10. Chapter 10 Trials and Tuxedos

Chapter 10: Trials and Tuxedos

G rum

Watching Joy charge toward those thugs, my heart nearly stopped. Every instinct screamed to pull her back, to shield her from danger. But she had already left my side, fierce and fearless, defending those damn toys like a mama bear.

Although I was sure those jerks were armed, I didn’t hesitate to run to her aid and stand between her and possible bullets.

Now, as the police swarm the scene, my brain catches up with me. What the hell was she thinking? I want to grab her and shake some sense into her. No, that’s a lie. What I really want is to pull her into my arms, sniff her neck to memorize her scent, and kiss her lips until they say yes to other intimacies.

No. Can’t go there. But the image of her facing down those criminals keeps replaying in my mind, and with it, a terrifying thought: what if I’d lost her?

Lost her? Since when did she become someone I could lose?

“Grum?” Joy’s voice snaps me back to reality. “You okay? You look a little… green-er.” She grins at her own joke, and despite everything, I feel the corners of my mouth twitch.

“I’m fine,” I grunt. “You’re the one who just pulled a crazy stunt.”

She has the grace to look sheepish. “Yeah, about that… I guess I got a little carried away.”

“A little?” I growl, stepping closer. “You could’ve been hurt, or worse. Joy, what were you thinking?”

For a moment, we’re toe to toe, my anger and worry swirling inside me like a hurricane. But then she looks up at me with those big, earnest eyes, and all the fight drains out of me. The urge to drag her close and let her feel my purr against her chest is almost overwhelming.

“I was thinking about the kids, Grum. About making their Christmas special. Isn’t that what this is all about?”

Before I can respond, an officer approaches. “Ma’am, sir, we need to take your statements.”

Joy nods, then turns back to the truck. “Of course, officer. Talk to him first if you don’t mind. While you do that, I’ll contact someone to help transport all these toys. They need to be at the community center by—”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the officer interrupts. “But all of this needs to be taken downtown. It’s now evidence in an investigation.”

Joy’s face falls. “Evidence? But… we need these presents before Christmas.”

The officer shakes his head. “Doubt it, ma’am. That isn’t how the P.D. works.”

As Joy’s shoulders slump, I feel a strange ache in my chest. Damn it, I actually care about this. About the kids, about Christmas… Oh shit. I can’t deny, I care about Joy.

“We’ll figure something out,” I mutter as I follow one of the cops to give my statement.

An hour later, we pile into the SUV, a somber mood settling over us. As Thornn pulls away from the curb, Emma announces, “When they weren’t interviewing me, I did a Google search. That goon was right. Sykes is the head of the probation department, has been for the past fifteen years.”

She’s holding a laptop. Where did that come from?

Emma looks up and must see the shock on my face. “What? I always carry my laptop in my bag.” She pats the oversized purse that’s now near her feet.

Sarah leans forward. “So he’s using his position to blackmail parolees into committing crimes for him? Our truck full of toys was just in the wrong place at the wrong time?”

“Looks like it,” Emma nods. “Give me some more time to investigate this, but a truckload of computers isn’t penny ante, and those hoods said he had half a dozen more parolees doing his bidding. It sounds as though this is way bigger than a truckload of stolen toys.”

Her fingers are now flying over the keys.

A heavy silence falls over the car as we all process this information. Finally, Thornn speaks up. “So… what do we do now? Turn this information and our suspicions over to the police?”

Kam snorts. “The same police who are too busy to process evidence so kids can have Christmas presents? Fat chance they’ll go after someone high up in local government.”

“Yeah,” Thornn adds, “we all mentioned the Sykes connection during our interviews, not one of those police even wrote down our suspicions.”

“We could pursue it ourselves,” Joy’s tone is eager, as though she’s suggesting a new Christmas carol to listen to for days on end.

“And how do you propose we do that? We’re not exactly trained investigators. And…” I clap my lips shut before I scold her again for running out in front of those dangerous thugs. I’ve already said it, but my guts are still cramping at the thought of her getting gunned down in that shitty alley.

Emma’s face lights up. “Actually, I might have an idea. I hacked Sykes’s desktop calendar. He’s going to be at the Frost King Gala this weekend.”

Joy’s look of shock must mirror mine. “You hacked his desktop calendar? Emma, that’s way more serious than the street camera. I don’t want you to get into trouble over all this.” Joy’s look of shock morphs into concern for her new friend.

“In for a penny, in for a pound. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. If I’m careful, they can’t trace the hack back to me even if someone was trying to. Their security isn’t very good. He must feel really sure that no one is going to try to stop him.”

Joy still looks worried but nods her head for Emma to continue.

“The Frost King Gala? The charity event?” Sarah asks. “That’s perfect! We’re already going.”

Joy looks confused. “What’s the Frost King Gala?”

“It’s this big fancy fundraiser,” Emma explains. “This year the proceeds go to the Integration Zone. We all got tickets. Even Grum , although he refused his pair. Had quite a few choice words about our human holiday. But, Grum,” she singsongs, “we still have your ticket, plus one .” She gives Joy a pointed look.

All eyes turn to me, and I feel my stomach sink. “Oh, no. No way. Do I look like the kind of guy who wears a tux?”

Joy’s eyes widen. “A tux? As in… a formal event?”

“Come on, Grum,” Kam needles. “You’d look dashing in a monkey suit.”

I bare my tusks at him. “I’d rather wear an actual monkey.”

“But think about it,” Joy says, her voice soft. “We could gather intel, maybe even confront Sykes…”

“Confront him?” I sputter. “Have you lost your mind? Again?”

Thornn chuckles. “Face it, buddy. You’re outnumbered.”

I look around the car, meeting five determined gazes. Even Sarah, usually the voice of reason, seems on board with this insane plan.

“Fine,” I grumble. “But I’m not dancing.”

Joy claps her hands, beaming. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun! We’ll all be dressed up, we can have fun while we’re sleuthing, and Grum, you’ll look so handsome in your—”

Her pretty eyes flare wide as she immediately realizes that she said that out loud. In front of all my gossipy friends.

Trying to distract everyone from her gaff, she chatters on about bow ties and cummerbunds and how she has an old bridesmaid dress she can re-tool for the event. I sink lower in my seat as I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into.

But then I catch sight of Joy’s reflection in the window, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and I feel that strange warmth in my chest again, as well as the beginnings of a purr. Maybe this won’t be a total disaster. And… she thinks I’m handsome? To cover up my interest, I make a disgusted “hmph” sound.

“Hey, Grum.” From his tone of voice, I know Kam’s gearing up for another craptastic joke. “You think they make tuxes in Grinch green?”

The car erupts in laughter, and even I can’t help but crack a smile. As we drive off into the night, plotting our next move, I realize something that shocks me to my core: I’m actually looking forward to this ridiculous gala.

I won’t tell that to anyone. I’ve got a reputation to maintain, after all.