“THAT WAS Porter.” Forge stuffed his phone back into his pocket.
Turning the car onto the side road leading to the bunkers, Declan glanced away from the road for a second to look at Forge. “Ballistics report,” he said.
Forge snorted. “You could pretend you can’t hear whoever is on the other end of the phone.” He turned sideways to face Declan and keep an eye on the car behind them.
“I do when not hearing is important,” Declan quipped. He glanced in the rearview mirror and slowed the car until the vehicle following them caught up. “What did the report say?”
“What type of gun it was, which I already knew since I saw it. It was reported stolen last year in a town on the Michigan/Canadian border.”
Declan nodded. “Not surprising.”
“Don’t yell at Lucas like that.” Forge hadn’t meant to blurt the words out, but he had to say something. Back at the bunker, Lucas had been upset and Declan’s anger was out of character for him. Both circumstances bothered Forge enough that he had to talk it over with Declan.
“What goes on between Lucas and me is none of your business,” Declan snapped.
“It is when I’m standing right there. Lucas—I guess all werewolves—don’t think like we do, and they react differently. You had to feel it.” Forge paused and took a deep breath. “Look, I’ve worked and lived with Lucas for a long time, and I know him pretty well.”
Declan stared straight ahead. “He was so utterly confused I didn’t know what to do or say.”
Forge sighed. “I’m just saying; werewolves are ten times more tuned in to emotions than we could ever be, and they’re sensitive to people around them. The guy is so good at it sometimes, it’s like he reads minds. I honestly think that’s why he likes working in a morgue. It gives him a break from non-werewolf emotions and actions. You and I weren’t able to bond with one another, but there is no reason we can’t help each other understand the people we are bonded to.”
“There’s more, isn’t there?”
“Yeah. You gotta let him know it’s okay to do his own thing or have time alone once in a while. You like being around the same group of people all the time and thrive under those circumstances. Lucas does not. He’s almost too social, but there’s times he likes a change of scenery, I guess. I suppose with other werewolves it’s not really an issue, since they instinctively understand each other. But Lucas lives with vampires and humans, and I know he loves us. I’m just not sure he can tolerate us constantly without a break. It makes him crabby.”
Declan burst out laughing. “I’m guessing we do not want to see a crabby werewolf.”
“Nooo… uh-uh, no, you do not.”
“I should have realized. The whole opposites bond thing,” Declan said. He glanced at Forge for a few seconds.
“It’s kind of a pain in the ass, actually.” Forge shrugged. “Werewolves yell at other werewolves when they’re in extreme danger or starting a battle.”
Declan laughed again; it was a hearty, relaxed sound. This time he added a squeeze to Forge’s knee.
“Jasper’s here,” Declan said as he stopped the car and shut off the engine. He nodded toward the large dark SUV that came to a stop and parked a few feet away. Two men climbed down and stood beside it. Declan leaned over and whispered, “What’s Jasper’s young man’s name again?”
Forge rolled his eyes. “You are so old-fashioned. It’s Carl, and I don’t think he’s that terribly young.”
“Bet he’s younger than us,” Declan said with a grin and got out of the car.
“I suspect almost everyone is younger than you.” Forge got out as well, chuckling when Declan flipped him off. “Just don’t forget Lucas is young and the young….”
“…are easily hurt,” Declan and Forge finished the statement together. Declan added, “I do hate when you throw my words back at me.” Those were the same words Declan had said to Forge when he’d first become aware Blair was his soul mate.
“And here you always think I don’t listen.” Forge stepped ahead and held out his hand to Jasper, shaking it before he turned to Carl and repeated his action. “Nice to see you both again. Thank you for your help.”
“Do either of you know anything about a werewolf movement called the Qiguan?” Declan asked.
Carl shook his head. “Never heard of it. What is it?”
“Maybe,” Jasper said, rubbing his chin. “The name is familiar. I want to say I might have read an article or two about it years ago, possibly early in the last century. Certainly before Lucas, his siblings, or his cousins were born.”
“Grier, the man inside the bunker, implied he was a member. As far as we can tell, they’re some sort of terrorist or terrorist-wannabe group,” Forge explained.
“He’s claiming responsibility, or at least hasn’t denied responsibility, for a number of deaths, including children,” Declan added.
Jasper’s face became even more somber. Carl glared at the bunker door and growled, then said in a low voice, “Werewolves don’t harm children, or the young of any species.”
“This one does,” Declan said. “We need to know more about why and who else he’s working with. Then he’s all yours.”
“Understood.” Jasper nodded. “Be assured he’ll never hurt anyone again. We’ll see to it.”
Forge had heard similar words come out of Jasper Coate’s mouth before, and to date he’d told the truth. He tapped Declan’s arm. “I need to get into the trunk.” Silently Declan handed his car keys over to Forge, who added, “Let’s have some extra insurance and be prepared.” He pulled his rifle out and checked it over. He stepped away from the car a few paces and waited.
“Let us handle this,” Jasper said and caught the bunker key Declan tossed to him.
“That would be our pleasure,” Declan said. He moved back to stand near and slightly in front of Forge. “There is powdered wolfsbane inside, and the cuffs holding him are coated with silver-infused paint.”
Jasper glanced back over his shoulder as he reached for the door’s lock, giving them one curt nod. He slipped the key into the lock and turned it, barely cracking the door open before he sucked in a harsh breath.
“What the hell? That smell!” Carl spat and began stripping off his clothes.
With a loud crash, the door crashed open from the inside. Jasper flew back a few feet and went sprawling, landing on his back with a harsh grunt.
The rancid odor of blood poured from the inside of the bunker, followed by Grier. He was covered in dried blood, fully transformed, and missing part of one hand.
“Shit!” Declan sprinted to Jasper and yanked him up and out of the way just before Grier’s good paw swiped through the air where Jasper’s head had been.
Carl morphed immediately and charged Grier, meeting him head-on.
“No! Get away from him. The dust. Wolfsbane!” Forge shouted. Grier had rolled in the wolfsbane dust. A suicide run. Forge lifted his rifle, desperately seeking a clear shot.
Grier pinned Carl to the ground, but Carl’s powerful shove kept Grier’s fangs from slicing through his throat. Grier’s teeth sank completely into Carl’s shoulder instead. Carl howled, enraged, his claws gouging chunks of flesh from Grier’s back. They rolled and Carl gained the upper hand.
Jasper rushed in, fully changed, snapping and snarling. He grabbed Grier from behind and pulled him away from Carl.
“Move! Get away!” Declan shouted. He darted toward Carl, body-slamming him. The move shoved Carl back a few feet.
“Give me a shot!” Forge bellowed.
Grier flipped Jasper over his shoulder. It was clear to Forge the guy was trained to fight and was going to get the upper hand over Jasper. Swinging his good arm back and forth, Grier slashed across Jasper’s chest. He straightened and jumped on Jasper, dust flying off to settle on Jasper and the ground.
That move gave Forge a clear shot, and he took it. Grier dodged and jerked to the side, and Forge’s bullet hit him in the ribs.
“Motherfuck,” Forge growled. He needed a head shot.
Grier turned to him, stared him in the eye, and charged. Forge stood his ground, widened his stance slightly, and squeezed the trigger. Declan threw one arm across his face and twisted so he covered Jasper with his body. Grier staggered two more steps toward Forge, nearly close enough to touch him, before he dropped. The second shot had hit the target.
Forge dropped the rifle and sprinted to Carl, grabbing his arm and dragging him along. “The stream. Over there. Get that crap off of you!”
Carl was human again and looked at Forge, dazed and bloodied. Declan scooped up Jasper and followed Forge and Carl. Neither of them was wounded so much they couldn’t recover, but if they had the wolfsbane in their systems, it was unlikely Forge and Declan would get them to help in time.
Forge shoved Carl into the water. He dropped to his knees and mumbled, “Thanks,” when Forge splashed water over him. Pulling his shirt off, Forge ripped it into strips and used it to wrap Carl’s shoulder. Carl shivered uncontrollably, turned, gagged and retched into the stream. He used the back of his wrist to wipe his mouth. “I never… I didn’t….”
Forge patted his shoulder. “It’s okay. Stay put, I’ll get your clothes.”
“Jasper?” Carl looked around Forge, wide-eyed and pale.
“I think I got all that crap off him.” Declan was in the stream, Jasper lying across his knees, gasping. He grabbed Declan’s arm and tried to sit up. “Stay for a minute. We’ll get you back to the compound.”
Jasper nodded and relaxed, then changed back to full werewolf form. Forge saw that the blood flowing out of him was already beginning to slow.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I never wanted anyone hurt,” Declan said softly.
Carl stood and moved closer. “He was clearly insane. Any werewolf who murders children is. There’re blankets in the back of my vehicle.”
Forge nodded and went to the SUV. The keys were still in it, so he drove it as close to the stream as possible before taking the blankets to them. He and Declan helped Carl get Jasper bundled in one of the blankets and into the vehicle. As he settled in the passenger seat, Jasper reverted to human form and blew out a thin laugh. “I haven’t done that for fifty years. It’s exhilarating.”
“You’re the insane one,” Declan said.
“Agreed,” Carl added. He’d put his clothes back on and had gotten into the driver’s seat. “We can get back on our own.”
“Are you sure you don’t want us to follow you and have one of us drive?” Declan asked.
“I can drive. We’ll be fine, and I’ll take care of him. It’s probably better no one at the compound know you’re involved.” Carl shrugged. “This way we can simply say this man we gave sanctuary to attacked us. No one will question Jasper,” he assured them, then turned and watched Forge load Grier’s body into the back of the SUV. “I’m sorry we couldn’t get your information.”
“Call us when you get to the compound,” Forge said. Carl nodded and Forge shut the SUV’s door gently, then used two knuckles to tap on it.
They gathered their supplies, and Forge retrieved his dropped rifle. He got as far as the back of Declan’s car before he set the rifle on top and leaned against it, shuddering. Declan’s arm wound around his shoulders and chest. He pulled Forge against him.
“Take a few deep breaths,” Declan said softly in Forge’s ear.
“H-he lo-oked right at me,” Forge stammered.
“Shh… I know, Jonas. I also know Jasper would have surely died, and possibly Carl too, if you hadn’t fired off those shots. Neither of us would ever want to go back to Lucas and tell him his uncle had been killed.” Declan let go and stepped back far enough to rub Forge’s back. “Little consolation, I know, and it’s my fault.”
Taking a deep breath Forge turned and leaned against the car. “None of us, Jasper included, had any idea that Grier would chew enough of his hand off to get loose from the cuffs. We’ll share the guilt on this mess.”
Declan pulled out his phone, stared down at it, and put it back. “I can’t call Lucas. I’ll have to tell him about his uncle in person.”
“Eh,” Forge snorted. He stepped to the side when Declan picked up his rifle, opened the trunk, and secured it inside. “I’m not worried about Jasper. He’ll outlive us all. Did you see all the fur flying? I don’t remember ever being so close to battling werewolves, not like that. I’ve seen the aftermath, but not the event. They are scary-ass bastards.”
“We should get back.” Declan took Forge’s arm and led him to the passenger’s side of the car.
Forge settled into the seat, slouched down, and relaxed a bit. He’d call and talk to Blair in another minute. That always centered him.
WHEN BLAIR became very quiet, then without warning had a violent, full-body flinch, Lucas jumped and nearly drove off the road. “Are you all right?”
“I… yeah…,” Blair whispered. “Whatever happened, it was fast. Over now.” He leaned forward a bit and ran both hands through his hair before taking some deep breaths, then sat straight again. “How much farther?”
“The marina is just a few more miles,” Lucas said, shifting his gaze as much as he dared between the road and Blair.
Blair’s phone chimed, and he answered it immediately. Lucas could hear Forge on the other end even though Blair didn’t switch to speakerphone. His voice was soft in the way Lucas only heard when Forge talked to Blair. Lucas also heard Declan’s voice, but couldn’t make out his words. It didn’t matter. All Lucas cared about was that they were alive.
“Lucas is driving, we’re almost to the marina,” Blair said. “Bronwen said she’d meet us there. Do you want us to wait?”
Lucas could hear the tension in Blair’s voice. He hadn’t realized until right now it wasn’t simply that Blair couldn’t swim, but he was afraid of being out on the water. The change in tone of Forge’s voice clued Lucas in to the fact he was concerned for Blair.
“I’ve borrowed Andy’s boat before. You’ve been on it with me,” Lucas said loud enough Forge would hear. He looked at Blair and winked. “I have a boating license and everything.”
Blair eyed Lucas and said, “See you soon,” into the phone before putting it away. “You really have a license?”
Lucas nodded. “Yes. When I lived at the pack compound, my cousins and I did a lot of sailing and boating. I can jet-ski too. My sister likes to water-ski. This town is on a lake. You’ll be surprised at how big the marina is.”
A few more minutes of driving in silence and Lucas turned off the road and onto the marina’s private drive. They parked, and Lucas pointed out the pier. They both looked around as they walked along the line of boats.
“It’s that one, there,” Lucas said and nudged Blair in the proper direction. They stopped next to one of the boats. It was a sleek, gray-and-white boat with enough space for half a dozen passengers. The sun was high in the sky and glinting off the water and the moored boats alike. A slight breeze ruffled Lucas’s hair. He inhaled deeply. It was almost a primal reaction to the open waters, sweet-smelling air, and sun. He caught a glimpse of Blair doing the same. Lucas decided that their reaction was some sort of universal one.
“I have to admit, it’s sort of pretty,” Blair said. He walked along the dock, ducking down to see the hull and then stretching to look inside. “How do I get in?”
Lucas shook his head, laughed, and took a small jump from the dock to the boat. He turned and crooked one finger at Blair, who looked dubious when Lucas’s movement caused the boat to bob from side to side a few times. Lucas sighed. “Come on, I’ll catch you.”
“Shut up,” Blair grumbled and jumped onto the boat, gasping and waving his arms when it rocked again. Lucas grabbed his wrist and pulled him down onto a seat. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a life jacket, then held it out to Blair.
“There’s Bronwen,” Blair said. He stood up, waved to her, and shrugged the jacket on all in one movement.
Bronwen waved back. Lucas could tell by the fact she wore a light T-shirt, shorts, and deck shoes that she’d be far more at ease once they were away from the dock than Blair would likely be. She walked toward them at a fast pace, her hair pulled back in a ponytail that swung from side to side. As soon as she reached the boat, she hopped lightly onboard without missing a step.
“Bronwen, this is Lucas. It’s his boat,” Blair said.
“Hello, Lucas.” Bronwen smiled brightly and held out her hand to Lucas. “Are you two…?”
“No,” Blair said at the same time Lucas did.
“Are you all right, Blair? You look a little green.” Bronwen set down a tote bag she’d been carrying, took the life jacket Lucas handed her, and put it on. She dug through the bag and pulled out a small device, holding it out to them. “Mr. Grier always carried a few of these, and he would take them on his dives. The day our boat went over, there was one on deck. It was accidentally turned on, or so Mr. Grier claimed. I always thought they were some sort of transmitter, but it never made a noise.”
“How did you know it was turned on?” Blair asked.
Bronwen touched a button on the small rectangular device, and a light flashed. “That’s how.”
Blair sucked in a breath and rubbed one ear with his palm. Lucas grabbed the device and switched it off in a hurry. “So, some sort of ultrasonic signal.” He pulled a small clear-plastic evidence bag containing one of the scales from his pocket. “Can you tell me about this?”
“Where did you get this?” Bronwen asked.
“From the hull of your damaged boat,” Lucas said without skipping a beat. “I saw the DNA sequencing for this thing.”
Bronwen looked from Lucas to Blair. “I can’t…. Mr. Grier….”
“You don’t have to be afraid of him anymore. He’s in jail and staying there,” Blair said. “What did he do that made you so afraid of him?”
“You wouldn’t believe me. It sounds crazy, and no one would believe me.” She sat in the seat beside Blair.
“Try us,” Lucas said.
Bronwen focused on him for a second. “Who are you, exactly?”
“Oh, I’m a medical examiner.”
“You know about the genetic sequence for that scale. A medical examiner for who? The NSA?”
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. “Flint PD.” He pulled out his wallet and showed her his police ID.
“You kept asking me if I believed in mythological creatures. Was Grier one?” Blair asked.
“His eyes and fingers would change, and he’d get teeth like a wolf,” Bronwen said. “It’s crazy, I know, and I have no idea how he did it, but—” She shook her head. “It sounds insane, and I don’t blame anyone for thinking I’m unbalanced.”
Lucas looked around the dock, assuring himself they weren’t being watched, and turned so his back was to the marina. He began to unbutton his shirt.
“What are you doing?” Bronwen’s voice rose, and she began inching out of the seat.
“Don’t panic.” His voice was deeper, gravelly, and he had to speak more slowly after he changed just far enough he could still talk. Lucas kept his gaze riveted to her. As his facial features changed, long hair sprouted from his hands and chest, and his body shape morphed, Bronwen gripped her seat so hard her knuckles went white. Her breathing sped up, and Lucas smelled sweat more prominently than if it was just from the weather.
Bronwen’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “You’re like him.”
Lucas reverted to completely human. “I’m a werewolf. So is Grier.”
“What are you?” Bronwen asked Blair.
He shrugged and spread his arms wide. “Just a guy.”
“What is this from?” Lucas leaned forward and held up the bag.
“I’ll show you.” Bronwen pulled a map from her bag and spread it out on the dashboard. “We need to go here.” She indicated a point on the map.
Lucas nodded. “I know that area.” He knelt in front of Bronwen. “I won’t hurt you. The werewolves around here have a certain… set of traditions. When one of us breaks the law, we—other werewolves—deal with them. It’s safer all around for us and humans. No human jail would be able to hold one of us for very long. I’m a doctor, graduated top of my class, and I work for the police department. I’m a scientist, same as you.”
“Werewolves are like everyone else,” Blair added. “There’re nice ones and not so nice ones.” He turned and put one hand over his forehead to shield his eyes. “Forge.” Blair stood up fast, the boat rocked gently, and he grabbed at the seat back.
Forge leaned down and took hold of the side of the boat, steadying it. He looked up at them and grinned sheepishly.
“Sorry we took so long,” Declan said and took advantage of Forge holding the boat still to hop from the dock into the boat.
Shrugging and shaking his head, Forge stepped on after him. “You’re welcome.” He gave Declan a shove with his elbow.
Bronwen looked from one to the other. “What are you two?”
“French,” Declan said, raising his eyebrows.
“Detective.” Forge held up his badge.
Blair took hold of Forge’s arm. He held up his hand, showing her his ring, and pointed between them. “Me and him, we—”
“We’re married,” Forge said and smiled, adding, “Jonas Forge.”
“This thing doesn’t have seat belts,” Blair said. Forge sighed and put one hand on Blair’s shoulder, squeezed, then pushed him back down to sit.
“We’re going here,” Lucas said and put his finger on the map. “Shouldn’t take us too long.” He started the boat. “Y’all might want to sit down.” After guiding the boat away from the dock and into open water, he gunned the engine.
“This thing transmits an ultrasonic signal of some kind,” Blair said, holding up the transmitter. “Grier would take it on his dives.”
“Really?” Declan asked and took the transmitter. He turned it over, examining it.
“Yeah, you might want to be careful with that.” Blair took the device with one hand and scratched his ear with the other.
Declan nodded. “How far are we going?”
“Couple miles,” Lucas said.
“There is a series of caves, natural and man-made. We were near there when our boat overturned,” Bronwen said.
“A transmitter like this was accidentally activated just prior to the boat being hit,” Lucas said.
“So what was Grier using the transmitter for?” Declan asked.
Bronwen smiled softly. “I need you to see for yourselves. It’s nothing short of amazing, I promise.”
“This should be the right area,” Lucas said and cut the boat’s engine. He turned and crossed both arms over his chest. “Now what?”
Lucas had brought the boat to a stop at a part of the lake that didn’t have a beach. Instead, there was a sharp cliff that went straight down to the water. The water here was deeper than that nearer a beach—the land shelf dropped steeply and suddenly in this area. It could be a very dangerous section of Lake Erie.
Bronwen held her palm out. “May I have the transmitter?” Blair handed it over. She spent a minute searching through her tote, finally pulling out fishing line. She wound it around the transmitter, stood up, switched the device on, and lobbed it into the water. “That should keep us from getting rammed.”
“Rammed by—” Forge reached out and grabbed Blair’s arm when the boat lurched to one side.
“It didn’t hit us,” Bronwen said. Smiling, she pointed at the water. There was a swell and a ripple, and the boat swung to one side. “There is a transmitter attached to that creature. Grier did that too, and I’m sure he wasn’t gentle about it.”
“There!” Lucas moved down the length of the boat and leaned over the rail. “Did you see that?”
A long form sliced through the water. As it breached the surface for a split second, it shone in the sunlight, a shimmering blue that changed to gray as it moved. Then it disappeared. Lucas could see by the way the water moved that at least part of the animal was still above water.
“Whoa!” Blair exclaimed, the fact he was on a boat apparently forgotten. He darted across the deck and stood beside Lucas.
Declan went to the bow and leaned over. Forge took up a position partway between him and Blair.
“There it goes.” Lucas pointed out the path the creature took.
“I don’t see it,” Blair said.
“It’s right there. It’s huge.” Lucas moved along the rail. “You can’t see it?”
“No.” Declan shook his head.
“Mr. Grier could see them through the water too,” Bronwen said.
“It must be something with the refraction of the water.” Lucas pulled his shirt and shorts off. “I’ve got to get a better look at this.” He turned to Declan. “You can handle this boat if you have to?”
“No mainsail, but I’m sure I can figure it out,” Declan said. Lucas saw Forge grin. There was a time Declan had been a real-life pirate and sailed from Europe to the New World.
“Oh, you sail?” Bronwen turned to Declan.
Declan shrugged. “I’ve dabbled.” He turned toward Lucas. “What are you doing?”
“Getting the transmitter off that animal.” Before anyone could stop him, Lucas transformed and dove into the water. Using long, powerful strokes, he propelled himself along.
He estimated the creature was at least twenty-five feet long. It had a fanned tail and forward and rear flippers. Now that he was more werewolf than human, he could see it perfectly, no matter how it twisted and turned. Its color changed as it reflected the light differently.
Without warning, the creature circled around and came at him. Backstroking, Lucas shifted so he was upright and stationary. It spiraled around him a few times, then moved off into a hole in the land shelf below the surface of the lake.
Lucas shifted, filled his lungs, and followed. After a few minutes, his lungs began to burn, and he had to clench his teeth to keep his mouth shut. He was beginning to think he’d have to turn back. The narrow tunnel he’d followed the creature through opened into a bigger cavern. Surfacing, Lucas gasped for air. There was maybe a foot of space between the cavern roof and the water.
Treading water, Lucas turned around slowly. The creature climbed onto a rock, about a third of it out of the water. Lucas watched. The creature studied him, turning its head to one side and rubbing its long neck against the rocks.
Changing form to human, he moved closer. “What’s stuck to your neck?” He swam forward slowly. “Don’t get nervous. I’ll get rid of it.”
The creature’s head was oblong and at least four feet long. It had small ears placed closed together along the top of its skull and large, round eyes at the front of its face. Features that signified to Lucas this was a predator.
“Okay, I bet you have a pretty impressive set of teeth. Let’s just keep them to yourself.” He inched forward until he could touch the beast. Reaching out he ran one hand lightly over the creature’s neck. Its skin rippled and twitched, and it rolled into his touch.
Lucas laughed. “You like that.” He moved even closer and, using two fingers, worked them between the creature’s scaled skin and the device attached to its neck. “That bastard stuck a transmitter into you.” Lucas took a deep breath. “This might pinch.”
He yanked the metal box away from the creature. It snapped, made a sound much like a growling tiger, and rolled against the rocks. Lying on its side, it smacked at the tiny wounds left by the device with one flipper that had small, clawed “fingers.” Lucas pushed away as fast as possible, but the creature didn’t follow him. It used its claws to scratch its neck where the transmitter had been. There were four holes on the creature’s neck; minuscule drops of blood seeped from them. Lucas turned the transmitter over and found four matching prongs. “That shouldn’t make you bleed out. I hope it doesn’t get infected. Don’t worry. No one will do this to you again. Not as long as I’m alive.” He swam backward. As much as he wanted to see more, Lucas knew it was time to go. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Taking a deep breath and morphing into his werewolf form, Lucas dove under the water and made his way through the tunnel. Just before reaching the boat, he changed to his human form and tossed the transmitter onto the deck before hoisting himself back into the boat, stark naked.
“Ah… um….” Bronwen mumbled and ducked her head.
Blair heaved a sigh and threw Lucas’s shorts at him. “Werewolves don’t possess a drop of modesty.”
Lucas grinned, pulled the shorts on, and ran his hands through his hair, spraying water everywhere. He moved Bronwen’s tote aside and dropped onto the seat beside her. “You have got to tell me everything!”