Page 40 of Wolfish
“A couple of our people were running as wolves and came upon the black Mazda buried under branches. The wolves hadn’t smelled the scents of the men before, so they didn’t know it was tied to them. They immediately howled and then left the scene, afraid the men might be nearby and armed. When they reached their car, they shifted and dressed, then called me because I was on duty at the sheriff’s office.”
“Then you went out without backup.”
“I should have had backup. You’re right. I smelled the brothers’ scents around the car. I’m sure they’ll find their scents inside the car, fingerprints, all of that. One of the men shot my phone out of my hand, luckily missing my hand, but ruining my phone. I howled for help, and a couple of wolves chased the men off.”
“So I guess whoever took my clothes to Peter’s home will have to return them to your home.”
“Our home. We have to wait until I’m out of the hospital.”
“Peter might not feel your place is safe enough with you having been shot, but I’ve got a gun, and I’ll protect you.”
“The doctor said I have to be here for a couple of days.”
She glanced at the couch in the room.
“They’ll give you blankets, sheets, and a pillow or two if you want to stay overnight.” He was hoping she would stay, but he knew it wouldn’t be as comfortable as being in a real bed.
“Yes. I’ll stay here.”
He was thrilled. “Deputy Trevor will watch the room. They’ll switch deputies out for the duration of my stay here in case the brothers think I saw who shot me.”
“I can’t believe they would shoot you and not kill you.”
“I was shooting back until the wolves started chasing after them. I heard them scurrying through the brush like scared rabbits. I hope I hit one, but I never even saw the men hidden in the trees. They might have thought they were going to scare me away and not hit me. But it doesn’t matter what their intentions were. They shot a law enforcement officer, and that is enough to put them in jail.”
“Was the car impounded?”
“It was, and they’re going over it with a fine-tooth comb for evidence. They found another skeleton—this one under a blanket in the trunk of the car. They want you and Ellie to examine it. They also checked the VIN, and it turns out it was stolen in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I had assumed so since one was stolen there, but the VIN proves it.”
The nurse came in to check Daniel’s vital signs and made up the bed for Selena. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thanks,” Selena said.
“And, Daniel, just push the nurse’s call button if you need something.” Then the nurse left.
“I guess we really are a couple now,” Selena said to Daniel.
“Yeah, only a couple would stay overnight together in a hospital room. And hell, I’m glad.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Then Peter and Meghan knocked at the door. “Just us,” Peter said. “I put out the word that you need your rest. However, you know Lelandi and Darien. They’ll come by and check on you.”
Meghan smiled to see the couch made up into a bed and Selena sitting by Daniel’s bed, holding his hand. “We’re glad it wasn’t worse than it was.”
“You and me both,” Daniel said.
Then the Silvers arrived. “We’ve got every available man out looking for these Cretans,” Darien said.
“How do you feel?” Lelandi asked.
“Glad to be here,” Daniel said. And even gladder to be with Selena and to have resolved the issue between them.
“One of the deputies will be at the shop. Will you be in at all?” Peter asked Selena.
“There’s no need for you to sit in the hospital all day tomorrow,” Daniel said. “It’s important that you continue to sell for your own peace of mind. And you’ll be watched, so you’ll be safe there.”
“I’ve got to check on the skeleton too.”
