DAN #3
“Some of the other creatures are very old,” Quinn added. “So, for at least part of their existence, there weren’t as many people around, not as much technology to dodge. You’re new at this. Live and learn.”
“I don’t have any records about how things were for Wally before my grandfather,” Dan said.
“Time doesn’t seem to mean the same thing for him, so it’s hard to figure out what he remembers.
I’m not sure where he came from originally or where he goes, since I’m not going to have a kid to pass him on to. ”
“One thing at a time,” Quinn said. “You’re in the right place to figure that out. Speaking of which, my ninja squirrel brigade had news to report.”
“Ninja squirrels?” Dan couldn’t help chuckling at the image that came to mind.
“Uh-huh. They’re everywhere, and so are the birds,” Quinn replied. “They’ve been looking for the missing hikers, the wurm, and keeping an eye out for the bounty hunter, like an advance warning system.”
“And?” Dan held his breath.
“Nothing yet on the hikers. But they’ve spotted the bounty hunter.
Right now, he’s not close to Fox Hollow.
Even better, they think he blundered into view of some of the trail cameras, so we might actually be able to get a picture we can use to figure out who he is. Knowledge is power.” Quinn grinned.
“I hope they pelt him with acorns and bird shit,” Dan muttered.
“They do. They wanted to make sure I told you that.” Quinn chuckled and winked. “They are vindictive little buggers, don’t let the cuteness fool you.”
“Now I can’t stop imagining squirrel assassins,” Dan said, and the mental picture lightened his mood. “Scary stuff.”
“Let’s just be glad that they’re on our side.”
“So how do we get ahold of the trail cam pictures to see if they ID the bounty hunter?” Dan asked.
“I already texted Liam, and he’ll enlist his army of hackers,” Quinn said. “He’s working on it, and he promised to let us know as soon as someone got a lead.”
Dan bought himself time as he sipped his coffee, sorting through a tangle of feelings.
“Talk to me,” Quinn nudged. “That’s your ‘thinking too much’ face.”
Dan laughed. “You already know me too well!” He took another gulp of coffee and set his cup aside.
“I’m grateful to have you and the squirrels and birds looking out for me.
Even if the bounty hunter isn’t currently near Fox Hollow, he’s in the Adirondacks, which is already too close.
It means he knows I left Dover and followed me to this general area, which is scary as hell.
And I’m worried that because he hunts supernatural creatures, there won’t be a way to turn him over to law enforcement to make him leave me alone,” Dan admitted.
“Leave that last part to Sheriff Armel,” Quinn said.
“Since I’ve been in Fox Hollow, I’ve learned there are paranormal branches of law enforcement that deal with the kind of crimes that involve magic.
He and Liam will know what to do with the information.
Odds are good that you’re not the first person the hunter has come after. One step at a time.”
Quinn’s phone rang just then, and he glanced at the display. “Speak of the devil, it’s Liam.”
“I’ll tell him you said that,” Dan teased.
“Don’t you dare!” Quinn took a deep breath and answered the call. “Hey, Liam. Hold on while I put you on speaker. Dan’s here with me.”
“Hello again to both of you.” Liam sounded cheery despite their hunt for a hired killer. “That trail cam footage you sent paid off. I put it out to my hacker friends, and they got a confirmed ID.”
“What did you find out?” Dan felt his heart rate speed up.
“The guy’s name is Ben Harrison, and he’s originally from Maine,” Liam replied.
“Werewolves killed his parents and brother when he was a teenager. He survived but swore vengeance. He got the pack that did the killing but didn’t stop hunting.
He doesn’t like anything supernatural and takes in a disgusting amount of money claiming bounties on creatures, whether or not they’re dangerous. ”
Liam cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, he’s also wrongfully arrested, assaulted, and injured regular people who weren’t cryptids, as well as killing assorted livestock.”
“He’s slippery and manages not to get arrested, although some of the assault charges have stuck and he’s had to pay damages,” Liam said.
“His rap sheet for paranormal crimes is probably as long as my arm, but my hackers think he has a powerful witch or two helping him. And since he’s in it now for the bounties, there are rumors he also takes commissions from trophy seekers who want a stuffed cryptid for their den. ”
Dan’s stomach dropped, and Quinn paled. “So he’s a real sick bastard,” Quinn said.
“That’s a good way to put it.” Liam didn’t hide the disgust in his tone.
“It’s great that we know a name, but if he’s so good at not getting caught, how do we stop him?” Dan’s anxiety ratcheted up. Quinn took his hand, and Dan could see concern in his boyfriend’s eyes.