"I was worried I wouldn't see you," Thomas observed. "I guess you know my secret, now."
"Yeah, but I can't say it's unwelcome at this point. Lexsi, Klancy and I got the information you wanted," he turned toward me. "But I'll be damned if it makes any sense."
* * *
"A necklace?" Davis shook his head. "That doesn't make sense. What kind of necklace?"
"She said it was a metal coin of some type," Mason said. He and Klancy sat at the kitchen island while the rest of us had something to drink, and explained what they'd learned from listening in on Hannah's sexual tryst with the Deputy Coroner.
I got the idea that Mason was slightly disgusted by some of what he'd heard. Klancy, an older vampire, sat in silence while Mason described their evening activities.
"Did Jeremy Rollins verify that Gentry was wearing the necklace?" Davis asked.
"This is where it gets really strange," Mason said. "Rollins said there was no necklace. He said Gentry was only wearing a metal wristband."
"She was leading him on," Kory huffed. "She asked about something he wasn't wearing, in an attempt to get the real information. I'd bet she wanted to know about the wristband all along; she just didn't want him agreeing with her about a fictional necklace so he could get what he wanted from her."
"Sneaky," Rick said.
"We'll have to ask about the wristband," Davis said. "Look, we need to go. You all have our number now—call if you see or hear anything unusual, or if you feel your life is threatened. We'll have discreet guards in place for Rick and Farin, beginning tomorrow morning."
"Thank you," Tibby nodded. "I, too, will keep her as safe as I can."
"At least I know Mike is all right," Rick said.
"Bear in mind—you can't tell anyone about this visit, or it could jeopardize even more lives," Davis said. "This is classified information, you understand."
"I won't do anything to place Mike in more danger," Rick snorted. "I'm just glad he's alive."
"What am I supposed to do about my clothes and things?" Farin asked.
"I suggest borrowing something until you can buy extras—you can't go back to your place. In addition to the explosives planted on-site, it may be watched. After all, they can attempt to blackmail your brother through you."
"You will stay away from that place," Tibby said. "I will not have your life threatened again. If you need clothing, I will pay for it."
"Mason, will you and Klancy see us out?" Davis asked as he rose from his seat.
"Sure," Mason nodded.
The rest of us watched as they walked toward the front door. At least fifteen minutes passed before Klancy and Mason returned.
"I just got offered a job with their department," Mason breathed. "Klancy, too."
"You gonna take it?" Kory asked.
"Hell yes," Mason said.
"I, too," Klancy spoke. "It will give my life purpose."
I didn't say it aloud, but I was already a Klancy fan. He reminded me very much of Uncle Aurelius, who'd also been vampire. I was glad he was on our side, too.
"Mason and I will keep watch the rest of the night," Klancy said. "You may sleep in peace, knowing we are on guard."
* * *
I didn't sleep in peace, as Klancy suggested. Instead, my dreams were filled with vague terrors, deaths and a search for something I couldn't find. When I woke on Saturday morning, I felt more tired than I had the night before.
When I wandered into the kitchen, I found Anita and Watson having coffee at the island. I had no idea where Watson went the night before, only that he'd been missing when we returned from the site of the explosion.
"Don't ask him where he's been, I've already done that," Anita stood to get more coffee.
"Did he tell you?" I asked while I waited for my turn at the brewer.
"Nope."
"No breakfast for you," I informed Watson and went to get eggs from the fridge.
"I went to see my sister," he mumbled. I almost dropped the egg carton, I was so stunned.
"Well, well, now we know how to get secrets from Mister Furry Butt," Anita crowed.
"I have to wait until her husband is out of town," Watson hung his head.
"You two don't get along—the husband and you?"
"Man, if I could, I'd kill the bastard," Watson growled.
"What bastard are you killing?" Kory walked in, his hair damp from a recent shower.
"His brother-in-law," Anita said.
"Dude?" Kory leaned down to look into Watson's face.
"All right, I'll admit it—Claudia forced my sister to marry the worst werewolf ever," he said. "Enough, okay?"
"That's gotta suck," Anita said.
"It does suck."
"Is your sister all right?" I asked.
"She hates him, but there's nothing she can do," Watson admitted. "There's nothing either of us can do."
"Werewolf politics," I said without thinking.
"What would you know about it?" Watson demanded.
"Just an educated guess," I fumbled.
"Hmmph," Watson said. "Only another werewolf will understand this mess."
"Well, how about some eggs and ham, then?" I asked.
"I'll take that," he agreed and dropped the subject.
* * *
"We still don't know what Claudia has on him," Kory said later, when he and I sat on the back patio having more coffee after breakfast. The early fog had cleared enough that we could see the waters of San Rafael Bay far below.
"Information is slowly seeping out of Watson," I said. "Maybe he'll trust us enough eventually to tell us."
"I hope so. Whatever it is, I'd like to find a way to get him away from her. She can pull him down with the rest of her minions, if he's not careful."
"You think she'll get pulled down? We don't even know what she's doing, except purposely getting her bar destroyed."
"Davis and Thomas think she's involved with Granger, who's behind these bombings. They're trying to get Mike back, too, you understand."
"Don't you think this is carrying the revenge thing a bit far?" I asked.
"I don't think it's revenge that's driving them," Kory responded. "I think Mike was a dead man, just like Vann was, before they managed to get away. My guess is they saw or heard something they shouldn't have."
"Then I hope Davis and Thomas are asking those questions," I said.
"I'm sure they are. The thing is, Mike was hurt pretty bad. He may not have remembered anything. That doesn't mean he won't," Kory held up a hand. "I think Granger wants his hands on Mike, to finish the job before he remembers."
"Wow. I never thought of that," I breathed. "This just keeps getting worse, doesn't it?"
"Looks that way. I'm surprised they haven't found this house yet. We're all together, here—wouldn't take much to get rid of all of us at once."
"Are you trying to scare me more than I am already?" I squeaked.
"No, baby. I shouldn't have said that." He stood and covered the distance between his chair and mine. "Stand up," he said.
"But," I said.
"No, I'll take a seat, you sit on my lap. I'll hold you."
"But," I said again.
He folded my hand in his and pulled me to my feet. I was in his lap in less than five seconds, his arms wrapped tightly around me as his warm breath fanned my temple.
"That's better," he breathed before kissing my temple. "We should have enough to fight back if Granger attacks," he reassured me.
Again, I wondered if my Thifilatha would come if needed. Snuggling into Kory's warmth, I closed my eyes and prayed to the Mighty that it would.
* * *
Kordevik
Vampires I could handle—for the most part. My vulnerability would be in those around me. Farin was a target because Rick was Mike's best friend. What would Granger do if he learned how important Lexsi was to me?
I worried that he already had that information, and was merely waiting for an opportunity to take her. King Jaydevik told me that she'd nev
er manifested a Thifilatha. All the worse for me, because it rendered her nearly human. Yes, she had fighting skills, but those skills only worked against humans. Vampires and werewolves were a different story.
I tightened my arms around her and wished we were on Kifirin, sharing this embrace. Nothing would threaten her there; High Demon females were treasured by the race.
That's sexist thinking, Li'Neruh Rath's mental voice interrupted my thoughts. Lexsi made her choices, as have you.
I wasn't about to argue with the god who ruled Kifirin. Even if I disagreed with him, which I did.
Wise, his laughter rang in my head.
* * *
Lexsi
Kory drove Anita and me to the grocery store while Tiburon took Farin and Rick to a local department store to buy clothing. Watson borrowed the TinyCar and disappeared again.
"Let him be—he has his own demons to battle," Kory sighed and pointed me toward his Jeep.
It was a human phrase, which had a double meaning to me. The High Demons had an old saying, too; I have demons to battle was an excuse to get away on their own for a while, either to spend time with friends or to be alone. To humans, it often meant that something troubled them; something they were ill equipped to handle.
Watson certainly appeared ill equipped to handle his troubles, some of which we didn't know.
You can't help if you don't know what the trouble is, Gran always told me. A part of me hoped we'd learn what Watson's troubles were—all of them—before they destroyed him. Or before Claudia destroyed him. He never spoke about her to me; I'd catch his lies if he did.
I wondered how he and Kory had become friends—how else would Kory have been allowed in a supernatural bar without being thrown out? Klancy must have held off the vampires while Kory got Mason and Watson away, but that didn't explain Mia Cumming's escape.
Kory said Klancy got Mia to the hospital. How had Klancy done all those things by himself? Did someone else step in to help?
Blowing out a breath and shoving those thoughts from my mind, I pulled out my cell phone to check the grocery list I'd put together. The pantry was nearly bare since so many were staying at the house, now. Groceries were going to cost a ton of money.
* * *
Rick and Farin were washing new underwear and other necessities when we got home. The Jeep was filled with groceries; Tiburon helped Kory unload while Anita and I put things away.
Since Friday night, I hadn't once thought of work. I counted that as a blessing. With Tibby and Anita's help, we put chicken enchiladas together. I'll admit the boxer was a great help in the kitchen. He explained that his grandmother taught him to cook—he was quite fond of his abuela.
"She lives in San Diego," he explained. "Mama moved to Vegas with my stepfather."
"I think I'd like to meet your abuela," I smiled.
"She would be happy to know that. If she visits, I'll introduce you."
"He asked me to come to Vegas with him, for his next fight," Farin arrived in the kitchen, carrying a basket of clean laundry.
"I'm not sure I could sit there and watch someone try to hit a friend," I said, giving Farin a smile.
"Tibby will handle it," she shrugged.
"Awesome. Dinner's almost ready. Round up the troops."
* * *
Work crossed my mind again after dinner. Kory asked Watson to help clear away dishes and clean the kitchen; Watson had shown up in time to eat, as if he could scent the food from wherever he'd gone.
Rick stepped in to help and I was grateful. He'd been mostly silent since he'd learned that Mike was alive.
That's when I went to my bedroom to check my laptop for any news that had come through over the weekend. I'd gotten information from the sister station in Texas; the survivor who'd appeared in Dallas was now missing again. His parents were making impassioned pleas for him to come home. Journalists speculated that whatever trauma he'd suffered while he was kidnapped had caused him to disappear again.
The other thing I received was an addendum to the execution scheduled for Friday evening; the prisoner was now dead, but a video had been included with that information. Journalists were sometimes invited to witness executions; it was obvious someone from the station had gone.
The video images came with sound, depicting the prisoner as he was led into the room where the lethal injection would be administered. He looked straight at the window as he wept and insisted on his innocence.
"I didn't do it," he repeated.
Truth.
"I'm not Loftin Qualls," he shouted.
Truth.
Ohmygodohmygodohmygod.
Chapter 12
Lexsi
"What's this about?" Anita asked as I pulled her inside my bedroom and shut the door.
"He's dead," I whispered.
"Who's dead?"
"Loftin Qualls. Well, somebody who looked like Loftin Qualls."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Anita demanded. "Are you all right?" Her eyes narrowed as she attempted to feel my forehead.
"I'm fine," I said, although I let her feel my forehead anyway. "Loftin Qualls, you know who he was?"
"That rapist-murderer millionaire?" she asked.
"Yeah. That's the one. I think somebody else died in his place."
"That's not plausible," Anita said. "He's been on death row. How could they sneak somebody in to trade places with him?"
"Money?" I suggested. "His parents have loads of it."
"Here's my next question—where would he go if he did get out? Somebody would surely notice."
"Not if he looked like somebody else," I hissed.
"What are you basing this on?" she asked.
"I can show you the video somebody at the sister station in Texas sent to me."
"Let me see it."
We watched the video together; I told Anita that the prisoner depicted was telling the truth. She turned to me then, her eyes widening in shock. "You're sure about this?"
"Yeah. As sure as I've ever been," I nodded. "I don't know what to do about this."
"Tell those guys who were here the other night," Anita said.
"Oh. Yeah. Right. Uh, how do I tell them that I know truth from a lie?"
"There's that," Anita blew out a breath. "Look, they still need to know. Did anybody fingerprint that guy, or check DNA?"
"I don't know," I moaned. "What I do know is that somewhere, the real Loftin Qualls is on the loose and probably looking for more victims."
"Yeah. I didn't consider that."
"They're going to think I'm nuts," I sighed.
"Who?"
"Davis Stone and Thomas Williams. The werewolf agents," I replied.
"Then hold off for a while and think up a good way to explain it," Anita retorted. "But know this—he could kill between now and then."
"I know that."
"Look, I'll back you up as well as I can, but you have to convince them."
"I'll try. I have no idea what Kory will say."
"Lexsi, look at me," Anita said. I turned my gaze on her. "A murderer may be loose and already killing," she said. "That execution was two days ago."
"I know."
"Have you checked to see if there are any murders that could be attributed to this asshole? I heard he always got creative when he killed."
"Don't remind me." I felt sick for the second time in two days.
"Then make the call."
"All right. They'll kill me, then Kory will kill me," I mumbled and pulled out my cell phone.
* * *
"Kory," I approached him. I'd found him having a drink with Watson at the kitchen island.
"What is it, onion?" he asked.
"I called Davis and Thomas."
"What for?" He was on his feet in a second, his drink forgotten on the island.
"I need to talk to you in private before they get here," I said.
"All right." I reached for his hand, discovering that mine was shaking. What if he didn't believe me?
/>
What if nobody but Anita believed me?
In truth, I was beginning to doubt myself. Nobody at the prison suspected anything—after all, they'd ignored the prisoner's claims and executed him anyway.
"Tell me," Kory said after I shut the door to the laundry room. At least it was empty at the moment.
"A prisoner was executed at a Texas Penitentiary," I began. With my voice trembling, I explained what I'd seen and heard. "He wasn't lying, Kory. You have to believe me."
* * *
Kordevik
Gulis were extremely rare, but I couldn't deny that it ran in her family. Her mother, from what I'd heard, was a guli—a truthspeaker of the High Demon race. They always recognized truth from a lie.
"I believe you, onion," I pulled both her hands into mine and squeezed them gently. "We just have to find a way to convince our agent friends to believe you, too."
"Oh, thank goodness." She pulled her hands from mine and wrapped both arms around my waist. That's where we were—in the laundry room, wrapped in an embrace when Anita knocked on the door to inform us that Davis and Thomas had arrived.
Convincing two werewolves proved to be a tougher job.
"The body's been cremated," Davis informed us. "There's nothing left to check," he added.
Lexsi was stricken by the news and huddled against me.
"His parents took custody of the body almost immediately and sent it to a facility for cremation," Thomas confirmed Davis' words and shut off his cell phone.
"Then I suppose you'll have to keep your eyes and ears open when the new murder spree commences," Anita's words were dry.
"If he's alive and his parents are involved, they ought to send him out of the country for treatment," Davis rose from his chair. "We'll send discreet requests through channels, in case any unusual murders crop up."
"We'll look into it as well as we can, but you have to understand that what's going on here takes precedence," Thomas said.
I thought Lexsi would collapse with the news. They may as well have told her they didn't believe what she'd said. The results were much the same. I had to congratulate anyone involved in this mess for destroying the body as quickly as they could.
For all anyone else knew, the real Loftin Qualls was dead.
"Thank you for your time," Anita said, her words as cold as the snow on Baetrah's winter summit.
Hot Demon in the City (Latter Day Demons Book 1) Page 16
