“I wasn’t an accomplice, Mr. Dayton,” Freeman said in a painstakingly patient voice. “Marcus Park murdered those poor people, including my own beloved husband. Then he intimidated me into lying for him. An honest-to-god werewolf? What was I supposed to do? I was terrified and I made a mistake I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life.” She paused. “But there’s a saying I believe in very strongly: from the greatest mistakes come the greatest discoveries. I’ve discovered wolves aren’t something to be frightened of. I’ve discovered the woman I really want to be.” She smiled at him. “See? I’ll get less than two years.”

“All right,” Cooper said. “Let’s say that’s true. Then what do you need me for?”

“It’s what happens after that worries me,” Freeman said. “If I’ve learned anything about these creatures, it’s that they’re a network of information and...rumors. I’m safer in here than out there. Why else do you think I turned myself in?” She smiled. “But when I get out, I want...protection. A new identity.”

“And will Dr. Beeman make a miraculous werewolf discovery three years from now?”

“How do you expect me to do that with your furry friends strategically placed in every profession across the globe, poised to efficiently silence any whisper of their existence?” This time Cooper couldn’t help the flicker of surprise that crossed his face, and Freeman noted it with interest. “You really don’t know very much at all about the creatures you’re in bed with, do you? Why do you think they like to keep you in the dark?”

“A whole new life is a big ask,” Cooper said, ignoring that.

“They’ve done it before, they can do it for me, too. But I’m guessing you don’t know about that either.”

“Since I’m so clueless, maybe you should talk to someone higher up the food chain.”

“Ignorance and influence are rarely as unrelated as they should be. You have a lot more power than you think. I’m not the only one who’s noticed.” Freeman sat back in her chair and let her eyes drift shut, as if already dismissing him. “You don’t realize the danger you’re in, Mr. Dayton. But when you do, come back and see me. I’d love to talk.”

Chapter One

Three months later

There were more werewolves here than he’d expected. More vampires, too. Even a simply sheeted ghost or two among the more contemporary or clever costumes. Apparently, there was still an appreciation for the classics at Halloween.