Anni opened her mouth, then closed it and moved her head once to each side. Rook couldn’t tell if she was expressing disapproval, checking if someone was watching them, or both. Finally, she said, “Come on, then.”
Inside, a single large room was clearly a small store, but with few labels and no prices. Rook didn’t recognize most of the packaged items, but he figured he’d find plenty that he could stomach. Peder said, “Stanislav, please pick what you want.”
“What about money?” Rook reached into his pocket, but Peder stopped him with a touch to his arm.
“We do not do money here, at least not the way you are used to.”
“No money? You’re kidding. We didn’t even go that far in Russia when the Communists were in charge.”
“As I said, it is different. Now please pick what you want.”
The sound of the door opening made Rook turn, and he saw a man in the doorway. Solid, at well over six feet, with dark hair, cut short, the man presented an imposing figure. When his brown eyes met Rook’s gaze, Rook could tell the man was accustomed to dominating those around him.
The man spoke. “So, Peder, who is this?”
Peder’s voice sounded just as calm as it had all along, but Rook could sense a sort of tension. “This is Stanislav. I found him sleeping in my barn this morning, and he has agreed to help me with the problem with my animals.”
“Losing a few chickens is hardly cause for concern, Peder.”
“Eirek, you know it has gone beyond that. Your wolves might protect the town, but they have not stopped the beast from destroying most of what I have left.”
Rook said, “Whoa there guys, let’s slow down.” He held out his hand to the newcomer. “I’m Stanislav. And you are?”
The man accepted his hand, but didn’t bother to force a smile. “My name is Eirek Fossen. I oversee things in Fenris.”
“Oversee things? Are you the mayor?”
“In a manner of speaking. As I am sure Peder has told you, we like to take care of our own problems here. Perhaps I can help you move on to wherever it is you are headed.”
Images of his fellow teammates popped into Rook’s head, and he smiled. “Well, there is one thing. Peder here says you have no outside communications, but I could use a phone call or two. You wouldn’t happen to have any way for me to do that, would you?”
Fossen shook his head. “Alas, no. But I would be happy to arrange for someone to drive you anywhere in Norway you want to go.”
“To be honest, I kind of like it here. Clean air, a chance to unwind a bit. Really a great place. But what’s this about a beast? Peder tells me of a large shadowy figure that’s been gobbling up his livestock.”
Behind him, he heard Anni inhale sharply. Fossen’s eyebrows narrowed, and Rook could tell the disapproval was directed at her. Rook turned and saw that her hand was over her mouth and her eyes were wide with what could only have been fear.
She said, “I had no idea. Is it…Ulverja?”
Fossen’s deep laugh didn’t lighten the mood. “No, no, it is something else. The wolves have kept it at bay.”
Rook returned his gaze to Fossen. “You mean that pack of wolves with the huge black leader? What do they have to do with it?”
Peder answered him. “Eirek here arranged for those wolves to protect us. At first, the beast had just roared, but after we found the second villager with his throat torn out, we had to do something, and the wolves were it. Eirek has…connections for that sort of thing.”
“Enough, Peder!” Fossen’s voice echoed in the room. “Stanislav, it is true that we had a problem with some sort of animal. It has not approached the town since the wolves arrived. I am still not convinced that this creature is killing Peder’s stock.”
Peder’s eyes remained focused at a spot on the floor, so Rook responded. “Did the wolves kill the creature?”
He watched Fossen’s eyes as the man answered, and sensed that without such direct scrutiny, the man would have lied. “I don’t think so, no.”
“So it could be the one killing Peder’s animals, right?”
“That is not your concern. Please reconsider my offer to drive you out of town. Things in Fenris can be…uncomfortable for an outsider.”
“Uncomfortable is my middle name.”
“I have no doubt of that. Nevertheless, I do not think you understand what I mean. It would be best if you left.”
“Is that some sort of threat?”
“Take it however you like, Stanislav. Do not concern yourself in our affairs. There is a reason we have remained and will continue to remain isolated.”
“Look, pal, I agreed to help Peder find what’s killing his cows and chickens. Since you don’t seem to have any answers for him, I don’t see what the problem is. Worst thing that happens is I’m here for a little while and everyone gets to point and whisper.”