Free Way of the Wolf: Shifter Legacies 1 by Mark E. Cooper Page B

someone to emulate. He was famous in certain circles. Ian Goddard—Michelle’s father—knew him well, they had studied together. Both men were well respected members of the medical community. He couldn’t believe how naïve he had been to believe Hoberman’s reputation. It hadn’t taken him long to see the truth. The man was a dangerous bigot.
    “How long?”
    Hoberman frowned. “What?”
    “How long have you been part of AML?”
    “What has that to do with anything? You know my views, I’ve spoken of them often enough, and AML is an open book.”
    David snorted. “Hardly that. Promoting peaceful protest in the media isn’t the same as practicing it. AML’s public and private faces are diametrically opposed. Your ideals aren’t consistent with what your members actually do in the dark of night, and you know it.”
    “What of it? It’s not my place to police the league. That’s not my function. Listen, we’re not friends and we’re not going to be friends, but we don’t have to be to work together. I can help you get what you want. That’s what you need to concentrate on.”
    “And what will it cost me?”
    “Nothing onerous.”
    “Let me be the judge of that.”
    He no longer had anything in common with Hoberman. He doubted they could agree on anything. He certainly didn’t agree with AML’s ideals and neither did he agree with Hoberman’s view regarding non-humans—a diverse group that now included him.
    “What are you, George?”
    “You already know who I am.”
    David waved that away impatiently. “Not who, what . I know you’re a member of AML, but what are you to them? You’re nobody’s toady, so that makes you, hmmm… political spokesman?” In a burst of clarity he knew. “Running for election are you, Mayor Hoberman?”
    Hoberman’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you—what I am is someone trying to help you.”
    “What you are is someone trying to help himself! You want to use me, and we both know it. As it happens, I might be willing to let you, so spit it out.”
    “Very well. My campaign manager tells me I’m going to need what he calls the sympathy vote.”
    “And I’m to supply this sympathy? I can see the headlines now: Shifter attack victim joins AML in ridding the streets of monsters. Am I right?”
    “Yes, that’s really very good. I’ll have to remember that line. Maybe Max can use it.”
    “Max?”
    “Max Farland,” Hoberman said smugly.
    “ The Max Farland?”
    “Yes.”
    David whistled soundlessly. Maximilian Farland was the most sought after media consultant this side of the Atlantic. “If you have him, you don’t need me.”
    “He says different.”
    He shook his head. “You and me just won’t work. I didn’t like you before my mishap, and now,” he shrugged. “I didn’t want what happened to me to happen, but nothing can change it now. I have to live with myself as I am. I wouldn’t have helped AML as a human—I’m certainly not going to help as what I am now.”
    Hoberman glanced at Thomas and David tensed. He slid his hand down into his jacket pocket, but all the man did was hand Hoberman an envelope. He passed it across.
    “What’s this?”
    “Open it,” Hoberman said.
    David did and frowned at the single sheet of paper inside. It was a letter from Hoberman to the governor. “You bastard!” He snarled and leapt to his feet. “You really are a piece of shit aren’t you?”
    “Calm down, David,” Hoberman said edging away toward his goons.
    Both men had weapons drawn. He wasn’t surprised to see police issue stunners in their hands. AML had more than enough resources to arm its people with the best. They probably even had the correct permits. He didn’t doubt they were set to kill. He threw the letter in Hoberman’s face.
    “Get out.”
    “That letter hasn’t been sent yet, but it will be the moment I leave without your agreement.”
    “I said get out.”
    “You don’t really want that—”
    David’s hand dived