Page 4 of The Fox and the Dragon

“Why were you out hiking so late? It didn’t appear that you were planning to camp.”

“We started earlier and were on our way home when Will stepped on the trap.” Johan fell silent waiting for Ashton to complete his thought he clearly knew there was more. “We were looking for my friend Harley Fraser, but we didn’t find him.” Ashton refused to go into more detail than that since his personal life was none of their business.

“Do you have enemies Ashton?” Johan asked so matter of fact that it caught Ashton off guard.

“I don’t think so.” He stopped and thought letting his mind sift through the relationships in his life and apart from the difficulty with Ally and her family he could think of no one he would consider an enemy. He didn’t bring up his failed relationship, not wanting to get into it with a stranger. “You think the trap was set on purpose?” He surmised.

“I know that it was set on purpose we have video of two people setting the traps one of which caught your brother.” Johan again totally nonchalant. “We also believe that either you or Will or perhaps both of you were the intended targets.” Johan showed him the video, but Ashton did not recognize either of the men but then their faces were in shadow.

"No one would hurt Will." Ashton couldn't say the same for him, considering Ally's family was very upset at the cancellation of the wedding. He found it hard to believe that they would want him dead.

“Are either of you in a relationship?”

"Why?" Ashton responded abruptly, but Johan simply stared at him, having picked up on his reticence to explain. Ashton paused for a few seconds and then gave a little. "Irecently left a serious relationship." Johan continued to stare pointedly and waited for more.

"They're not the type to stalk and try to kill me over it, honestly." Ashton could not entertain the idea that Ally or any of her family would seek to have him killed. "Besides, they have nothing against Will, so why would they attack him?"

“Are you and Will employed?” Johan moved on to the next subject without giving Ashton any closure on his suspicions.

"Yes, Will is an accountant. He works for a firm in Pittsburgh, and I work freelance as a customer service agent for a couple of companies, but I haven't pissed anyone off." Ashton was becoming uncomfortable with the questioning.

“Any problems for either of you with anyone connected to your work?”

"Not for me, and Will has never indicated any problems. We're low-key, low drama. No one should want us dead."

"But someone does," Johan stated, and he was as serious as a heart attack.

“There was more than one trap on the path?” Ashton asked.

“There were four in total, and all had been doused with the same poison. It was a very powerful pesticide.” Johan closed the conversation with a thank you for your time and was about to leave when Ashton called to him.

"Our troop is loose-knit, and we rarely get together. We have a leader, Winston Garlock, who oversees some issues, but we mostly have to deal with life on our own. With that said, I assure you I can take care of my brother. I live in a shared apartment in town, and Will owns a townhouse on the edge oftown. I'll move in with him and take care of him until this matter is resolved." Ashton realized he was taking a very long time to ask to leave, so he got to the point.

"I would like to leave. I want to go home. I assure you I can provide for my brother."

"We can't force you to stay, but I would recommend that you wait at least until tomorrow so Will has time to put his feet under him again before leaving." Johan then gave the floor to Dr. Flynn, who came to stand beside him.

"Will is doing well and should be okay with traveling tomorrow. He shifted into his fox when he first arrived here which helped him heal. I kept him sedated to also assist that process, but he should be waking up in an hour or so." The doctor was soft spoken and sympathetic. "We'll know more regarding his condition once he is awake."

"Thank you, doctor."

"Of course." With that, the two of them left, and Ashton returned to Will's side. The thought that there was someone out there that wanted to kill them was absurd. He held Will's hand and tried to think of anyone who held such hatred toward them. The dragons must be mistaken. The two men in the video were complete strangers.

Saphir was in his office reviewing surveillance footage of the northern sector of the forest at the base of the mountain when Roan knocked. He entered the room and took a seat by the wall and stretched out his legs. Dragons required plenty of room and their mountain den had been built with that in mind. All rooms were large and tall with minimal furnishings only what was needed.

The space fed the feeling of freedom, and the mountain air fed their minds and souls it was an amazing place and as the circle grew larger their home grew with them. The mountain provided unending space and freedom.

"Johan interviewed Ashton Jennings but could not determine who might have a grudge against him and his brother Will." He said that Ashton reported ending a serious relationship recently but said it was amicable. "Ashton wants to go home. Will should be well enough to travel by tomorrow, according to Dr. Flynn. Ashton doesn't feel that the threats are serious."

"If he wants to go, let him go. You went above and beyond what was called for in this situation, and I believe they would be better off in their own home among their own people." Saphir was pleased that the fox issue was going to resolve itself.

"Their troop is not close, and they have only a half-assed leader in Winston Garlock." Roan's tone held a hint of concern, but Saphir chose to ignore it.

"He asked to leave, so let him leave." Roan nodded, but Saphir was well aware that the man was not going to let it go. He would keep watch on those two for a while until he was satisfied they were no longer in danger.

"I will be driving them back to town tomorrow afternoon. Your fox problem will be solved before nightfall." Roan stated, slightly sarcastically.

"Good, thank you." Saphir went back to his monitor, but something struck him. "Why did he ask to leave? Is he not being treated well? Is he uncomfortable? Is everyone maintaining the cloak on their scent? As you know, dragon scent can be overwhelming to some species. With all the random shifters running around, we've had to remain cloaked for the better partof a month now." Saphir started the statement with concern and ended with a complaint. He just couldn't help himself.

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