I stared at the three heads for another moment and then released the blanket. I hesitated and lifted the blanket again.
“What are you doing?” Gail asked.
I moved to one side and stared at the tattoo on the woman’s breast. There was something about that tattoo. “I’ve seen this before.”
“What?”
“The tattoo. The wolf and moon.” I bent and moved the mangled head of the woman around until I had a better look at what was left of her face.
“Gail, I think this is the woman from the bondage store.”
“Are you sure? You certainly couldn’t see her tattoo; her dress went almost to her collar.”
“Yeah, but the painting of her had part of a tattoo visible. I couldn’t make out the entire thing, but I’m pretty sure it was where this tattoo is.”
I dropped the blanket back again and went to the ladder. I held it steady while Gail climbed down. I watched the taut bottom of her jeans as she came nearer. She passed between my arms, reached the ground, and when she turned I kissed her softly on the lips.
“What was that for?” Gail asked as I pulled back.
I grinned. “My head-chopping honey needs a reason for a kiss?”
“No, not for a kiss, just as long as you remember the rule.”
“I haven’t forgotten, but tomorrow’s another day,” I said and lowered the ladder to the ground.
She glanced toward the blanket. “Are you sure about the woman?”
“Pretty sure.”
“Then what are the odds that the man we saw yesterday was her pack leader?”
“If the painting was any indication, I’d say pretty damn good,” I said.
“So, if he doesn’t come after us again tonight, then we can track him down.”
“Will killing him break the curse?” I asked.
Gail pursed her lips. “I’d like to think so, but I never heard of anyone who’s ever had the curse broken. As far as I know, once you’re infected, you’re a monster until someone puts you down.”
I pulled her back to me. “We’ve got this licked. If we can make it through one night, then we can make it through all of them.”
Gail rested her head against my chest and hugged me back. “Thanks again, you’ve at least given me hope.”
“So, you don’t have any compunctions about killing him when he’s human, do you?”
“Hah, that’s funny. No, Jesse, none at all, but it probably won’t be an option. When he sees us coming for him, he’ll change. He’s a much better fighter as a werewolf than as a man.”
“How so? These three would have been a lot harder if they’d been human and carried guns rather than claws.”
She pulled free and glanced down at the blanket. “They’re only easier if you’re good and if you’re ready for them. Trust me, if you hadn’t been good, they wouldn’t be the ones dead.”
“Okay, but tomorrow night isn’t a full moon. How can he change?” I picked up the ladder and started for the shed.
Gail followed me. “As old as he is, I’m sure he can change any time he wants. Didn’t I mention that?”
I scratched at the back of my head. Had she? “Maybe, you’ve given me a lot to remember in a short time. I wasn’t expecting a pop quiz.”
I put the ladder back in the shed and closed the door. We walked back to the cabin and around to the power panel. I installed one of the new padlocks through the electrical service switch, locking it in the on position. I used the other to secure the circuit panel.
“He won’t be killing the lights tonight.”
“Unless he thinks of another way to do it,” Gail said.
“A human could bring tools with him, but a werewolf? Even one as old as you make this guy out, shouldn’t be able to drag a toolbox with him.”
“Maybe, but this one seems different somehow.”
We walked back to the front and Gail stopped suddenly. “Did you hear that?”
“No, what’d it sound like?”
“Like a bolt sliding home.” She glanced toward the woods, then turned, and knocked me off my feet as a bullet struck the log wall at the spot my head had been a moment before.
Chapter 11 – Moonrise
The crack of the bullet followed the strike by a fraction of a second.
“Shit, inside, quick,” Gail said scrambling, crablike, off me and through the door.
I rolled to my belly and crawled after her.
Another bullet struck the door frame just above my head as I passed it, showering splinters against the back of my neck.
As soon as my feet cleared the jamb, Gail slammed the door shut behind us.
I sat with my back against the thick logs. My Colt came into my hand without conscious thought. “What the hell?”
Gail met my gaze from a similar position on the opposite side of the door, her gun also in her hand. She shrugged. “Beats me. I haven’t been back here long enough to make new enemies. Friends of yours?”
“I don’t think so. I haven’t pissed off anyone that bad since Afghanistan.”
“Well someone out there doesn’t like you. The shots were aimed at you.”
“You don’t have to tell me the obvious. How’d you hear him loading? I know he’s close, but still.”
“It must have something to do with being bitten,” Gail said.
I stared at her. “Really? You aren’t sure?”
“It’s not like I’ve talked to a lot of werewolves about how their life changes after they’re bitten,” Gail snapped.
I forced a smirk to my face. “No?”
“No,” Gail said.
Gail dipped a hand into her jacket’s pocket and took out her earplugs case. Turning them on, she inserted them in her ears. I decided she had a good idea and got my own plugs out. The electronic earplugs were the only thing that had kept me from hearing loss while in the Army and I tried never to shoot without them.
There was a shout
