Royal picked up his rifle and walked over to John. He laid a hand on his shoulder. “Be honest with me. When can you get the money?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been working extra shifts but—”
“Ah, yes, at the Ursa Fishing Lodge and Resort on Gemini Island.”
“Yeah.”
Royal’s eyes narrowed. “I have heard of the place. Interesting.”
“It’s a good job. I’m sure I can go to my boss again and ask him to spot me a bit of cash.” Ryland would never give it to him but maybe if he pleaded.
“I don’t thinka bitwill help in this case.” Royal used his jacket sleeve to buff the rifle barrel. “Of course, you could always come work for me. I find people like you make motivated employees. Why, it wasn’t all that long ago that Seb came to me with his tail between his legs. Isn’t that right, Seb?”
Seb’s tight nod was the only response.
Oh God. What would he make John do? “But what about my job at the Ursa?”
“Have you ever heard of multitasking? I hear it’s all the rage in the corporate world. I’m offering you a way out, John.”
“Right. I’m sorry. Of course.”
“The fact is I’ve had my eye on the Ursa Resort for some time. I’ve wanted someone on my team who can share the inner workings of the place with me. You know, someone who can tell me more about the people who work there. They’re a mysterious bunch, even for shape shifters.”
“You mean you want me to be a spy?”
Royal laughed. “This isn’t MI-5. ‘Spy’ is such a derogatory term. I’d prefer to think of you as my very own little fact checker.”
“Okay.” So, a spy. If it meant he’d keep his head, he’d be a spy. He wasn’t sure why Royal needed information on the people at the Ursa though. Personally, John had never met a more boring bunch of shape shifters. All they cared about were their teen mentoring programs and making the goddamn world a better place. How many of his coworkers had ever tried to make the world a better place for him? None. “I would…I’d be honored to work for you, Royal.”
“Mr. Hill. My employees call me Mr. Hill.” He nodded at Vadim again, and the man let go of John. “You’ve made a wise decision today, John. I’ve needed some extra help because my hunting takes up much of my time. Tell me, have you ever gone hunting?”
“No.”
“Well, I love to hunt. There’s nothing more vital, more life affirming, than seizing the life of another creature. And as you know, I rely on hunting to provide me with the product I need.” The man lifted his booted foot and rested it on the mother bear’s head. “Beauties like this one are ideal. Bears command the best prices for their spleens and gallbladders, but I use other animals in my taxidermy shop. Gotta have a legit business so the humans don’t snoop around.”
“Taxidermy, right.” Vomit crept up John’s throat once again.Swallow, swallow.
“Make faces all you want. I’ve been dealing with that sort of condescending crap my entire career. Taxidermy is an art. I’m an artist. Art isn’t always pretty and packaged with a bow. Art stirs the soul. It makes us uncomfortable and aware.” Hill shook his head. “I don’t know why I bother trying to explain it to people. Only a fellow artist would understand.”
“Sorry, Mr. Hill.”
“Anyway, your duties are much simpler. I want immediate reports on everyone who lives at the Ursa Resort. You will tell me where they work, where they play, what they eat, and when they stop to take a piss. I want all their spirit animals catalogued, from the biggest tiger right down to the smallest doe. Do you hear me? Everyone, young and old. I want photos, too. Lots of photos. You do know how to take a picture, right?”
“Yes, Mr. Hill.”
Hill patted him on the shoulder. “Good man. I’ll deduct your debts from your wages. Although the way you suck at cards, it might take a while for you to catch up. You might want to stay away from the casino.” He shook John’s hand. The right one, thank God. “Looks like we’re in business. Get to work.”
Vadim took John by the shoulders and pushed him.
“Oh, and John?”
He looked over his shoulder.
Hill crouched down and smiled at the dead female bear. “I think Mama Bear is pretty enough to display in my shop. What do you think?”
“Uh, sure.”
“Uh, sure?What’s wrong with you? Look at the rich shading in her fur and the beautiful muscle tone. It’ll be an honor to capture this majesty for all time.” His eyes got all dreamy and creepy. “I’m a bit of a sucker when it comes to lady bears. They’re my one weakness. Call me a connoisseur.”
As Seb and Vadim helped Hill haul the bear over to the truck, John raced through the trees and toward the road.
Only then did he allow himself to vomit.
