Pursue

by Vella Munn

  Maybe. Maybe not.

  “You did all right when we were with Thomas,” Darick said. “Your questions were on point but not aggressive.”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I didn’t know if you could—Niko, we don’t have to be at odds.”

  Don’t we? The truth was, she didn’t have a handle on her emotions. Hank had been standing next to Zachary, the two men talking quietly. Now Zachary stood and followed as Hank went to a table at the back of the room. Not waiting to see what Darick would do, she pushed off the wall. She’d barely started toward Hank and Zachary when she sensed Darick’s presence behind her.

  “Who are these two?” Zachary demanded. “You better not—”

  “We aren’t ganging up on you,” Darick interrupted. “Talking to you is part of a larger situation. As a Fish and Wildlife officer, my primary concern is with how the grays might or might not be involved.”

  Zachary stopped with the bottle halfway to his mouth. His jowls and eyelids sagged, making his face look as if it was melting. She didn’t venture a guess at his age. “The hell you say. And you.” He pointed the bottle at Niko. “Are you a cop?”

  This was the opening she’d been hoping for. Darick and Hank couldn’t fault her for answering. “Have you talked to your wife since you went to work? If you have, you know the mare that was on the news is her horse, Angel. I found Angel and her colt.”

  “Angel,” Zachary muttered. “A colt? What news?”

  “You don’t know?” Hank asked.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve been at work, machinery screaming in my ears.”

  She’d been living with concern for Hope and Mist for so long she couldn’t wrap her mind around the reality that other people were living normal lives. She didn’t trust herself to remain calm while filling Zachary in, so she was relieved when Hank and Darick took over. According to Zachary, he hadn’t talked to his wife since yesterday so he’d had no clue about Angel. He asked no questions and showed no indication that he cared about what Angel had been through. Finally, Hank asked about that.

  “I’ve been listening to Livia piss and moan about that damned horse being gone for months,” he said. “I’m sick of hearing her blame Zed and me. It wasn’t me, and Zed, he…”

  “He’s afraid of his stepmother,” Niko ventured.

  “Yeah. All grown up and still cowering.” He groaned. “I keep telling her it couldn’t be him because she pounded the fight out of him.”

  “She beat him?”

  “She called them spankings. With a belt sometimes.”

  “Then who do you think is responsible?” she asked.

  “You want to know the truth? She forgot to lock the damned gate and the nag wandered off. Now she’s going to want to bring it and the foal back. Damn it, I know she got the mare pregnant behind my back. Never mind that she knows how I feel about worthless horseflesh.”

  “The mare and colt aren’t near ready to leave the vet hospital,” Darick said, “but when they are, are you saying you’ll refuse to let Livia bring them home?”

  Zachary snorted and lifted the bottle to his lips. He swallowed. “You met Livia, right? You tell me, how am I going to make her do something she doesn’t want to? She draws a line in the sand and it stays drawn.”

  “I don’t see you letting her run over you,” Darick said. “There must be times when you take a stand.”

  Zachary straightened. “Of course I do. I’m not pussy-whipped.”

  “What happens when she tries to?”

  Glaring at Darick, Zachary slammed his bottle on the table. “I know what you’re trying to do. You want to piss me off so maybe I’ll say something about that damn mare, something I might have done to her, but I’m not going to.”

  Are you here, Masauwu? Can you hear what this man is saying?

  “Are you denying you took her off the property and left her where she didn’t have access to food?” Niko asked.

  “I’m not denying or admitting anything.”

  “Livia didn’t have exclusive rights to the mare,” Hank said. “The animal was on property you and your wife own jointly, right?”

  “It depends on how you look at it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well.” Zachary ran his forefinger over something on the table. “She’d inherited it from her folks. The property tax statement comes to her.”

  “Would you prefer to have joint ownership?”

  “Hell yes. Land’s always going to be worth something, plus this one has a great well. With growing marijuana being legal in Oregon, I could lease some of the acreage if my name was on the title.”

  “Have you talked to her about that?”

  “What do you think? Of course I have. But what’s Livia’s stays Livia’s. Wish I’d known that at the beginning.”

  “You might not have married her?”

  As Zachary continued worrying what he’d found on the table, Hank looked sideways at Niko, as if warning her not to speak. “It sounds as if you’re in an uncomfortable position.”

  “You might say that.”

  Hank nodded. “There’s something else you’re having to put up with. Like you said, horses don’t earn their keep.”

  “They sure as hell don’t.”

  “I’ve come across more than one horse someone who could no longer afford let loose,” Darick said. “Once, a hunter called to report he’d spotted three horses in a herd of elk. The horses hadn’t been branded so we never learned who their owners were.”

  “What happened to them?” Zachary asked.

  “They wound up at a horse rescue facility. I think one got adopted, but the others are still being supported by donations.”

  “Can someone just take a horse to the rescue people?” Zachary asked.

  “I think so, but I’d have to ask to be sure. The facility operates on a shoestring. I wouldn’t have gotten involved if the horses hadn’t been on public land and in with the elk.”

  “Oh.” Zachary lifted his hand and waved a finger at the bartender.

  “Maybe that’s what you should have done,” Darick said.

  “Maybe. You keep trying to get me to trip myself up, but it isn’t going to work. Unless you’re ready to charge me with something, this conversation is over.”

  Hank planted his hands on the table. “Is it? You’re on probation. If you’re found guilty of animal abuse, the court won’t just give you a slap on the wrist.”

  Zachary leaned back. “I’m not saying another word.”

  “An animal abuse charge isn’t what you should be concerned with,” she said.

  Darick jabbed his elbow into her ribs. She didn’t acknowledge him.

  “What are you talking about?” Zachary asked.

  “You said you haven’t been watching the news, but you must have heard about the couple that was killed recently.”

  When Zachary didn’t meet her gaze, she looked to see what had gotten his attention. The bartender was heading their way with a fresh beer. Zachary snatched it and took a long drink.

  “Of course I heard. That’s all everyone’s been talking about at work. And so you don’t have to say it, I also know what happened around here this summer.” Zachary stared at Darick. “If I was you, I wouldn’t brag about working for Fish and Wildlife. You’ve had months to look for them and those damned gray dogs are still running loose tearing into people.”

  “You must understand why they’re doing what they are,” Niko said. “They aren’t attacking randomly.”

  “Don’t,” Darick warned.

  “Don’t what?” Zachary asked. “What don’t you want her to say?”

  “Go on, Niko,” Hank said. “Maybe this is how it has to be.”

  Suddenly she wasn’t sure she was doing the right thing, but it was too late to keep her mouth shut. More to the point, Hope deserved justice. Whether that justice came from humans or the grays wasn’t her decision, was it?

  Masauwu, help me say the
right things.

  “James and Cheryl Moyan abused a dog,” she said. “The grays made them pay for it. There’s no defense for that, and the elk poaching, that happened earlier.”

  Zachary stuck the bottle back in his mouth and swallowed repeatedly. “I didn’t touch that damned horse. That’s why you can’t scare me talking about the grays.”

  “What if the grays believe you’re the guilty party?” Hank asked.

  “What? Why should they do that?”

  “They’re dogs,” Niko said. “Who can understand their logic?”

  “Hey, don’t say that.”

  Hank shrugged. “What about your son? Can the two of you convince the grays of your innocence?”

  “I’m not listening to this.” Zachary jumped to his feet. “You’re going to say whatever you think you need to in an effort to get me to confess.”

  She stood. “And you’ll continue to deny you had anything to do with the condition I found Hope in as long as you think you can get away with it.”

  Zachary wiped the corners of his mouth. “Hope? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “That’s what I call Angel. She was near death and her foal was so weak he couldn’t stand. They would have died if I hadn’t—if the grays hadn’t led me to them.”

  “What the— I don’t believe you.”

  “Why don’t you?” Darick demanded.

  “This is crazy.” Zachary fisted his hands, but instead of striking out, he aimed his body at the front door. “I’m not going to listen to this shit.”

  “You better,” she said to his back. “Otherwise, you might not have long to live.”

  * * * *

  “Things got out of hand.”

  “Yes, they did,” Niko admitted to Hank. “And I’m sorry. I just—when he acted so cavalier about Hope…”

  “What do we do now?” Darick asked.

  They’d stayed in the bar after Zachary had stormed off because they’d hoped the man would return. However, even though he had to know his behavior could complicate things with his probation officer, he hadn’t. Now the trio were standing just inside the door. Hank hadn’t spelled out how he intended to approach Zed. Although Niko wanted to try to understand what made the young man tick, she wasn’t going to press.

  Masauwu, I nearly lost it. Are you responsible? Messing with my mind, controlling me like you do the grays?

  “I want to see Zed now if possible,” Hank said. “Before he has a chance to huddle with his father.”

  “Why are Zachary and Livia together?” she ventured. “It sounds as if they hate each other. The way Livia treated Zed…”

  “I’ve been asking myself the same thing,” Darick said. “The only explanation I can come up with is that Zachary is holding on, hoping to get ownership of the property.”

  “And he decided sacrificing his son was worth some land and a well?”

  “Sad, isn’t it?”

  “More than sad,” she said. Darick was still staring at her, his gaze pushing beneath the surface. “Zed Ross? The name sounds familiar.”

  “Maybe he went to the high school,” Hank ventured.

  “That’s possible. I don’t think he was one of the kids I worked with or I’d remember him. Hopefully I would.”

  “I was able to get Zed’s address from his dad’s probation officer,” Hank said. “Do you two want to ride with me?”

  “No,” she and Darick said at the same time.

  “I’ll follow you in my vehicle,” she added.

  “So will I,” Darick said. “But first, Niko, I have to say this. What you told Zachary about the grays’ agenda didn’t help.”

  “How do you know?”

  “What if he freaks and runs? If he does, we might never know what happened to Hope.”

  “But—”

  “Would you stay here if you thought the grays were after you?”

  “They have no reason to want to punish me.”

  He snorted. “We’re talking about Zachary.”

  “Or Zed. The only thing we know about him is what his dad, stepmother and neighbor have told us. I spend my days with young people. I’ve learned a lot about what makes them tick.” Weary of holding her own with Darick’s gaze, she looked at Hank. “I’ve gone this far. Don’t shut me out now.”

  Hank started to shake his head. “I don’t—all right, but you can’t bring up the grays again. I’m serious. If you do, we’ll lose Zed like we did his old man.”

  “It’s more complicated than just her mentioning the grays,” Darick said. “You know what I’m talking about, don’t you, Niko? There’s a connection between you and those dogs. Hell, maybe you can control what they do.”

  “What are you talking about?” Hank asked.

  “Nothing,” she said. “They led me to Hope, that’s all.”

  “And the male has been to your place,” Darick said.

  “He has?” Hank asked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I have a female dog. It doesn’t go any deeper than that.”

  Darick grunted. “The hell it doesn’t.”

  * * * *

  The rain gave every indication of having settled in by the time she parked behind Hank’s vehicle at the side of the narrow drive that wandered through the small RV park. In the summer, the park was home to a number of coastal visitors, but now about half of the spaces were vacant. The highway wasn’t more than a half mile away, but the vegetation was so thick that someone who didn’t know to turn off at the bank of mailboxes would miss it. The drive was in need of a lot of gravel to fill in the potholes she’d splashed through. If not for her grandfather’s gift of a roof over her head, she might’ve been living at a place like this.

  Zed Ross’ red and white RV was pretty much what she’d expected, except for the pop-out. At least the young man would be able to turn around in what she figured was the living room. It was hardly the kind of place a bachelor would want to take a date to.

  Masauwu, are you here? Do you know what’s happening? Do the grays? They—maybe they can tell if someone’s guilty.

  Darick opened her door. “Why is Chinook with you?”

  She scratched between the Doberman’s ears then exited the Jeep. “Because I don’t know when I’ll get home.”

  “The hell—if you’re baiting Gun—”

  “Baiting? Hardly.”

  “Maybe Masauwu ordered Gun to trail you.”

  I hope. “If you believe that, why didn’t Gun come into the bar and confront Zachary?”

  “Yeah, right. Zachary insisted he isn’t responsible for what happened to Hope.”

  “And you took him at his word?”

  “Of course not. Niko, this isn’t getting us anywhere.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  Even with her rain hood up, she had no trouble hearing Darick. Chinook whined at being left behind again.

  “I’m not sure what I’m thinking or feeling,” she admitted. “Part of me wants nothing to do with trying to determine who nearly killed Hope, for it to be out of my hands. I want the grays to do what they’re going to.”

  He took hold of her and turned her so she was staring up into his wet face. His hair was plastered to his head and droplets had collected on his lashes. She should have been immune to him but wasn’t.

  “I don’t want to hear you say that,” he said. “Damn it, we both know what the grays are capable of, me more than you. I saw—”

  “I’m sorry you had to.”

  “Just as I wish you hadn’t been responsible for rescuing Hope and the hound. Niko, listen to me. Don’t do anything to—don’t get any more involved. It’s time for human justice.”

  Hank was waiting for them, studying them but saying nothing. His expression was enough. He wouldn’t allow her to say or do anything that skirted the law. Fine. She’d listen to Darick and him ask Zed questions, keep her mouth shut this time.

  If she could.

  Before Hank could knock on the metal door, it opened and a well-bu
ilt young man with light brown hair filled the space.

  “I wondered when you’d get here,” he said. “Do I have to let you in? You have a search warrant?”

  “I take it your dad called you,” Darick said.

  “He sure did. He’s pissed. When he gets like that—Livia left a bunch of messages on my cell while I was at work. Want to hear them?”

  “Maybe,” Hank said.

  “You should. It’d give you an idea what I had to deal with all those years.”

  Now that she’d been studying Zed, she was certain she’d seen him before. Back when he’d been in high school, his shoulders and chest hadn’t filled out. Now he had a man’s physique. She wouldn’t have called him handsome, but he was better-looking than his father. More importantly, she couldn’t imagine his stepmother being able to intimidate him anymore.

  “We’d like to come in,” she said.

  His attention shifted to her, and his eyes widened. “Niko Fox, right?”

  “You have a good memory.”

  “It isn’t that. I saw you on the news.”

  “Please,” she said, “do you really want to keep us standing out here?”

  “Maybe.” When he shrugged, she noted the muscles in his upper arms. Whatever his job at the mill, it didn’t include letting machinery do most of the work. “Oh hell. Let’s do this.”

  A single light illuminated the inadequate space, a cheap table lamp with a tilted shade. Clothes and other belongings were piled on the couch while a stack of boxes took up most of the wall to her left.

  “It looks as if you’re packing,” Hank said.

  Zed sat in the only chair in the room and stared at the couch as if he’d never seen it before. “Nah. Well, kinda. I found a new place, an apartment. Bigger than this.”

  “I bet you’ll enjoy that,” Darick said. “Where is it?”

  Zed waved his hand about. “In town.”

  “So what are you going to do with the mobile?” Darick pressed.

  “Nothing. I’m only renting it. Do you want it?”

  “You sound defensive.”

  “Whatever. I figured something like this was going to happen. Livia’s been threatening to call the cops on me since the mare went missing. Now she’s batshit crazy.”