Page 44 of Trees Take the Long View

"Would you?" Dean looked more blown away than ever, to see his somewhat intimidating boss unbending enough to ask for such a thing.

"Well, yes. I want my—my employees to be happy, as much as the next man."

Probably more than most, then, I thought cynically, but had the sense to keep my mouth shut.

"Um, well..." Dean glanced at me, as if trying to decide how much he could share. "I, uh, I think my mate here is really good at this. He shows good judgment, I mean. Not that I'd ever imply he wouldn't, but, uh, he knows when to help and when to step back. Alec has a knack for coming at things from a different angle and rooting out new information."

"Or sniffing it out," I helpfully injected, to take the attention off him, since he was feeling so awkward. "One might say I'm great at nosing around."

Sahil arched a brow at me. "Oh? Would you say you earn your consulting fee then, for all the sniffing and nosing?"

Dean looked appalled. "Of course he earns it! He's the best investigator you've never had. He can get anyone to talk to him, like magic, and—"

We both turned to him. "He was joking," I said, smiling at his defense of me.

"I was," said Sahil, and his lips twitched into a smile as well. "I've read the reports. Of course he's worth the fee we end up paying. Would you prefer something a bit more formal, Alec? A set job title and salary instead of a variable fee depending on the work you do?"

I thought about it. It made me a little uncomfortable, but I was able to articulate why, and make sense of it. "I said I'd never work with the S&P again, but what I really meant was that I'd never work for the cops again—never be beholden to them, or have to answer to them, or be part of something I think is wrong. I don't mind working foryou. Or consulting, or whatever it is, as long as I can use my own judgment to help Dean. I'm really not too bothered about the money. Dean would tell you; I'm a fiscal flake."

Dean was blushing. I must've made him associatefiscalwith a dirty word after all, or else he was feeling awkward about being part of this conversation at all. "Um." He clearly couldn't think of anything to say.

Sahil gave me a genuine smile. "Well, then, we'll let the accounting department weigh in before any final decision, to see what would be easiest for all involved, and best for tax purposes." He brought over another waffle, gave me a pat on the shoulder, and headed back to make more.

Good thing he'd remembered to put on an apron; he'd already have gotten some of the waffle batter on himself otherwise.

Dean gave me a flabbergasted look, but I wasn't quite sure why. I divided the waffle with him and ate my half quickly, with peach slices on top.

"You really can charm anyone," said Dean, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

He saw me through very rose-colored glasses. I liked that.

"I hope your mate returns soon so I can ask him to be on his land as a wolf," I told Sahil, after he rejoined us again.

"You can shift and run right now. You have my permission."

That was a big privilege, but I'd best make sure. "He won't come back and be surprised and angry, if he smells me on his land? Before you talk to him about it, I mean?" Obviously he'd go along with whatever his mate chose to allow, but I still wouldn't want to cause any sort of a scene, if he spotted me before knowing what was going on.

"No, of course not. Anyone I welcome is welcome here; Grant trusts me implicitly in all such things." He studied me for a moment, then smiled. "Go for a run. You appear to need one."

I rose quickly. "I really do."

"I'll go with you," said Dean.

Sahil cleared his throat gently. "I'd like to talk with you for a moment, if you please."

Dean looked suitably alarmed, and I froze, not wanting to leave him to his fate.

Sahil laughed softly. "Am I such an ogre? It's nothing to do with work, I promise, and I've no intention of second-guessing or scolding. Go on. Just a short talk, Dean."

I looked at Dean, and he nodded. I left them to it, with a couple of concerned glances back.

But the outside called to me, and I had to believe Dean would let me know if he needed my backup. I trusted him on that.

I didn't know my way around the place yet, so I didn't try to go back to my room to shift, and using the nearest restroom was practical, but would make it awkward to change back if it was in use when I returned, or someone moved my clothes, etc. Instead I simply headed outside into the dark and loamy-smelling cool earth goodness. What a glorious waiting, bated-breath feeling the world held, waiting for dawn.

I walked down to the tree line before I undressed, making myself take it slowly, folding my clothes carefully to be laid upon a small bench just under the canopy. It would be shady here in the heat of the day; it smelled well used. But I doubted anyone would need it at the moment I would.

The area smelled as if it had been frequented by both humans and wolves, not in an awful way, simply that this wasn't virgin forest, but a place people and wolves went frequently, sometimes alone, sometimes together.