Laugh lines crinkled when he smiled. He and Steve were tossing insults at one another via the two-way radio. She twisted in her seat and waved to her best friend, his face barely recognizable behind the tinted glass of the modified camper.
Wind whipped strands of hair against her cheek, and Cassidy held it back from her eyes. She loved the feeling of riding in the open-topped Jeep but refrained from allowing it to show in front of her biologist. Something about him struck a caution cord.
She cocked her head, thankful that her sunglasses masked her scrutiny. Strong hands. Strong arms. Confident to the point of cocky. Nope. She’d never met a biologist like this before.
Sighing deeply, she rooted in her handbag for a ponytail holder, quickly gathering her hair and pulling it through the loop. Better. Maybe now she could focus on the road instead of blinking back tears from wind-whipped hair.
“You okay?” Jake’s question interrupted her thoughts.
“Fine.”
“You’re very quiet. Don’t you have any questions regarding where we’re at with our investigation?”
Sighing in exasperation, Cassidy snapped, “Shut up, Jake Anderson. I’m concentrating on my personal anguish.”
“You’re what?” The glare she tossed him over the rim of her glasses quelled any further response. Good. She had no desire to talk, about either herself or the assignment.
She felt the mountains closing in. Cassidy chewed on her bottom lip; she’d thought she could handle it. Had convinced herself, in fact. But now, with the familiar backdrop of peaks and plains, she felt her heart hammer against her chest with such intensity she was certain it couldn’t be healthy.
You’re a weak one, Dr. Lowell. She hummed the tune from The Grinch, trying to find words that would make her laugh and not weep. “This is my job. I can do this. It’s only Jackson.”
“Excuse me?” Jake said.
“What?”
He leaned across her toward the glove compartment, his arm brushing against her thighs. “You said something.”
If this was his idea of flirting, she wasn’t impressed, nor was she interested.
Flipping open the compartment, he retrieved a pair of sunglasses and popped them on his face. “So, what did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“Yes, you did. Something about this is my job …”
She crossed her arms over her chest and bit back the irritated none-of-your-business blurb, not wanting to sound like a complete idiot. “I tend to talk to myself.” Narrowing her eyes, she dared him to comment further.
Jake glanced at her quickly, her reflection wavering in his mirrored glasses. “Nothing wrong with that,” he said. “I do the same. Actually, I’m such a social moron that most of the time I’m the only person interested in listening to what I have to say.”
Cassidy bit her lip, but it was too late. Laughter bubbled up and spilled from her mouth in waves of pent up emotion. She couldn’t believe how horribly she’d been behaving. It wasn’t like her. “Yes,” she hiccupped. “I think that’s it exactly.”
“Friends?”
She eyed him, squinting against the sun that poured through the windshield. She rubbed her forehead and tilted her face to the warmth of the rays. “No. I’m the boss, and you’re my biologist. But considering we’re both in the same proximity, we might as well appear slightly sane and speak to one another instead of ourselves.”
The corner of Jake’s mouth twitched up in a grin, and he shook his head at Cassidy. She put on her sweetest smile, waiting for him to say something that would no doubt piss her off. Cassidy didn’t like the sudden affinity he’d created; she’d do her best to keep her guard up.
He winked. “Strictly business then. Last week the pre-unit arrived and began gathering data from the locals.”
Cassidy focused her attention on his words, snatching a small pad from the side of her messenger bag in case she needed to take notes. “Locals?”
“Park Rangers. The local authorities responsible for all aspects of Yellowstone.”
“I know what the Rangers do.”
Jake nodded. “Right. You worked here, didn’t you?”
“It was a job.” He cocked his head in her direction, and she figured he was probably shooting her a very nasty look behind those aviator glasses. “Continue.”
“We’ve verified the statistics. And you won’t like them. In less than a week, more than sixteen wolves have dropped off the radar.”
Cassidy fell into silence. Her mind whirled around facts, figures, and possible answers. “That’s impossible.”
“My thought exactly.”
The entrance to Yellowstone loomed ahead. Wooden guard houses paused traffic, collecting fees and handing out maps. Jake slowed the vehicle, and Cassidy averted her eyes from the large timbers that marked the entrance and stared at her hands, feeling a sudden wave of insecurity.
Jake flipped open his identification wallet, and the guard waved them through without demanding an entrance fee.
Cassidy gave up trying to prevent her eyes from feasting on the familiar surroundings. Even though she didn’t want the pain, she couldn’t fight the call. The depth of green that painted both sides of the road drew her attention. Behind the dense brush and hundred-foot lodge pole pines hid a vast array of wildlife. She’d been fascinated as a child, intrigued as an adolescent, and incurably addicted by eighteen.
This is what had shaped her.
Her passion for animals had begun right here, at her father’s side. She missed him.
Cassidy needed to concentrate on her assignment. But the geysers called. She could almost feel the mist of Old Faithful, and the sulfur scent of the hot springs that surrounded Yellowstone’s hydrothermal basin crept into her senses. It felt like a champagne cork had exploded, allowing her memories to shoot out and touch the crystal sky above.
Scooting forward in her seat, she gripped the edge of the dash.
“How does it feel, Sunshine?”
“What?” Her mind was only partially on the conversation.
“To be home?”
Cassidy bit her bottom lip and sat back in her seat. A million memories flickered through her mind blinking on and off rapidly, leaving her confused and slightly disjointed. The buzzing of whispered words long past rang in her ear. She inhaled and shredded the mist that threatened to emotionally cripple her. Glaring at Jake, she pointed a nail-bitten finger in his direction. “My feelings or lack thereof are none of your business. I’m here on assignment, and that’s all you need to concern yourself with.”
His shoulders moved in a slight shrug at the sharpness of her words, and he turned to face the road again. “Whatever you say, Sunshine.”
Irritation scratched the back of her neck. The ghost of summers past had a hold on her, and it was making her ultra-sensitive. She mentally smoothed away her annoyance and focused on the facts of the assignment.
Wait one damn second.
There was definitely something about Jake Anderson that warranted this sense of aggravation. She frowned, thinking about their conversation.
Did he keep calling her sunshine?
Her mouth dropped open, and she snatched her glasses off, glaring at him. “You’re a real condescending jackass,” she finally said.
“I think, Goldilocks…” He reached over and tugged on her ponytail, causing her to pull back and smack her funny bone on the hard metal of the Jeep door. “You bring out the best in me.”
CHAPTER 9
WHEN JAKE PULLED IN FRONT OF LAKE YELLOWSTONE HOTEL, Cassidy’s breath caught. Her eyes followed the length of the bright white pillars supporting the four-story front porticoes. Its history dated back to the late nineteenth century, and she could recite it as easily as she could the Lord’s Prayer. Pale yellow paint decorated the antique building’s exterior, an odd contrast to the dark, woodsy setting.
Memories played through her mind, unnerving yet comforting.
She’d spent most of her childhood romping across the
long slope of grass that dipped toward Lake Yellowstone, making this place a home away from home. She was here, and she’d better deal with it. Running her hand down one of the imposing columns, she let her eyes sweep upward to where it connected with the roof leaving a comfortable corner for nesting birds. She closed her eyes and imagined the past, remembering the scent of fresh sawed wood laced with burnt pine from the ever-steady fire that disintegrated discarded debris. It seemed so real that a tickle of warmth and comfort filled her chest.
She felt the heat from Jake’s presence against her back and then the touch of his hand upon her shoulder. “Snap out of it, Sunshine. The day’s a wasting.”
She sighed, slipping back into the present. “Nostalgia’s an evil thing.” Cassidy needed to concentrate and focus. A truck backfired in the parking lot and she jumped, her hand clutching at her chest to stop the pounding of her heart.
Jake patted her back. “Easy, kiddo. It’s just a bum muffler.”
Cassidy moved away from his touch and swore beneath her breath. This had to stop. If every bang and jolt brought visions and nightmares of Africa, she’d become a raging lunatic before autumn had a chance to smack the mountains with color. “Sorry. I must still be a bit raw from that landing.” She stepped away from the pillar and snagged the messenger bag Jake dropped by her feet.
Steve pushed between them. “Need to drain the main vein,” he said.
Cassidy groaned, and Jake chuckled. “Take a left down the main hall and follow the signs to the presidential suite,” Jake called after him.
“Ten-four.” He waved and disappeared into the lobby.
“Do you know this is the oldest standing hotel in Yellowstone?” She walked slowly past him and headed toward the front entrance.
Jake glanced around and shrugged. “It sure has a nice view.” He kept pace with her.
“That it does.” Walking toward the glass door, Cassidy continued her history lesson. “The building was first completed in 1891. Of course, the architecture was less sophisticated than what you see today, but still it was mighty impressive. Stagecoaches would pull right up here, next to the front doors.”
Jake pulled the door open and allowed her to step through. “In 1903,” she continued, “Robert Reamer decided it needed a facelift and added his own colonial touches. Those false balconies and dormers outside were his idea, as well as additional columns.”
“And you would know this because?”
Cassidy paused, ignoring his question. She absorbed the large, gracious lobby with hardwood floors that gleamed in the late afternoon sun. The scent of fresh brewed coffee wafted from the lounge to the left. A wavering reflection of the lake played through the full-sized windows that arched across the front. She ignored his last question and continued to soak in her surroundings. “This place declined drastically over time until it was known as nothing more than Bat Alley.”
“Bat Alley, huh? I guess there were more than cobwebs hanging from the rafters.”
Cassidy moved toward the heart of the lobby and stopped in front of a large picture. Tapping on the grainy surface of a face that rose behind a group of men, she smiled. “This is my father. He helped bring back Robert Reamer’s dream. It took these men almost ten years of triumphs and failures to realize that man’s vision. But it was worth it, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes,” Jake said softly. “I’d agree.” Dropping her duffel bag, he peered closer at the picture. His scrutiny didn’t sit well with her.
Squaring her shoulders, she stepped back and looked at her biologist. “And here ends our history lesson for today. Shall I get checked in so that we can get on with this game?”
Jake picked up Cassidy’s bag and headed down a side hall. “No need. We’re in the presidential suite.” Shock kept her rooted in place as she watched him walk down a wide hallway carpeted with thin multicolored commercial Berber. After a few seconds, he turned to look at her. “Coming?”
“We? Did you say we?”
“Yes, Sunshine. But don’t worry, there’s two bedrooms. The sitting room has been relegated to command central. We drew straws for room assignments, and you won.” He shrugged. “Or lost, depending how you view it.”
Jesus, Cassidy. Could you be any more touchy? she asked herself, feeling guilty. “Sorry …” She offered him a half smile. “That’ll be fine.” These weren’t unusual circumstances. ZEBRA missions meant close quarters and intense coordination of personnel. But she needed to square one small item away. Pointing at Jake, Cassidy narrowed her eyes and put on her best demanding boss impersonation. “I swear if you use Sunshine as a proper noun one more time, I’ll do something drastic like stick shaving cream in your hand while you sleep.” She moved past him and headed toward the presidential suite.
Jake laughed, filling the hall with his lighthearted voice.
With her back to him, Cassidy allowed herself an honest smile, one that lifted her spirits and made amusement tickle her chest. It felt good. Damn good.
Following the signs to the presidential suite, Cassidy felt an itch of excitement as she neared their room. Work sounded wonderful. Drowning herself in the wolf mystery would help re-center her skewed emotions. She grinned like a fool at the thought of hiking to one of the many observation posts and spending a solitary night with nothing more than her blanket and, hopefully, a pack of gray wolves.
She stood before the wooden door, placing her palm against the smooth grain of the polished surface. It vibrated. The room beyond was frantic with activity. She could smell it.
Jake reached around her and twisted the knob, urging her through the entryway with a nudge of his shoulder. “They won’t bite. I promise.”
Cassidy rolled her eyes as she stepped into the center of a typical ZEBRA mission. The room was filled with about a half dozen people spread out in front of computers and ringing telephones. She immediately snapped into work mode, weaving through tables and employees to reach the safety of a small, narrow conference table.
The scent of fresh brewed coffee drew her attention to the far corner, where Steve was already attacking a computer keyboard with the dedication of a master pianist. There was a food cart to the left of him, but before she could take one step toward the much needed caffeine, Jake turned her shoulder until she faced the other end of the room.
Dr. Sharpe sat at the head of the small conference table. Cassidy immediately recognized his impatient frown and offered Jake a grateful smile. She waved him away and walked over to sit beside her mentor.
Dr. Sharpe focused on Cassidy, and Cassidy noted the tired lines around his eyes and wondered what troubled him. He absently rubbed his hand over his roughly sheared salt and pepper hair and pursed his lips thoughtfully.
“Tough landing, I hear?” he said, his voice gruff with concern.
“It’s already forgotten.”
He tilted his head and cast a sly grin. “You’re a real pain in the ass, Lowell.”
Cassidy laughed softly and tapped her pencil against the back of his hand. “Yeah, I know. But I’m good at what I do.”
Drew flipped open his notebook and scanned a piece of paper, taking his eyes off the document after only a few seconds. “Did you by any chance order a geological survey of the delta?”
Confused by the sudden change in topic, Cassidy opened her mouth to explain why she’d gone over budget and flown Charles and David to the Niger Delta. However, the memory of Charles’ last statement about the results of the survey along with her retrieval from Africa and reassignment here had her quickly changing her words. Something wasn’t right. “Why do you ask?”
“Thought I saw it on your expense report.”
Weirded out but not willing to express her wariness, Cassidy lifted her shoulder in a careless shrug. “Don’t believe I’ve had the chance to turn that in yet.”
Drew held her gaze for a beat too long, then dismissed the conversation by returning his attention back to the document in his hand and speaking to her in an offhand manner. “Then I sug
gest you do. Payroll hates playing catch-up.”
Cassidy rose from the table. “I just need a few minutes to review the latest stats that Dr. Anderson provided; then I’ll be ready to make the presentation.” She didn’t like his reserved attitude.
Sharp glanced up. “Okay. I’ll inform everyone to convene in approximately fifteen minutes.”
Spreading her data on the table, Cassidy scrutinized the figures. The printout she’d been provided with prior to take-off notated a gradual decline in wolf population. The back of her neck tingled. She glanced over her shoulder and stared at Jake. “Must you stand so close?” He grinned and stepped to the side.
“I didn’t realize you had personal space issues.”
“I don’t. Do you have the updated information?” He was still standing too close.
Leaning over her shoulder, he placed a spreadsheet on the table. “Right here.”
About to demand he move away, Cassidy stopped. The numbers on the sheet caught her eye. She grabbed a highlighter and began marking up her schematic of the park. Nearly every quadrant containing wolves had been depleted. “This is unsettling.”
Jake pointed to an area on her map. “I wonder if something has contaminated the water system and then transferred from pack to pack. See how heavily populated the area past the north entrance was? Is it possible that the packs returned to certain quadrants that are fed from the same water source?”
Cassidy chewed her bottom lip and frowned. “Maybe. But I’m certain that would be the first thing the rangers tested. Besides, a contaminated water source would leave numerous species dead. Not just wolves. Let me get through this briefing, and we’ll head out to grab our own sample.”
“All work no play makes Dr. Lowell grumpy all day.”
She grinned. “My work is my play.” Cassidy folded up the schematics and stats, shoving them back into her briefcase. “I’m ready,” she announced to Dr. Sharpe, laying a folder full of transparencies on the table. He nodded, and his attention turned to the rest of the crew now taking their places around the table.
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