Mercy Thompson 01-05 - THE MERCY THOMPSON COLLECTION

should tell me what he believes is happening.” So Samuel could see if he was lying or not. Samuel was one of the wolves who could do that.
    David knew it, too, I could see it in his smile. “Gerry Wallace told me that Bran was abandoning his people. He asked me if I would speak to Adam and see if I could get him to object.”
    â€œMeaning fight the Marrok for leadership,” clarified Samuel.
    â€œYes. To that end he flew me and my boys out here. I was surprised at the method he chose. I would not have brought armed men to confront an Alpha in his own home—but I could not object more strongly without a fight that would have left me in charge of Gerry’s wolves—and a sadder bunch of wolves you’ve never seen. I knew that Adam was capable of defending himself, so I went along with it.”
    David shrugged. “Talking to Ms. Thompson, we’ve pretty much decided that Gerry intended that blood be spilled because the wolves who died would have been trouble for him. I think he intended blackmail rather than talk from the beginning.”
    Samuel inclined his head. “He knows Adam. Adam wouldn’t challenge my father—even if he disagreed with what Bran was doing. He doesn’t want to be Marrok.”
    â€œHe doesn’t know Adam very well if he thinks he can control him by threatening his daughter,” said David.
    â€œI think you’re wrong,” I said. “I think Adam would do anything to save Jesse.”
    â€œYou all sound as if it is a given that Adam would kill my father.”
    I considered that. “Gerry’s the one who believes it. Maybe he intends to do something to ensure Bran’s death. He still thinks that he’s the only one who knows about the tranquilizers.”
    Samuel growled, and I patted him on the top of the head. The back of the couch wasn’t as comfortable as the seat—but I liked being taller than the two werewolves. Samuel pulled my hand down to his shoulder and held it there.
    â€œSo why did you come here?” he asked David. “Couldn’t you find Adam’s pack?”
    â€œI wasn’t looking for the pack,” David said. “Gerry’s got Adam drugged to the gills. I went in to talk to him and he almost tore through his chains. From what he said, he thinks he’s got a traitor in his pack—I think he’s right. I suspect that’s how they took him. Even so, I think the drug is making him more paranoid. Getting him out safely with his human child is going to require his cooperation.
    â€œHe doesn’t trust me—and I’m sorry to say he has reason.” He looked at Samuel. “I don’t think he’ll trust you either—not another male when his daughter is there.” He turned back to me. “But you have his scent all over your van, and he has a picture of you in his bedroom.”
    Samuel gave me a sharp look. “In his bedroom?”
    It was news to me, too. But I was more worried about Adam and Jesse than a picture.
    â€œAll right,” I said. “Where are they holding him?”
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    With two exceptions, Samuel didn’t seem to have a problem letting David make all the plans. First, Samuel insisted on calling in the wolf pack—though he agreed they were only to be backup, waiting a few minutes away. Only Darryl would know what was up, until the very last minute.
    He also insisted on calling his father and telling him what we knew.
    â€œAdam won’t fight him,” Samuel told David’s frozen face. “I know he doesn’t like coming out, but he understands my father’s reasons.” He sighed. “Look, none of us are happy about it, not even the Marrok. But my father has had several wolves report that one of the government agencies is threatening them with exposure if they won’t cooperate.”
    Some expression crossed David’s face too quickly for me to read, but Samuel nodded. “I wondered if someone had talked to you, too. The others were all military. We’ve become an open secret—and that’s not safe. Frankly, I’m surprised that Bran’s managed to keep us hidden this long. I thought that once the public accepted the fae they’d discover all of us.”
    â€œThey didn’t want to know,” I said. “Most of them like their safe little world.”
    â€œWhat will your father do to Grandpa?” asked Connor.
    Samuel raised his eyebrows.