Darkest Journey (Krewe of Hunters #20)(75)



“Hey, fella,” Thor said, moving forward, grabbing the leash and rescuing the woman. “Sit. Sit.”

To Ethan’s combined surprise and amusement, the dog immediately obeyed.

“Thank you,” the woman said. “He’s beautiful, but he’s so big. I have to bring him back. I just can’t keep him.”

Hayworth came hurrying out of his office. He looked distressed. “Oh, no,” he murmured.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hayworth, so sorry. But I just can’t keep Loki,” she said.

Hayworth looked genuinely distressed. “Of course, I understand. Loki is... I just don’t know what we’re going to do.” He noticed that Ethan and Thor were still there. “This is our third return on Loki. Every time he comes back it gets harder for us to place him.”

“Mr. Hayworth, don’t worry. If you can hold on to Loki until we’ve solved this case and I can head back home, I’ll take him,” Thor said.

Hayworth looked at him with combined surprise and gratitude. “You’re not just saying that?”

“I’ll be back for him, I promise. I’m from Alaska. Huskies are my breed. In fact, if you’d like, I’ll be happy to see him back to his kennel, get to know him a little bit more,” Thor said.

“Thank you. You have no idea how much of a relief all this is,” Hayworth said, then pointed. “This way.”

Thor followed him, leading Loki.

When they returned, Hayworth was talking away about all Loki’s wonderful qualities. Thor met Ethan’s eyes and nodded toward the door to indicate that they could leave.

“What are you? A dog whisperer?” Ethan asked him once they were out of earshot.

Thor grinned. “My sister and her husband raise huskies. I’ve always been good with them, and I already have one husky at home, so what’s one more?”

“I’m glad. That’s a beautiful dog.” As they reached the car Ethan turned the conversation back to the case. “Did Hayworth remember anything more that might help us?” he asked.

“I think so,” Thor said. “I’m hoping tomorrow will tell us more. There’s a lot of oil up my way, so I’ve seen it before, the constant conflict between energy and the environment. We need energy to live, but we also need to preserve the environment. A lot of people on both sides get heated up about it. But heated up enough to kill? Maybe. A lot depends on money, the way it does for pretty much anything else. So I’m hoping we’ll learn more when we get to Vicksburg and talk to the Sane Energy people.”

“So how does Hayworth figure into it?”

“While we were walking Loki back, he remembered hearing our vics talking more than once about the environment and the river. He said they knew they had to tackle some pretty difficult people on the issue, and they had to get others—including the courts—involved. Hayworth thinks that’s what they were talking about at that dog-walk thing, and that they were planning on meeting someone in particular who might be able to help them.”

“Did he say who?”

Thor glanced at him unhappily. “You’re not going to like this,” he said. “Jonathan Moreau.”

*

Jude McCoy was sitting in the Eagle View dining room and watching the Southern Belles rehearse their performance for that evening. At first Charlie thought he must get bored, viewing them day after day, but then she realized that he was getting paid to watch his girlfriend do what she loved and was probably completely happy with his assignment.

He seemed laid-back, completely relaxed, as he sat there, but when she looked closely, she could see how aware he was of every move they made and every staff member coming and going through the dining room doors.

His watchfulness made her feel safe, and she had to admit, after the incident with the knife, safe was a really good feeling, even though she didn’t expect anything to happen aboard ship.

When they finished the rehearsal, they headed to lunch. The day was beautiful and, even better, uneventful. Ethan checked in with Jude at one point to say they were heading back and would be there in plenty of time for the second dinner seating.

After lunch, Jude and Alexi walked Charlie to her cabin. Jude waited until she was inside, told her to lock the door and reminded her that they were right next door.

Charlie thanked him. She was glad for the escort, but she was also still convinced nothing was going to happen to her while she was aboard the Journey.

She’d stepped into the shower when she heard the sound. It was faint, not as if someone was knocking at the bathroom door, but rather as if they were brushing something against it.

She turned off the water and listened. The sound had stopped, but unease was racing through her system.

She clenched her teeth, picturing her cell phone where it lay on the bed. Mental note—she mocked herself—remember to bring cell phone into the bathroom next time.

There was nothing else, no other sound. She waited, listening, for what seemed like forever. Finally, wrapped in a towel, she drew a deep breath, opened the door and stepped into the cabin. There was no one there. She wondered what the hell she had heard—or if she had actually heard anything at all.

Feeling unnerved and extremely vulnerable in her towel, Charlie dressed quickly.

As soon as she had clothes on, she picked up her phone to give Clara a call. Thor was on shore with Ethan, so Clara would be alone, too. Charlie felt a bit silly, but even so, she could ask Clara to open the door and watch the hall so she could run the few feet to her friend’s cabin.

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