Page 131 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

THE FORMERoffice building comprised one main room, a couple of storerooms, and a restroom. Fielding had been kept bound to his chair except for when he’d hollered to use the bathroom or when he ate. All the windows were locked, and there were two doors, both of them guarded by two of Aelryn’s men, who let no one approach.

After Aric’s little unannounced visit, they were on the watch for kitties too.

Horvan and Aelryn walked into the main room, followed by a soldier who stood in front of the door, his rifle held across his chest.

Fielding sat in what had been a wide office chair, his ankles bound, wrists tied to the armrests with rope. He appeared to be in his sixties, although that meant nothing. Some shifters were much older than their looks.

Vic, for instance.

He gazed at them with belligerence, jaw set, cool eyes locked on their every move as they sat down facing him. Fielding glanced over their shoulders to the armed guard with unconcealed amusement.

“One guard? That’s all you’re bringing along for protection?”

Horvan arched his eyebrows. “What makes you think he’s here forourprotection?”

That earned him a blink, but Fielding recovered quickly. “Neatly played, Mr. Kojik.”

Horvan pointed to the Steri-Strips on his face. “Besides, it seems as though you could use a little protection. I mean,someonehas to guard you from the kitty, right?”

“And if you hadn’t bound me, that cat would have none of its nine lives left,” Fielding retorted with a fierce scowl.

Horvan wagged his finger. “Not something you should say out loud around here. You never know if one of his mates is listening. They might not be as tolerant as me.”

Fielding arched his eyebrows. “Not a word I’d use to describe you. You see, I remember you. The last time we spoke, you were in some remote cabin with your mates and several thugs, while I was busy cleaning up Anson Prescott’s mess.”

Horvan breathed evenly. “Yeah, I remember you too, except you haven’t quite got your facts straight. Last time we spoke, you weremakinga mess of him—not that you sulliedyourhands on a human. No, you let a gorilla take care of that little task for you, until Anson shot him unexpectedly, and then you left what remained of them both for the Chicago Police Department to find.”

Fielding ignored him and stared at Aelryn. “I knowyourface from my files too. Aelryn, isn’t it? A direct—”

“We’re not here to talk about my lineage,” Aelryn interjected. “We wish to find two shifters, and—”

“You dragged me away from a camp full of them. You could have taken your pick.” He smirked.

Horvan snarled. “Vic Ryder. Where is he?”

Fielding raised his eyebrows. “Vic who?”

The door opened, and Saul strolled in with an easy air Horvan envied.

He’s one cool customer.

“Having memory problems, Fielding? You asked me to access the shifter archive—you know, the one Vic controls? You told me Vic and Crank had already bonded, which was a fucking lie, but I won’t hold that against you because weallbonded eventually.” Saul dragged a chair over and sat in front of Fielding. “So… where is he? Didyougive the order to have him taken?”

Fielding gazed at him with an expression of mild surprise. “You’re askingme? Why should I know? And by the way, let me congratulate you, Mr. Emory. I thought I’d seen the last of you.”

“Where are you keeping Alec?” Saul spoke calmly in a low voice, hands clasped between his knees.

“And who is Alec?”

Saul rolled his eyes. “Wow, dementia is certainly playing havoc with your memory, Fielding. Alec, the young boy you had carve me up like a fucking turkey? Believe me,I’mnever gonna forget him.”

“He’s Dellan Carson’s son, Jake Carson’s grandson, and Seth Miles’s nephew.” Aelryn tilted his head. “You do recall those names, don’t you,Mr. Fielding? I mean, you could hardly forget Jake Carson, could you? The man you were going to have executed today?”

Fielding widened his eyes. “I find it very interesting that you are in possession of that piece of information.”

“You might as well tell us, because we’re just gonna keep at you until you do.” Saul folded his arms. “Where are Vic Ryder and Alec?”

“How tedious.” Fielding did his best to straighten. “Very well. Alec is where you’ll never find him. I’d hazard a guess that he isn’t all that far from Mr. Ryder. In fact I’d wager Alec is going to be making his acquaintance very, very soon.” He gave a bright smile. “So I hope you said all your goodbyes.”

---