Page 42 of A Dash of Wolf

“Chief Wolfe,” Councilwoman Ashford leaned across the table, “we have already heard testimony like this. And we still voted as we did. While no one here is denying the importance of the squish-squids, we have magicals who can ultimately purify the water when the time comes.”

Mason narrowed his eyes at the woman. He knew he had to tread lightly...but not too lightly. They needed to know the gravity of the decision they had made. And for what? Another building? “I’ve spent the last several days at that marsh. I’ve seen these creatures up close. They’re not just cute and cuddly...they’re essential infrastructure. Losing them would be like ripping out the town’s water filtration system and hoping for the best.”

“This is ridiculous!” Ivan Johansson shot to his feet. “Those things are glorified jellyfish! I have a signed contract. I have employees counting on this job, and I have the council’s approval. This cop has been in town for less than a week, and now he’s an expert on the local wildlife?”

Mason didn’t turn around. He kept his eyes on the council members. “I’m not an expert on the local wildlife. But the people who are—the naturalists who’ve studied this marsh for decades—they’ve been saying the same thing Adeline Beaumont has been saying. I know because I’ve read the reports. They say the same thing Adeline’s protesters have been saying. The same thing a ninety-seven-year-old witch felt so strongly about that she resorted to vandalism.” He paused. “When citizens are willing to get arrested to protect something, maybe it’s worth asking why.”

“You can’t do this to me!” Ivan slammed his hard hat against the gallery railing. “I’ll sue! I’ll sue the council, I’ll sue the police department, I’ll sue⁠—”

Lavinia Beaumont’s gavel slammed down so hard, the crack echoed off the stone walls and made everyone in the room jump. “Sit down, Mr. Johansson!” Her tone was pure ice. “One more outburst like that, and you will be removed from this chamber. And I will personally ensure that you never submit another bid or petition for any project in Moonlight Bay again. Am I understood?”

This time Mason did turn around to see Ivan’s reaction. And he was pleased to see the man looked like he was swallowing mouthfuls of air. Mason slowly turned back around and stared openly at Lavinia Beaumont, but her expression was unreadable.

“Please continue, Chief Wolfe,” Lavinia said.

He pulled out the last document in his folder. “This morning, before I called for this meeting, I contacted PADA headquarters and called in a favor. What I’m holding here is an official letter on PADA letterhead confirming that the squish-squids of Drury Marsh have been placed on the future endangered supernatural species list.” He walked to the table and set the letter in front of Lavinia. “Under PADA regulation forty-seven, section twelve, any species on the endangered list, or the future endangered list, is afforded full habitat protection. That means the marsh can’t be drained, developed, or altered in any way that would endanger the colony.” He looked at each council member in turn. “This isn’t a request. It’s done. The squish-squids are protected.”

“I have read over the letter,” Thaddeus said, “and it seems to be in order.”

Ivan made a strangled sound behind him that was somewhere between a growl and a whimper.

Councilman Harris leaned forward, glaring at him. “You went over our heads to PADA?”

“I went to the agency responsible for protecting supernatural species. That’s their job. And it’s mine to make sure I did everything in my power to present the council with all the facts.” Mason squared his shoulders. “The council can still vote to go ahead with the building project, just at a different location. Or the council can ignore the decree and continue building on the site and deal with PADA directly.” He paused. “The choice is yours.”

Lavinia Beaumont studied the letter, read it slowly, and then set it down and looked at Mason. “Motion to accept the PADA designation and suspend all construction activity at Drury Marsh, effective immediately?”

“Seconded,” Councilwoman Ashford said.

“All in favor?” Lavinia mused.

Four hands went up. Councilman Harris hesitated, then raised his. Five to zero.

“Motion carries.” Lavinia’s gavel came down again...softer this time. “Congratulations, Chief Wolfe. It looks like you have won your first fight with the council.”

He looked her in the eye. “I don’t like to fight, but I will if it’s for what I think is right.”

Ivan stood, and Mason thought the troll might actually charge the table. Instead, Ivan jabbed a finger at the council, swept his hard hat off the railing, and stormed toward the exit. “This isn’t over! You will all be hearing from my lawyer!”

The doors slammed shut behind him, and Mason let out a breath. His hands were steady, but his heart was hammering. He’d just burned a bridge with the most powerful developer in town and used his PADA connections in a way that would raise eyebrows back at PADA headquarters. But looking at the letter on the table and at the five council members who’d just voted to protect a colony of adorable, cooing, tentacled creatures because someone had finally given them a reason to...he didn’t regret a second of it.

The council members gathered their things and slowly filed out. Thaddeus Hillman gave Mason a nod and a smile on his way past as Mason collected his folder and turned to leave.

“Chief Wolfe.”

He knew that voice. Bracing himself, he turned to see Lavinia Beaumont standing at the end of the table, her hands folded in front of her. The other council members had all gone, and they were alone. He said nothing, just waited for her to speak.

“You did that for the squish-squids,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And for my granddaughter.”

He held her gaze. “Yes, ma’am.”

The lines around Lavinia’s eyes softened. And when she spoke, her voice carried something he’d never heard from her before. Something that sounded almost like respect. “If you want to ask my granddaughter out, it would be acceptable to me.”

Mason blinked. Of all the things he’d expected Lavinia Beaumont to say, that was not on the list. “Acceptable?”