Page 53 of Fetch Me A Mate
Diana's face went pale. "Gerald Finch stopped by yesterday while you were at the hardware store. Said he needed updated budget projections for his quarterly report."
"What did you tell him?"
"Nothing confidential. Just general revenue forecasts, occupancy rates for the gathering." Diana pulled out her phone. "But he seemed unusually interested in our operating costs. Asked specific questions about contractor expenses."
Rowan felt his wolf stir beneath his skin, recognizing a hunting pattern. "They're building a case."
"Who's building a case?"
"People who want to make trouble for you." Rowan began packing his tools with mechanical precision. "I need to make some calls."
"Rowan."
"Yeah?"
"Whatever this is about, we handle it together. Like we agreed."
He looked at her standing there with her clipboard and her determined expression, and felt something shift inside his chest. Not the mate bond, though that was still there, thrumming beneath his ribs like a second heartbeat. This was deeper. Quieter.
"Together," he agreed. "But first, I need to track down who's spreading lies about your finances."
Two hours later, Rowan found his answer in the back booth of Mickey's Diner, twenty minutes outside Hollow Oak. Jerry Kowalski sat hunched over coffee and pie, his council aide badge making him look official and his sweaty palms making him look guilty.
"Afternoon, Jerry."
Kowalski jumped like he'd been shot. "Rowan. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Bet you didn't." Rowan slid into the opposite seat without invitation. "Heard you've been asking questions about the Hearth & Hollow Inn. Spreading concerns about financial irregularities."
"Just doing my job. Council oversight, you know."
"Whose job? You work for the Parks Department, Jerry. Since when do you handle business licensing?"
Kowalski's coffee cup rattled against the saucer as he set it down. "Got a call from someone concerned about potential fraud. Had to follow up."
"What someone?"
"Anonymous tip line."
"Bullshit." Rowan leaned forward, letting his wolf rise close enough to the surface that his eyes flashed silver. "Someone's paying you to manufacture problems for Diana Merrick. Who?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Jerry." Rowan's voice dropped to a low growl. "You've got ten seconds to tell me who hired you before I start making phone calls to your supervisor about harassment and corruption charges."
"I can't." Kowalski was sweating now, beads of moisture dotting his forehead. "They said if I talked, they'd make sure I lost my job."
"And if you don't talk, I'll make sure you lose more than that."
Kowalski stared at Rowan's silver eyes and came to a decision.
"Three guys in expensive suits. Said they were investigating irregularities in local business licensing. Paid me five hundred to ask around, file some concerns about the inn's financial stability as well as some misplacings on orders."
"Names?"
"Didn't give any. But one of them, the one who did most of the talking, he had eyes like yours. That silver color. And when he smiled..." Kowalski shuddered. "Like looking at a shark."
Danarius. It had to be.
