Greg shook his head. “No. Agent Lionel Strobe was there, as well, but he seemed just to be watching. He didn’t take notes or anything.”
“Did you stick to the story?” Seth asked.
Jenny nodded. “Of course. We said we were bird-watching and saw Pete fall over the cliff.” She readjusted the pillow. “The agent spent some time running us through what we saw that day, but he pivoted quickly to more personal matters. It was kind of strange. Colbey asked a lot of questions about you and your relationship with Mia.”
Greg frowned, looking huge on the leather sofa. “I snapped at him when he asked the last question about Mia and told him your romance was none of his business.” He glanced at his wife and then refocused on Seth. “I’d watch your back. He definitely has a personal interest in Mia, and he wanted us to implicate you. I told him to go to hell.”
“Good,” Seth said. “That’s a message that needs to make its way to Colbey.” While Seth trusted Mia, he didn’t think Colbey was smart enough to outthink any danger, nor was he as strong as a wolf shifter. Seth smiled. “Jenny, the other reason I wanted to talk to you is to see if you’d be interested in taking over as the administrator for the pack.”
Jenny blinked and sat back. “That’s an important position.”
Yeah, it was. “I know your kids are in school, so I thought you might have a little time during the day. It would be flexible work hours around your schedule and the kids’ sports and everything. What do you say?”
Jenny looked at her mate and then back at Seth. “I’m pretty organized. With four kids, you have to be.” She grinned. “How about we give it a trial run and see if it works for both of us?”
“Sounds good to me,” Seth said, relieved. He turned around and grabbed a huge stack of paper from his desk, plopping it on her lap. “This is the stuff I’ve been dealing with.”
She looked down and scrambled to keep the papers from falling off her legs. “Oh, my.”
Seth lifted a hand before she could change her mind. “No, really. Take your time and get it all organized. I just need the pack business sorted. We have an accountant, and of course, I have people running the mines, but I just need someone to organize the internal pack issues, especially as I buy out all the humans in town.”
Jenny took a deep breath, anticipation lighting her eyes. “Okay, I can do this.”
She didn’t sound certain, so Seth gave her an encouraging smile. “You can name your salary.”
She perked up. “Yeah?”
“Well, be reasonable, but yeah. I need the help.”
“Excellent.” She glanced around the office. “Is this where we’re going to work?”
Seth thought back. “I guess Alice did work here, didn’t she?” But he didn’t like the idea of work being conducted out of his home. “I tell you what, why don’t we set up on the top floor of the sheriff’s office?” It was nice when a plan came together. “I own the building, and that top floor is only used for storage. We could make use of it.” It amused him greatly that he’d be working above the FBI while they were in town.
“Sounds great,” Jenny said. “My first task will be to clear out that place. Can I get a couple of the workers from the mine?”
“No problem. Take what you need,” Seth agreed.
Jenny stood and held the papers to her chest. “I’ll let you know my salary and benefit package details later today.”
Perhaps Seth should’ve come up with guidelines first, but he trusted the woman. “All right. Just try to be reasonable.”
“I’ll do my best,” she said cheerfully.
Greg lumbered to his feet. “I have to get to work at the mine. Is there anything else you need, boss?”
“No.” The skin of Seth’s back prickled. He felt a threat nearing, and his senses told him exactly who was infiltrating his territory. “Why don’t you two get going? I’ll catch up with you both later.”
“Sounds good.” Greg put a hand on the small of his wife’s back, and they saw themselves out.
Seth waited until he heard their Jeep rumble off before casually walking outside onto his front porch. The rain was pattering down softly now, and the sky was a light, almost silver-gray.
He looked toward the western tree line and waited until his cousin emerged. They stared at each other across the long distance, and then Seth made the first move, walking down the stairs to the front lawn where he’d shed the blood of the Copper Pack squad the other night.
“What do you want, Jackson?” he called out.
Jackson Tryne prowled toward him through the thick underbrush until he reached the grassy area. He was a barrel of a man with shocking blue eyes that probably matched Seth’s, as well as thick black hair.
Seth wondered briefly if they looked alike, but he couldn’t see it. “Hello, cousin,” he murmured.
