Page 41 of Wolf's Whistle
“I already asked the captain for uniforms to watch the house. He says he can’t spare the personnel for what might have been a stray bullet.” Murphy cringed.
“What? How can there be six stray bullets?” The chandelier shook at the volume of Henri’s voice.
Richard stepped up, and Julio pulled him back by his belt and whispered, “This is loup garou business. Do not interfere.”
Richard cast Julio a black look but kept silent.
“I can get some of the uniforms who do private security work, but we’d have to pay them…”
“Get out of my sight before I tear your throat out right here just for bringing that roach to Julien’s home. Now you say the police department who is sworn to protect us, refuses to do so? Leave Murphy, before I get really angry.” Henri sat back down, dismissing Murphy.
Richard whispered behind his hand to Julio and Kane, “He really is good at this.”
Sean, who overheard their conversation, added, “Armand was giving him time to find his feet. It appears that he has, with a vengeance.”
Murphy scurried downstairs to return to the crime scene.
“Well, you put the fear of the gods into him.” Rémy took a sip of coffee. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I deal with fishermen, miners, and loggers, a very rough and tumble bunch. I’ve taken out more than one recalcitrant wolf. I may be number eight, but I’m suited for this job, better than you, Rémy. You know how to shout. I know when to shout.” Henri leaned back in his seat.
Rémy gave Henri a quizzical stare, then became thoughtful. “Henri’s right. I’m always blustering about something. Everyone knows I have a temper and tend to shrug it off. Henri’s quiet. When he growls, it means something.” He reached for a cookie.
“Julien, you need to bring Enforcers in until you see Blanc and then fly immediately to Redmond, where you can hole up until we flush out this piece of shit.” Henri turned red. “Excuse me, Armand.”
“No excuse necessary. Stawski is a piece of excrement. A rogue cop is one of the worst things a man can become. He swore to uphold the law, and he deliberately foreswears his oath. Henri’s right. Julien and Richard should go to Redmond immediately with his household. We’ll take care of things here and be out in Washington in time for the mating. Julien, this man doesn’t know you have a home in Redmond, does he?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Edward told him that Richard and I would be married at my home in Redmond, Washington.”
“Then we can protect you better here than there.” Armand sighed.
Henri slapped the table. “I have an idea, Alpha. Why don’t we go see Don Ferone? He has a small army of his soldiers in the city. They can watch the house and the rooftops for Stawski. It’s really the only solution. Julien can’t get anyone here from Redmond tonight, and we don’t have enough manpower to cover both the streets and the house.”
Rémy made a moue of distaste.
Armand shrugged. “Henri’s right. We need the manpower and don’t have the time. The Serbian mob also operates in New York, and I think they are at odds with Ferone’s group. Otherwise, Don Ferone would not have gone out of his way to find out about Stawski for us. Henri, have Regis call Don Ferone and request a meeting, here. Explain why we can’t go to him. Ah, here is Bianca and Théo with the sandwiches and soup.”
Regis exited to the foyer to make the call. Minutes later Henri’s Beta strode up the stairs and stood in front of his Alpha. “Alpha Giraud, Don Ferone has no objection to coming here. He said something about missing dessert at Alpha Davidoff’s.”
Julio slipped away again presumably to tell Bianca about the pastry. About fifteen minutes later, Théo trudged up the stairs to let The Alpha know that Don Ferone and an associate were on their way up to the dining room.
Don Ferone waltzed into the room. His associate following him at a respectful distance. “Mr. La Marche, how may I be of service?”
“Have a seat. Theo, get our guests some coffee or espresso, whichever they prefer.” Armand indicated a seat at the foot of the table where he was flanked by Julien and Henri.
“We were just about to have a snack. We have minestrone soup and corned beef or pastrami Reubens. We also have pastries. What can I get you?”
“Corn beef would be good, a little soup, maybe…” The capo nodded his head.
“Théo, get Don Ferone and his associate a sandwich and some soup.”
“Yes, sir.” Théo served them their food. They began to eat.
“Don Ferone, you met Henri Giraud, our Director of Security, frankly, we have a security problem and need extra eyes.” Armand sighed.
“It must be that crooked cop. Stawski’s on suspension for suppressing and manufacturing evidence to close the Kasun murder using one of your young men as a patsy.”
“Don Ferone, I’m Julien Bellaire, and this is my fiancé, Richard. He was the target of a shooting tonight at my home. The police CSI team is examining the room, searching for the bullets. I know Stawski shot at Richard, but I can’t prove it. We want to go to my home in Redmond, Washington to get married, but unfortunately, Stawski knows I have one there, and it’s easy to find.”
