— Comes with the job, — Victor said, looking him straight in the eye. — What do you want? Timber’s shut down till May.
Coleman pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He lit one slowly, cupping the flame with his hand. The smell of cheap tobacco mixed with the scent of wet spring ground.
— Rumors, Vic. Bad ones. Folks say you intercepted some merchandise from poachers back in January. Something valuable. Something that legally belongs to the state.
The younger officer behind him started circling the cabin, peering through gaps in the shed boards. His boots made loud sucking sounds in the mud. Victor didn’t turn toward the noise. He kept his eyes on Coleman.
— In my shed, you’ll find firewood and tractor parts, — Victor said evenly. — You can check if you’ve got a warrant. Or paperwork for an inspection.
Coleman smirked and blew out smoke.
— We’re just talking neighbor to neighbor, Vic. No need to make it formal. If the animal’s here, hand him over and keep it simple. We’ll place him in a facility. Send him to the state center. He’ll get care there, vitamins, all that. Out here he’ll die. Or tear up somebody’s dog.
Just then a loud thud came from the mudroom. Buddy, picking up the strangers’ scent, slammed a paw against the inner door. The heavy blow vibrated through the porch boards.
The younger officer froze by the corner of the house. Slowly he reached toward the gear on his belt, where a canister of spray and a department-issued sidearm hung. Coleman narrowed his eyes and flicked ash onto the wet snow.
— That’s my dog, — Victor said, stepping forward and blocking the entrance with his body. — Big one. Doesn’t care for strangers. Best not get near the door.
— Dog, huh? — Coleman took one last drag and tossed the cigarette into a puddle. — Fine. I don’t have paperwork today. But think it over, Sutter. The woods are smaller than they look. And I don’t write the rules—the people above me do. They want numbers on a report. Alive or dead doesn’t matter much to them.
The officers turned and headed back to the SUV. Coleman paused at the driver’s door. He looked at the front tire of his vehicle, then back at Victor…
