“Local legend,” Gage said, walking around the truck to the hood. He lifted it and stuck his head inside, rooting around. “Most of the time when we get calls it’s nothing but a normal break-in, but once in a while, we find bodies torn apart and not a drop of blood left in them.” Satisfaction colored his tone. He held up his hand, wires bunched and hanging. “You can collect these at the office, Coop. You’re not drivin’ drunk.”

“You can’t just leave us for the Rougarou to kill,” Cooper protested.

“Maybe you can talk this guy”—Gage sent his thumb in Carson’s direction—“into givin’ you a ride. Offer him money, or I’ll call you a cab. A cab comin’ all the way out here to collect your sorry asses won’t be much money for you at all.”

The slight breeze shifted just a little, a playful gust swirled leaves and grasses into the air and just as quickly subsided. The leopard whirled around, almost forgetting it needed to stay low and out of sight. A stench filled his lungs. He knew that scent. Recognized it. But which man? He wasn’t close enough. Hopefully Gage was and could separate the individual scents of the four men. The leopard snarled and continued his journey to find his mate.

Chapter 9

9

“ARNAUD, you’re goin’ to kill yourself. You have to stop,” Bijou pleaded. “That root system isn’t goin’ to hold. You’ve climbed to it three times and every time the bank crumbles. You nearly ended up in the bayou twice. Please come down.”

Not to mention the dirt and rocks pouring down on top of her. She didn’t want to think about what would happen if he fell. She’d managed to keep him on the narrow ledge the last time he’d come plummeting down, but she’d wrenched her shoulder and nearly hadn’t held him safe. It was a nightmare. The sun was thinking about sinking, and no one had come along to investigate. Maybe her car had been stolen and there was no evidence they were even there.

“No worries.” As usual, Arnaud’s voice was mild, no panic. “We can’t just sit out here all night. We’ve waited for someone to come along, but no one has. This has to be done.” There was absolute conviction—and resolution—in his voice.