never
be
the hero. I can’t be redeemed.”
Kallistos straightens, draws a breath, continues. “Will you come to me tonight?”
The uncertainty in his voice is wrenching. I nod, then find my voice. “I will.”
* * *
When I arrive at the office, Zack and Garner are both sitting in front of a large flat-screen monitor, coffee mugs in hand. “Got started early on the surveillance footage?”
“We haven’t been at it long,” answers Zack. “Coffee’s fresh.”
“Anyone need a refill?” I ask.
Garner pauses the display. “One’s my limit. The wife says caffeine isn’t good for my blood pressure. Listen, I’m gonna run to the deli and pick up one of those bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches. Want anything?”
Zack and I exchange amused looks. Only Garner seems to have missed the irony.
We both mutter, “No, thanks.”
“Did you get my text last night?” he asks, following me to the coffee station.
“Yes, but I figured it was too late to call. Fill me in.” I pour the last of the pot. It’s barely half a cup.
Zack’s already pulling out a new coffee filter to start a fresh one. “Not really anything more to report. We found accounts for the other two girls. All three are using a bank close to the school. It looks like deposits were made at a nearby ATM during lunch period. Apparently students of certain academic standing were allowed off campus for lunch.”
“What about Agent Billings? Did he turn up anything on Julie’s computer yet?”
Zack shakes his head. “He just came in a minute or two before you.”
The coffee is now brewing. “So, where do we start?”
“I figured we’d start with Hannah’s folks, then swing by right after to connect with Sylvia’s. I called last night. They’re expecting us.”
I dump what’s left in my mug into the sink, then give it a quick rinse. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 6
Armed with the knowledge that both Hannah and Sylvia had accounts similar to Julie’s, Zack and I head out first to interview Hannah Clemons’ mother. Our reports indicate that she and her husband have recently separated. She and Hannah live in Lakeside, a bedroom community in East County. The drive should take no more than twenty-five minutes because by the time we start out, midmorning, we’ve missed the commuter traffic that often clogs the 52E.
Zack doesn’t have much to say. He’s driving today and I’m glad. Gives him a chance to pretend he’s focusing on the road and me a chance to focus on Kallistos and our conversation from this morning.
My thoughts spin like a kaleidoscope. I’d been certain moving in with Kallistos was wrong. Now bits and pieces of our past conversations replay in my mind and I’m not so sure. I look out the window at the passing landscape. I have to admit, our relationship is working better than any I’ve had in a long time. Sex is as much a part of his nature as it is mine. We’re good together, more than good. He’s strong enough that I can let go, completely.The things he does, the way he can make my body feel. Yes, he is domineering, egotistical, self-assured. But he can also be thoughtful, gentle, caring, especially with those under his protection.
I remember how he looked when he saw the desiccated bodies of the vampires Barbara Pierce had tortured in her death lab. The sorrow in his eyes was real.
The feeling in those same eyes when he looks at me is real.
Not love. But as close to it as either of us is likely to get.
I am devoted to you. I will forever remain so.
Kallistos isn’t a man who speaks lightly of commitments.
“Hey, Emma.”
Zack’s voice brings me back with a start. I look around. We’ve come to a stop in front of an apartment building. I recognize the name, Maplewood Apartments, as our destination. When I look at Zack, he’s raised both eyebrows and is staring at me.
“Where have you been?”
“Thinking.”
“Something about the case?”
I shake my head.
“Something
be
the hero. I can’t be redeemed.”
Kallistos straightens, draws a breath, continues. “Will you come to me tonight?”
The uncertainty in his voice is wrenching. I nod, then find my voice. “I will.”
* * *
When I arrive at the office, Zack and Garner are both sitting in front of a large flat-screen monitor, coffee mugs in hand. “Got started early on the surveillance footage?”
“We haven’t been at it long,” answers Zack. “Coffee’s fresh.”
“Anyone need a refill?” I ask.
Garner pauses the display. “One’s my limit. The wife says caffeine isn’t good for my blood pressure. Listen, I’m gonna run to the deli and pick up one of those bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches. Want anything?”
Zack and I exchange amused looks. Only Garner seems to have missed the irony.
We both mutter, “No, thanks.”
“Did you get my text last night?” he asks, following me to the coffee station.
“Yes, but I figured it was too late to call. Fill me in.” I pour the last of the pot. It’s barely half a cup.
Zack’s already pulling out a new coffee filter to start a fresh one. “Not really anything more to report. We found accounts for the other two girls. All three are using a bank close to the school. It looks like deposits were made at a nearby ATM during lunch period. Apparently students of certain academic standing were allowed off campus for lunch.”
“What about Agent Billings? Did he turn up anything on Julie’s computer yet?”
Zack shakes his head. “He just came in a minute or two before you.”
The coffee is now brewing. “So, where do we start?”
“I figured we’d start with Hannah’s folks, then swing by right after to connect with Sylvia’s. I called last night. They’re expecting us.”
I dump what’s left in my mug into the sink, then give it a quick rinse. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 6
Armed with the knowledge that both Hannah and Sylvia had accounts similar to Julie’s, Zack and I head out first to interview Hannah Clemons’ mother. Our reports indicate that she and her husband have recently separated. She and Hannah live in Lakeside, a bedroom community in East County. The drive should take no more than twenty-five minutes because by the time we start out, midmorning, we’ve missed the commuter traffic that often clogs the 52E.
Zack doesn’t have much to say. He’s driving today and I’m glad. Gives him a chance to pretend he’s focusing on the road and me a chance to focus on Kallistos and our conversation from this morning.
My thoughts spin like a kaleidoscope. I’d been certain moving in with Kallistos was wrong. Now bits and pieces of our past conversations replay in my mind and I’m not so sure. I look out the window at the passing landscape. I have to admit, our relationship is working better than any I’ve had in a long time. Sex is as much a part of his nature as it is mine. We’re good together, more than good. He’s strong enough that I can let go, completely.The things he does, the way he can make my body feel. Yes, he is domineering, egotistical, self-assured. But he can also be thoughtful, gentle, caring, especially with those under his protection.
I remember how he looked when he saw the desiccated bodies of the vampires Barbara Pierce had tortured in her death lab. The sorrow in his eyes was real.
The feeling in those same eyes when he looks at me is real.
Not love. But as close to it as either of us is likely to get.
I am devoted to you. I will forever remain so.
Kallistos isn’t a man who speaks lightly of commitments.
“Hey, Emma.”
Zack’s voice brings me back with a start. I look around. We’ve come to a stop in front of an apartment building. I recognize the name, Maplewood Apartments, as our destination. When I look at Zack, he’s raised both eyebrows and is staring at me.
“Where have you been?”
“Thinking.”
“Something about the case?”
I shake my head.
“Something
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