Marked in Flesh Read online

  And that left him to provide an answer to a question he didn’t understand.

  “This isn’t much different from a hotel room,” Ruthie explained. “It has its own bathroom. We gave the room a quick dust and vacuum and put clean sheets on the bed—not that we thought the ones on it had been used, but . . .” She stopped, then plowed through the thorny words. “Ms. Fallacaro is going to need a place to stay, at least for tonight. She would be alone at a regular hotel.”

  “And no one who has been targeted is going to want to be alone,” Eve added.

  Now he understood. “You want permission for her to stay here?”

  They nodded.

  “And we wondered if someone could check on Lorne,” Ruthie said. “He said he would be here for the concert, but he didn’t show up, and he’s not answering his home phone or mobile phone. He doesn’t live far from here.”

  “We will try to find him,” Henry promised. He would talk to Vlad about finding Elizabeth Bennefeld and Dominic Lorenzo, the other two humans who provided services to Courtyard residents. “Anything else?”

  “Do you have any storage space we humans could use?” Eve asked. “We need to stock up on what we don’t want to do without.”

  “I’ll talk to Simon.” Human settlements in the wild country were often cut off from supply towns during the winter months and stocked up on many things. He was pleased to hear these females preparing for the same kind of isolation.

  He walked out of the room. Catching the sound of cars driving up the access way, he hurried down the stairs behind the Liaison’s Office, his hands shifting to the more useful paws and claws of a Grizzly. But these weren’t intruders. He didn’t recognize the car that had most of its windows smashed, but Lieutenant Montgomery was driving it, and Captain Burke was driving the black car.

  Henry followed the cars. Burke pulled into the employee parking lot, but Montgomery drove to the spaces where delivery trucks parked for the Market Square. As soon as he parked the car, Montgomery hurried around to the other side and helped a woman out of the car. Wolves approached the Market Square, then turned away when Simon and Vlad stepped out of the library, along with Elliot.

  “Is there anyone in the medical office who could take a look at Ms. Fallacaro?” Montgomery asked when Simon walked up to him.

  “We’ll call our bodywalker,” Simon said.

  “I’m fine,” Nadine said. “Just a little cold is all.”

  Simon took a step toward her and sniffed the air. “You are not fine. I can smell blood.” He paused. “Not a lot of blood, but you are not fine.”

  Montgomery escorted Nadine to the medical office. Moments later, Merri Lee looked out the door of Meat-n-Greens and came running.

  Made sense, Henry decided. She was the human who most often helped Meg after the cutting. Even if someone else had to do the tending because Merri Lee still had sticks around one finger, she would know about human bandages and medicines.

  Burke joined them, and the males, except Montgomery, returned to where Vlad and Elliot had waited.

  “The mayor has called twice, wanting to know if we have any information about the fires,” Elliot said.

  “Strange that His Honor is working so late,” Burke commented.

  Elliot gave Burke a sharp smile. “I thought so too.”

  “What did you tell him?” Simon asked.

  “I told him he should ask the police commissioner about the fires since the man is a member of the Humans First and Last movement and would be better informed about these escalated attacks on innocent humans. He hung up.”

  Burke barked out a laugh.

  “Tess called,” Vlad said. “She’s bringing Lorne here, but she thinks he should be taken to a human bodywalker. She says it isn’t wise for her to go to such a place right now.”

  No, it wouldn’t be smart for a Harvester to go to such a place.

  “I can drive him to the hospital,” Burke said. “Chris Fallacaro should be there by now. I’ll find out when he’ll be released and then figure out where he can stay.”

  “Bring him here,” Simon said. “I left a message on Dr. Lorenzo’s phone, warning him about the fires, and Vlad called Elizabeth Bennefeld. She received threatening phone calls tonight because she works in our medical office a couple of days a week. Vlad told her to come here because we can’t assume the monkeys won’t try to burn out anyone who works for us.” He gave Burke a challenging look.

  “No, you can’t assume that,” Burke agreed. “Gods, the world has gone crazy tonight.”

  “Not the world,” Henry rumbled. “Just your species.”

  They went their separate ways, guarding and protecting—and preparing for the storms that were coming.

  • • •

  “Arsonists and mobs are being blamed for dozens of fires that burned down buildings in several of the city’s neighborhood business districts. The first wave of fires struck businesses that had been vandalized last week. Some accusations have been made that the Humans First and Last movement was behind the vandalism and the first wave of fires. The second wave of fires that swept through the city targeted bakeries, especially the bakeries displaying HFL signs, but investigators are refusing to comment about the cause of these fires. Police Commissioner Kurt Wallace has pledged that these fires will be thoroughly investigated and wrongdoers will be punished, regardless of their political affiliation or species.

  “The bakeries that survived last night’s torching are closed until further notice. The owners of the businesses refused to comment about this decision, but other people in the neighborhoods speculated that the owners feared a run on their stores.

  “Adding to last night’s troubles, a sudden storm blew in off Lake Etu. The driving rains put out the fires that firemen had battled all over the city, but the flash floods stranded many motorists and tore debris from the damaged buildings, damming up roadways and trapping people who tried to escape from the fires. At least twelve people have been reported drowned in the floodwaters and more are still missing. Market Street is currently closed to all traffic while police, firefighters, and volunteers search the debris of the buildings that were burned or flooded. We’ll be back at the half hour with a full list of road closings. This is Ann Hergott at WZAS.”

  To: Joe Wolfgard

  I have a ride to the nearest train station. Leaving Sweetwater now. Should arrive in Bennett on Thaisday. I will call you with the arrival time as soon as I know.

  —Jackson

  CHAPTER 18

  Thaisday, Juin 14

  Tess poured a mug of coffee for herself, then sat at the table where Nadine stared at the plate of food. The woman had dark circles under her eyes, as well as cuts and bruises caused by the men trying to pull her out of the car.

  “Humans First and Last,” Nadine said, her voice barely audible. “I thought they were strutting blowhards who enjoyed the sound of their own voices. I expected some trouble from them, but not this.” She looked up. “They were going to throw me in the fire. How can someone call himself a human and do that?”

  Since she thought that savagery was completely in keeping with human behavior, Tess said nothing.

  “I need to do something.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t know. Work. Something to occupy my hands while I . . . I’ll talk to my insurance company. Not that it will do much good if they’re sporting an HFL decal on their door, but I’ll file the paperwork.”

  “Then what?”

  Nadine shrugged, then winced. “I appreciate you letting me stay here last night, but I’m not comfortable living on charity.”

  Tess stood. “Come with me.” She led Nadine to the work area in her shop. “Does this have everything you would need?”

  “Appliances? Yes. But you’d need to get your hands on some loaf pans if I was going to bake bread here.” Nadine pointed to the cookie sheets and muffin pans. “Someone already does some baking?”

  “I do when I’m in the mood,” Tess said. “I don
’t do enough of it to supply A Little Bite with food.” She hesitated. She should discuss this with the rest of the Business Association first. Then again, Simon had been making a lot of decisions on his own, and this was her shop. “You’re welcome to use the room above the Liaison’s Office until you get yourself sorted out. You can make the food for A Little Bite as your rent. We can sell loaves of bread so that people like the Denbys can make their own sandwiches. Or I can take you over to Meat-n-Greens to have a look at the kitchen there if you want to cook other things.”

  Nadine studied the workspace. “How do we get supplies?”

  “Make a list of everything you usually ordered for your bakery, and give me a list of tools you would like to have here. I’ll see what I can do about getting them. We may not be able to purchase everything we request, but I think we’ll have enough.” Supplies shouldn’t be a problem. The terra indigene who grew food on humanlike farms between Lake Etu and the Feather Lakes had sent a message that they would sell their crops only to other terra indigene or to Intuit settlements that belonged to the terra indigene. If all the Others throughout Thaisia were making that choice, Tess figured the Lakeside Courtyard could trade fruits and vegetables for Midwest wheat to make flour.

  “What about Chris?” Nadine asked.

  “Last I heard, the doctors needed more time to work on his broken hand, and he was still at the hospital,” Tess said. “Police officers from the Chestnut Street station are there standing guard. No one will hurt him. One of the girls can drive you over there to visit.”

  Nadine nodded. “He should have family there. Chris’s father joined the HFL, so I don’t know if either of his parents will be at the hospital to help him—or will let him come home to heal.”

  Simon was right, Tess thought. We keep getting tangled up with more and more of these humans. “We’ll figure out something when he’s ready to leave.”

  Nadine sniffed once, then squared her shoulders. “Well, I’m going to warm up that breakfast you kindly made for me and get started on those lists.”

  Tess stayed at the counter and let Nadine bustle around in the back.

  What would the Humans First and Last movement say when they realized the Courtyard had the only bakery left in the city of Lakeside?

  CHAPTER 19

  Thaisday, Juin 14

  Jackson stepped off the train at Bennett station and wanted to run. A sourness filled the air. Had a sickness spread among the humans here?

  Noticing three rough-looking men heading toward him, Jackson stepped closer to the station—and away from the tracks and the wheels of the train.

  He had called the general store in Prairie Gold and told the Jesse female what time the train was expected to arrive. Had Joe received the message?

  Jackson watched the three men and struggled not to shift to a between form that would surely cause panic and, perhaps, provoke other humans into an attack.

  “Mr. Wolfgard!”

  A human voice. Not Joe’s. Not the voice of anyone Jackson knew.

  One of the three men looked back at the sound of the voice. Then he stopped abruptly and slapped the arm of his nearest comrade.

  Barely controlled fear rolled off the disembarking humans who had to walk past a column of smoke in order to go into the station.

  Sanguinati.

  Jackson walked toward a man dressed in a checked shirt and jeans who was standing beside the smoke. The three rough-looking men stepped out of his way, but one of them said in a low, harsh voice, “Gonna nail your fucking hide to a barn wall, Wolf.”

  The smoke took human form when Jackson reached that spot. The Sanguinati smiled, showing a hint of fang. “I’m Tolya. We met at the Lakeside Courtyard.”

  Jackson nodded. “I remember you.”

  “This is Tobias Walker, the foreman of the Prairie Gold ranch.”

  Walker. Same name as the Jesse female.

  “Jesse is expecting a package. I’ll check and see if it’s come in.” Tobias looked at Jackson. “Anything in the baggage car that I can pick up for you?”

  Jackson held up the carryall. “No. This is all I brought with me.”

  “Will you be all right fetching the package on your own?” Tolya eyed the three men who still lingered on the platform.

  “I should be fine. Why don’t you wait for me by the truck?” Tobias went inside the station.

  “This way.” Tolya led Jackson to the pickup truck.

  “Where is Joe?” Jackson asked, dumping his carryall in the pickup bed.

  “He is escorting the earth native fuel truck to Prairie Gold,” Tolya replied. “The last fuel shipment didn’t arrive—at least, the allotment of fuel designated for Prairie Gold didn’t arrive—so we made other arrangements.”

  We? Jackson wondered, lowering the tailgate when he saw Tobias hurry out of the station carrying a box big enough to fill his arms. Trailing behind were the three rough-looking men who had been on the platform.

  After helping Tobias load the box, Jackson said, “I can ride in the back.”

  “There is room for the three of us in the cab,” Tolya said with a pleasantness that made it hard for Jackson not to shift to Wolf. “And Tobias feels more comfortable when there is someone between him and me.”

  He noticed Tobias Walker didn’t deny that observation, so he took the middle position on the seat.

  “Please drive around the town square,” Tolya said.

  “Not a good idea,” Tobias protested. “There’s a bad feeling in the air today.”

  “I feel it too,” Jackson murmured.

  “Please drive around the town square,” Tolya repeated. “I’ve been instructed to look at the businesses.”

  Clearly unhappy, Tobias put the truck in gear and obeyed.

  “What would you say are essential businesses?” Tolya asked. “The railway station, of course, for transportation and to send and receive food and merchandise. The gas station because vehicles would need fuel and servicing. The bank. What else?”

  Jackson wasn’t sure if the question was for him or the human.

  “People need a place to buy supplies,” Tobias said. “Hardware store is useful. And someplace that sells feed as well as ranch and farm supplies and equipment.”

  “A place to eat and a place to sleep,” Jackson said. He thought of Hope. “Someplace you can buy books and music and pencils and paper for drawing.”

  “A clothes store, unless the general store is going to carry basics along with shoes and books,” Tobias said.

  Jackson thought, If the Tobias was a Wolf, he’d be panting and whining.

 

 

 

 

 

  That sounded ominous. What had he walked into?

  They circled the town square a second time, but no one had further suggestions beyond a barbershop or similar place.

  Tobias breathed a sigh of relief when they drove away from the town. So did Jackson. Tolya didn’t seem concerned, but he could turn into smoke and outmaneuver almost any adversary.

  They didn’t speak. If Simon wasn’t expecting him, if he didn’t want to talk to Meg Corbyn in person about the Hope pup, Jackson would have shifted to Wolf and headed home on his own four feet, despite the distance.

  • • •

  Daniel Black swore fiercely as the wind slammed against the pickup. The dust that covered the road and filled the air was as thick as a mean bitch of a blizzard.

  “Mr. Black?”His foreman braced a hand against the dash. “We have to
stop. We’re not going to make it to the crossroads in time.”

  “We damn well will make it,” Black snarled, fighting to keep the truck on the road. Fighting to see any part of the road. “The longer that community receives supplies, the longer they’ll hang on, and until they’re gone, we won’t have a way into those hills and the riches they hold.”

  The men riding in the pickup’s bed pounded on the back of the cab.

  “They can’t breathe in this dust,” the foreman said. “We have to stop.”

  “We’re not—” A wall of fence posts and barbed wire suddenly appeared in front of him. Black slammed on the breaks and yelled, “Fuck!” as the truck became tangled in the posts and wire.

  He threw the truck into park, then slammed his fist against the dash, over and over.

  The wind died. The dust settled. Black listened to the men in the back struggling to sit up, struggling to breathe.

  Should have been as easy as the last time, he thought as he saw the dust of at least one vehicle driving down the road to Prairie Gold.

  He tried to open his door and swore when he realized he was trapped by the barbed wire. So was his foreman. They would have to wait for the men in the back to pull away the wire.

  While he waited, he watched the pickup that belonged to the Prairie Gold ranch hesitate at the crossroads, as if whoever was driving was thinking of stopping to help. Then it drove on when four of his men climbed down from the truck bed.

  “I’ll get the men started on restringing that wire,” the foreman said.