Considering everything else going on, up to and including their imminent brutal murders, maybe it shouldn’t have shocked him to hear Ryan call Park that, but it did. “How do you know about the Shepherd? Who told you all of this?” Cooper blurted out because he couldn’t help wondering, not because he thought he was going to get an answer.

Still Ryan hesitated and an almost pitying expression crossed his face.

“Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead. Maybe I’m not the only one who recognizes a good opportunity when I see it,” he said absently and checked his watch. “Almost time. I need you guys displayed for maximum effect right when the zoo opens.” He unlatched the cage door.

“But you’re talking about letting humans see,” Cooper protested, feeling Park start pulling desperately at the cuffs between them as Ryan stepped inside.

More time, more time, more time.

“Yeah, it will be a big story sure to get lots of national attention, and then the wolves will reframe it like they always do. I mean, the day after Halloween? I’m practically handing them a cover story on a silver platter. But those in the know will still know. They won’t be able to convince them.” He stepped closer holding the electric animal prod up and pointed at Park.

“Don’t bite me, now,” Ryan warned. “You’re really not up to causing the kind of damage you’re used to, and you can’t imagine how much pain this thing will cause to your human body. You might even have a heart attack. Or bite your own tongue off! Trust me, totally not worth it.”

It suddenly reminded Cooper of his and Park’s first case together. The cage. The electric prod. Only this time his position had changed. He wasn’t on the outside with the humans lying and pretending. He was inside the cage with the wolves.

If this was really it and it had to end, this was exactly where he wanted to be. Fighting for and beside people he loved. Proud of the direction his life had taken. Of the ways he’d changed and been changed.

Cooper flexed his hands and found Park’s doing the same. They intertwined fingers as best they could and squeezed. Once, twice—

On the third squeeze, Cooper pressed against Park’s back and felt him do the same. Using opposing force, they were able to make their way to standing. Or semi-standing, at least. Cooper’s legs were so numb from sitting, he was propped up more on the belief that they still existed beneath him than any actual feeling that proved it.