Siren’s expression was dark. “We figured as much.”
“Meeting room,” Dom said, his voice tight. “Now.”
Within minutes, all six pack members had assembled around the conference table.
“What happened out there?” Blaze asked, leaning forward in his chair.
Dom ran a hand through his hair. “When I showed up at Rebbeca Mathews’ house, it was on fire.” Dom’s voice was flat. “Neighbors said I arrived just after the fire trucks.”
Axel whistled low. “That’s some timing.”
“Where have you been?” Blaze asked. “We tried to call you multiple times.”
“My phone was off. I had to clear my head after being questioned by police.”
“We look guilty as hell,” Siren said, her tone matter-of-fact. “Diner incident two nights ago, then this. Community already sees us as dangerous outsiders.”
“Every move we make now will be scrutinized,” Axel added, his fingers drumming against the table. “They’ll be watching for any excuse to pin this on us.”
“Why were you so triggered by police questioning, Dom? That’s not like you,” Hunter asked.
Dom gritted his teeth, dreading telling them the truth. He sighed, finally resigned to the fact that they’d find out eventually. “The officer who questioned me… was my fated mate. Officer Valeria Reynalds. The chief’s daughter.”
Axel let out a long, sharp whistle.
“Which is why we need to be smart about this,” Dom went on. He closed his eyes, recalling the conversation word for word. “Rebecca said there were people who might want to hurt her. She sounded genuinely frightened, but she wouldn’t give specifics over the phone. Insisted on meeting in person only.”
“People, plural,” Hunter observed. “Organized.”
“And the phone security,” Siren added. “It’s possible she was afraid her phone was tapped.”
The room fell silent as the implications sank in.
“The police probably think we did it,” Blaze pointed out. “She called us because she was scared, and now she’s dead. The timing makes us the obvious suspects.”
Dom stood, pacing to the window that looked out on Main Street.
“Whoever she was afraid of got to her before we could protect her,” Siren said quietly.
Dom turned back to his pack. “Which is why we need to find the real killer before the Fate Mountain PD finds a way to pin this on us.”
He moved back to the table. “Axel, I want you on digital forensics and public records. Background, employment, financial history, anything you can find about Rebecca Matthews. Start with what’s publicly available.”
Axel nodded. “On it.”
“Hunter, neighborhood intelligence gathering. Talk to neighbors, coworkers, anyone who knew her. Find out who she was afraid of.”
“Understood.”
“Siren, I need you working on a psychological profile and behavioral analysis.”
“Roger that.”
“Blaze, you’re backup for any confrontational situations. If we need muscle or intimidation, you handle it.”
Blaze cracked his knuckles. “Looking forward to it.”
“Ryder, surveillance and security. I want you to watch for anyone watching us. Mobile lookout and counter-surveillance measures.”
