Chapter 26: Wolf
Summary: While Alex is at the coffee shop he runs into the last person he wants to see.
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Alex swung his arms in unison as he walked through the cold night. He kept his eyes focused on the light of the little coffee shop not too far ahead. With the clouds covering the stars and moon it provided the most light for him. As he approached the fence that surrounded the lot for the shop shouts and music filled his ears.
He grinned.
One thing's for sure, he thought to himself. Texans sure know how to have a good time.
Alex swung the door open and stepped into the dim lighting. He stood a moment and took the coffee house in. Strange, colorful pictures and beads dressed the walls. A long red counter and off white pillars separated a stage from the rest of the room; one could enter at both ends. Red and blue Japanese lanterns hung from the ceiling above the stage and cast strange shapes on the face of the singer. All around people sat at little tables together; some in big groups, others in little ones.
"Hey Alex." Cody said joining.
"Cody! Hey how are ya?"
"Doin' OK," she said. "Come on our table's over here. Where's Dakota?"
"He's been really tired. Ever since his parents died he hasn't been able to sleep that well, ya know."
"Oh, the poor kid, I understand. Man, if my parents died, I don't know what I'd do," Cody said. "Oh, wait, did you want any coffee, it's free but, they accept donations." She smiled at him.
Mmmm free, Alex thought. "Nah, I'm good."
"Alex. Hey what's up." Danny stood and shook hands with Alex.
"Nothing too exciting, just school," Alex replied. "What about you?"
"I'm doing good, kind of the same here, just school."
Alex took a seat and relaxed for a moment. An acoustic guitar struggled to get above the hubbub that dominated the room. For some reason, he felt a strong desire to feel out everyone's minds. It did not hurt to be careful. He glanced over at Danny who gave him a reassuring smile. It felt good to have some one he could trust.
"Alex Crammer! Oh dear it's been so long!"
Alex turned as Mrs. Mae, the owner of the coffee house, clasped her hands under her chin. "Mrs. Mae, it has been a while." He stood and gave her a hug.
"Oh my, how you've grown. I remember when you were nine, I taught your choir class for church and you were just this high." She put her hand to her hip. "And what a wonderful little voice you had. Dear, do you still sing? You must come and sing for us sometime."
"Now the only singing I do is in the shower, but for you I'd do anything." Alex grinned. He liked Mrs. Mae, she reminded him of a picture he'd seen of Mrs. Clause once. She treated everyone very specially; finding little nicknames for them and exonerating them every chance she got.
"Well you'll have to come down here tomorrow at lunch and we'll work something out," Mrs. Mae smiled. " But right now I've got to get back to work. See you tomorrow."
Alex laughed. What a lady, he thought as he sat down again.
"So, you sing in the shower?" Cody raised and eyebrow.
"Oh hush, I thought you were the one who said no more picking on Alex. Aren't you on my side?" Alex asked.
Cody smiled. "You sing in the shower, I'd love to hear that."
"Hey now! This is a G rated conversation Cody, we'll have none of that," Danny scolded. He shook his finger at her like an old man.
Cody smacked Danny on his muscular arm. "That's not what I meant and you know it, Daniel."
Someone tapped the microphone and all eyes turned to the stage. "Hey everybody, glad y'all came out tonight! Now give a big welcome to our guest, Sharla."
A young woman glided up onto the stage. "OK guys, is it all right if I sing to y'all for the next two hours?" The crowd cheered and a smile lit up the girl's face. Her hands fell behind her back and her silky voice filled the room. Alex looked around at all the people. Everyone smiled and focused on the singer.
Suddenly, his eyes fell on a face that sent chills down his spine.
Xander Collins stood in the doorway searching the room with his green eyes.
Alex nearly dropped his jaw, but he caught himself in time. "I'll be right back guys." He stood up and walked over to the door, trying to look nonchalant. "Well, well, well," he said. "If it isn't Xander Collins. What are you doing here?"
Xander grinned. "Crammer," he shook his head. "Didn't expect to see you here either. Needless to say, I'm less than excited."
"Right back at ya," Alex said. "So, I go back to my original question; what are you doing here?"
Like a wolf searching for it's dinner, Xander scoped the room . "I'm here on business, Counsel business if you know what I mean." He searched Alex's face for a change, but found none.
"Looking for Dakota Stevens still, huh? Guess that kid gave y'all quite the slip didn't he?" Alex said.
"Yeah, you wouldn't happen to know where he is would you?" Xander asked glancing up at Alex. A familiar tone grew in Xanders voice and Alex fought off the chill that ran up his spine.
"Are you kidding? He disappeared right after he told the police that his family'd been killed by wolves." Alex replied. "You know what? The Counsel's done a lot of crazy things before, but this one takes the cake. Y'all just killed one of my best friends and Dakota's w-girlfriend. That's low."
Xander stared at him hard. "What were you going to call her?"
"Sorry, I can't hear you, say again?"
Xander grabbed Alex by the arm. "All right, outside, Crammer."
The wind bit them as the entered the night and not a light in the sky guided them. "Now, what did you say?" Alex asked.
"You started to call Julia something besides girlfriend, what was it?" Xander asked.
"Woman, I almost called her Dakota's woman. I used to call girlfriends that, but if Dakota every found out I called Jules that he'd string me up by my toes." Alex said.
"If you're lying to me..."
"Why would I lie to you? What else could I have called her?"
Xander's eyes narrowed for a moment and searched Alex's face one last time. Is Crammer just a good liar, or is he telling the truth? He wondered. He reached out into Alex's mind. Frustrated, he turned away. Nothing but what he would want me to see if he were lying. Well, I'll get him when he least expects it. "Forget it. I have to go, but if you hear from Dakota you let me know eh? Or at least tell him he's better off turning himself in than me finding him." With that, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Alex rubbed his head. Man, it's hard t' keep a guy like that outta your mind.
"You OK Alex?"
Alex flinched. "You people gotta stop sneaking up on me," he said turning to Cody. "But yeah I'm fine, let's go inside."
"Who was that?"
"Ah, just a guy I used to know, don't worry about it." I am going to try not to.
