The Protectors

roy was on patrol and heard screams coming from a nearby gangway. He took wolf form and sped to the site, where two men were assaulting a woman. As he neared them, another man appeared with a rifle, and the woman and the muggers turned toward him. Troy slowed, then started to run away, but the police hit him with a tranquilizer dart. He struggled, but finally succumbed to the drug and fell. The police approached as Troy changed into a human.

One of the policeman stared at Troy. “Holy shit! What happened? Was he wearing a disguise?”

“That was no disguise,” the policewoman said.

“A werewolf? That can’t be”.

“We all saw it,” said the third policeman. “What else could it be?”

“Who’s going to write the fucking report on this?” said the fourth officer. “Let’s cuff him and get him to the station.”

•   •   •   •   •

Troy, handcuffed, was led by two policemen into Watch Commander Sloan’s office. They sit him in a chair across Sloan’s desk, then stand by the door.

“I’m Watch Commander Alan Sloan. How are you?”

“I’m groggy,” Troy said. “but I feel all right. Why am I in jail?”

“We’ll get to that, but you’ll have to answer some questions first.”

“I won’t say anything. I want to know my rights. I want to call a lawyer.”

“I don’t think I have to Mirandize a wolf.”

“Do I look like a wolf?

“Not now, but according to four cops you were a wolf.”

“I’m not saying anything until I talk to my lawyer.”

Sloan acquiesced. He has one of the policemen uncuff Troy and gives Troy the phone. Troy dials John Sacks.

“John, it’s me, Troy. I’ve been arrested. Can you bail me out?” “

Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’ll be there in forty minutes.”

Troy returned the phone.

“Your identification says you’re Troy Wellstone. Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“And what do you do?”

“I’m a magazine publisher. And that’s all I’ll say without a lawyer.”

Sloan looks at the two officers. “Okay. Get him back to his cell.”