took a larger animal to make the kills we know about.” He shrugged. “Maybe we just have a lot of mutant animals running around the countryside.”
Dakota shivered. “Now there’s a thought to give you nightmares.”
“Any of the reports say anything about the scent of turpentine and gasoline?” Mark wanted to know.
Chelsea shuffled through the papers in front of her. “Not that we could find. Nobody mentions it. Not as a trace on the bodies or on any of the animals that are supposed to be the devil beast.”
Sam ran his fingers through his hair. “There’s something…I don’t know, something I think we’re missing. Maybe if I let go of it, it will come to me. Meanwhile, let’s go over tonight’s plans one more time.”
Chapter Twelve
The beast was restless again, a buzzing sensation that vibrated under its skin. The food in its belly was merely a stopgap, only temporarily satisfying. The beast’s taste buds lusted for human flesh. Human blood. Soft flesh to sink its fangs into. Warm red blood to drink.
Tonight it sensed a greater danger than usual. Other animals roamed in the area, feral animals that could be competition for its prey. Or maybe to try to attack the devil. If the beast could laugh it would. They were no match for its skills and strength.
It rose from its resting place and paced back and forth. There was human danger tonight, too, but the cycle must be completed. Then the devil beast could rest for a long time, seek new hunting grounds.
Pacing, pacing, pacing, its nose pointed in the direction of its prey.
* * * * *
They had it all arranged with military precision. Jonah had driven them all to the three most logical sites they’d pinpointed and familiarized them with the area around those places. Then they’d returned to the cabin and finished their planning. The Night Seekers who shifted would hunt. Dakota would stay with Dante and the helicopter. Now she was surrounded by six gorgeous wolves of all colors, ramped up and eager for the hunt. Each wore around its neck a thin chain with a chip hanging from it that could be easily reached with a paw. Whichever pair found the devil beast would signal Dante. He’d overfly with the helo, using the spotlight and radioing the location to Sheriff Denby.
What could go wrong? Right?
Wrong.
That was a question no one wanted to answer. They were all aware of just how many things could fall off the radar before the night was over. And although none would turn from a fight, the prospect of battle with the devil beast gave them each cause for cautionary fear.
Dakota stood on the porch, watching them gather themselves. The large, sleek gray wolf that she knew was Jonah came to stand beside her, nudging her with his nose. With a quiet desperation she ran her fingers through the silky softness of his pelt, then knelt down and took his face between her hands.
“Do not let yourself get killed,” she commanded. “Do you hear me?”
His eyes flickered with knowledge and his tongue stretched out to swipe at her face.
“No kissing,” she admonished. “Just the promise you will do as I ask.”
His silver eyes looked directly into hers, and she saw her answer.
“Then go. Now. Let’s get this done quickly.” She pushed gently at him.
With one last swipe of his tongue and a low rumble in his throat, Jonah leaped down the stairs and loped off into the woods, the others following him.
Dakota turned back to Dante. “They’ll be okay, right?”
He touched her shoulder reassuringly. “They know the risks and how to deal with them. And hunting in pairs increases the safety.”
She sighed heavily. “But it’s all right if I worry about them?”
He smiled. “I’d wonder about it if you didn’t.” He paused and studied her face in the porch light. “Jonah is a very good man.”
Dakota gave a breathy little laugh. “Are you reassuring me or warning me off?”
For a long moment Dante said nothing. “Maybe a little bit of both, Look, Dakota. None of us knows you. Jonah has asked for and received permission to bring you back to Desolation Ranch with him. That means you’ll become an ancillary part of this group. I’m not a shifter myself so I haven’t experienced the mating thing, but I do know what it’s like to have a strong connection to someone.”
“Listen,” she interrupted.
Dante held up a hand to stop her. “Let me finish. None of us thought Jonah would ever recover from what happened to Jenna. We’ve all had experience with the results of a Chupacabra kill so we knew where he was, emotionally. So he wasn’t about to let anyone in under those walls unless he truly trusted that person. So we’re going with his instincts on this. I’m just telling you, you can believe whatever he tells you one hundred percent. And if you aren’t what he thinks, you’ll have more than just him to deal with.”
Dakota smiled. She knew she should feel insulted by the man’s words, but instead she was glad that Jonah has such a strong team supporting him. Impulsively she kissed Dante on his cheek.
“Thank you for caring about him. All of you. And I promise you have nothing to worry about where I’m concerned.”
That didn’t mean that she and Jonah didn’t still have things to work out. Logistics. Details. But the thought of being apart from him was completely unappealing as well as depressing.
“Would you like some coffee?” she asked, heading back into the cabin.
“Thanks. That would be great. We’ll have some time to kill until they get to their locations.”
* * * * *
Leo Merritt turned over in bed, wondering why he was having such a hard time falling asleep. Probably because Hilary wasn’t lying beside him. Habits built over the years were hard to deviate from. He missed the soft warmth of her body and the gentle sound of her breathing.
He punched his pillow, trying to mold it into a more comfortable position. His mind turned again to Fred, the very strange man he’d impulsively given a ride to and fed an evening meal. Really strange, as a matter of fact. Wouldn’t even come into the house to share dinner. Insisted on eating outside.
Lust Unleashed (Night Seekers, Book One) Page 17