Page 59 of Relics of the Wolf

I shot him a scathing look through the windshield as Duncan backed the Tesla away from the tree. “We’re Gen X, not Boomers. I’malmosta Millennial, FYI.”

“He’s got a lot of gray in his hair.”

“It’s silver, and Gen Xers aren’t that young anymore.” I shook my head. Why was I arguing about this? “Thanks for handling the police. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. I think… I owe you one.”

“You don’t owe me anything. I don’t even pay you.”

“My parents don’t either, other than my allowance.”

“The allowance that’s six figures a year?”

He hadn’t told me that, but I had my suspicions. Either that or his parents had bought him that car and paid for the insurance on it. And hadn’t he said he had his own apartment?

“It’s a generous allowance,” Bolin agreed. “But I meant the thugly blond guy who beat the snot out of me. Some kind of wild animal ripped out his throat. I’m not a vengeful person, but I’m going to admit I’m not as horrified to see him dead as some other people might be. The bastard hurled me against a post and smashed my face. I’m lucky I’m the cerebral type and don’t need to make my way in the world as a model.”

“Yeah, your spelling-bee skills are sure to pave the path to a lucrative future.”

“Those aren’t myonlyskills.”

“Oh, sorry. I forgot you play the violin too.”

“You’re kind of snarky tonight.”

“You called me a freaking Boomer.”

“Touché. But anyway, I’ll take care of this. Like I said, I appreciate that you… orsomething… made sure that guy won’t go after me again.”

The thug had only goneafterBolin because he’d been carrying the wolf case, but I didn’t point that out. Whatever his reason, I was glad to have him helping out. I wouldn’t have expected someone that young to have the maturity to stand out here and field all the questions and whatever requests the police were making.

“Thanks, Bolin.”

“No problem.” He hung up.

We’d driven away from the apartment complex, so I couldn’t tell if the police had returned to question him. I hoped he would be all right. As I slid my phone into my pocket, my shoulder twinged from the movement, and I grunted softly. The pain wasn’t that bad, but I grunted again when I realized I didn’t have my purse or even my ID with me.

Maybe that was for the best. Then, if we were captured and searched, my belongings couldn’t give me away. Except that probably wouldn’t matter. Whoever had sent the thugs to capture me… already knew who I was.

“You doing okay?” Duncan asked after my grunts.

“I’m fine. A bit sore, but these seats are surprisingly comfortable. And warm.” I wiggled my rump. “Did you turn the butt heaters on?”

“I haven’t poked around to figure out how to do that. The previous guys must have.”

“I’m bemused that those brutes were riding around with soothing heat warming their asses while they were plotting our demise.”

“All humans crave creature comforts. And it was onlymydemise they were angling for. They wanted you alive for something.” Duncan gave me a significant look as he drove the car onto the on-ramp for the freeway.

“Yeah, I caught that too. It’s probably unwise of me to head up to their headquarters in the very car they sent to snatch me.”

“That might have been an impulsive idea.”

“Youcame up with it.”

“I know. I’m the impulsive one. I was worried about the police rounding me up if I lingered, but, now I wish I’d grabbed a few more things from my van.” Duncan touched one of his bulging pockets but didn’t show me what he had in there. Not enough to storm an enemy fortress, I guessed.

“You might have been wise to get out of there,” I said. “They’re probably going to cordon off your suspicious van with caution tape and flashing lights.”

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