Flint frequently used his business as a cover for the Enforcer’s activities, but it had never hit so close to home before.
When The Enforcers had learned of the kidnappings, and of Metamorph’s suspected plans on the ley line property, he’d immediately set up surveillance to ensure that his family was safe, and then arranged for the expansion project so that dozens of Enforcers could be covertly moved in to town, pretending to be the construction crew.
“Do you think they’ll still go forward with their plans?” Rory asked.
Flint was boiling over with frustration. “Metamorph put a fortune into this project. I know they’re going to wonder if their plans have been exposed, but I think that they’re still going to go forward with their operation. There’s too much at stake for them if they abandon ship. That comet won’t be passing by again in our lifetime; they’ll never have another opportunity like this one.”
“Well, it’s not like we have any choice,” Rory said. “It’s still our best chance to rescue the kidnap victims and shut these bastards down for good. We’ll carry on as planned.”
Chapter Fourteen
The sun blazed in a cloudless sky, and the lightest of breezes ruffled the trees. Coral and Frederick stopped for a moment; they were near the edge of Metamorph’s property. Overhead, eleven million miles from Earth, Archibald’s comet soared through the airless space between the planets, dragging a scattered trail of meteors behind it.
They’d hiked this far in human form, and now they were preparing to shift.
Coral stood perfectly still in the sunlight, squinting up at the sky. In the daytime, the comet wasn’t visible, but it would be approaching the Earth at its closest point within a couple of hours.
“What are you doing?” Frederick asked.
“Nothing. Just trying to see if I feel anything different, a sudden surge of power or anything like that. I don’t feel a thing. Then again, from what Blanche told me, the historical record indicates that none of the people who turned into shifters felt anything different, right up until they were suddenly able to shift.”
Coral paused. “We’ve got company,” she said. “Good God, Blanche followed us here. I can smell her.”
Blanche came bustling out of the woods, jogging towards them at a surprisingly fast pace for someone her age. She was wearing camouflage print jogging pants and camouflage sneakers.“Are you crazy?” Coral demanded when she reached them. “What are you even doing here?”
“I told you to call me if you were going to do any more snooping! It could be dangerous!” Blanche looked hurt.
“Yes, it could be dangerous, which is exactly why I didn’t tell you! How did you know we’d be here?”
“Bettina overheard you two talking, and she told me about it. As if anyone in Blue Moon Junction can keep a secret from me.” She reached into her pocketbook and pulled out a .22 calibre pistol. Coral yelped in alarm.
“Now, just in case we run into kidnappers, we’ll be armed. So anyway – oh, good heavens, can you believe that nosy bitch followed us here?”
“Yes, actually, I can,” Coral said wearily, watching Maybelle race towards them. “I’d be more surprised if she hadn’t.”
Maybelle was huffing and puffing by the time she reached them.
“Nice try,” she said snootily to Blanche. “If you think I’m going to let you get Coral killed, you’ve got another thing coming.” She was wearing a pink and blue flowered track suit and blue running shoes. She was toting a flowered purse; she reached into it and pulled out a Glock.
“Now this is a gun,” she said. “That wimpy little pea-shooter wouldn’t take out a hummingbird.” She dismissed Blanche’s gun with a scornful glance.
“Oh, listen to the mighty hunter – who’s dressed to make sure every varmint that’s not legally blind can see you coming from fifty miles, in that flashy getup. Typical, you’re vain even when you’re chasing a gang of kidnappers.”
“Why, you-” Blanche swung towards Maybelle with a snarl. Her snout protruded, and fur sprouted on her face. It was gray heavily speckled with white. A warning growl rumbled up from Maybelle’s throat.
“Ladies!” Coral barked at them. “This is why you’re not coming with us. They’ll hear you coming from miles away.” Sudden inspiration struck her. “You two need to be our sentries. We’re going to go a little further in, and then shift and take a run through the woods to see what we can see or scent. Stay here, and if we’re not back in an hour, then go back to town and call for help.”
Blanche’s face rippled and turned human again. She glanced at Maybelle questioningly.
“Well, I guess…” Maybelle said hesitantly.
“I don’t like it. You have no idea what you’re going to run into out there-” Blanche protested.
“Let’s go, Frederick,” Coral said quickly. She didn’t want the two women to have a chance to argue with her – or follow her.