He glanced at the number, took a deep breath, and answered it.
"Hauptman," he grunted.
"Adam," said the Marrok's easy voice.
"I need you to locate Mercy and my son." "I know where they are," Adam said, meeting my eyes.
No such thing as a private phone conversation with me or any of the wolves around.
Adam could have chosen to take the phone call outside, where he could have talked to Bran in private.
There was a little pause.
"Ah.
Would you be so good as to put one or the other on the phone?" "I think," Adam said carefully, "that it might be a little precipitous to do that." Another long pause, and Bran's voice was cooler when he spoke.
"I see.
Be very careful here, Adam." "I believe I am," Adam said.
"I can talk to him," I said, knowing Bran would hear me.
Adam was putting himself up as a shield between Samuel and his father.
If something happened, Bran would hold him responsible.
I love Bran.
He, as much as my foster parents, raised me.
But I'm not blind about it.
His first directive is to protect the wolves.
If that meant killing his son, he would do it--but he would kill Adam faster.
Adam said, "No.
My territory, my responsibility." "Fine," said the Marrok.
"If I or mine can help, you will call me." "Yes," Adam said.
"I'll call you by the end of the week with the results." "Mercy," Bran said.
"I hope this is the best path." "For Samuel," I said.
"For me, for you.
I think it is.
Maybe not so much for Adam." "Adam has always had .
.
.
heroic tendencies." I touched Adam's arm.