Page 26 of Secrets at Dawn
Toby sighed. “Can we switch?”
Griffin frowned when he started the vehicle. “What?” he asked around a yawn.
Yep, Griffin Palmer was pretty sexy, even when he was exhausted.
Toby opened the door and stepped out of the truck. “I’ll drive.”
Griffin shook his head as if he were going to protest, but he scooted across the seat to the passenger’s side. Toby sat behind the wheel. He had to move the seat forward to reach the pedals, which moved the whole seat because Griffin’s truck was older and had a bench seat.
Griffin shut his eyes and rested his head against the back of the seat. “Thanks for driving.”
“You’re welcome.” Toby tapped the wheel. “I don’t know where you live.”
Griffin chuckled. “Turn left out of the driveway. Go through town.”
“Got it. Okay.” Toby followed Griffin’s direction in silence. It was comfortable in ways Toby hadn’t expected it to be. He figured they’d argue some more, but he was happy that they had put that aside, at least long enough to get Griffin into bed.
It was difficult to argue with Griffin. Griffin was the most even-keeled person Toby had ever met in his life. It was frustrating when Toby had wanted to protect him, and he’d refused. But at the end of their ordeal, Griffin’s consistent mood calmed Toby.
It wasn’t until he passed the bakery that either of them spoke again. “It was more about what Frank didn’t say. Then what he did.”
It took Toby’s brain a second to regroup, but once he did, he raised his eyebrows. “Meaning?”
“Frank wouldn’t say anything about who hired him, which means he’s more scared of that person than of going to prison, which is where he’s headed.”
“Who is Frank?” Maybe knowing more about Frank and his circle of people would tell Toby a bit about who the dickwads really were.
“Like I said before, he’s part of the Fortune Falls pack. He’s got a reputation for being an addict. It wouldn’t be hard for someone to take advantage of him. They paid him to deliver the letter. It’s probably someone local who knew his reputation.” Griffin yawned. “Take the next right. Onto Harrison Street.”
Toby slowed down before putting on his blinker. “Am I in the middle of a pack war?”
It was the worst-case scenario because it was likely that one pack would keep using Toby against the other. The blackmail would be endless regardless.
Griffin shrugged. “Could be. We just fought the Timeston Pack. But it’s probably someone local because they know Frank and his reputation.” Griffin yawned. “Take the next left. It should be Mertle Street. My house is second on the right. 8745 is the number. It’s on the mailbox.”
Toby glanced at Griffin before watching the road again.
Griffin still had his eyes closed. How did he give directions when he wasn’t watching where they were going?
“How did the fight happen?”
“Marric is Kinnison Ransome’s son. Timeston pack wanted Kinnison out as alpha because of Marric’s magical abilities. Prejudice pricks.”
Toby’s stomach twisted. “Kinnison Ransome is Timeston’s Alpha?”
“Used to be. He’s leading the Fortune Falls pack now. Or sort of. They lost their alpha a while back, so Kinnison is helping sort things out since that was a mess and a half. But Kinnison wants it to be temporary. The pack still isn’t right. So much so that keeping the peace at pack meetings is the reason my dad deputized me. He needs all the help he can get.”
Toby swallowed the lump forming in his throat. “Is it normal for the sheriff to be at pack meetings if he isn’t a wolf and part of the pack?”
Griffin shook his head. “The Fortune Falls alpha turned out to be a serial killer. It wrecked the pack.”
“Timeston took advantage of a bad situation?” If that was the case, then why did they want Kinnison gone?
Griffin sighed. “I don’t really know if that’s their goal. They wanted Kinnison out of the picture, but it didn’t work. The packs fought, but Timeston lost. Now they’re in an even worse position than they were before. But our pack might be, too. It’s not over. That’s for sure.”
“Why do you say that?” Toby shut off the engine.
“Someone wants control of the pack. It’s all about power. It’s always been about that.” Griffin met Toby’s gaze. “Someone hired Frank to deliver that letter. They’re trying to force your hand. Whoever is blackmailing you is the head of the snake. The question is who that person is.”
