Burning Both Ends (11 page)

She shouldn’t have worried. Tobias was so impressed by the words “Homeland Security,” he was fairly bristling with importance. “Whatever you have to say can be said to me, Agent Jones. I can speak for everyone.” He puffed out his chest. “Happy to discuss the situation with you.” Tobias looked pointedly at the other wolves. “I’m sure Agent Jones would prefer to talk in private. Why don’t you give us a few minutes alone?” Having dismissed them, Tobias immediately turned a beaming smile on Jones and waved him to a seat.

Ari couldn’t believe it was this easy. She’d never expected Tobias to send them away, but what a stroke of luck. When Robert opened his mouth to complain, Ari gave him a hard elbow.

“Don’t you recognize a rescue when you see one?” she whispered.

Robert looked at Jones, then at Ari, his face asking a question. She nodded. The corners of his mouth started to curl upward. Vita and Warren appeared puzzled but followed Robert’s direction when he waved them out the door. Jena met them outside where Tobias’s wolves were passed out or singing on the lawn; the delegation’s wolf pack was already gone.

As the last of the leaders and their guards drove away from the resort, Lilith started the Lexus and waited while Ari stayed behind to release the stink spell:

“Take the rancid sewer smell, bind it in this magic spell. Where I point, set it free; as I ask, so mote it be.”

She ran like hell for the car.

It came off without a hitch. By the time Tobias figured out the wolf leaders were gone, they’d be miles away. Even if he managed to rouse his drunken crew, the stink spells would obliterate the trail for days. Ari was sorry Jones was stuck with the mobster and the stench, but she’d warned him. Surely he’d find a way to muddle through. After all, he was ex-CIA.

* * *

Ari continued to let Lilith handle the wheel on the drive back to Riverdale. Ari spent her time on the phone, arranging her pieces of their elaborate plan. She was increasingly conscious of the passage of time. Although the ruse to get rid of Tobias had worked, they were behind schedule by three or four hours and having to play catch-up.

Time wasn’t her only concern. The strain that came whenever she risked the lives or futures of others washed over her. She watched the fields and fence posts pass outside the car window, worrying if the hastily formed plan would work. Were the risks too big? Or the assumptions too optimistic? Everything hinged on the kidnappers believing the disinformation and reacting in certain ways. What if they didn’t? Instead of walking into a trap or calling to demand what was going on, what if they killed Steffan?

She sighed and made the next call. This wasn’t the time for second-guessing. All she could do now was move forward. If she didn’t, Steffan would die anyway.

Long before the city was in sight, Ari sat back, satisfied the plan was taking form. With her phone still in hand, she scrolled through her messages. Nothing from Andreas. She noticed again the two calls from Claris. Maybe she should take a moment and find out what was on her best friend’s mind.

Claris answered on the second ring. “Where’ve you been? I’ve been trying to reach you all day. He’s gone, Ari! I’ve looked everywhere.”

Ari jerked straight in her seat. Gone? Was someone else missing?

“Who’s gone? Calm down, Claris! Is Brando missing?” The only person Ari could think of that would make Claris so frantic was Brando, Claris’s wizard boyfriend, a friend of both women since elementary school.

“No, of course not. Why would Brando be missing? It’s Hernando.” With those words Claris burst into tears.

Ari was speechless. She could count on her fingers the times she’d seen her best friend cry. In spite of her fragile looks, Claris had always been the steady one that others relied on in a crisis. While she might spend her time communing with nature, working among the herbs and home remedies she sold in Basil & Sage, her Olde Town shop, she also listened to people’s problems. She was easy to confide in, and she definitely wasn’t a crier. Now she'd fallen apart because of Hernando? He was a cat, for Goddess’s sake. An important cat, a sweetie with oodles of sentimental value, but still a cat. And Ari was up to her ears in vampire and werewolf affairs.

It was hard to relate.

Since it was Claris, she tried. “Have you checked the greenhouse? Under the bed in the guest room?”

“Yes, of course, I looked in all those places. He’s not anywhere.” Claris struggled to steady her voice.

“Well, hon, he is a tomcat. He’s probably out, uh, catting around. He’ll show up and probably be extra hungry.”

“Do you really think so? It’s already dark.” Claris sounded uncertain but hopeful.

Ari fed the hope. “It’s not that late. Give it a little more time. I’m sure he’ll turn up if you’re patient.”

“OK. I’ll call you as soon as he comes home.” The fact that she hung up without asking how Ari was or what she was doing showed just how upset Claris was. Ari was selfishly relieved she didn’t have to go into a long explanation of Steffan’s disappearance or how she’d abandoned Andreas.

Ari heaved a weary sigh. Life just got better and better. Now she’d added the recovery of a missing cat to her list of things to do.

Chapter Ten

As a result of her earlier calls, Steffan’s house was rocking with a noisy party when Ari, Lilith and the werewolf delegation arrived. Beer kegs and laughing lycanthropes carrying red plastic cups dotted the lawn. Lilith parked the Lexus in front, and the other vehicles pulled alongside. Everyone piled out in full view, making themselves as conspicuous as possible for potential watchers. The four wolf leaders joined the party on the lawn in a game of volleyball. Luggage was hauled inside, leaving the impression the newcomers were settling in for the night.

Ari watched with approval. If the plan was going to work, it was important the kidnapper believed the delegation had relocated to Steffan’s house.

Over the next hour, many of the partiers moved inside, and the leaders disappeared into private rooms to make the rehearsed calls to their home packs.

Robert, Vita, and Warren huddled together. They’d agreed to monitor each other’s calls to insure the same information was dispensed. It wasn’t a lack of trust, although that was always an issue with Otherworlders, but misunderstandings can ruin plans, too. The monitoring would prevent inadvertent miscues.

Since Jena and Ari were together, Ari monitored her call, as Jena talked with her second-in-command, back home in Minnesota.

“That’s right, we’re in Riverdale now. Steffan’s being held by kidnappers until we vote the way they want. What?” Jena listened for a while. “No. We think they knew where we were. If Tobias found us, they could too.” She listened again. “That’s right, Steffan’s house. Five bedrooms, it’s pretty crowded with all of us.” More listening. “Not long. We vote tomorrow night, and I’m not changing my mind. The coalition will be approved.” Ari heard a protesting voice on the other end. “I know, but we’re convinced they’ll kill him either way. In fact, some of us think he’s already dead. We’d all vote no, if it would save him. But it won’t.”

Ari had heard all she needed to hear. Jena had covered the important points: the leaders were at Steffan’s, the vote was tomorrow night, and the only thing that would change the vote was proof of Steffan’s safety. Since no one knew which pack was leaking information to the kidnapper, all four leaders were giving out the same information. For now, they’d quit worrying about the identity of the leak. There simply wasn’t time to find him or her. That meant providing the same disinformation to everyone and hoping someone took the bait.

Gilbert met Ari as soon as she emerged from Jena’s room.

“What next?”

“We get the leaders out of here, without being seen, and into the safety of the Magic Hall. Once that is done, it’s up to the kidnappers.”

“What do you think they’ll do?”

“I don’t know, Gilbert. I’ll be happy if they go either way. If they attack the house, you and your people can hopefully capture someone to lead us to Steffan. If they call any of the leaders’ cell phones or the Council president again, we’ll hope the trace works.”

“Where can I find you?”

“With the leaders, waiting for that call.”

“We’re ready to do our part,” Gilbert said. “I’ll feel better about a potential attack on the house once the leaders are gone. Protecting an empty house should be easy. If something goes wrong, we can back off, let them come in and then surround them.”

“You’re in charge. Handle it however you want, but try to keep one person alive so we can question him.”

Gilbert grinned.

Ari’s cell buzzed. Claris. Hernando must be home. She clicked the button.

“Is Hernando all right?” Ari asked.

“No, I mean he didn’t come home, and it’s been dark a long time. He’s got to be hungry and cold.” Claris’s voice was laced with worry. “What do I do now?”

Ari smothered an impatient sigh. “I’m sorry, Clare. But he’s a big, healthy tomcat. It won’t hurt him to be out all night.” Ari frowned as Gilbert snorted in amusement. Apparently he saw the irony in the situation. “If he’s not back by morning, maybe you should call the shelters. Anyone who’s taken him in will start looking for his owner by then.” She hesitated. “I promise that as soon as I can I will be there to help you look. I just can’t right now. OK?”

Gilbert snickered again, but Ari ignored him.

Bella, Ari’s cat, would be upset if Hernando was lost. They were buddies. In fact, that was how Ari ended up with a cat. The flirtatious female had come calling on Hernando and never left. When Claris decided she couldn’t keep two, Ari became an adoptive mom. A picture of Bella’s big green eyes flashed through Ari’s head, and her expression softened. Before disconnecting, she did her best to reassure Claris.

Ari looked at Gilbert. “Don’t say a word.”

Minutes later they met with the four leaders in Robert’s room. “Ready?’ Ari asked.

“Messages delivered,” Robert said. His face relaxed into a smile. “I can imagine how fast the gossip is spreading.”

“Anyone ask any difficult questions?’

“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” Vita said.

“Then it’s time we get on our way. I don’t want anyone trapped inside this house if the kidnappers attack. Did everyone memorize the way to the Magic Hall?” When they nodded, Ari added, “You’ll be met at the back door. The code word is Horatio.”

Jena laughed. “Nice touch, Ari. The old gentleman strikes again. You think Tobias is still bending his ear?”

The smiling faces indicated they were all enjoying Tobias’s defeat. Ari wondered how soon the blustery wolf would realize he’d been had. Too funny. A secret video of the moment of revelation would be priceless, guaranteed to go viral.

Ari sobered and nodded at Robert. “It’s time. Be careful.” Her words chased any humor from the room, replaced by spiraling tension. This was the most dangerous part of the plan, and Robert had volunteered to go first. As each leader left, they would be alone, unguarded, vulnerable to attack during the transition from here to the Magic Hall.

Robert morphed into wolf form, and the group exited into the main hall, where the lights were now off. Robert trotted to the back door, scratched twice. It was opened from the outside, a signal the area was clear, and Robert slipped into the dark. Ari and the other wolves joined Lilith on the porch. Fifteen minutes later, Jena left them and repeated Robert’s actions, then Warren and finally Vita. The rest of the party spilled into the yard and grew louder, as Lilith and Ari wandered toward their car.

“Why don’t you stay, Ari? The night is young,” Gilbert called, as she neared the Lexus.

“Another time. I still have evening patrol. Take good care of our friends,” she shouted back. If anyone within five miles didn’t know she was leaving, they were deaf.

“Same here,” Lilith yelled. “I’m all partied out.”

They waved a cheery good-bye and jumped into her car. Andreas’s car. She really should return it one of these days.

* * *

To Ari’s immense relief, the Magic Hall looked dark and deserted when she and Lilith approached on foot a half hour later. They’d left the Lexus outside Ari’s apartment, about ten minutes away. The large medieval-style hall towered among the trees, its commanding presence caught at the edges of the street light. Ari had worried that too many lights inside the building would attract unwelcome attention, but the others had obviously thought of that. She pulled out her passkey, unlocked the door and they slipped inside. A weretiger loomed out of the darkness to block their path. The tigress relaxed as soon as she recognized Ari.

“Did everyone arrive safely?” Ari asked.

“Yes. The last came almost an hour ago. You’ll find them in the Deliberation Room with the wizard.”

“What about security? How many guards do you have?”

“Nine of our best weretigers. Several of the Magic Council members also stayed to provide additional protection, so we have a couple of elves, some dwarfs, and two or three panthers scattered throughout the building. Four tiger sentries and a troll are outside.” Her demeanor said the added security from the Council wasn’t necessary. The tigress was young, yet steady and confident. Perfect type for an operation like this. The tigers were good. On the way in, Ari hadn’t seen any of the sentries. Of course, she had sensed them all.

Before Ari reached the Deliberation Room she could feel the agitation. “Has something gone wrong?” she asked, as she and Lilith entered.

“Oh, it’s Tobias,” Jena said with disgust. “He’s ranting and raving. Calling Chicago, calling Wisconsin, calling each of our packs and who knows who else about our running out on him. We’re afraid someone’s going to tell him where we said we’d be, and he’ll show up at Steffan’s house. That would blow our cover pretty quick.”

“Where is he now?”

“Don’t know. He’s tried calling each of us. No one answered when we saw who it was,” Robert said. “But he’s going to keep trying. What if the kidnappers can’t get through because he’s tying up the lines? Should one of us answer? What would we say?”

Ari thought about it. She could ask Ryan to arrest him, except she wasn’t sure where Tobias was and Ryan would demand a whole hell of a lot of explanation. Maybe Homeland Security would do them another favor. Unless she could think of a good enough story to distract him. “Jena, can I see your phone? I need Tobias’s number.”

Once Ari had the number, she used her own cell to call him. She wanted him to see her name pop up on his caller ID. He answered immediately.

“What the hell have you done with the wolf leaders, Guardian?”

She ignored his question and asked her own. “What do you think you’re doing? I heard you were interfering with my investigation. Agent Jones told me he’d get your cooperation. Are you reneging on the deal with Homeland Security?”

Tobias stopped sputtering for a moment and asked, “What are you talking about?”

“I’m simply trying to verify that we have a deal. ’Cause I’m sure not seeing it.”

“What deal? What agreement? I think you’re making this up.” Tobias’s voice was wary but uncertain. Ari chose her words with care, for she had no idea what he and Jones had really discussed. It wasn’t likely it had much to do with Steffan. Something else, then. Maybe if she stayed vague enough…

She searched for a topic that would catch his attention. “I’m sure he explained the problem,
your
problem. The CIA, and the records?” Ari hoped it wasn’t just profiling to figure that gangsters kept a second set of doctored books or other illegal records they were hiding from authorities.

“What records are you talking about? My records? The CIA is interested in my records?”

Now he sounded more than uncertain. Frightened. Ari grinned at the panic in his voice. Was he choking over gang records or personal documents? Tax forms? Pay-offs? This might actually work. “Don’t tell me you didn’t make the deal? Your cooperation for calling off the audits?”

“Audits? I haven’t heard about any audits.” Tobias was no fool, and he was getting angry. Ari would lose him if she pushed further.

“OK, never mind. I wonder why… Uh, sorry I brought it up. My mistake, I guess. But it doesn’t change the fact that you need to stay out of my case. You should pay more attention to your own business.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? What business?”

“It’s nothing. I told you, I must have been mistaken. Forget I mentioned the records, but stay out of my hair.”

“What records are they after?”

Ari smiled when she heard the hint of desperation creeping into his voice.

“I don’t know, Tobias.” She hung up and rang Jones, repeating her recent conversation.

Jones’s laugh was unrestrained. “You are quite an inventive young lady, Ms. Calin. Would have made a good agent. I take it you want me to call Tobias and feed the flames. Convince him the feds are after his hidden records. I believe I would enjoy that.” He chuckled again. “He may forget all about you and go running for home.”

“That would be perfect, but I’d be satisfied if he spends the rest of the night arranging to hide or destroy his files. I bet he has a lot of things he doesn’t want the government to find.”

“I wouldn’t bet against you.” Jones’s voice grew speculative. “He’s shrewd, that one, and greedy. I’d kind of like a look at those books myself. Hmm, yes, I think you can leave Tobias to me.”

She read off Tobias’s phone number. Considering the job as good as done, Ari ended the call with a feeling of accomplishment. Horatio was probably right. Within the next hour Tobias would be hotfooting it for Chicago to protect his precious records.

She turned to look at the waiting wolf leaders and Council president. “I think that crisis is averted. Next?”

The old wizard nodded his head with approval. “Nicely done. I believe we’re back to our chess game with the kidnapper. It’s his move.”

“I wish he’d hurry up,” Jena grumbled. “This has been a long day already, and we’re just getting started.”

Jena was showing the stress of waiting. Following Ari’s suggestion, the leaders had designated her as spokesperson for the kidnapper’s calls. She was the most easy-going, and Ari was counting on her to follow instructions without going off on some tangent of her own.

When Ari’s phone rang, everyone turned to look at her. She hoped Tobias wasn’t calling back. She checked caller ID.

“Private,” she said. She stepped into the hallway, closed the door behind her, and clicked the phone button. “Hi. Everything OK?”

“Hello, cara mia. You sound tired.” Andreas’s beautiful voice floated across the airwaves like the calm in the midst of a hurricane.

“I guess I am,” she admitted. “As long as there was something to do, adrenaline kept me going, but now we’re just waiting for the kidnappers to call.”

“Kidnappers? So you have heard from someone? What do they want?”

She went over the events of the last several hours, from breakfast on, including Tobias and the drunk wolves, the great escape, Horatio’s help. Andreas was still chuckling over Tobias’s audit fears when she finished.

“An eventful day,” he said. “I wish I were with you, cara mia, but I cannot leave Toronto until the transition is settled.”

“I know you can’t, but it would be nice.” Ari’s voice held a wistful note.