Northern California
With damp palms and a dry throat, Dr. Haley Cooper stepped up to the podium. She always felt jittery prior to any public address, but tonight hundreds of people with very large bank accounts had turned out for the fund-raiser. She glanced nervously at Jeffrey sitting to her right, who nodded back at her with a reassuring smile. After five years of working together, he knew as well as she did that her passion would soon overcome her nervous qualms. She took a quick sip of water and then stepped up to the mic.
“Ladies, gentlemen, and esteemed colleagues,” she began with a tentative smile. “We have gathered together this evening as guardians of one of the most unfairly maligned of all living creatures.”
She signaled her assistant to begin the slide show.
“Once roaming North America from the Arctic tundra to Mexico, the gray wolf was ruthlessly and deliberately eradicated from the western United States. It has taken almost twenty years since their reintroduction to the Northern Rockies for wolves to recover. Their renewed presence has helped to restore ecological balance and even boosted the regional economies in several of these western states. But now, it seems our labor is about to be undone.”
She paused and let her gaze work the tables, seeking out and acknowledging every nod.
“Although a dozen conservation groups joined forces in the fight, our recent legal challenges to the delisting of wolves have been overruled. Our injunction to block hunting was also denied. Since the federal government removed the gray wolf as an endangered species, open season on wolves has already begun. Idaho has not only extended their wolf-hunting season, but it is now even considering aerial hunting as a means of predator control. We don’t need a crystal ball to know where all this will lead.”
She gave the nod and the film clip began.
Haley watched the horrified expressions as the screen behind her flashed vivid images of the brutal and bloody aerial wolf hunt they’d captured on film five years earlier. The clip ended with snow stained red with blood, the grisly aftermath of the kill. She consoled herself that the wolves’ deaths had not been in vain. The footage had gone viral on YouTube and the donations had flooded their offices.
“This inhumane practice must be stopped. Last year alone, dozens of collared wolves surrounding the national parks were senselessly slaughtered under the guise of wolf management, with no regard to the individuals wearing radio collars, animals crucial to our long-term studies of this fascinating species.”
She continued, her throat thick with emotion. “Hunters in the west claim that the wolves are depleting the native elk populations. Ranchers maintain their livestock is at risk, but these claims have no basis in fact. Nevertheless, both of these groups have powerful lobbyists in Washington, whereas the animals have no voice…but ours.
“We are gathered this evening in support of the proposed Protect America’s Wildlife Act, sponsored by our own Senator Feinstein. If passed, this legislation would effectively close the loopholes in the existing Airborne Hunting Act. It will protect America’s wolves from all such barbaric practices. Unless we act quickly and decisively, we will soon face a second eradication of wolves.”
Haley’s gaze skirted once more over the tables. Many of the donors were already reaching for their checkbooks. “While this is certain to be a long and costly battle, with your generous and ongoing support, we will ultimately prevail. Thank you.”
* * *
“You were fabulous tonight,” Jeffrey gushed, handing Haley a glass of champagne. “I knew even when you were a student that you’d become a great asset. No one can charm the purses and checkbooks like Dr. Haley Cooper.”
“Thank you,” she said, adding with a sigh, “But I’m glad it’s done. How much do you think we raised?”
He smiled over his drink. “By my estimate, at least five hundred grand.”
Haley beamed. “That’s twice what we’d hoped for. It’s more than enough to fund all the radio collars for my mating pairs study.”
Jeffrey’s smile faded. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but that project’s going to have to go on the back burner.”
“Again?” He heart dropped with disappointment. “Why?”
“Because we need all the money for our attorneys and the media campaign.”
“But we just raised half a mil,” she protested. “Can’t I at least have a small percentage of that to buy the collars?”
“Sorry.” He shook his head. “Half a mil might sound like a lot, but it’s only a drop in the bucket. We spent twice that in Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Utah and still lost. We’ll need to tap into all of our resources if we’re going to prevent delisting in Wyoming.”
“I see. But it seems to me that our chances are slim no matter how much we spend. The wolf population has more than recovered. You know it’s only a matter of time before they allow hunting. Why not simply concentrate our efforts on protecting the packs in Yellowstone and Grand Teton? It’s where most of our study subjects are anyway.”
Jeffrey’s lipped thinned. “That would be to admit defeat.”
“But we’re swimming against a riptide here, Jeffrey.”
“The decisions can be reversed,” he insisted. “We can’t give up until we get new legislation passed.”
“I don’t agree, Jeffrey. I think we’re just wasting money that could be put to a much better purpose.” Although he’d been her mentor for the past six years, they didn’t always see eye to eye. He was far too involved in politics for her liking, using his research to support lobbies and lawsuits, while she cared more about the animals themselves. “And while we’re on the subject, I should tell you that I’m thinking very hard about accepting a job in Wyoming.”
“What?” His gaze narrowed. “This is the first you’ve said about it. Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”
“When have I had a chance? We’ve hardly seen each other in months.” She often wished they had more time together, but field research and various projects often kept them apart.
“I promise to make it up to you,” he said. “We’ll go away together once my current project is done.”
“You’ve said that before, but it never happens. Something always seems to come up.” She paused. “Jeffrey, what’s going on with us?”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“It just feels like we’re drifting apart.”
She’d told herself for years that romance held little importance in the great scheme of things. They had the kind of relationship she’d always thought she wanted, one founded on friendship, mutual respect, and common goals, but lately it seemed much more like a business partnership than a romantic relationship. She wondered about his recent lack of interest in sex. Was he involved with someone else? Was that why they’d spent so little time together lately?
He shrugged. “We’re both busy. Sometimes the greater good requires personal sacrifices, but I promise to take some time off once I’m finished with the Denali project.”
“How is it coming?” she asked.
“Better now that I have a new assistant.”
“You hired someone?” She struggled to digest that news. “You didn’t even tell me you were considering a new assistant.” She wondered who it was. It was strange he hadn’t mentioned it before.
“It’s no biggie, Haley.” Jeffrey shrugged it off without elaboration.
“Are you coming over tonight?” she asked.
“I figured you’d be too tired,” he answered. “I know I am. This kind of schmoozy thing always wipes me out.” Odd. That wasn’t like Jeffrey at all. He loved attention in any form.
“Oh. Okay. I understand.” She struggled to mask her disappointment. She’d hoped to celebrate their success together. After nearly three months of celibacy, she was wound tight with sexual tension.
“So, what’s this job you’re considering?” he asked, oblivious to her thoughts.
“U.S. Fish and Wildlife is forming a task force to review and monitor wolf management in the northern Rockies. I got a call from a recruiter about it a few weeks ago.”
“And you’re actually considering it?” Jeffrey regarded her with incredulity. “Let me get this straight. You’re going to leave your position with this organization and abandon a possible tenure track at the university?”
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”
She held her breath, waiting but knowing he’d never express the words she needed to hear. Jeffrey supported and encouraged her work and appreciated her intellect and dedication, but it wasn’t enough anymore.
“What about us?” he finally asked.
Her gaze sought his. “Is there really any us?” Although they had a tacit understanding about exclusivity, he’d made no move toward any kind of permanent commitment. And though she’d hinted several times about moving in together, he’d always hedged about that too.
His brows met in a scowl. “You know how I feel about marriage.”
“But I want a family, Jeffrey.”
“The world is already overpopulated,” he argued.
“And many countries have taken measures to control it. One child, Jeffrey. That’s all I want.” In almost five years together she and Jeffrey had never had unprotected sex. Not once. He was obsessive about it. For the longest time she’d secretly hoped he’d come around about the idea of kids, but he still hadn’t. She, on the other hand, had begun thinking about it. A lot.
“If you feel that strongly, why don’t you just adopt a kid?”
“On my own?”
“Why not?” His nonchalance made her heart drop.
“Because I’d want my child to have a normal family—a mother and a father. We aren’t going anywhere, Jeffrey. We want different things now.” She wanted a family, but once more he balked at the very idea. It was past time to reevaluate her future.
“So you’re really going to leave?”
“Yes.” She exhaled slowly, almost in relief. Perhaps a new job in a new place really was the answer, and eventually a new relationship might follow. She’d held on too long. He didn’t love her any more than she loved him. It was time to move on.
“I didn’t think at first that I’d take the job,” she said, “but I can’t just sit by and watch from a distance while all we’ve worked for comes undone. And I’m tired of all the politics, Jeffrey. I want to do something for the greater good. You can wage your war in the courtrooms, but I’m taking mine back to the field.”