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

England."
    I didn't say anything.
    "You're that fox."
    "No one messes with me, Greg. No one!"
    * * * *
    I drove to Iowa City late that night, arriving at four AM. I found a spot a quarter mile away, loaded the gun with standard rounds, but had a clip of silver handy, and stepped out of the car. I kept the engine running and the car turned towards my escape route. There was no one on the streets. I threw a foam pad over the hood of the car, leaned down, worked a round into the chamber, and looked through the scope at the front of the house.
    I put a round through one of the three visible security cameras. Then, working carefully, I took out the other two , catching my cartridges as I worked the bolt. I took out the security lights. And then I emptied the rest of the clip into the side of the garage, not caring what I hit.
    Then I calmly got back into the car and cautiously drove away.
    Total duration from first shot to driving away: forty seconds.
    I crossed back into Wisconsin at Prairie Du Chien. No one followed me. I swapped the plates again and returned to Eau Claire. My phone rang when I was halfway back.
    "Busy fox," he said. "You missed that time."
    "I wasn't aiming at anyone," I said. "Do you suppose they'll be on high alert for a few days."
    "I would think so," he said. "Do you know what you're doing?"
    "Winging it, Greg," I said. "Any sign the police are looking for me? I made an awful racket."
    "And yet, somehow, you got away with it. Your luck won't last."
    "I don't need too much more," I replied. "Anything I need to know?"
    "They're buttoned down tight," he said. "That's all I know."
    "Good," I said. "Have they called Lara?"
    "Not through any channel I am monitoring," he replied.
    "They must know it's me," I said. "There would be fox scent all over."
    "Would you like me to call Lara?" Greg asked.
    "No," I said. "It doesn't matter."
    I slept for a few hours then got up for a meal. I drove west an hour and called Angel.
    "Hey," she said when she answered.
    "Can you talk?"
    "I can listen," she replied.
    "I'm fine. Please, tell me, are my babies okay?"
    "They miss you."
    "They miss being wolf pups. I think perhaps they'll figure out how to shift all on their own much earlier than most wolves do. They know it's possible."
    "They miss you," she said. "Everyone misses you."
    I didn't respond to that. I sat on the phone. "Anyway. I'm fine. I'll call you tomorrow."
    * * * *
    I drove back to the motel and slept for a few more hours. Then I returned to Iowa City , again changing into the Iowa license plates. I approached from the west. I found a secluded location to park, stripped out of my clothes, and shifted into fox. I shrugged into the harness I used to carry things while a fox, and I went hunting.
    It was four AM. Watchers would be sleepy, alertness having faded hours ago. I circled Brody's house, a mile away, listening very carefully. I did nearly a full circle before I thought I heard someone. I heard a brief scraping sound, perhaps the sound of someone scuffing at the snow with his boots. I listened carefully, and it came again, giving me a direction and distance.
    I moved south, then east, listening very carefully, but hearing no other noises. I took my time, then slowly moved north.
    I heard him again. He wasn't very good at remaining quiet. I stopped and listened for a good fifteen minutes. I could hear small noises from the houses around me, the furnaces running mostly, and a car drove past now and then.
    I moved closer to the noise, closing to within forty yards directly downwind before I saw him; his back was turned, and he never saw me. A large male wolf was watching the street where I had fired from last night. I watched from cover. Every now and then, he scuffed at the snow with his boots and stamped around a little, perhaps trying to stay warm. He wouldn't need to worry about that much longer.
    I stepped away carefully, silently, and disappeared around the nearest house. I shifted into human, grabbed two