Page 34 of Sly Like a Fox
“The papers.”She makes a dismissive sound.“The media rarely get the nuances right.”Judge Vance settles back in her chair, clearly warming to the topic.“Take last week’s construction contract dispute, for instance.The papers made it sound straightforward, but there were layers of precedent to consider.”
Jenna gasps softly.“A construction case?Those must be so complicated with all the regulations.”
“Indeed.This particular matter involves Peterson Development versus the city.We’ll be ruling next week, and frankly, the city’s position is quite weak.Poor preparation on their legal team’s part.”She shakes her head.
“Peterson Development?”Jenna tilts her head with innocent curiosity.“That name sounds familiar.”
Judge Vance waves her hand dismissively.“Large firm.They do excellent work and are very thorough in their filings, unlike some of the shoddy paperwork I see.”She takes another sip of wine.“Speaking of which, we had to delay a zoning variance hearing indefinitely.The application was so poorly documented, it requires additional review.”
“Additional review sounds very official.”Jenna’s voice carries admiration.“You must have such important decisions to make.”
“Constantly.Just yesterday I had to recuse myself from a criminal case involving bid-rigging allegations.Terrible business, really, but I had a potential conflict of interest.”Judge Vance leans closer conspiratorially.“The case got reassigned to Judge Morrison.Between you and me, he’s far too lenient with white-collar defendants.”
Jenna’s eyes widen with fascination.“You really do carry all that on your shoulders.”
Judge Vance practically glows under the praise.“Someone has to ensure the system works properly.”
I file away every detail while maintaining the façade of polite social interaction, but part of my attention remains focused on Jenna.She handles the judge like a pro.She’s magnificent to watch in action and terrifyingly vulnerable in this environment.
“Ah, there’s someone you must meet.”Judge Vance gestures across the room toward a figure I’ve been simultaneously anticipating and dreading.“Garret, darling, come say hello to these lovely young people.”
I inadvertently stiffen, feeling the bobcat rise inside me.I have to stifle the urge to shift and shred him with my claws as Garret Anklor approaches, flanked by his head of security and wearing a confident smile that comes from never facing consequences for his actions.This is the man who destroyed my family, the target I’ve spent three years planning to bring down, and he’s extending his hand like we’re old friends.
The hatred that surges through me is immediate and overwhelming.Every instinct screams at me to scratch, bite, and claw until every shred of skin is torn from his skull, preventing him from ever giving that oily smile or using that lying tongue again.The shocking savagery of the idea, which is extreme for me, makes me stop the impulse to shift.Instead, I force my expression into something resembling pleasant interest while my teeth grind.
“Garret Anklor.Welcome to our little gathering.”His handshake is firm and calculated, designed to convey dominance while appearing friendly.His palm is soft from years of avoiding manual labor, but he squeezes too hard, like someone who enjoys being in charge.
It takes me a moment of breathing deeply to unhinge my jaw so I can speak.“Fenton Nielsen, and this is Jenna Johnson.Thank you for including us tonight.The cause is incredibly important.”I force cheerfulness into my voice while fighting the urge to break every bone in his hand.
Three years of preparation have led to this moment, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality of standing face-to-face with my parents’ killer.He didn’t personally kill them, but he set in motion the events that made both their hearts fail as disappointments crushed them.He’s smaller than I expected and softer around the edges with silver hair and expensive clothes that can’t disguise the fundamental weakness beneath his polished exterior.
This is the man who haunted my nightmares and drove my obsession with justice.In person, he seems almost ordinary.
“Ms.Johnson, enchanting to meet you.”Anklor takes Jenna’s hand and holds it slightly longer than appropriate, his attention lingering on her décolletage in a way that makes my jaw clench.The possessive anger that floods through me is primal and dangerous.
“Mr.Anklor, thank you so much for the invitation.Your commitment to education is truly inspiring.”Jenna’s performance is perfect, but I can see the subtle stiffness in her posture that tells me she’s as aware of the danger as I am.
“Please, call me Garret.We’re all friends here.”His smile doesn’t seem genuine.
When his security chief shifts, I notice he positions himself with clear sight lines to all exits.Porter Kane—the bear shifter whose personnel file includes multiple allegations of excessive force and suspected involvement in at least three disappearances—is absolutely massive in comparison to his boss and much bigger than me as well.
The reminder of how dangerous this situation is helps me regain some emotional perspective.Jenna is in the same room as a man who’s had people killed for less than what we’re attempting tonight, so I have to keep a clear head.
“I understand you’re in technology consulting, Fenton.Fascinating field.So many opportunities for...innovation.”The emphasis on the last word feels loaded with meaning.
Is he fishing for information, or does he suspect something about our true identities?The paranoia that’s kept me alive for three years goes into overdrive, analyzing every micro-expression and vocal inflection for signs of hidden knowledge.“Innovation is certainly the key to staying competitive.”I keep my response neutral while Jenna provides the anchor I need to maintain character through subtle touches and supporting comments.
“Indeed.Perhaps we should discuss some potential collaborations.I’m hosting a small gathering at my penthouse after the formal program concludes.Just close friends and associates.”Anklor’s invitation comes with a chilly smile that he seems to think is inviting.“Would you care to join us?”
The invitation I’ve been working toward for months, delivered exactly as planned, but standing face-to-face with the man who killed my parents, I have to fight the urge to abandon subtlety in favor of immediate violence.My hands shake with the effort of keeping them at my sides instead of around his throat.
“That sounds wonderful,” Jenna says when I hesitate a moment too long, her voice carrying just the right note of pleased surprise.“We’d be honored to attend.”
“Excellent.Caroline will provide you with the details.”Anklor signals to his wife, a stunning blonde who approaches with a practiced smile that looks forced.
Caroline Anklor is younger than I expected, probably in her late twenties, with polished beauty that comes from expensive cosmetics and professional styling, but there’s something hollow behind her perfectly applied makeup.She’s mired in sadness that suggests her marriage isn’t the fairy tale it appears to be from the outside.
Is she another victim of Garret Anklor’s manipulation, trapped in a gilded cage of his making?
