"It's easier to eliminate visitors first.” He glanced back at Trista. “Ronan would probably be a good choice as a guide. He seems to be a bit more personable than the kid."
And knowing Trista's more-than-predatory ways, the handsome Ronan would soon be less of a problem for him. Or rather, his access to Vannah.
While bedding reservation rangers might go against the unwritten code of conduct, he'd turned a blind eye to it in the past and he'd certainly do so now. Especially if it got him what he wanted—time alone with the one person he'd never entirely been able to shake from his thoughts, no matter how hard he'd tried.
Trista nodded. “Since it's almost cross-country ski season, we could end up with quite a few names to crosscheck."
"Then draft in the kid as well.” He looked at Anton. “You can run the fingerprints we found at the murder site through the system. I'll run back to the site with our head ranger. Apparently we had a watcher this evening. She gave chase, but lost him."
"Then we could be right in thinking that this is all a setup to get you here?"
"Probably.” Vannah was here, after all, and now so was he.
"If that's the case, it might be better if you step down—"
He cut Trista off with a curt, “I'm not going anywhere."
"That's not—"
"I know. But if the bastard behind these murders is after me, then they're welcome to give it a try."
"The IIS doesn't approve of its agents acting as bait,” Anton said dryly. “It's considered a waste of good training money when they get killed."
Cade grinned. “I have no intention of getting killed.” Especially when the offer of amazing sex was in the air. “I'm off to scout the town and see if I can hear any gossip in the bars. Call if Hart sends the second autopsy report in."
Anton reached across to his briefcase, grasping something that he tossed across to Cade. “Emergency tracer,” Anton said, as Cade caught it. “If you get into trouble, press it and we'll come running."
Cade turned the button-sized bit of technology over in his palm and realized it had a small loop at one end so that it could be threaded through a chain. He could wear it without being obvious. “What's the range?"
"Ten miles."
"Even in the mountains?"
"Even in."
"Amazing."
"It could be lifesaving,” Anton said, voice still dry. “So make sure you have it with you at all times. Even in the shower."
"It's waterproof?"
"And shock proof."
"Good.” He undid the gold chain from his neck and threaded the tracer on to it. “Call me if anything happens."
Anton nodded.
Cade spun around and headed out into the moonlit night.
* * * *
Savannah pushed open the café door. Warmth rushed out at her, followed quickly by the familiar scents of homemade bread and the richness of fried onion. Her dad might have some crazy ideas about what was, and wasn't, proper behavior for young wolves, but he sure could cook a mean burger—and the best darned bread she'd tasted anywhere.
The place was packed, as usual. Ari, the head waitress, flitted between her tables, her spiky golden hair glowing in the warm ambience of the café's interior. More than one customer followed her movements with expressions of longing, and Savannah smiled. Though Levon kept warning Ari about flirting with the customers, there was no doubt that they enjoyed it—or that it was good for business.
Her gaze scanned the rest of the room, coming to rest on the well-rounded figure at the far end of the room. Neva stood upright at that moment, a smile touching her lips as her gaze met Savannah's.
Hey, welcome to the madhouse, Sis.