Page 41 of On the Road

“What’s this, then? An intervention?” he grunted.

“We’d like to speak with you about Cameron’s murder and the attempted murder of Zander.”

The old werewolf raised his gaze, studied me and Victor, then continued to wipe a metal ring down. “Is that right? Then you’d better sit and ask yer questions while I work on this block.”

“Where is everyone?” Victor asked, as I took a seat at the bench.

“Ride-out. I got work to do. Engine’s gone. Say whatever you gotta say and then leave.”

I skipped my gaze over all the engine bits and pieces spread over the table between us. Duke carried on selecting each piece then methodically wiping it down. “You don’t seem all that concerned about a killer rampaging through your territory and threatening your pack mates?”

“Folks who step out of line generally get what they deserve round ’ere,” he said.

Was that a threat? “Were you up in Whiteacre Falls earlier today?”

“Been here all day, fixing this up.”

Was he lying? A glance at Victor revealed he was happy to let me take the lead while he stood back and radiated menacing vampire vibes.

“You clearly don’t like us being here,” I said, prompting Duke’s bushy eyebrow to leap. “I figure you think you don’t need our help, but Galbraith appointed us. You disagree, so you’re not going to make it easy.”

Duke grumbled a gruff, noncommittal sound, dropped the metal ring, and leaned back. “Why don’t you just come right out and ask if I killed Cameron?”

“Did you?”

“No.”

“Did you attack Zander?”

“Yes. Have you met him? He’s annoying as fuck and wears pink sandals. But did I threaten him lately? No. Cameron wanted him out, and frankly, Zander was never a good fit, even he knows it.”

“You think Zander killed Cameron because he got him kicked out of the pack?” I asked.

“No, I don’t. The fool hasn’t got it in him. Did he tell you he’s a vegan? A fuckin’ vegan werewolf. He should be eating the squirrels not feeding them.” Duke rolled his eyes. “I don’t know who killed Cameron, but I do know all this shit started when you showed up. Asking you for help was a mistake, but I don’t challenge the alpha. That’s a guaranteed way to get my bags packed for me.”

“Indeed,” Victor said.

“If you think I’m an asshole and a killer, you’re right. And I don’t much like you. Seems to me a dragon could rip the guts out of a werewolf pretty damn easy. And just so happens, here one is.”

I swallowed. “I have no reason to hurt you or anyone here.”

“But trouble rolls into town right along with you. That’s some mighty coincidence.”

Admittedly, it did look suspicious. My brother couldn’t be behind this, could he? No, there was no way he could have known where we were headed or reached the bar ahead of us . . . and if he had, he wouldn’t have been subtle about it. We just happened to be dealing with someone else that also happened to have really big claws and liked hiding.

“Why do you think Galbraith accepted Adam’s offer of help?” Victor asked.

“Yeah, I asked him that. He said we’re all too close to this.”

That actually made sense. Werewolves were a feisty bunch. Justice would have been quick, and probably wrong. “He thinks you’d have all gone after Zander?” I asked.

“Probably. And he’d be right. Looks like you saved that idiot’s life twice.”

“So, if you aren’t the killer, and neither am I . . . who do you think is?”

Duke’s wolfish smile brimmed with blunt, human teeth. “Aren’t we lucky you’re the ones who have to find out. Don’t let Galbraith’s approachable attitude fool you. You’d better find a killer because without one, you, your demon, and this vampire lord aren’t leaving Whiteacre Falls. Ever.”

“Hey, big bear.” Zee waggled his fingers as he smoothly side-stepped into the conversation.