Fox Dish (Madison Wolves #6) by Robin Roseau Page A

it was, you missed. We've heard both of them making calls."
    "Greg, I don't know how to get the money to you. I moved it, but I don't know if Lara moved it back."
    "Give me the account information, Michaela, and we'll see."
    I dug some papers out of my bag and read the account information to him. There was a pause, and then he said, "The money is still there."
    "Greg, Elisabeth tells me I am banished."
    "I know," he said softly. "I asked the Madison Alpha if she would mind if I were to hire any former members of her pack. She told me she had no problem with that."
    "Did you just offer me a job?"
    "I believe I did," he said.
    "Do you have to ask Daniel permission for me to enter his territory?" Lima Consulting, Greg's company, was based out of a compound near Boulder, Colorado. Daniel Bancroft was the Boulder alpha.
    "Yes," Greg replied.
    I thought about it.
    "I'm sorry it's come to this, Michaela. Think about it."
    "Greg, grab that money. I'm not going to need it. I'll take whatever intelligence you think is wise. If they move, I really need to know."
    "I'll send you another phone," he said. "Where do you want me to send it?"
    I thought carefully before answering.
    "Michaela," he said. "I just took your money. I never stab my clients in the back. You are now a client. I won't report you to anyone else."
    "I'm heading to Eau Claire to hole up for a few days. Let them be on high alert for a while."
    I heard keyboard tapping. "There's a motel east of Eau Claire." He gave me the name and directions. "How are you on cash?"
    "I'm good," I said.
    "Don't use your credit cards," he said. "And Wisconsin plates in Iowa are going to stand out."
    "Already taken care of, Greg. Thanks so much. I have to go. I'm sure Elisabeth is surprised to see I'm in Madison and already has every enforcer in the pack heading my direction."
    "Be careful, Michaela. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
    We hung up and I powered my phone down, then turned around and headed for Eau Claire.

Four, Five
    The motel was exactly where Greg said it would be. This was the big test. If he was lying to me, I could expect company in the next few hours. I checked in and climbed into bed.
    I was pretty sure he wouldn't sell me out to Iowa; I wasn't sure he wouldn't sell me out to Lara. I needed to know.
    I woke up six hours later to peace and quiet.
    I stayed at the motel for four days, venturing out only for meals. I received the phone from Greg and got daily status updates.
    "I don't have any ears on the ground," he said. "This is strictly electronic. But they are electronic idiots; they never change out their phones. I am pretty sure your main targets haven't left the house."
    "Is anyone from Madison asking about me?" I asked him on the last day.
    "No," he said. "What do you want me to say if they do?"
    I was disappointed.
    I had photos with me of Lara, the babies, Elisabeth, and Angel. I spent a lot of time looking at them. I brushed the photo of Lara with my fingertips a lot. I kissed the babies a lot.
    I missed them all terribly.
    I called Greg on the last day. "Greg, am I wrong?"
    "About what?"
    "About my babies being safer if these wolves know what happens when they mess with us."
    He paused before answering. "No, you're not wrong."
    "Greg, when this is over, I want you to spread the word. I want you to let every wolf pack in the country know that the Madison wolves are under my protection."
    He started laughing.
    "It's not funny!"
    "Oh, Michaela, it certainly is. A fox protecting wolves. That's funny as hell."
    "I'm hanging up now!"
    "No, Michaela, don't. I'll make sure the other packs all know. How much may I tell them?"
    "Tell them I am like a ghost. Tell them they won't see me coming. Tell them I have faked my own death six times so far. Tell them I killed my first wolf when I was six and have..." I counted briefly. "A hundred and eleven so far."
    "Seriously?"
    "Yes," I said. "Seriously."
    "Michaela," he said. "There were rumors, about ten years ago, of a fox in New