Wild Country (The World of the Others #2)- Anne Bishop Page 0,41

Why would someone ask a question about her? Or had the girl seen something moments before an accidental cut that had ended with that phone call?

“I looked up the name last night,” Debany said. “On my own time. Public records. Your caller is an ex-cop. Was involved in some sort of scandal before he fell off the grid. The newspaper reports were suspiciously lean on information and totally devoid of speculation. That means everyone wanted this to go away. Even at the academy no one was telling stories, which should tell you something. But the call was legit, and this job is legit.” He stepped back and held out his hand. “Good luck, Deputy.” After she shook his hand, he stepped in close again. “If you come across one of those girls …”

Information hurriedly offered before Debany stepped aside so that she could board with the rest of the passengers going to Bennett. Even then, despite having the travel papers that proved she was part of the group, it had taken John Wolfgard’s intervention to convince the conductor that she was supposed to be seated in the car reserved for the terra indigene.

When the train began to pull out of the station, John Wolfgard held up a list and said, “Simon Wolfgard asked me to be the liaison for the people traveling to Bennett. Before we get too far away from Lakeside, I need to check the papers of everyone in this car.”

Jana opened the daypack, which held her traveling papers, a notebook and pen, and a couple of books, among other things she wanted within easy reach. John barely glanced at her papers, since he’d already seen them a few minutes ago, but he gave everyone else’s papers a thorough look before he checked their names off his list.

The conductor walked in and conferred with John, who then signed off on the passenger list of people riding in the earth native car.

Once the train picked up speed and they were really on their way, Jana sat back and watched the land roll by—and wondered where they would be when the train pulled in to observe the “no travel after dark” curfew.

* * *

* * *

Before entering the government building for this early morning meeting with Tolya Sanguinati, Jesse stopped and looked around. People were up and about, heading for their jobs. How much would change over the next few days as the new residents arrived?

The dining room had been buzzing with speculation about the new arrivals. Most of the young Intuit men who had been doing the sorting and moving furniture talked about apprenticeships and which professions might be filled as different businesses opened again. Would there be a doctor and a dentist? What about a garage mechanic? What about … ? What about … ? What about … ?

She hoped there would be enough trained adults who stayed after they realized what they were facing, enough diversity in professions to fill the basic requirements of a community. The gods knew, Prairie Gold had one doctor and a nurse practitioner who doubled as a midwife, and she was grateful to have them in her town, but there was no one here in Bennett.

Nothing she could do about that. Besides, this meeting wasn’t about the newcomers. This meeting was about Joshua Painter. Or more to the point, what he represented.

“Thank you for joining us, Jesse Walker,” Tolya said when she entered the conference room across from his office.

As she said hello, Jesse realized she was looking at the town council—looking at who really ran this town. And she wondered if there ever would be a human included in the group.

The six Sanguinati were present. So were Virgil and Kane Wolfgard. They were all strong predators and were in control of the government and law, as well as the vital businesses like the bank, post office, and train station. The surprise attendee was Garnet Ravengard, who worked in the saloon and wasn’t what Jesse would have considered a dominant predator.

The last individual in the room, standing apart from the others, was Saul Panthergard.

Saul fixed on her and snarled, “You think we stole a human cub?”

Surprised by his anger, Jesse took a step back.

“An orphaned cub isn’t stolen,” Tolya said soothingly. “Jesse Walker knows that.”

“This isn’t about Joshua.” Jesse tried—and failed—to keep her right hand from closing over her left wrist as the feeling that she was standing on a precipice almost overwhelmed her. “Not about him alone.”

Tolya guided her to a