Rose Ch. 42-45

Ingenious. We arrived at his office, he brought me in and sat me on his lap. The walnut desk was old and huge, the top a full three inches thick. It was beautiful, I ran my fingers across the grain that seemed to shimmer below the finish. "Curly walnut, very rare to find a slab so big and with such intense figure," he said. "My great-great grandfather built this desk, it is one of my proudest possessions." He pulled over his laptop, opening the screen he pulled up a program. "After the war, Josh Spencer created this to communicate between Packs," he said. "It's like Facetime, but encrypted at each end." He clicked a prompt for the Pack and selected the Gila Pack. "Each link between Packs has a unique code, and each transmission the code automatically changes. It's some high-tech stuff," he said.

"I know Josh, I've had to get him Presidential pardons twice now. I think people were more upset at him for the Shitter's Full attack than the hundreds of millions he stole during the war," I laughed as I remembered the conversations. "Rose's daughter is Josh's mate, I saw them both when I went to the Johnson Pack a few days ago. They're a beautiful couple."

Ross smiled as the connection went through. I talked to Renee for about ten minutes, getting updated on everything I had missed. I briefed her on my status, leaning forward to show her my mark as she squealed in delight. When we hung up, I buried my face in Ross's chest. "We have to go there," I said. "They need me to help with the investigation, and I have to clear my name."

He put his arms around me. "We can't travel until you have shifted, it's too dangerous. Once you have, we can visit for a few days."

"I don't think you understand me, Ross." I leaned back and looked in his eyes. "I'm not coming back until it is over."