Bear Claw

by Crissy Smith

  It would take a little bit for the computer to search through the entire system, so Jamie minimized the screen and went back to the file. Removing a legal pad and pen from his top drawer to make notes, Jamie settled to dig into what was happening in Lake Worth.

  He would have to ask Commander Green’s permission to open a case and he wanted to have good evidence to back him up.

  Chapter Five

  Brandy closed the library door and locked it, making certain it was secure. It had been a quiet day and she was happy about that. Her mind had wandered throughout her shift. She couldn’t stop thinking about a certain dark-haired man.

  Reminders of her short visits with Jamie were everywhere through the library. It seemed like every time she grabbed a stack of books to reshelf, she was in an area that she had spent time showing titles to Jamie.

  Now that she was pretty certain that he felt the same attraction toward her as she did him, she found it even harder to stop thinking about him.

  It excited her knowing that she was going to see him the next night. If he didn’t make a move, she was going to. Waiting for the past few months for her chance to get to know him outside the library had been torture, and she was done giving him small hints.

  In each of her books, she wrote about strong and brave heroines. She was going to channel her inner characters and take a chance.

  Turning away from the door, she headed to her car. She didn’t want to lose this opportunity. There was still so much she didn’t know about Jamie. Every time a new piece of him was revealed, she wanted to know more.

  Her cell phone rang, jerking her from her thoughts. Pulling out her phone, she groaned. She really didn’t want to talk to one of her family members unless it was Chris. She was in too good of a mood to let one of them spoil it for her—especially her mother, Leslie Brooks.

  But Brandy knew if she didn’t answer, she would just keep calling and calling.

  “Hello?”

  “Brandy.” Her mother’s voice came over the line.

  “Hi, Mom,” Brandy greeted. “I’m leaving work right now as we speak. Can I call you back?”

  “No, this is important.”

  Like her job wasn’t. Holding in a sigh, Brandy hit the fob to unlock her car. “Okay, hang on.” She climbed inside then, starting the air conditioner, she began to take deep breaths. As close to ready as she could be, she put the phone back up to her ear. “What’s up?”

  “Must you speak in that slang?” her mother asked with disgust.

  Brandy rolled her eyes but didn’t comment.

  “I heard from one of the partners’ wives today. She told me that your place of employment was holding a meeting tomorrow in objection to the shifter registration.”

  Normally Brandy would try to get her mom to say the word library. It was a game she played to keep herself amused. Her mother would use any phrase possible not to state that her daughter was simply a librarian. But if word was already getting out about the meeting, that was good.

  However, her mom calling her about it was not.

  “Yes, I believe it is.”

  “Really, Brandy,” her mother snapped. “If you have to work at the godforsaken place can’t you at least use your position to help your family?”

  “Mom, I have no idea what you’re talking about. There is a meeting tomorrow. If you don’t want to attend, then don’t.”

  “Of course I wouldn’t attend. But you need to get it canceled.”

  A bad feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. “Why?”

  “How can you ask that? You know William is part of the team that is defending this legislation to the state senate.”

  No, she hadn’t known her brother was involved. Shit, no wonder Chris was so hell-bent on having the meeting so fast. “I didn’t know,” she said sincerely.

  “Well, if you showed up for dinner once in a while, you would know what was going on with your siblings. I don’t understand why you still act like a child.”

  Brandy knew the conversation was only going to go downhill from here. “I do not act like a child. I am an adult who lives her own life and doesn’t ask anyone for anything.”

  “Oh, don’t get upset, honey,” her mother patronized. “I worry about my little girl. Living in that small house and working in that neighborhood. Well, it’s enough to keep me up at night.”

  Knowing her mother medicated herself too well to miss sleep, Brandy snorted.

  “Now I understand that you weren’t apprised of your brother’s involvement. Cancel the meeting and all will be forgotten.”

  “Mom…”

  “And do call William. He has been mighty upset since he found out your building was being used to campaign against his efforts.”

  “Mom, I’m not canceling.”

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  After this conversation, she knew that her dad would be calling her next, along with several other members of her family, to make sure she followed her mother’s orders. William no doubt would enjoy yelling at her. “I am not going to cancel, postpone, or in any way impede the meeting tomorrow. In fact, I plan to attend and learn all I can.”

  “I really don’t think it is wise to be around those type of people. Your brother would never ask you to put yourself at risk to support his cause.”

  Brandy didn’t ask what type of people her mother was talking about. “I’m not going to spy on them. I’m showing my support for their cause.”

  Her mother’s gasp was loud and perfect. If she didn’t know the woman so well, Brandy might have believed her mother’s reaction. But she did know her family, and her mom was not really shocked.

  “How can you say that? You don’t mean that. You’re trying to make your brother look bad.”

  Of course, she was always trying to make someone in her family look bad. Or go against her father. Nothing she ever did was because it was what she believed in. “Listen carefully. I didn’t know William or his firm were responsible for initiating the shifter registration. I wouldn’t care if it were you, Dad or the Pope himself. This is something I believe in. I do not support this new bill.”

  “I can’t talk to you when you’re like this. I’ll have your father call you.”

  Brandy didn’t get another word in. Her mother hung up.

  “Oh, goody,” she muttered. Scrolling down her list of contacts, she found Chris’ cell and pressed send. His phone must have been off since voicemail picked up right away.

  “Call me,” she demanded.

  She dropped her phone into the passenger seat and sat trying to calm her racing heart. There wasn’t anything she could do about her family. But she was a little shocked and disgusted that they would back this new movement. Normally her family only got involved in projects that earned them money or power.

  How could they benefit from making the shifters register?

  She’d planned on stopping by the sub shop down the road for a sandwich on her way home, but now she only wanted to go to her one place of comfort—her writing space.

  Remembering the dig her mother had made about her small house, Brandy found herself clenching her jaw. Carefully, she rolled her neck, making a point to relax herself from head to toe.

  After she was composed enough that she could drive without any problems, she tugged on her seatbelt, clicking it into place. Checking her rear-view mirror, she backed out of her parking spot and headed home.

  Her good mood had fled and it was all she could do not to scream in anger. Why she always let her family get to her, she didn’t know. She would have to cut ties with them completely one day. She wondered if Jamie would still be around when that happened.

  * * * *

  Jamie had worked late at the office and afterward he went down to the gym and spent an hour weight lifting. His body was warm and loose. Once at his apartment, he quickly showered then dressed in fresh clothes. Finished, he hurried out to his Harley.

  He’d wanted to stop by Aubrey’s and talk to her. He’d sent a qui
ck text, making sure it was okay, and once he’d received confirmation, he’d headed out.

  Taking the long way around the curving roads of Lake Worth, he took a pass by the library, noticing the lights off and the parking lot empty. Brandy was already gone for the evening but Jamie had expected that.

  The warm night air caressed his flesh and, for just a moment, he thought about going for an extended ride. He should have done that during his time off. Now it was too late. It was something for another full weekend off. Maybe this time he would camp out. Get back to nature.

  It would have to wait right now, though. Commander Green had approved his request to open a case into the boy’s disappearance and the connection to the break-ins. He’d been ordered to keep things low-key until they had a solid line to tug.

  Making a right at the green light on Custer Avenue, he then drove onto the familiar street where Aubrey’s house was located. Since Cody had moved in with Aubrey, Jamie had spent several hours there with the two of them.

  Both vehicles were parked in the drive, so Jamie drove his motorcycle up to the left, close to the door.

  He turned off the engine, sitting as the bike’s rumble slowly died.

  A ping sounded. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his cell phone. A text message from Zak. He swiped his finger, bringing up the text.

  Got sent under. Watch my house. I’ll call.

  Damn, Zak had been sent into an undercover operation. Shaking his head, Jaime stuffed his phone back into his jeans then threw his leg over the bike, standing upright.

  The front door opened, and Cody stepped out onto the porch. Jamie grinned at his friend then jogged over.

  “Did you get a message from Zak?” Cody asked.

  “Yeah, just now.”

  “I was hoping once he joined the Coalition he wouldn’t have to go back to deep covers.”

  “Yeah, but I’m not surprised. He’s so damn good at fitting in with the underworld,” Jamie said sadly. It was true, but every time Zak returned, he noticed his friend sinking deeper into himself. It worried all of them.

  “I haven’t told Aubrey yet. She’s going to be upset.”

  “You’re going to have to. Come on, we’ll both tell her.”

  Following Cody into the house, he scanned the place and grinned. The first thing he smelled was fresh coffee brewing. Jamie moaned. “I love your mate.”

  Cody laughed. “You’d better remember she’s taken.”

  “I’m pretty sure I could steal her from you,” Jamie teased.

  “Yes, but then I’d have to kill you.”

  “Might be worth it for someone to make me fresh coffee when I need it.”

  “According to you, you always need it. Plus she’d have you down to one pot a day or less. You’d never make it.”

  Both men were still chuckling as they entered into the tidy kitchen.

  “There will be no killing in my kitchen,” Aubrey said and handed Jamie a mug.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Cody and Jamie said together.

  Aubrey smiled then turned to hand her mate his cup. The smile fell from her face. “What?”

  Cody glanced at Jamie. He nodded, showing his support. Aubrey didn’t fight as Cody pulled her closer.

  “Zak sent a message. He’s been put undercover.”

  “How long?”

  “We don’t know yet. Neither of us got to talk to him before he left. He asked that we watch his house.”

  Aubrey nodded. Jamie knew she had to work through her feelings. He and Cody were used to Zak disappearing. The first time Zak had been called away after Cody and Aubrey had gotten together had been hard on her. She still worried constantly.

  Now she would have to go through it all again.

  “Relax,” Aubrey said softly. “I knew he would have to work undercover again. We talked about it after the last time.”

  Cody patted her hand. Waving to the table, he said, “Let’s sit.”

  They all settled around the dark-wood table sipping coffee. Jamie blew on the liquid, cooling it as he thought about how to start.

  “Well?” Aubrey asked impatiently.

  “This morning one of my team members found a connection to some vandalism done to the property of shifter registration supporters.”

  Aubrey leaned forward. “And?”

  “The reports state that bears knocked over trash and caused a mess but no damage.” He laid it all out for them. It was easy to watch Aubrey’s expressions as she put what he told her together with her own case.

  “The teenagers. They don’t want to hurt anyone but they’re trying to find something to use against the humans.”

  “That’s what I think too.”

  Frowning, Aubrey sat back. “But why? What could they possibly hope to find? And why run away?”

  “That’s the mystery.” Jamie nodded. “I found one more missing bear shifter. He was nineteen and stopped showing up for classes at the university. He’s older than your boys but his disappearance matches all the signs from your cases.”

  “Maybe the ring leader?” Cody suggested.

  “Possible. Or he could be the connection to the boys and whoever is in charge,” Jamie told them.

  “What a mess,” Aubrey replied. “The good news is that if the boys are involved in the vandalism they are still alive.”

  “For now,” Cody added. “Whatever the end game is, you still have to find these boys. They’re minors.”

  “I know. I need to talk to Sophia, who is the sister of the second boy. See if she knows of any older men her brother had started to hang out with or maybe someone who had visited the university. Let me grab my notebook.” Aubrey stood then hurried out of the kitchen.

  Jamie took a moment to look around the cozy room. “I like this place. Maybe, if you talk Aubrey into moving, I’ll buy it.”

  Cody grunted. “We’re putting the house-hunting on hold for now.”

  Picking up his mug, Jamie hid his smile.

  “Shut up,” Cody groused.

  “Didn’t say a word,” he pointed out.

  “This house means a lot to her.”

  “I know.” Jamie set his coffee down. “I think it’s good that you stay here.”

  Aubrey rejoined them. Not only did she have her notebook but also her laptop and some folders.

  “You’re going to talk to the university? What is the kid’s name?”

  “Victor Douglas,” he provided.

  Aubrey wrote down the name. “Okay, let’s go through this again.”

  Jamie had to admire Aubrey’s work ethic. If anyone would find out what was going on, it would be her. Not for the first time, he thought how good of an agent Aubrey would make.

  “You might want to stop by the meeting tomorrow at the library,” Jamie suggested.

  “I heard about that.” She glanced up. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Hey.” Jamie shifted in his chair. “This is a serious discussion about protesting the legislation. There will be too many people there who want to stop this proposal from going through. I thought we should support the part of our community that is supporting us.”

  “Uh-huh.” Aubrey raised an eyebrow. “So you’ll be on duty. No flirting or checking out the pretty little librarian?”

  “Well, I was going to go anyway so it’s not like I will really be on duty. I thought you two might want to stop by.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Cody promised.

  Jamie groaned.

  “I do remember someone giving me a hard time when I first saw Aubrey again,” Cody told him.

  “Not sure what you’re talking about,” Jamie lied, grinning.

  Snorting, Aubrey pointed her pen at him. “Watch it. I know all your secrets too.”

  Jamie and Cody exchanged an amused look and started laughing. Aubrey was in no way a gentle touch. She was a hard-hitting, stubborn force to be reckoned with.

  “Jackasses,” she muttered. However, the sparkle in her gaze showed he
r delight.

  He was glad he’d stopped by. Not only would they be able to work on the cases but also being around his two friends lightened some of the nervousness he had each time he thought about the next night.

  After he saw Brandy at the meeting, there would be no denying who he was. She would know for certain that he was a shifter and part of the Coalition. He still had to believe that she would be okay with those two aspects of his life.

  He had never defined himself by his shifter status or his job. Like his tattoos and bike weren’t who he was. Those were just small parts of the whole man. He prayed that Brandy would get that. No one ever had in the past. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. His friends and Aubrey saw through all of that stuff.

  Now, putting his heart on the line, he had to take a chance. Brandy would be worth it. He knew it down in his bones. The bear inside wanted to claim and mate with the human.

  For the first time in his life, he was looking to the future.

  “Hey! Stop mooning over your girl and get back to work,” Aubrey ordered.

  He glanced up, surprised he’d lost himself in his thoughts.

  Aubrey smiled warmly at him. He nodded. Yeah, things had to work out.

  Chapter Six

  Brandy watched the last of the library patrons leave the main desk. She stretched her arms over her head and rolled her neck.

  It had been a crazy, busy day. Word had gotten around about the meeting and all the regulars as well as some new supporters had asked about attending.

  Chris hadn’t returned her call but she wasn’t worried. He had been busy. She’d driven into work earlier and noticed posters all over the neighborhood between her house and the library. Judging by the number of people who had called and stopped by, Brandy expected a good turnout.

  She only had about thirty minutes until people would start arriving. Heading toward the large open area that they used for meetings and plays for the children, Brandy cataloged what would need to be done.

  More chairs, for sure. Turning the corner, she almost ran into Betty and Cam. “Oh, sorry!”