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busy for my inquiries.”
    “Oh!”
    He heard the relief in her voice.
    “Sure.  What time works for you?”
    “Can you come to my office around eleven?” he asked, hoping to catch her before she disappeared for lunch.
    “Eleven?  Sure.  See you then.”
    He pulled back from the communication and let a smile touch his lips.  He was determined to get his answers, one way or another.

Chapter 7
    Gauge had Stoney in his office and it was evident from her scent that she was more than a little perturbed at having been duped.
    “You said this was about medical expenses,” she ground through clenched teeth.
    “We’ll get to that,” he smirked.  “First, I’ve got some concerns about Ms. Garret.”
    “Where is she?”  Stoney eyed the door.  Ella’s vacant desk should have been her first hint that something wasn’t right.
    “Early lunch,” Gauge explained as he took a seat behind his desk.  “Now, about my concerns…,”
    “What concerns?”  Stoney eyed him mutinously.  “She’s a good woman and a hard worker.  Leave her alone!”
    The fierce reaction only heightened Gauge’s suspicion.  “She’s supplied us with some misinformation.  I’d like to find out why you think she’d do that.”
    Stoney jerked her head to the side, attempting to whisk the short blonde bangs from her darkly outlined eyes.  “What misinformation?”
    He ignored the question and fired off with his own.  “Have you given Ms. Garret Intel regarding Skin Walkers?  Does she know what we are?”
    Stoney stopped breathing and paled.  “I don’t have to answer your questions Gauge, and she doesn’t either.”  She stood and made for the door.
    Gauge rose from his seat just as quickly.  “Stoney, it’s taken me less than a week to see that something is going on here.  What do you think Monroe will do once he catches wind of this?”
    The words had Stoney stilling with her fingers on the door knob. 
    “I don’t want to hurt her.  Hell, I’ll help her if I can, but I’ve gotta know what I’m up against.”
    Stoney turned to eye him.  It was evident she was trying to gauge his sincerity. 
    “Scent the room, I’m not deceiving you.  I’m not out to get Ella and I sure as hell don’t want to put her child at risk, but I’ve gotta know what’s happening before I can fix it.  And I need to know before Monroe finds out.”
    Stoney released the door handle and turned to face him.  “Do you have a best friend, Gauge?”
    “No.”
    “Do you have many friends?”
    He shrugged, “A few.”
    “I don’t .” Stoney’s eyes hardened.  “And Ella Garret is the closest thing to a sister that I’ve got.  I can tell you that she’s in trouble, but it’s not my place to tell you the why or the how of it.  You’ll need to get that from her if she trusts you enough to divulge it.  The only thing you need to know is that Ella would die to protect that little girl and she’d suffer before ever intentionally harming a Walker.  She’s an exceptional person and an even better friend.  I’ve trusted her with my deepest, darkest secrets, and not once has she made me regret it.”  She stepped closer, “Her story might be a little off, a little hard to swallow, but the truth of it all is that she’s just a mother trying to protect her child, and doing everything in her power to give that kid the best life possible.  She’s sacrificed more than you could ever fathom and the last thing I want is her to be chased off the Estate by some overbearing, micro-managing, nosey-ass accountant.  She’s my sister, Gauge, and if you threaten her, you threaten me.”  Stoney dropped her chin to scowl up at him, “I’ve been here a lot longer than you.  I’ve seen more, I know more.  Do not make an enemy of me.”
    “I’m sure your allegiance to Ella is justifiable, which tells me a great deal about Ms. Garret’s character.  I want you to know, and I want you to let Ms. Garret know that I too can be an