From the stage, it was difficult for Jason to see the crowd in the hotel ballroom. Those in the front were seated shoulder-to-shoulder in what looked like too small, hard chairs. No one person differentiated from the rest, each in a dark suit with a plastic nametag hung about their neck, some looking down at their phones, others watching him attentively with their bulky conference programs open. He was the keynote speaker for this event, a role he relished, as it gave him the opportunity to spread his message beyond its usual confines.

               “The importance of wolves in an ecosystem cannot be overemphasized,” he said. He pressed a button to bring up his next slide, one that showed Yellowstone before the reintroduction of wolves. “Without them, the elk and deer have no incentive to stay in the forest, and they wander freely up to the riverbanks. They eat the new leaves on the trees, which causes them to die, and slowly the trees disappear, giving the appearance you see here.”

               Jason looked out at his audience again. He felt restricted by his suit, tie, dress shoes, collar mic. Who decided this was a good way to dress for business? That guy over there, however, looked perfectly comfortable, like he’d been born wearing such things. Unlike most of the people, he was standing by the wall, not leaning against it for support as Jason would have done, but upright, arms at his sides. He had raven black hair combed straight back, complimented by his black suit, white shirt, and red tie. He was also staring at Jason intently, almost hungrily, which threw off Jason’s momentum for a moment.

               “This in turn impacts other parts of the ecosystem, things you might not at first consider. Beaver depend upon trees next to the rivers to build dams. When the trees go, so do the beaver, and this means no dams are built to slow down the flow of the river. Elk grazing unchecked in the loose soil, combined with faster water flow, results in erosion.”

               Jason chanced another look at the guy, and yes, he was still staring. Maybe the guy was a reporter? Sometimes they just listened and let a recording take notes for them, but this guy didn’t look like a reporter. He also didn’t seem like someone who should be attending a conference in San Francisco about sustainable manufacturing. Jason had received this invitation months ago after his article about reestablishing wolf populations had been published in an environmental journal. Transitioning from field work to the speaking circuit had been rough at first, but now he felt like an old pro. Maybe this guy was going to invite him to speak at another venue? That would be promising.

               “With the wolves back in the picture, as you can see, everything changes. Now the scene looks entirely different.” Jason continued his talk, taking a few questions at the end, before enjoying a round of applause and exiting the stage. Mission accomplished. More people would perhaps now have a better understanding of wolves than they did before.

               “Mr. Doyle, excellent talk. May I have a word?” The black haired man was standing right in front of him, preventing his exit from the room. Jason wasn’t fond of chit chat and had made a habit of leaving immediately after his talks to repose in his room these days, but he was also curious about this person, why he was here.

               “Sure, what can I do for you? Also, it’s Jason.” He smiled and extended his hand in greeting.

               “Jason, okay. My name is Ethan Hamilton, and I’m the County Commissioner in La Grande, Oregon.” Ethan held Jason’s hand firmly. He had black eyes and sharp, hawkish features.

               “Nice to meet you, Ethan.” Seeing that he wasn’t going to tell him what he wanted, Jason waited. He didn’t break eye contact or try to release his hand, but his heart was sinking. La Grande was a small town in eastern Oregon where migrant wolves had made a reappearance in recent years. Whenever that happened, tensions ran high, no matter how much education he provided through his research.

               Ethan released his hand and dropped it to his side. “We have a problem in our town, and I was hoping to persuade you to help me deal with it.”

               “I no longer do field work, and I’m sure you have a local ranger district that is well equipped to manage any problems that arise between humans and wolves. I’m assuming you mean wolves, right?” Jason tried to see a way past Ethan, then pulled out his phone and glanced at the time, hoping Ethan would get the hint.

               “Yes, wolves, but the problem is not insignificant, and I’m trying to balance the needs of multiple constituents. We have had several livestock disappearances, and they are increasing in frequency. The ranchers are up in arms about it, and the BLM has sided with them, while at the same time the conservationists have been able to persuade the federal government to relist this population of wolves on the Endangered Species Act, so now they cannot be killed or relocated.” Jason grimaced.

               “Livestock disappearances don’t automatically equate to wolf attacks upon them, you know.” When Ethan tried to interrupt, he put up his hand to stop him. “Also, although I’m a wildlife biologist and specialize in predators, this is really for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, not the Forest Service.”

               “They don’t have anyone with your area of expertise, and—“

“I can see that you’ve got a lot of different factions who are at odds right now. I suggest you gather some data about the so-called wolf attacks and do some reconnaissance yourself on where, when, and by whom these livestock losses were reported and see if they match up.”

               “Believe me, I have done everything I can feasibly think of to address the problem,” Ethan said, straightening his perfectly straight suit. “There’s no one who can do the reconnaissance you suggest, and I agree it’s the next important step.”

               “Like I said, I don’t do field work, so I can’t help you. Perhaps you can call a meeting between the warring parties? A little dialogue goes a long way. Now, if you’ll please excuse me, it’s been a long day.” Jason stepped forward and around Ethan, as the room had mostly cleared out.

               “Wait, seriously. I need your help.” Jason felt Ethan’s grip on his arm. He didn’t want this to get ugly, but the man needed to drop it.

               “Look, even if I wanted to help you, I can’t. It’s above my pay grade where I get assigned, and like I said, I don’t do field work anymore. You’ll have to try and find someone else.”

               To his relief, Ethan didn’t detain him any further, although he could feel his eyes boring into his back. Going to his room no longer felt relaxing. He loosened his tie and headed for the hotel lounge. Cold sweat trickled down his back as he entered, walking straight to the bar.

               “Manhattan, thanks,” he told the bartender. Receiving his drink, he turned and surveyed the room. Lots of suits with nametags were in here. He wasn’t the only one with who needed a drink. Groups of low sofas and chairs encircled tiny round tables with glass tops. An audible hum of conversation engulfed the room, everyone in groups of two or three engrossed in whatever they were talking about, making Jason feel alone. He walked to the far corner of the room by the enormous, curtained windows that looked out over the lights of the city, and plopped down, leaning back to close his eyes and recover his composure. Maybe he should have just made a drink in his room.

               “May I join you?” A feminine voice inquired. Jason opened his eyes and sat up straight at the sight of an incredible blonde. Her hair was held back with a glittery headband, framing steel grey eyes. Those intelligent eyes were looking at him curiously, a smile forming on her pink lips. She was wearing a slim black dress and held a drink in her hand, which she now used to gesture at the seat across from him.

               “Oh, yes of course. Sorry, I was lost in thought.” Jason wiped his hands on his slacks, telling himself to get a grip.

               “No worries. I apologize for interrupting your rest, but I didn’t see anywhere else to sit. I guess there’s a conference going on at this hotel?” She sat, crossing her legs and showing off black heeled sandals with small rhinestones at the ankle.

               Jason pulled his eyes back to her face. “Yes, it’s a sustainable manufacturing conference.”

               “Oh? Are you a part of it then? You’re not wearing the tell-tale badge.” She smiled at him over her drink, taking a sip through the tiny straw, which brought her lips into a bow shape.

               “Guest speaker. I’m not in the manufacturing sector. How about you?”

               “Just in town visiting friends, but they have young kids. We had an early dinner before they had to head home, and I didn’t feel like going back to my room quite yet. So, it looks like you’re stuck with my company.” She reached out and clinked her glass to his.

               Was she flirting with him? No, she was just being friendly, but it made him uncomfortable. He wasn’t ready to make small talk with a beautiful woman. Jason downed his drink in one large swig and placed it on the small table. “Well, I hate to drink and run, but I’m beat. I’m going to have to call it a night.”

               “Oh, relax. It’s just a drink, and you look like you could use a break from whatever you were stewing over.” She waved at the bartender and pointed at Jason’s empty glass. The bartender nodded and began preparing another one. “So, if you’re not a manufacturer, what is your line of work?”

               “I’m a biologist. I specialize in managing ecosystems.” Jason accepted the drink from the server and took a sip.

               “Fascinating,” she said and looked like she meant it. “So, what was tonight’s talk about?”

               “Wolves, actually. I was trying to raise awareness about their importance. It’s a shtick I do often these days.”

               “Ugh, public speaking.” She scrunched her face, making them both laugh.

               “Hey, it’s been nice talking to you, but I really do have to go.”

               “Do you have a card? Maybe I could contact you sometime and hear more about these wolves.” Jason’s stomach landed hard somewhere down in his bowels, dripping down inside his legs and pooling around his toes.

               “Sorry, no. I’m all out.”

               “Well, it was nice to have met you,” she said, smiling up at him as he stood to leave. He walked away without looking back. Maybe he should have stayed longer. It wouldn’t have killed him.

Then again, maybe it would have. He patted his pocket, feeling the stack of business cards within.

Next Chapter: CHAPTER 2