that a problem, Ms. Crusher?”
Kiki frowns, no doubt still thinking about the early morning wake-up call she’ll need. “No, Sam can drive me. I kind of lost my license—but I was only over the limit by like a fraction of a point. There was also the underage thing.” She shrugs and I can’t believe she’s telling us she has a DWI on her record.
“Are you ready, Miss?” Agent Brennan asks her.
She nods and he leads her to her car. He opens the door for her and she turns to wave to me. “See you tomorrow.” She rolls her eyes and laughs. “Bright and early.”
As the pink car backs out of the alley I shake my head. This is a disaster waiting to happen.
The hotel sign is glowing in the dark ahead and I wish Dad would drive faster. I can’t wait to get in my own room and be alone.
Agent Sloan phoned to warn me that I better do a good job so Kiki doesn’t call up that “team of lawyers” and have them figure out a way to null and void the contract she’d signed.
Why couldn’t the police have just awarded this gig to the Harkers? I still can’t believe my parents agree to share the job. I know the van needs a new muffler, but still.
“How am I supposed to hunt when I have that girl with me?” I lament. “And what if she gets bitten or something?”
Mom turns around to face me. “You’re hunting during the day when the vampires are almost powerless.”
“I guess, but what if she wants to go on night patrol with me?”
“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.”
I think about Kiki saying she wasn’t squeamish. “I hope you’re right.”
Dad pulls into a parking spot and I watch an assortment of insects flit in and around the lights illuminating the one level, no-frills motel. Faded plastic flowers droop in the window boxes and I eye the soda machine under an awning near the office. I’m going to need caffeine in the morning and this doesn’t look like the kind of place that will have a coffeemaker and packets of instant in the bathroom.
“This just might be good for you, Doodlebug. Living like we do doesn’t leave much time for friends.”
“Much time? How about
no
time?” And Kiki Crusher would be the last person I’d pick to be friends with. I scowl just thinking about her. “And even if I did want to be friends with her, we’ll be gone in a week’s time so what would the point be?”
“This isn’t about making friends,” Mom says gathering her things. “It’s about getting the job done no matter what obstacles they throw in our way. And like I said, I’d bet money that girl will be out of your hair in less than twenty-four hours.”
Suddenly Mom slaps the dashboard and I jump. “Oh, great, figures
they’re
here.”
I scan the lot. Mr. Harker is leaning on a rusted blue car smoking a cigarette. He sees us looking at him and nods.
Mom practically growls. “He’s infuriating.”
“Joy, it hasn’t been easy for him,” Dad says gently. “I really think he’s sincere in wanting to reconnect.”
“That’s never going to happen,” Mom whispers. “Never.” She shakes her head. “If he hadn’t been so reckless—hadn’t encouraged her to follow suit—she’d still be here.” Mom takes in a long breath.
I shift uncomfortably in the back. It occurs to me that Mom must have been friends with Mrs. Harker, and like Dad implied, friends are hard to come by. I’m having a hard time picturing Mom relaxing and laughing with a friend, though—she’s always so serious. But maybe there was a time….
“I know you still miss her …,” Dad starts.
Mom sits up straight, game face back on. “Let’s check in. We have a lot of planning and research to do if we want to come out ahead.” She puts her purse strap over her shoulder and opens her door. “I’ll get the keys.” She slams the door harder than necessary and stalks toward the hotel office.
I steal a look at Mr. Harker and I wonder if Dad misses working with him. I imagine he was a different man
Kiki frowns, no doubt still thinking about the early morning wake-up call she’ll need. “No, Sam can drive me. I kind of lost my license—but I was only over the limit by like a fraction of a point. There was also the underage thing.” She shrugs and I can’t believe she’s telling us she has a DWI on her record.
“Are you ready, Miss?” Agent Brennan asks her.
She nods and he leads her to her car. He opens the door for her and she turns to wave to me. “See you tomorrow.” She rolls her eyes and laughs. “Bright and early.”
As the pink car backs out of the alley I shake my head. This is a disaster waiting to happen.
The hotel sign is glowing in the dark ahead and I wish Dad would drive faster. I can’t wait to get in my own room and be alone.
Agent Sloan phoned to warn me that I better do a good job so Kiki doesn’t call up that “team of lawyers” and have them figure out a way to null and void the contract she’d signed.
Why couldn’t the police have just awarded this gig to the Harkers? I still can’t believe my parents agree to share the job. I know the van needs a new muffler, but still.
“How am I supposed to hunt when I have that girl with me?” I lament. “And what if she gets bitten or something?”
Mom turns around to face me. “You’re hunting during the day when the vampires are almost powerless.”
“I guess, but what if she wants to go on night patrol with me?”
“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.”
I think about Kiki saying she wasn’t squeamish. “I hope you’re right.”
Dad pulls into a parking spot and I watch an assortment of insects flit in and around the lights illuminating the one level, no-frills motel. Faded plastic flowers droop in the window boxes and I eye the soda machine under an awning near the office. I’m going to need caffeine in the morning and this doesn’t look like the kind of place that will have a coffeemaker and packets of instant in the bathroom.
“This just might be good for you, Doodlebug. Living like we do doesn’t leave much time for friends.”
“Much time? How about
no
time?” And Kiki Crusher would be the last person I’d pick to be friends with. I scowl just thinking about her. “And even if I did want to be friends with her, we’ll be gone in a week’s time so what would the point be?”
“This isn’t about making friends,” Mom says gathering her things. “It’s about getting the job done no matter what obstacles they throw in our way. And like I said, I’d bet money that girl will be out of your hair in less than twenty-four hours.”
Suddenly Mom slaps the dashboard and I jump. “Oh, great, figures
they’re
here.”
I scan the lot. Mr. Harker is leaning on a rusted blue car smoking a cigarette. He sees us looking at him and nods.
Mom practically growls. “He’s infuriating.”
“Joy, it hasn’t been easy for him,” Dad says gently. “I really think he’s sincere in wanting to reconnect.”
“That’s never going to happen,” Mom whispers. “Never.” She shakes her head. “If he hadn’t been so reckless—hadn’t encouraged her to follow suit—she’d still be here.” Mom takes in a long breath.
I shift uncomfortably in the back. It occurs to me that Mom must have been friends with Mrs. Harker, and like Dad implied, friends are hard to come by. I’m having a hard time picturing Mom relaxing and laughing with a friend, though—she’s always so serious. But maybe there was a time….
“I know you still miss her …,” Dad starts.
Mom sits up straight, game face back on. “Let’s check in. We have a lot of planning and research to do if we want to come out ahead.” She puts her purse strap over her shoulder and opens her door. “I’ll get the keys.” She slams the door harder than necessary and stalks toward the hotel office.
I steal a look at Mr. Harker and I wonder if Dad misses working with him. I imagine he was a different man
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