menacing way they regarded the naturalist whose name he’d learned was Maya Everton made him want to rub those expressions right off their faces.
“I agree with Carlo,” the woman yelled to the crowd. “I’m Vinnie Fritts—and this is my husband, Morton.” She nodded toward the man in a yellow shirt beside her. “You all know us and how long we’ve been around Fritts Corner—Morton’s family especially. Who needs wild animals here to hurt people and ruin our wonderful town’s reputation?”
Ryan stood then and, grabbing Rocky’s leash from Piers, maneuvered from the front of the crowd and onto the stage.
Time to express their cover story.
“You’re all certainly entitled to your opinion,” Maya was saying. She had somehow retrieved her microphone and was glaring at the three interlopers. “But the reality is that if you stay away from wildlife, particularly wolves, they’re likely to stay away from you, too. You do need to be careful on behalf of your pets, though, since they can often resemble prey. And—”
The guy Carlo reached out and grabbed the microphone again, even as Maya attempted to hold on to it. “Yeah? Well, what if that lady Ivy happened to be in her backyard that night she saw those wolves? Or—”
This time, Ryan was the one to grab the microphone, even as the other guy, Morton, started to stride toward him.
That was when Rocky growled—and the guy stopped.
“See what I’m saying?” Carlo yelled out to the crowd.
Ryan smiled as he spoke into the microphone, not pleased to see those who’d admitted to be with the media continuing to take pictures. Oh, well. His cover was solid. “This is my dog, Rocky,” he said, “who only resembles a wolf. He’s well trained in many ways, including my protection. Threaten me, and he threatens back. But look, everyone. The appearances of wolves in this area clearly started months ago, even longer. I’m unaware of any farms or dairies around here. Have any people been hurt?”
That wolves had been seen, per Ivy’s story, around a month ago under the light of a full moon, intrigued him—but he’d check more into that later.
Maya strode up to him. She was as tall as she had appeared from below, though she wasn’t close to his height of six-two. He’d noted the fear and dismay on her face as he’d gotten close to the stage, but now she’d recovered all her aplomb as well as a huge smile that she leveled on him. “Thank you, sir,” she said. “And thank you, pup.” She turned toward Rocky, standing beside Ryan, who nuzzled her hand and wagged his tail just like any well-trained, friendly dog.
“That’s his way of saying you’re welcome,” he told her unnecessarily, loud enough that the audience should be able to hear. He was gratified to hear a bit of laughter.
“So, as this gentleman asked,” Maya continued, “has anyone been hurt since the wolf sightings started?”
Apparently not, since no one responded in the affirmative even though the low roar of the crowd’s voices grew louder.
“Great. Anyway, please keep in mind what I said before. And thanks to all of you for coming.”
“You’re welcome,” shouted a female voice. “Thank you for coming. And I totally agree with you.”
“Me, too,” chorused other voices in the audience.
“That’s so wonderful,” Maya called back. “You’re totally in the right.”
“So are you, and WHaM,” yelled a skinny guy in the front row, doing a fist pump.
“Thanks,” Maya returned, smiling down at him for a second before turning away.
Ryan was amused that Maya ignored the others onstage as she approached the table where her computer equipment rested. He joined her there, Rocky at his side.
“I’m Ryan Blaiddinger, with the US Fish and Wildlife Service,” he told her. “Count me with those who liked your presentation. And I want to hear more.”
“That’s great, Ryan,” she said. “Glad to meet you. You can join us.” She once more picked up the microphone from the table and spoke into it. “Hey, everyone,” she called to the now-disbanding audience. “I just got an idea. Can anyone suggest a bar in town where we all can meet?”
A bunch of people spoke out once more, this time making suggestions. The decision was to go to Berry’s Bar, a nearby establishment that sounded fairly large and accommodating.
“See you there?” Maya said, turning back to Ryan.
“You can bet on it. In fact, Rocky and I would enjoy walking there with you now.”
“Of course, though I need to drop some of my things off at my car. I want to learn more about your wonderful wolf-dog.” Her tone had turned soft and loving as she gazed down at Rocky—making Ryan wish for a moment that she’d been speaking about him instead. Which was ridiculous. She was a potential information resource for him, and that was all. And of course Rocky was one special dog.
“Good. Ready to go now?” Ryan glanced toward Piers, who stood near them. His assistant nodded briefly. He was ready to go—and to have Ryan’s back, if needed. Maybe Maya’s, too, since for now, at least, their goals seemed aligned.
“Just a minute while I gather up my stuff and turn this area back to the park personnel,” Maya told him. “Then I can join you.”
The idea of her joining him for any reason sounded much too good.
He was going to have to be careful in this lovely wildlife lover’s presence.
Maya had encountered controversy before. She thought about that even more as she moved about the stage, first watching the local park attendants pick up their gear, then packing up her notebook and tablet computers, printed files, WHaM brochures and other items she’d brought.
The crowd below dissipated noisily, leaving the grass they’d been standing on bare, but she didn’t hear any arguments among them. Maybe the pro-wolf people and anti-wolf people had gone their separate ways. Good. She hoped to meet with a lot of the pros shortly. Maybe some of the media, too.
But as much as she disliked it, controversy was sometimes part of her job. Despite the growing numbers of outspoken people who liked wildlife, those who despised it—or wanted to kill it, whether or not using the protection of livestock or humans as their supposed rationale—never seemed to get smaller. That was why she not only took census but also spoke before groups, partly to make sure the pro-wildlife faction recognized that the other mind-set existed and knew they had to oppose it.
Usually, her talks and that knowledge helped to make those on her side a lot more outspoken right along with her. They often contributed donations to WHaM, too, which helped the nonprofit.
Finishing her organizing and packing, she glanced toward the steps off the stage and saw that the nice, helpful—and great-looking—guy Ryan stood there with Rocky, waiting for her. She couldn’t help smiling. Now, there was a man with proof right beside him of his position on this important subject.
