Chapter 25-Moles

They walked through the woods, parallel to the road for a while.

"So, what's the plan once we get to the motel?" Shane asked.

"Well, I was thinking that one of us could go into the motel and see about getting a room until Joe gets here." Roe answered.

"How? None of us have any money or identification? They took our wallets." Shane asked.

"I was thinking Adrian would do it. See if he could talk them into it." Roe replied.

"That's fine with me." Adrian said.

"How are you going to do that? Ask nicely?" Shane sniped.

"No, I'm going to convince them that I did pay. Unless someone else that works there comes in, we should be fine." Adrian replied.

"Oh, okay." Shane said.

"What's wrong with you?" Roe asked Shane.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"You're being a little snippy. I was just wanting to make sure everything was alright."

Shane sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just antsy, I guess."

Roe switched to their link. Did this feeling come on suddenly?

Um...I guess so.

Hold up a second. Roe said, then stopped. Do you have a weird feeling, like something's wrong?

Well, I hadn't thought about it, but I guess so. Shane replied.

What are you thinking? Adrian asked.

Wolves have a really good sense of what's going on around them. Sometimes, when something is not quite right, they have an uneasy feeling, or are snappy.

When she said that, they both started looking around and paying more attention to the sounds of the woods around them. I don't hear anything out of the ordinary. Adrian said.

Roe opened her witch sight and looked around. There's something that way. Roe said, gesturing over to their left. I can't tell what it is, but I think we should hurry up and get to the motel. We're about ten minutes from it at the speed we've been going.

Adrian and Shane exchanged a look. I'll carry you, Roe. Adrian said. If whatever you're seeing is magical, they might be given a hint to where we are if Shane shifts. It's easier for me to run while carrying you than it is for him in human form.

Roe nodded. The faster we get there, the better.

Adrian turned around and crouched down so she could climb up on his back. As she did, Shane said Let's get out of here before anyone or anything finds us.

The two guys took off running almost silently through the forest. They were soon standing behind the motel. It was a U-shape with the two points toward the road.

I'll go in and get us a room. Any preferences? Adrian asked.

All the rooms seem to open toward the front, with windows in the back. See if you can get one close to the woods. A corner perhaps. Roe said. What do you think, Shane?

The sooner we get out of the open, the better. Shane said then looked at Roe. But your suggestion of room placement sounds good to me.

Okay. Adrian, go ahead. We're going to keep talking about our plan, and we'll keep you in the loop. Roe said, then as Adrian walked away she turned to Shane. Are you still feeling odd?

Yes, but not quite as much. I'm still antsy, but it's like I'm further away from whatever it is that's making me feel this way. He replied.

He's trying so hard to not say "nervous". She smiled to herself. Men don't like to admit that they're nervous. I think as soon as Adrian gets us a room, we need to run for the back of the motel and go in through the window.

Why? Shane asked.

Won't it make it harder to track our scent if it just ends at a wall? Roe asked. It sounded logical to me, but then again I'm not a werewolf.

Well, yes in a way. Running is a good idea. The less time our scent is in one place, the sooner it dissipates. The only problem is that it would just lead to the window of the room we're in. He shrugged. Assuming they're close enough behind us to get there before the scent's gone.

I didn't think of that. Roe said. Do you have any ideas of how we could hide our scents better?

Well, for one thing, if Adrian could get the door next to us open, we could go in that window, and then go in our room.

I'll see what I can do about that. Adrian broke in.

Thank you. Roe said to him, then asked Shane Is there anything else you can think of? When Shane hesitated, Roe said I'm not a werewolf. I know a lot about them, but it's not the same as being one, or training as one. You, and Adrian for that matter, have a lot more combat experience than I do.

The only other thing I can think of right now is for me to carry you over to the window. If we can spread our scents out, like we went different directions, or if your scent disappears, we may be able to throw them off the track.

Sounds good to me. Roe said. Also, I've been thinking. It may be a good idea to get in the car with Joe as soon as he gets here, assuming he's driving. She shrugged. I'm not sure exactly how he's going to get here.

I hope he's driving. Shane said.

Assuming he is, I think you're right Roe. The quicker we get away from here, the better. Adrian interjected. You can explain in the car.

Okay. I can call him from the motel room, and tell him about the change in plans.

Come on. Adrian said, waving at them from a window in the middle of the back of the motel. Come in this way. I got the guy to give me a master key to the rooms, and tell me which ones were occupied. That way even if someone breaks my influence and asks, he won't have any idea which room we were in.

As Adrian was speaking, Shane picked Roe up and ran full speed toward the window. As soon as they got there, Adrian reached out the window and took Roe from Shane, pulling her in through the window. Shane quickly climbed in after them.

Follow me. Adrian said as soon as the window was shut behind Shane. He carried Roe out the room, down the sidewalk and into a corner room. Shane, if you will, come with me and we'll try to confuse anybody trying to follow us. We're going to roam up and down the front of the motel, and go into every unoccupied room here. That way they can't just track our scents to this room.

Good idea. Shane told him. That should work, but it would probably help if we went in a couple of rooms more than once. It'll strengthen the scent there and not here, making this room one of the last places they look for us.

Adrian nodded his assent.

Do you want me to call Joe while y'all are doing that? Roe asked.

Yes, if you would. Just remember that we don't know anything about this place. Adrian replied, then smiled at her. Or as you say, little pitchers.

Roe laughed out loud. "That I do, that I do." Okay. Y'all go ahead. I'll call Joe, and be careful what I say.

The guys nodded at her and left the room. Roe quickly used the bathroom, then dialed Joe's cell phone number.

"Hello?" Joe answered.

"Hey, sugar. How's it going?"

"Um...good?" Joe answered hesitantly.

"Oh, yeah, sugar. Little pitchers still applies." Roe said laughing. Thank goodness, I think he's in the car. I think that's road noise I can hear in the background.

"Okay, honey. Are you where you're supposed to be?"

"Yeah, we're here, but I think we're going to have to do a drive by pick up on this one, sugar." Roe answered. "I'm assuming you're driving?"

"Yeah, honey. I'm driving. Give me about five minutes, and I'll be there. Exactly how do you want to do this?"

"I was thinking about you driving slowly into the yard, and around the loop. We'll be watching for you, and come out when you get close to us."

"Is it that bad?" Joe asked seriously.

"Well, I'm not sure. Shadow is really antsy and short-tempered. We think we need to get away from here asap."

"If he's antsy, then something's about to happen. When did it start?"

"About half an hour ago, when we were on the way here, but it's gotten better since we got here."

"It's gotten better since you got there, not worse?"

"Yes, it was worse on the way here. It's better now, but hasn't gone away. That's why we want to do a drive by."

"Okay, honey. That sounds like a plan to me."

"What're you driving?"

"The standard for me." Joe said, laughing. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

"We'll be here. Bye." Roe said, then hung up the phone. He's almost here, and he's driving a black SUV.

How close is he? Adrian asked.

Couple of minutes, unless something goes wrong. Y'all should get back in here. He said he was five minutes out when I first called him, so he should be here real soon.

Okay. We'll be right back. Adrian said.

I'll watch for him. Roe told him.

Just let us know if you see him before we get back in there. Adrian said.

Okay, I will.

A few minutes later, Joe started pulling in the driveway of the motel. Just as Roe saw him, the door opened and the guys walked into the room. Is that him? Shane asked.

I think so, wait until he gets a little closer and I'll be able to see him. Roe said. A few seconds later, the car got close enough to them for Roe to be able to see the driver. Yep, that's Joe. She studied him for a couple of seconds. It doesn't look like there's anything wrong. When he gets close enough, let's go.

Okay. Adrian said.

They got ready to run out the door as soon as the car was close enough. Shane was standing slightly in front of Roe, and Adrian was behind her. When the car got a couple of doors down from them, Shane threw open the door and ran to the car. He jerked the front door open for Roe, then got in the back seat and slid over behind Joe. Roe jumped into the front seat, while Adrian got in the back next to Shane. As soon as they got in the car and shut the doors, Joe drove off.

"Are y'all all right?" He asked them.

"Yeah, we're okay.  Just tired and rather stressed."  Roe answered him.

"What happened to y'all?"

"As you know, PBI showed up at the motel."  Joe nodded.  "A military group took us from them.  They're under the command of a man named Major Charles Marsden."  Roe paused for a minute, to let Joe absorb what she'd said.

"Savage works for him."  Shane told Joe.

"Savage?"  Joe asked, stunned.

"Yes."  Shane replied.  "And he's part werewolf."

"He can't be."  Joe said, taken aback at Shane's comment.

"He is.  He just isn't enough to shift."  Shane said.  "Ask Roe, she's the one who brought it to my attention."

Joe glanced at Roe.  "Really?"

"Yes. He was growling and snarling at me.  So I asked Shane to look at him and see if he was.  Obviously he agreed with me."

"Holy shit.  That's not good.  Though that does explain some things."

"What things?"  Roe asked.

"He's got a reputation for being an excellent hunter." Joe replied.

"A hunter?  Like a werewolf hunter?"  Roe asked, surprised.

"Yes, but he doesn't limit himself to werewolves.  He'll hunt any supernatural creature, as long as he's well payed for it."

"We had wondered if they were really military, or if Marsden had just gone off on his own."  Roe told him.

"He's probably not sanctioned by the military, if he's got Savage working for him."  Joe said.

Roe looked at the two men in the backseat.  "That's what we were thinking.  That's why I said a meeting with Agent Maitland would probably be a good idea."  Joe nodded.  "That and the fact that he's got a mole working for him."

"What?  There's a mole in PBI?"  Joe asked, shocked.

"Yes, I overheard two of the guards talking about it.  His name is Jack.  I'm hoping Agent Maitland can figure it out from there."  Roe said.

"There are probably a bunch of Jacks at PBI."  Joe shook his head.  "I doubt he can find the right one."

"They said that the Jack that was feeding them information worked for Agent Maitland.  That should narrow it down a lot."

"He works directly for Agent Maitland?"  Joe asked.

"Yes, and had information on where we were and when.  He's how they knew where to go get us.  Plus, I think I can point him out, based on the way the PBI guys were standing when we were taken by Savage."

"With all that information, he should be able to find the guy.  But actually doing something about him may be a problem."

"Well, for right now, I'm just hoping to keep him out of the loop long enough to do something about Major Charles."

"What kind of something?"  Joe asked.

"We got a little sidetracked before we got to the good part."  Roe told him.  "They're the ones who've been kidnapping pack members around here."

"They what?"  Joe exclaimed.

"They're behind the disappearances, and there are still people trapped in that facility."  She told him.  "We've got to get them out, and get rid of Marsden so he can't kidnap anyone else."

"What are you wanting to do with him?"

"I was thinking we'd give him to PBI, and let them deal with him."

"They might, then again they might want to turn him over to the military."  Joe said thoughtfully.

"And for either of those, we need Agent Maitland."  Roe said.  Here goes nothing, I have to tell him about the mole in his pack.  She took a deep breath, but before she could say anything, Shane started talking to Joe about getting in touch with his father.

Shane's distracting him for a minute.  I needed to ask you a couple of questions, and didn't want him to get suspicious.  I thought you'd like to tell him about us when you're ready.  Adrian said to Roe.

Thank you.  I really would rather discuss that with him later.

You're welcome.  Are you going to tell him about the mole in his pack?

Yes. I was just about to.  Well, actually I was about to ask him to pull over so I could tell him without him wrecking the car.

I was going to suggest that, if you hadn't already thought of it.

Thank you for thinking about it. Can you read minds now?  Roe asked him.

My pleasure, and I guess so.

When we get there, can you read their minds and see who the mole is?

More than likely, yes.

Okay. Thanks.

Roe started listening to the conversation going on in the car.  Shane was telling Joe that he'd appreciate being able to call his dad when they got to Joe's pack. Apparently Joe offered to let him use his office.  She waited until there was a break in the conversation then said "There's something else we've got to talk about before we get to your pack, Joe.  And I think we need to pull over so we can talk without any distractions."

"I'm not going to like this, am I?"

"No, Joe. Probably not."

He sighed.  "I know a good place.  It's just ahead."

"Okay.  Is it on pack lands?"

"Yes.  Why?"

"Just curious."

Joe looked at her, shrugged, then turned back to the road.  He knew she'd tell him what was going on when she was ready.

I think I'm going to have to tell him about us, too.

Why?  Shane asked.  Adrian gave him a dirty look, and he amended it to Why now?  I mean, aren't you dropping enough on him right now?

Yes, you do have a point, but think about how he'll feel if he finds out some other way.

Oh, right.

Joe pulled the car over onto a dirt road and stopped.  "What do you not want to tell me, Roe."

"I'm so sorry Joe."  Roe said, looking at her hands in her lap.  "I think there's a mole in your pack too."

"There's a what?"  Joe exploded, jumping out of the car.