I Kissed a Dog

chapter 25

An instant later, I spotted the cloaked man. He hovered near Will’s garage.

Keeping my gaze locked on the hunched intruder, I nudged Zane. He shot me a quick glance, confirming he’d already honed in on our target.

“What now?” I whispered. It appeared we were in an old-fashioned stand-off.

Zane answered. “We wait. Let him make the first move.”

I sent my telepathy out and captured the creature’s thoughts. He, too, was terrified, and not just by our presence.

His mind was filled with splattered images. Mutants, blood, decaying corpses — the same pictures I’d gleaned during our first encounter. This time I saw a vision with no obvious connection to his other thoughts — a sterile medical facility lined with hospital beds. They were occupied. Young men lay in varying positions on the beds that lined both walls in the long, rectangular room. Some patients were asleep; others stared expectantly at a double door.

I know you’re in my thoughts. What do you want?

I gasped, stunned. Zane shot me a worried look.

“He’s speaking to me telepathically.” I raised my finger to my lips. Zane fixed his eyes on the intruder.

I’m trying to find out who you are and why you’re here, I offered.

You don’t have much time. Check the chimney, he instructed.

What about the wicker? In light of the situation, I realized how silly my question must sound and felt him laugh in my head. A nice laugh … not evil. Not condescending either. He thought my question was funny.

Not everyone has wicker items in their homes. I must go. They’re looking for me. Hurry! You are on the right path. I will find you again. Remember, the chimney.

Wait …!

“He’s gone.”

“And?” Zane pressed.

“We need to hurry. The coin is hidden in the chimney …”

Zane was out the door before I’d finished explaining. Not sure if I should follow, I waited. Someone needed to keep a watch out for the bad guys. I strained to press my powers outward, seeking anything supernatural.

Got it! He cut into my thoughts. Start the car.

A few minutes later, we were speeding back home to wait for Alcuin and Mack. I hoped they’d experienced the same success. Having help from our hairless, hunched, but humorous friend, had made our expedition a whole lot easier. I told Zane about the thing’s laughter and his desire to help us.

“I don’t know what he is, who he works for, and why he’s helping us. Not knowing bothers me. But I trust your judgment. You were the one bouncing around in his head.” Zane paced to the kitchen and refilled our coffee cups.

We were both growing uneasy. Alcuin should have returned. It was almost eleven. I wasn’t too worried about Mack. His assignment had been pretty straightforward. Michael was at work watching over our animal friends.

When my cell rang, I bumped my mug, spilling hot coffee on my leg. “Ouch! Damn that hurts.” It appeared my clumsiness had returned with a scorching vengeance.

Zane retrieved a damp dishtowel and was cleaning me up before I could locate the phone hiding in the cluttered bowels of my purse. No longer ringing, the glowing screen displayed a number I knew all too well but hadn’t expected to see this late on a Saturday night — Luke’s.

Leaning over me, Zane was quick to identify the glowing digits. “This can’t be good.”

“Should I?” Calling him back was bound to bring bad news.

“I’m not sure you have a choice, if you want the week off. Remember his conditions?” Zane collapsed on the couch next to me. “How’s the leg?” He’d removed the towel and was caressing the damp splotch on my jeans.

“Better, thanks to your quick thinking.” Times like this made Zane’s werewolf super-speed all the more appealing. “I’m going to change first.”

I returned to his side feeling fresh and cozy in one of my old jogging suits, I dialed our boss’s familiar number and made sure to press the speaker button.

“Hey, what’s …?”

Luke didn’t wait for me to finish. “I need you guys here right away. Michael spotted someone lurking around the zebras. He took off faster than an Olympic sprinter and hasn’t come back. I tried to reach his dad before calling you. No luck.”

Zane was up and had the keys to the Corvette in his hand. “We’re on our way.”

Back in the car I tried repeatedly to reach Mack. It seemed he and Rita were too involved in their research to respond. Or worse, maybe he was in trouble too. It wouldn’t surprise me. No Alcuin and both M’s missing, not a good way to end the evening.

“He’ll be okay. I’m sure of it. Michael knows when to back off,” Zane said as he touched my thigh.

I hoped he was right. From what I’d seen of Michael led me to believe otherwise. He was an energetic and confident young man who could become a wolf at will — a lethal combination.

Even more lethal was the Corvette’s increasing speed.

Zane had a serious heavy foot. We were pushing ninety on a treacherous mile of curving freeway. “Honey, please, we can’t help anyone if we’re trapped under the car. Dead.” I braced, prepared for the inevitable accident.

“I can see these roads well, even at night. Remember, I’m not human.” He flashed his teeth, but, to my relief, kept his eyes on the dark road. Traffic was pretty much nonexistent, to our benefit.

I forced myself to relax, heeding Zane’s “I’m not human” reminder.

The wailing didn’t register at first. Then I realized that the shrilling sound was a police siren. Talk about déjà vu. Pulled over twice in one week, both times for speeding — at least I wouldn’t be the one worrying about a ticket this time.

Zane pounded his hands against the steering wheel and pulled onto the shoulder. “I should have listened to my wife,” he groaned.

I liked the way he said wife, and was tempted to agree, but decided to keep my mouth shut when I saw the approaching officer in my side mirror. Mr. Creepy FBI agent, from Portland, was walking next to a highway patrolman I didn’t recognize.

My body recognized the threat Agent Green presented, and responded by sending a rush of adrenaline and giving me a jolt of energy that coffee shops only wished they could sell in a paper cup.

I inhaled and started my reverse counting routine. I hoped to appear unruffled by their presence.

The unfamiliar officer tapped at the driver’s side window. Watching it slide down reminded me of a stage curtain parting to reveal something sinister. A sudden shiver sent goose bumps racing down my arms. These two men gave me the willies.

“Can I help you, officers?” Zane smirked.

I wanted to smack him and tell him to put the testosterone on hold.

“I don’t know, Dr. Marshall. Can you?” Agent Green sneered, his own testosterone making an ill-timed appearance.

Now there were two manly-men ready to defend their masculinity. I’d watch for an opening to diffuse the situation. I hoped it would come sooner rather than too late.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but we had an emergency call from the wildlife park. One of our animals is in danger,” Zane explained, sounding more official and less smug.

Agent Green leaned down and peered into the car. He noticed me and smiled. “Ms. Carpenter, how nice to see you again. Any additional animal visions to report?” His mocking tone was far from admiring.

A stab of humiliation sliced through me. This was the same man who’d claimed to believe me following my puppy interrogation at Will’s.

I struggled to keep my cool. Forget testosterone, hormones could be blamed for the sour words threatening to spew from my mouth. Sensing my dilemma, Zane dropped a bomb.

“You may want to make a note, Agent Green. This lovely lady is no longer a Carpenter.” Zane paused for effect. “She’s a Marshall.”





Outside the car, both men did a double take. I couldn’t help myself. I had to smile.

“That’s interesting.” The agent took Zane’s advice and jotted something in his little black flipbook. “I need to ask both of you to keep us informed of your whereabouts.

“With your animal-inspired story being so farfetched, Mrs. Marshall, we may need to ask you some additional questions. I’m sure you understand that with an ongoing murder investigation we need everyone to remain available.”

I felt Zane tense beside me. He was starting to vibrate. Not a good sign. Fur, claws, and fangs would put an additional damper on our already deteriorating conversation. It was time for my diffusing thing.

“No problem officers. I’d be happy to talk with you again. We need to help Luke down at the park. Are you going to give us a ticket?” I tried to sound sweet and unconcerned about his veiled threat.

Agent Green spoke again. I wondered if the other guy could talk. “You know something … I’m feeling generous tonight. I do like animals, especially the zebras and the wolves. You two go ahead and take care of your business. But, slow down.”

“Yeah, slow down,” the patrolman added for emphasis, shattering my mute-officer theory.

I nodded vigorously and smiled so big my cheeks hurt. I was mystified by the whole incident, especially the agent’s reference to zebras and wolves. What did he know about the wildlife park?

As far as I knew, there’d been no public information about the zebra attack, unless something about tonight had found its way onto Agent Green’s personal radar.

Concern for our friends replaced my agonizing over what the agent knew or didn’t know. I had to believe that Michael was all right all right, Alcuin too.

Zane gunned the motor and swung back onto the highway, picking up speed right where he’d left off, taunting the agent to stop us again. Mercifully, their vehicle had vanished over the ridge heading the opposite direction.

Luke, his foot tapping, was waiting for us by the front gate. Noticing headlights in the side mirror, I was relieved to see Mack pull in. Luke’s persistent calling had paid off.

“Hey!” I called to Mack. “Glad you made it.” He looked worried.

“Thank God you’re all here!” Luke exclaimed. “Let’s get inside the park.” He glanced over his shoulder.

In the courtyard, we formed a small circle. Luke had turned on all the outside lights illuminating the shadowy grounds. On an average night, we kept the lighting low for the animals. Tonight Luke had the place lit up like Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

I noticed both Zane and Mack trying to remain discreet while sniffing the air.

Unaware of their unusual antics, Luke rattled on about how he’d tried to follow Michael but couldn’t keep up.

“Don’t you feel bad, boss. My son can run like the wind.” Mack gave Luke a quick pat on the back.

“I’ll say,” Zane agreed, his nose still twitching. “I doubt many men could keep up with that kid.”

Luke explained the events leading up to Michael’s mad dash into the darkness.

Michael had been making his rounds when he’d heard unfamiliar growling and scratching. Following the sounds, he’d found himself outside the Zebra’s enclosure. He’d radioed Luke for assistance.

Grabbing the shotgun he kept hidden in his office, Luke had hurried out to help him investigate. He was too late. Michael was already pursuing something into heavy foliage behind the park.

“You should have seen him!” Luke boasted. “He hurdled over the electric fence without missing a step. I didn’t think jumping like that was possible. “

My eyes darted to Zane, who shrugged.

“Adrenaline can do some pretty funny stuff,” Mack offered. “You know the story about the five-foot mother hoisting a car off her child. Things like this are documented. I sure hope adrenaline finds me if I ever need it.”

“Luke, why don’t you take watch up front? Mack and I will see what we can find out here. Chloe, go with Luke.” Zane instructed. Please, for once do this with debating, he added for my ears only.

“Can I talk to Missy first?” My question was for Luke who raised an eyebrow at Zane.

Oh my goodness! Did everyone automatically bow to my big bad wolf?

Rather than waiting for his approval, I marched around the enclosure to the far corner where Missy and her mate were huddled. I could hear Luke jogging to catch up. It amazed me how loud a human sounded in comparison to one of the supes, and my athletic boss was no wimp. Stealthy — not so much, evidenced by his labored breathing.

“Since when do you take orders from anyone?” I hissed, aware of a unique opportunity to enlist Luke’s help. With all the excitement, I’d almost forgotten my escape plan. Traveling to Portland, Monday evening, remained high on my to-do list.

Looking chagrined, he muttered, “Since he became your husband.”

Luke made a good point. This was a dangerous situation and my man was all about protecting his prize, Princess Chloe. I hated to admit how much I liked my new royal title and Zane’s protective nature. I’d never felt safer or more cherished. Luke was just trying to respect our new relationship.

“I know this was all so sudden …”

“I’ll say,” he agreed, pausing again to scan the grounds.

I’d grown used to macho supernatural men, who tackled adversity with bold authority. Luke’s humanness seemed somewhat inadequate.

Mortified by my degrading thoughts about my own species, I flashed him the biggest grin I could muster under the circumstances. For goodness sake, the man was my former almost-flame. He was a great friend who put up with my glaring deficiencies. He deserved an explanation.

“Luke, I’m so sorry. You know the reason we never dated was because of our work relationship. Sometimes a good friend and excellent working relationship are hard things to give up. Still friends …?”

For the first time since my marriage announcement, the open smile that I’d come to love and expect, spread across his tanned face. “You silly girl, we’ll always be friends. And the truth is I like Zane. He’s a good guy. A little odd, but he seems to care about you. Congratulations, you deserve to be happy.”

Without thinking, I flung my arms around his neck.

“Oh! Sorry! I didn’t mean to strangle you,” I said backing away, uncomfortable with our physical contact.

He pretended to choke and sputter, “Help! I can’t breathe.”

I opened my mouth, but the words never came.

An eerie chorus of howls erupted around us, sending the zebras and other nearby animals into a state of frenzied panic.

“Run …” I managed to whisper before the haunting yowls increased in volume, sounding much closer.

I spun back toward the courtyard, not bothering to wait for Luke’s response.

When the overhead lights dissolved into darkness, I screamed.