counter behind him, pulling out several printed photographs. Handing them over, he watched as the two men eagerly looked at them. “It’s grainy and isn’t evidence other than he’s got dogs—or something—there. Dogs? No problem. But wolves or wolf-hybrids? I know that’s illegal on the shore.”
He remained quiet for a moment, allowing them to study the photographs, giving them a chance to sift through the possibilities.
“If he’s keeping a wolf-hybrid on his property to breed… ” Liam began, his question hanging.
“Samantha can’t imagine it’s Jim.”
That caught their attention as they both lifted their heads from the photographs. “What do you mean?”
“She says that Jim Bender makes a lot of money selling his pure-bred dogs. He knows his dogs can be subject to genetic testing from a potential buyer to make sure of their pure-bred status. He’s not about to risk his reputation in the business to introduce a wolf.”
“Then who?”
“That’s not for me to say, although I didn’t get a good vibe from his assistants when Samantha and I visited Jim’s kennels. I know Jim said Alejandro comes over from Norfolk a couple times a week.”
That raised the eyebrows of the sheriffs, both directing their stares onto Joseph. He threw up his hands. “Like I said… I’m not into the who. I just want to make sure Samantha is safe if she has someone at the office stealing and that there are no wolf-hybrids loose in the counties.”
“Shit,” Colt cursed. “Does Sam think there are?”
Before Joseph had a chance to answer, Liam ground out, “The wild dog reported?”
“I don’t know,” Joseph admitted, “but Samantha has taken blood samples from a puppy that an owner found, and she had concerns about him. The results won’t come back for a bit. She also said that if some of the hybrid dogs that didn’t get sold or didn’t have the right appearance, they might be let loose.”
“We need to talk to Sam again,” Liam said.
“She’s on her way here.” Looking at his watch, Joseph jerked his head back slightly. “I thought she’d be here by now. She was coming after she gathered the records at the clinic to see the discrepancies in vaccines ordered and used.”
Right on cue, his phone vibrated. Looking down at the screen, he smiled. “Hey, babe. Putting you on speaker. I’ve got Colt and—”
“It’s Annette, I’m sure of it!” Samantha cried out.
“What?”
“Annette! I’m sure she’s the one who has taken the vaccinations.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m following her—”
“God dammit, Samantha. What the fuck are you thinking?” He leaped from his chair, Colt and Liam already on their feet.
“Calm down. I just followed her to the turn beyond Bender Kennels. It’s around toward the back of the property. I’m not going any further, but I wanted you to know. I stepped out of my truck to see if I could see or hear anything, but I can’t.”
“Sam, this is Liam. I’m on my way. I’m calling for backup but will tell them to approach quietly.”
“I’m getting back into my truck. Should I stay here?”
“No! Get in the truck and drive away. Let Liam do what he needs to do!” Joseph yelled, not caring what Colt or Liam would have advised.
Muffled noises sounded over the phone before her voice cried out. “What— No—”
The call disconnected. Joseph stared in stunned silence for a few seconds before hitting the call button again. It went straight to Samantha’s voicemail. Jerking his head up, his heart lodged into his throat, but he managed to choke out, “Fucking hell. Something’s happened to Samantha!”
Colt and Liam were already on their phones as they rushed out of the shelter. Joseph followed, fear coursing through him, Frodo at his heels.
24
Her truck door was open, and Samantha had one foot inside with her phone plastered to her ear when she was jerked back and to the side. “What?” Her phone was ripped from her hand as a heavy force shoved her body forward, smashing her face into the side of the truck. “No!” Pressure was forced onto the back of her head and someone’s full body was pressed against her back, pinning her in place. Instinct had her try to push against the cold metal door with her palms, but the pressure increased, stilling her movements.
Hot breath puffed against her ear as the assailant leaned in. “Don’t move.”
“Wh… what…”
“You back off. Back the fuck off. Do your job and stay out of everything else.”
“I… I—” Her words cut off as the pressure on her back increased.
“Last warning—”
“You can’t let her go, man.