Page 64 of A Cock and Bull Story

Two are from Professor Yardley’s office the first time I met the dean. And the third. . . the last time I saw him, he was blending into the shadows.

And slashing a woman’s throat out with his tiger paw.

“You ain't nothin’ but a hound dog,”my ring tone sings as I quickly answer my phone.

“Hey, Jepssum. Thanks for calling.”

“What's up, Jack? What can I do for you?” the older man asks on the other line.

I look over at the others, inches away, but I know that they'll still be able to hear.

“Listen, remember that favor you owe me?”

“You mean when you came as a donkey to my kid's birthday party for the petting zoo, and everyone tried to pin the tail on your arse?”

I hear a few snorts from Sian and Elise trying to cover their chuckles behind me.

“Yep, that’s the one, and I'm calling it in now. I need you to meet me at Oxford University immediately—”

“Slow down, son. I’m not as young as I used to be. I can be there in a few hours, give or take, depending on—”

“It's a matter of life and death, Jep!” I cut off.”

There's a bit of silence.

“Matter of life and death, you say?”

“Yes!”

“I'll be there as quickly as I can,” he promises before hanging up the phone.

Now, all we can do is wait.

Sian shifts into her titmouse and flies overhead to keep an eye out for my hound dog friend. About fifteen minutes later, she comes back as herself.

“Jep’s on his way about a quarter kilometer out,” she tells us.

Sure enough, I can hear the barking and the howls as the hound gets closer. Soon, Jep appears, and I go jogging over to him. I scratch behind his ear and his tail wags—but his eyes narrow.

Just because he has an animal reaction doesn't mean that the human inside likes me treating him like a dog.

“Good boy,” I tease and chuckle when he swipes a paw at me. “I'm kidding! I'm kidding! It's a good thing that talking to your dog is considered normal. Come with me, I've got something for you.”

I bring him over around the building where Belle last was and explain to Jep what happened. His eyes get larger and larger and I know what he's thinking—humans can't know about us.

“Please, Jep—I'm begging you. I know I'm asking a lot from you but, please, help us track her.”

The hound dog gives me a hard look, but ultimately gives a sharp nod.

“Thank you,” I say gratefully. “Thank you so much.” Behind me, I motion Jude, Arthur, Theo, Elise and Sian forward. “Come on, you lot. Let’s go find our Yank.”

Theo steps up to Jep, pulling something out of his pocket.

“This is hers,” he says to the shifter, holding it under his nose to sniff.

It's a pair of thong underwear.

I give Theo a look.