“Large grazing animals that travel in herds,” Burke said. “They’re mostly in the Midwest and parts of the Northwest Region, although I think they can also be found in the High North. Some farming and ranching organizations feel that the bison are the impediment to opening up land humans need to grow crops and graze livestock.”

“And if the bison are eliminated?”

“If you eliminate the bison, elk, deer, and everything else the terra indigene hunt for food now, the Others will end up eating the cattle, sheep, goats, and, most likely, the pesky humans who made a land grab.”

“If it’s an isolated incident caused by a few troublemakers in one Midwest town, that’s one thing,” Monty said. “If there are more incidents...”

“Then it could be a concerted effort by the HFL to antagonize the Others,” Burke finished for him. “Or by another group altogether, but the HFL would be my first choice. I’ll make some calls, see if I get any answers. You heading for the Courtyard?”

“Not yet. I heard on the news that some buildings were vandalized last night, so I want to check on Nadine Fallacaro. She’s been supplying food for the Courtyard’s coffee shop. She could be a target because of that.”

“Nothing reported in our precinct, thank the gods.” Burke leaned back in his chair. “All right, Lieutenant. You check on Ms. Fallacaro. I’ll see if I can find out anything about bison.”

Monty turned to Shady. “I will be at the Courtyard sometime today, and I’ll ask Simon Wolfgard about human guests.”

“Appreciate it,” Shady said.

Of course he would be at the Courtyard sometime today. Monty was splitting his time between the one-bedroom apartment he’d rented when he’d first arrived in Lakeside and the efficiency apartment in the Courtyard that he was using as a place where Lizzy could stay while he was at work. Both places had disadvantages, but they would muddle through until he could move into one of the two-bedroom apartments on Crowfield Avenue. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about having the Others as his landlords, but he knew he wouldn’t find a safer place for Lizzy to live—or a more dangerous place if Lakeside exploded into a violent collision between the people who supported the Humans First and Last movement and those who believed that progress depended on maintaining peaceful relations with the terra indigene.

“So what’s the deal with the bison?” Kowalski asked.

“Could be an isolated incident. Or it could be the first volley in Cel-Romano’s war against the Others.”

“But I thought Cel-Romano was preparing to wage war in their part of the world.”

Monty looked out the side window. “Maybe that’s what we’re supposed to think.”

•••

Vlad set a small bowl on the sorting room table and smiled at Meg. “I brought you some strawberries.”