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“Run.”Whentheyonlystoodtherestaringathim,Licafinallyshovedhistwobrothersinthedirectionofthewoodstogetthem going.Iftheywerecaughtbytheir father,he’dknockthemoutandthenblametheaccidentthathe’dcausedonthem.As they weregettingaway,itwasEdmond,hisbrotherclosertohisage,whoshifted whichissomethingtheyrarelydid,especially out in the open like they were, but he was getting further away with each bound of his paws When Guy, another younger brother, did the same, Lica hoped theywould be far enoughawaythat no one noticed Christ, he hoped so That’s all they neededwas for their father toknow thattheycouldshiftintoa wolfafter all this time whenthey’dbeenhidingitfromtheir parentssincebirth.
Sincetheirmotherwasawolf,notevenafull-bloodedone,andtheirfatherwasahuman,thechancesofthembeingable toshiftwereslim.The sixofthem,since theywere oldenoughtobe able toshiftatten,hadbeentoldtokeepitfromtheir parents or they’d use their abilitynotjustagainstthembutother people as well Ithad beeneasyfor themto hide it, so far anyway,sincetheirmothercouldn’tshifteither Licathoughtitwastheonlythingthathadsavedtheir livesalotduringtheir childhoodsofar.Beingabletoshifttohealtheirwoundsafteraseverebeatingfromthem.
He didn’t mind the name calling. In fact, Lica rarely noticed him being called anything but some version of fucking somethinghisentirelife.Therewereothernamesthathewascalled,rarelyLicaFrazier,whichwashisrealname.Noneofhis brotherswereevercalledbytheirgivenname.
Climbingupthehillwhenthepolicearrived,hestayedasfarfromhisfatherashecould.Motherhadn’tbeenwiththem thistime,whichwasagoodthing Shewouldhavesurelynoticedthattheothertwocouldshift Andthat,astheysay,would havebeentheliteralendofallsixofthem Thethreewiththeirfather,andthethreeathomewiththeirmother “Damnedboy,therewasdriving.”He’dnotbeen,andhe was positive thatthe officer knew it.DanWilkins.Atsixteen, Lica could pass for a persontenyears older, butDanknew how old eachofthemwas since he’d beenaround whenthey’d beenborn.Hewasapartoftheirwolfpack.“Tryingtogethimtostayonthestraightandnarrowisdamnednearimpossible withthemotheronesscreaminginthebackseat”
“You’renotabovethelaw,FredFrazier.Youbestberememberingthat.Now,I’mgoingtoaskyouagain,youdrivingthat car?RememberwhatIsaid?Igotuscamerasallovertheplacenow.”Fatherglaredathim,butLicaknewhe’dnothithimin front of the police. For all his blustering, his father was afraid of the police more thanhe was their mother. And she was terrifyingtoeverylivingsoulintheworld Theyallknewthat
“Yougonna get your ass beat, ain’t you, boy? Youtell me the truthnow. Youhear me?” He said yes, sir, that they all would.Hewasn’tgoingtolietohimanyway,themancarriedagun,andthatwasforsuremoredangerousthanhisdrunkfather wasrightnow.“Yourbrothers,theyouttheresomeplace?Hiding?”
“Yes, sir Ididn’t know what he’d do to themwhenyoushowed up So Isent themontheir way” Lica glanced at the cruiserwithhisfathersittingintheback “Heain’tgoingtolikeyoutalkingtomelikethiseither He’sgoingtothinkI’mtelling youfalsehoods.”
“Yes,sir.So longas he’s notup and around.” He said he’d notbe doingmuchbutsleepingwhenhe gothome until the fencewasup.“We’llbethere.Aroundmidnight?”
“Yeah,thatsoundsaboutright.Igotmesomeworkforyousixthatwillgiveyousomepocketmoney.Iheartellthatyour parentsaren’tpayingyourduesforschool I’llpayyouenoughtotakecareofthatandgetyousomeboots,too Ihatetosaythis toyou,butyou’llhavetofindagoodhidingplaceforthemsohedoesn’tfindthem He’llsellthemoffforsure,knowinghim” Lica saidhe hadthe perfectplace.“I’mrightsorrythatyouand the others have to putup withthemas your parents. You’re goodboys,andIhatethathebeatsonyousomuch.Bothofthemdoit,don’tthey?”
“Yes,sir.They’repowerful meanwhentheythinkwe’vedonesomethingwrong.”Dannodded.Thenheaskedhimwhen he’dbeeighteen “I’llbeeighteeninthirteenmonthsandthreedays ButIwon’tberunningunlesshemakesme Us brothers, wemadeusapromisethatwe’dstaytogetheruntilwecanallleave AndDevlin,he’llbeeighteeninfouryears”
“Gonnabehard,youknowthat,don’tyou?”Hesaidthathe’dnotleavehisfamilybehind.“Allrightthen.I’llkeepaneye out for youboys. Themfates, theysurelydid mess up a bit byputtingthemtwo together and thengivingyouboys to them monsters.”
Overthenextmonth,thesixofthemchoppedwoodforMr.Wilkinsandanyoneelsewhohadthemoneytopaythemfor work.Itwashardwork,choppinginthedark,buttheywereabletogetplentydoneinthattimeandalsowereabletoputanew roofonMr Chance’shouse,roundupMs Lane’spigsthatgotout,andtopickcornandpumpkinsforMr Brown
The four hundred dollars theymanaged to make thatwas leftover frompayingtheir school fees was held onto byMrs Wilkins.Sheevenputitallinthebankforthemsothattheycouldgetitwhentheywanted.Aplanwasworkedout,too,such thatifanyofthemhadsomeextracashtoputup,theyonlyhadtoleaveitonthebackporchunderherbasketofapples,and she’dputitinthebank.Extraornot,itwasgoingtogointothebankforthemtorunwith.Evenifitwastencentstheyfoundon thewayintotown,itwouldgointothebasketmoneyandbeputintothebank
Overthenextseveralmonths,thesixofthemmanagedtosaveupjustoverathousanddollars Thatwasaftertheyeachgot a much-needed pair ofboots, coats that theycould wear to school, and some paper and pencils for classes. Theywere all awarethatitwasn’tagreatdealofmoney.Butitwasastart,theythought.Theydidn’ttakemuchinthewayofchanceswiththe cash,neverhavingitonthemwhentheywereathomeorworking.Assoonastheygotpaid,oneofthemwouldgorighttothe Wilkinshomeandputitunder thebasket.Itwastheonlywaythattheyfeltsafewithhavingajob.Then,their mother caught themworkingonenight
Hehadn’tanyideahowshe’dfiguredoutthattheyweren’thomethatnight Sheandfatherhadgonetothebartoplaycards and getdrunk, and thatusuallymeantthatthey’d be gone well into the afternoonthe nextday. They’d be too drunkto drive home,sothey’dpullintosomelot,pullouttheirtent,andsleepofftheirdrunkenness.ItwastheirFridaynightthingtodo.
It was the first time that he’d gottenbeatenso badlythat he had three ribs brokenas well as his left arm. The others, Devlin,hadabrokencollarandenoughcutstowarranthimgettingfiftyorsostitches.ButitwasEdmondthathadgottenthe worstofit.Notonlydidhehavebrokenribs,nineofthem,buthehadbotharmsbrokenandhisleftbigtoeremovedwhenshe usedherhighheelonhisfoottoclubhim,shecalledit.
Father wouldn’tleavethejail because his love wasthere,sotheydidasmuchastheycouldingatheringupfoodstuffs, and cashwhile he was gone. Itwas the mostdifficultthree months ofhis life. Itwas a few months later, the dayhe turned eighteen,thateverythingwenttohell.And the onlytime inhis life whenhe could honestlysaythathe hated people. And he hatedhisparentswithapassionthatstayedwithhimformostofhislife
Temptationwasnothinghe’deverbeenswayedby Notaprettywoman Nota too good to be truth scam,norwasheever swayedbyfastmoney.Allofthemhadlearnedthehardwaythatiftheirparentswereonboardwithsomething,itwasgoingto meanjailtimeforsomebody.Noneofthemeverparticipatedinanythingthattheirparentsthoughtup.Infact,theywouldletthe police know about their scams so that if theywere caught withthemand made to go ontheir scams for some reason, they wouldn’tbeapartofthearrests Andtherewereplentyofarrestsfortheirparentstheoldertheygot,untilhisbirthday
Fredhatedhiskids.Hedidn’tmuchcareforhiswifeeither,butshewasaneasylay,andthat’smostlyallhewantedfromher. Paulahatedtheirkidstoo,mostlyLica,butshewouldbeatthemuntiltheywerebloodiedeverytimeshegotthechance.Fred didn’tfeelsorryforhisboys.Hatingthemwithapassiontookcareofthat.Buthedecidedoneafternoonthatifhewasableto get rid of the oldest one, the others would fall inline withwhat he wanted more oftenthantheydid now. Mother fuckers weren’tevengoodforscaringpeoplewiththeirbeasts Noneofthemhadone
“You’dthinkthatwithhavingsixkidsthat,oneofthemwouldbeawolflikeyouare,wouldn’tyou,Paula?”Shetoldhim thatshewasn’tapurebloodeither,soitdidn’tstandtoreasontheirkidswouldbe.Thensheremindedhim,asshedidevery time, that she couldn’t be a beast either. “Yeah, I know you can’t shift, Paula. You don’t need to tell me every time I say somethingaboutit.Butoneofthemshouldhavebeen,don’tyouthink?Imean,yoursister,shehasherninekids,andallofthem arewolves Iprobablyshouldhavemarriedher Thatwouldhavebeenbettersuitedtomeingettingsomescarykids”
“Youdon’tremember all thattroubleIgotintowhenIbeatthemfor working?Istill don’tbelievefor aminutethatthey wereonlyworkingforfood.Butnobodywouldtellusiftheyweregettingpaidrealmoney.AndIhatethatthempeopletriedto shame us bysayingwe should have fed thembetter thanwe did. Fuckthatshit. If I had to feed themeverytime theywere hungry,I’dnothavetimetohavemyselfsomerelaxingtime”Sheturnedandlookedathimagain “Whatareyouthinkingabout bykillingthemoff?”
Theyhadtohideoutforweeksafterthepackwastakenover Themjustbeingmarriedandjustbeingthetwoofthemmade itasightbetterathidingthanitwouldhavenowadaysandall sothatthepupandhiscrew didn’tfindthem Hedidn’tknow anythingaboutthatkind ofthinggoingonwhenhe arranged to marryPaula. And he wouldn’t have if he’d knownthat was possibleifsomeoneelsecamealongtotakeoverthepack.Theyjoinedthemanewpack,andthenhismomcameforabitto staywiththemaftertheboysstartedpoppingoutlikethemPezcandies.
Fred couldn’tgetanythingto focus inhis eyeballs The manwas a bigman, bigger thanhe was anyways, buthe didn’t know whohewas.Lookingaroundthe roommade himill again,buthe thoughtthathe shouldknow the bunchofmeninthe roomwithhimandhiswife.Itwashishouse,wasn’tit?Thatshouldcountforsomething,hethought.
Fredcouldhearherfinebutwhatshewassayingwasmakinghisheadspinalittle.Anotherpersonwasinhisvision,and he askedwhotheywere.He said his name was LincolnBates and thathe was goingto have the packtake care ofhis body
Whenheopenedhiseyesagain,hedidn’tknow wherehewas.Therewasn’tmuchtosee.Everythingwaswhitelikethe snowandclean Pauladidn’tkeepagoodhouse,soheknewthathewasn’thomeanymore Whilehe’dbeenlyingonthefloor one dayafter Paula hit him, he’d seendust bunnies about fortyinches long Lookingaround hurt, so he tried to call out to someone totalktohim.The little squeakthatcame outofhis mouthembarrassed himsome, butthatwas aboutall he could managerightnow.
“We hate them, youknow. All they’ve done is suckus dry. Iwantthemdead. Youhand your gunover to mywife, and she’lltakecareofthemforus Idon’twantthemaround”Themanaskedifhewasserious “Asdeath”
Chapter2
Licaleanedagainsttheshovel thathe’dbeenusingandlookedathis brother’s truckas hepulledintotheyard.Edmond had beenoutgettingfeedforthecattle.Theemptytruckmadehimthinkthatthingshadn’tgoneaswellashe’dhopedtheywould.
Licasignedhisnametothebottomofthecontractwherealltheothershad.They’dbeenpartnersintheirfarmingsincethe daythatDevlinhad turned eighteen. Ifnotfor the help ofDanWilkins, the cop intown, there is no tellingwhatmighthave happenedtothe sixofthemwhentheir mother was putinprisonandtheir father killed.Turningto lookatEdmond whenhe clearedhisthroat,heaskedhimwhatwasgoingon
“Doyourememberwhattodayis?”Hedidn’tthinkthattherewasatimeinhislifethathewouldeverforgetwhatthedate wastoday.“Wehavetogothereandmakesurethatshedoesn’tgetout.Idon’tknowwhythey’devenconsiderherbeingletgo, but todayis the day. I’ve alreadylined up the attorneythat we’re using. WithDevlinbeinginhis last year of college, it’s helpedusagreatdealinknowingwhowecantrustasattorneys.Areyougoingwithme?”
“They’ll call backor won’t More thanlikely, someone tryingto getus to paysome moneyto them Iknow thatIdon’t havetoask,butI’mgonnajustformyownpeaceofmind,butyouhaveallthereceiptsfrompayingoffBates,don’tyou?I’m gladthatwewereabletopaytheparents’dues.Hislettinguspayitovertimehelpedusoutagreatdeal,butIdon’teverwant abigdebtlikethathangingovermyheadagain.Doyou?”Edmondsaidthathehadcopies,andsodidtheirattorney.“Allright then LetmefinishupthisstallandI’llgetmyselfashowertogetgoing Arewegoingtogetherormeetingupthere?”
“There”Nodding,Licafinisheduphisjobandthenmadehiswaytotheoutsideshower Itwasn’tanythingmorethana largetubwithaholeinitthathugonthesideofthehouse.Butwhenyouneededtorinseoffthecrapfromthebarn,itwasa better wayto cleanup thandraggingall the nastiness into the house to shower. He was headed to the shower, his clothing hangingonthelineafterhisrinse,whenthehousephonerang.
“Hello,HouseofFraizer.”Hewaitedonthelinetoquietdownbeforehespokeagain.Hedidn’tknow thevoice,sohe didn’thanguponwhoever itwas because itsoundedlike anelderlywoman Again,he saidthe name oftheir house Itwas easierthannamingoffallofthemwholivedthereuntilthepersonspoke
“Whichoneofyouboysisthis?I’mthinkingEdmondiswhoIspoketoearlierbutIdidn’thaveagoodconnection.”He said he was Lica. “Lica?Mygoodness, youdon’tsound a bitlike your father, thankfully. Ijustheard thatthe old bastard is dead.Canyouconfirmthatforme?I’llneedayearanddate,honey.”
It tookhimless thana minute to know who he was talkingto. “Grannie Fraizer? Is this you?” She laughed, her voice comingoverthephoneaslovelyasheusedtorememberitbeingwhenhe’dbeenachild.Itwasassoothingasabrushofher handoverhisheadwhenshe’dcometoseehimtobed “Mygoodness Ifwedon’thaveanyroom,youcanbunkinmybed,and I’llsleepinthebarn It’sniceandwarmthistimeofyearforthat,anyway Whenareyoucoming?”
“He’s graduatingfromcollege ina few weeks. Goingto be the familyattorneyfor us.” The backdoor opened, and he heardMrs.Wilkins squeal and he covered himselfupwithhis free hand as besthe could. “Igotta getme some clothingon, GrannieFrazier.I’lltelltheothersthatyou’recoming.I’mnotsurewhowillrememberyou,butIcan’twait.”
Forsomestupidreasonthatnoonecouldunderstand,theirmotherwouldbecomingupforaparolehearingeveryfifteen years Thiswasthefirstoneforher Hehaditinhismindthatthejudgehadbeensweetontheirmotheranddidn’tbelievea wordoutoftheirmouthswhentheywereaskedaboutherandtheirlivingarrangements.
“Ijustspoke to Grannie Frazier.” Edmond remembered her, askingifshe was the one thathe’d spokento earlier. “She was.Shesaidshethoughtthatitwasyou,butshe’dhadabadconnection.”
“I did forget. But this couldn’t be more perfect timing, could it?” Edmond winked at him. They both knew that their daughterwasgoingtotrytoconvincehermothertolivewithherfromnowon.Thatlivingonthefarm,tenacresinallwastoo muchfortheelderlywoman.“You’regoingtohavesomuchfunwithyourgrandkidsyou’renotgoingtowanttocomeback.”
Therewasexcitementinhervoice,andyouwouldhavehadtobedeafnottohaveheardit.Overthelastcoupleofweeks, herolderdaughter,theonethatlivednearbythemhadsoldherhomeandeverythinginittogotolivenearhersister,too,with theirmom.OnceshewassettledindowninNorthCarolinawithherfamily,thehouseupherewouldbesoldtothem.Justas Danhadwantedittobewhenhepassedforabuck Hedidn’thaveanysonstoleaveitto,andDanhadalwaystreatedthem liketheywerehissons AndtheytreatedhimandMrs Wilkinsliketheirdadandmom Theywerethatgoodtothem Thecourthousewaspackedwhentheywereshowninside.Ivanwasthereearly,sayingthattheinterviewwentbetterthan he hadthoughtitwould.He was hopingtoworkwiththe vetintownandthenbuyouthis practice whenthe older manwas readytoretire.
Theothers,alldressedintheirnicestjeansandshirtsandties,weresittingintherowbehindtheattorneywhowashoping tokeeptheir mother inprisonfor another fifteenyears.Lica hopedthatthey’ddispense withthe fifteen-year parole hearings andjustthrowawaythekey.Whenthejudgecamein,anewone,theyallstoodupandlistenedtowhatwasbeingsaid.
“MynameisthehonorableJaneSabot.I’mheretolistentothetwopartiestodaytosettleifMrs.PaulaFrazieriseligible forparoleorwillbeimprisonedfor wheredidthiscomefrom?Didweeverfindout?”Thebailiffleanedintoher ear and spoketothejudge Shenoddedacoupleoftimes,thenrolledhereyesbeforeshethankedhim “Allright This is the hearing forPaulaFraziertobeeligibleforparoleafteronlyservingafifteen-yearsentenceoftwolifetermsforkillingherhusband, FredFrazier,andOfficerJoeyLipscomb.OfficerLipscombsuccumbedtohiswoundseighteenmonthsafterMrs.PaulaFraizer shothim.IsthereanythingelseIshouldknowbeforeIhavePaulaFraizerbroughtinhere?Bytheway,Iwillhavethisroomin ordernomatterwhathappenswiththeoffender.I’mtounderstandthatshe’shavingahissyfittodayandmightcausearuckus. Anything?”
“Ineedmeaminuteortwotoreadoverthis.Ihavecopiesofitalready,andsodoestheattorneyforPaula,correct?”The manstoodupandnoddedlikehisheadwasn’tconnectedastightlytohisshouldersasitshouldhavebeen “Youhavetouse your words I told you this the other day The woman recording this for us can’t make head signs” He said he had the paperwork.“Good.Andyou’vespokentoMrs.Fraizer,correct?”
“Christ” Lica agreed withhis brother Ayden’s assessment of the situation Their mother had aged about fifty years, it lookedlike.Herhair,usuallydyedtoadarkred,wasaswhiteasGrannie’swasbutwithoutanystyletoitwhatsoever.Justa stringymesswithabigchildlikebowinthebackthatwasaspinkashe’deverseenthecolordisplayed.
Herlips,usuallywhatGranniecalledherlippaintwhoresred,wasdevoidofanycolor,andthenothingnessbledintoher skinso well thatitlooked like she had no mouthatall whenitwas closed. She was wearinga prisonjumpsuitofblue and green Twocolorsthathe’dalwayslikedtogetherbutneveragain Itmadeherlooksicklyandwashedout Shakinghishead,he feltthe others sittinginhis row situpstraighter whenshe turnedtolookatthemafter beingchainedtothe table thatwas in frontofher.
“Theretheyare.Mysons.Never oncehavetheybeentoseetheir poor oldmother sincetheymadeitsothatshe’dbeen takenawayfromthem.” Mother turned to the judge whenshe told her to hush. “I’ll do nothingofthe sort. Theykilled their daddylikehewasnothingtothem ThentheygoandsaythatIdidthekillingsothatI’dnotseethemallgrownup Justlookat themthere ActinglikeIdon’tmeannothingtothem”
Standingup, he puthis armaround his Grannie, and she looked athim She was dazed looking, like for a few seconds thereshedidn’tknowwhereshewasorevenperhapswhoshewas.Whensheputherhandonhischeek,hekissedherfingers andaskedhertohaveaseat.Assoonasshedid,hedidaswell.Thejudgeletoutalongbreathandhadmothertakenbackto thejail.
Broganlooked at the headstone ofher son FredrickAllenFraizer, her onlyson, had beeninhis late thirties whenhe was killed Ifshe’dknownhalfofwhatshedidnow abouthim,she’dnothadanychildren Thenhe’dmarriedthatwoman,Paula Snow,andhe’dbecometheworstpersonshe’deverknown.Eventoherandherlatehusbandhadsufferedathishandsandthat ofPaulabeforeherhusbanddiedoftheirabuse,andshegotoutofthereasfastasshecould.Itwastheonlywaythatshecould savethoseboys.
“Youwere a cruel andmeanperson,Fredrick Evenfrombirth, there was nothingredeemingaboutyou Ifnotfor those boysyousired,I’dthinkthatyourlifewasatotalwasteofwhatittooktomakeyou.”Shelookedaroundtheprettycemetery and thenbackto where he was laid to rest. “Theydid right byyoueventhoughIdon’t know whytheydid. I’d of put you nearesttothetrashdumbandthatwouldhavebeenthelastvisitinganyonewouldhavedoneforyou.NotthatIthinkthoseboys havesetfootinheresinceyoutookyourlastbreath.No,they’dnotcomehereifforonlytomakesureyou’redead.They’lldo thesamefortheirmother,too Makesurethatthewitchisgoneforever”
The marker for her sonwas alsomade for Paula to restbeside himsomeday There was nothingmuchonthe marker to markhispassingbutthedatesoftheirbirthsandthenhisdeath.Nofancyscripttosaytheir names,justblocklettersoftheir firstandlastname.Itdidn’tevensay‘mother’or‘wife’justthedatesandtheirnames.
“Hello,Mrs.Frazier.”Brogantold himto call her byher givenname. “Thankyoufor that. Idon’tsuppose the menare home,arethey?I’vebeenmissingthemaboutdaily,andIneedtohaveawordwithLica.”
“He’sinthebarn.Somethingaboutbreedinggoingon.Idon’tknow mywayaroundacattleranch,butIcancookoneof themup if it’s givento me” Boththe manand womanlaughed “What is it I cando for you? They’re not late on dues or anything,arethey?I’vecometolivewiththemforaspell,andIhavesomethingstotalkoverwiththem”
“Yes,ma’am,I’venodoubtthatyou’reveryfondofthem SoaremywifeandI Infact,Ithinkthetownisaboutasfondof thoseboysyoucallthemastheyareoftheirownchildren.I’vecometotalktoLica,himbeingtheoldest,abouttakingoverthe packforme.I’mgettingtoooldtomanageit,whatwithhavingnineteengrandchildrennowandI’dliketoretire.”She didn’t doubtthathavinggrandchildrenwouldtakeupalotoftime,andshewaslookingforwardtothatbeingaproblemforher,too, butshetoldhimthattheboyswereworking Thensheinvitedthemtodinner “Youhavenoideahowmuchwewerehopingfor aninvite As soonas mymissus and me stepped onthe land here, we could smell that dinner Mygoodness, it smells like heavenaroundhere.Ifyoudon’tmind,we’dlovetojoinyouandtheboys.”
“Good.That’sgood.Ithinkthey’llenjoythataswell.ButIhavearule.Nobusinessatthetable.Notthattheyhaveany, butnophoneseither.It’sfamilytimeandItakethatveryseriouslywhenI’maround.TheseboysofmineareallIhaveleftin theworld,andIwanttospendasmuchtimeasIcanwiththembeforeIjoinmyhusband.Youareallrightwiththat.ThenI’d love to have yousitwithus” Itwas his wife thatsaid she had the same rule attheir home “Good Thenwe’ll have a nice dinnerandhavesomeniceconversationstoo ButIwilltellyouthis:Licaisn’tgoingtotakethatjobwithoutsomeconvincing onyourpart.Notthathe’dnotbegoodatit,buthewouldfeelthatheisn’tgoodenough.Andhe’snotmuchonlikingpeople either.Noneofthemare,butLicaisespeciallynogoodaroundhumans.”
home They’renotrudetotheothers,buttheydon’thavemuchtodowiththem Icanunderstandthat,IcanbutIthinkthismight wellbetheperfectjobforhim.Anditpayswellenoughtogetthemoutofdebt.Theyhavequiteabitofit,I’veheard.”
“Goodluckwiththat.”Licacameintothehousebythebackdoor,andshestayedinthefrontroom.Hehadatendencyto comeintothehouseaftercleaningupinthenude.Ithadtakenheronetimetoknowthat,andshewasn’tgoingtoletthathappen again “Licaismad Icanfeel itcomingoffhimlike water over a mountain He’s notinthe bestofhumor mostofthe time Polite,likeIsaid,butrightnow,hismoodisblack”
“She’s human.”Those two words hadher laughing. She hadn’ta clue whyshe thoughtitwas so funny, butshe couldn’t stopherselffromlaughing.“I’dnotlethimknow youthinkthatit’sfunny,Brogan.He’saboutaspissedoffasI’veever seen him”
“You’ve got the right house, but ifyou’re sellingsomething, you’re not goingto have anyluck Nor will youif you’re sellingsomethingforyourschool”Hecockedhisheadather “Nah,you’renotinschoolanymore Maybecollege,butnohigh school.WhichFrazierareyoulookingfor?”
He didn’t move anythingbut his mouthto yell loudlyfor Lica When someone in the back of the house said he was upstairs,shewasinvitedintohavedinnerwiththem.Beforeshecouldtellthemno,shealreadyhadplans,sothemanpulled herintothehouseandneatlyclosedthedoorbehindher.Brandydidn’tknow whattosaywhenfourofthebiggestmenshe’d everseeninherlifecameintothehallwaywhereshewas.Thenshegotalookattheonethathadinvitedherin.
“I’mnotheretocausetrouble IjustneedtotalktoLica for a minute AndIdon’twanttohave dinner I’mgoingto be eatingwithmyparentstonight”Thereshewasagain,jabbering Closinghermouth,shebitherlipsoshe’dnotspeakagain It didn’tworkaswellasshehoped.“Whydon’tIgooutsideandwaitonhim?”
“Are youtalkingaboutthe Rodeo Burger Joint? Thatwas hours ago” She asked the manwho had broughther into this madnesshow heknew it.“Yourunningthatplace?Iusedtoworkthere.For aweek.That’sthenastiestplaceI’veever been to.”
“Ayden,lethertelluswhyshe’shere.”Thereweremorepeopleintheroomthanshecouldhandle.Therewerenowseven menandtwoolder women The older ofthe two womenwas smilingather, butBrandysuddenlycouldn’tbreathe Backing awayfromthem,sheaskedforamoment “Youtakeaslongasyouwant Guy,setanotherplateatthetable Ivan,getheraglass oftea.Thesweetstuff.Lica?Whyareyoujuststandingthere?Takehertothediningroombeforeshepassesout.Mygoodness, youactlikeyou’veneverseenaprettywomanbefore.Getgoing,thelotofyou.”
After puttinga small scoop onher plate, Lica tookthe bowl next. After puttingaboutthree heapingscoops onhis own plate,heputanotheroneonhers Beforeshecouldtellhimthatshehadenough,thebowlwasonitswaytothenextperson
“Aydenworkedthereacoupleofyears ago,andhequitwhenhenoticedsome Well,theplaceisn’tsanitary The man workingtheline,hestillworkstherebytheway,Ayden.Hewaspickinghisnoseandeatinghisbuggerswhileputtinglettuce onmysand ”
“No, Isaid somethingto thatdumbass notverysmartwomanworkingthe cashregister. She told me that’s the special saucethatmakesyour buggers, thensheactedlikesheslippedupandcalledthemburgerssogood.ItoldherthatIwantedto seethemanagerandshetoldmethatit’syour pardonme,yourjuicesasthefemalemanagerthatmakesthefriessocrispy.” She didn’tgetitatfirst, butthe older woman, Brogan, she said her name was, stood up and satdowntwice before she askedLicaifhewasjoking Hesaidthathe’dneverjokeaboutsomethingsosexualwithastranger Thenshegotit
Nomorewassaidaboutheremployees,andshedugintohermeal Suddenlyhungry,shetastedthemashedpotatoesand moaned.Theywerethebestthingshe’deateninaverylongtime.ButthenLicastiffenedupanddroppedhisforkinhismashed potatoes and gravy, whichsplattered all over her face. She turned to lookathim, and that’s whenshe realized that he was staringather.
There wasn’tanychance for her to getananswer whenthe frontdoor to the house exploded open Everypersonatthe tablestoodup,andshewasshovedtothebackofthemen.Makingherwaytothefrontagain,sheaskedwhatwasgoingon.It wasthenthatshesawayoungmanwithaguninhisbeltwithtwoothermenwholookedlikethey’dbeenouttrickortreating andhadn’tchanged.
“I’vehadenoughofyourbullshit,woman.WhenItakethispackover,thefirstthingI’mgoingtodoismakeanexample outofyou.” Lica growled, and she saw his ownwolfrace over his face and arms. For whatever reason, she was goingto blameitontheinsanityofherself;sheknew thatifhedidshift,thentherewouldbecarnagelikeneverseenbefore She told himshewasn’tafraidofhim “Youshouldbe Haveyoueverbeenbittenbyawolf?I’mgoingtotearyouapart,piecebylittle piece.Then,whenI’mfinishedwithyou,I’mgoingtoletanymalearoundhaveatyou.”
“Ifyoutear me to little pieces, how will anyone…youknow what? Never mind. Idon’tcare. Would youlike to know why?Becauseyou’renotgoingtodoathingtome.”Shepickedupthelargecleverthatwasonthetableandtoldhimtoputhis handonthechoppingblock.Whenshewasfinishedhere,shewasgoingtohaveherheadexamined.Therewassomethingvery wrongwithher “Putyourhandrighthere Ihavewarnedyou”
Itwasn’treal,shetoldherself.Notabitofwhatwashappeningwasreal.Until thescreamsstarted.Thenshe knew that therereallywassomethingwrongwithher She’djustchoppedaman’shandoffforthreateningtokillher
Licadidn’tmovefromhisstancebesideBrandy.Hewasn’ttouchingher,knowingonsomelevelifhedid,she’dfallapart.His brothers, all ofthemmennow and dressed, were waitingfor the police to show up. Brandyhadn’t said a word inthe last twentyminutes,andhewasbeginningtoworryabouther.
“Ithinkyou’re supposed to make itwithrum. Or bourbon. Notwhiskey. Idon’tcare for iteither, butmydad loves it. You’llhavetolethimhavesomewhenhe’shere DoyouthinkthatI’mgoingtoprison?”Hetoldher,fortheeighthtime,that shewasn’tgoingtogotoprison “Thankyouforthat ButIbelievethatIkilledthatman”
“Yes.He’ll come after me now,won’the?” He saidhe’dnever getpasthim.“Yousaidthatbefore.Idon’tknow whyI believeyou,butIdo.Just…Idon’twantanyofyoutogethurt.Didyoucallmyparents?”
OfficerBillingscameinthebackdoor Itputhimrightinthemiddleofeverythingthatwasgoingon,buthewasascalmas he had ever been It was Lincoln that spoke quietly to himabout what had happened He told the officer that Brandy had warnedhimthreetimesabouthimdisrespectingherhouse.
“OnethingthatI’velearnedinallmyyearsasanofficerwasnottodisrespectahouseholdwhenyou’vecomeuninvited. Havingdinner,wereyou?”Licahatedtoadmitit,buthewasproudofhishumanmate.Hedidn’twanther,buthewasproudof her “Ms Brandy,canyoutellmewhathappenedheretoday?”
WhenBrandystartedtalking,hesteppedbackoutofherwaytolethergetitoffherchest Ifshedidn’tgettotalk,heknew thatitwouldhaunther for therestofher lifeatwhatshe’ddone.Shedidn’tkill thepunk,DavidJames,buthewouldnever healfromthemissingpawuntilhetoldher,honestly,howsorryhewas.Thealphabitchhadwoundedhim.
“Yes. LincolnBates asked us to be the alphas of the pack.” She didn’t denyit eventhoughthe words had never been spokenbetweenthem,buthe knew ifhe didn’ttake itnow,thatLincolnandhis entire familywouldbe deadbefore the next moonchange. As well as most ofthe pack. That’s not to saythat he and his family, includingBrandy, wouldn’t be harmed
either TherewouldbesomanydeathsifsomeonecamelikeDavidJamesweretocomearoundandchallengeLincolnthatthey wouldbefindingbodiesfordecadesafterthemassacre.
“SinceIdon’twanttolosemyhandbypissingyouoff ”Thethirdtimeshehithim,hestaggeredbackfromit.Thepunch to his chesthurt himbadlyenoughthat he was caughtwithout breathand had to hold onto the wall before approachingher again.“Whatthehellwasthatfor?”
“Itwasmorethannothing.Itwaseverything.Whatdoyouthinkwouldhavehappenedhadyoublownhimoffandnotdone as youthreatened? Do youthinkthathe would have said that’s fine, I’mgoingto leave now, it’s beenfun? No, he wouldn’t have Andasforthethreat,itwasthebestoneyoucouldhavecomeupwith Cuttinghishand,removingitlikeyoudid,with promisesofretaliationsifhedidn’theedyourwarning,isnowoutthereforeveryonetoseethatyou’renotonetofuckwith” He looked as his grannie left themin the room. “What do you think he would have done to you had you not done as you promised,Brandy?Iknowhewouldhavekilledyou.Rightwhereyoustood,hewouldhavepulledouthisgunandblownyour headoff.Thenhewouldhavehadtokilleachandeverymemberofmyfamilybecausetheywouldhavecometoyourdefense. Thenhewouldhavegoneonashootingspreethat ”
“That’s enough, Lica Ithinkyou’ve made your point” His anger was makinghimdizzy, and he growled athis brother, Devlin,whenhetoldhimtobackoff “Youhurther,andI’mgoingtodietryingtokillyou Backoff Now”
Helethisbeasttakehimandheranoutofthehousebyjumpingthroughthewindowthatwasoverthecouchintheliving room.Notslowing,he ranas hardas he couldthroughthe trees,jumpingover anythingthatdaredtogetinhis way.Without slowing, he hit the waterwaythat ranthroughtheir propertyand out the other side without a single thought to what he was doing Running Notaway,buthetoldhimselfthathewaslettingoffsteam,thatwasall
Itwasdarkwhenhefinallystopped Hedidn’thaveanyideawherehewas,butheknewthathewasstillontheirland He couldsmellhisbrothersandhimself,knowingthatthey’dbeenouthererecentlyenoughcuttingwoodforthewinterthattheir scentwasstillfresh.Lyingdownonthesoftgrass,hewaskeenenoughtokeepaneyeoutforhumansandothercreatureswhile hewaitedforhishearttoslowdownenoughthathecouldgohome.ThescentofBrandystartledhim.
“Ifyoushiftinto a humanwill wait, youhate humans. Ifyoushiftto your other self, will yoube naked?” He told her throughtheirlinkthatsincehe’dfoundhismate,hedidn’tknow “Allright ThenI’dlikeforyoutostaythewayyouare Ihave somethingstosaytoyou,andI’dverymuchlikeitifyouletmesayit Firstofall,ItoldLincolnthatwewould,andthetwoof uswouldtakeoverthepack.Hesaidthatatsomepoint,whenyouagree,too,that,we’ll getsomemagic.Idon’tknow what thatentails,butthat’swhathetoldme.”
“We’ll be more I’m not sure what that means about you, but I want you to know that I don’t hate all humans Just most of them ” Shelookedaway,butnotbeforehesawthepainhe’dcausedher “I’m sorry ”
“Don’tbesorryforbeinghonestwithme Itmighthurtmebutthat’snoneofyourconcern Allright,soyou’renotsureof whatmighthappen,butIwastoldthatwe’dhavetohavesexandexchangebloodwhileclimaxingforustobemates.Is that right?”Licatoldherthathedidn’tknowforsure,buthisGranniewouldknow.“She’snotspeakingtomerightnow.Ithinkthat IhurtherfeelingswhenIaskedherhowtogetoutofbeingyourmate.Iguessthatit’sadonedealunlessoneofusdies.I’mnot readytodiejustyet,soIguesswe’regoingtobestuckwitheachother.”
“Idon’tlikeyou.Iknowthatitdoesn’tmattertoyouonewayortheother,butIdon’tbelievethatI’lleverwanttoeither. You’re a meanperson, especiallyto me whenIhad nothingto do withwhathas happened betweenus. Thatbeingsaid, I’ll
have sexwithyou butabsolutelyno kissing We’re notinlove, nor will we be, and kissingseems so intimate to me, and we’renevergoingtobethatway.Butwithsex?It’llbejusttheonetimetobondorwhateverit’scalled,butIdon’twantyouto come near me again.” Again, his hearthurtand he puthis paw over the painto see ifhis heartwas beatingstill. “There is somethingelsethatyoushouldknow.Ihavemoney.Agreatdealofit.Andasofanhourago,yournameisonallmyaccounts. Also,Ihaveacoupledozenhouses all over theworldthatalsoyouownwithme.”He startedtospeak,butshe cuthimoff. “Don’ttellmethatyoudon’twantanyofit Becauseifyoudon’thaveallthatIhave,Iwon’thelpyourbrotherseither AndI likethemagreatdealmorethanyou So,doIcallmyattorneyornottochangeitfromournametojustmine”
“No.” She told himhe was a smartperson. He wasn’tnearlyas pissed offather thanhe thoughthe should have been. “And I agree with you. Absolutely no, not ever kissing. Not even for show. No kissing. As for money? We have very little money Not even enough that we could live off of for the rest of the month There is pack money, too, as well as money that will be paid to us monthly But I don’t know how much or how much we ’ re to get paid when it’s time ”
“Allright You’vemadeyourpointaboutkissing Money?Youdon’tneedit Wedon’tneedit,Imean”Heaskedherhow muchmoneyshewastalkingaboutiftheydidn’tneedthemonthlytopaythemforbeingpackalpha’s.“Billionsofdollars.Not includinghouses, stocks, bonds, businesses and anythingelse that youcanthinkof. And I ownthe Rodeo Burger company. TherearefivethousandrestaurantsacrosstheUnitedStatesYoudoaswell.So,doyouwanttohavesexouthereorinabed someplace?AsIsaid,Ihaveahouse,it’sclosetohere.”
Hegotupandshifted Licawasgladthathewasclothed,buthewasn’tthrilledaboutthecalluswayshewastreatinghim aboutsex Walkingbyher,hemadehiswaybacktothehouse,andheknewwhensheturnedandfollowedhim Hecouldfeel her pain, her heart hurting, but he couldn’t do anything about it. His own was shattered as well. The thing was, he didn’t understand why. She’d beenrightonall the stuffthatshe’d said. Theydidn’t evenlike one another, didn’t get together, but becausethey’dbeenfated.Buthertalkingaboutsexlikeitwasaduty hecaughthimselfwhenhethoughtthat.Becausethat’s exactlywhatshewassaying,too Itwasadutyforthemtohavesex Sothathecouldtakeoverthepackandbeabletorunit safely Christ,hewishedhe’dnevermether Sortof
Alanwatchedhisdaughter asshesatather desk,makingdecisionsrightandleftlikeshehadmether mateeveryday,andit was no bigdeal. He knew a bit more about beinga mate to a wolf thanhe had a few weeks ago. He had several shifters workingfor him, and they’d beenveryhelpful ingivinghiminformation, more thanhis daughter would have if he were to questionheraboutit Hisemployeeswereveryforthcomingtooabouttheinformationaboutherbeingmatedtoanalphathanhe betLicaknew Thewaythe twoofthemwentabout,he wouldwonder ifthe rumor was true,thatthe twoofthemwouldbe powerfulalphas.Forthemostpart,thetwoofthemignoredeachothermorethananything.
Alanwanted itto workfor themboth. He enjoyed Lica’s company, and he so wanted his daughter’s happiness. Brandy finallylookedupathim.Hereyeslookedglazedoverjustalittle,butthenshesmiledathim.
“The raccoons come around ontheir own, thankyouverymuch. I’mpayingattention, Dad. I just have a lot to I took Ayden’sadviceonthelocal Rodeo.Igotridofeveryonewhoworkedthereanddeniedthemunemployment.WhichIcando becausetheywereapublichazard Dad,everyonewasinonthatentiregrossfoodcatastrophesoIclosedtheplacedown It wastorndownyesterday,andI’veputthelandupforsale Aydensuggestedthatifitdoesn’tsell,putsomethingelsetherethat hasnothingtodowithfood.”Alanlovedthatideaandtoldherso.“I’llwaitafewyearsandthenopensomethingelsearound here. I’ve had offers onthe land, butI’mholdingoutuntil the place is cleaned up. People mightnotlike thatitwas sucha terribleplaceto…well,eat.Sinceit’sinagoodlocation,Ithinkitwillbeworthmoreafteracoupleofyearsanyway.”
“He was so excited to gethis passportthatIthoughthe was goingto dance around the roomto celebrate. The officers certainlyfoundittobefunny.He’ssupposedtobepickingouthimasmallishbuildingtoworkfromhereasabaseoperation, orhecanworkfromhome Isuggestedthathefindhimselfaplacefromhomesohecanhaveadowntimeplacetogo”After shetoldhimabouthiringtheotherbrothersfordifferentprojectsshehadgoing,neitherofthemmentioningLica,heaskedher aboutthecattleranch.“Idon’thaveanythingtodowiththat.SinceLicaandIdon’ttalkallthatmuch,hedoesn’tbringmeinon anydecisionsthathemakesonthatside.I’mallrightwiththat.Iknowaboutasmuchashedoesinhavingacorporatemeeting withthefewshareholderswehave.It’sworkingoutforusfornow.”
They’dalwaysbeenclose,thethreeofthem.HermomwasbetterattalkingtoBrandyaboutboys well,hesupposedmen now, buthow would one starta conversationabouta manthatyou’d basicallybeenmarried to because ofhimnotbeinga human.Shakinghisheadalittle,helookedathisbabygirl.
“I’mall right,Dad.Really.Andno,Idon’twantyoutalkingtoLica.Ifhe has somethingtosaytome,Iknow thathe’ll cometotellme.Thankyou,butwe’redoingjustwhatneedstobedone.We’venothadsex,Iguessthatwillmeanthatwe’ve bondedorsomethingandmakeusstronger,butIhavenointentionofdoingittheonetimeforthattohappen Itold himthat, too He seemed all right with it as well” They’d always been able to talk to Brandy about a lot of things, sex, however, knowing that she was mated to the big wolf embarrassed himlike it never had before. “I guess you could say that we’re coexisting.Notreally,sincehe’sstayingattheranchhouseandI’matmyhome,butit’sworkingoutforus.Ijustwishhe’dget
Alanlaughedwhenshe did.There wasn’tanythingfunnyaboutwhatshe’dsaid.He knew more thanmostthatknew his daughterthatshehadalwaysbeengoodatcoveringupherfeelingsbetterthanmost.Evenherhappiness,short-livedasitwas nowadays,wassomethingthatshedidn’tsharewithmanypeople.
“BrandyConner-Fraizer.” He’d forgottenthatshe was callingherselfFraizer now. Itstartled himthatshe would be so casualaboutit,too,whenthephonerangandsheanswereditthatway Whensheaskedwhowasontheotherendofthecallif shecouldputitonspeakerphone,theymusthaveagreed “Mydadisherenow Goahead,Edmond Telluswhatyouthinkof thenewshopthatisgoingintown.Wait,letmegivehimalittlebitofbackhistorywithit.
“A place that I was looking at for some office space has been rented out. The man at the downtown offices of land transfers said thathe didn’tknow whattheywere doingbutthey’re sayingthatitwill bringinfive thousand new jobs. That seemedoddtomebecausethebuildingcan’tholdfivehundredpeople,muchlessfivethousand SoEdmondsaidhe’dgoand checkitoutforus”Sheaskedherdadifheneededmore “Okay,Edmond,we’rebothreadynow”
“It’sascam.Everythingabouttheplaceisaredflag.Itriedthephonenumbertocallinforjobs,andtheywantedmybank accountinformationsothattheycouldproveIwasarealperson.Ihopenooneherefallsforthat.Iwentbyheretoday,andall thedoorsandwindowsarepaperedupsothatyoucan’tseeinsidetheplacetoseewhatisgoingon.ButIdidn’tletthe‘no trespassing’signs give me too muchtrouble and Igotinside. There is nothinggoingoninhere thatwould have me thinking they’llbereadyfortheirgrandopeninginfourdays Theentirefirstfloorlookslikeitdidtenyearsagowhentheshopclosed down The boxes thatwe noticed comingoffthe trucks are juststacked up inone corner like they’re waitingonsomeone to openthem.”Alanaskediftherewereanynamesontheboxes.“Goodpoint.Letmelook.Hangon,Lica’sheretoo.He’sgota knifewecanuse.”
“There are several full boxes here for differentaddresses aroundtown.Twofor you. One for the ranch. Acouple for a coupleofneighbors.Allofthemareopen,buttheitemsarestillinthebox.IthinkI’vefiguredoutwhat’sgoing ”
“Yes.Ofcourse.”Theywereoutthedoorandrunningacrossthestreet,arrivingbeforethepolicearrived.Four cruisers pulled up just as there was gunfire. He didn’t want her to go inside, but she was nearly in the doorway when the gunfire sounded.Alandirectedthepoliceinsideandtoldthemwhowasinside.Christ,thiswasgoingtobetroubleforsomeone.
“Someoftheseboxesarehers,andIwasjustwonderingaboutthat.”Themanincuffs,downonhiskneeswithtwoother men, asked why he thought they’d be in this building. “But they were in here, weren’t they? You can’t dispute that. Even somethingfromtheranch.I’vecalledthecompanycomplainingaboutnotreceivingitwhenit’s beenjustsittinghereall this time.Thisisn’ttheaddressthatIgavethemtosendmemythings.Idoubtverymuchifanyofthesepeople’smerchandisehad beenshippedhere I’llhavetogohomeandlook,butIhavecamerasthere I’dliketoseehowthey ”
“We have cameras all around the building. Remember whenIcame to youlastmonthand had our companysetup ina specializedroomforyoutowatchoverafterhours?WhileIdon’tknowwhenmyboxesweretaken,youcanbetthatthereisa
recordingofitonthebackcamerastoseewhathappened”Themanonthefloorjuststartedcursing Itwas hilarious tohim thatthe man, evenwithall the evidence theyhad onhim, kepttellingBrandythathe’d looked for cameras while he’d been stealingandhadn’tfoundanyatall.Finally,itwasLicawhotoldhimtoshuthismouth.
After that, all three ofthe menwere arrested. Lica and Edmond were admonished about enteringbuildings where they weren’tsupposedtogobutalsothankedforfindingtheporchpiratesthathadthepolicebaffledforthelastseveralmonths.He thoughtitwasagooddayallthewayaround
“Wesellonthehoof.Whichmeansthattheyweighthesteerwhileit’sstillaliveandstandingonitsown.Eachonewill costper pound thatway. One ofthe reasons thatwe’ve never butchered our cattle for the public is thatyouhave to have a slaughterhouse that is inspected every few months Not that we’re not clean where we sell our meat, but this was an inexpensivewayfor ustoraiseour cattleandthenmakeaprofit,too”Sheaskedhimiftheymadeanyprofitatall indoing this. “Yes. Not as muchas most jobs, but it kept us infood and a roofover our heads for the last few years. Here, let me explainittoyouthewaythatIlearnedit.Sayyourdadcametobuyasteer,takeittohisownbutcherandhaveitcutuptosuit hisneeds.But,andthishappensnomatterwhodoesthebutcheringonatwelvehundredpoundsteer,yourdadisgoingtolose weight.Aboutfourhundredandfiftypoundsoftheweightwillbeskin,somebones,andhoof.”
“That’s agreatdeal Ihadnoideathatyou’dlosesomuchafter theworkis done Then,whatdo theydo with Idon’t wantto know, Idon’tthink” Alanlaughed and asked himifhe’d somedaylike to getinto butcheringcattle “I mean, if the opportunitycamealong,wouldyoudoafewcattleayearforfamilyandwhatnot.”
Licadidn’tgofarjustoutsidethedoortokeepaneyeonher.Leaningagainsthistruck,hejustwatchedher.Hecouldtell thatshewasfrustrated.Whether itwasabouthimor thecall,however,hedidn’tknow.Buthe wasn’tgoingtoleave her out herealone.Onceshehungup,shewaspissed.Hecouldseeandthenhearditinhervoicewhenshespoketohim.
“Here,letherhavethisone.”EdmondwinkedatBrandywhenshelookedathim.“Ihaveanotheroneathome.SinceI’m withall ofyou,I’ll begooduntil Igettomyother one.Butyougiveher thatone.It’s a Glock,soshe shouldbe able tokill whatever she needs Also, Idon’tknow ifLica mentioned this to youor not, butthe bullets are all silver So they’ll kill a vampireaswell”
Licalaughed.Themorehegavethoughttotheconversationthattheywerehaving,theharder helaughed.Theywere all talkingaboutgunsandthecreaturestheymighthavetokillwithone,liketheywereonsomekindofdeathsquad.Andhewas havingablast.Hemightnotwantorneedamate,buthesuredidenjoyherfamily.Theywereverycautiousandwentwiththe flowlikepeoplehe’dnevermetbefore
Aftertheywerefinishedupeating,Alansaidthathehadtofinishupsomepaperworkattheofficebeforehemadehisway home.Brandysaid the same, thatshe had to read over one more contractthatwas for a loanbefore the morning. She had a meetingwiththeircorporateheadsatninetomorrow.Justasshewasabouttocrosstheroad,shestoppedandturnedtohim.
“ThismeetingissomethingthatIdon’tdoallthatoften.Imean,wedon’tloadmoneytopeoplebutusuallybuystock.But we might, and that’s a bigmightbe lendinghimthe capital to expand. Ifyou’d like to come, you’ll be verywelcome.” He noddedandaskedherwhatheshouldwear “Doyouhaveadresssuit?”
He went withher to her office. It wasn’t anywhere he’d beenbefore, and he was glad that she introduced himas her husband.Tenminutesaftershesatbehindherdeskandpickedupherphone,amanbythenameofLenordSalvashowedupand tookhimtotheotherroom.
Christ,hewasembarrassedtohavetogetmeasured;hethoughtthatmankneweverysinglepartofhisbodyandhowlong ithadbeen HetoldhimthatLicawouldneverbeabletolookgoodinanythingbutatailoredsuitandthathewouldbetheonly onewhocouldmakehimone.Licahadnoideawhatthatmeantbuthedidfeelstrangewhenhefoundouthisleglength. Thatmeasurementmadehimsqueak.Hedecidedrightthenandtherethathewasn’tgoingtotellhisbrothersaboutthis.He wasgoingtoletthemlearnaboutitallontheirown.Andhewasgoingtomakesurethathewastherewhenthetimecamefor themtobemeasuredtoo EspeciallyEdmond Edmonddidn’tcaretobetouched Fromtheirchildhood,hefigureditwasgoing tobe a blastwatchinghimanswer the question,‘Doyouhangonthe leftor right’andsee ifhe knew whatitmeant Yes, he thought,thiswasgoingtobealotoffun.
“What?”Brandyhad to pull her eyes awayfromLica whenhe came into her office. Good lord, ifhe looked this good with well-fittingclothingon,thennaked,he’dbe,“Brandy,issomethingwrongwithwhatI’mwearing?”
“No.Ijustnever thoughtofyouina suitbefore.” He grinned, and she turned her backto him. “You’re more ofa jeans personlikeI’veseenyouwearsinceI’vemetyou ButLenordwascorrect Asuitofftherakewouldneverhangonyou,right” Embarrassedwhenhelaughed,shewentintotheconferenceroomofffromherofficeandstartedputtingthefilesinfront ofeachchairthatwassetclosetothelongtable.Heaskedifhecouldhelp,andshepointedtowherethebottledwaterwasand askedhimtoputthemonthetable.
“Ihavetwoquestionsforyou.One,I’mnotinahurrytogetananswer,butthesecondoneis,doyouwantmetohaveany opinionsinthismeeting?AmIgoingtobe notbeingmeanbutlikeaboytoytoyouwhilehere?Ididn’tmeanboytoy.Imeant aheavy,someonetokeepyousafe.ThewayyoulookedatmewhenIgothere,that’swhatmademethinkofthe nevermind. Mymouthgotaheadofmyhead,andIapologizeforthat Thefirstquestionisaboutgettingcamerassetuparoundtheranchto keepaneyeonthecattle”Sheaskedhimifhe’deverbeentoabusinessmeeting “JustwhenIgetturneddownforaloan The banker here, Howard Slaven, he won’t allow our kind to open an account unless it’s for a business. Even then, he’s very particularaboutwhatwetakethemoneyoutfor.Idon’tknowwhybutthat’sjustwhathedoes.Isometimeswonderifhehasa listofalltheshiftersintownandkeepsadailyaccountingoftheiraccounts.Idon’tknow,Iguessthat’ssilly.”
“I would saythat’s about right. And speakingof money, I know that youtold me that I didn’t have to come to youfor money,butIwouldverymuchlikeitifIcametoyouwhentheamountisoveracertaindollaramount.”Shestoppedandturned tolookathim,askinghimwhy.“Well,Iknownothingabouttheaccountsyou’veputmeon.IknowyoutoldmethatIhaveas muchbuyingpowerasIneed,butIdon’twantyoutopullupastatementandflipoutbecauseIspentfivehundredgrand”
“Okay,Iguess Iwouldlike toknow that AndI’mnotsayingthatifyouneedit,youdon’tspendituntil youtalktome Whatwouldthatbefor?Youcandoit,butIthinkyou’reright.Aheadsupwouldbegood.”Hetoldherwhathewantedtodo. “Yes, that’s wonderful. But we need to set youup a business account for the ranchinstead of takingit out of the personal accounts.Thereisplentyenoughtocoveracheckthatsize,butitshouldcomeoutofbusinessfortaxreasons.”
“I’mnot allowing youtodoanything,Lica Youare,Iguess,mypartner anequal partner inall things thesameas I’m yours. However, the moneyis for all ofus. You’re also runninga business that Iknow absolutelynothingabout. However, numbers Icanworkwith.Atthe endofthis deal today,for example. If,as Isaid,that’s a bigdeal, ifwe lend this company money,it’sgoingtobeinthemillions.Sevenoreight.Thenthereistheloanthatwe’regoingtoworkwiththatwillbenearly thatmuchmoretoexpandhisbusiness WhileItrustthatyou’llusethemoneyforwhatyousayyouwill,andthereisnoneed foryoutoworrythatIwon’ttrustyou,butthisman?Ifeelsomethingslimyfromhim Like Idon’tknow Like,he’sgoingto getthemoneytoexpand,butthereisashinythingrightthereinthecornerthathereallywants,andnoonewillcareifheusesa bitofitforthat.It’shappenedbefore.”
“Speakingofshinyobjects,Ihavearingforyou.Itwasn’tmymother’sring.Idon’tevenknowifmyparentswerereally married,butmygranniegaveittome,andIhaditsizedforyouwithhelpfromyourdad.”Hehandedittoher,andshefelthurt bythat Itwas ina box, butthat’s as far as he wentinaskingher or tellingher thathe wasn’tgoingto putmucheffortinto winningher heart Notthatshe wantedhimtohave “Ithoughtaboutdoingthe whole downonone knee thing, butsince I knowthatwe’reonlydoingthisforshow,youwouldn’tlikethateither.”
Sheturnedherbackonhimandmadeherwaytothecupboardtograbsomepensforthetableandtohideherpainwhile slippingthe ringand boxinto her pocket. He asked her if she was all right. And she told himthat she needed to get forty notepadsfromhersecretarysothey’dhaveenoughtogoaround Whilehedidthat,shelaidthepensonthetableandhurriedto herbathroom
Brandydidn’thaveanyideawhyshewasupsetbythewayhegaveherthering.He’dbeenrightinsayingthatthiswasa shamofa marriage and the onlyreasontheywere eventogether was because someone somewhere had picked her outofa
crowdandgavehertoLica Heneededthemtohavesexsothathe’dbemorepowerful,magicallypowerful,torunthepack Andshewasgoingtodothatwithoutcomplaint.Also,shewasn’tgoingtobestingywiththemoneythatshehadgoingintothis sham,either.Ifsheweregoingtobelikethat,itwouldbeharder for bothfamilies.Especiallyhis.Theyweren’tgoingtogo downthetubesifshe
“Brandy,yourphoneisringingonyourdesk.Doyouwantmetogetit?”Shetoldhimtogoahead,andshe’dbeoutina moment “Allright”
Bythe time all the menfor the meetinghad shownup, she was worked up again This time, itwas her nerves and had nothingtodowithLica.Hewaskeepinghisdistance,for whichshewasgrateful,butitdidn’thelpthattherewerefifty-four meninher conferenceroom.Forty-one ofthemwere attorneys,andtheywere all screamingather toanswer their questions firstandforemost.
Theshrill whistlecamefromher left.LookingatLica,shecouldtell thathewas as frustratedas shewas withthemen. Neitherofthemhadgottenawordoutofwelcomingbeforetheystartedyelling
“Whatis the meaningofthis mantalkingtome like this?” WhileshetoldMr.GreenthatLica was her husband and her partner so he could say what he wanted, Lica said he was calling security. “I’min charge of this meeting, and I demand respect.”
“No,we’reinchargeofthismeeting,andyou’llsitthereanddoasyou’retold,orthismeetingisfinished.Itoldyoufrom theverybeginningthatIwasn’tgoingtoputupwithyourshenanigansaroundhere,Mr Green I’mworkingwithyou,butIwill quit,andyouknowthatIdon’tliewhenitcomestothiscompany Iwillhaveyoutossedoutofthisbuilding,andwe’llnever doanybusinessagain.”Mr.Greenstoodup.Theattorneyoneithersideofhimpulledattheolderman,tryingtogethimtosit down.“Doit,Mr.Green,andthiswillbe ”
“I’mnotgoingtoallowyoutobullymearound.ThisismycompanyuntilIsaydifferently.”Sheaskedhimwhathemeant. “I’mgoingtoshowyouhowtorunasuccessfulbusiness,andyou’regoingtoshutupandsitdown IhavethetermsI’mwilling to workwithall writtenout Now, be a good girlyand signwhere you’re supposed to, and we’ll get this finished withor withoutyourhelp.”
“Lica.”That’sallshehadtosaythatgothimmoving.HestoodbehindMr.Green’schairandpulleditfromthelongtable. The two attorneys stood up, begangatheringthe things they’d onlyjustsatout, and were talkingto the people around them. SecurityaskedMr.Greenifhewantedtobestandingwhenheleftorifhewantedtobecarriedout.Shewasnotfuckingaround today Apparently,neitherwasLica
“You’re bluffing There is no way that you can afford to turn me down for business” Security, with the help of Lica, startedpullingGreenandsomeofthepeoplewhosimplyfollowedhimouttowardthedoors.“I’mgoingtoownyourbusiness bytheendoftheday,younglady.YouseethatIdon’t.”
“Youcan’tevenkeep your owncompanyafloat, how do youthinkthatwe’re goingto take youseriouslythatyou’ll be
takingthisone Mywifehasbeenrunningthisbusinessintheblacksincesheopenedthedoors Shepayshertaxesontime,her employees’retirementaccountsarealluptodate,andshe’snotspentanymoneyondoodadslikeyouhaveinordertokeepup withthe neighbors. You’ve beenrunninginthe red since the year your father-in-law turned the reins over to youwhenyou marriedhisdaughter.IbetthatMr.Bieruthasregretteditsince.Mr.Green,asitstandsrightnow,we’renotgoingtohelpyou withaloanortheexpansion.Iknowforafactthatyou’vebeenturneddownbyfourotherinstitutionssinceyou’vebeencaught notpayingintoyouremployees’retirementaccounts”
“Wheredidyougetthatinformation?You’venorighttobesnoopingaroundinthingsthatareofnoconcernofyours For all youknow,Iwasgoingtopaythatbackwithsomeofthemoneythatyouaregoingtoloanme.Youandthatditzywife of yours.”Shedidn’tevenseeLicamove,butsheknewthatithadtohavebeenhimthathittheman.Mr.Green’sheadslammed backintothewallbehindhim,andbloodsplatteredalloverthemeninfrontofhim.“You’vehitme.Mygod,you’vebroken mynose Didanyofyouseethat?Didyouseethathehitme?ItoldhimIwasgoingtoownhim,andnowIam”
“I didn’t see anything, Green Perhaps onyour wayhome, youshould make anappointment withyour eye doctor You tripped,that’s all.” One ofthe attorneys looked ather. He was smiling. “Mrs.Frazier, ifyoudon’tmind, I’ll be callingyou later.Ms.Green,Mr.Green’s daughter has takenover thecompanyas ofthemomenther father leftthebuilding.Mr. Fraizer wascorrect.Mr.Bierutwasregretfulofhisson-in-law takinghiscompany.Heposthumouslyhandeditovertoherwhenshe turned twenty-one withall kinds ofmoneyto keep the business fromfallingapart. She would like to getwithyouand your husbandtohelphersetupabusinessplanthatwillworkforyearstocome Thankyoutoofortheday”
“His daughter, Elisa, called to speakto me lastevening, and she’s beenhelpingme withinformationthatwe could use againstherfather.Iguesshedoesn’tbelievewomen,andthisissolelyonhim,arestrongenoughtorunacompany,muchless deal with money” Lica stood up where her secretary brought in a tray with a pot of tea and two dainty looking cups and saucersonitwithseveralkindsofcookiesonaplate Hesatitontheedgeofherdeskaftertakingitfromhersecretary “She has known since she was ten that she’d be taking over the company. That’s about the time that he was messing with the retirementfunds.She’sbeenlearningeverythingshecouldaboutthecompanyfromhergrannie.Whoranthecompanywithher granddabeforeherfatherdid.”
“Thank you. For the information, help, and the cup of tea.” She sipped hers quietly and closed her eyes. “I’ve been stressedoutforthelastfewhours Mr Greenstartedcallingmyhomearoundsevenlastnightanddidn’tstopwhileIdroveto work Iwasgoingtoturnhimdownanyway,butthiswassomuchslicker”
IfLicaansweredherinanyway,shedidn’thearhim.Atsomepoint,hetoldherthatsheshouldrest,andshethoughtthat she objected,buther tea cupwas takenawayanda warmblanketwrappedaroundher.Thatwas all she remembered ofthe meeting.Brandythoughtthatifshecouldrestforafewminutes,she’dfeelmuchbetter.
Licaknockedonthedoor Hehadthoughtaboutjustwalkingin,Brandyhadtoldhimthathisnamewasonthishouse,too,but thatfeltwrongsomehow, so he knocked a second time. He was thoroughlysurprised whena mandressed ina liveryofthe sameblueastheshuttersonthehousewereopenedthedoor.
“Mr. Fraizer, Ipresume.” He told the manthat he was one ofsixofthem. “Yes, she showed us pictures ofall ofyour brothersbutforyourself.Shedidn’thaveasingleone,I’mafraid.Comein,sir.Mrs.Fraizerisupstairs.Therewasabitofa snafuthisafternoon,andshe’suptherenowtryingherbestnottofireafewpeople”
“I’llgoseeifIcanhelp Ineedtospeaktoheranyway”Takingthestairstwoatatime,hewassurprisedatnotjustthe eleganceofthehousebutthesheerexpenseofeverything.Andhe’donlyenteredthefrontofthehouse.Thehandrailingalone wouldcostmorethanhe’dmadeinthelastyear.Itwasadouble-widestaircasethatdroppedyouoffatalandingasbigashis livingroom.Then,itsplitintotwotogotoeither endofthehouseholdbywayofalong,widehallway.He heard her voice downtherighthallwayandmadehiswaythere
Shewasindeedintosomething Whilehedidn’tknowexactlywhatwasgoingon,heknewthatsomeonewasgoingtobe fired bythe time itwas finished. The towels, there had to be two hundred ofthemwere lined up inpiles alongthe wall in stacksoffour.Therewereother things,too,suchashandtowelsandwhathethoughtweresomekindoffinger towels.He’d neverreaduponwhattowelswereusedforwhenhe’dbeenmadeawareofjusthowmuchmoneyBrandyhadandwhatsortof dinnerstheymighthost.Thankgodforherfatherwasallhecouldthinkabout.Shesawhimaboutthetimehewasnearingthe endofthetowels
“No WhatIthinkisfunnyisthatyouaretheonlypersonintheworldthatadmitsfreelythatyou’vefuckedup Andtome, ordering the wrong color towels? That’s not anything that would be considered a fuck up. More like a…Like a fortuitist mistake.They’llbeeasiertosortlikeyousaid,andsomucheasiertoorderthenexttime.Whyareyousuddenlyoutoftowels anyway?”She told himwhyshe’d ordered towels. “Oh.Youknow, thatmakes good sense. Orderingnew towels everyfour yearswouldcertainlykeepthemthirstyandnew-looking.Tobehonest,Idon’tknow thatI’veever usedabrand-new towel. Aretheythirstier,youknow,sothatthewateronyourbodyisgoneratherthanhavingtoscrubhardtomakethemabsorb?”
“No.Wedidn’thaveanythingscheduled,no.Butwecould.Adateofsort.”Heaskedher iftheycouldtalkinhereor if theyneeded to go to anoffice He also had business things to talkabout “I called several of the camera places to get an estimate Ihandeditallto Ididn’tcatchhisnamewhenIcamein ButIgavethemtohim”
“We don’thave togo to the office, butIwas aboutto have lunch. Wouldyoulike tojoinus?” He asked who would be joiningthemastheymadetheirwaydownthehallway.“Dadusuallycomesoverandwehavelikeapowerlunch.It’stocatch uponthedaybeforeandtalkaboutbusinessmeeting.Bydoingitatlunch,whichIlove,bytheway,wecanstilltakecareof thingsthatneedattentioninthesamedayandnothavetotalkaboutitatdinner.Nobusinessatdinnerunlessit’simportant.It’s usuallyjusthimandmefordinner,andIdon’twanttomissdinnerwithhimifyoudon’tmind”
“YoumeanifIweretomoveinhere”Shenodded “Movinginwithyou,justmovingin,isonmylistaswell Ihaveabout adozenthingsthatIneed…well,Ireallyneedtotalktoyouabout.Thereareafew thingsthataren’tall thatimportant,butI thinkwe need to clear themup. Lunch, ifthat’s what Ismell, is what we’re having. I amthrilled to eat withyouand your father.”
Asifhe’dsummonedhim,Alancameintothekitchenwiththemastheyweresittingaroundanoldbutwell-lovedtable Aftergivinghimahugehug,hetoldhimthathewasgladtoseehim Donald,thebutlerhewastold,broughthimthefilehehad andhewasasreadytojoininconversationsastheybothwere.HenoticedthatbothBrandyandAlanhadalisttotickthings offof, and he pulled his ownout. Glad notto be embarrassed for beingold school and notpullingouta computer. Donald broughtinseveralboxesandlaidthembetweenhimandBrandy,andshesaidtheywereforhim.
“The larger boxis for youand your brothers. They’re cell phones. I know youcantalkto just about anyone youwish withoutone,butthiswillhelpwhenaclientneedstogetintouchwithyou Iwasalsothinkingthatinsteadofhavingthepack reachoutto youwhentheyneed youiftheywere to use the phone to do that, itmightwell save yousome time Youcould ignorethemtooifyou’rebusywithsomethingelse.Butthat’sentirelyuptoyou.”Hesaidhelikedthatidea.“LikeIsaid,it’s onlyasuggestion.Also,beingdeliveredtotheranchhousearecomputers.Iwouldn’thavegoneaheadandorderedthemifI wasn’tcertainthatthesixofyouhavebeensharingthesamecomputerforthelastelevenyears.It’sgoingtobebetterifyouall
“No.Shetoldmethatyou’dwanttocometothiscentury,andIthoughtyou’dnotwanttospendthemoney.”Licalaughed tooandsaidhe hadn’tlookeduphow muchcomputers costbutknew thattheywere expensive.However, he knew, too, that theydidneedthem “Goodman Iloveworkingwithyouandyourfamily”
Theytalkedaboutwhatwasoneachoftheirlists Therewasn’tanykindofordertowhattheytalkedabout,norwasany subjectonalltheirliststakencareof.Hewasgoingtogowiththemiddlebidonthecamerasfortheranch,andhewastoldto order thecattle fromTexas toincrease theherdthathe hadnow.He was actuallyexcitedaboutbeinga huge landowner and ranchowner.
Alanleftattwo,tellingthemthathehadthingstodoforhiswife Shedidn’tjointhemforthismeal,butshewasusually there whentheyhad lunch Mostnights, too, theywould come to dinner He was told thatwhenhis brothers could make it, they’dreallyliketohavethemnightlyfordinner,too.Itsoundedgoodtohim.Afterherdadleft,hewaitedtoseewhatshe’d bringupnext.Shehadaskedhimtostayforabitlonger.
“TwothingsthatIwanttobringuptoyou.Yourmotherhasbeenpesteringthehousehold.Nothingtheycan’thandle,but sheseemstothinkthatsinceyou’vemarriedintomoney,youcanputsomecashintoheraccount.Iaskedwhatthatmeant,andit was things like toothpaste andessentials thatshe wouldneedtohave shippedtoher,or she couldgetthemoutofthe prison store Ihopethatit’sallright,butItoldtheattorneytonothelpheroutinanywayandtodemandthattheprisonnotallowher tocallhereagain.”HethankedherandtoldBrandythatwasjustwhathewouldhavedone.“Thankyouforthat.Shewillhave togetajob,whichtheprisonwardenthoughtwasagoodideaaswell.”
“Idon’tlikeLica,Mom,butIhavefalleninlovewithhim.”Debraaskedherifshe’dtoldhim.“No.ButIdidaskhimifhe lovedme.Hetoldmeno.Infact,itwasasifhe’dbeenthinkingaboutit,andhesaid no reallyfast.I’vefalleninlovewithhim, andIdon’tevenlikehim.WhatamIsupposedtodowiththis?Especiallywiththefactthathedoesnotloveme.”
“It’s doubtful thatwe’ll ever have children. Imean, he was all rightwithus havingsexthe one time to bond witheach other,butthechancesofmeconceivingfromthathavetobesolowthatIjustdon’tseeithappening.Icouldn’tcarelessabout themagic I’venotusedwhatIhave,soIdon’tevenknowhowmuchI’llgetorhavewhenwedo”Debra’shearthurtwiththe knowledgethatshehadgottenfromBrandyaboutnothavingchildren Buttoher,itwas still earlydaysyet “We onlyspeak whenithastodowithbusinessinformationwhenweneedsomething.He’sdonesowell inlearninghow torunthebusiness withme.IspenttheentiredaywithIvanwhenhewasoutattheranchtheotherday.He’salmostreadytotakehisboardstobe aveterinarian.I’mreallyproud andIlovethemtoo,ofthewaythatthey’veacceptedmeandhavemademefeelwelcome.”
“Ofcourse, theywould do that They’re all good men, and Idon’tthinkthatthere is a bad egginthe lotofthem” She thoughtaboutLica “Licaisodd,I’llsaythat ButI’dneverbelieveitifyoudidn’ttellmethatheissostubbornaboutthings Whenhe’saroundus,heisnever anythingbutpolite.Buttohear this abouthim?I’mnotsosurethatIevenlikehimall that muchnow.”
“Youaren’tto hold this againsthim, Mom. I’mthe one thatputup sucha fuss aboutsexwithhim.” Debra asked ifshe regretteditnow.“WithallthatIam.”
Debra made her wayhome after makingplans withBrandylater inthe week They’dtalkmore aboutLica andher nonrelationshipwithhim,shewassure Butwhatcouldshedotohelpbothofthemalonginthis?Nothing ShecouldtalktoLica aboutBrandylovinghim,butshe’dmadeapromisethatshewouldnot.Unlesshebroughtitupwithher.Smiling,shethoughtof somethingelseshecouldtalktohimabout.Andmadeherwaytotheranchwheresheknewhewasworkingtoday.
“Mygoodness He actuallycanceled anorder that had nothingto Brandytold me that she gave youaccess to all the moneyshehas,soIknowforafactthatthereisplentyofmoneyintheaccounts”LicaaskedifshewasallrightwithBrandy doingthat.“Whywould Icare? It’s her moneyanyway. Andyou’re her husband,aren’tyou? There is no never mind. Yes, Lica,I’dlovetogowithyoutofindouthowthismanthinkshecanmesswithmyfamily.”
“Brandytold me thatas well She said thatshe didn’tcare for youoverlymuch, butshe had falleninlove withyou It brokemyhearttoseeher weshouldbegettingtothebankbeforetheycloseup.”
Openingthedoor,shecouldseeGuy,oneofLica’sbrothers,atthecashierwindowattheendofthelonglineofaboutten windows.Apparently,sodidLica,andheheadedinthatdirection.Hangingbackbutnottoofar,whereshewasn’tabletohear whatwas goingon, she saw Howard Slaventakinghis shortfatass over to the window, where itwas gettinglouder bythe second Pullingoutherphone,shestartedrecordingthecornerwherethingsweregoingon
“Whydidyoucancelmyorder?TheonecomingfromTexas?”Slavendidn’tlookasifhehaditinhisheadastowhatLica was talking about when he spoke. “You also might want to tell me why you’re not allowing my brothers access to their accounts.Itistheirmoney,youknowthat,right?”
“Icanceledtheorderbecausethereisn’tanywaythatyou’regoingtobeabletotakecareofthosecows.Nottomention, how the hell were yougoingto afford them. Did youknow that that order was for half a milliondollars? Youidiot, that’s nothingthatyoucouldafford,ordidyouexpectthisbanktopickupthetabonwhatyoudid That’snotgoingtohappen,young man Notonmywatch Inadditiontothat,whatisthetowngoingtodowhenyougettiredoftakingcareofthem,andtheystart todieoff?You’relazy.Allofyourfamilyis.”Licatoldthemanthatitwasnoneofhisbusiness.“Ofcourse,itisyoumoron. I’mthemanagerhere,andIwillguardthisbankfrompeoplelikeyoufortherestofmyemployment.AndI’llallowthemtoget intotheiraccountswhentheytellmewhattheythinkthey’redoingifIallowthemtotakeoutthatmuchmoneyinoneday.None ofthemhaveajob Notevenyou Ifyouwanttogetmorecows,thensaveupyourmoneyandbuythemoneatatime Thatway, Icangaugehowwellyou’regoingtodowiththem”
Whilerecordingthepeople,shenoticedthattheother four brothersweredoingthesame.Goinguptotheopenbusiness windowsandtalkingtothecashiers.ShehadanideathatthiswasplannedbysomeoneintheFrazierfamilyandwonderedif thentheirgrannieshowedupandwaitedinlinewithhergrandsonstodosomebanking DebrajustlovedhowBroganwould hughergrandsonswhileinpublic
Thelittlegirl,well,shewasanadultwhohadleftBrandyatherwindowandwaitedonSlaventoanswerherquestion.He didn’tseemimpressedwhensherepeatedthatMrs.Fraizer wantedtowithdraw all her moneyfromher accountandcloseit out.ThatwaswhenSlavenlaughed.
“We’re having dinner after I’m finished here, Ms. Debra. Your husband says that, at times, it startles the two of you when spoken to like this Is this better?” Hewassocalmthatshehadtosmileathim.Shetoldhimthatshe’dreallylikethat. “We’re emptying our accounts as did your husband and Brandy When he figures out what he’s done, I don’t think he’s going to be employed much longer Thank you for recording this I have a feeling that the cameras aren’t running here in the bank on the off chance that we, shifters, all of us, came in to sully his bank.” Debrawasstill laughingasshewalkedoutofthebankwithLica.Hewasinamuchbettermoodthanhe’dbeenbefore, andshewasexcitedtoseewhichoneofthem,BrandyorLica,hadcomeupwiththisplan.Itwasepic.
