Page 106 of Bears Behaving Badly
“—so we had to get rid of the bodies. And don’t bother asking. They’re gone. Burned. The way you’ll be. They’ll never turn up. The way you won’t turn up.”
“Oh.” Annette sighed. “Nice segue to our double murder, I guess.”
“Aw, c’mon. I answered your questions and let you play Sherlock Holmes. I even monologued for you! Don’t cry about it now.”
“I never cry,” Annette said hotly, “except for that time at Old Country Buffet and the first time I readThe Long Winter.”
“C’mon, you two.” Brennan had joined them, flanked by five werewolves, three of whom Annette recognized from the memorial.
“Well, look who took the time to change into his murder clothes.” David grinned. “Nice sweatpants.”
“That suit was expensive,” Brennan replied, offended. “Whywouldn’tI change? Let’s go.”
“Go?” Annette sighed again. Some people yawned when they weren’t breathing deeply enough; Annette sighed. “Can’t you just mow us down in an unseemly display of gratuitous violence right here?”
“Oh, you’d love that. You’d be thrilled if we murdered you here, wouldn’t you, Annette?”
“Uh, not really.”
“You’re so desperate, you’ll do anything to bring more attention to what’s been happening here. Forget it. We’re going for a drive and dump.”
“Sounds like a fast-food joint.”
“Why would you make that comparison, David?” Annette complained. “Now I want fast food. A Big Mac. No! A Whopper. Two Whoppers.”
“Isaid,we’re going to drive you far, far away, and murder the shit out of you and dump your stupid corpses, and that’ll be fucking that,finally.”
“We appreciate you taking the time to go over the procedure with us. But we’ve got no incentive to come along quietly,” Annette pointed out. “Now, I won’t say I’m dying to be murdered in this filthy warehouse—”
David snickered. “Pun.”
“That’s not a pun, but I appreciate your input. Simply put, Taryn, I’m not interested in helping you murder me in a more convenient place. So. I’m staying planted. I can’t speak for David, of course.”
“I’m sticking with Annette.”
“Thanks!”
“You’d do the same for me.”
“That’s right. I would. Because I’m not a worthless, gutless sociopath. That’s a slam directed atyou, Taryn. In case the subtlety escaped you. In case you have the slightest doubt that you’re a revolting jackass who only seems smart compared to your moronic coconspirators. How dare you come to the Patty Wagon and eat meat with me under false pretenses!”
“Oh my God. Too much talking.” Taryn was rubbing her eyes, hard. “Brennan, shoot Annette in the kneecap.”
Before Annette could protest, there was a grinding noise as the loading door rattled up to reveal another SAS merc and, parked behind him, a familiar car.
No.
“What now?” Taryn snapped. “Canonething this week be easy? Just one?”
“I know precisely how you feel,” Annette replied. “And I hate knowing how you feel. About anything.”
“Sorry, but this car just pulled up, and the guy’s got Caro Daniels with him. And some other kid.” The merc looked embarrassed but resolute. “We can handle them, but they’ve locked the doors and they’re yelling about how the cops are on the way. And Jaegar isn’t answering his comm. It’s probably bullshit, and we can break into the car in about two seconds. What do you want us to do?”
No.
Taryn snorted. “Caro Daniels isn’t calling the cops, trust me. And Jaegar’s close to useless on a good day. Why d’you think we put him on the perimeter? Half the time he forgets he’s evengota comm.”
“It’s a trick. Or a decoy. Or some dumb kid’s half-assed idea of a rescue. Goddammit.” Brennan turned to Taryn. “Kill ’em all, I guess?”
