I made a low sound of agreement. “What about the tires?” Everyone knew tires were expensive as hell.
“I’ll tell her I got ‘em off a totaled wreck. Steal of a deal.”
“Hope your acting skills are good,” I muttered.
Jim chuckled. “I’ll sell it.”
“Just let me know what I owe you when you’re done.”
“Will do.”
I turned to leave, but Jim stopped me.
“You’re a good man, Roan.”
Pain lanced my chest. I didn’t look back at him. Couldn’t.
I wasn’t a good man. I was someone who lied to my siblings. Cut myself off from my family because it was easier. But maybe I could do a little something to even the Universe’s scales by helping Aspen. Even if she never knew it.
“You coming for drinks tonight?” Mindy asked, a hopeful bent to her words as she hovered near my desk.
A rough chuckle sounded from the workstation behind mine. “Don’t you know by now? Roan never shows his face at social hour.”
My back molar ached as it ground against another. I hated being in the damned office—too many nosy people.
I stayed focused on the paperwork in front of me. As soon as it was submitted, I was out.
But I could feel eyes on me. I glanced up.
Mindy stared down at me, a nervous smile on her lips, her eyes hopeful. “It’s going to be fun. Promise.”
I fought the urge to shift in my chair. “Not my scene.”
A scoff sounded behind me. “And what is your scene? Stealing candy from babies?” Oscar shot back.
I ignored him, turning back to the papers in front of me. But I sensed that Mindy hadn’t moved.
“We could always do something else—”
“Roan, need you in my office,” a voice boomed.
I’d never been happier for my boss to call me. I didn’t want to be an ass, but I had no interest in Mindy or any of my other coworkers. I rose from my desk chair and strode through the sea of desks, not making eye contact with anyone.
Rob looked up from his laptop. “Shut the door.”
I went on alert. That wasn’t a typical request. Our Fish and Wildlife office wasn’t overly formal or secretive. I quietly shut the door and took a seat.
“Got a call about a slain animal. Deer. Want you to check it out.”
My brow furrowed. “Hunter that just left it there?”
Rob shook his head. “Not that kind of death. Sounds like someone sliced it to hell. And not the kind of cuts a hunter makes.”
My jaw went hard. “Where?”
“North Ridge trail, about a mile in. Had to let Law know since it’s his jurisdiction. Said he’d meet you up there.”
“Who called it in?” I asked.
“Hiker. Thought it was an animal attack. Just wanted us to know that it was practically on the trail. Didn’t want other hikers to run into any predators.”
“Could be a cougar attack,” I reasoned.
“Could be, but the hiker sent a photo. Cuts look too clean to be tooth and claw.”
My stomach soured, but I jerked my head in a nod and pushed to my feet.
“You want to take Mindy or Oscar with you?” Rob asked.
I just met his stare.
He chuckled. “All right, then. Good luck. Call me when you know something.”
I headed into the bullpen and made my way to my desk. Mindy was still hovering.
“Got a callout?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“What is it?”
“Dead deer.”
Oscar’s eyes narrowed. “We don’t get called out for dead deer.”
I simply shrugged as I grabbed my jacket.
“I could come with you,” Mindy offered. “I don’t have anything on my desk right now.”
“I’m good,” I clipped.
Oscar choked on a laugh, and Mindy glared at him. I made a quick escape toward reception and then headed to the parking lot. The air had warmed a bit, but I still needed a jacket. Climbing into my truck, I started the engine.
It didn’t take long for me to reach the trailhead since our substation was out of town. No one else was parked in the gravel lot, but I couldn’t wait. An unease had settled in my gut that I needed to answer.
Grabbing my pack, I slid out of my vehicle and headed for the trail. The quiet of the mountain wrapped around me, easing some of that feral energy that seemed to take over my muscles and bones. I let the silence soothe me, disrupted only by the rustling of pine branches and the occasional bird call.
A hint of a burn took root in my quads as I pushed up the steep incline. I welcomed the fire. It reminded me that I was alive. Real. Human.