I sat at the desk and looked around. Something seemed different, but I couldn’t place it. I didn’t care. I was tired, hungry, and just wanted to get dinner and go to bed.
“Galbraith.” The clipped tone was the same, but it seemed like ages ago that I’d seen him.
“This is Joanie Fisher. I was told that you’d called?”
“Ah, yes, Doctor Fisher. This is regarding the butler your grandfather retained. He apparently has an interesting background.”
My stomach clenched, and I put the wineglass on the desk. “What kind of background?”
“One of your colleagues is coming into town tomorrow. He didn’t want me to say who because he wanted to surprise you, but he has some interesting information about this Gabriel person.”
“Be straight with me, Galbraith. Are we in any sort of danger?”
“None foreseeable.”
“Right.” Well, this was getting nowhere. “I’d also like any papers my grandfather may have left with you. Are there any files?”
“There is one. He wanted me to hold on to it until you’d seen the Manor and had become acquainted with some of its secrets.”
“Right, and now I’ve got more secrets than I can handle.” We set up a time for me to meet with him and this mystery person at two o’clock the following afternoon at his office in Little Rock.
“What was that about?” Lonna asked as I sat down.
“I’ve got to go into Little Rock tomorrow to meet with Galbraith. He’s been holding on to some of my grandfather’s papers for me.”
“Why didn’t he just give them to you when you met with him before?”
“He said my grandfather wanted him to wait until I had been here awhile. Guess he didn’t want to put too much on me at once.”
Ron and Leo exchanged a look.
“What did he want you to see?” asked Leo.
“I’m guessing it’s the big secret that no one is talking about. Or ever talks about willingly.”
He dropped his gaze to the butternut squash soup. “There’s really nothing to say.”
“Actually, I’m fascinated by the whole culture of it. The names, the pack, the fact that Gabriel is a virtual exile for wanting to help my grandfather, but here he is cooking and cleaning for us.” That only reminded me about what Galbraith had said. A wave of frustration exploded in my chest. So what if he tried to poison us all? At least I wouldn’t have to deal with all the damn secrets.
Lonna cleared her throat. “So Joanie found out the vector for how CLS victims are becoming infected.”
Ron’s and Leo’s spoons clattered into their bowls.
“It’s in vaccinations.”
Ron’s jaw dropped. “We had flu shots right before we got sick.”
“We think it’s in the kids’ Tdap vaccines.”
“They’re about the right age.” Leo sat back and ran his right hand through his hair. “That vulnerable age for development of CLS.”
“But was it the same batch?” asked Lonna. “They go through a lot of that stuff, just like they go through a lot of the flu vaccine, I’m sure.”
“So there’s something in the vaccines, but it’s not the only thing.”
“Do you mind if I look at those charts?” asked Lonna. “Fresh eyes might help.”
“Not a problem. I’ll bring them into the library.”
Gabriel cleared the soup dishes in preparation for the main course. “Just tell me which boxes you want transferred, Madam, and I’ll bring them in there while you finish dinner.”
“Thanks, Gabriel. It will be all but the box with the letters and the two really old ones.”
Leo smacked both hands on the table, and I jumped. “I’m coming with you.”
“Coming where?”
“I’m coming with you. To Little Rock. Who knows what danger may be waiting for you there?”
“Are you kidding me? I don’t need your protection.”
“Like you didn’t this afternoon?”
“That was different.”
Gabriel came in and set a grilled beef tenderloin on the table with horseradish sauce and rolls. “Who would like a slice?”
“Go ahead and start with the ends for the girls,” Leo said. “Ron and I like it nice and bloody.” He bared his teeth at me.
I couldn’t help it—I laughed, particularly when his facial expression went from ferocious to bewildered.
“I think I’d like a rare piece as well,” said Lonna.
“Yep, and I’m a medium rare girl, so sorry, Leo, try again.”
The corner of his mouth twitched as he tried not to smile. “So you’re interested in werewolf culture.”
“It seems like you have your own. You have your wolf names. I’m assuming there are territories involved, otherwise the appearance of the strange black wolf wouldn’t have made such a big stir for you.”
Ron held his plate up to Gabriel for a couple of slices dripping with red juices. “A wolf’s territory is where he hunts. Where the pack hunts. And where the pack leader is.”
Leo jumped in. “That means that this land is the property of the pack. And the last time I checked, you’re not a member.”
We locked eyes, and my heart beat in my throat, but I refused to look away. A sense of strength and power overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t help but imagine what it would have been like if the moment in the woods had taken a sexual turn.
“Hasn’t anyone told you never to challenge a predator?” he asked me in a low tone and brought me out of my fantasy into the present moment.
I remembered our first meeting and what he said to Galbraith about his right to the land. Instead of being frightened, I got pissed. No way was I going to back down from this infuriating but fascinating man. “It doesn’t matter about your stupid pack. I’m my grandfather’s heir. Sorry, bud, but this is civilized society.”
Lonna looked back and forth between the two of us and then put a hand on my arm. “This isn’t a productive discussion,” she said. “Of course the estate is Joanie’s, that’s what the will said.”
“We’re sorry, of course you’re right.” Ron put his hand on Leo’s arm, and I couldn’t help but notice the similarity in gestures. “Please forgive my cousin. He’s under a lot of stress right now. We really do appreciate all you’ve done for us.” I saw the knuckles of his hand turn white as he squeezed Leo’s arm. Leo’s face went pale.
“I’m sorry, Doctor Fisher. I do appreciate your hospitality.”
I sat back, shaken. That was the first glimpse I’d gotten of the animal Leo since he had hurt my wrist, and I was as troubled by my own reaction as his.
After dinner, Lonna and Ron went into the den to play a board game, and I went out on the back porch with a glass of wine. Leo had disappeared before dessert, and I honestly didn’t care where he had gone. Gabriel was in the kitchen cleaning up.
I sat back on the Adirondack chair and looked across the lawn, the edges of the woods inky black outside the range of the spotlights on the house. The lights gave everything a garish glow. The thought crossed my mind that the house would be an amazing place for parties. I could picture it, twinkling lights in small potted trees around the yard, buffet tables on the patio, and a live band set up on the porch. I could see myself walking across the lawn, greeting guests, a tall, handsome man in my wake. I couldn’t see his face, for he always had his back to me as I watched the imaginary scene, but I knew he must be with me because I saw a sparkle on imaginary Joanie’s left hand. She had bigger boobs than me, too. Obviously this was a fantasy. The babble of voices dissolved again into the sounds of the evening.
The irony of the situation hit me. This place had been built for entertaining but never had seen a party like I
