The Werewolf Meets His Match (Nocturne Falls Book 2) (33 page)

Ivy stood. “Birdie, I’m going to get Hank upstairs and put him to bed. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” She hit a key and popped the flash drive out, handing it to Ivy. “Take this with you and put it somewhere safe. I’ll keep an eye on Charlie.”

Ivy stuck the drive in her pocket, then got Hank to his feet. “Let’s go. You need to be in bed.”

He draped his arm around her shoulder. “Are you going to tuck me in?”

She smiled as she led him out of the room and up the stairs. “Yes, but that’s all I’m doing. You need to heal.”

He leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “Are you sure?”

She sucked in a breath and arched away from him, reaching out to push the bedroom door open. “You’re a really bad patient.”

“I just want my wife next to me.”

She eased him onto the bed, then knelt to take his boots off. “I will be. At some point. I have to get Charlie settled first, and by then, you’ll be sound asleep. You won’t even know I’m there.”

“Sure I will.” He lay back and closed his eyes. She unbuttoned his jeans. He grinned. “I knew this was just a ploy to get me alone.”

She laughed. “Drugged up and trying to get frisky. That’s my husband.”

“Yeah,” he muttered. And drifted off to sleep.

Ivy managed to get Hank’s jeans and shirt off him, but it was only because she had the strength of a shifter. Moving that much man would have been impossible otherwise. She covered him up, tucked the flash drive under his T-shirts in his dresser drawer, then jogged back down to the living room.

“Charlie, bedtime. Upstairs and teeth brushed.”

“Aw, Mom, can’t I play one more game?”

“Not tonight, honey. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day. You have your first day at sports camp.”

He made a face. “I know.”

Birdie clapped her hands. “Isn’t that exciting, Charlie? Think of all the new friends you’re going to make.”

He shot her a look as he put the game controller away. Clearly he didn’t share her enthusiasm.

Ivy laughed as Birdie stood. “I guess I should be going, too. Call me if you need anything.”

“Thank you for everything. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m going to come to the station after I drop him off.”

“Is Hank going to work tomorrow?”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “You think I can stop him?”

Birdie snorted softly. “Silly question. Oh, I almost forgot with all that business about the flash drive. Charlie and I did a little clothes shopping today and—”

“You got my son to go shopping? For clothes?” Ivy wondered if Birdie had a little witch in her, because dragging her son into a clothing store took a special kind of magic.

Birdie put her hand to her mouth and whispered, “I promised him ice cream.”

“That would do it.”

“Anyway, I got him some shorts and a few new T-shirts. For his sports camp. I hope that’s okay.”

“Okay? That’s wonderful. I just realized I was going to have to do laundry tonight so I could send him to camp in something clean.” Ivy hugged her. “Thank you so much. You can bribe my son with sweets anytime.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” With a laugh and a happy grin, Birdie kissed Charlie on the cheek and headed out. “See you tomorrow! Have a good day at camp, Charlie boy!”

Ivy locked the house up after her, then herded Charlie to the bathroom for teeth brushing, finally getting him into bed ten minutes later. He was asleep in five, a sure sign that Birdie’s gift of the Wii had been a gift for all of them.

With both her men out cold, Ivy slipped back downstairs and pulled out her cell phone. She wanted to call Sam and tell him about the info on the flash drive, but what if he was involved in it somehow? What if he hadn’t been truthful with her about being done with the Kincaid business?

She stared at her phone, her heart aching with the possibilities. If Sam was involved, those decisions were on him. He might be her little brother, but he was also a grown man. She glanced upstairs. She had a new family now and her son to protect. Plus, Hank had asked her to wait before she said anything.

Reluctantly, she plugged her phone in to charge and left it on the kitchen counter before turning the lights off and heading back up.

Tomorrow they’d all have answers.

Even if some of those answers weren’t good ones.

Hank stared in amazement as Birdie set a cup of coffee on his desk. “You feeling all right?”

“Why?”

“You brought me coffee. Usually I have to get that myself.”

She gave him the eye but answered, “You’re convalescing. Actually, you shouldn’t even be here, but since you’re working on that…information we found last night, I’ll give you a pass.”

“Thank you, Dr. Birdie. And I’m fine now, just so you know. I took the stitches out this morning. I’m all healed up.”

She looked at him, aghast. “You’re not supposed to take your own stitches out.”

“What are you going to do? Sue me for malpractice?”

“Hmph. All I do for you and that’s the kind of sass I get.” She lifted her chin as she strode back to her desk.

He smiled. It was good to be back at work. Good to have his routine back. He sipped his coffee as his gaze landed on the flash drive.

It would be even better when Ivy didn’t have to worry about her family anymore. Well, he’d started the ball rolling this morning. Now it was just a matter of getting some questions answered.

The phone rang.

Birdie yelled, “Phone.”

With a long-suffering sigh, Hank reached for the receiver. “Nocturne Falls Sheriff Department. Sheriff Merrow speaking.”

“Morning, Sheriff. This is US Attorney Janet Fry. I understand you have some information that might interest me.”

“Are you interested in putting Clemens Kincaid away?”

“Hell yes.”

“Then I think we can do business. But that information comes with conditions.”

“Such as?”

“I need total immunity for Sam, Ivy and Patsy Kincaid. That’s the youngest son, the daughter and Clemens’ wife.” Not that he thought Ivy was guilty of anything, but he wanted her protected.

“Are they willing to testify?”

“They might be, but I don’t think that will be necessary with the information I have.”

“If that’s true, I can guarantee them immunity. But whatever you have better lead to a conviction.”

“It will. Send me the deal in writing and I’ll pass on what I have.”

“I’ll get it together. The Kincaid file is a thick one. I spoke to someone in the organized crime division and they’re eager to close it. This could be a real feather in your cap, Sheriff.”

Hank grunted. “I don’t need a feather in my cap. What I need is my name kept out of it. Consider me an anonymous source.”

Fry hesitated. “You’re sure about that? A big arrest like this could lead to a commendation and who knows what?”

“I’m sure. Just get me that deal.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll have it to you before the end of the day.” She hung up.

Half an hour later, Ivy popped in. “Hi, Birdie.” She stuck her head around Hank’s door. “You busy?”

“Not too busy for you.” He got up. “How’d Charlie do at camp?”

“He wasn’t happy at first, but by the time I left, he was already talking to some of the other kids.”

“Good.”

Worry bracketed her eyes. “You have any news?”

He slipped his arms around her waist. “I do. And it’s all good.”

She closed her eyes and exhaled, leaning her forehead against his cheek. “Thank you.”

He kissed her temple. “Call Sam. It’s time to fill him in.”

Ivy stuck her hands under her legs to keep from fidgeting while Hank explained everything to Sam. Her brother sat stock still, listening like he was hearing the tale of their father’s misdeeds for the first time.

“And that’s about it,” Hank finished.

Sam shook his head. “Are you sure about all this?”

Ivy put her hand on his arm. “We have proof, Sam.”

He nodded, staring at his hands.

Her heart went out to him, but she had questions of her own. “You had to have known about this.”

“I’ve had my suspicions for a long time, but Dad always shielded me from it.” Sam let out a hard breath. “You know he’s always pushed for me to go into law enforcement. Now I think that was probably so he’d have someone on the inside. Someone in the family, that is. He’s already got a few local cops on the payroll.”

Sam dropped his head, and the muscles in his jaw tightened. When he looked at Hank again, pain and determination shone in his eyes. “How much time am I going to have to do?”

“None. I’ve brokered a deal with the US Attorney to give you, Ivy and your mother immunity with conditions.”

Sam blinked hard. “No trial? No arrest?”

“No.”

“I don’t know how to thank you. That is…way more than I expected.” Sam took a long, relieved breath. “If you need anything from me…”

“I need you to move here where your sister can keep an eye on you. And for you to make yourself a valuable part of your nephew’s life.” Hank’s gaze tapered down. “You upset that boy once and I will make you very sorry.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Sam held his hands up. “As for moving here, consider it done. There’s no life for me back home anyway.” He smiled. “I’m going to be the best uncle that kid’s ever had.”

Hank’s stern expression stayed put. “That’s going to be hard to do considering his other uncle is my brother, Titus. Speaking of, Titus is willing to give you a job at the firehouse so long as you can pass the tests and training. I’ve already run a background check on you, and unlike your sister, you don’t have an arrest record, so you qualify. You’ll have to go to the Georgia Fire Academy. It won’t be easy, but it’s a fresh start if you’re interested.”

“I am. Thank you. So much.” Sam grabbed Ivy’s hand. “You, too. I’m sorry about everything.”

“I know. I’m really happy you want to be part of Charlie’s life.” She squeezed his hand, then gave him a hard, serious look. “But I’d like for you and Hank to be friends too.”

“We can work on that.” Sadness filled Sam’s eyes again. “I owe Charlie big-time.” He sighed. “I have a lot to make up for.”

Hank nodded. “Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? We never did get to do our family run after the wedding. Full moon’s gone, but better late than never.”