Page 56 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

That was all it took to convince Jake of his motives.

“But I can go one better than that.” Jamie smiled. “How would you like the address where to find one of the Fridan groups?”

“Seriously? Where are they? Is it far from here?”

Jamie chuckled. “That assumes I know wherehereis.”

Keppler hesitated for one second. “We’re in northern Maine. Northern Aroostook County, to be exact.”

Jake grinned. “I always liked Maine.” He glanced at Jamie and nodded. “Give him the address.”

Keppler handed Jamie a notepad and pen, and Jamie scribbled quickly. “When can you contact them?”

“I’m overdue for leave. I’ll go this weekend. I’ve already put in for it,” Keppler told them.

Jake studied him. “But will you be coming back?”

“That will depend on how swiftly they can put together a mission. Jana… Jana said there should be three of us.”

Seth nodded. “Aric is with our mate. I haven’t yet met him in the flesh—only in my dreams.”

“Thereisone thing you need to think about,” Jake said. “You convinced us. How do you know you will convince them?”

Keppler smiled. “Because I have a few aces up my sleeve.” Before Jake could ask what they were, Keppler raised his voice to call in the guard. He gestured to Jake, Seth, and Jamie. “I don’t know what’s been going on here, but I think this evidence has been planted.” He leveled a hard stare at the guard. “Maybe you need to keep a watchful eye on these three.”

“Yes, sir.”

Keppler stood. “Okay, you can take them back to the compound.”

Jake made sure his back was to the guard before mouthingGood luck.

Keppler was going to need it.

Chapter Twelve

IT WASthe last interview, for which Hashtag was profoundly grateful. His brain was screaming at him that it was well and truly done for the day. He’d spent a whole week in a small room at the Chicago barracks, seated on what had to be the most uncomfortable chair ever made, with the worst coffee he’d ever tasted.

I’ve gotta tell H and Dellan about that. They have to do something.

So far he and Saul had seen about sixty potential recruits, with a lot more to come. About half had been shifters, not that Hashtag was surprised anymore to learn the military was peppered with them. Horvan was the prime example, after all. So there were obviously mechanisms—and people—in place to protect shifters who wanted to serve. Most of the ones he and Saul had interviewed so far had made the grade.

One most definitely had not, and that had been down to Saul’s instincts. Hashtag had been prepared for possible infiltrators, but to have one show up was confirmation that the enemy was following their businesswaytoo closely for comfort. Saul had gone through the motions, asking the usual questions and revealing nothing, and when he was done, he thanked the candidate—what was his name? Simon something—and told him they had more people to see. Once the door closed, Saul had let out a loud snort.

“They must think we’re fucking stupid.”

Hashtag peered at the file on the table. “On paper he looked perfect.”

“Yeah,toofucking perfect. And he said all the right things.” Saul regarded Hashtag with interest. “What did your senses tell you?”

“Honestly?” Hashtag grimaced. “He gave me the creeps. Couldn’t put my finger on why, exactly. I only know I didn’t trust him.” He cocked his head. “He was one of the Gerans who wanted tojoin the cause, right?” He got why Duke didn’t want to share that piece of information with them, in case it prejudiced them.It makes us rely on our instincts.

Thank fuck their instincts were shit hot.

One more to see, and then it would be back to the house, ready to chill for the weekend. Hashtag kept thinking about diving into the cool waters of the lake and stretching out on Dellan’s patio with a cold beer—once he’d taken his allergy meds.

Fucking pollen.

The door opened, and Crank came in. “You not done yet?”

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