“Thank you for telling me everything.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m trying to do the same, but I never want to put you in a position that harms your job or your sense of ethics.” He tightened his hold. “Also, you know that the killer is targeting you, and I believe you understand my need to keep you safe.”
She did. They could argue about her abilities in the morning, as he would no doubt try to lock her down soon. She yawned and snuggled closer, needing sleep.
Far in the distance, a wolf howled. Then in unison, several more joined in, the cacophony lifting above the rain.
Mia gasped and stilled.
“It’s all right,” Seth murmured, rolling to the side and spooning his heated body around hers. “They’re with us.”
Seth had just arrivedat the office when his phone buzzed. He clicked the speaker button, appreciating how well Jenny had set up his office. Perhaps she wouldn’t mind taking a stab at his work area at the mine. He preferred to be underground, so he’d never finished his office against the trees.
“Hey, are you at the mine or the office in town?” Erik asked.
“The office in town, but I’m heading to the mines a little bit later. What’s up?”
Claire knocked sharply on his door and poked her head in. “We have a problem.”
Erik coughed. “That’s just what I was going to say. Hey, Claire. I take it you’ve been online already today?” It wasn’t a surprise that his brother recognized Claire’s voice.
Today, Claire wore a deputy’s uniform with her brown hair up in a ponytail. She looked both efficient and official. “I did, unfortunately.”
A pit dropped into Seth’s gut, but he remained calm. “Somebody tell me what’s going on.”
Claire shook her head. “You tell him, Erik.”
Erik sighed. “Seth, you’re going to want to look at the online article released this morning by theDC Tribune. It’s being carried nationally, and it looks likeThe Seattle Timesis going to pick it up. I just confirmed with a source I have in the city.”
Seth sat at his desk and pulled up the online copy. The headline read:Possible Murder in a Small Town: Mining Executive Implicated. The byline credited Willie Williamson.
“Damn it,” Seth muttered. He scanned the article to read that both Dr. Jeremiah Bankston and Rocko Blunt had indicated that the Volk family and their vast mining empire were responsible for Sheriff Pete Maxwell’s death.
Willie did a good job of reporting on accusations from the co-op leader and his follower, but he didn’t offer much evidence other than noting it was strange for a sheriff to go falling off a cliff. He’d included the interview from Greg and Jenny Treverton, where they had sworn they had been out bird-watching and witnessed Pete fall off the edge. Willie made a special note that Greg worked at the Volk mines as a smelter operator, and Jenny was Seth’s personal assistant.
“How did he learn that fact so quickly?” Seth asked.
“Do you want me to take care of this guy?” Erik snarled.
Claire shifted her weight and rested her hand on the butt of her weapon. “Not for nothing, but I’m liking this deputy job. I’d rather we didn’t break the law if at all possible.” Her blue gaze slashed to the floor and then back up to Seth. “Todd and I are working hard, learning how to protect the town.”
That was a good thing. Seth liked his people finding their callings and following the law. “No, making a reporter disappear so soon after an article like this won’t work. However, we do need a lawyer since I fired all of ours.”
“You have a good case, right?” Claire asked. “You can’t just go around accusing people of murder with no facts or proof.”
“I think it’s a good case,” Seth said. “However, the last thing we want is attention turned on our little town here, correct?”
Erik growled. “I could take care of him.”
“I’m not sure that would help,” Seth answered dryly. “But I’ll keep it in mind. Where have you been, anyway?”
“I was over at the Copper Pack for a while, making sure Luna was all right, and then I was hunting down a lead on who kidnapped Emily.”
Seth couldn’t help but grin. “Sounds like your hands are full with women.” Erik was silent. Seth frowned. “I was joking. Is there something going on?”
“Of course not,” Erik snapped. “Em and I are going forward with our plans, and that’s final.”
Was it? Seth really needed to figure out his brother after he got the FBI out of town. “Any luck finding Emily’s abductors?”
“Not yet. Her pack’s stonewalling me, which isn’t a huge surprise. I don’t think they want an outsider becoming Alpha, and I’ve talked to Em about it. She’d make a great Alpha, but she truly isn’t interested. Can’t blame her. I’m not looking forward to it, either,” Erik said.
