opened the passenger door. "You know, if you'd learn to read nonverbal clues you'd be a better cop."
"Yeah?" Barry swung up into the truck. "And if I'd wanted to be in the canine corps, I'd have joined it." He settled back against the seat cushions and buckled in. "I still want to know what happens when he gets to the farm."
"Beats me." Colin shot him a grin as he pulled out onto the street. "But it oughta be interesting."
"You think this is pretty funny, don't you?"
"We think most of you humans are pretty funny. Laugh a minute."
"Sheep-fucker."
"Yellow peril."
"You know, Colin, your uncle's probably not going to be too thrilled by you sending this guy out to the farm." Barry drummed his fingers against the dash and shot a look at his partner. "I mean, you lot aren't big on company just generally and right now... "
Colin frowned. "You know, you're right. I guess I was reacting to his scent and the situation. Uncle Stuart's going to have my throat." He sucked in a deep breath through his teeth. "I guess I just didn't think."
"It's your least endearing trait." And one that would keep him from promotion; keep him on the street, in uniform. Barry doubted that Colin would ever rise any higher than constable and sometimes he wondered how the wer would manage when he moved on.
"Barry, I did want to tell you."
"I know. Forget it." And he knew that Colin could, the wer lived very much in the here-and-now. It would take a little longer for him.
Chapter Ten
This is ridiculous. It's 11:30. Vicki's likely asleep. Celluci sat in his car and stared at the dark bulk of the farmhouse. Or at least in bed. He decided not to take that thought any further. The lights are on in the kitchen. Someone's up. I could at least make sure this is the right... "Jesus!"
The white head staring in the driver's side window belonged to the biggest dog he'd ever seen. It looked to be part shepherd, part malamute, and, if he didn't know better, he'd swear, part wolf. It didn't look angry, just curious and its eyes... Unable to decide if the eyes were as strange as he thought or if the glass was distorting them somehow, he cracked open the window enough for the head, but not the shoulders, and kept his finger on the switch in case the beast should lunge.
Not so much as a whisker crossed the edge of the window, but the wet black nose twitched once, twice as the cool air inside the car flowed out into the night.
The eyes were strange; it wasn't just the glass. Celluci wasn't quite sure what the difference was but he'd never seen a dog of any kind with eyes that looked so human.
Suddenly, the big dog whirled and ran barking for the house, its pale form flickering like a negative image against the night.
Realizing his choice had just been made for him, Celluci shut off the engine. He'd been announced. He might as well go in.
"Vicki. Come on, Vicki. Wake up."
Vicki tried to ignore both the voice and the hand gently shaking her shoulder but, in spite of her best efforts, her body betrayed her and began losing its hold on sleep. Finally she surrendered, muttered an obscenity, and groped for her glasses. Cool fingers gripped her wrist, guiding her search. She didn't bother opening her eyes until she actually had the glasses in place - not much point when she wouldn't be able to see anything anyway.
In the dim spill of light from the hallway, she could just barely make out the darker outline of a man. It had to be Henry, not only was he the only adult male in the house who habitually wore clothes, but the temperature of his touch was a dead giveaway.
"Henry, I'm flattered but I'm exhausted. Get lost."
She could hear the smile in his reply. "Next time I'll be able to do more of the work. But that wasn't why I woke you. We've got company and I think you'd better get up."
"What time is it?"
"11:33."
Vicki really disliked digital watches, only race horses and defense attorneys needed to time life to the second. "I just got to sleep. Can't it wait until morning?"
"I don't think so."
"All right." She sighed and swung her legs out from under the sheet. "Who is it?"
"Detective-Sergeant Michael Celluci."
"Say what!"
"Detec... "
"I heard you the first time. Close the door and turn on the light."