Fox Afield (Madison Wolves)

by Robin Roseau

  She smiled hesitantly. "You're really not going to get mad?"

  "And throw a fit?"

  She nodded.

  "I have reacted badly to some things in the past, and you have been a voice of reason for me. I think you reacted badly this time, but your response was exceedingly tame in comparison to some of my past behavior. I knew the pink was an attempt to push my buttons, especially the bow. I figured the heel was, too, but I may have brought that on myself when I wrapped the leash around you."

  She smiled. "No, I had already planned the heel. And throwing the ball into the dirt. Wrapping the leash around my legs was pretty funny, actually."

  "It was supposed to be," I said. I smiled at her. "Elisabeth, you take very good care of me. I appreciate it. And I love you, Sister." I held out my hand, and we clasped for a minute. "Are you all right?"

  "Yes, Michaela," she said. "Thank you."

  "Good. Now, my wife has been getting excessively cocky and needs to be taken down a peg or two. Will you please go beat her in one of these races?"

  Elisabeth smiled. "Honestly, I don't think I can."

  "Well, go give her a run for her money at least," I suggested. "These fish aren't going to catch themselves."

  "Are there really any fish here?"

  I laughed. "I doubt it, but if I'm fishing I can decline racing. You guys have enough fun at my expense."

  Lara went undefeated, but she took it as her due and was gracious.

  It was inevitable, of course, for someone to say, "Lara and Michaela next!" At first, I pretended to ignore them, then Lara paddled over to me and said, "Come on. Our turn."

  I looked up at her and smiled. "You go ahead. I'll wait right here for you to get back."

  "I think perhaps you don't understand the concept of a race," she replied.

  "Sure I do," I said. "You start with two reasonably even racers and set a course. First one to complete the course wins."

  "Exactly," she said. "Come on."

  "What part of 'reasonably even racers' don't we agree on?" I asked. "I've trained all of you too well."

  Her smile faltered. "You're afraid of losing?"

  "Of course not," I said. "I don't know how to make it a proper race. It would be a complete joke."

  Her smile finished its route to a frown. "You've beaten me before."

  "Before you knew all my tricks," I said. "And then after that, only when someone cheated on my behalf. Go on. Angel has been getting cocky and misses Scarlett."

  "Michaela," she said. "If you don't race me now, they're going to think you're a poor loser."

  I sighed. "How quickly they forget the pink bow."

  "Fickle crowd," she agreed.

  "All right," I said. "If you haven't crossed the finish line by the time I turn around, everyone is going to know you were babying me."

  I reeled my line in, stashed the pole, then made sure I could reach the other rod I had available. I had extra heavy duty line on that one and it was a sturdy rod and reel.

  Elisabeth called the start. I took two strokes, then pulled the heavy rod out, cast quickly, and laid the line over the stern of Lara's boat. I reeled in quickly and the hook caught on the carry handle on the back of Lara's kayak. After that, I hung on.

  The reel screamed in protest at first, but then I started moving faster, towed behind Lara's boat.

  "What the hell?" she yelled. "Angel!"

  She turned around and saw me with a big grin, the rod in my hand, getting towed behind her.

  "The line will break!" she said. She faced forward and began paddling as hard as she could. I held on and let her drag me.

  She towed me all the way down to Eric's position. I had to let line out and paddle a couple of strokes to turn around, then I reeled in again, and I let her tow me all the way to the finish line. I paddled the last few strokes, then paddled up to the back of her boat and unhooked my line. It took a minute to work it lose.

  All the wolves, including Lara, were laughing.

  "You won, Lara," I said. "But I hung in there the whole way."

  "You sure did," she said, still laughing.

  "Is that the biggest fish you've ever tried to land?" Elisabeth asked.

  "I believe it is." I leered at Lara. "She's definitely the best catch I've ever seen."

  "Wow," Angel said once she got herself under control. "Michaela, you're sure a drag."

  Lara held up her hand. "If anyone talks about stringing me along, I am tipping her over."

  "Lara, we knew Michaela had you hooked-"

  "Enough!" she said. "No one is going to come up with a single comment that is funnier than what Michaela did. So let's not compete with the fox."

  I preened.

  "How long were you planning that?" Angel asked.

  "I brought a second rod," I said. "What does that tell you?"

  "Aww," Lara said. "You brought a special fishing rod just for me?"

  "Don't let it go to your head, Lover," I replied. "It was for whoever pressured me into racing her."

  Lara laughed. "So that means me."

  "Elisabeth and Angel were likely targets too. But I admit, it was funnier with you."

  After that we paddled back to the marina. It felt weird storing my kayak at Benny's. Elisabeth and Karen looked uncomfortable about it, and I think I would have had questions about it if Lara hadn't headed them off. Lara left her kayak on the rack with mine. The rest of the gear went back to the enforcer's house, my old house, while I made an excuse to stay downtown; they picked me up a while later.

  Elisabeth wouldn't look me in the eye for the next couple of hours, but I pretended to be fine.

  * * * *

  We stayed at the motel for the evening communication. Robert received new proof of life. Greg's computer guy stared intently at his computers, typing frantically from time to time and muttering to himself.

  "All right," I said. "I still think we should get inside his house and make sure she's not there. We could do that this evening unless there's something we can do instead."

  Greg and Lara communed for a minute. "You think it's a waste of time, Michaela?"

  "I don't think she's there," I admitted. "But I was only using my ears, and I have limits."

  Greg talked to his computer guy. "We got more information," Greg said. "Proof of life was mailed to another account. Timothy basically forwarded the email. I don't think she's there. We're digging into the other account and chasing backwards to see where it came from. That's going to take a few hours. I don't think she's there, but as Michaela said, what else are we going to do?"

  "All right," Lara said. "Who wants to join Michaela and me?"

  "I am going," said Elisabeth. She looked around. "Karen?" Karen nodded.

  The four of us huddled for a few minutes. The plan was pretty simple. We climbed into one of the cars, began driving, and the wolves all shifted. Lara helped Elisabeth and Karen with dog collars before doing her own shift. We parked around the corner from Timothy's, near the park. I unbuttoned my blouse a couple of buttons then climbed into the back. I put a collar on Lara and snapped leashes on all three of them. We climbed out of the car and began walking to Timothy's, cutting across the park. The four of us walked to his front door and I rang the bell, schooling my features.

  He opened the door and peered out.

  "Hi!" I began exuberantly. "I'm Michaela, and I have a new dog walking business!"

  "Don't got a dog," he said and began to close the door.

  "Please!" I said. "I'm having trouble finding customers. I'd be real grateful if you could help me. Real grateful."

  "Don't got a dog," he said again.

  "But I bet you know people," I said.

  The closing door stopped. He opened it wider. "I know people," he agreed.

  I held out my hand. "My name is Michaela," I said.

  Timothy opened the door wider, staring at the top button of my blouse. Finally he took my hand. "Tim."

  That was when Lara made her move. She got her nose
in between Tim and the door and pushed. A normal dog her size would have been hard to block if you were ready. An alpha werewolf: impossible. Lara pushed past him, barking, the other two wolves following. They pulled the leashes right out of my hand and began tearing around the house, sniffing like crazy.

  "Oh I'm so sorry!" I said. "I'll get them!" I slipped past Tim and began calling the wolves. "Elle! Lizzy! Kay kay! Heel!"

  Then I listened. Nothing. I was sure the five of us were the only living creatures in the house, discounting the occasional rodent and vermin.

  The wolves misbehaved for just a few moments, then I collected them up. Tim was wringing his hands, and I apologized profusely.

  "I'm so sorry," I said, once the wolves were under control.

  "Maybe you should learn to control the dogs you have before you try walking more."

  "I do them in shifts. These three are so big, but they've never done anything like that before. But you're right."

  "Who was that woman you were with yesterday?" he asked.

  "What woman?" I asked.

  "The one you had the fight with," he said.

  "You saw that?"

  He nodded.

  "My girlfriend." I tried to act shy. "But I'm bi-, and sometimes she likes to watch."

  Lara stepped on my foot, putting as much of her weight into it as she could.

  "Back off, Elle," I told her, nudging her with my knee. She didn't move.

  "Tim," I said. "You're probably right. I need to learn to manage these dogs before I take on more. But maybe once I've had more practice, you can tell me other people with dogs that might need walking. I'll see you around. Come on, girls."

  Tim held the door for me, and I'm sure he was staring at my ass.

  "Maybe I could, you know, call you sometime," he said.

  "I tell you what, Tim," I replied. "You're kind of cute. Lara might like you." I pulled my phone out of my pocket and took his picture. "Give me your number; maybe we'll call you. We could have drinks. Or something."

  He found paper and pen and wrote down his number. I glanced at it. "Is this your home or cell number?"

  "Home," he said.

  "Do you have a cell number? So if we meet somewhere and can't find you, we can call you."

  "Um-" he said. "I do, but I'm not supposed to give it out."

  "Oh," I said, disappointed. "That's too bad. I guess I'll see you around sometime." I turned to the door.

  "Wait!" he said. He took the paper and added a cell number. "But don't tell anyone I gave you that number. I'm not supposed to tell anyone."

  I looked at the number then pushed the paper into my pocket. I looked into his eyes. "If it's your phone, who can tell you not to give it to me?" I smiled shyly and moved closer.

  He gulped. I didn't think Tim got much female attention. I didn't have much practice manipulating guys and was probably not very subtle, but still, he felt like putty in my hands.

  "I'm not supposed to say," he said.

  "Oh come on," I said. "It's just me and the dogs, and who are they going to tell? Come on, I love secrets. If you tell me your secret about the phone, I'll tell you one of mine."

  "Really?" he said.

  I nodded. "And you'll like it. I promise."

  "All right," he said. "Harvey Block gave me the cell phone. I'm only supposed to use it to talk to him."

  "Who is Harvey Block?" I asked.

  "He's this guy-"

  "What does he do for a living?"

  "He builds buildings."

  "Like houses?"

  "And he built the shopping mall."

  "Well, your secret is safe with me, Tim," I said. I looked him straight in the eye. "I promised you a secret, didn't I?"

  He nodded.

  I leaned closer. "Promise not to tell anyone?"

  "Um- Sure."

  I whispered into his ears. "My nipples are pierced."

  He gulped again. "Really?"

  "Uh huh," I said, nodding.

  "Do you think you could show me?" he asked.

  "Why Tim," I said. "Lara would paddle my bottom if I did that without permission. But you can bet I'll show her your picture. She sometimes takes a week or two before she warms up to an idea. So you need to be patient. You can be patient, can't you?"

  "Um. Sure."

  I patted his cheek. "Good boy. I better get going. I think Elle is about to piddle right on the floor."

  I pulled the wolves out the door. Lara was fuming. Tim watched us leave, and I wriggled my ass at him, giving him a real good show. I didn't say anything to the wolves until we got in the car. I took their leashes and collars off then climbed up front. Lara shifted immediately, pulling on clothes.

  She was fuming.

  "So," I said. "She's not there."

  "No." She was tight lipped and glared at me. I was in trouble.

  "We got the information," I said quietly. "We got in and out, and he has no idea what he told us. Furthermore, there is no way on the planet he is going to mention us to the good Mr. Block."

  "You could have told him something else," she said.

  "For crying out loud, Lara," I said. "I didn't tell him anything he wouldn't have known after yesterday's little water display. They were pretty obvious then, don't you think?"

  "He's going to be thinking about you. He's probably back there right now doing disgusting things."

  "Which means he's not telling Harvey Block we're onto him. Call Greg."

  I turned around and put the car into gear. Lara climbed up front, glared at me some more, then called Greg.

  "Harvey Block," she said. She relayed the conversation.

  * * * *

  We arrived at the motel. Lara was tight lipped the entire way. As we pulled in, I told her, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize this would upset you. It was the first thing that popped in my head, and I knew it would distract him. I don't know how I was supposed to know it was top secret when the entire pack knows, but it has upset you, and I am sorry."

  She didn't respond.

  Fine. I wasn't going to grovel. I was doing the best I could, and if it wasn't good enough for her, that was just tough.

  I pulled to an uncomfortable stop, killed the engine, and threw the keys to Elisabeth before climbing out and slamming my door.

  Eric started to open the motel room door as I approached. I pushed past him. "Greg," I said. "Get me a list of buildings to start checking. I don't know if I will hear anyone inside of them, but I can at least try. There's nothing else I can do, after all. It's almost dark; I'm sure my security detail will allow me to sneak around once it's fully dark."

  "We're working on it," he said before even turning around to look at me. "Alpha-"

  "Yes?" I interjected, standing up straight with my hands on my hips. I knew he meant Lara, but I intended to be taken seriously.

  "Michaela," Lara said from my side. "I don't believe now is a good time for us to start a turf war."

  I ignored her. "Greg, what does Robert say about Harvey Block?"

  "There is a planning committee meeting next Tuesday in which Mr. Block is petitioning for a zoning ordinance variance. Robert Callahan is opposed to the variance."

  "We got him," I said.

  "Yes," Greg said. "We got him. But. Harvey Block's brother is an assistant agent in charge at the Milwaukee FBI office," Greg said.

  I stared at Greg. "Fuck," I said after a minute. "This is on us, isn't it?"

  "That is my recommendation," Greg said.

  Mission Interrupted

  Greg gave us a briefing. I didn't care about any of it. I wanted to know where he was keeping Virginia. I began to grow impatient and finally snapped at Greg.

  "I don't need to know any of this. I need to know what buildings to start checking!"

  "It's not that easy, Michaela," he said. "Aren't you listening? He directly owns four buildings. He owns companies that own six more. We believe he has a partial ownership in several others. Plus there are the buildings under construction, which we haven'
t fully identified yet. He is what passes for a real estate tycoon in this part of Wisconsin, with interests from the Michigan border all the way to Superior. She could be anywhere. We need to keep digging."

  "Greg, I can't help with any of that. But I can scout buildings once it gets dark. Get me a list of whatever you have, and I'll start there."

  But Greg wasn't looking at me. He was looking at Lara.

  "Greg, please give me the buildings nearby that you know about," I said again.

  "I am sorry, Michaela," Greg said. "I don't work for you. I work for the woman signing my checks."

  I turned to Lara. She wouldn't meet my eye.

  "Michaela, you should stay in tonight," she said.

  "Why?"

  "We have at least until Tuesday," she said. "That gives us tonight and the entire weekend, plus Monday."

  "You don't know that," I said. "And if Harvey Block owns this many buildings, it is going to take time to check them all out, especially if he's using a building he is only remotely connected to. The sooner I start looking, the sooner we narrow it down."

  "We don't know the type of security that may be in place around the buildings," Lara said. "Greg's people haven't had time to dig into that. We haven't had time to do longer range surveillance."

  "So they see me? So what? I'll be in fur? Who cares about a little fox looking around for a few field mice?"

  "Around one building, or two, no one is going to care. But around all of them? What if you blow your cover and twelve hours later, we need you to scout a probable target, one we wolves can't get close enough to?"

  I stared at her. She still wouldn't meet my eyes, but she was deadly serious.

  "So I am supposed to do what, exactly?"

  "Wait for better intelligence. It might be a few days. You could go home."

  "Excuse me? I presume now you're just trying to make a bad joke."

  "You're in the way here," she said.

  I counted to ten before I said anything. "I see. I identified the car. I got the name. I got the information on the cell phone. And I am in the way. Excuse me. I will get out of your way and let the adults do their jobs."

  I turned towards the door only to find Elisabeth guarding it.

  "Keep her in our room, Elisabeth," Lara said.

  "How do you propose I do that, Alpha?" Elisabeth said.