By the time we were finished our dinner, I’d told him everything I knew—which, admittedly, wasn’t much. Just that Selah and Meyer had handled all the questionable adoptions, and different fake addresses had been used for each. All the pets involved were bigger dogs. Each had been a surrender who’d been at the shelter a few days. “I just don’t know what it all means.”
Slowly, he nodded. “I think I might, but it’s too early to speculate.”
I gestured to the pile of index cards. “Part of that?” I frowned. “I want to know what the fuck is going on. Why do I have the feeling Thelma’s in trouble, not heading to a forever home?”
Ulysses rubbed his face. “Okay. I’ll tell you what I can. But I have to protect my source—”
“That’s bullshit. You know I won’t say anything.”
He stared at me. “I trust you, Finn. But you can’t go off half-cocked. If you get involved, things might go further underground. We might never be able to expose them.”
“Expose who?” Exasperation rose within me. “What are you not saying?”
“Okay.” He tapped the table. “A friend of Spring’s approached her. They’d heard about a dog-fighting ring behind Tully’s—operating long after the restaurant closes.”
“Oh my God.” My gut churned. I’d thought this might be bad—but I hadn’t envisioned this. Yeah, I understood there were depraved people in the world…but dog fighting? “And you think they’re using shelter dogs?”
“I don’t know. You’ve given me another piece to the puzzle. But I don’t know what I have yet. I’ve met with the source—”
“Who?”
“Finn.”
Even I couldn’t miss the warning tone.
“What?” I might’ve snapped that. Then realized that approach wasn’t going to get me anywhere. “Can you tell me anything else?”
Ulysses shook his head. “Let me keep researching and investigating. You said Thelma has ten days?”
I nodded.
“Then I have a deadline.” He held up his hand when I opened my mouth. “Sooner if I can, okay? But I have to make certain I don’t miss any of the pieces. If I go public too soon—or get exposed—then things can all go to shit. This isn’t just about dog fighting. I think it goes deeper, and human lives may be at stake.”
“Does this have something to do with Vancouver? Because we haven’t discussed—”
“Not tonight.” He rubbed his face. “I can’t face that tonight. I should…but I just can’t.”
Iwanted to argue. He was keeping so much from me.Yes, but what right do you have to demand more? You haven’t even defined your relationship.I hated when my inner voice was right. Goddamn it.
Ulysses gave me a small smile. “Look—I’ll add what you’ve told me and see where I end up. Now, you up for a hockey game or something? Or do you need to be heading to bed?” He rose.
Slowly, I followed. Obviously, we were done for tonight.
He reached for my hand.
I gave it easily.
He pulled me into a hug.
I sank into the embrace. I had no idea what was going on—but this comfort and strength meant everything.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ulysses
“Why areyounot nervous?” I smoothed my shirt.
Finn chuckled. “Because she’smymother. I’m never nervous when I see my mother. Relax, okay? She’s going to love you.”
