Howling Moon Part 32

"He knew Tatya was in trouble, so he had Peter take over the hunt and came. He wasn't the only one, either." Raphael nodded in the direction of a pair of traditionally marked gray wolves, one male, one female. "Jake forced his way through the perimeter to get here."

"But you said "

"That lesser wolves would be overwhelmed with fear." There was pride in Raphael's voice and expression. "He was. He came anyway."

IT WAS HOURS later when Raphael left to go to breakfast with Holly and Jake. Both Cat and Lucas thought it was a bad idea, but Holly and Jake were family, and they wanted him there in case things went badly. So he went. Lucas took the keys to the Mitsubishi to drive home the three healers, who barely had enough strength to walk themselves to the car. Cat was left alone in the empty house, waiting for Ivan. It gave her time to get dressed and to think. later when Raphael left to go to breakfast with Holly and Jake. Both Cat and Lucas thought it was a bad idea, but Holly and Jake were family, and they wanted him there in case things went badly. So he went. Lucas took the keys to the Mitsubishi to drive home the three healers, who barely had enough strength to walk themselves to the car. Cat was left alone in the empty house, waiting for Ivan. It gave her time to get dressed and to think.

She was running out of time. She could feel it. Jack was out there, somewhere, just waiting for her to let down her guard. And while she loved Raphael, and Holly, she'd let everything with them distract her from what needed to be done. If Jack struck now, she wasn't ready, and she needed to be.

The crunch of gravel outside let her know that Ivan had arrived. Good. That meant she could get down to business.

Cat locked up the house and joined Ivan at the limo.

"Did she survive?" Ivan asked softly as he swung open the door.

Cat nodded wearily. "Yeah, but it wasn't easy. We're all pretty wiped out." She climbed in, taking the seat nearest the cab of the vehicle.

Ivan leaned his head through the door as she settled into her seat. "Lay down, rest. It's a long drive."

It was excellent advice. So she tried. She lay down on the long bench seat and closed her eyes. Unfortunately, while her body was utterly exhausted, her mind kept racing.

She hadn't heard from Jack. That was both refreshing and oddly alarming. Yes, she had been doing her exercises religiously. And the necklace Ivan had given her seemed to help as well. Still, something was going on. Cat could feel feel it. A sense of impending doom pressed on her, making her drive herself ever harder at her lessons, and her plan. it. A sense of impending doom pressed on her, making her drive herself ever harder at her lessons, and her plan.

Information was pouring in from the spyware she'd planted with the e-mail from the charity she created donating to Jack's campaign. Every night she and Raphael worked their way through it all, sorting the wheat from the chaff. By far the best information came from the computer of Jack's personal a.s.sistant. Muriel Spenser had access to everything, everything, although it appeared that she was on a vacation. She hadn't logged in for a number of days, which was perfect. Cat checked, double-checked, and triple-checked every bit of information she could gather. As unlikely as it would seem, Jack apparently only used one attorney for all of his business: Waters. although it appeared that she was on a vacation. She hadn't logged in for a number of days, which was perfect. Cat checked, double-checked, and triple-checked every bit of information she could gather. As unlikely as it would seem, Jack apparently only used one attorney for all of his business: Waters.

The file was the key. Then again, it always had been. She'd been creating the replacement paperwork, aging paper and labels with the aid of a sunlamp. Raphael had used dots of paint on the gla.s.s of her photocopier to create spots and flaws on the copies that were identical to those of the original. It was meticulous work, but it wasn't difficult. difficult. Raphael's old evidence kit had provided forensic evidence and samples that could be switched out with those in Jack's files. The problem was the video. She needed to find something appropriate to switch it out with. But what? Raphael's old evidence kit had provided forensic evidence and samples that could be switched out with those in Jack's files. The problem was the video. She needed to find something appropriate to switch it out with. But what?

Cat felt the jerk of the wheels as they went from gravel to the smooth pavement of the interstate. Eventually, the gentle whir of tires on asphalt and the rocking of the car lulled her to sleep.

She dreamed of her mother. A part of her knew it was a dream, and was desperately sad at the same time she grasped onto the image.

They were in the kitchen at the beach house. The thin white lace curtains were blowing in a breeze that had the tang of salt.w.a.ter and seaweed. Morning sunlight gleamed off the white tile surfaces. Janet was bustling around, popping bread into the toaster and gathering up a pair of cups to pour coffee for her daughter and herself. She wore her usual weekend garb, a man's denim shirt tied at the waist over a tank top and matching shorts. She was barefoot, as well. man's denim shirt tied at the waist over a tank top and matching shorts. She was barefoot, as well.

Mom?

Janet turned and smiled, fine laugh lines appearing at the corners of her wide blue eyes. She handed Cat a mug filled with steaming coffee.

"Sit down, darling. We need to talk."

Janet gestured to a stool at the breakfast bar.

"Shh. We don't have a lot of time and I've got a lot of things to tell you." She took a quick sip from her coffee mug. "First, quit beating yourself up about being angry with me. If I had had any sense, I would've told you about my past myself. It was a rotten way for you to find out, and I'm sorry."

Cat blinked several times. Apparently her mother was just as blunt in dreams as she'd been in real life.

"And yes, we would've liked Raphael. A lot. He suits you. Don't let people give you a hard time and tell you to wait. Life is too short to waste time worrying about other people's opinions." Janet set her coffee mug onto the counter and walked over to stand inches away from Cat. She took her daughter's face in her hands. "Don't worry. You can can do this. And the answer to your problem? It's in your memories of the attack. You just have to be willing to look at it." She leaned forward to kiss her daughter on the forehead, and was gone. do this. And the answer to your problem? It's in your memories of the attack. You just have to be willing to look at it." She leaned forward to kiss her daughter on the forehead, and was gone.

Cat woke with tears streaming down her cheeks. She rummaged around in the back of the limo until she found a box of tissues. She spent the rest of the drive to Denver having a really good cry.

Ivan reached behind him to slide open the gla.s.s part.i.tion that divided the driver and pa.s.senger areas. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Cat answered. "Crying helps sometimes, and I've been needing to for a while."

"If you say so." He sounded doubtful.

His tone of voice made her smile. "I do." She scooped up the pile of used tissues and dumped them into the waste can.

"We're almost to the mall," Ivan announced. "And I am done here. I would rather not go just yet, but the Chief Justice needs me elsewhere."

"I'll be fine, Ivan. Really."

"You are sure?"

"Positive." She put a smile in her voice. "But do me a favor. Come back for Christmas?"

"I can do that." His eyes met hers in the rearview mirror, his expression serious. "Be careful, Cat. Take no unnecessary risks. And if you need help, you will call me, right!" right!"

"Right."

The mall was just ahead. Ivan caught the green light. Flicking on the turn signal, he turned the car into the driveway, slowing to a stop at the main entrance. He game around the car, opening the door for her. She climbed out. Stopping beside him for a moment, she got up on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you so much for everything," she whispered.

"It has been my pleasure."

RAPHAEL STRETCHED OUT on the bed. He needed to rest. It had been a long day, and it was just getting longer. It wasn't the lack of sleep. He was used to doing without sleep on the three days of the full moon. But Holly's change had been difficult, and drained them all. Then, there had been the disastrous breakfast with the family at the Run. Raphael tried not to think too hard about that. He'd hoped that when Jake fought his way to Holly's side they might have been able to patch up their differences. It might have worked, too. But Jasmine had shown up, looking much the worse for wear after her punishment from Tatya. on the bed. He needed to rest. It had been a long day, and it was just getting longer. It wasn't the lack of sleep. He was used to doing without sleep on the three days of the full moon. But Holly's change had been difficult, and drained them all. Then, there had been the disastrous breakfast with the family at the Run. Raphael tried not to think too hard about that. He'd hoped that when Jake fought his way to Holly's side they might have been able to patch up their differences. It might have worked, too. But Jasmine had shown up, looking much the worse for wear after her punishment from Tatya.

Raphael sighed and rolled over, punching the pillow into a more comfortable configuration. There was nothing he could do about the family mess. It would iron itself out one way or another eventually. He just wished... But no. Better to keep out of the middle of it, and there were more urgent matters to be dealt with.

Late this afternoon they would have the ceremony where Lucas severed his ties to the pack and Raphael took it over. It wasn't that complicated a task magically, but it required a great deal of power. Which meant he needed to be at full strength. That, in turn, required rest. rest. But his mind wouldn't leave him alone. His thoughts chased each other like a pup after its own tail. But his mind wouldn't leave him alone. His thoughts chased each other like a pup after its own tail.

Raphael rolled over onto his back and stared up at the bedroom ceiling. He was taking over the pack. It was real. All the years of playing second in charge and working in Lucas's shadow were over. He should be happy. But the fact was, he wasn't. This wasn't his his pack, or his people, and they'd made that abundantly clear. The pack was splitting, because of pack, or his people, and they'd made that abundantly clear. The pack was splitting, because of him. him. Yes, only a few of them had chosen to go with Martin and Daphne. Most hadn't wanted to give up their jobs, homes, and lives here. But that didn't mean they wouldn't cause trouble. h.e.l.l, Raphael's own niece was one of the worst. If Jasmine didn't get in line he was going to have to take steps, and that would cause no end of trouble in the family. Yes, only a few of them had chosen to go with Martin and Daphne. Most hadn't wanted to give up their jobs, homes, and lives here. But that didn't mean they wouldn't cause trouble. h.e.l.l, Raphael's own niece was one of the worst. If Jasmine didn't get in line he was going to have to take steps, and that would cause no end of trouble in the family.

Which brought him right back to the mess with Holly. She wouldn't be at the meeting tonight. She'd made her fealty to him privately this afternoon so that she wouldn't have to face Jake and the others. Her first real hunt would be with Cat, not with the pack that should be her home.

Was it so unreasonable for him to want the pack to accept his mate? He didn't think so. She had a lot to offer his people, if they could open their minds just a little bit and look at her as an individual instead of dismissing her from outright prejudice. Unfortunately, they hadn't shown any inclination to do that in the time she'd been here, and it didn't look as if that situation was likely to change.

As much as he hated to admit it, Jasmine had simply said what nearly the entire pack had been thinking. He had hoped it wouldn't come to a choice between his mate and his people, but that hope was fading fast. He had a home, a business that he'd spent decades building. He didn't want to lose them. But he would set it all aside in a heartbeat. Because these past weeks with her he'd learned the difference between existing and living.

He closed his eyes and focused on his mate. Right now she stood in the middle of the living room of her apartment. The portrait he'd painted of her parents was propped against the wall in front of her. There were tears in her eyes, but they were happy tears. He could actually feel her amazement that he'd gone to so much trouble, and her joy that he'd gotten it just exactly right. She reached out, placing a gentle fingertip against the canvas.

But simmering underneath her joy at die picture, there was rage. He shared that rage, and had for decades. They had to stop Jack had to stop him before another family was torn apart. It would happen soon. Raphael could feel it in his bones. The tension was building with each separate doc.u.ment they created for the dummy file, with each computer file they sorted. He and Cat probably knew more about Jack right now than any other living being. h.e.l.l, they probably knew more about him than he he did. His schedule, his movements, every detail of his existence was all doc.u.mented. Raphael and Cat-went through all of it, from the scheduled lecture on water rights at UCLA this afternoon to the VIN number of his brand-new private helicopter. did. His schedule, his movements, every detail of his existence was all doc.u.mented. Raphael and Cat-went through all of it, from the scheduled lecture on water rights at UCLA this afternoon to the VIN number of his brand-new private helicopter.

Raphael opened his eyes and threw off the sheet. It was useless. He wasn't resting. He wouldn't be able able to rest. He might as well get up and go over the ceremony details again. to rest. He might as well get up and go over the ceremony details again.

You SEEM EXHAUSTED, SEEM EXHAUSTED, kitten. I take it you poured all your strength into saving the Sanchez girl? Not wise, my dear. Not wise at all. If I came for you tonight, you wouldn't stand a chance. kitten. I take it you poured all your strength into saving the Sanchez girl? Not wise, my dear. Not wise at all. If I came for you tonight, you wouldn't stand a chance.

Cat growled at the empty air. Go away! Leave me alone. Either come here and take your best shot, or go away. Haven't you done enough damage to me?

Oh, no. Not by What? No, I don't want any calls, Laura. Tell whoever it is that I'm in a meeting.

This was strange. For the first time, she was intruding on Jack's thoughts being present when he thought he was alone.

He used what what name? From Chicago? Oh, yes. I'll be more than happy to talk to... name? From Chicago? Oh, yes. I'll be more than happy to talk to... Inteque. Inteque. Put the call through. I'm just in a mood for Put the call through. I'm just in a mood for There was silence for a moment, and he must have realized that Cat was still connected. He gave a low, menacing growl that made her shiver to the tips of her toes before slamming down mental shields in a way that nearly blinded her with pain. Tears streamed from her eyes as she staggered toward the bathroom in search of something, anything, to dull the agony.

CAT HAD EXPECTED to hunt by herself, but Holly was waiting on the front porch of the mountain property when she drove the fully repaired rental car up the driveway. She had very deliberately switched vehicles in a covered parking lot in downtown Denver. No one other than the current, chosen few was to find out that Cerise and Cat were the same person, and she was taking every precaution to prevent it. to hunt by herself, but Holly was waiting on the front porch of the mountain property when she drove the fully repaired rental car up the driveway. She had very deliberately switched vehicles in a covered parking lot in downtown Denver. No one other than the current, chosen few was to find out that Cerise and Cat were the same person, and she was taking every precaution to prevent it.

Cat could tell that Holly had been crying, but her scent held more rage than sorrow.

"Don't take this the wrong way," Cat said. "But shouldn't you be with the pack tonight? What if you have a hard time shifting again?"

"I won't. It was only that first time that was dangerous. I've shifted twice already today with no problem. Apparently I'm an alpha."

Holly didn't sound happy about it. That was kind of a surprise. While Cat couldn't see what the big attraction was to being able to change forms away from the full moon she'd learned from her books and lessons that it was considered a really big deal among the Sazi, and particularly among the wolves. Cat would have expected her friend to be delighted.

"All right, what's up?"

"Nothing." Holly was obviously lying Cat could smell it. She shifted her weight uncomfortably from foot to foot, making the floorboards creak. "It's not important."

Cat gave her a long look. Holly wouldn't meet her gaze, but she didn't answer, either. She sighed. If and when Holly was ready to talk about it, she'd be there for her. In the meantime, they had other things to deal with.

"So," Cat spoke briskly. "Do you have any idea how we go about doing this? This is only my second moon, and both times so far Raphael came riding to the rescue with meat from the butcher."

"Oh, c.r.a.p. I didn't think of that." Holly's eyes went wide. "I haven't got a clue. Didn't they train you in puppy school or something?"

"I quit early, remember."

"Well, h.e.l.l," Holly shook her head ruefully. "Doesn't this just suck?"

Cat walked up to the house and opened the door for them both. "We'll either figure it out, or I'll spring for steaks when we get back to town."

The two women stripped, each folding her clothing carefully and stacking it neatly. The last thing Cat removed was the necklace Ivan had given her. She set it almost reluctantly atop her piled clothing and began walking to the French doors. She had just put her hand on the handle when she felt the intrusion and let out a gasp of pain.

Jack didn't slide into her thoughts, he bulldozed through them. While a part of her knew she stood in her cabin, looking out at a meadow, she saw another scene entirely.

It was an empty warehouse, at least three stories tall, its rough wooden supports covered by corrugated metal.- A skylight, several of its panes cracked and broken, let the light of the full moon pour down into the building, illuminating some areas, while casting others in deepest shadow. A man was staked, spread-eagled faceup on the floor. Cat struggled to see who it was, but the angle was wrong, and Jack refused to move closer.

"I've noticed something about you, Cat."

Cat shuddered. Jack seemed totally coherent. He knew who she was. But was that a good or a bad thing?

" You are very protective of your human pets. You 'd do almost anything to keep them from harm. You fought me to keep me from hurting your Aunt Violet, you stepped between Ned and the lovely Tatiana, and you've repeatedly done everything you can to protect Holly Sanchez." You are very protective of your human pets. You 'd do almost anything to keep them from harm. You fought me to keep me from hurting your Aunt Violet, you stepped between Ned and the lovely Tatiana, and you've repeatedly done everything you can to protect Holly Sanchez."

"They're not pets." pets." Her voice was harsh in her own head. Her voice was harsh in her own head.

"Perhaps that was an unfortunate choice of words." Jack shrugged. "I told you to stay away from Ramirez. You disobeyed me. I intend to punish you for that."

Jack paced restlessly around the edge of the room, always staying just far enough away that Cat couldn't see who his captive was.

His tone was bitter and seethed with rage when he continued. "My first choice, again, was your aunt. But she seems to have disappeared. n.o.body n.o.body has heard a thing from her other than you. And you, my dear, have developed the irritating ability to block your thoughts. You've shut me out, my dear, and I has heard a thing from her other than you. And you, my dear, have developed the irritating ability to block your thoughts. You've shut me out, my dear, and I don't like it" don't like it"

So, he had had been trying to intrude. Cat would've felt more like cheering if she wasn't getting a psychotic's-eye view of someone she knew tied and struggling at his mercy. been trying to intrude. Cat would've felt more like cheering if she wasn't getting a psychotic's-eye view of someone she knew tied and struggling at his mercy.

Then there was your friend Holly. As Raphael's niece she'd be perfect. perfect. Unfortunately she's part of the Boulder pack, and is still under Inteque 's protection." Unfortunately she's part of the Boulder pack, and is still under Inteque 's protection."

Cat remembered the last time he 'd used the name Inteque. It had been the night of the challenge. He 'd referred to Michael as "Inteque's puppy." So Inteque was either Tatya or Lucas. From what she'd gathered, Tatya wasn't much older than Raphael, which meant Lucas was the more likely...

Jack's words brought her back to the present. "So, I was forced to search a little further into your past, and I came up with " "

Jack stepped forward with a grand sweep of his arm, giving her a clear view of his prisoner, Brad, whose terrified eyes looked into Jack's and into her own. and into her own.

Cat threw up, all over the floor inside the French doors. Again and again, her stomach heaved until there was nothing left to come up. It severed part of the connection. Cat could no longer see the inside of the warehouse. Her eyes took in Holly's fearful expression, the moonlit meadow. But she heard the roar of a jaguar, the wet rending of flesh, and every hopeless scream.

CAT PULLED THE car slowly into the parking lot of the storage business the following morning. The closer she came to the building, the more tense she became. Her stomach was still roiling from last night. She could still hear Brad's screams echoing along with Jack's laughter in her mind. car slowly into the parking lot of the storage business the following morning. The closer she came to the building, the more tense she became. Her stomach was still roiling from last night. She could still hear Brad's screams echoing along with Jack's laughter in her mind.

She shuddered. Closing her eyes, she fought back tears. Brad was dead. Nothing she could do would bring him back. But she could avenge him, him and all of the others. And she could make sure it never happened again. But to do that, she needed the right tools, and that included the right computer.

Inside one of those units, behind one of those bright orange doors, was the Winnebago she and her parents had been camping in when they were attacked. She would have to go in there, face it. She had had to. Cat forced her breathing to slow. She was starting to hyperventilate. She was suddenly cold, her body trembling. to. Cat forced her breathing to slow. She was starting to hyperventilate. She was suddenly cold, her body trembling.

I could just buy another laptop, could just buy another laptop, she thought, but she knew that nothing she could get over the counter would match the quality of the machine in storage. She'd been "making do" with the standard machines at the hotel and Raphael's, and before that with Violet's home computer. All of them were solid enough machines for everyday use. None of them had the kind of "upgrades" that had been given to her by her father, upgrades and sample programs that hadn't even made it all the way through testing, let alone hit the market. she thought, but she knew that nothing she could get over the counter would match the quality of the machine in storage. She'd been "making do" with the standard machines at the hotel and Raphael's, and before that with Violet's home computer. All of them were solid enough machines for everyday use. None of them had the kind of "upgrades" that had been given to her by her father, upgrades and sample programs that hadn't even made it all the way through testing, let alone hit the market.

"I can do this," she told herself as she pulled the CRX into the parking s.p.a.ce nearest the office door. Cat closed her eyes and took slow, deep breaths. "I will will do this." do this."

It was hard getting out of the car. She was trembling so badly it made her clumsy. Cat dropped her purse twice before she'd even managed to push the car door closed. Still, she forced herself to begin walking toward the office. Each step was more difficult than the last. Cat swallowed rapidly, forcing bile back down her throat. She would not not be sick. Her heart was racing so that all she could hear was the sound of her own blood pounding in her ears. be sick. Her heart was racing so that all she could hear was the sound of her own blood pounding in her ears.

Cat forced herself to open the gla.s.s door to the office, and pushed herself inside by dint of sheer willpower.

"May I help you?" Cat dragged her attention to the man standing behind the counter. Tall, thin, probably only in his late teens, the man had spiked hair that was dyed purple and didn't seem to go with his starched striped uniform shirt and navy dress pants. His face showed concern, as if he could tell she was in bad shape.

"Hi." Cat's voice was weak. She took a deep breath, staring into his warm brown eyes. "I'm Cat Turner. My aunt rented a storage unit for me here." She put the envelope with the bill on the counter. "I need to pay the bill and get some things out of it." Her voice sounded a little breathy, and she felt unsteady on her feet, almost lightheaded. She set her purse carefully onto the countertop and rested both hands against its smooth surface to steady herself. Inside her head beat a silent mantra, I I can do this, I can do this, can do this, I can do this, over and over. She hoped it was true. over and over. She hoped it was true.

Cat pulled out her checkbook from her purse, making the payment out for the exact amount before pushing the check across the counter to him.

"I'll need to see some ID."