Chapter 13 #2
Carson closed his eyes and did what Colton taught him. Taking deep breaths, he slowly released them while he focused on the sound of air passing in and out of his mouth. After several minutes, he was able to take control, pushing his feelings into the part of his mind he kept behind a locked door.
Then, vowing his dirtbag uncle would not stop him again, he picked up the application and began to read, methodically matching each document in the folder against Slate’s checklist until the only item missing was a ‘request for waiver.’ Discovering a sealed envelope in the folder, Carson opened it, pulling out a letter with a document attached to it.
Expecting to see a request for a waiver regarding the title to the Fox River Pack lands, there was, instead, a letter from Josiah informing Slate he’d been able to procure the title through the courts using an expedited action allowed when there weren’t any direct heirs.
What the fuck? Impossible! Reading the letter again to make sure he’d understood it correctly, he muttered, “Unfuckingbeleivable!” But there it was—a Court Order conveying ownership of the Fox River lands to his uncle.
That fucking son of a bitch…stealing our land…
he’s got some balls. Jumping up, Carson paced the room, his anger threatening to take over and force a shift so his wolf could hunt down Josiah.
However, this time Carson fought it, taking control and reducing the fire inside him to embers.
Looking at the time, Carson saw it was too late to show Steel and Jackson what their uncle had done, so he put everything back into the folder and placed it in a desk drawer.
Then sending a text to Steel and Jackson, Carson turned off the lights before leaving for the night, pleased that he was able to use reason to rule over his emotions.
~/~/~/~/~
The Wolf Pack Pub was closed for the night and Morgan was frustrated.
When he received a reply from one of his bartenders describing a new shifter that had come in a couple of days ago, he was excited.
According to Keniji’s text, the guy was not human; he knew instantly he was waiting on a paranormal but didn’t know what kind the man was.
That, in itself, raised Morgan’s curiosity, since Keniji was usually infallible about identifying the kinds of shifters at the bar.
Evidently, the man visited the Wolf Pack Pub at least one other time during Keniji’s shift, so Morgan decided to spend his night off working with him at the bar, hoping to get a glimpse of the unknown shifter.
Though Morgan scented each new customer with high hopes, most were human.
“The dude was a ‘no show’, Keniji,” Morgan said to his bartender.
Keniji nodded, drying and stacking the glasses. “That he was, Mr. Morgan.” Moving on to restock the liquor, he said, “I’ve been thinkin’ and maybe I could point him out on your security tapes.”
Pausing, Morgan grinned at his bartender, “That’s a fucking brilliant idea, Keniji. I can have it set up tomorrow, if that’s okay.”
“Can’t. Gotta take the missus to see her sister, but if you’re willin’, I could do it tonight,” Keniji said.
“Are you sure?” asked Morgan.
“Sure…I’ll finish up here. Why don’t you get it ready and I’ll be right in.”
“Thanks,” replied Morgan, hanging up his wet towel before heading to his office.
Sitting down at his desk, Morgan accessed the security camera archives, quickly locating the feed for the night the shifter had been there.
Loading it onto his computer, he turned his monitor so they’d both be able to view it.
It was a long shot, but if Keniji could point the man out—and there was a clear shot of his face—he’d send it to Brian tonight.
Hopefully, it would be the intruder he was searching for.
A sharp rap sounded before Keniji entered, taking a seat. “All finished, Mr. Morgan. The bar is ready for tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Keniji, I wasn’t sure what time you saw him so the tape starts when your shift began.
Clicking on the start button, Morgan sat back in his chair, watching the stream of customers as they ordered their drinks.
Some had their backs to the camera, others were only in profile, but most had their full faces showing.
After a couple of hours, Keniji finally pointed at a customer.
“That’s him.”
Morgan froze the picture, getting a few screen shots of the man before he started the video again in slow motion, watching as the customer, wearing a broad-brimmed hat of questionable age, had several drinks before paying and leaving.
Reversing the video, Morgan then got some additional screen shots, including one with the man wearing the hat. He’d bet anything, that was the photo that’d be most helpful in locating the shifter. “Thanks, Keniji.”
“I hope that’s the guy you’re looking for,” Keniji said. “If he comes in again, do you want me to message you?”
“Yes, please,” Morgan said. “I’ve kept you late enough. Say ‘hi’ to your mate from me.”
“Will do.”
After his bartender left, Morgan quickly tapped out a message to Brian and sent it to him, along with all the screen shots.