Secrets by Lynn Crandall

the cat went with whoever was in that vehicle. They could have tranqued it, though it’s not feral so the cat might have walked right up to them, especially if they offered some really yummy food.”
    Everyone’s eyes turned to Conrad and Quinn. “Go ahead, give the news.” Quinn motioned to Conrad.
    “Like you all, we found the cat’s scent, tracked it into a nearby empty lot, then we lost it.” Conrad’s honey brown eyes narrowed. “There were signs of an SUV in the mud. I think they trapped the cat not far from the house, then took it.”
    Lara dropped her gaze. “It doesn’t sound like a healthy situation for the cats. What do we do about it?”
    Quinton swallowed a swig of juice to wash down his muffin. “What can we do? We need to know where these thieves are taking the cats.”
    Casey rubbed his eyes. His disrupted sleep was catching up with him. “I agree. I’ll triangulate the home bases of free-roamers and see if that leads to anything.” He slapped the side of his thigh. “Now I have to get to work. Thanks everyone for putting in the time.”
    He waited to leave until only Lara remained. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We’ll get ahead of this thing, whatever it is, Lara. I’ll be in touch soon. Don’t get too down. That won’t help anything.”
    She sighed heavily. “I know, I know. But it’s hard. If these cats are in danger, everything inside of me is eager to storm the castle, bring them back to their owners.”
    “Yes, I feel the same way. I just believe our colony can kick butt rather effectively and quickly.” He gave her a smile, then rubbed her hair playfully until she returned one of her own. “Go take care of the animals you can help at your office.”
    “You’re right.” She gave him a little punch to his gut. “Enough with the pep talk. Get out of here so I can get to work.”
    “Magic hands saving lives.” He winked, and walked out the door.
    The open window next to him blew chilly air into his Prius and out the other window. Casey saw the traffic around him, the stoplights, and the road, but thoughts plagued him. Thoughts of Michelle, a target for William Carter’s menace. He knew his focus on Michelle’s property was personal. And that sent mounting rage pounding through his body.
    The morning’s revelations stacked up like boulders blocking his view. That was something he wasn’t accustomed to. He’d have to get closer to the snake himself, see what he saw.
    By now Jackson—or Jake, as Casey sometimes called him—would be at the office, but Casey needed to make another stop first. He had to see Michelle, confirm that she was safe. Even warn her if he could do so subtly.
    Despite his concern, a smile slanted across his face. No way. Michelle’s perceptions were too keen and her intellect too high to miss anything. He’d just have to try harder. After all, he’d managed to keep his biggest secret, his identity as a lynx, from her detection.
    He slid his car into a street-side parking space, practically on autopilot, and strode to her office building. The man walking toward him barely pierced his radar until the man stopped in front of him, flashing a smile.
    “Excuse me, I need you to come with me.” The smile vanished and the man opened his jacket a bit to reveal a gun clipped to his waistband.
    Casey’s muscles tensed. “I think there’s some mistake, fella.” Maybe he could talk his way out of a confrontation. He really didn’t have the time for it and he suspected he knew what this was about. “I don’t want any trouble.”
    The beefy man smirked. “No trouble. William Carter just wants a word with you. In fact, he wants a word with you and that bitch you’ve been following around. Not even out of your way, right? Just head upstairs.”
    He wanted to tear out the thug’s eyes. He could do it, but he wouldn’t. Not right now. Not when Carter was showing signs of being poked, and that could be advantageous if Casey managed the moment