“How did he come to that conclusion?” Lori asked.
Allan knew Paul and Lori would take Rowdy’s claim seriously, even if most people would think he was just having some lighthearted, storytelling fun. If Rowdy mentioned it to the police, they’d rib him mercilessly. But it was still a concern for the pack. Allan explained all that Debbie had told him.
“He told Debbie, not you though,” Paul said thoughtfully, setting the table.
“Maybe he thought I’d turn all wolf and that would be the end of him.” Not that Allan was being serious about it.
“He had to know she’d tell you. He must have figured she’d get a kick out of it,” Paul said.
“Right, just what I had assumed. Which means he wants to see how we react to Debbie’s claim.”
“I wonder if he’s armed with silver bullets.” Lori served up the rolls while Paul dished up the bowls of chicken and dumplings.
Allan stoked the fire, thinking how nice it would be to have one going at his place while Debbie sat with him on the couch. “Ah, but he believes any bullets will kill us.”
Paul set beers on the table for him and Allan, then returned to the kitchen to get a glass of milk for Lori. “True. Just like silver bullets can kill humans. Your reaction to Debbie was fine. As far as Rowdy goes, I’d just ignore it. Just be your normal self around him and Debbie. There’s not much else we can do for now.”
Allan joined them at the table. “I agree. I was just a little surprised. Not often does someone believe the evidence points to werewolves.”
“I’m sure he’s just pulling our legs. Coming up with bizarre explanations for bizarre circumstances. But even if he did believe we’re werewolves, I’m sure he realizes we’re some of the good guys.” Lori took a roll and passed around the platter.
“True. I just wanted to make you aware of it to alert the pack members, in case we have any trouble with him. I can see him putting surveillance on us.” Allan eyed the roll. “Fresh baked.”
“Only for you,” Lori said.
Paul grunted and began to coat his roll with gobs of butter. “She made them for me.”
She was watching Paul, then pointed her knife at his roll. “Do you have enough butter on your roll?”
When Allan had shared meals with Paul, they always had to get an extra tub of butter—the large variety.
“He’d have us under surveillance during the full moon especially.” Lori peered into the empty butter container.
Before she got up from the table, Allan said, “Do you have another tub of butter?”
“In the fridge, thanks.”
He went to get it. “Wouldn’t Rowdy be surprised to learn we don’t have to shift during the full moon but can do it at any time.”
Lori shook her head. “He may be rethinking the lore, if he truly does believe we’re wolves.”
“So if he truly believes, what then?” Allan set the new tub of butter on the table in front of Lori.
She opened the lid, giving Paul a look that said this tub was hers, and he smiled back. “We’ll take care of Rowdy if it becomes a problem.”
“Turn him, right? We could use someone like him on the force and on our side.” Allan thought it could work, particularly since Rowdy had no family to speak of.
“Yes. I agree.” Paul winked at Lori, and she relented, giving him the new tub of butter. At least it was for his second roll.
Chapter 9
For three weeks, nothing happened. It was as if nothing had ever happened. No black sedan had been spotted. No more wolf killings. Maybe the killer had been disconcerted when he killed the wolves and they hadn’t turned into humans. Maybe he hadn’t realized the Cunningham wolf pack was located here and had just followed the dead woman.
As to the business with the man driving the red Camaro, no sign of it either, though everyone had been diligent about watching for it.
Allan was trying to be careful around Debbie, and he didn’t like it. He couldn’t tell her why he was backing away. Despite his behavior, Debbie was being really upbeat and good-natured about it, and trying to show it was no big deal. And that made the situation all the harder to deal with.