Of course he does.They always claim innocence.
This is different.Conall moved closer, lowering his voice.I’ve known Robert my entire life.He’s not capable of this kind of deception.
Anders studied him for a long moment.You think we arrested the wrong man.
I think someone wanted us to arrest Robert.The words felt dangerous, like admitting them made the conspiracy real.Anders, I’ve been having concerns about some of our pack members.The way they’ve been asking questions, pushing for information they don’t need.
Anders’s expression sharpened.Which pack members?
Una.Dana.Raymond.Each name felt like a betrayal to speak aloud.All of them have been asking detailed questions about security protocols, sensor placements, communication systems.Questions that go beyond normal concern for pack safety.
I noticed that too.Anders was quiet for a long moment.You want to investigate deeper.
I want to be sure we got the right person.If there’s still a leak—
Then we’re compromised and don’t know it.He stood.Let’s start with Dana.If Raymond was involved in that training accident with Quinton, she would know.
Will she be awake yet?
Anders glanced at the clock on his phone.It’s almost six a.m.She usually gets her siblings ready for school in the mornings.
Then let’s go.
Dana Rosado answered her door with flour in her hair and a confused smile.Her younger siblings peered around her with the curious intensity of cubs who sensed adult tension.
Conall, Anders.Is everything okay?
We need to ask you about the training accident with Quinton,Anders said, his voice carrying the kind of authority that discouraged lies.
Dana’s expression shifted, confusion giving way to something that looked almost like relief.Finally.I’ve been wondering when someone would ask about that.
Conall’s wolf went still.Wondering?
Because it wasn’t really an accident.She stepped onto the porch, closing the door behind her so her siblings couldn’t overhear.Raymond set it up.He told me Quinton needed to work on his defensive techniques, that it would be good training for me to practice against an experienced guardian.
And you injured Quinton during this training?Anders asked.
That was Raymond’s idea too.He said it needed to look real, that Quinton was working on some kind of undercover operation and needed convincing injuries.Dana’s voice carried growing uncertainty.He told me not to mention it to anyone because it might compromise pack security.
A cold knot formed in Conall’s chest.So Raymond orchestrated the entire thing?
He said you and Anders had asked him to coordinate it quietly.That it was pack business.Dana’s eyes widened as she processed their reactions.It wasn’t pack business, was it?
Where was Una during this training?Conall asked.
Una?She wasn’t anywhere around.I haven’t seen Una at any of my training sessions.Dana looked between them with growing alarm.Did I do something wrong?Did I hurt Quinton worse than I thought?
You did nothing wrong,Anders assured her.But we need to speak with Robert Mitchell again.Immediately.
ROBERT LOOKED UP ASConall entered his cell for the second time in an hour, this time followed by the lead guardian.More questions?
One question,Anders said.Did anyone else ever have access to the pack communication protocols?Anyone who might have been able to set you up?
Robert’s expression turned inward as he sifted through memories.Finally he nodded.Raymond did.About three months ago, he offered to help me upgrade the new protocols.Said the council had asked him to handle it quietly, that they wanted an experienced pack member to review security before full implementation.
And you gave him access?Conall asked, his tone harsh.
He’s been pack family for forty years, Conall.Raymond taught half of us how to track when we were cubs.Of course I trusted him.Robert paused.He spent hours with the communication equipment, said he was running diagnostic tests.
