His assignment had been pretty straightforward. Michael was at work watching over our animal friends.
When my cell rang, I bumped my mug, spilling hot coffee on my leg. “Ouch! Damn that hurts.” It appeared my clumsiness had returned with a scorching vengeance.
Zane retrieved a damp dishtowel and was cleaning me up before I could locate the phone hiding in the cluttered bowels of my purse. No longer ringing, the glowing screen displayed a number I knew all too well but hadn’t expected to see this late on a Saturday night — Luke’s.
Leaning over me, Zane was quick to identify the glowing digits. “This can’t be good.”
“Should I?” Calling him back was bound to bring bad news.
“I’m not sure you have a choice, if you want the week off. Remember his conditions?” Zane collapsed on the couch next to me. “How’s the leg?” He’d removed the towel and was caressing the damp splotch on my jeans.
“Better, thanks to your quick thinking.” Times like this made Zane’s werewolf super-speed all the more appealing. “I’m going to change first.”
I returned to his side feeling fresh and cozy in one of my old jogging suits, I dialed our boss’s familiar number and made sure to press the speaker button.
“Hey, what’s …?”
Luke didn’t wait for me to finish. “I need you guys here right away. Michael spotted someone lurking around the zebras. He took off faster than an Olympic sprinter and hasn’t come back. I tried to reach his dad before calling you. No luck.”
Zane was up and had the keys to the Corvette in his hand. “We’re on our way.”
Back in the car I tried repeatedly to reach Mack. It seemed he and Rita were too involved in their research to respond. Or worse, maybe he was in trouble too. It wouldn’t surprise me. No Alcuin and both M’s missing, not a good way to end the evening.
“He’ll be okay. I’m sure of it. Michael knows when to back off,” Zane said as he touched my thigh.
I hoped he was right. From what I’d seen of Michael led me to believe otherwise. He was an energetic and confident young man who could become a wolf at will — a lethal combination.
Even more lethal was the Corvette’s increasing speed.
Zane had a serious heavy foot. We were pushing ninety on a treacherous mile of curving freeway. “Honey, please, we can’t help anyone if we’re trapped under the car. Dead.” I braced, prepared for the inevitable accident.
“I can see these roads well, even at night. Remember, I’m not human.” He flashed his teeth, but, to my relief, kept his eyes on the dark road. Traffic was pretty much nonexistent, to our benefit.
I forced myself to relax, heeding Zane’s “I’m not human” reminder.
The wailing didn’t register at first. Then I realized that the shrilling sound was a police siren. Talk about déjà vu. Pulled over twice in one week, both times for speeding — at least I wouldn’t be the one worrying about a ticket this time.
Zane pounded his hands against the steering wheel and pulled onto the shoulder. “I should have listened to my wife,” he groaned.
I liked the way he said wife, and was tempted to agree, but decided to keep my mouth shut when I saw the approaching officer in my side mirror. Mr. Creepy FBI agent, from Portland, was walking next to a highway patrolman I didn’t recognize.
My body recognized the threat Agent Green presented, and responded by sending a rush of adrenaline and giving me a jolt of energy that coffee shops only wished they could sell in a paper cup.
I inhaled and started my reverse counting routine. I hoped to appear unruffled by their presence.
The unfamiliar officer tapped at the driver’s side window. Watching it slide down reminded me of a stage curtain parting to reveal something sinister. A sudden shiver sent goose bumps racing down my arms. These two men gave me the willies.
“Can I help you, officers?” Zane smirked.
I wanted to smack him and tell him to put the testosterone on hold.
“I don’t know, Dr. Marshall. Can you?” Agent Green sneered, his own testosterone making an ill-timed appearance.
Now there were two manly-men ready to defend their masculinity. I’d watch for an opening to diffuse the situation. I hoped it would come sooner rather than too late.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but we had an emergency call from the wildlife park. One of our animals is in danger,” Zane explained, sounding more official and less smug.