Panther Dawn (working title)
Snippet 4
Two
Two hours later, I paced up and down the aisle of the Tribunal’s private jet. Flying commercial rarely bothered me. After all, Mom and Dad raised Xander and me not to expect special treatment because of their roles with the pride or the Tribunal. In their minds, they were a cop and investment banker. That came after being our parents. They didn’t rely on their roles as pride alphas or as members of the Tribunal to get ahead. They most definitely expected us to follow the example they set. Most of the time, I agreed. Today, however, I appreciated not having to deal with a plane full of demanding tourists, crying babies, and snotty flight attendants. Instead of doing my best to ignore someone kicking the back of my chair or passively—or not so passively—trying to take up not only their seat but half of mine as well, I could focus on what needed to done once we landed in Dallas.
“Cam, you’re going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that. Why don’t you call Xander and get an update.” Mike pulled his tablet out of his backpack and flipped open the cover. “I’ll check in with Mom and see if she has anything else she can tell us.”
“Thanks.” I smiled slightly and then placed my call, waiting anxiously until Xander answered. “It’s me.”
“Where the hell are you, Cam?”
My stomach did a slow roll. It took a great deal to anger Xander, and that one simple question told me he was furious. That meant one thing: something else had happened. Damn it, what the hell was going on?
“We’re in the air.” I checked my watch. “Should be landing in two hours or so.” I might be able to shift into a panther, but I couldn’t alter the rules of physics and engineering to get us home any quicker. “I take it something else happened. What?”
For a moment, he didn’t respond. Worried, I waited, trying not to imagine the worst. But it was hard. It was also hard not to tell him to just say it.
“They hit the ranch, sis.”
I hissed out a breath. The ranch had been in Mike’s family for three generations. After his father’s murder, Mike’s mother inherited it. At the time, only Aunt Pat knew she was pregnant. From what Mom told me, Aunt Pat transferred the title to a trust for Mike after his birth. When the title was signed over to him on his twenty-first birthday, he did something that surprised no one except his mother. He signed the necessary paperwork to give Aunt Pat a life estate in the property. Before she could argue, he simply said the ranch was her home as much as his and this way it always would be. Now, hearing the bastards hit the ranch, I saw red—again.
I didn’t care if it was the last thing I ever did, those responsible would pay and pay dearly.
“Tell me.”
“The security company called Aunt Pat half about an hour ago. The local FD was on the line almost as soon as she hung up. Right now, she’s waiting for more information. She hasn’t told me everything yet, but it sounds like someone firebombed the house much like they did Aunt Jael’s. Fortunately, Security arrived on-scene before they could do more than torch the main barn and scorch the front of the house.”
“Video?”
I closed my eyes, trying to remember the details about the ranch’s security system. It was state-of-the-art, just like that at my parents’ house In fact, Aunt Pat updated it not long ago. So, unless the attackers somehow managed to damage the system or take the cameras off-line, there should be video of what happened.
“I don’t know, sis. Aunt Pat’s dealing with the details right now.”
“She’s okay?”
I lowered my voice, not wanting to worry Mike until I knew more. Then, seeing how his expression darkened, I knew I didn’t need to worry. Unless I missed my guess, he just learned what happened. Much as I wanted to go to him, offer what comfort I could, that had to wait.
And that sucked.
“To say she’s pissed is putting it mildly, Cam. Hell, we’re all pissed.” Xander drew a deep breath and slowly exhaled before continuing.
“C’mon, little brother, talk to me.”
I heard a rustling and pictured him scrubbing his face with his hands.
“It’s a madhouse here, sis. When Aunt Pat found out what happened at Aunt Jael’s she sent members of the pride to find me and bring me to her office. She went to Jael’s before heading in herself. That’s when we started learning about the other attacks. Aunt Pat’s been coordinating between DPD, DF&R, and the Ghostwalkers. When word came in about the attack at the ranch, I thought I was going to have to tackle her to keep her here.”
I understood both his reaction and hers. The ranch was special to all of us. But, to Aunt Pat, it was one of her last ties to Mike’s dad.
“Okay. I’ll touch base with her as soon as we hang up.” After I made sure Mike was all right. Especially since I knew Aunt Pat would ask. “What about Aunt Jael? Has there been an update?” I hesitated asking but I needed to know.
“She was still in surgery the last I checked. Chelsea told me the doctors haven’t said much more than Aunt Jael’s seriously injured.” He paused and I waited, the knot in my stomach growing. “Cam, they recommended the family be prepared.”
“All right.” Why the hell couldn’t I blink my eyes and click my heels and magically transport to the hospital? “I need you to go sit with Chelsea, Xan. If there’s not a Ghostwalker already there with you, have Aunt Pat assign a cop, preferably one who is also a para, as your escort. Mom and Dad need someone standing in for them with the injured and their families and, until I get home, that’s you. But I need your word you won’t go anywhere without an escort.”
“I don’t like it, but I understand. I’ll do as you say, big sister.”
“Thanks, Xan.” At least I didn’t have to worry about him—too much. “Remind Chelsea that her mother’s a fighter, Xan. Aunt Jael’s not going to let some coward beat her.”
Hopefully, that would be enough.
For not the first time, I wished Aunt Jael was a shifter. Our genetic makeup allowed us to heal quicker and extended our lives. It hurt to see the woman I looked upon as a second mother, friend and confidante growing old. It hurt worse knowing she didn’t have our advantages now that she’d been so badly injured. That meant we needed to do everything possible to make sure she had the best doctors and treatment available.
“Xander, contact Dr. Evanovich if you haven’t already. Ask her to have a look at Jael and anyone else who’s badly injured. She’s authorized to bring in whoever she feels would be best for their treatment. Have Chelsea sign the appropriate authorizations for her mother if Uncle Mark isn’t able to. Ask Evanovich to look at him as well. Hell, until I get there or until Mom or Dad overrule me, Evanovich is lead doctor for all our people. If she has any questions or concerns, have her call me. Same goes for the hospital.”
“Will do. I’ll let Moira know as well. She’s at the hospital now, coordinating everything there. I talked with Lolo a few minutes ago and the Ghostwalkers will be setting up security there, as well as around the pub and other key sites.”
“Xander, thanks. I need you to do something else if you haven’t already. Let Aunt Marie know what’s happened. Get her—hell, all her family—to a safe house. I’m not going to risk anyone else we love today. If she wants to go to the hospital, contact Lolo and get at least two Ghostwalkers assigned to her.” I thought for a moment. I was missing something, but what? “Tell Aunt Marie I’ll call as soon as I can.”
“I’ll do it next. Promise.”
“Xan, I know this is difficult--”
“Don’t.” He didn’t snap but the reprimand was clear. “Our folks taught both of us what to do in an emergency, Cam. Besides, I will happily dump all this in your lap just as soon as you’re home.”
His mention of our folks brought up a question I really didn’t want to ask.
“Xander, what about the house?”
Considering the other places targeted in the attack, it made sense that whoever was responsible would go after our parents’ home. Hell, why hadn’t I pulled up the security footage from the house?
Because I’m a coward and I didn’t want to see what happened if my fears proved to be true. More than that, I didn’t want to be the one to tell Mom the house she bought before she met Dad, the house they’d raised Xander and me in had been destroyed.
“It’s fine. The neighborhood’s on alert after what happened to Aunt Jael and Uncle Mark. DPD has all entrances blocked right now and only residents are allowed in. Lolo will move Ghostwalkers in to relieve the cops as soon as possible.”
I made a mental note to talk with Loquita “Lolo” Murray sooner, rather than later. There had to be a way to close off all but the main entrance to the neighborhood. That would make controlling access easier. Much as I wanted to ensure the house Xan and I grew up in stayed safe, I needed to protect everyone else who lived in the neighborhood as well. Our neighbors had been there for us over the years. Now it was our turn to be there for them.
“All right.” I considered several possibilities, throwing most of them out as quickly as I thought of them. “Do me another favor, Xan. Call Steve and Amy. Ask if they’re willing to patrol the neighborhood in their shifted forms. If they are, tell them to try to find a couple of wolf or coyote shifters to help. Right now, the more folks we have out there, the better.”
“Understood.” I waited as he made a note. He continued before I could say anything. “Fair warning, big sister, Mateo’s been blowing up phones here because you haven’t answered any of his texts.”
I rolled my eyes. So much for Mom dealing with him. Great, just great. The last thing I wanted or needed was our cousin getting his proverbial panties in a wad and reactivating either Xander or myself or, worse, our mother. If he tried, there definitely would be blood drawn the moment Mom got hold of him.
“I’ll deal with him when I have time.” Possibly after talking to General Flynn again. “Xander, you watch your six and be careful. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Follow your own advice, big sister.”
“Well?” Mike slid his arms around me and held me close as I slid the cellphone into my hip pocket.
I quickly relayed everything Xander said. When it came to the ranch, Mike nodded grimly.
“Don’t worry, Cam. Mom told me. She’s already asked the security company to send over any video they have for the last twenty-four hours. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”
Possibly, but I didn’t bet on it. Everything had been too well coordinated from the way it sounded. I doubted those responsible were foolish enough not to know about the cameras at the ranch. Still, I could be wrong.
Please let me be wrong.
“What else did your mom say?” I nodded in appreciation as the steward handed first me and then Mike a mug of hot coffee. Then I waited as he disappeared inside the galley, once again giving us privacy. “Does she know anything that might help figure out who’s behind what happened?”
“Nothing.” His frustration matched my own. “She hopes to have something by the time we land but she didn’t sound confident about it.”
I leaned my head against his chest. Damn, how I wish it was Mom heading back to Dallas and not me. She’s the cop. I hadn’t even been sworn into the Bar yet—hell, I wasn’t even sure I’d passed the Bar Exam. To say I was out of my element was putting it mildly. But I had to do this, even if I faked it until my folks got home.
“Mom asked about your cousin. Said she’s surprised he hasn’t left for Dallas yet.”
I stepped back, wondering how much to say.
“He might not be on his way—yet—but he’s burning up the phone with Xander and probably Lolo.”
“And you?” Mike cocked his head to one side, studying me.
“He’s left a message or two.” Or ten.
“You need to call him, Cam.”
He was right, not that I liked it. Mateo would be pissed I hadn’t gotten back to him before now. Add in Mom, not to mention Flynn, telling him to leave me alone and, well, the conversation promised to be anything but fun. Since this was one battle I didn’t want to fight, I made a decision and programmed in a number from earlier.
“Do you have an update?” General Flynn asked.
“More of a request, sir.” When Mike looked at me in question, I shook my head and silently mouthed that I’d explain in a minute. “Mateo has been pushing my brother about the current situation. Xander says he is pressing for both of us to agree to be reactivated. He’s also continuing to blow up my phone. I haven’t had a chance to return his calls. I wanted to get a handle on the situation first.”
Flynn didn’t comment right away and I waited, wondering at his silence.
“Your mother’s already contacted me about the situation, Gunny. I know she spoke with your cousin, for as much good as it did. I should have anticipated that, just as I should have anticipated him ignoring her. There are times the two of them act like they are still kids playing at their grandmother’s house. Give me five minutes and then return his call. If you have any concerns afterwards, let me know.”
“Yes, sir, thank you.” I ended the call and blew out a breath. “General Flynn,” I said when Mike arched a brow in question.
Both brows winged up. The time had come to explain. Hopefully, he’d understand.
“I’ll tell you everything later, but let’s just say I’m following in Mom’s footsteps a bit more closely than I’ve let on.” I gave a slight smile and hoped he understood. “Before you ask, no, my folks don’t know.”
“You’re part of the Ghostwalkers?”
I shook my head. “No, I report directly to General Flynn. He understood my need to serve without being in Mom’s shadow—or Mateo’s for that matter. Because of that, he brought me on as part of his personal team. He’s sort of loaning me out to the Ghostwalkers for this, but I still report directly to him. Until now, he’s managed to keep it all from both Mom and Mateo, but it looks like that’s about to change.” Especially if Mateo reacted to Flynn’s next call the way I expected.
“How the hell have you managed to keep this secret from your mom?” He looked at me in a mixture of surprise and respect.
“Very carefully.” I grinned, my first since receiving the string of 9-1-1 texts.
“You’re going to have to tell me how you managed it when this is all over.” He shook his head, his expression telling me he still didn’t know whether to believe me or not. “Now, before you call Mateo, let me tell you what I can.”
I listened as he filled me in. While not new, his information did confirm what I knew so far. Despite the fact several had hours passed since the first attack, information was still coming in. All we could do was trust Aunt Pat and the others to handle things until we landed.
This is a rough draft. There will be misspellings, grammar and punctuation errors. If this is ever published, those will be correct. Copyright 2024 by Amanda S. Green