Marked in Flesh
Page 49

“Just this one today.” Kowalski set the book on the counter, then pulled his wallet out of the back pocket of his cutoffs.
“What book did the human buy?” one of the Wolves asked, looking at Simon.
Kowalski held up the book so the Wolves could see the cover.
“Alan Wolfgard wrote that book.”
“Yes. I enjoy his stories.”
The Wolves stared at Kowalski before venturing another comment. “There are bad humans in his stories.”
“Sometimes there are bad humans in stories written by humans,” Kowalski countered.
Another long stare before the Wolves looked at Simon.
“I can show you some of the authors who write those kinds of stories,” Simon said. “Lieutenant Montgomery?”
“A minute of your time, if you can spare it,” Monty said.
Simon nodded before leading the pack of guests to the shelves that had the thrillers. Kowalski waved and left.
“Looks like you’re busy,” Monty said when Simon returned to the counter.
“I am. We are.” Simon paused. “No one had considered that the gaggle of girls would have as many questions as the Addirondak Wolves.”
“Gaggle?”
“It doesn’t sound as dangerous as ‘female pack,’” Simon grumbled. “And Charlie Crowgard arrived last night to visit for a couple of days. We got to hear his song about Teakettle Woman and Broomstick Girl. Charlie told the Wolves that the song was based on Meg and Merri Lee thwarting an attack here in the Courtyard, and that Merri Lee was Teakettle Woman. After that, none of the Wolves wanted to get near her while she was holding a coffeepot.”
Monty laughed. Dealing with the Others was dangerous work, no mistake about that, but the absurd moments like a column in a newsletter or the reaction to a song gave him hope that humans and the terra indigene could still find a way to work together. Then he sobered. “I’m here to ask a favor on Captain Burke’s behalf.”
“What kind of favor?”
“His cousin is visiting for a few days. Shady Burke assisted in bringing some special girls safely to land.” The Others had diverted a ship bound for Cel-Romano that had cassandra sangue as part of its cargo, bringing the “lost” ship to Brittania. Shady had participated in the girls’ rescue.
“I remember.”
“Shady would appreciate an opportunity to interact with some of the terra indigene to better his own ability to work with them when he returns home.”
No response. Then, “Different forms live in different parts of Namid. The Shady Burke may not meet the same forms here. Although the Crowgard may live in Brittania. They live in many places.”
“He understands that. But Shady has never seen a Courtyard.”
A thoughtful silence. “Charlie Crowgard is going to play some music tonight in the Market Square. Theral is going to play some songs on her fiddle. This would be a good time for Captain Burke and his kin to come to the Courtyard. They could have food at Meat-n-Greens.”
And be another kind of entertainment? Monty thought. “I’ll let them know.”
“Simon?” a Wolf called out.
Monty didn’t move aside to let Simon vault over the counter to talk to his guests about books.
“Something else?” Simon asked.
Did he really want to ask? Was there a choice? “My mother is going to spend some time here with me, helping me look after Lizzy. And my sister and her two children may join her for a visit.”
Those amber Wolf eyes studied him. “Is that your whole pack?”
“I have a brother, but we haven’t heard from him in a while.”
“Simon?” the Wolf called again.
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
Monty couldn’t even guess what Simon was thinking. A Wolf pack might be quite comfortable in a one-bedroom apartment, but it wouldn’t work for three human adults and three children.
“Where is your mother now?” Simon asked.
“She lives in Toland. So does my sister.”
A long silence. Monty could hear someone talking behind the shelves. Someone else must be helping the Wolves.
“Humans have important papers,” Simon said, not looking at him. “Things they need to keep.”
“Yes.”
“Your mother and sister. They should come soon, and they should bring the important papers with them.”
“They don’t need to bring such things for a visit,” Monty said, smiling. But that was a good thought if his mother was going to relocate to Lakeside.
Simon looked at him. “They should come soon, Lieutenant, and they should bring whatever is most important to them.”
Another chill went through Monty. This wasn’t a misunderstanding about what humans brought when they visited someone. This was a veiled warning.
Simon walked away from the checkout counter and disappeared among the shelves.
Monty went into A Little Bite and bought a cup of coffee. Instead of taking it with him as he usually did, he sat at a table near the window, ignoring Debany’s puzzled looks.
Typical of Simon to give him a veiled warning. But the message was clear enough: get your family out of Toland because something is going to happen soon.
If it hasn’t already started, Monty thought, remembering the news report about dead fish washing ashore around Toland and two other East Coast cities.
He finished his coffee, brought his cup over to the counter, then signaled for Debany to join him as he left A Little Bite.