Savage Betrayal: Savage, Book 2 (6 page)

Most humans weren’t even aware of the existence of wolf shifters—the only exception being some members of the federal government and the occasional human recruited to work for the P.I.A.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?”

Hilliard’s soft question was meant for her ears only, but it was pointless being that the three of them had heightened senses anyway. Agent Yorioka would’ve easily heard the question from the backseat, even over the Beyoncé song playing.

The realization and question itself pricked irritation through her.

“Of course I’m up for this. If I wasn’t I would never have come back to the agency. Let alone begged to come with you to see Thom’s family.”

Surprise, and something else—amusement?—flickered in Hilliard’s eyes. “Begged to come with me, huh? So you’re saying I’m the reason you came here today?”

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She was momentarily distracted by the slight quirk of Hilliard’s full mouth. Did he really think she’d come out here today for him? That would be ridiculous. Thom had been her motivation. One hundred percent, all the way.

And yet her breath caught, because she couldn’t deny a tiny part of her relaxed at the comfort of being with Hilliard. There was an ease and familiarity that was unmatched with the other guys. He would make her first day back much easier.

Still, like his ego needed any further inflation.

“Charming guess, but no, Hilliard.” She flashed a hard smile, one hand on the handle of the car as she readied herself to climb out. “This is another day at work for me, so don’t for one moment think you had anything to do with my motivation.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, really?” Yorioka gave an irritated sigh from the backseat. “As charming as this passive-aggressive flirting is, I’ve got a job to do. See you both inside.”

The other agent slipped out of the car before her or Hilliard could reply. Grace could feel the color stealing into her face. Jesus, what was wrong with her? She’d just made herself look ridiculous, and once again, completely unprofessional. Why was she allowing Hilliard to get under her skin so easily today?

She tugged on the door handle. “I’m going in too.”

“Hang on.” Hilliard reached beyond her to tug it closed again. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I mean for yesterday. For scaring the shit out of you and forcing you to face some things you may not have been ready to deal with yet.” He hesitated and looked away. “I sure as hell didn’t want to get you in over your head back here if you’re not ready.”

“It’s okay. Seriously, I’m ready.” She paused. “I’ve been ready. You just gave me the push I needed. I missed you guys—missed the team.”

Her gaze slid to Yorioka who now knocked on the front door of Thom’s house. Though part of the team, the new girl seemed to have already written her off.

“Don’t worry about Agent Yorioka.” Hilliard must’ve sensed her thoughts. “She’ll warm up to you.”

Not likely. The other female agent’s mind seemed to have been made up. She didn’t have the energy to point that out, and just murmured, “We should go inside too.”

“Yeah we should.”

Grace had reached to open the door again when Hilliard suddenly caught her other hand in his and squeezed lightly.

“You say the word if it gets too much, and I’ll get you out of there, you hear?”

She cast him a quick look, trying to ignore the undercurrent of warmth that seemed to race between where his hand held hers.

Why did he care so much? Why was he trying to take responsibility for her?

“There’s no shame in it, Masterson. So promise me you’ll let me know.”

He could read her so well. She knew there was the potential to fall apart inside that house—she’d be speaking with Thom’s widow.

But she’d hold herself together in front of them, dammit, even if she had to have a silent meltdown in the bathroom for a few minutes.

“I promise.”

“Good.” Hilliard pushed open the door for her and winked. “But for the record, I think you’ll do great. Now get your ass in there.”

The heaviness on her heart lifted a bit knowing he had her back and that he’d given her an out—even if they both knew she’d never take it.

Together they walked up to the house and entered the open door, following the sound of voices and soft weeping.

The smell of flowers was overpowering, and the first thing she saw was endless arrangements along the banister and in the kitchen. This family, Thom, was well loved.

They entered the living room and Grace stumbled, almost physically forced backward by the wall of pain and grief radiating from the woman sitting on the couch.

Thom’s widow. It had to be. The slender woman, probably in her early fifties, sat hunched over on a floral coach. She had her brown hair held in a sloppy bun on her head, her fists were pressed against her mouth, her face blotchy, and her eyes were swollen and red. She looked like a woman gripped by the hellish talons of grief.

Immediately aware of Hilliard and Grace’s presence, the woman’s gaze leapt from the shag carpet and up to them. She barely looked at Hilliard before her now rounded gaze locked on Grace.

“Mrs. Wilson, this is Agent Hilliard and Agent Masterson,” Yorioka began in a gentle tone, shooting them a warning glance. “We hope our visit won’t upset you, but it’s imperative that we speak with you again and collect evidence.”

“You’re her.” Mrs. Wilson didn’t seem to acknowledge Yorioka’s statement, but stared at Grace as she spoke.

Ice swept through Grace’s blood, as well as a numbness that she was nearly used to by now. Did this woman blame her? Hate her on sight? She couldn’t fault her for either and braced for it.

“You’re the female agent who was held with my Thom.” The widow rose unsteadily to her feet and moved toward Grace.

Grace braced herself, ready for anything. Biting words. A slap across the face that Grace wouldn’t stop.

Mrs. Wilson’s face distorted. From misery, to frustration, and then to pain. When she lifted her arms, it took everything within Grace not to flinch. Instead she waited, sensing the sudden tension in Hilliard and knowing he’d step in to protect her if needed.

Don’t, she warned silently, knowing he couldn’t hear her, but hoping he’d sense her wishes.

But when the older woman closed the distance between them, it wasn’t to hit her, but to wrap her arms around Grace. To pull her into a comforting hug that stunned her to the core.

“I am so very sorry for what you have gone through, my dear.”

This woman, who’d just lost her husband, was comforting Grace. Why? Hilliard’s gaze collided with Grace’s and she could see the gesture had surprised him too.

“Thom spoke of you often. You were such a rock to him during the ordeal. And you’re so very young yourself…” Mrs. Wilson broke off and squeezed her harder. “I’m so sorry.”

Tears burned behind Grace’s eyes and a lump formed in her throat. Without realizing what she was doing, Grace closed her arms around the woman and returned her embrace.

“I am so sorry, Mrs. Wilson.” Her words weren’t quite steady, but it didn’t seem to matter now. “I can’t tell you how sad I was to hear of Thom’s death.”

“You may call me Elaine.” Her arms tightened further around Grace. “And thank you.”

Grace’s gaze slid to a framed picture on the wall of Thom, Elaine and two girls in their teens. It must’ve been taken several years ago. The print was faded and Thom and Elaine looked younger, but they all appeared quite happy.

“I promise.” Grace swallowed with difficulty. Her words were husky. “We will investigate all possible causes in Thom’s death.”

Elaine pulled away, her expression weary. “Thom took his own life, my dear. As much as I may wish otherwise.”

Grace’s heart leapt into her throat and she struggled not to shake her head. So even Thom’s wife was convinced it was suicide? Didn’t she even suspect it might’ve been foul play?

“Did he show signs of depression in the days leading up to his death?” she prodded. “Any indication he might do something like this?”

Elaine hesitated. “Thom struggled with depression some, yes, but quite honestly he did so before the experiments. Ever since he was laid off from
The Seattle Times
.”

That made sense. Grace was aware money had been Thom’s driving factor to do the experiments.

“Did Thom leave a note?”

“No.” Elaine’s eyes brimmed with tears as she shook her head.

No note? That was a little odd. Though it was entirely possible Thom’s death was exactly what it seemed. A tragic suicide spurned by from one man’s depression and conscience. But there was the niggling sense of unease, that something didn’t quite add up. Because she just couldn’t comprehend how he could walk away from those experiments, so grateful to be alive and be reunited with his family, only to take his life.

“So you were the one who found Thom?” Grace asked carefully.

“Yes, and I’m thankful for the fact. If it had been one of my daughters who’d found their father…” Elaine swallowed visibly, appearing shaken. “I’m so glad that’s not the last memory they have of him.”

“Mrs. Wilson, I just had a couple more things to go over with you if you don’t mind?”

Hilliard, keeping his voice quiet and gentle, took over the questioning, and Grace couldn’t have been more grateful. She pulled away from Elaine and moved down the hall, giving herself the moment she had hoped she wouldn’t need. She wound up in the garage after following Yorioka’s voice.

Crime tape still cordoned off the chilled garage, but Grace slipped under it to join Yorioka, who was in discussion with a guy from the forensic unit.

“The car was taken into evidence then?” Grace asked when their conversation died.

“Yeah, the day the body was discovered. We’re just back today tying up a few loose ends and lifting some prints.” The forensic guy cleared his throat, picked up a small laptop and began typing.

He looked familiar, but she struggled with his name. Pete? Rick? Their paths had crossed on more than one crime scene.

“Did the call history on the cell phone get checked?”

“Call history was empty,” he answered without looking up.

Or deleted. That was a definite red flag in her eyes. “Someone should’ve submitted a subpoena to the cell provider.”

“Probably.”

Grace waited for them to pick up their discussion, but from the growing silence, she realized that wasn’t going to happen.

He knew who she was, she realized. He was aware of her connection with Thom and the experiments, and this guy wasn’t any more thrilled by her than Yorioka.

“What’s your name again?” Grace finally asked, determined to stay professional at all cost. “I know we’ve worked together in the past.”

“Rick.” His gaze still wouldn’t meet hers.

“Right, I remember now. Rick, have you guys found any indication this could be more than a suicide?”

“Okay, this is bullshit,” Yorioka interrupted harshly. “Look, Masterson, I’m sorry if a murder would lessen the guilt load on your conscience, but the evidence is pretty damn clear Thom Wilson took his own life.”

Grace’s jaw clenched as she turned to face the other woman. If Agent Yorioka wanted to have this out now, than why the hell not?

“Did I do something to offend you, Agent Yorioka?”

Genuine amusement and disbelief flickered across Yorioka’s face before she scowled again. “What, are you effing kidding me? Your entire presence within the P.I.A. is offensive after what you did.”

“You sure are good and playing judge and jury without having the facts—”

“I know enough. I know that you betrayed your team and volunteered for something equivalent to an extermination project.” Yorioka strode across the empty garage until they were almost toe-to-toe. “What kind of agent does that? You should’ve resigned.”

“The P.I.A. means everything to me and I work damn hard at what I do.”

Rick cleared his throat and muttered something about using the bathroom before disappearing out of the garage.

“Sure you do,” Yorioka scoffed. “You should’ve been fired.”

Anger rose in Grace’s blood, bringing her wolf close to the surface. Her voice thickened as she ground out, “I’m a damn good agent, which is why they didn’t fire me.”

“Whether you’re a good agent or not is, I’m sure, subjective.” Yorioka flashed a hard smile. “You have a lot to prove before I’m convinced of your worth.”

“I don’t have to prove shit to you, and the sooner you realize that, the better.”

“Everything all right in here?”

Grace stepped back from Agent Yorioka as Hilliard entered the garage, his wary gaze sweeping between the two women.

“We’re fine,” Yorioka murmured succinctly. “Just getting to know each other a little better. Isn’t that right, Masterson?”

“Exactly.” Bitch. Grace arched a brow and forced a slight smile. “In fact, we should do lunch sometime soon when we can have more time to chat.”

Yorioka didn’t bother to hide her bark of a laugh, but instead stepped out of the garage and back into the house.