René Sinclair wasn't what Cade had expected. As a general rule, Sinclairs were tall and rangy—the athletes of the werewolf world, as much as thoroughbreds were of the horse world. Vannah's brother-in-law certainly fit the type, but René was a lot shorter than most Sinclairs, and built like a boxer. All thick muscle and attitude.
And he had an awful lot to say about Savannah—thankfully, most of it complimentary. Cade would have hated to have to hit the man. He had a feeling he'd do far more damage to his fist than René himself.
"So what are we hunting up at the old hut?” René asked eventually.
Cade hesitated, but there was something about this wolf's no-nonsense attitude that he liked. “Ike was kidnapped and taken up there. We're going there to look for possible clues."
René's dark gaze was full of a sharpness that spoke of an intelligence that matched all the muscle. “And the reason Ike was kidnapped is the same reason Neva's forced to stay at the mansion?"
He nodded. “There's a killer after Savannah and me."
"Why?"
"Past deeds.” He shrugged. “The cabin is a long shot."
"And Ike is not known for his quick thinking. If he escaped, it could be because someone wanted him to."
"Yes."
"Meaning we could be walking into a trap."
"Yes."
René rolled his shoulders and grinned. “Fantastic."
Cade raised an eyebrow. “Do all Sinclairs feel the insane need to live up to the family reputation?"
"The family reputation is merely a lust for life. We can't help it if the rest of the wolf population are dominated by morals more suited to the Dark Ages."
Cade grinned. “Wouldn't happen to be talking about an in-law there, would you?"
"The man is a jackass. His daughters, however, are amazing. Even if one of them is a ranger.” René stopped and swept a branch aside. “Here you go."
The hut stood in a small clearing just beyond the aspens and pines that lined the walking trail. It was made with logs that looked far older than the trees around them. It had a rusting iron roof and no windows on the two sides he could see. It did, however, have a stone chimney. He raised his nose, scenting the icy wind, searching for any sign of someone being near. The air smelled of snow and pine and little else.
"I can't hear anything,” René commented.
"No. But these people were responsible for bombing the diner. If this is a trap, then that's certainly a possibility."
René studied him for a moment, and then he nodded toward the hut. “There's a small window out the back. Last time I was here, it had been boarded over, but I know there was talk of restoring the place for the ski season."
"Let's skirt the trees, and see if there are any surprises waiting there for us first."
René nodded and led the way through the trees. The hut looked much the same from the other side of the clearing, with the exception of a door and a window. Neither was boarded up, and there didn't seem to be anything out of place in the old building.
Cade drew his gun anyway. “Wait here while I check it out."
René snorted. “Yeah, right."
"I'm serious."
"So am I. If things go down bad, I'm of more use to you there than here."
His cop half inclined to argue, but instinct suggested that René had it right. If things did go bad, he was going to need help. His foe might be two women, but those women were currently running rings around them, and every single step had been meticulously planned with the exception of Candy, who'd obviously let her bloodlust get in the way of what she was supposed to do. But one mistake that played to their advantage didn't mean there would be more.
"Keep watch then, while I check the window."
René nodded. Crouching to present less of a target, Cade ran for the back of the hut. René followed him over, but stopped at the opposite end of the back wall.