Fox and Wolf Read online

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  More from Julia Talbot

  About the Author

  By Julia Talbot

  Visit Dreamspinner Press

  Copyright

  Fox and Wolf

  By Julia Talbot

  Apex Investigations: Book One

  Werewolf PI Dylan Weems is a hired to solve the murder of a client’s customer. As an ex-cop, Dylan is the perfect man for the job, but he doesn’t expect the complication of alluring fox shifter Rey.

  Ever since finding the dead body of one of his clients, Rey Mercier’s life is a mess, and he needs help desperately. He has no idea why he’s the target of some ruthless people or what he did to anger them. Hopefully Dylan and his motley crew of shifters at Apex Investigations can help him find out, but first Dylan and Rey have to deal with literal corporate tigers and dire crocodiles shifters… all while deciding what to do about the mate bond that’s becoming undeniable. And is that even possible between fox and wolf?

  To my encouragement, beta reader, and fan, my wife, BA Tortuga.

  Acknowledgments

  TO JAYMI, who keeps track of names and places and isn’t afraid to tell me the truth.

  Chapter One

  THE MINUTE the fox walked in his door, Mick Hartness knew he was going to be trouble. The guy was a ginger, after all, and they were always, always full of surprises, and not the good kind. This client wasn’t going to be a “here’s chocolates and flowers” kind of shocker. No, he was going to be “hey, I’m a serial killer.” That was the way of things for a private investigator, though. When you worked for other shifters, you never knew what you’d get.

  Mick stood, holding out a hand to shake. “Mr. Mercier. Pleasure. Please, have a seat and tell me what I can do for you.” He had an idea, because his assistant, Carrie, usually got a few details, but Apex Investigations Inc. was ever discreet. He only got detail in person.

  The shake was firm, but the little man’s hand was sweaty, and the look in the copper eyes was worried. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Hartness. You come highly recommended.”

  “Thank you.” They settled, and Mick waited for the knock on the door. Carrie always offered drinks and snacks, so there was no sense in starting before she did.

  The tap was gentle; then his favorite she-wolf on the face of the earth came in. “Can I get anyone anything? Coffee? Water?”

  “Can I please have a cup of coffee, ma’am?” Oh, Mercier was polite and jittery. Nice.

  “Of course. Cream or sugar?” She smiled gently. Carrie was all maternal instinct.

  “Black is fine. Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Mick?”

  “The usual.” He took his with cream and half a dozen sugars. And with cookies. Peanut butter. He needed his energy.

  “I’m on it.” She let herself out, closing the door behind her.

  Mercier stared at him, so Mick cleared his throat. “So, I understand you’re under some sort of threat? Can you give me some idea what we’re dealing with?”

  “I’m an information broker. I sell what I know. It’s weirdly like what you all do, right?”

  “Right. I guess that can be a hazardous profession, just like mine.” Mick smiled, humoring the guy.

  “Exactly. I was hired to retrieve a file from a corporation for an individual and, somehow, I’ve fallen into a bit of trouble.” Mr. Mercier’s face took on a strained expression.

  “What kind of trouble? A vague description here is no one’s friend.”

  “To be honest, I’m not exactly sure. After the file—a quite physical one, mind you—was delivered, I began to receive emails begging me to come pick it up from my client. I agreed, and when I went to get the papers to replace them?” Mercier shuddered. “She was dead. Drowned in her pool.”

  “So, someone killed your client for, what? The files you got for her?”

  “No. No, the files she’d requested were her own HR record. What could have been in those files worth killing for?”

  “Huh.” Mick sat back, steepling his fingers under his chin. “You found her?”

  “Yes.” The fox went pale as milk. “She was frantic. I read those files. There was nothing in there. Nothing of importance.”

  “Okay. So what happened then?” He didn’t have to take notes. He had a great memory. Really great. Anything Rey Mercier told him would be stored away in his very own hard drive.

  “I ran. I went home. Then the phone calls started, the texts, the emails, threatening me if I didn’t return the files. I don’t have them.”

  “You had returned them from your client’s house, yes?” Something wasn’t adding up here. What would be so important in an HR file to kill someone over?

  “No. No, I returned them to the corporation, by the way.”

  Mick shook his head, confused. “Okay. Let me see if I have this straight. Your client asked you to get her HR files from a company she had previously or did now work for. You gave them to her, and she began getting calls and threats. So she called, asked you to take them back to the company. When you came to do that, she was dead?”

  “I returned the files as soon as I could. I didn’t really know what to do, since she was dead.”

  “Why paper?” Mick asked. No one was solely paper anymore. It was foolish, ridiculous. Utterly silly.

  “The company didn’t give me an option. I think they were manipulating data but didn’t want any trail. I don’t know why they couldn’t send a PDF or something, but this was a weird legal situation, which was why I was called in as a secure courier, which is also a service I provide.”

  “Like handcuffing a briefcase to your wrist?”

  “Exactly so.”

  Mick wasn’t sure why someone would hire this little man for something that required security. He didn’t seem the type.

  “And you’re sure you didn’t take anything else from the company HR office?” He knew exactly who he would be turning this case over to, but he needed to have all the t’s crossed and i’s dotted in the interview first.

  Carrie tapped on the door, returning with coffees and sweets.

  “Thank you.” He smiled at her, and she winked. She loved playing like she wasn’t half the brains of their operation. Mick would be lost without her.

  “Of course. I brought extra cookies. They’re delicious.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Mercier muttered.

  “They really are good cookies,” Mick said when Carrie left. “Peanut butter. Looks like oatmeal raisin too.”

  “I love raisins.” Mercier’s nose twitched, scenting the food.

  “Well, here. I’m a peanut butter fiend.” Mick turned the plate so oatmeal raisin was on the fox’s side of the desk.

  “Thank you.”

  Mick heard the snarl of Mercier’s stomach. Hmm. Someone was a little desperate. Maybe Rey Mercier had been on the run, and that was why his chickens seemed so scattered.

  “Would you like something more substantial? I can have Carrie order in sandwiches while we wait for Dylan. That’s your investigator.”

  “No. No, this is lovely. Thank you.” Hunger gleamed in Mercier’s eyes for a moment, though.

  Mick grabbed his phone under the desk, texting Carrie quickly. “Subs and chips.”

  “Yes, boss.”

  “Can you help me?”

  “Of course. We’ll help look into it.” Mick tilted his head,
scenting a tiny hint of fear. “Do you have a place to stay?” He would need to put someone on safe-house duty if the guy was in a hotel or something.

  “I’ve been driving. My apartment isn’t safe.”

  Rey meant sleeping in his car. “Okay. Well, as much as I hate to, I need to talk budget.” Hourly billing added up. People didn’t think about it, but it was so true.

  “Of course. I’m willing to pay to find out who’s doing this.”

  “Here’s a listing of our rates.” Mick found it easier to hand over a piece of paper. Boom, all in writing and set in stone so his clients could read it.

  “Do what you need to.” Rey set the paper aside with no more than a cursory glance.

  Damn. Carte blanche. He hoped the guy meant it, because this job could be expensive.

  “Okay.” Mick sat back in his chair again, grabbing his coffee so he could contemplate. “I want to call in Dylan, get him digging. Do you mind meeting with us both?”

  “No, of course not.” Mercier nibbled a cookie, watching him closely.

  “Thanks. That helps, all of us being on one page.” Mick tugged out his phone again, this time obviously, so he could text Dylan. He fucking hated trying to figure out the unbelievably complicated desk phone Carrie had forced on him. Honestly, what did they need those things for?

  Dylan knocked on the door only a few moments later, and damn, Mick was relieved. Time to turn this interview over to the investigator, and he couldn’t think of anyone better to take it on than his resident ex-cop.

  Chapter Two

  DYLAN WALKED into his boss’s office, eyebrows lifting at the cozy scene. Cookies and coffee. A sharp, copper-all-over fox shifter. Mick looking scowly. Yay.

  “Boss. You rang?”

  “I did. Meet your new client. Rey Mercier, meet Dylan Weems. Dylan. Rey.”

  Mercier stood, held out one hand to shake.

  “Mr. Mercier.” He shook hands. No calluses, but not soft. The grip was firm but quick, as if Mercier was unused to touching, or maybe intimidated by him.

  Either way, Mercier was nervous.

  He sat, intrigued by the nerves, by the buzz of energy. The little man made his nose work, made his hand tingle where they touched.

  Mick smiled, but it was strained, more predatory than anything.

  Dylan stifled a grin of his own. Mick was really ill-suited to schmoozing with the clients. He could only do it for so long before getting antsy.

  The door popped open again, Carrie coming in with a big bag from the sub shop downstairs. “Working lunch!”

  Oh, a big enough client for sandwiches. Impressive. The budget must be good on this one.

  Dylan grinned at Carrie. “Cheesesteak?”

  “Two footlongs. Spicy Italian for the boss. I got a variety you might like, Mr. Mercier. Cheese and veggie, or tuna, or turkey and provolone. Or all three. There are chips and pickles in the other bag.”

  A rush of hunger seemed to pour from Mercier, and Dylan felt the hair on the back of his neck raise at the scent. What the heck was that all about?

  “I’d like to pay for lunch,” Mercier said, reaching for his wallet.

  “Nonsense! I’ll expense it to your new account.” Laughing merrily, Carrie left the room, closing them in with the food.

  Mick doled out sandwiches. Two each for them, three six-inch subs to Mercier. “Eat any and all. For real.”

  Ah, so it was like that, was it? Someone was starving.

  Mercier took one of the sandwiches and unwrapped it with shaking fingers.

  He was trying hard not to devour it and make a mess, Dylan thought. He and Mick both bent their heads over their food, giving Mercier a little time to hoover in that first sandwich and bag of chips. Then they could all relax and stop wanting to guard their resources like the canids they were.

  He spent a few minutes surreptitiously checking the fox out. Mercier was running on fumes—dark circles and twitching nose proving that. The shirt was clean but not pressed, and the man’s sneakers were blown.

  Clearly, he was clean and he had enough cash to expense their services, so his condition meant he was scared. Unable to light in one place for fear of getting caught.

  “So, what information do you need from me? I don’t know where we would even begin.” Mercier pushed his hair behind his ear.

  Dylan looked to Mick.

  “Someone thinks he stole information he doesn’t have, is the short answer.”

  “Okay, then I start by retracing your steps. I need to know about any corporations involved so I can see what sorts of trade they do.” Dylan started ticking off things on his fingers.

  “Pearson Inc. is the business involved. PR work, mostly for politicians, businessmen, etc. My client was Elise Barker. She’s… gone.”

  “Politicians and big business….” He and Mick exchanged a nod. “That’s always trouble.”

  “It was a simple job. Nothing dangerous.”

  “Of course, but what did you know about your client?” Dylan smiled a little, knowing he was far more approachable than Mick with his shaggy hair and more craggy than sharp face. “She could have been involved in any number of things for the company.”

  “All I did was retrieve her HR file. Simple, straightforward.”

  “I’d still like to retrace your steps, if only virtually. Our first action is to get you a safe place to stay.” He noticed Rey had gone for the turkey and provolone, then the cheese and veg. The tuna stayed wrapped up.

  If he didn’t eat it, Brock or James would take it from the fridge later. Kitties and their damn tuna.

  “I’ll be okay if I keep moving. I don’t have what they’re looking for. I returned everything. There was nothing in there.”

  “I believe you.” Dylan said it in a steady, not condescending voice, wanting Mercier to know he really did believe it. “However, as my client, I need to know you’re safe. We can move you regularly, but let us handle accommodations.”

  It really wasn’t negotiable. He couldn’t waste time following the fox around and do his job at the same time.

  “Oh, I—well….”

  Mick snorted. “Better not to argue with Dylan. He’s stubborn.”

  “I’m quick more than stubborn, but I have my moments.”

  “I imagine so.” Dylan finished up his chips, then licked his fingers, noting the way Mercier’s gaze lingered when he did. Now the five-hundred-thousand-dollar question was, did Mercier covet his chips or his mouth? Probably the chips, more’s the pity.

  “I vow I didn’t do anything to cause this. I don’t have the file they want.”

  “Good. That will make it easier. It’s harder when the client isn’t being honest.” Dylan stood. “Come on back to my office. I’ll get you to write out names and such, and then I can work on the basics while you get some rest.”

  “All right. It was good to meet you, Mr. Hartness.” Mercier stood and held one hand out to Mick.

  “You too. Good luck to you.” Mick slipped the tuna sub off the desk. He was probably thinking of their kitties too.

  “Thank you.” Mercier followed Dylan, steps absolutely silent behind him.

  He could understand why this guy would be used for stealth. And he would be the kind to sit quietly in a corner and record everything. Yeah, a good information broker. Dylan let Mercier into his office, then indicated the chair across from his desk.

  Mercier sat gingerly, bright eyes shining at him.

  “Okay, so I’m gonna say something I used to say all the time when I was a cop.” He plopped into his chair. Leaning, he steepled his fingers under his chin. “You’re gonna get sick of me asking the same questions over and over. Unlike a perp, I’m not trying to catch you in a lie. I’m trying to find every angle, every bit of information you don’t even know you have.”

  Those eyes didn’t miss much, he’d bet. Such a gorgeous color.

  “Information is my life. Ask away.”

  “How did your client come to hire you?” Dylan tugged a l
egal pad out of his desk, then grabbed a pen. Unlike Mick, he couldn’t remember anything unless he wrote it down.

  “She contacted me via a client of mine—a young man that uses me for research.”

  “So it was word of mouth. Do you think he’d be willing to speak to me?” He’d learned to write without really glancing down years ago. What the interviewee’s face said told Dylan as much as their words.

  “I’ll call him. I don’t see why not. I don’t want him put in danger, though. He’s a dear friend.”

  “No. I can meet with him over the phone, if need be, and make it as anonymous as possible. In fact, I’ll have you call him from a burn phone I provide.” A dear friend. Why did Dylan feel a tiny spurt of… what? Anger? Jealousy?

  “That’s fine. I just hate thinking I got him hurt.”

  “Of course.” He tapped his pen on the pad. “And what did she do at the corporation?”

  “She had been a public relations specialist for a senator. He had a PR crisis involving a relationship with an underage girl. She was fired.”

  “I see.” He did see. He had to research the senator and the girl. He scribbled, fascinated in spite of himself. Dylan loved puzzles, loved how everything fit together when it shouldn’t, or shattered when he tried to force it to fit.

  He watched Mercier, the fox sitting perfectly still and somehow constantly moving at the same time. The exhaustion was getting to the man, he could tell. He could see it written on the fox like glow-in-the-dark ink.

  So he asked a question or two more, but he had enough to start with. Time to let the guy rest. Then go get that tuna sandwich before kitties did, because he was still starving.

  “Here, Mr. Mercier—”

  “Rey, please. I feel weird being mistered.”

  “Sure. Here, at the back of the office.” He rose, showing Mercier to his little wonder room. They each had one in their office, which showed how Mick got the kind of work they did. There was a sink, a rolling closet, and a twin bed, as well as a bookshelf of reading material. “The blankets are all freshly washed. Please, rest up while I start making calls. You’re safe here.”