Page 39 of Relics of the Wolf

After a pause, Chad said, “Thereisthat Discord server where dealers for the paranormal hang out.”

He sounded thoughtful, like he hadn’t considered it before but was doing so now. Or was he simply playing dumb? Maybe he’d figured out that Duncan was more on my side than his. IhopedDuncan was more on my side.

“There are several,” Duncan said. “Which one are you thinking of?”

“The Elder Kinwalkers. I’ve gotten information there before.”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve heard of that one. You might even find leads there.”

“Not if someone already stole my case,” Chad grumbled. “Are you sure about that? You’re not still up there, sleeping with her, are you?” The jealousy in his tone was more irritating than flattering. He couldn’t possibly care about who I had sex with, could he? Not whenhe’dleftmenumerous times over the years. He’d been sleeping with girls all over the world long before I filed for a divorce, threw his belongings into the parking lot, and changed the locks.

“I’m still up here. The treasure hunting is good. Who I sleep with isn’t any of your business.”

“Stay away from her,” Chad said.

“You’ve got an interesting way of apologizing.”

Apologizing? HadChadbeen the one to call?

“I thought you might still be able to get the case,” Chad said. “Now that I know someoneelsehas it… Shit. Can you find it and get it back? I’m still willing to pay. I think that’s going to be worth even more than I thought. To the right people. If you can find it, I’ll cut you in big time.”

Duncan hesitated.

“No,” I mouthed but didn’t say loudly enough for him to hear.

“Who are the right people? Do you have any idea who else might have wanted it? Maybe they’ve already got it. I described that thug to you. Does he sound familiar? I can do some research, but it would help if I knew who else is in the running. You know, willing to pay for the acquisition of werewolf artifacts.”

The van side door slid slowly open. Startled, I backed up a step. Duncan wasn’t surprised to see me, and the phone was indeed on the speaker setting. He’d known I was there. And thought I might want to hear?

He watched my face warily, probably not sure how I would react.

I clenched my jaw but didn’t do anything to interfere with the end of the call.

“I have no idea who that guy is,” Chad said. “He sounds like someone’s heavy. And, no, I’m not the only one looking for werewolf artifacts right now.”

“Oh? Do you plan to resell it? No offense, chap, but if I find it, I could sell it to the highest bidder myself.”

“You don’t know who the highest bidder is.”

“I can find out.”

“You’re not stealingmyartifact and selling it tomycontact, you bastard. I hired you to fetch it, not screw me and my wife.”

“She’s your ex-wife.”

“She’s stillmine.”

“That’s not whatshesays.”

I nodded firmly, my face hot, my hands clenched around the snow shovel. I wished Chad were physically present so I could club him in the head.

“Stay away from her,” Chad warned, “and if I find out you sold that case, I’ll come up and kill you myself.”

“I’m trembling with fear.” Duncan hit the button to hang up and lowered the phone. Face still wary, he met my eyes. “He called me. Not for the first time since the conversation you overheard, but I didn’t answer before. I thought if I did so this time, I might be able to get some useful information.”

Trying to sublimate my anger—it was directed far more at Chad than Duncan—I struggled to answer. I needed a minute to stand there with snowflakes landing on my head as I fumed.

“I knew you were there,” Duncan added. “Your aura of werewolfness is stronger now that your potion has fully worn off.”

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