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Gavin walked her to the door. “If you run into any trouble with this guy, text me. I’ll be there forthwith.”
“Relax. He’s a nice guy.”
His nod was barely perceptible.
On Main Street, businesses and homes abounded, most residing within the confines of historic Victorian houses. Dueling gas stations stood on the corner near the dam. Antique stores, a quaint coffee shop, and a couple of restaurants lined the road.
When Malachi arrived at The Filling Station, he pulled into the alley and parked around back. Inside, a warm glow from the overhead lighting welcomed him as a hostess guided him to a table near a window. A server soon appeared.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’m waiting on someone, but yes, if you would bring two waters, that’d be great.”
“Lemon?”
He didn’t know if Cate wanted lemon or not, but she didn’t have to use it. “Sure. Thanks.” Soon, she appeared in the doorway and he waved her over. “I got you water to start, but you can ask for something else if you’d rather.”
“Water’s perfect. Thanks.” She smiled. “Sorry I’m late. My brother had some interesting news.”
“Yeah?”
“He claims someone is trying to sell black bear cubs.”
“Where at?”
“I’m not very familiar with all the details, but he mentioned that one of his tech guys stumbled upon the post on an exotic animal sales forum on the dark web where someone was trying to sell black bear cubs.”
“Around here?”
“He’s going to see if he can find out where the post originated.”
“Even if it isn’t the cubs from the den we inspected, it’s a travesty.”
“Most of what happens on those forums is. Or so I’ve been told.”
“You don’t peruse the dark web in your free time?” He glanced out the window at the peaceful small town certain that like the dark web, it held its own secrets, but not sure he wanted to uncover them.
Her green eyes lit up when she laughed. “I haven’t yet developed that hobby.”
The server returned and took their orders. They each ordered a burger and fries.
“So, any other suggestions on how to find the cubs if the dark-web thing doesn’t pan out?”
“I’ve been scouring social media hoping for a glimpse of them, but nothing yet.”
“They might’ve been left in the den.” She frowned. “There is a chance that a predator took them.”
“You didn’t see any signs that they’d been killed there, right?”
“No. It didn’t look like a coyote or another predator had been in there. If I had to guess, I would say the poacher took them.” She pushed one of her braids back behind her shoulder. “That doesn’t mean they’re alive though. He might’ve killed them.”
“True.” He scratched his chin. “But I’m hopeful that he didn’t.”
“Optimistic. I like it.” She grinned. “Opposite my brothers.”
“You have brothers? Tell me about them.”
“Pessimistic. Obviously.” She squeezed the lemon into her water and wiped the sweat off her glass with a napkin, then took a long sip. “Protective. Big-hearted.”
