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“It’s a good one. His unit buddies called him the Second Wolf. When engaging the enemy, he would be the one to ambush or sneak behind enemy lines. Gen hated the nickname.”
Second Wolf. Second Head. Coincidence?
Sick to my stomach, I jotted down her address to send flowers, then gave a choked goodbye. Hanging up, I knew two things: one, I would find time to visit Elfrie in the Palmetto State. And two, the sheriff and his Otherworld connections stood a better chance of puzzling out the origins of Warren’s ring and finding my flesh and blood grandfather, Johannes.
I headed into the shed for gardening supplies. Armed with my new shovel, I threw on gloves and got to work uprooting weeds and damaged plants.
Footsteps echoed up the driveway. When I raised my head, Calico Finn leaned against my wheelbarrow. Mid-workout, dappled skin flush and glistening, she still managed to exhibit the collected poise of a dew-laden rose.
I wedged my spade into the soil beneath a dandelion. “Hey.”
“What are you doing down there on your hands and knees?”
“Practicing.”
She laughed. “Rough night?”
My bruised frown confirmed it. I stretched my legs onto the sidewalk and brushed mulch off my knees. “Can't say I've ever seen you running.”
“Safer than a jaunt through the woods right now.” She jiggled her thigh. “Hate to waste food, but what Aiden doesn't eat goes into my mouth.”
“Transformation doesn’t burn the fat?”
She laughed. “There wouldn’t be a human left unturned if that dieting secret were true. Transformation uses energy, but we need exercise, especially those of us who go long intervals between shifts. We don’t change skin like clothes. It’s risky and hurts.”
“The more wolf, the more painful the process?”
Cal flipped her ponytail. “Lieutenant Jali Mishra-Anderson of the CPA is so diluted she gets a sinus headache when she transitions from human nose to human super sniffer. Woe is she, suffering five minutes of nasal congestion in exchange for the ability to inconspicuously sniff out my brother’s remains. Swear to God, watered-down mutts whine worse than full-blooded pups.”
I poured water for the two of us. Together we rested on the steps.
“You dunked me in hot water, Cal.” I glanced at my trash can, into which my lone bloody shoe had been shoved. “With the sheriff and Mina.”
“Ah, right.” She grimaced. “Mina interacts with humans so rarely, I forgot to tighten her leash.”
“Find it hard to believe she doesn’t bump into humans.”
“She works out of her house running our finances, travels to Otherworld designated bars and keeps Otherworld friends. Sure, Mina can control herself at the gas station or in a restaurant, but humans bother her, let alone one linked to Stephen’s murder.” The woman tapped manicured nails against her glass. “I’m not the one to spill her beans, but talk to Mina before you judge her. She’s a sweet girl once you earn her trust. She could use a human perspective.” Calico broke into a grin. “Or sisterly, as the case may soon be.”
“Doubt wolfblood would change her attitude.”
“I’m begging you, sugar, show mercy. Imagine how Mina feels knowing Stephen’s pelt was sent to you, not us; she doesn't get to mourn her brother or honor him the way he deserves.”
“Doesn’t excuse her rudeness.”
Cal studied the webs covering the lantern beside the door. “I was hoping pregnancy might quell her God-given rage. No such luck.”
I scraped peeling paint off the wood. “Don’t know him, but I’m beginning to suspect Jaz is a hobbyist stormchaser.”
Nodding, Cal tightened her sweaty ponytail. “Bless him for handling a hurricane. She’ll continue handling our finances, but she and her husband will leave us to form their own pack soon after the baby's born.”
“Do packs split often?”
“A pack is as big or small as you make it, Marcy. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with size. Packs with fewer than ten members are considered independents. Any larger, the name becomes official and responsibility for the behavior of its members falls on the alphas. These packs, Talon being one of the largest, have membership dues but offer benefits, employment, etc.” She smiled. “We take care of one another. We’ll take care of you.”
A spider scuttled over the rail between us. “Swing by for an update on last night?” I asked.
“Talk is better than text.” Her eyes were red and puffy; I hadn't noticed until now after she’d cooled. “You know Deb Fitzgerald? Her husband reported her missing after her shift ended.”
