power that might draw attention to an Immortal on earth. Each use of my power risks Demeter’s wrath. Finding one of the missing, saving them, tips the scales in my direction. A justified risk for the greater good is tolerated. Necessary, so that I can continue with the mission, so that I can bring another victim home, so that maybe, someday, I can go home.
It’s almost five o’clock and all but one of the agents, Garner, has left. We join him at his desk.
He waves his hand at two stacks of reports. “I’ve compiled the police reports here, in chronological order, and the background information you looked at earlier, here. I’m afraid I didn’t find much. I was going to start reviewing the security footage from the campus next.”
“You got it already?” asked Zack.
Garner nods. “Came in around twenty minutes ago. If you’d rather I work on something else first, I can. My wife is visiting her folks in New York and I have nothing to go home to except a frozen fillet of fish. She’s trying to get me to cut down on red meat.”
Zack grins. “Well, as a matter of fact, we could use a little more help. We need financials run on the missing girls. And Johnson’s niece, Rain.”
Garner raises an eyebrow but turns to his computer.
“Think we can have them in the morning?”
“No problem.” Garner’s fingers are already working the keyboard. “They’ll be on your desks when you get in.”
I remember Zack telling Sarah earlier he probably wouldn’t be home for dinner. Although it looks now like he could be, he makes no move to leave. Instead, he removes his jacket and loosens his tie. He takes a seat next to Garner. “If we both work on this, we’ll get it done faster. When we’re finished, I’ll spring for steaks at Donovan’s, and you can drive me home. Deal?”
“Are you kidding? For a steak, I’ll come in early to start reviewing the surveillance.”
I touch Zack’s shoulder. “I can stay, too.”
Garner looks up from his keyboard. “I think we’ve pretty much got it covered.”
“There you go,” Zack says. “No need for you to stay late. Besides, you have someone waiting for you. Right?” His tone is teasing, playful, but an unmistakable sadness shadows his eyes.
You could have had someone waiting for you, too.
I’ve known from the beginning that Zack doesn’t love Sarah. But something keeps them together. I guess I was hoping that something would be enough. That Sarah would make him happy.
Obviously, she hasn’t.
My cell phone vibrates announcing a new text.
Hot vampire here with cold champagne. Awaiting your arrival. K.
Kallistos may not be perfect, but there’s an honesty about our no-strings-attached relationship that’s refreshing. We understand each other. We know what we want and accept what we can’t have. Kallistos may be complicated, but the arrangement we have isn’t. And it’ssuch a damned relief not to have to watch every thought, every action.
Hot vampire here with cold champagne. Awaiting your arrival.
I don’t bother to answer Zack. He and Garner are busy chatting away. I just grab my purse and head for the elevator.
* * *
Day Two: Tuesday, September 3
I gave up trying to sleep long ago. The sun has yet to rise, but the city below is waking. From my vantage point on the sofa of the penthouse, I can see the outline of buildings. Random windows dotted with light shine like beacons against the dark blanket of the bay beyond.
My laptop sits open on the coffee table in front of me. Three images appear side by side on the screen—Julie Simmons, Hannah Clemons, and Sylvia Roberts. I wonder what kinds of sinister secrets those sunny smiles and sparkling eyes are masking. What I wouldn’t give right now to question just one of them.
I pour the last cup of coffee from the pot and walk out onto the balcony. The edges of my silk robe flutter in the predawn breeze. Two hundred dollars per week, per girl. No more. No less. Zack’s text confirming
It’s almost five o’clock and all but one of the agents, Garner, has left. We join him at his desk.
He waves his hand at two stacks of reports. “I’ve compiled the police reports here, in chronological order, and the background information you looked at earlier, here. I’m afraid I didn’t find much. I was going to start reviewing the security footage from the campus next.”
“You got it already?” asked Zack.
Garner nods. “Came in around twenty minutes ago. If you’d rather I work on something else first, I can. My wife is visiting her folks in New York and I have nothing to go home to except a frozen fillet of fish. She’s trying to get me to cut down on red meat.”
Zack grins. “Well, as a matter of fact, we could use a little more help. We need financials run on the missing girls. And Johnson’s niece, Rain.”
Garner raises an eyebrow but turns to his computer.
“Think we can have them in the morning?”
“No problem.” Garner’s fingers are already working the keyboard. “They’ll be on your desks when you get in.”
I remember Zack telling Sarah earlier he probably wouldn’t be home for dinner. Although it looks now like he could be, he makes no move to leave. Instead, he removes his jacket and loosens his tie. He takes a seat next to Garner. “If we both work on this, we’ll get it done faster. When we’re finished, I’ll spring for steaks at Donovan’s, and you can drive me home. Deal?”
“Are you kidding? For a steak, I’ll come in early to start reviewing the surveillance.”
I touch Zack’s shoulder. “I can stay, too.”
Garner looks up from his keyboard. “I think we’ve pretty much got it covered.”
“There you go,” Zack says. “No need for you to stay late. Besides, you have someone waiting for you. Right?” His tone is teasing, playful, but an unmistakable sadness shadows his eyes.
You could have had someone waiting for you, too.
I’ve known from the beginning that Zack doesn’t love Sarah. But something keeps them together. I guess I was hoping that something would be enough. That Sarah would make him happy.
Obviously, she hasn’t.
My cell phone vibrates announcing a new text.
Hot vampire here with cold champagne. Awaiting your arrival. K.
Kallistos may not be perfect, but there’s an honesty about our no-strings-attached relationship that’s refreshing. We understand each other. We know what we want and accept what we can’t have. Kallistos may be complicated, but the arrangement we have isn’t. And it’ssuch a damned relief not to have to watch every thought, every action.
Hot vampire here with cold champagne. Awaiting your arrival.
I don’t bother to answer Zack. He and Garner are busy chatting away. I just grab my purse and head for the elevator.
* * *
Day Two: Tuesday, September 3
I gave up trying to sleep long ago. The sun has yet to rise, but the city below is waking. From my vantage point on the sofa of the penthouse, I can see the outline of buildings. Random windows dotted with light shine like beacons against the dark blanket of the bay beyond.
My laptop sits open on the coffee table in front of me. Three images appear side by side on the screen—Julie Simmons, Hannah Clemons, and Sylvia Roberts. I wonder what kinds of sinister secrets those sunny smiles and sparkling eyes are masking. What I wouldn’t give right now to question just one of them.
I pour the last cup of coffee from the pot and walk out onto the balcony. The edges of my silk robe flutter in the predawn breeze. Two hundred dollars per week, per girl. No more. No less. Zack’s text confirming
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