Call of the Wilds by Gale Stanley Read Free Book Online

ranger after Cooper’s companions reported him missing. The area has since been closed to the public. Time of death is judged to be between three and five p.m. on Thursday. Due to the condition of the body, there’s doubt as to the specific injury that caused the death. Further studies are being conducted, and on completion, an autopsy report will be released. That’s all I have at this time.”
    “I expected a little more help from Fossick.” Frank’s mood nosedived like a commuter plane out of gas. “He knows damn well it was a wolf. That left-wing asshole won’t commit to anything he’s so afraid of offending his constituents. This thing will drag on forever.” He scowled and ran a hand through his crew cut.
    “Don’t be so sure.”
    “What do you know that I don’t?”
    “Let’s hear the rest of the broadcast.” Glenn spoke with confidence.
    “The medical examiner’s press conference brings no closure to the black wolf kill—”
    “The black wolf kill?” Frank almost fell off his chair.
    “Adds a nice touch, don’t you think?” Glenn said proudly.
    “But, according to an anonymous source, Samuel Cooper’s tragic death was definitely due to a wolf attack. The cordial relationship between conservationists and ranchers in Black Wolf Gorge may come to an end after all the facts of this brutal attack come to light. According to our source, teeth marks were present in the skull, and the body had been torn apart and shredded with multiple claw marks. Parts of the body had been eaten—”
    Frank snorted. “Who the hell is the anonymous source?”
    “Who do you think it is?” Glenn’s grin left no room for doubt.
    “It’s a damn good idea, but we still can’t kill the wolf until we get the go-ahead from the Wildlife Service. Can you afford a fifty-thousand dollar fine or a year in prison or both? And you’d lose your hunting permits besides.”
    “Shit!” Glenn spat. “Are we gonna let the goddamn bureaucracy and red tape run our lives?”
    “No, but this has to be handled right.”
    “What if we could come up with some real proof that these predators don’t belong here?”
    “Glenn, either you’re a lot smarter than I give you credit for or dumb as shit. Are you suggesting we come up with another body?”
    “Wouldn’t hurt. As long as it’s not mine.” Glenn gave him a conspiratorial smile. “Or yours. What if the wolf gets loose?”
    “I’m listening.”
    “Suppose we go out looking for her and catch her making a meal of somebody’s cattle.”
    “What if she decides to make a meal of you? You gonna sacrifice yourself for the good of the community?” Frank chortled.
    “Give me a little credit, chief.” He sat forward, his expression serious. “We drug her so we can move her, feed her somebody’s calf, and shoot her out in the gorge.”
    “What if she kills you before I can shoot her?”
    “She won’t get the chance. If we say she attacked, who’s gonna question us?”
    “The timing is good.” Frank rubbed his temples thoughtfully. “The anonymous source already stirred the pot. If we get some animal do-gooders out here, we can blame them, say they let the wolf go.”
    “I got a better idea. Why not pin it on our wolf-loving refuge manager? We can send her packing and get someone in there who will have our best interests at heart.”
    “No, you leave Karin out of this,” he warned. “If no outsiders show up, I have somebody else in mind.”
    “Suit yourself.” Glenn winked and gave him a knowing smirk.
    He ignored the theatrics. “We have to make it look like a break-in, and maybe we should starve her for a day or two before we provide her some livestock. But then we need someplace to keep her.”
    “I got the perfect place. My daddy’s old hunting cabin hasn’t been used for years.”
    “I like it.” Frank unlocked the bottom drawer of his desk and pulled out a bottle of twenty-year-old single malt scotch. “Let’s drink on it.”

    * * * *

    The loft