out of his pocket and handed it to her.
The card read, Wolfensen Investigations, Licensed Private Investigators, and then the address of an office and a telephone number. Nowhere did it mention he was a cop.
“Is this what you’re doing now—full time?”
“Yup.”
She was hoping he’d explain his career change, but he didn’t offer any more information than that.
“You know, I’m a photographer by training, and I just waitress to pay the bills. I could help you take pictures…”
“Of what?”
“I don’t know. Evidence?”
He chuckled. “I think I’d be better off taking my own pictures right away rather than calling you to come and do it if I find something.”
Duh. “Then let me come with you. I can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
“Yes, you can. An investigation like this could be dangerous.”
“So it’s okay for you to risk your safety when you don’t even know her, but not for me? She’s my cousin.”
“Yes, and you’re my waitress. Who’ll get me a beer if something happens to you?” He flashed his charming smile.
She knew he was trying to lighten the mood, but it didn’t work. She felt impotent and angry. Impotent because there was nothing she could do and angry because of her impotence. But then the major emotion surfaced: fear. Katie was a sweet kid who wouldn’t put up a struggle. Brandee had to hope that temperament would keep her cousin alive long enough for Nick to find her. She didn’t want to think about any other possibility.
“Find her, Nick. I don’t care what you have to do. Just find her.”
“I intend to, sweetheart.”
Chapter 3
The theater district wasn’t much to go on, but it would help. Nick had tried using his human senses and was no closer to finding Katie than he had been an hour ago. Meanwhile, night had fallen, so under the cover of darkness he could shift and use his wolf senses. He’d try to stay out of sight, but even if someone spotted him, most Bostonians didn’t know a wolf from a German shepherd.
Finding a private spot in an alley behind a Dumpster, he stripped naked. It didn’t matter if an onlooker thought he was a wolf or a dog. Either one wearing clothes would kind of stick out. He concentrated on his wolf form and began the painful process of shifting. He steeled himself not to groan or growl as he went through it. During a full moon, a werewolf had no choice and would shift regardless. He didn’t relish the idea of going through it more often, but when his alternate form provided a distinct advantage, he’d use it.
As soon as the transformation was complete, he relaxed into his new form. He heard a click. He thought he’d heard a series of clicks before, but he was too preoccupied with the shift to concentrate on anything else.
He whipped his head in the direction of the sound and saw a woman in gray sweats up on the hill and several yards away. A hoodie almost hid Brandee’s beautiful red hair, but a few strands blew in the cool breeze. She must have followed him with her camera.
Damn it. Did she see me shift?
From the scent of fear rolling off her and her muttered “Oh, my wendigo…” he’d say she had.
He caught another scent at almost the same time—the one he was looking for. Katie!
Now he had a major dilemma. Should he shift back and try to sweet-talk the camera away from Brandee? Undoubtedly, she must have thought she was losing her mind. Or should he just concentrate on the little girl’s scent and take the chance that Brandee would never divulge the secret existence of paranormals. But what would she do with the damning evidence?
Shit, shit, shit. The number one rule of any pack was to protect the pack. It was crucial to never reveal their alternate forms to humanity. And that didn’t just pertain to werewolves. Any paranormal who exposed their existence endangered them all.
And she had proof!
He had completely blown it. Unless he could reach her quickly, he could forget about his PI job. He’d be in a government lab before he could say, “There are no such things as werewolves.”
He dashed behind a fence that hid him from her view and shifted back as quickly as he could. Now he had to get to her before she disappeared but with the added problem of being stark naked.
He caught sight of her fleeing and called, “Brandee! Wait up.” He had to dash to the spot